How Bollywood Romances Delhi?

enrouteI
February 16, 2024

LOVE, is a magical feeling that every living being, be it animals or humans, craves for. Everyone wants to experience and reciprocate love, making it a significant aspect of humanity. India, a country where an ancient Sanskrit book, Kamasutra by Vatsayana (400 BCE- 200 CE) was composed, throws light on crucial topics which are often overlooked by other texts compiled in the same time period. It talks about the nature of love, the art of living well, errotic love, finding a life partner and taking care of your love life. The term ‘kama’ means desire and is considered one of the 4 important goals of human life or Purusharth (other being dharma, artha, and moksha). Apart from these texts, the essence of love is also shown in various novels, dramas, and movies and Bollywood is nowhere behind. We see the concepts of Pehla pyaar, Happy endings, and Love stories in Bollywood movies. One is immersed in the enigmatic aura of romantic songs that these movies produce.

While these songs create a special place in our hearts, what makes it more special is the location in which these love songs are shot and Delhi caters the best. The medieval city with its numerous monuments, gardens, colonies, and bazaars constructed under the Delhi Sultanate, Mughal period, and colonial period, turns out to be a perfect spot. This article will talk about some popular Bollywood romantic songs shot at the iconic monuments of Delhi.

(Source- OwlStories; the monuments of Delhi)

Rightly said- “Yeh dilli hai mere yaar, bas ishq, Mohabbat, pyaar……..”. Below mentioned Bollywood songs featuring Delhi monuments surely make it the city of love.

Shukran Allah ( Kurbaan, 2008)

(Source- Bollywood Hungama; Kareena kapoor at Jama Masjid in Delhi in the song Shukran Allah)

(Source-Hindustan Times; Saif Ali khan and Kareena Kapoor at Humayun tomb)

The melodious tunes of Shukran Allah, sung by Sonu Nigam, Salim merchant and Shreya Ghoshal, gets even more beautiful when one looks at the visual representation of the song. It perfectly captures the love moments between Avantika (played by Kareena kapoor) and Ehsaan (played by Saif Ali khan) at the iconic buildings of Jama Masjid and Humayun tomb in Delhi. In the song, Ehsaan is offering namaz at Jama Masjid and the duo walk hand-in-hand, laugh and sit at the lush green garden of Humayun’s Tomb. The monuments in the scenes further help in accentuating the love interest between the characters.

Chand Sifarish ( Fanaa, 2006)

( Source- Delhipedia; Amir khan at Qutub minar in Delhi in the song chand sifarish)

The magical voice of Shaan in Chand Sifarish from the movie Fanaa is loved by all. But what makes it more special is the depiction of the cute romance between Rehaan (played by Amir khan) who is a tourist guide and Zooni (played by Kajol). In the song, Zooni is visually impaired and goes with her friends to Qutub Minar, where she meets Rehaan. The latter is seen to be singing and dancing at the Qutub complex for Zooni. The song also captures a still from Rail Museum of Delhi where Amir khan dances with little children on a train.

Choomantar (Mere Brother ki Dulhan, 2011)

(Source- Delhipedia; Imran Khan and Katrina Kaif at Humayun tomb in the song Choomantar)

Choomantar ho, aaja chal ghum ho jae.. indeed reflects the feeling of diving deep into the ocean of love and forgetting everything else. The song beautifully shows the platonic bond between Dimple (played by Katrina Kaif) and Kush (played by Imraan khan). The song is cheerful yet romantic and captures the fun moments they share together. The duo wander the Bazaars of Delhi, dancing at Humayun’s tomb, crazy driving on the roads near India Gate filled with laughter, making it a vibrant song.

Old school girl (Tanu weds Manu Returns, 2015)

(Source- Hindustan Times; Kanagawa Ranaut and R. Madhavan boating near Purana Qila in the song Old school girl)

The rom-com Tanu weds Manu Returns features a lovely song Old School Girl that depicts a slow burning romance between Manu (played by R. Madhvan) and Datto (played by Kangana Ranaut). In the song, the two are seen enjoying boating in the lake of Purana Qila and sharing adorable moments. Not just the monument of Delhi, but the usual DTC buses also serve as a place for their loving interaction.

Bol na Halke Halke (Jhoom Barabar Jhoom, 2007)

(Source- Medium; Abhishek Bachchan and Preity Zinta near Humayun tomb in Bol na halke)

Rahat Fateh Ali khan’s enigmatic voice in Bol na halke halke needs no introduction when it comes to the list of the finest romantic songs of Bollywood. In the song, there is a what-if moment between Ramesh “Rikki” (played by Abhishek Bachchan) and Alvira (played by Preity Zinta) where Rikki tells Alvira if they were in love with each other rather than their current partner? The beginning of the song starts with a smooth transition from London (where they first met each other) to Delhi in a scenario where Alvira meets Rikki at a railway station, who is a coolie, followed by a spectrum of romantic moments between them at the iconic monuments like Humayun’s tomb and Stepwell of Agrasen ki Baoli.

These are just a few examples, but the list is long when it comes to Delhi being represented romantically in Bollywood. After listening to these melodies and seeing such magnificent monuments in the background of these masterpieces, one surely wants to experience the same Bollywood wala ishq. But unlike movies where the characters can easily hold each other’s hands, kiss each other, hug etc., real life scenarios do not really allow PDAs (Public display of Love) to some extent at these places. You must have come across various news articles where couples have been arrested for kissing in public or showing obscene behaviour. While one may find many couples caressing each other quietly under a tree in Lodhi garden or sitting on the stepwell of Agrasen ki baoli, our constitution has certain reservations about the same. According to Indian Penal Code section 294, Whoever, to the annoyance of others,

(a) does any obscene act in any public place, or

(b) sings, recites or utters any obscene song, ballad or words, in or near any public place, shall be punished.

After reading this, we can see that PDAs become problematic in India if it’s annoying or disturbing to other people. On one hand, article 19 of the Indian constitution provides us with the right to expression (with certain limitations). On the other hand while showing affection publicly, one must take into consideration the people around you. Though, because of Western influences, PDAs have become less rigid in society, there is a long way to go to make them fully acceptable. But this has not stopped many love birds from displaying their love at Delhi’s iconic spots, as there’s a saying Risk hai toh Ishq hai.

REFERENCE