Movies have long celebrated the rich geographical and cultural diversity of cities worldwide by showcasing them as not just backdrops but living entities. Be it Bombay monsoons at Marine drive, the street food culture in Delhi or the sacred holiness of Ganga Arti at Varanasi, films that incorporate these minute details always resonate better with the audience.
These films don’t just show us the city; they make us feel it. Here are a few films where a city becomes an integral part of the story.
- Dhobi Ghat – Mumbai
Kiran Rao’s Dhobi Ghat explores the socio-economic disparities in Mumbai through four characters from seemingly different backgrounds. Bombay, in Dhobi Ghat is not the glamours and romanticized one that we typically see. It is raw, unapologetic, and unfiltered. Kiran Rao exposes the reality of the “city of dreams” for people who don’t come from privilege. By juxtaposing cramped chawls with sea facing apartments, peeling paint on walls with art galleries and workers who slog in the Dhobi Ghat with emotionally isolated residents in premium buildings, Rao presents Bombay as a city of contrasts – both geographically and socio-economically. Aamir Khan, Pratik Smita Patil and Monica Dogra live and breathe Mumbai in Dhobi Ghat.
- Delhi Belly – Delhi
Abhinav Deo’s Delhi Belly offers a sharp commentary on class dynamics, urban life, employment struggles and crime scene in Delhi. The film follows three bachelors (played by Imran Khan, Vir Das and Kunal Roy Kapur), barely able to make a living in the city, caught in misfortune and a chaotic series of events with gangsters. The infamous diarrhea scene alluding to the title is comedic, raunchy and brutally honest about the hygiene element of the city. Fueled with a lot of crude humor, it takes a satirical lens on modern youth, urban hustle, and what it takes to survive in a fast-paced and erratic city.
3. Masaan – Varanasi
Neeraj Ghaywan’s Masaan follows parallel stories of two individuals navigating life, love and loss. At the heart of the story lies the city of Varanasi. It embodies the tradition and grief that are central to the plot of the film. The city, renowned for its ever-flowing Ganges, cremation ghats and holistic significance, becomes symbolic of the tragic loss, grief and quiet hope experienced by the protagonists played by Vicky Kaushal and Shweta Tripathi Sharma.
4. Kahaani – Kolkata
Sujay Ghosh’s Kahaani is about a pregnant woman played by Vidya Balan who turns her vulnerability into strength initiating a search for her missing husband. Lauded for its twists and turns, the film captures the duality of Kolkata. The masterclass depiction of Durga Pooja adds to the films’ intensity and thrill. The ritual is not just a celebration; it is symbolic of divine feminine power and triumph of good over evil as Vidya launches a hunt for her husband and walks out victorious during Vijaya Dashami.
5. Dum Laga Ke Haisha – Rishikesh/ Haridwar
Sharat Katariya’s romantic drama is set in Haridwar and follows a local couple grappling with societal norms and internal conflicts. The sights of small towns, beautiful Ganges and local fairs evoke a sense of slow and routine life in the city. The community of such a setting prioritizes family honor and expectations. Sandhya, played by Bhumi Pednekar, stands her ground when her appearance becomes the measure of her inclusion and acceptance in society, evoking hope of breaking free from stereotypes.
6. Dear Zindagi – Goa
Goa is reputed more for its extensive party scene, consumption of drugs and wild nightlife. But Gauri Shinde’s Dear Zindagi presents Goa with a solemn and serene touch. The city becomes a space for a young girl to heal, explore, and introspect. The picturesque shot of Kiara (Alia Bhatt) cycling on Parra Road smiling wide, feeling free became so famous that the road itself came to be known as ‘the Dear Zindagi’ road.
7. Chennai Express – Chennai
Rohit Shetty’s entertainer Chennai Express is pop culture personified when it comes to grand depiction of Chennai in cinema. The train, aptly named Chennai express serves as a literal and metaphorical mediator for the cross-culture encounter between Rahul (Shah Rukh Khan) and Meenamma (Deepika Padukone). The use of humour through north-south linguistic barriers like Meenamma’s exaggerated Tamil accented Hindi, architecture of temples, South Indian attire and tribute to Rajnikanth in ‘Lungi Dance’ all present Chennai in all its glory.
8. Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi – Amritsar
Aditya Chopra’s quintessential rom com beautifully captures the essence of Amritsar and provides a perfect backdrop for the life of a modest husband Surinder Sahani (Shah Rukh Khan) and Taani (Anushka Sharma). The film portrays a warm-hearted community in the city of Amritsar with people who wear hearts on their sleeves, elders are respected, and rituals and traditions are a part of daily life. One of the most poignant moments unfolds at the Golden Temple. The scene comes after an emotional point in the couple’s life reflecting the spiritual and healing power of the sacred place. Golden Temple’s rich architecture set against still water adds more to the beauty of the place.
9. Gangs of Wasseypur – Wasseypur
Anurag Kashyap’s Gangs of Wasseypur starring Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Manoj Bajpayee and Huma Qureshi is a no brainer on this list. The film depicts conflicts in the mafia world and generational feuds in Wasseypur’s underworld. We have a world where masculinity is defined by a man’s ability to wield a gun. It is a city with alleys echoing the sounds of gunfire, air thick with smoke and coal, and betrayal is the norm.
10. New York – New York
Kabir Khan’s New York starring Katrina Kaif, John Abraham and Neil Nitin Mukesh explores the idea of friendship, adult life and ambitions in the ‘land of dreams’ that New York is often associated with. The bustling streets of NYC, luscious Central Park and gigantic skyscrapers add to the city’s glamours and aspirational value. However, it also navigates post 9/11 trauma and fragmented identity that many people faced back in the day. The city here is marked by both emotional connections as well as isolation.
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