5 Popular Bollywood Movies Filmed in Dubai: Being one of the most luxurious cities with beautiful deserts, and rich lifestyle, Dubai has always attracted Bollywood directors and producers. Famous landmarks such as Burj Khalifa, Palm Jumeirah including houses of Palm Jumeirah which is Atlantis the Palm has been captivating this Bollywood’s beautiful backdrop for memorable movie scenes. The factor that probably would appeal to directors is the closeness of Dubai to the Indian movie industry and the perfect blend of both ultramodern buildings and spectacular terrains. Here in the article, we will take a look at the 5 popular Bollywood movies filmed in Dubai.
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5 Popular Bollywood Movies Filmed in Dubai
1. Happy New Year (2014)
Dubai has been the hub of many well-known Bollywood movies and out of all such movies, Happy New Year look like a big circus, which is literally true. It is an action comedy heist film and is directed by Farah Khan, stars Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone and Abhishek Bachchan. It was not only a shooting location, but such an essential component of the plot since the overall storyline is built around a dancing competition taking place in Dubai. Some interesting sequences were shot in few of the best locations in Dubai including Atlantis, The Palm and The Dubai Mall to name a few, making it one of the most popular Bollywood movies filmed in Dubai.
2. Welcome (2007) & Welcome Back (2015)
Welcome and Welcome Back are two of the most popular Bollywood movies filmed in Dubai. Featuring major Bollywood stars such as Akshay Kumar, Anil Kapoor, Nana Patekar and Katrina Kaif in the lead roles. In both films we find Dubai as having a central role that portrays the glamorous life. Yacht parties, big hotels, and breathtaking views of the cityscape became a plot of the story in which Dubai became an actor. The sequences that caught the lens in Welcome were filmed at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Dubai wherein Nana Patekar unleashes a party. The sequel, Welcome Back, featured new stars like John Abraham and Shruti Haasan in the lead role.
3. Partner (2007)
This romantic comedy featured the hilarious duo of Salman Khan and Govinda which was loved by the Bollywood movie lovers. Alongside, Katrina Kaif acted an important character in this film and many scenes were filmed at Dubai thus, the film is recognized as one of the most popular Bollywood movies filmed in Dubai. Among the remarkable shooting places, it is worth to name Chelsea Towers or Al Salam Tower at the present; this is one of the tallest residential complexes in Dubai. Other places, including the Emirates Palace Hotel and the Dubai Media City, were also shot in some of the most popular songs ever made, such as “You’re My Love” and “Maria Maria.”
4. Bang Bang (2014)
Bang Bang is the official remake of the Hollywood movie Knight and Day. This action thriller film featuring Hrithik Roshan and Katrina Kaif. The film was acclaimed for the action scenes that were filmed in magnificent Dubai location. These intense scenes were shot in the Burj Khalifa in Dubai; the tallest structure in the world and to make the stunts look interesting and realistic, Hrithik reportedly did most of the stunts himself. The Burj Khalifa not only played an appearance as the visual setting to the movie, but embodied the movement and action of the film as well. Such moments help make Bang Bang one of the most popular Bollywood movies filmed in Dubai till date.
5. Dabangg (2010)
Featuring Salman Khan in probably his best role yet, Dabangg not only resonated with the audiences but was also commercially successful. Although most of the movie was set and filmed in India, a beautiful song-and-dance number was shot amid dunes in Dubai. In the song sequence of the movie, Salman and Sonakshi were seen having full-fledged dune bashing in the desert, thus making Dubai vast sand what is most memorable in the film. Indeed, other scenes were shot in the desert, but the Emirates Palace and inside shot at the Burjuman Metro Station. These sequences made it hard for Dabangg to be out off the list of popular Bollywood movies filmed in Dubai.
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In recent years Dubai has emerged as one of the favorite shooting locations for Bollywood movie makers because of the variety of terrains, beautiful infrastructure and locations and its closeness to India. From the tallest building in the world the Burj Khalifa, to stunning palm shaped islands that are Palm Jumeirah with sandy beaches, to the vast desert that is the raw backdrop for any Bollywood film. Some of the most popular Bollywood movies filmed in Dubai not only showcased the glamorous side of this city but also attracted tourist from all over the world with the references to the places already filmed.