Bollywood in Scotland, famous for its medieval castles, soulful music & of course whisky. Bollywood film ‘Badla’ was filmed in Scotland.
If you’re in the UK for whatever reason, and have plans to go for sight-seeing, make sure you include a few places of Scotland as well in your itinerary. Scotland is a beautiful place with breathtaking scenery and warm local residents. No doubt it attracts filmmakers as well (by the way, Mel Gibson’s Braveheart was shot mostly in Ireland, and not in Scotland).
But what about our desi filmmakers? Of course, they have been to Scotland.
Badla Shot in Scotland
Bollywood Shahenshah Amitabh Bachchan was seen shooting for his film Badla (Revenge) in Tradeston. Fans spotted the superstar walking along South Portland Street Suspension Bridge at Broomielaw.
“Whoooaahhh !! 9.5 hrs on the road from London to Glasgow .. starting shoot for ‘BADLA’,” Mr Bachchan on Twitter when he first landed in Glasgow for the shoot.
“Out on the streets of this city of Glasgow, cloudy, drizzle, then sun. Did not realise there are sufficient migrants from way back home inhabiting space and comment on the premises where we work. Most, pleasant and surprised, some a little abrupt and angular, because of the preventive security, but still filled with laughter and joy. Good to know,” Amitabh Bachchan.
Kuch Kuch Hota HaiShot in Scotland
One of the biggest Bollywood blockbusters of all time have been filmed extensively in Scotland. None other than the SRK starrer ‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai’ has been shot here in Scotland.
Like other countries, even Scotland is trying to get Bollywood to the highlands to shoot the stunning castles and lochs, misty hills and the meadows.
Edinburgh has featured in several Bollywood films, the popular locations being the Princes Mall, Princes Street and Castle Rock.
Bollywood Movies Shot in Scotland
Bollywood movies shot in Scotland include Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Mausam, Pyaar Ishq Aur Mohabbat, Yeh Hai Jalwa.
Bollywood doesn’t mind travelling abroad, even if its just for one song. Songs are important after all, at least in Indian movies.
The title song in Kuch Kuch Hota Hai features several locations in Scotland, such as Bass Rock, Blackrock Cottage (Glencoe), Eilean Donan Castle located close To The Isle Of Skye, Inchmahome Priory in Inchmahome, Tantallon Castle in East Lothian.
Eilean Donan Castle
Blackrock Cottage, Glen Coe
Inchmahome Priory
Tantallon Castle
Scottish kilt
Shahid Kapoor’s mausam also had few scenes that were shot in Edinburgh, Scotland. Shahid even filmed a scene wearing a Scottish kilt.
The Scottish kilt, made famous by fierce warriors of the Scottish Highlands, is considered one of the most macho garments. Hollywood Stars who have bared their legs through it include: Mel Gibson as William Wallace in Braveheart (1995), Liam Neeson as the legendary kilt-wearing Scottish outlaw in Rob Roy (1995), and the one most talked about in recent times, Samuel L. Jackson in action thriller Formula 51 (2001).
A Brighter Edinburgh
In most Bollywood movie scenes, Edinburgh is shown in a manner where you see the whole city covered by plant pots filled with rainbow colored flowers, however that’s not a true reflection of the city. Probably it’s done to brighten up the romantic scenes & songs, because the old Town consists of pointed spires and towering tenement blocks in dark stone, which presumably is a bit too daunting and Gothic to the Indian audience.
Also, in one scene, Sonam and Shahid take one of these carriages to a huge cathedral. Again, if you’re in Scotland, don’t expect a horse and carriage to pick you up from the airport and clip-clop all the way to the centre of Edinburgh.
‘Kick’ in Glasgow
Salman Khan’s ‘Kick’ was initially shot in Glasgow (Scotland) and was also in the news because a crash scene went wrong, when one of the stunt cars crashed into the wall of the ‘City Chambers’. Fortunately, no one was injured and there was no damage to the exterior wall of the historic administrative headquarters of the city’s council. However, later, the movie was filmed in Warsaw in Poland, because Salman Khan was unable to get the UK visa because of his pending court cases.
Scottish Music
Take a look at the amazing Scottish country taken from across Scotland, and listen to the beautiful Scottish music (bagpipes) in the background.
Scotch Whisky
Scotch whisky, often simply called Scotch, is malt whisky or grain whisky made in Scotland. Scotch whisky must be made in a manner specified by law.
Scotland Tourism
Scotland is part of the United Kingdom, and shares a border with England to the south. ‘Edinburgh’ is its capital city. Edinburgh is also one of Europe’s biggest financial centers. Scotland is bordered by England to the south, and surrounded by water to the north, east and west.
Aside from pristine beauty, Scotland also has a long and interesting history. People of various cultures have called Scotland home over the years, and each population has left its mark in some way. Scotland is home to several historic castles, houses, and battlegrounds, ruins and museums. Many people are drawn by the culture of Scotland. The cities of Edinburgh and Glasgow are seen as a cosmopolitan alternative to Scotland’s countryside.
Why is Scotland known as the “Land of Cakes?”
Its because, traditionally, the staple Scots soldier food was Scottish oatcakes, made traditionally out of a simple mix oatmeal and water, but has since evolved to a recipe including butter, salt, flour and baking powder, resembling a cross between a cookie and a cracker, served with cheese or as the perfect accompaniment to a cup of coffee or tea. That sounds really Yum!
Checkout this video of Destination Scotland.
