Singapore’s skyline may not match the scale and pomp of China or Dubai, and though it awaits the Hollywood biggies to take notice of what their country has to offer, Indian filmmakers are more than happy to shoot their films in Singapore.
After all, its a global city with multiple attractions and an iconic skyline, and its not far from India.
Besides, the Singapore government is very supportive towards Bollywood (they know Bollywood is the best way to “showcase Singapore to Indians”).
The Singapore Tourism Board has also introduced a ‘Film in Singapore’ scheme that subsidizes international film productions by almost 50%, and the Hrithik Roshan starrer ‘Krrish’ was the first Bollywood film to take advantage of that scheme.
Bollywood Movies Shot in Singapore
Bollywood movies shot in Singapore include Aur Pyaar Ho Gaya, Biwi No. 1, De Dana Dan, Krrish, Pyaar Impossible.
Popular locations seen in the movies include: Fountain of Wealth, Suntec City, Merlion, Southern Islands, Raffles Place, Sentosa Island Fountain, Elgin Bridge, Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay, Tiger Balm Gardens.
From the movie Krrish:
- Hrithik chasing Naseeruddin Shah is shot at Cavenagh Bridge, Singapore and Fountain of Wealth, Suntec City, Singapore, and Lau Pa Sat Clock Tower, Singapore.
- The song, ‘Koi Tumsa Nahi’ was shot at Chain Bridge, Singapore.
- The scene where Hrithik (Rohit) meets Naseeruddin Shah is shot at Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay, Singapore.
- The scene, where Hrithik is performing stunts on the street for the kid (and parts of the song ‘Koi Tumsa Nahi’) were shot at Mica Building, Singapore.
MICA building in Singapore
Little India
This place looks more like India than Singapore, and that’s why most Indian tourists love to check it out (despite not being a ‘touristy’ place).
Its a good place to do some shopping if you’re in Singapore for a longer duration or to have some Indian cuisine in case you’re missing out on Indian food (usually happens towards the end of the tour).
Several small shops, groceries, Indian fashion shops, Bollywood CDs and DVDs, can be found here. Its also home to several Indian restaurants, including Ananda Bhavan, which claims to be the oldest Indian vegetarian restaurant in Singapore (for delicious masala dosas, idlis, wadas and refreshing lime juice).
Mount Elizabeth Medical Centre
Mount Elizabeth centre is considered to be one of the best hospitals in Asia. This is the place where Superstar Rajnikanth was hospitalized in 2011 for two weeks when he started having respiratory problems.
It seems Amitabh Bachchan, who had earlier faced serious health issues, had suggested the hospital to Rajnikanth. Earlier Indian politician Amar Singh (close friend for Big B) had a kidney transplant here in 2009.
Before he was discharged, superstar Rajnikanth spent a few moments with the hospital’s staff and clicked pictures with them.
Aamir Khan promotes film from Singapore
When it comes to promoting an upcoming film, most Indian filmmakers go to places like US, UK, Middle East, but Bollywood star Aamir Khan chose Singapore as the first stop for promoting his upcoming film ‘Secret Superstar’ overseas.
And what is the reason for doing that?
Well, Aamir says more than any business reason, it was that he has never been to Singapore before (except in transit).
And from now on, Aamir will be visiting markets where he has never been before.
“I was suggesting to (the production team) that I like to go places I’ve never been and try to reach out to newer audiences. So that’s why this time I’m in Singapore and next I’ll be going to Turkey,” says Aamir Khan
Aamir Khan met and interacted with young students from various schools in Singapore, including LASALLE College of the Arts. In the evening, Aamir held a fan meet at the Marina Bay Sands MasterCard Theatres.
Singapore Flyer – One of the Best Observatories in the World
There’s a saying that if you haven’t been on the Singapore Flyer, then you haven’t officially been to Singapore. The Singapore Flyer was opened in 2008 (was just 16 feet taller than the world record holder of that time – the Star of Nanchang).
Built with a top height of 165m from the ground, you can even see neighboring Malaysia and Indonesia! The Singapore Flyer is not actually round; it’s a 56-sided polygon.
The Singapore Flyer has 28 air-conditioned capsules, each with a maximum capacity of 28 persons. And there’s a reason for that number 28; in Cantonese, the number 28 signifies ‘prosperity’.
Singapore Flyer: Among the Tallest Ferris Wheels in the World
What else can you see from the top? Well, almost all of Singapore – Collyer Quay, Raffles Place, The Fullerton Singapore, Esplanade Theatres On The Bay, Merlion Park, Empress Place, Singapore River, Padang, Fort Canning Park, The Float @ Marina Bay, F1 Circuit, The Helix Bridge, Youth Olympic Park, Marina Barrage, Marina Bay Sands Integrated Resort.
Checkout this video of Destination Singapore.
