9 Bollywood movies that were shot in Goa

Goahhh! Wonder what’s it about Goa that makes the traveller and the holidayer go weak in the knees? It’s the atmo, my dear friend – the breath-taking, tropical landscape – nothing short of paradise; the quiet roads, the swaying coconut trees, the incredible beaches blessed with white sands and inviting shacks dotting the sea line, the never-ending stretches of the sometimes lazy, sometimes angry ocean, the all-night beach dos, the frenzied water sports, and the simply, sterling, finger licking Goan cuisine! Susegad! (Relax – in Konkani).

From the common man residing in the remote corners of the country to the film stars of Bollywood from amchi Mumbai, Goa is the ultimate holiday destination. Always happening, always trending, always beckoning. Simply magic! Little wonder then that Bollywood’s film producers, directors and cinematographers keep coming back to Goa for shooting their films!

Here’s the list of the movies, many of which turned out to be blockbusters, shot in Goa.

Let’s relive!

Saat Hindustani (1969)

Historically significant, both from Big B’s career and Goa’s point of view, this film was Big B’s debut film and a national award winner. Directed by K.A. Abbas, Saat Hindustani was based on the Goa Liberation Movement where seven individuals, from different parts of the country came together to free Goa from Portuguese colonial rule.

Ek Duuje Ke Liye (1981)

When North meets South, sparks fly. That was the gist of the 80s famous, rebellious love story – Ek Duuje Ke Liye between a young South Indian played by Kamal Hassan and a North Indian Girl played by Rati Agnihotri. Directed by K. Balachander, the film is a Hindi remake of his own Telugu film Maro Charitra. This film brought Goa in the limelight and film makers and fans marvelled at the beauty of the place. Some of the popular locations in this film include the old Patto bridge, Dona Paula jetty, Shantadurga temple and the Harvalem Waterfalls.

Trikal (1985)

What is Goa without Miranda! Trikal was largely inspired by the legendary cartoonist Mario Miranda’s family history and is filmed in Miranda’s beautiful ancestral home in Loutolim. The film won its director, Shyam Benegal, the National Film Award for Best Direction and an award for Best Costume Design.

Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa (1994)

One of Bollywood’s offbeat love stories, the film is not á happily-ever-after’ but won King Khan a the Filmfare Critic’s award for one of his most memorable performances. Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa is directed by Kundan Shah and revolves around Shah Rukh’s attempts to woo the girl he loves and still lose her. It is filmed at Colva beach, Fort Aguada and the ruins of St. Augustine in addition to other well-known places.

Khamoshi-The Musical (1996)

Goa seems to bring out the best in film plots and this one takes the cake. It was Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s debut film, featuring Nana Patekar and Seema Biswas who portray a deaf and mute couple, and Manisha Koirala who plays the role of Annie, their musically inclined daughter. Heart-wrenchingly lovely, this film was filmed in some of the prime Goan locations like Old Goa, Anjuna and the Saligao church.

Dil Chahta Hain (2001)

A simple story based on the lives of three friends, this film attained cult status and led to a new genre of films. Directed by Farhan Akhtar, Dil Chahta Hai won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film. The famous scene at the Chapora Fort put this Fort in the spotlight of must-see tourist attractions.

The Golmaal Series (2006-2010)

Rohit Shetty, the man behind the Golmaal series, is in love with Goa. His films are either set or shot or both, in Goa. Revolving around the lives of four friends, this a drama cum romcom series. Fun to watch, Golmaal is a serial grosser. Fun, good looking and a great watch, this film makes the most of the beautiful spots in Goa like Fort Aguada and Dona Paula.

Singham (2011)

The unmatched Jodi of Bollywood – Rohit Shetty and Ajay Devgan have taken Goa by storm with Singham. Singham set a new benchmark of goody-goody, action films, where good wins over evil. Action-packed, this film is an honest policeman’s battle against corruption. The most famous scene in this film is the action scene shot at the Dona Paula jetty. Today, as a tribute to this scene and film, you will find a number of stalls named “Singham” sprawled across the jetty!

Dear Zindagi (2016)

This movie has Bollywood King, Shah Rukh Khan and Alia Bhatt. The entire story, well almost, was shot in Goa. The film is a coming-of-age drama written and directed by Gauri Shinde and explores a different subject in a different manner. It explores the millennial’s relationships, their view on life and their self-image. The film features Alia Bhatt in the lead role – with Shah Rukh Khan in a critical role of a psychologist and Kunal Kapoor and Ali Zafar in supporting roles. The plot centres on a budding cinematographer named Kaira, who is discontented with her life and meets Dr. Jehangir, a free-spirited psychologist who helps her to gain a new perspective on her life.

Bollywood seems to have a forever kind of love affair with this tropical paradise – Goa. No one’s complaining though. The best of films, the best of stars and the best of places – what more could movie buffs want!