With Silsila, Yash Chopra bought the romance of Switzerland to the forefront. Chopra was even honoured by the Swiss Government for his contribution to the Switzerland Travel & Tourism industry, thanks to Silsila, Chandni, Darr, Lamhe, Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge and Mohabbatein which were all shot around the snowy Alps in the background. However, for Dil To Pagal Hai, he explored Germany.

Easy shooting facilities, scenic locations, cooperative governments and guaranteed viewership wooed other film-makers to follow suit.

Rahul Rawail and Umesh Mehra opted for Mauritius and Russia respectively. If Rawail captured the deep blue seas of Mauritius in Samundar, Mehra got into Indo-Russian collaborations and shot extensively for Ali Baba Chalees Chor. Shashi Kapoor, too, was lured by the Russian charm, but his Ajooba sank without a trace at the BO.

Europe was the most popular choice, by far, but the experimental few like Rajiv Rai chose to film Vishwatama in Kenya, extensively covering its diverse animal life. Dev Anand went a step further with his almost forgotten Pyaar Ka Tarana (where he introduced Pakistani actress Anita Ayoob) in Denmark.

With Europe, UK and the Americas exhausted, producers shifted focus down under with a vengeance. Australia and New Zealand became the hot foreign circuits. South East Asia is gaining ground, too, with Malaysia, Seychelles and Thailand finding admirers of their own.

Shooting in a foreign paradise is not always bliss, as you might understand. Language, food, climate and the natives often pose a problem.

Text:Sukanya Verma
Design:Lynette Menezes

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