Delhi’s hustling and bustling city is always relevant in India for various reasons. These reasons often include its stifling smog, crazy traffic, and its never-ending rush of work throughout the day.
Discussions about the city tend to be mixed with dreary tales about air quality or the strains of urban living. But underlying this blurred account is a city that has equally enthralled poets, storytellers, and filmmakers. It perfectly embodies resilience, vibrancy, and love, earning the title “Dilwalon ki Dilli.” Delhi, however, is like a coin, for it comes with two sides.
Beyond the cloud of modern confusion exists an era of ageless mystique, old-world charisma, and undisputed oddness.
This paradox has driven many filmmakers to create stories that capture the city’s soul, portraying Delhi as both a character and a setting. In today’s article, we will discuss this as we try to stroll on these streets where some of our favourite characters have walked.
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Mere Brother Ki Dulhan (2011)
Mere Brother Ki Dulhan revolves around a Mumbai man caught off guard and trapped in an absurd situation when his older brother’s future potential wife is a woman with whom he has a history. The film stars Imran Khan, Ali Zafar, and Katrina Kaif, with Ali Abbas Zafar handling the writing and direction.
Delhi Lens: Besides exploring the normal lanes of Delhi, the film has also been shot extensively at Pataudi, a place that is less explored in most Delhi films.
The song “Isq Risk” became an instant chartbreaker. Crooned by the legendary Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, it was picturised in the Taj Mahal, Agra, with Khan and Kaif in the attire of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz, capturing the timeless beauty of the monument.
Sukhee (2023)
Sukhee is a slice-of-life 2023 film starring Shilpa Shetty, Amit Sadh, and Kusha Kapila. It follows the life of Sukhpreet’ Sukhee’ Kalra, a 38-year-old Punjabi homemaker who travels to Delhi to participate in her school reunion.
Sukhee revisits her 17-year-old self while having several adventures in just seven days, returning rekindled and reborn and ready to undertake the most difficult shift of her life—from being a mother and wife to being her own woman again.
Delhi Lens: The film manages to transport viewers back to the ‘80s and ‘90s. It also reinstates the aura that the city holds. One may feel that they have grown up and changed, but the mystique of the city makes one ask that question one more time, as it stands frozen in time.
Vicky Donor (2012)
Dr. Baldev, who owns a sperm bank and a fertility clinic, needs a competent sperm donor. His efforts fail after he meets Vicky, a charming young Punjabi kid who becomes his clinic’s largest sperm donor.
But things soon worsen as he meets Ashima, who needs to learn about his job. The film becomes a hilarious turn of errors chronicling Vicky’s attempts to hide his occupation from his fiancee and her family.
Delhi Lens: Director Shoojit Sircar explores the city’s more scheming aspect, taking the word “Jugaad” literally for the character of Ayushmann Khurrana as he tries to navigate his life with the character of Yami Gautam.
Love Aaj Kal (2009)
This Imtiaz Ali directorial follows an exceptionally unique narrative with two stories colliding on different timelines. Just like its setting, the characters collide, too. The film follows the journey of two partners as they discover that their professional aspirations and family are dragging them in different ways, eventually leading to their split.
Will they be able to overcome their predicament? Or will they stay apart forever? This is the premise of the Saif Ali Khan and Deepika Padukone starrer.
Delhi Lens: The parallel section of the film, which deals with Rishi Kapoor’s past and is reprised by Saif Ali Khan, is mainly based in Delhi.
Capturing a more naive and innocent world, Love Aaj Kal represents the words “Simpler Times” in their truest sense. It beautifully portrays Delhi as the city of love and reminds us about the unconditionality of love in its moments.
Queen (2014)
When her fiancé cancels the wedding, Rani, a 24-year-old West Delhi Rajouri girl, chooses to embark on her honeymoon alone. As the story progresses, she experiences happiness, makes friends, and develops a newfound sense of independence while touring Europe alone.
Delhi Lens: Although the film primarily explores Europe, the first half showcases the vibrancy of a Big Fat Punjabi Indian Wedding and the liveliness of the people in the city.
