Bollywood movies that best capture the beauty of Indian villages

Someone rightly said that the real beauty of India lies in its villages. Some Indian villages are so beautiful that they couldn’t escape the glitzy and glittery world of Bollywood and made it big on the silver screen. There are some blockbuster movies that beautifully captured the rustic charm of Indian villages and displayed their rich culture and tradition. So, if you are someone who enjoys offbeat destinations, then do plan your trip to these gorgeous villages in the country.

The list won’t be complete without mentioning this quintessential 1975 Bollywood flick. The iconic cinema that immortalised the characters of Gabbar Singh, Basanti, Jai and Veeru was shot in the village of Ramnagar set in Karnataka. The gorgeous village became a popular spot and one can still visit it and witness nature in its raw glory.

Remember listening to the iconic tunes of the 1999 movie Taal? The movie is shot in beautiful locales of Himachal’s Chamba Valley. The famous song from the movie Taal se taal mila, featuring Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, is shot against majestic mountains and sparkling rivers offering glimpses of some most spectacular Himachali scenery.

Swades, starring Shahrukh Khan, won accolades for its brilliant storyline and touched many hearts. This 2004 movie was shot in the pretty Wai district of Maharashtra. Situated close to Mahabaleshwar, Wai in Satara district is set on the banks of the Krishna River. It was a prominent town during the Peshwa era. The movie captured the earthy charm of an Indian village and showcased desi locales like no other.

It was in 2005 that Paheli was released and will always be remembered for its unique storyline and incredible locales. The movie traces the journey of a young village girl who falls in love with a ghost. The movie is based in Rajasthan and captures the beauty of the desert village of Abhaneri. Set on the Agra-Jaipur highway in Jausa, Abhaneri village is nearly 100 km from Jaipur and is renowned for its splendid Chand Baori stepwell and Harshat Mata Temple.

Lagaan needs no introduction as it is one of the best movies made in India. This 2001 movie was also nominated for an Oscar for Best Foreign Film. The movie narrates the tale of pre-independent India during the time of British Raj. Set in a tiny hamlet of Champaner, the movie traces the life of villagers who were under the tax burden of Britishers. This movie was shot in the village of Kanura in Gujarat, which is in proximity to Bhuj.

Starring Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Guru (2007) is loosely based on the life of the famous Indian industrialist Dhirubhai Ambani. The movie begins in the village of Badami in Gujarat, but the real village of Badami is in Karnataka and is dotted with some gorgeous ancient temples. Besides, the place is a natural wonder and attracts tourists from all over the world.

Pad Man is another great Bollywood flick shot in the backdrop of rural India. The countryside landscapes shown in the cinema were filmed in the small town of Maheshwar in Madhya Pradesh. Maheshwar is a historical destination, dotted with several interesting temples and picturesque ghats.