Punjab has always been a Bollywood favorite.
Bollywood's obsession with Punjab is not a new thing. And why wouldn't it be? The state is blessed with a lot - such as scenic natural elegance, rich culture, and historical significance - that would attract all types of filmmakers. Over the years, Bollywood has produced a huge number of films set in the backdrop of Punjab. Along with showcasing the beautiful locations, some of those films also succeed at giving the authentic Punjabi vibes that transport us to the lanes of Punjab altogether.
Here, we have listed down five iconic Bollywood films that are shot extensively in the “Land of Five Rivers”.
Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge: Aditya Chopra's 'Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge' offers the true Punjabi flavors that we still cannot get enough of. While the first half of the film is extensively shot in Europe, the second half is shot in several parts of Punjab - especially, the "Tujhe Dekha To Yeh Jaana Sanam" song sequence is shot in the mustard fields of the state.
Veer Zaara: The iconic romantic film that still leaves us in tears, 'Veer Zaara' shows Punjabi culture in the most authentic way. Precisely, it's shot in various locations of Amritsar. The court scenes where Samia fights to get justice for Veer are shot at Amritsar's Khalsa College - which is a famous shooting location. Also, the song sequence "Aisa Desh Hai Mera" is shot in the fields of Punjab.
Jab We Met: Directed by Imtiaz Ali, 'Jab We Met' revolves around the journey of two characters - one is Geet from Bhatinda (a city in Punjab) who elopes from her home and meets a depressed businessman on the road. There's a dialogue by Geet - "Sikhani Hu Main Bhatinda Ki" - that offers a glimpse of the spirit the Punjabi girls have! The film is shot extensively in several parts of the state, including Chandigarh.
Bhaag Milkha Bhaag: 'Bhaag Milkha Bhaag' is one of the finest biographical sports drama films ever made in India. Based on the life of Indian athlete Milkha Singh, this film is shot extensively in the Ferozepur district of Punjab. Also, the scenes where the protagonist gets training for the Olympics are done at the National Institute of Sports in Patiala (which is a city in Punjab).
Udta Punjab: It's quite evident that a film named 'Udta Punjab' is shot in the state of Punjab. However, what's more important is that this film captures that side of Punjab which no other Bollywood film has ever dared to approach. Starring the impeccable Shahid Kapoor in the lead role, 'Udta Punjab' is shot in Amritsar and several other parts of Punjab.
Apart from these, the list also includes films like 'Rockstar', 'Pinjar', 'Vicky Donor', 'Love Ajkal', 'Tanu Weds Manu', 'Rang De Basanti', 'Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi', and more.
