YASH CHOPRA-The man who introduced the lush green meadows, snow-capped Alps, pristine lakes of Switzerland to Bollywood

Today on his 85th Birth Anniversary how can we forget his love for Switzerland.Its a known fact that Yash Chopra loved to shoot his films in Switzerland, and is credited for highlighting the beauty of the country to Indians. He chose Switzerland as his honeymoon destination and toured the country with his wife Pamela in 1970. Mesmerized by the landscape he decided to introduce Switzerland through his films, he turned to Switzerland regularly for his movies which he produced under his banner Yash Raj Films.Since the 1980's, many film directors have chosen Switzerland. And none managed it more (and better) than Yash Chopra.

Switzerland and its snow-capped mountains were first showcased in Indian cinema through Raj Kapoor's Sangam in 1964.After that  few scenes were shot in Switzerland in An Evening in Paris  (1967). Dev Anand followed the trend. He shot several scenes and a famous song inside Switzerland.in his first directorial film Prem Pujari in 1970.
Hundreds of Indian movies have been shot to this date, but the 1995 hit Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge(produced by Yash Chopra) happens to be the most famous movie shot in Switzerland.Since then, there has been a steady flow of Indian tourists visiting Switzerland. And for those who also happen to be cinema fanatics, Bollywood packaged trips to places like Gstaad are arranged.
Switzerland Govt. honored the role of Yash ji to promote Tourism in Switzerland among the Indians. A beautiful lake, where he shot many movies, is famously known as Chopra Lake.  He was felicitated with the honorary Swiss Ambassador Award by the Embassy of Switzerland and honored with the title “Amabssador of  Interlaken”,  his favorite town in Switzerland. A train named after Yash Chopra was also launched in Jungfrau Railways in Switzerland.
The shooting locations of DDLJ are now become Indian tourist location.  “Jara Sa Jhoom Loo Main” song was shot in the town of Gstaad. You can also see famous Candy store “Early Beck” in the song.

Song from Dil Wale Dulhania Le Jayenge 1995

…In the song “Mere Khwabon Me Jo Aaye”, Shah Rukh Khan is running behind a plane. That scene was shot at Sannen Airport.

Song from Dil Wale Dulhania Le Jayenge 1995

…The railway station where Kajol misses her train was shot at the Zweisimmen Railway Station, while When they finally make peace, Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol wait at the railway station in Saanen for the next train to Zurich.

…The scene, in which SRK apologies to Kajol was shot in the town of Interlaken.

....During the climax scene of the Dhoom 3 movie, Sahir jumps off the Verzasca Dam in Ticino Switzerland. An interesting information here is that the opening scene of the 1995 James Bond film 'Golden Eye' featured Bond jumping off this dam. 

Jumping off the Contra Dam in Switzerland

Raj plays the DDLJ tune to a group of people on the streets of Gstaad.  Bachna Ae Haseeno  They join in with their music as well. Mahi hears this and is romantically drawn to the site where she sees Raj for the first time and 'falls' in love. 

Yashji's first films were made under the BR Films banner. Dhool ka Phool (1959) Yashji's second film, Dharamputra(1961).Encouraged by the success of both films, the Chopra brothers made several more movies together during the late fifties and sixties. Chopra rose to prominence after his commercially and critically successful drama, Waqt (1965).In 1971, Chopra founded his own production company, Yash Raj Films, and launched it with Daag (1973),His success continued in the seventies, with some of Indian cinema's most successful and iconic films, including the action thriller Deewar (1975), which established Amitabh Bachchan as the leading actor in Bollywood; the romantic drama Kabhie Kabhie (1976) and Trishul(1978).The 1980s was a lean phase in Yash ji's life most of his films didn't do well in Box Office in spite of Kala Pathar and Silsila.

In 1989, Chopra directed the commercially and critically successful cult film Chandni, which became instrumental in ending the era of violent films in Bollywood and returning to musicals.He made Lamhe in 1991 which was critically acclaimed but was not successful.Chopra directed three more romantic films, all starring Khan; Dil To Pagal Hai (1997), Veer-Zaara (2004) and Jab Tak Hai Jaan(2012), before he announced his retirement from directing in 2012.His last film Jab Tak Hai Jaan was also shot in Switzerland

Yash.Chopra, who captured the breath taking locales of Switzerland in his films for decades, was given this prestigious honour by the Swiss government. A sculpture made of pure bronze, and weighing about 350 kilos, shows Yash Chopra in his iconic pose with the camera by his side.
               SONGS SHOT IN FOREIGN LOCATION
Yash Chopra shot the evergreen 'Dekha ek khwab....' song from his 1981 film 'Silsila' in Netherlands, and his film 'Faasle' (1985), in Switzerland. He kept coming back later for films like 'Chandni' (1989), 'Mohabbatein' (2000), 'Veer Zaara' (2004) but it was the iconic 'Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge' in 1995, which popularised Europe as a staple destination for Bollywood romances.

Song from Silsila 1981

Song from Faasle' (1985)

The 1989 blockbuster Chandni had made headlines because of Sridevi’s costumes. But the scenic beauty of Switzerland in the scenes can not be missed. The iconic lake Alpenrausch was one of the few locations of the shoot.

Song from Chandni 1989

"Humko Humise Chura Lo" song at Lake Amsoldingen in the Bernese Oberland in Switzerland. The lake is small waterbody surrounded by gentle rolling hills and wavy trees

Song from Mohabbatein' (2000),

Song from Veer Zaara' (2004)

"Zara Gungunalein Chalo" song from 2007 film LAAGA CHUNARI MEIN DAAG sung by Vibha and Rohan at the ancient city of Lucerne in Switzerland

Song from LAAGA CHUNARI MEIN DAAG 2007

"Aahista Aahista" song from Bachna Ae Haseeno  begins with both Mahi and Raj taking a scooter from Gstaad and driving all the way to Rougemont. Picture perfect scenes all across the way

Song from Bachna Ae Haseeno 2008

Song from Jab Tak Hai Jaan 2012