Delhi 6 (2009)
After arriving in Old Delhi with his sick grandmother, Roshan, an NRI, begins to discover himself again before becoming entangled in a religious conflict that disrupts the once-peaceful neighbourhood.
Delhi Lens: Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra discusses an exciting time in Delhi’s history. It explores the absurd time of the fictional miscreant “Kaala Bandar,” perfectly encapsulating the dread and panic that erupted in the city at the time.
The film also captures Old Delhi in an unforgettable way, using the tunes of the Modern Maestro A.R. Rahman, songs like Masakali, Rehna Tu, and the titular Hey Kaala Bandar, which follows the myth of the monkey man.
Chak De! India (2007)
The Shimit Amin-directed film starring Shah Rukh Khan is about the Female Indian Team, a group of ragtag females with their own goals who play hockey and compete for recognition around the world. After being falsely accused of fixing the score in his most recent game, their coach, who was the former captain of the Indian national team, returns from an existence of disgrace and shame.
Can he overcome the ghosts of his problematic past and give the girls the drive they need to succeed? This is the crux of the film.
Delhi Lens: The film uses Delhi as the story’s central point, connecting and uniting all the different characters from the various states of India and emphasizing Delhi as the Capital of India. Jahan states ke naam na sunaayi date hain, na dikhaayi date hain, bas ek mulk ka naam sunaayi deta hai—India.
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PK (2014)
In the bustling city of Delhi, a stranger poses questions that no one has ever asked. The man, who can only be recognised by his initials, PK, goes on an adventure of love, laughter, and fulfillment through his innocent questions and youthful curiosity.
Delhi Lens: Helmed by Rajkumar Hirani and starring Aamir Khan and Anushka Sharma, PK perfectly captures the ironic balance of Delhi. It shows the city’s darker side, which schemes against innocent individuals, and balances it with its resilience as PK grows accustomed to a world quite unlike his.
Also, read:
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Tamasha (2015)
While on vacation in Corsica, Ved and Tara discover they are in love but choose to hide their true identities. When Tara returns to Delhi after four years, she encounters an unfamiliar Ved, one that is different from what she used to know. Caught between Dil and Duniya, the film follows Ved’s journey as he navigates his true self.
Delhi Lens: Delhi represents the Duniya aspect of the film, following the colder side of the city where most people are self-centred, not having enough time for themselves, and running a rat race of nothingness, which has sadly become the reality of most people today.
The song Agar Tum Saath Ho, filmed in Hauz Khas, highlights the dichotomy between the brain and the heart and the conflict that exists within them.
Also, read:
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October (2018)
The Shoojit Sircar directorial is probably one of the most unique films set in Delhi. It is one of the few films that manages to capture every beat of the city. October focuses on Dan, a carefree 21-year-old who is constantly surrounded by friends and other hotel interns who help each other through their daily experiences and highs and lows.
Shiuli, who worked as an intern at the same hotel, was sometimes the target of Dan’s recklessness before a dramatic turn of circumstances changed their relationship and everything else that was once normal.
Delhi Lens: The film begins with the more corporatized setup of a 5-star Hotel in Delhi and then shifts to the more chaotic aspects of the city before showcasing the calm that exists in the storm as Shiuli comes to terms with her terrible misfortune.
The film also represents Shiuli’s recovery through the various seasons and locations of Delhi, highlighting the more minor things of life that often remain unexplored in the larger scheme of things.
Rockstar (2011)
The ultimate Delhi movie would have to be the Imtiaz Ali directorial Rockstar. A college student, Janardhan is a naive boy wholly lost in his motivation to express his inner music. Heartbreak drives him to self-destruction even though it helps him achieve his objective.
Delhi Lens: Rockstar mostly explores the initial phases of Jordan and Heer’s love story as they navigate the posh streets of Delhi and the adventurous alleys of Old Delhi.
The film is like a character in its narrative, following Jordan and Heer every step of the way, from their initial spark to its ultimate extinguishment.
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