Most of us remember being spellbound at the picture of local Vienna captured through the eyes of Jesse and Celine in Before Sunrise (1995). Or the perfect backdrop for Rancho’s ultimate revelation in 3 Idiots (2009) being Pangong Tso lake in Ladakh. Acting and storyline may make or break a movie, but the setting and background details also play an equally important role in its popularity. These unforgettable places quickly become famous. Years later, you might stumble upon an old photo and remember how, like Barfi, you dined at Keventers in Darjeeling.
South Indian films often have a way with locations, be it in the lap of nature or within a stately building, the choice of what would serve as the frame for the setting in question, has always been a subject of importance. What’s even better is that these spots serve as fantastic destinations for the ones who are always looking for someplace new to visit.
If you are an avid daydreamer who likes to imagine yourself as the main character in a movie, why not travel and seek some of these locations for yourself?
- Athirappilly Water Falls, Kerala: From the dance sequence “Barso re” featuring the beautiful Aishwarya Rai, to the opening scenes of Baahubali, the Athirappilly waters have seen it all. South India’s largest, the waterfall boasts a width of 330 ft and is best enjoyed during the monsoons. Personally handpicked by director S S Rajamouli, the scenic location seems to be one of his main trysts with Kerala’s beauty. As he once said “Kerala is one of the best places to shoot from a filmmaker’s point of view. There is no dearth of good locations. But it was during a trip to Valparai that I heard about the Athirapally waterfalls. After seeing the falls, I knew I had to use this for the film.”
- Calicut Beach, Kerala: Who doesn’t love a place with a tale to tell? For Calicut Beach, it was during the making of Ustad Hotel (2012) that a hilarious occurance attracted a ton of audience. The local people were surprised to find an actual hotel being constructed overnight near the coast. Only, it wasn’t a real hotel but the filming location of director Anwar Rasheed. Also known more pouplarly as Kozhikode beach, it is here that Vasco-da-Gama first landed and the legendary Spice Route came into existence. There’s nothing quite like a leisurely picnic on this beach, just as the sun dips below the horizon.
- Maredumilli Forest, Andhra Pradesh: If you really enjoyed Allu Arjun’s performance in Pushpa: The Rise, it is quite likely that you noticed the lush greenery he was surrounded by for most of the film. Andhra Pradesh’s Maredumilli Forest is quite literally the place to unwind at during this monsoon. As the seasonal waterfall Amruthadhara is in full swing, a dip or two in the surrounding stream becomes a necessity. One can also enjoy a panoramic view of the beautiful valleys of Maredumilli from the Manyam Viewpoint. Inhabited by local tribes, the forest village is one of the travel locations that is perfect for a 1-day trip for people that struggle with commitment.
- Sai Radha Heritage property, Karnataka: The cinematic beauty of Kantara comes to life in the mesmerizing Sai Radha Heritage property near Muloor beach. It is quite difficult to imagine that the action-thriller that had the audience at the egde of their seat would use such a simple yet niche location for its background. Yet somehow, it all makes sense as the dining room (shown in the featured image above) exudes the same aura of mystery and thrill as one would expect from the movie. Not only is it a sight to see, it’s also a place to be as the property is rented out for stays, weddings and family gatherings.
Pack your bags! Your next destination is straight out of a movie.
