Indian cities are bustling with the grandeur of film culture. Many locations in the country are often seen in a lot of Indian movies, which makes them iconic spots. If you’re wondering where to experience some of the finest film culture in India, then you are in the right place. In this blog, we will explore famous places and centres renowned for being the heartland of Indian film culture.
Kolkata
The ‘City’ of Joy’, Kolkata, is also the heart of Bengali cinema. As we all know that South Indian films and Bollywood movies are known for their glamourous and extravagant picturisation, Bengali films are known for promoting intellectually driven film culture. If you are in Kolkata, you must attend film festivals and the art-house cinema that ooze every ounce of brilliance and are absolute treasures to watch! The city is also a home to numerous legendary movie makers , Ritwik Ghatak, Mrinal Sen and Academy Award winner Satyajit Ray.
Cinematic hotspots
Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute (SRFTI)
One of the most prestigious film institutes in the country, the SRFTI was established in 1995 and provides higher and professional education in filmmaking. Once on campus, you can experience the rich tapestry of Indian film culture, which is deeply rooted in every part of the institute.
Nandan cultural centre
As one of the prominent locations in Kolkata, Nandan is a film and cultural center that facilitates cinematic awareness. This is one of the prime venues for film festivals and screenings. If you’re in the city during the Kolkata International Film Festival, you can experience immersive cinema here through fine arts and the rich traditions of Bengal.
A cultural hub for film lovers, Nandan is a prime venue for film screenings and festivals, including the Kolkata International Film Festival. It’s the perfect place to immerse yourself in meaningful cinema that explores complex human emotions and societal themes.
Mumbai
Mumbai is the centre of India’s most popular film industry – Bollywood. It is no wonder that Mumbai is known as the ‘City of Dreams’ since hundreds and hundreds of movies are produced here every single year, which significantly contribute to not just Indian but world cinema. Once you are in Mumbai, you can witness numerous cinematic landmarks, film sets, and often spot celebrities.
Highlights of Mumbai
Film City
If you are wondering where you can see the popular and iconic movie sets, it is in Film City. This place is located in Goregaon and is a stretched-out complex with different film studios, including 42 outdoor and 16 indoor locations. You can also take guided tours to get a glimpse of behind-the-scenes construction of film sets, live shoots, or film productions.
Bandra and Juhu Beach
Many Bollywood celebrities live in and around Juhu and Bandra. If you are near these locations, you can take a quick look at some of Indian movie stars’ residences such as ‘Mannat’ of Shah Rukh Khan in Bandra, ‘Galaxy Apartments’ of Salman Khan in Bandra, ‘Jalsa’ of Amitabh Bachchan in Juhu, ‘Basera’ of Rekha in Bandra and many more. These residences are easy to spot and if you are new in the city, you can ask any locals for directions.
Pune
Pune is located 3-4 hours from Mumbai and is popularly known for its significance in Indian film culture. The city is home to the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), where a number of popular and acclaimed directors, screenplay writers, cinematographers, and actors have mastered their craft of movie-making. The rich heritage of the institute is a testament to the city and its glorious connection to the film culture in the country.
Must-see in Pune
Prabhat Film Studios
The studios began in 1929 in Kolhapur, Maharashtra but moved to Pune in 1933. The same year the company was moved to Pune, it established its studio and produced 45 films across Hindi and Marathi. Today, the Film and Television Institute of India is situated in the former location of these studios. You can take a studio tour and visit the ‘Prabhat Museum’ to see original contracts, costumes, artifacts, stills, and film posters.
National Film Archive of India (NFAI)
If you are a movie lover, you will surely love this place. The NFAI restores and preserves classic Indian cinema. You can also see numerous screenings of archival documentaries and movies. Once you are here, you can revisit the enigma of Indian film culture- from silent movies to the current blockbusters, all in one place!
Hyderabad
The Telugu film industry, popularly known as Tollywood, is located in Hyderabad and is an important cog in India’s cinematic scene. Recently, a number of Telugu films have gained popularity and recognition due to their cinematic extravaganza, visual appeal, and larger-than-life action scenes. Movies like RRR, Bahubali, Sita Raman, Jersey, and many more are perfect examples of the magic of Tollywood.
Key film experiences
Ramoji Film City
The film city spans over 2,000 acres and is the largest integrated film city in the world. Ramoji Film City takes you on a memorable trip into the film world. The huge complex has studios, post-production facilities, film sets, live stunt shows, and theme parks. If you want to experience the true grandeur of the film city, you must take a day-long tour here.
Iconic stars of Tollywood
Allu Arjun, Chiranjeevi, Mahesh Babu, Prabhas, and a lot of other iconic Tollywood stars have devoted followers in the city. These stars continue to enjoy unconditional love from these fans. Suppose you’re in town and get the time to catch a first-day, first-show screening of your favourite Tollywood celebrity in one of the cinema halls in the city. In that case, you can first-hand experience the craziness and excitement of the audience.