8 Famous Hollywood Movies Shot in India: Location Guide
India’s diverse landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and vibrant cities have increasingly attracted Hollywood filmmakers. With Hollywood movies now contributing 10-12% of India’s overall box-office revenue, the country has become an important filming destination. Here’s a guide to notable Hollywood productions filmed across India and their exact shooting locations.
1. The Bourne Supremacy (2004)
Locations: Goa
The opening sequence of this action-thriller sequel features Jason Bourne (Matt Damon) and his girlfriend Marie living in Goa. Director Paul Greengrass captured the narrow lanes of the Goan town for a high-adrenaline chase scene, showcasing the region’s distinctive architecture and atmosphere.
2. Eat Pray Love (2010)
Locations: Delhi, Pataudi (Haryana)
Julia Roberts stars as Elizabeth Gilbert, a divorced woman seeking self-discovery through world travel. The India segment depicts her spiritual journey and was filmed at:
- Hari Mandir Ashram in Gurgaon
- Mirzapur village near Pataudi Palace
The film helped promote tourism in India, particularly among female travelers seeking transformative experiences.
3. A Mighty Heart (2007)
Locations: Mumbai, Pune
Directed by Michael Winterbottom and starring Angelina Jolie, this film chronicles the search for kidnapped Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl. Since permission to film in Pakistan was denied, Mumbai and Pune stood in for Karachi, where:
- A private bungalow at Sindhi Colony recreated the Karachi street where Pearl lived
- Various urban settings were transformed to portray Pakistani locations
4. Mission Impossible 4: Ghost Protocol (2011)
Locations: Mumbai, Bangalore
This Tom Cruise action blockbuster featured several memorable sequences filmed in India:
- South Mumbai’s Bora Bazaar (opposite the railway station) hosted a chase scene with a custom BMW SS01
- Additional sequences were filmed in Bangalore
- The film marked Bollywood actor Anil Kapoor’s Hollywood debut
5. The Dark Knight Rises (2012)
Locations: Jodhpur, Rajasthan
Christopher Nolan, searching for unique locations for his Batman trilogy conclusion, chose the impressive Mehrangarh Fort in Jodhpur for a crucial sequence. The massive fortress created a dramatic backdrop for scenes featuring the prison known as “The Pit.”
6. Singularity (2017)
Locations: Madhya Pradesh (Gwalior, Chambal, Orchha)
This historical adventure film based on the Anglo-Maratha war extensively used central India’s historical sites:
- Gwalior Fort and historical structures
- The rugged Chambal valley
- Orchha’s 16th and 17th-century temples and palaces
These locations provided authentic backdrops for the period drama set in colonial India.
7. The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2011)
Locations: Rajasthan (Udaipur, Jaipur)
This beloved British comedy-drama about retirees moving to India chose Rajasthan for its rich culture and stunning architecture. Filming locations included:
- Jaipur’s flower and vegetable markets
- Historic forts and palaces around Jaipur
- The famous Lake Palace Hotel in Udaipur
The film’s success spawned a sequel and boosted tourism to Rajasthan among international travelers.
8. Zero Dark Thirty (2012)
Locations: Chandigarh
This Oscar-winning film about the hunt for Osama bin Laden used Chandigarh to recreate Pakistani locations:
- Punjab Engineering College premises
- DAV College canteen
- Manimajra Town
- Various locations surrounding Chandigarh
- Rajasthan (Dark Knight Rises, Best Exotic Marigold Hotel): Explore the magnificent Mehrangarh Fort in Jodhpur and the Lake Palace in Udaipur
- Goa (The Bourne Supremacy): Visit the coastal areas featured in the film’s opening sequences
- Mumbai (Mission Impossible, A Mighty Heart): Tour the bustling markets and historic areas of South Mumbai
- Delhi and surroundings (Eat Pray Love): Experience the spiritual destinations featured in Julia Roberts’ journey
The production team transformed these areas to represent different Middle Eastern settings required for the narrative.
Planning Your Film Location Tour
Many of these filming locations are major tourist destinations in their own right. If you’re interested in visiting these sites:
These filming locations showcase India’s diverse landscapes and architectural treasures while offering movie fans a chance to step into scenes from their favorite films.
Indian Holiday
Indian Holiday Pvt. Ltd. (IHPL) is a 2 time National Tourism Award winning destination management company based in Delhi. This travel blog is an initiative to inform the visitors about all aspects of India that include her history, heritage, culture and tourist attractions and destinations.
It is nice to know that these Hollywood movies have been shot in India. What could be a stronger evidence of India’s geographical & cultural beauty than this? I can proudly share this article with those friends of mine who often talk about foreign locals. Thanks for it!
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That’s great and unique information I am reading that India has become a very popular country for Hollywood to shot their movie scenes. Keep up the good work 🙂