10 locations to watch movies in Goa | Travel

Every November, filmmakers, actors and filmmakers head to Goa to attend the annual International Film Festival of India (IFFI). Goa and films have a long-standing relationship with the state being the setting for many memorable films. Gumnam (1965) was one of the first films shot in independent Goa, followed by Amitabh Bachchan’s debut film Saat Hindustani (1969) and the unforgettable road comedy Bombay to Goa (1972), among a number Countless other films including ‘Jawa Jawa Jun’, ‘Dum Maro Dum’, Khamoshi’s Honeymoon Trips.

As Goa gears up for the 54th IFFI, here’s a quick look at some of the popular films and the Goa locations where they were shot.

Read Also: These 5 lesser-known destinations in Goa will make you visit again

We are now on WhatsApp. Click to join

1. Chapora Fort (Dil Chahta Hai): “Oh! You mean Dil Chahta Hai Fort!” Don’t be surprised if a tour guide or local says it every time you mention Chapora Fort made of sturdy, irregularly shaped laterite walls, with just a hint of secret tunnels. Not much is talked about now about the historical battles fought here, but it is the reference of the 2001 film that chronicles the friendship of Aamir Khan, Saif Ali Khan and Akshaye Khanna that dominates the Chapora conversation.

2. Palolem Beach (Bourne Dominion): Remember the opening scenes in The Bourne Supremacy (the second Jason Bourne universe), where two years after the events of the first film (The Bourne Identity), Jason Bourne (Matt Damon) and his girlfriend (Franca Potente) disappeared from everyone’s sight. Eyes as she lay low in Goa. This is Palolem Beach where Bornes wander around sunny beaches, bustling markets and tangled streets.

3. Mormugao Port (Sea Wolves): Based on a true incident during World War II, the 1980 film The Sea Wolves starring Gregory Peck, Roger Moore and David Niven was shot in the port of Mormugao and its fort that was once equipped with 53 guns and a garrison with four officers. The historic incident involved Operation Creek, the secret attack carried out by the Calcutta Light Horse on 9 March 1943, against a German merchant ship, which was relaying information to U-boats from the port of Mormugao in the Portuguese neutral zone of Goa. Perhaps the first Hollywood film shot in Goa, The Sea Wolves premiered in Panaji, the state capital, in aid of the Goa Cancer Society.

4. Old GMC Complex (Golmaal Series): A heritage complex on the banks of the Mandovi River, the old GMC complex was the setting for Rohit Shetty’s comedy series Golmaal. The film also showed the beautiful Macanese Palace which was built in 1702 and later occupied by the Portuguese to house a medical institution. Today, McInnes Palace houses the Entertainment Society of Goa (ESG) which hosts the International Film Festival of India (IFFI).

5. Dudhsagar Waterfall (Chennai Express): A four-tiered waterfall that literally means the sea of ​​milk, Dudhsagar Waterfall located on the Goa-Karnataka border was featured in Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone’s film Chennai Express. It’s where Shah Rukh Khan got off the train with Deepika, right in front of a majestic waterfall.

6. St. Augustine Ruins (Kabhi Han Kabhi Na): One of Shah Rukh Khan’s most memorable films directed by Kundan Shah, Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa was shot at Colva Beach, Fort Aguada, and St. Augustine Ruins. Timers will also remember the 1965 hit thriller Gumnam (Mahmud, Nanda and Helen) which was filmed in Goa and among other locations also featured the ruins of St Augustine, originally built in 1602 and now part of the World Heritage Site.

7. Aguada Castle and Beach (Dom): A well-preserved 17th-century Portuguese fort, along with a lighthouse, stands beside Sinquerim Beach in Candolim Fort Aguada has featured in the films Dhoom, Dil Chahta Hai and Rangeela.

8. Dona Paula Getty (Singham): Do you remember the famous fight scene in the Ajay Devgn starrer Singham? It was filmed at Dona Paula Jetty which also featured in Kamal Haasan and Rati Agnihotri’s blockbuster film Ek Duje Ke Liye. Some say the tragic love story was inspired by the real-life love story of Donna and Paula, two conflicted lovers who gave their name to the area.

9. Barra Road (Azizi Zindagi): Lined by tall palm trees, Bara Road connects the villages of Bara and Jairim, and was made famous when Shah Rukh Khan and Ali Bhatt rode their bike in a sequence of the film Dear Zindagi.

10. Divar Island (Finding Fanny): Finding Fanny, directed by Homi Adajania, was shot in Goa as part of the Goa Tourism Department’s brand activation campaign aimed at promoting Goa as a ‘land of contrasts’. Finding Fanny was filmed extensively on Divar Island, and was also filmed at other locations in the state including Lisbon House in Assagao Village, Siolim Bridge, Three King’s Church and St Jacinto Bridge.

Amitabh Bachchan’s first film was about the liberation of Goa: Saat Hindustani (1969) was Amitabh Bachchan’s first film to tell the story of the liberation of Goa from Portuguese rule. Directed by Khawaja Ahmed Abbas, this black and white film revolves around 7 Indians on a mission to host seven flags at seven police stations or prominent monuments in Goa. Amitabh Bachchan won the National Award for Best Newcomer for his performance in this film.

Amitabh Bachchan had posted on his Facebook page a still shot from the film on September 23, 2017, with the comment: “This scene is from my first film ‘Saat Hindustani’ when I was fighting for the independence of Goa after being tortured by the Portuguese, and he asked me to be able to… that”. To crawl on the ground…but the character defies them and with their torn, bleeding feet walks barefoot for freedom.”