Bollywood celebrities have a fascination for the City of New York, often called New York City or simply New York, the most populous city in the United States, and often referred to using various nicknames.
Bollywood celebrities love travelling to New York, the city that never sleeps; most celebs head to the the Big Apple for work and/or pleasure.
Priyanka Chopra in New York…
Akshay Kumar in New York for the promotion of Rustom.
Nargis Fakhri in New York…
Also Read: Bollywood divas at the New York Fashion Week (NWFW) 2017
Bollywood Celebrities Love New York City
There’s no doubt that celebs worldwide love The Big Apple, but it seems most of your Bollywood celebs, all of a sudden, want to be there. In the recent past, most of them were spotted in New York – both for work and for pleasure.
Karan Johar, Ranbir Kapoor, Abhishek Bachchan and Katrina Kaif, in the recent past, were spotted in New York. Priyanka Chopra was spotted shooting a commercial on the busy streets of Manhattan.
Karan Johar was there to work on the script of his next film. ‘Wide awake in the city that never sleeps…sometimes thoughts keep you awake and sometimes the lack of them (sic).’ is what he recently tweeted. The filmmaker of ‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai’ & ‘My Name Is Khan’ fame was also spotted with Ranbir Kapoor and Abhishek Bachchan.
Ranbir was seen holidaying in New York, after the release of Besharam (didn’t do well at the box office), with his best friend and director Ayan Mukerji. Even Katrina had plans of joining Ranbir on his holiday, but had to delay her plan after a bout of viral flu. Now even she is there to recuperate.
Tumhi Dekho Naa – ‘Kabhi Alvida na Kehna’ (KANK) filmed in New York City. You can see places like Columbia University, East West Gate Sculpture, Central Park, Brooklyn Bridge in the song.
Top Bollywood Films Shot in New York City
Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty, World Trade Center, Times Square, Central Park, Manhattan are popular locations.
- English Vinglish: Sridevi’s comeback film, in which she plays a housewife who comes to New York to attend a wedding, and enrolls in an English course to improve her language skills.
- Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna: One of Shahrukh Khan’s most memorable films. Beautiful locations and beautiful songs.
- Kal Ho Na Ho: Another Shahrukh Khan movie shot in NYC
While the filmmakers of Kal Ho Naa Ho insist that the movie has been shot in New York, a closer look at the landmarks suggests that a few scenes were also shot in Toronto. Like most directors, Nikhil Advani shot a few scenes in Toronto to keep the cost down. So, the locations are actually New York-Toronto-New York. But then, very few scenes were filmed in toronto (thanks to the SARS scare).
- My Name is Khan: Another SRK movie, this movie was critically-acclaimed worldwide. Popular author Paulo Coelho said that SRK should have won an Oscar for his performance in the movie.
And despite doing a few films in the United States, surprisingly, SRK has been detained several times at various airports in the US.
- Anjaana Anjaani: In the movie, Priyanka Chopra & Ranbir Kapoor take a road trip from New York to California. The mvie had good songs, captured various scenic locations of US, but the movie was an average fare.
Priyanka Chopra was not a household name in the US back then.
- Jeans: Directed by Shankar and featured Aishwarya Rai. The movie was made in Tamil, Telugu & Hindi, and was filmed in several countries.
- New York: A Yash Raj film starring John Abraham, Katrina Kaif & Neil Nitin Mukesh, the movie is about three students whose lives change after the September 11th attacks. Another average fare at the box office.
- London Paris New York: This movie had Pakistani actor Ali Zafar in the lead, the movie failed at the box office.
Watch: Bollywood film ‘New York’ Trailer. John Abraham, Katrina Kaif, Neil Nitin Mukesh
Priyanka Chopra Has Her Face Splashed All Over NY
Priyanka Chopra, who seems to have made a major breakthrough in the American television space with ABC’s Quantico, is literally having her face splashed all over New York. Apart from hoarding and billboards in Times Square, you can see the creative’s on local transports as well.
Says Aseem Chhabra, director, New York Indian Film Festival, journalist and NYC resident for the last 4 decades, “In all the years I have lived in New York City, I never thought this day would come — the face of a major Bollywood star, apni Priyanka Chopra on a cross-town MTA bus!”
No wonder, the NRI community is feeling proud of her achievement.
Director Karan Johar is Mesmerised By Manhattan
The first time I went to New York, I was awe-struck by its sheer scale. It automatically energises and rejuvenates you. When you walk on the streets, a rush hits you that gives you a sense of power. If I had my way, I would go there every two months.
I like staying at the the Four Seasons (in Midtown Manhattan). Downtown Manhattan is a lot of fun. I like chilling at Union Square and walking in Central Park. If you want to party, go Downtown. Midtown is a lot mature and older. I also love watching shows on Broadway. New York is great fun if you go with a bunch of friends. Don’t go alone and definitely don’t go with a member of your family.
The first thing I do when I go to NY is visit the beautiful St. Patrick’s Cathedral. church to make a wish. And right before I leave, I go back and pray for my wish to come true. That church has mesmerising energy. You can
actually sit there for hours and feel like you’re in therapy.
In New York, make sure you start with a prayer and end with a party.
Abhishek Bachchan with wife Aishwarya Rai in New York to celebrate their wedding anniversary.
Nargis Fakhri Talks About the Big Apple
A city of contrasts yet it somehow perfectly fits in the City. You’ll find people dressed to kill sitting beside someone who looks like they climbed out of bed.
You’ll always find something to do, all the time. And getting there isn’t a problem, thanks to the subway. Its also a safe city, there are always enough people at any time of the day/night.
The city is really rich when it comes to recreational activities, be it sports, arts, opera, theater, parks and gardens.
In this city, you get good food everywhere, and the good thing is that it doesn’t pinch your pocket.
More Bollywood Celebs in NY
Deepika Padukone celebrates her birthday with Ranveer Kapoor in New York
This is one of those rare occasions when the Bollywood fraternity had gathered in New York for an awards function, and none other than Michael Jackson had attended the event. Checkout this video where MJ was called upon stage to give a speech; he was wearing a Manish Malhotra designed Kurta.
Also Read: Why NYC is the greatest city in the world
