Dil Chahta Hai, a path-breaking movie of its time, completes 20 years of its release. Starring celebrities like Saif Ali Khan, Aamir Khan, Akshaye Khanna, Preity Zinta, Suchitra Pilla, Dimple Kapadia, and many more, the film portrayed a never watched before story revolving around a significant transition period in the romantic lives of three college-graduate friends. The film was a tremendous hit and soon gained a cult following.
The success of the film not only bought the cast and crew of the film into the limelight but gave a massive boost to the tourism and film shootings in the state of Goa as the majority of the scenes were shot in the state including the iconic Chapora Fort, Anujana beach, hill-cut roads to name a few. Anyone who has seen the movie and been to the fort after that with their friends, wouldn’t have missed clicking a picture in the same pose as the movie reflects. After watching this movie one realizes that the best time to visit Goa is anytime as long as you have your friends, a car with fuel, and a lot of memory space in your phone for pictures. Here’s a list of must-visit shooting locations in Goa that were captured in iconic Bollywood movies:
1. Chapora Fort
Beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder and one only needs an eye to appreciate the beauty of this secluded ruined Fort. Chapora Fort, one of the most popular tourist attractions In North Goa, is famously called Dil Chahta Hai Fort. You can relive those moments by visiting them yourself. Exquisite views of Arabian Sea, Chapora River, Enchanting views of Chapora, Anjuna and Vagator beach, breathtaking sunset and lots of water sports and open-air cafes would be the major attraction when you stroll around.
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2. Mary Immaculate Conception Church, Panaji
One of the most popular tourist attractions in Goa, Our Lady of Immaculate Conception is situated on a hilltop in Panaji. The white sparkling church is majorly famed for its architecture and its flight of stairs that zigzag to the top. Our Lady of Immaculate Conception is also called by the people as the ‘Crown of Panaji’, a ‘great big wedding cake’ like structure and ‘a bride waiting at the altar. This popular church in Goa has also been the backdrop in many of the Bollywood films including Josh, Aashiqui 2 and Singham 2.
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3. Dudhsagar Waterfalls
Remember that gorgeous waterfall from the film Chennai Express!? It’s one of the highest waterfalls in the country located in the state of Goa. Dudh Sagar Waterfall is among the hundred highest waterfalls in the world. It lies in the southern part of Goa at Mollem, towards the border with Karnataka state. Dudh Sagar, literally means a Sea of Milk in the local Konkanni language and gets its name as it appears like an overflowing sea of milk. It has a total height of 306 meters and a width of 30 meters. Heavy Rains Halt Train Passing Through Goa’s Dudhsagar Waterfall; Video Looks Magical.
4. Parra Road
It’s one of the most famous roads in Goa, often seen in movies like Dear Zindagi, Gurazish to name a few. These simple and narrow roads can give you the sense of being alive. One cannot help but pause for few mins to inhale the view of the fields that are famous for watermelon cultivation. One cannot leave the village without visiting the popular Church of St. Anne and the local lake named Ganesh Tollem when in Goa. Dudh Sagar is a must-visit during rainy seasons in India and most of the winter months.
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Also read: These 6 Scenic Road Trips From Goa Offer The Best Of Nature & Culture
In addition to the movie-enthusiasts who adorn these shooting locations with their infinite enthusiasm, filmmaking in Goa is also thriving like never before. For more details on shooting in Goa, visit the Entertainment Society of Goa (ESG) website.
— With inputs from The Entertainment Society of Goa