Bollywood movies have a reputation of taking us on a roller coaster of emotions – they make you laugh, they make you cry, they make you want to get up and dance…they even make you want to pack your bags and set off on a life-altering adventure.
Last month, the JenJon editorial team compiled a list of Hollywood’s best travel-themed movies. Turns out, Bollywood’s travel movie track record can give its American counterpart a run for their money! In the last decade, the Hindi film industry has seen the emergence and successful acceptance of movies that beautifully capture the various elements and emotions associated with wanderlust. We’ve rounded up some of the best ones for you.
HIGHWAY (2014)
- Credits: UTV Motion Pictures / Window Seat Films
Highway is a visual diary of the ‘Great North Indian Road Trip’ as it tells the story of a young Delhi girl who forms a strange bond with her kidnapper. The plot of the movie takes the audience by surprise, but it firmly captures Imtiaz Ali’s vision of a ‘wandering traveler.’ Highway is an atypical Bollywood road movie that traces a complex journey of self-discovery, and can be easily considered as one of Aliaa Bhatt’s finest performances till date.
Watch the trailer here.
FINDING FANNY (2014)
- Credits: Fox Star Studios / Maddock Films
Finding Fanny is a window to Goa – minus the rave parties and beaches. It shows Goa like no other film has ever done before, and captures the simplicity of its landscapes, people and culture. Five dysfunctional adults, one dead cat and a less-than-perfect car set off on a road trip to complete a decades-old love story. Although the movie tends to have a very niche audience, it makes for a feel-good watch that tells an average story rather interestingly.
Watch the trailer here.
DIL CHAHTA HAI (2001)
- Credits: Excel Entertainment
No travel movie list is complete without the mention of this Indian cult classic that taught us a thing or two about traveling and friendship. Beautifully shot, it captures Goa’s rustic charm and Sydney’s exciting culture. Goa really banked on Dil Chahta Hai’s success, quickly rising to the status of becoming the ultimate ‘exotic’ travel destination for urban Indians. Almost 15 years old, and this film still drives the idea that friendships are incomplete without a Goan adventure!
Watch the trailer here.
YEH JAWAANI HAI DEEWANI (2013)
- Credits: UTV Motion Pictures / Dharma Productions
A trek through Manali saw an entry in every urban twenty-something’s travel bucket list after the release of this movie. Friendship, romance, dreams, heartbreak – Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani perfectly captures these elements of growing up while taking us through the snow-capped Himalayan peaks, the picturesque alleys of Europe and the lavish forts of Udaipur. The relationships between the main characters, the protagonist’s toggle with the complexities of wanderlust, and the differing notions of ‘home’ beautifully underline this re-watchable entertainer.
Watch the trailer here.
QUEEN (2014)
- Credits: Viacom 18 Motion Pictures / Phantom Films
A naïve, young, overprotected middle class Delhi girl decides to travel solo on her honeymoon trip after her fiancé calls of the wedding – with such a storyline, Kangana’s character has us rooting for her from the start of the film itself. Initially devastated and scared, Rani’s journey through a romantic Paris and quirky Amsterdam transforms her into a brave, confident woman. Traveling the world and meeting new people bring with it experiences that changes you for the better, and Queen makes a strong case for this.
Watch the trailer here.
ROAD, MOVIE (2009)
- Credits: Madman Entertainment
This film is unconventional to the say the least, and sadly forgotten by many. Vishnu (Abhay Deol) takes a journey through Rajasthan to deliver his father’s truck to a local museum. Travelers join in along the way, and this journey proves transformational for each one of them. The rural and rustic landscapes of the state are nothing less than a visual treat.
Watch the trailer here.
ZINDAGI NA MILEGI DOBAARA (2011)
- Credits: Eros International / Excel Entertainment
Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara is a more than just a re-boot to Dil Chahta Hai’s charm and popularity. It takes the Indian road-trip movie out of India and captures Spain in all its breathtaking beauty. A coming-of-age film brilliantly directed by Zoya Akhtar, it is a heartfelt tale of love and friendship. With a stellar ensemble cast, foot-tapping music and beautiful poetry, it stands to be a timeless cinematic experience for every movie-lover.
Watch the trailer here.
PIKU (2015)
- Credits: MSM Motion Pictures / Yash Raj Films
An eccentric father-daughter duo on a road trip from Delhi to Kolkata – Piku is charming, simple, heartwarming and will have you smiling from start till end. The film hilariously depicts the happenings of taking an ageing parent on a 48-hour car journey without getting too preachy. Amitabh Bachchan, Deepika Padukone and Irrfan Khan emerge as a trio to be reckoned with as they translate their star power into ‘real’ characters that you might find living next door to you. Shoojit Sircar does a beautiful job in capturing the cityscape of Kolkata, in addition to giving us a brief glimpse into the spiritual aura of Varanasi at dusk.
Watch the trailer here.
Got a favorite travel movie that needs to be up on this list? Share it with us on our Facebook page! We’d be happy to hear from all you Bollywood-enthusiasts out there!
Written by Lynn Verghese for JenJon Retail & Services Pvt. Ltd. Images used in this post are taken under the Creative Commons Licenses.