Railway stations that have been featured in Bollywood movies | So Good News

Be it the classic ‘Jaa Simran Jaa’ scene in Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jaayenge (DDLJ) or the destruction unleashed in Ratlam in Jab We Met, railway stations have been part of some of the iconic scenes in Bollywood films for decades now . Today we take a look at some of the popular stations where movies have been recorded. By Anushka Goel

Bollywood movies are probably why so many of us dream of a dramatic, happy ending. Thanks to these movies, we believe in the power of love, romance, and everything in between. It is these films that have also made us experience the natural and architectural beauty of India. From mountains to lakes, rivers and seas, all landscapes have found a place in films, as have ancient temples and forts.

Bollywood films have also shown us how simplistic scenes shot in trains and at railway stations can be. These stories take you through emotion and nostalgia all at once, making you want to hop on a train and embark on a soul-searching journey.

So if you’re looking for some inspiration, check out these train stations in India that have been featured in movies and make for an emotional journey.

Railway stations and trains that have been featured in films

Apta

Apta is one of the most beautiful railway stations in India. The station overlooks the hills on one side, while the other side has a regular road. That’s not all – the station is only a couple of hours away from Mumbai, making it an easily accessible, beautiful and tranquil place to take photos. No wonder Apta has featured in several Bollywood films, including Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jaayenge (the iconic Jaa Simran Jaa dialogue was shot here), Rank De Basanti and Khakhee.

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus

Mumbai is heaven for those who want to see some amazing Victorian architecture. The city, especially South Bombay, boasts of architectural marvels, charming English-style bylanes and an old-world charm. Among them is Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus. The railway station is always full of travellers, whether they are boarding the Mumbai Local or those disembarking after traveling through different states by night train. Among the films filmed here are Ra.Oneand the station can also be seen in shows (Modern Love Mumbai), ads and photoshoots all the time.

Ratlam Junction

Who would have thought that a small town mostly visible on railway maps and popular for its sev (ratlami sev) would become so popular? That’s exactly what happened when one of the establishing scenes in Jab We Met was shot at Ratlam Junction. This is where Geet (Kareena Kapoor Khan) misses her train for the second time and this is the starting point for the romance between her and Aditya (Shahid Kapoor). The scene may have lasted a few minutes, but it has been etched in viewers’ minds ever since.

Kalyan Junction

Chennai Express follows the protagonists Rahul (Shah Rukh Khan) and Meenamma (Deepika Padukone). The two meet on a train (romantic, right)? and fall in love. The sequence where they meet is shot at Kalyan Junction and the story continues throughout the train journey and beyond. Oh and, there is an actual train you can board to reach Chennai from Mumbai, which passes through some amazing places!

Shimla toy train

Among the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in North India, the Kalka-Shimla Railway is a popular route that is a must-visit for stunning mountain views. The train journey has been featured in many films, including Jab We Metand in the old classical song More Sapno Ki Rani from the movie Aradhna. Board the train from Kalka and immerse yourself in the vast landscape, rugged Himalayas and a forest floor carpeted with leaves!

Darjeeling Toy Train and Railway Station

Darjeeling is a great location for film shooting, given its strategic location, tea gardens and general environment. The hill station has been the backdrop for films such as Main Hoon Naa, Barfi and several others. The Darjeeling toy train, along with the railway station, has been featured in the Parineetaand the scene i Main Hoon Na when SRK gets off the train on a platform covered in steam has been shot here. The railways are part of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites for Mountain Railways and make for one of the most scenic journeys in India.

Ooty Train (Nilgiri Mountain Railway)

A piece on railways and railway stations in films is incomplete without a mention of the Ooty train and station. The classic of all time, Chaiyya Chaiyyafrom the movie Dil Se.., was pictured on top of this train, and made many thousands of us want to experience the same journey that SRK did. The train, which runs through the mountains, takes you through several tunnels and sharp curves, making for a journey worth every minute of your time.

Hero and Featured Image: A still from the film

Related: These Overnight Train Tours Are What You Need for a Scenic Trip