Bollywood Ethnics: The West Highway

The Incredible India mission may have its loopholes when viewed in the light of politics, but in Bollywood at least, the mission has been accomplished. Cultural diversity that encompasses the whole of India dominates our movies these days, and this adds flavors from all directions and all places to the standard fare that our movies put up. But rather than making a mess of things, our filmmakers have found their favorite spices. And the West is one such place that our films have headed to use as their backdrop. Today, BollyCurry takes you through the streets of West India, filled with the colors of variety, making our movies all the more special.

The Gorgeous Goa
The shores of the beautiful beaches of Goa are rife with party scenes that youngsters love. The state is known not just for the wild side, but also for the rich historical and religious history. While this history and culture has been showcased in movies like Josh (2000), the inherent beauty of this coastal state is what keeps drawing filmmakers back to use the state as their muse. The crisp waterfront, miles of scenic beaches, and the diversity present make for the perfect location to shoot songs and add a young, fresh feel to any movie. Finding Fanny (2014) is one such film that took advantage of the locale, as is Dum Maaro Dum (2011). Here's one western state that has all the ingredients for a fun and lively Hindi film served on a plate, where all you need is a camera to capture the essence.

The Glorying Gujarat
Not far away is the colorful state of the fun loving crowd, Gujarat. The old forts, busy markets and the indigenous way of life is how Gujarat functions. But that does not mean that the state is backward in any way. Oh, no, it is one of the most developed states of India, though it carries a soul that is fully ethnic. And that is what our filmmakers work with. The famous gujju community shown in Kal Ho Naa Ho (2003) brought laughs, and recently, Goliyon Ki Rasleela Ram-Leela (2013) made the screens light up with the cultural display of the state as well. The famous dandiya dance of "Dholi Taaro" from Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999) made for a festive feel. Small aspects of Gujarat have also been utilized by the filmmakers many times, be it in songs or character roles, and the state has always lived up to the challenge.

The Magnetic Maharashtra
A little down to the south rests the state that houses the so-called city of dreams, Mumbai, Maharashtra. Diversified in and of itself because of the large size and fast lifestyle, Maharashtra has not fully left its roots. Still present are the traditions and cultures of the past - the easy availability of seafood, the beaches, and the people of native origins. However, as Mumbai is the financial capital, Maharashtra also has its concrete jungles dominated by skyscrapers and a faster pace yet. Filmmakers have thus taken to digging up the soul of Maharashtra, from the typical marathi culture presented in Satya (1998) to the underworld shown in Once Upon A Time In Mumbai (2010). Where Singham (2011) showcased the maratha power, Singham Returns (2014) had Kareena Kapoor Khan spouting the language quite fluently. Not to mention the lavni dances showcased by Khan in "Aata Majhi Satakli" and Katrina Kaif as "Chikni Chameli".

The cultural diversification of India creates numerous opportunities for our filmmakers to build their stories. Different locations also play a big role in letting the stories move ahead, characters develop and of course, provide scenic beauty, which is a must in movie making. And even when our films travel the world, the core is always the spirit of India, which is ever-present. Do let us know how much you love the portrayal of Western India in our films and what it represents to you in the comment box below.

Writer: Nabila S.
Editor(s): Aradhna K. & Gunia K.
Graphic: Marsh P.