From 'Dil Se' To 'Bombay’: Iconic Indian Locations Made Famous By Mani Ratnam's Songs

Mani Ratnam, the maestro director, is renowned for his ability to transform ordinary locations into mesmerising backdrops through his imaginative lens and the artistry of his cinematographers. Over the years, he has captured some of India's most iconic locations and properties, imbuing them with a special significance in his movies. Join us on a journey as we explore these breathtaking spots that have been forever etched into our memories.

Blue Mountain Express, Tamil Nadu: ‘Chaiyya Chaiyya’ Song

The chartbuster song ‘Chaiyya Chaiyya’ from the iconic 90s blockbuster ‘Dil Se’ became an instant national and international hit. According to Mani Ratnam's Wikipedia page, the song was originally inspired by a Sufi song, ‘Thaya Thaya,’ and was shot on the top of the Blue Mountain Express train, which runs in Ooty, Tamil Nadu. This sequence, masterfully captured by cinematographer Santosh Sivan, even found its way into the Hollywood movie ‘Inside Man’ in 2006.

Athirapally Waterfalls, Kerala: ‘Behne De Mujhe Behne De’ Song

In the 2010 film ‘Raavan,’ a loose adaptation of the Hindu epic Ramayana, Mani Ratnam weaved his visual magic with the help of cinematographers V. Manikandan and Santosh Sivan. The sequence featuring the characters Beera (Abhishek Bachchan) and Ragini (Aishwarya Rai) at the waterfall was shot at the popular Athirapally Falls in Kerala, India. As mentioned on Mani Ratnam's Wikipedia page, while the falls have been featured in many movies, Ratnam's angle gave this location an unusually beautiful perspective.

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Alleppy, Kerala: ‘Jiya Jale’ Song

While the sizzling pair of Preity Zinta and Shah Rukh Khan dancing to the beats of ‘Jiya Jale’ on houseboats added to the song's hotness quotient, it was the breathtaking picturesque Alleppy backwaters that lent an ethereal feel to the visuals. Kerala's "Venice of the East," with its serene backwaters and lush green banks, is nothing short of a paradise.

Saheb Kuthi, West Bengal: ‘Khili Re’ Song

According to Wikipedia, the song ‘Khili Re’ was exquisitely shot at the Saheb Kuthi in West Bengal, India, a beautiful guesthouse of the Agarpara Jute Mill on the northern fringes of Kolkata.

Bagso Monastery, Ladakh: ‘Satrangi Re’ Song

The hit song ‘Satrangi Re’ from ‘Dil Se’ was another feather in the cap of Mani Ratnam's musical achievements. As mentioned on his Wikipedia page, a part of the song was shot at the famous Pangong Lake and Bagso Monastery in Ladakh.

Thirumalai Nayak Palace, Tamil Nadu: ‘Kehna Hi Kya’ Song

In the 1995 release ‘Bombay,’ a love story set amidst the turmoils of religion and caste, the song ‘Kehna Hi Kya’ was filmed at the Thirumalai Nayak Palace in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India. This sequence captured the first meeting between the characters Shekhar (Arvind Swamy) and Shaila (Manisha Koirala) during a wedding ceremony.

Indeed, no one masters the art of cinematic storytelling like legend Mani Ratnam.

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