From Dil Chahta Hai to Jodha Akbar: Iconic forts that made it to the big screen

Indian forts are not just architectural wonders but also greatly depict history; the battles, romance, and rise and fall of empires. These forts have been used as the perfect backdrops in a lot of famous films, which add to the charm of these beautiful forts.

On this note, let’s take a look at some famous Indian forts that have made a mark in Indian cinema as well.

Located on a hilltop and overlooking the Arabian Sea in Goa, it offers breathtaking views of the surroundings and beaches located nearby.
This fort was originally built by the Portuguese. This fort appeared in the Bollywood film "Dil Chahta Hai," which depicted three friends on a trip to Goa, and one of the scenes was shot here. The location of this fort allows a view in all directions and has an irregular outer layer that adds to the defensive layer of the fort.

Known as Sonar Quila, it is located in the heart of the Thar Desert in Rajasthan. This fort is mainly known for its massive sandstone walls, which give a golden effect when the sunlight reflects on them, giving it the name the ‘golden fort’. This fort is the second oldest fort in Rajasthan. The fort is just pure beauty with a combination of Rajput military defense and rich cultural heritage. The famous Bollywood movie "Housefull 4" was shot here, which added to the visual spectacle of the movie.

This heritage palace is located in Rajasthan and was built in 1648 when the Mewar dynasty ruled the place. It is majorly known for its historical significance and the beautiful Rajput architecture. It has beautiful Rajput elements in its architecture, such as ornate balconies, jharokhas, courtyards, and stone carvings. This palace had an appearance in the epic film ‘Jodha Akbar’ and played a great part in depicting the royal setting and the grandeur of the Mughal-Rajput times. One can visit this beautiful fort today as it has been turned into a heritage hotel.

This majestic fort, located on the Aravalli hills, overlooks Jaipur, Rajasthan, and was also a part of the defensive ring along with other famous forts such as Amer and Jaigarh forts. The beauty of this fort stems from the Indo-European architectural style and also has fortified walls and rooms with ornate decorations. This fort has featured in Bollywood films like ‘Rang De Basanti’ and ‘Bol Bachchan’, enhancing the importance of the fort even more as people often visit the fort to witness the locations in real life. In the movies, one can spot the large terraces of the fort and the scenic view of the fort.

The Chittorgarh Fort is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is located in the city of Chittorgarh, Rajasthan. This fort was founded by the Mauryans in the 7th century and greatly depicts the valor of the Rajput warriors. This fort has a great defense layer that prevented a lot of sieges by the Mughals in the past. This fort has important monuments like Vijay Stambha and the Kirti Stambha. This majestic fort appeared in the film ‘Mangal Pandey: The Rising’, providing a glimpse into the past, the events that led to the first war of Independence of India. The movie greatly highlights the resistance and valor of people at that time and also adds a symbolic significance to the valor of Rajput warriors.

Located near Hyderabad, Telangana, it is a fortified citadel that was built in the 12th century by the Kakatiya dynasty. This fort is mainly known for its perfect location, beautiful architecture, and also the diamond trade. This fort features a lot of gateways and defense walls along with a sound and light system. This fort was used in films like ‘Rangasthalam’, which created a grandiose ambiance and charm for visitors today.