This World Heritage Day, here’s exploring Bollywood’s connect with Delhi monuments

April 18 is World Heritage Day. Here’s looking at the romance between Bollywood films and Delhi’s heritage sites listed by UNESCO — Qutub Minar, Humayun’s Tomb and Red Fort.

Think of Saif Ali Khan wooing Kareena Kapoor Khan in Kurbaan (2009) at Humayun’s Tomb or Aamir Khan dancing to Chand Sifarish in Fanaa (2006) at Qutub Minar, and one can’t deny that Delhi’s timeless heritage sites have made for picturesque backdrops in Bollywood films for ages.

The song Shukran Allah from the 2009 film Kurbaan (2009) — starring actor-couple Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor Khan — was shot at Humayun’s Tomb in Delhi.

This World Heritage Day (April 18), here’s taking you for a heritage walk in Delhi, Bollywood style.

Humayun’s Tomb

ABOUT THE MONUMENT: Located in Nizamuddin East, this regal Mughal architecture has been the background of many romantic numbers. Built in 1565 AD, nine years after Humayun’s death, by his widow, Bega Begam, the monument has garden squares (chaharbagh) with pathways water channels, a mausoleum exceeded by a double dome. In 1857 AD, Lieutenant Hudson captured the last Mughal emperor Bahadur Shah II from here. Source: Delhi Tourism, UNESCO.

Shukran Allah (from Kurbaan) wasn’t the only song shot at Humayun’s Tomb, the Mere Brother Ki Dulhan (2011) track, Choomantar, was another one to be filmed at the UNESCO heritage site. Baar Baar Dekho (2016) director Nitya Mehra also shot a short film, titled The Cherry On Top, near Humanyun’s Tomb.

Qutub Minar

ABOUT THE MONUMENT: Built in 1193 AD by Qutab-ud-din Aibak, a 72.5 metre high tower of victory in red and buff standstone, Qutub Minar is an architectural delight. It houses India’s first mosque, Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque and a seven metre high iron pillar. The construction that was started by the first Muslim-ruler of Delhi in 1200 AD was completed by Firoz Shah Tughlak, who built the fifth and the last storey. Source: Delhi Tourism, UNESCO.

Playing the character of a tourist guide Aamir Khan dances about in the Qutub Minar complex in the song Chaand Sifarish. Kunal Kohli, the director of the film, Fanaa, who shot the film at several locations in Delhi, says: “We need to showcase our rich heritage and culture, as our cinema reaches all over the world. When things are in our backyard, we tend to overlook them.” Kohli adds that regular cultural programmes and events should be held at these world heritage sites. “We only change the lighting on January 26 and August 15. That shouldn’t be the case. Maybe, plays based on the history of the heritage site should be staged to create awareness.”

Red Fort

Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks at an Independence Day celebrations at Red Fort in New Delhi, India. ABOUT THE MONUMENT: This site, which becomes a riot of colours on the Independence Day, was built as the palace fort of Shahjahanabad, the capital of the fifth Mughal Emperor, Shah Jahan. The walls of red sandstone, adjacent to the Salimgarh fort, built by Islam Shah Suri in 1546, forms the Red Fort Complex. While the planning of the palace is based on Islamic prototypes, each architectural element reflects a fusion of Persian, Timurid and Hindu traditions. Source: Delhi Tourism, UNESCO.

Some parts of the hit blockbuster Bajrangi Bhaijaan (2015) — starring actors Salman Khan and Kareena Kapoor Khan — was shot in front of the Red Fort. Starring Abhay Deol and Soha Ali Khan, the film Ahista Ahista, also has glimpses of the Red Fort.

A still from Bajrangi Bhaijaan. One can see Red Fort in the background.