Golden Era of Bollywood: Bollywood in Australia

Wednesday 4 September 2019

Bollywood in Australia

Last month I was in Melbourne that time India Film Festival Melbourne was being held. Bollywood celebs Shah Rukh Khan, Karan Johar, Zoya Akhtar, Tabu to Sriram Raghavan, Malaika Arora, Arjun Kapoor and others attended the Indian Film Festival Of Melbourne 2019 (IIFM).
This made me curious to research the Bollywood connection with Australia. As we know that many Hindi films were shot in foreign locations starting from mid 60s in England,Switzerland, France, USA etc Australia became popular in 90s.
The first film shot in Australia was Tamil and Hindi film "INDIAN" starring Kamal Hassan and Urmila Matondkar in 1995. Major Saab was the next film shot in 1997. Starring Ajay Devgan and Sonali Bendre.
Major Saab is a movie that was shot in Queensland, Australia.The song Pyaar Kiya Toh Nibhana was shot near the Milla Milla Falls in Queensland.
Prem Agan released in 1998 a film produced and directed by Feroz Khan for his son Fardre Khan was also shot here. The final section of the film was shot in Sydney.
Soldier – This movie (Bobby Deol and Preity Zinta) was shot extensively in Sydney.... not just one song like major saab. Almost 3/4 of the movie was based in Sydney. It was released in Oct 1998.
Salaam Namaste was the first Indian film fully shot in Australia, using various locations in Melbourne and regional Victoria, including the Great Ocean Road. Starring Preity Zinta and Saif Ali Khan,
Dil Chahta Hai released in 2001 was also shot here,The song Jaaney Kyun was shot near the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Tanhayee”, another heart-breaking, yet soulful song of the film was shot at Milsons Point Railway Station, Waverley Cemetery and Macquaire Lighthouse in Sydney.
Chak De India was shot in Melbourne, at the Webb Bridge, State Netball Hockey Centre, Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre and the Sydney Olympic Park, these scenic locations only added to the movie watching experience.
Hey Babyy 2007 film starring Ritesh Deshmukh, Fardeen Khan, Akshay Kumar, Vidya Balan and Boman Irani was also shot here.In this film Akshay Kumar lives a fairly wealthy lifestyle in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia with roommates Tanmay Joglekar (Ritesh Deshmukh) and Ali Haider (Fardeen Khan).The filmmakers have used a number of Sydney landmarks as locations, including the historic St Stephen's Church in Newtown and the central business district.
Singh Is King Large parts of Singhh is Kingg were shot in Brisbane and Gold Coast
Bachna Ae Haseeno A large part of the film has been shot in Sydney, especially near the picturesque Sydney Opera House and the Archibald Fountain in Hyde Park; one of the Sydney’s oldest and most popular parks.
Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, a biopic based on the life of ace sprinter Milkha Singh. The song Ghul Mil Launda was shot at the beautiful beaches of Melbourne, where Farhan Akhtar serenades the gorgeous Rebecca Breeds.
Shaadi ke Side Effects starring Farhan Akhtar and Vidya Balan has also been shot in Australia. Romantic songs from the film have been shot in Queensland.