Broadcaster Ravi Sagoo celebrates the 25th anniversary of Bollywood and Indian Cinema using Scotland as a filming location backdrop, in his latest radio production "Bonnie Bollywood" which airs on BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds on Sunday 2 June.
Article published 31/05/2024
Connection between Scotland and Bollywood
During the show, Ravi embarks on his own ‘filmi’ journey reflecting on the glitz and glamour of Bollywood in Scotland. He shares the story of why the world’s biggest film industry uses Scotland as a filming location. Scotland is Bollywood's number one location hotspot, out-with Mumbai’s Film City.
Kashmir used to be a popular filming location, with its striking mountain and lake scenery, but due to a changing political climate, Scotland then became a popular choice instead.
In 1998, Director Karan Johar filmed Kuch Kuch Hota Hai which brought Scotland into focus in Bollywood for the very first time. The grand landscapes with iconic glens, castles and lochs, complemented Bollywood's lavish romantic musical and action-based productions.
Indian visitors have since regularly visited filming locations from this film, which include:
- Tantallon Castle, North Berwick
- Eilean Donan Castle, Kyle of Lochalsh
- Black Rock Cottage in Glencoe
- Loch Lomond
To date, more than over 100 Indian films have been shot in Scotland across varying Indian regional languages including Hindi, Punjabi and Tamil.
Scotland is now the hottest location for Bollywood directors and production houses due to the lush scenery, wintry weather, natural sunlight and clear skies – unlike Mumbai there is no smog to contend with and many films look for snow and ice for which Scotland can provide both.
Listen in on Sunday 2 June
Throughout the programme, Ravi ends up on the set of Bhai Bhai (Brother Brother) which is shooting in Scotland. He speaks to it's two lead actors, Bollywood stars Manish Paul and Kunaal Roy Kapur, about filming in Scotland and how Indian audiences love Scotland on screen.
Find out more about what influences visitors to choose Scotland.
Listen to the full programme, Bonnie Bollywood: 25 years of Indian film-making in Scotland, on BBC Radio 4 at 7.15pm on Sunday 2 June, and on BBC Sounds at 11.30pm on Thursday 20 June.
Find out more on the BBC website