Bollywood's Delhi obsession

Not too long ago, most Bollywood films were based in Mumbai, had plots that were Mumbai-centric and would have an occasional song or dance number shot in an exotic location.

This isn't surprising, considering Mumbai is Bollywood's home.

But in the last couple of years, Bollywood films have made a shift to Delhi and the audience has also warmed up to this location.

In fact, such has been the recent influence of Delhi on Bollywood that there are, at the same time, three films that have Delhi or a name of a Delhi locality in their titles — Chandni Chowk To China, Delhi-6 and Delhi Belly.

Exposure in tribute

Despite being the capital of India, Delhi has never got its due in Bollywood, except in a handful of films that were based in the city.

But now a lot of filmmakers and actors who have their roots in Delhi are paying tribute to the city through their creative ventures.

The audience, too, is getting a peek into an entirely different social set-up, which is a welcome break from monotonous Mumbai locations.

The trend of Delhi-based films got a leg up in 2006 with three popular films. Rakeysh Mehra's Rang De Basanti starring Aamir Khan became a rage among the youth.

Khan also contributed to popularising Delhi in Bollywood with his role of a tourist guide in Fanaa.

Dibakar Banerjee's small-budget Khosla Ka Ghosla caught the audience's attention and the authentic Delhi set-up played a huge part in the film's success.

In 2008, films such as Sunday, Black & White and Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic had their plots based in Delhi. But nothing beat Banerjee's Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye!, which delved into the very psyche of Delhi-ites.

Delhi is going to be a strong component of Bollywood in 2009. Akshay Kumar's Chandni Chowk To China, shot in Delhi's popular Chandni Chowk area, has already been released.

This film has references to Kumar's early days of struggle in the city.

Quite a list

Soon to follow is Anurag Kashyap's Dev D, which will expose the dark side of Delhi. Then there is the Abhishek Bachchan-Sonam Kapoor-starrer Delhi-6, shot in various places across Delhi.

Mehra pays a tribute to the Chandni Chowk area, where he spent his childhood. There will also be Aamir Khan's Delhi Belly starring Imran Khan, which will capture contemporary Delhi in a fun-filled manner.

Besides these, there is Harman Baweja's Victory, Satish Kaushik's Tere Sang and many others that have Delhi as an integral part of the narration.

So expect to see more of India Gate, Red Fort, Chandni Chowk, Jama Masjid, Humayun's Tomb, Qutub Minar, Lotus Temple and other popular spots in Delhi in forthcoming Bollywood flicks.

— Abdulla Mahmood is a UAE-based freelance writer