1. Saat
Hindustani (1969)
Directed by K.A
Abbas, Saath Hindustani marked the debut of Bollywood’s biggest star, Amitabh
Bachchan. This national award winner is based on the Goa Liberation Movement
where seven individuals, hailing from different parts of the country came
together to free Goa from Portuguese colonial rule.
2. Ek Duuje Ke Liye (1981)
‘Ek Duuje Ke Liye’ is
a rebellious love story 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’. It was one of
the films that brought Goa into the mainstream cinema for its scenic beauty.
Some of the popular locations in this film include the old Patto bridge, Dona
Paula jetty, Shantadurga temple and the Harvalem Waterfalls.
3. Trikal (1985)
Directed by Shyam
Benegal, Trikal is mostly inspired by the legendary cartoonist Mario Miranda’s
family history and is filmed in Miranda’s beautiful ancestral home in Loutolim.
Shyam Benegal won the National Film Award for Best Direction and Saba Zaidi for
Best Costume Design.
4. Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa (1994)
This is one of Shah
Rukh Khan’s most memorable performances for which he even won the Filmfare
Critics award for the best performance. ‘Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa’ is directed by
Kundan Shah and revolves around Shah Rukh’s attempts to woo the girl he loves
and is not exactly a happily ever after. It is filmed at Colva beach, Fort
Aguada and the ruins of St Augustine in addition to other well known places.
5. Khamoshi-The Musical (1996)
Sanjay Leela
Bhansali’s debut film, ‘Khamoshi’ features 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. Some of the prime Goan locations in
this movie include Old Goa, Anjuna and the Saligao church.
6. Josh (2000)
Many think, Goa is
the destination where one can drown all their problems in a pint of beer (or
more). But for a Bollywood fan, Goa is more than just the ultimate party
destination. Well, thank the hipster roles played by Shah Rukh Khan and Gang in
full swag that gave that “Uber-cool” image to Goa that lured every movie lover
to the land of sun, sand and sea.
7. Dil Chahta Hain (2001)
The winner of the
National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi, ‘Dil Chahta Hain’ has
attained a cult status. Directed by Farhan Akhtar, the movie is based on the
lives of three friends portrayed by Aamir Khan, Saif Ali Khan and Akshaye
Khanna. This coming of age film introduced Goa to a new generation of Indians.
Since the release of the film, the Chapora Fort has become a major tourist
attraction in Goa.
8. The Golmaal Series (2006-2010)
One filmmaker who
really loves Goa is Rohit Shetty, the director of the ‘Golmaal’ Series. Almost
all his movies are either set or shot in Goa. The ‘Golmaal’ Series revolves
around the lives of four friends and their antics, always leading to a dramatic
end. This series is the fourth highest grossing film series in Bollywood. Some
of the locations of this movie series include the old GMC Complex in Panjim,
Fort Aguada and Dona Paula.
9. Honeymoon Travels Pvt Ltd (2007)
Keeping in mind that
Goa is the go-to for the newlyweds, Honeymoon Travels Pvt Ltd’s plot revolves
around six newlywed couples of different age groups who are celebrating their
honeymoon in Goa. Directed by Reema Kagti, the film explores themes such as
homosexuality and superheroes. Majority of the film is set in Goa and includes
famous location such as the Fort Aguada, Dona Paula, Our Lady of Mount Chapel
and the Corjuem Fort.
10. Guzaarish (2010)
Guzaarish is a movie
about a famous magician named Ethan Mascarenhas who has an accident during one
of his magic shows and is left a cripple. Set in an old house in Goa (called
Villa Mascarenhas in the film) that resembles a church, Bhansali goes to great lengths
to showcase the Portuguese lifestyle, old Portuguese styled mansions, servants
and spacious grounds. The movie also has some hypnotising shots of Goa’s
natural beauty with its green verdant fields, swaying palm trees and of course
the famous Goan beaches when Hrithik is placed on a wheelchair and the waves
sweep over his crippled feet.
11. Singham (2011)
This Ajay Devgn’s
action packed film is directed by Rohit Shetty. A remake of the Tamil film
‘Singam’, ‘Singham’ is about an honest cop’s battle against the corrupt
politicians and it was a huge commercial hit. One of the most memorable scenes
is the action scene shot at the Dona Paula jetty. If you visit Dona Paula now,
you will find a number of stalls named ‘Singham’ sprawled across the jetty!
12. Dum Maaro Dum (2011)
‘Dum Maaro Dum’ is a
crime film set in Goa and is directed by Rohan Sippy. It follows the story of a
corrupt police officer who is entrusted with the duty of busting drug rackets.
With an effort to keep the film as real as possible, Rohan Sippy shot a
sequence at the Arpora market with an actual crowd of around 20 to 30 thousand
people.
13. Finding Fanny (2014)
Finding Fanny is one
of the few recent films that managed to portray the true essence of Goa.
Directed by Homi Adjania, the film portrays Goan characters settled in a
fictional village in Goa. Adjania diverted from the cliche locations in Goa and
instead opted for the lesser known side of Goa. The film is shot across Parra,
Cortalim, Aldona, Assagao, Saligao and Socorro.
14. Drishyam (2015)
It is no doubt that
Goa is one of Ajay Devgn’s favourite destinations for films, given the number
of films he’s shot in Goa. This remake of the Malayalam blockbuster which goes
by the same name, has the main protagonist playing the role of a local
businessman residing in Goa which means that it has numerous shots of the
city-side of Goa that shows the daily humdrum in a Goan life. And not to forget
some very beautiful shots of the hinterlands of Goa that are neither frequented
by tourists nor shown often on the silver screen.
15. Dear Zindagi (2016)
It is but-so-evident that this movie which most of the millennials hold dear to themselves has been extensively shot in Goa. From the famed Parra road that’s surrounded by Coconut Trees on either side to the humble Goan village, Salvador Do Mundo and Morjim beach, the film travels to many parts of North Goa. The song in the movie ‘Love you Zindagi’ is a perfect example as it is set against the picturesque locales of Goa depicting its beauty and various other facets. Some of the unique elements of Goa such as its pristine beaches, tiny roads, villages and heritage houses will make you fall in love with Goa all over again.