India is known for its rich beauty. From the Himalayas in the north to the extravagant forest and beaches along the South coast, the diversity of this peninsula is spectacular. The sand dunes of Rajasthan scream exotic as much as marshy forests of the Sunderbans in West Bengal. One such beautiful place that holds a rich history and rooted remnants of colonization is Pondicherry or Puducherry. The Union Territory was colonized by the French which left behind a strong essence of foreign culture in the otherwise English colonized India. Form croissants to stone streets in the French Quarters there is nothing in Pondicherry that can’t make you fall in love with the place. Over the years several film industries have tried to capture the beauty of French Riviera of the East. Let’s sneak a peek into some of these movies!
Life of Pi– This 2012 adventure drama by Ang Lee captures Pondicherry in several of its shots. It stars Suraj Sharma and Irrfan Khan as Pi Patel who explores the life and survives when he is adrift in the middle of nowhere. The movie of based on a 2001 novel of the same name by Yann Martel. From botanical gardens to narrow lanes, we see beautiful glimpses of Pondicherry.
2 States- Although the story is about a Punjabi boy (Krish) and a Tamil girl (Ananya), several scenes of Ananya’s home in Chennai was actually shot in Pondicherry. The greenery, the streets hold a beauty that is specific to the gorgeous city.
Saat Khoon Maaf- This 2011 thriller drama is about a lady Susanna Anne-Marie Johannes who indulges in murders of her six husbands. Starring Priyanka Chopra, his movie by Vishal Bhardwaj has successful captured the beauty of the city that we lovingly call “Pondy”.
Taalash- This Reema Kagti’s movie mainly focuses on the crime world of Mumbai, but at the same time captures the beauty of Pondicherry too. The death of an, a son and the struggle of parent cater to the pathetic part of the movie but the shots of Pondicherry definitely add colour and vibrancy to the otherwise dark crime thriller that Taalash is.
Madras to Pondicherry- Madras to Pondicherry might be a pretty old Tamil movie of 1966, the perfect balance of thrill and the aesthetic number was evident in the movie. The name clearly says Pondicherry which makes it obvious the movie is bound to capture the glory of Pondicherry!
Lessons in Forgetting- This 2020 movie by Unni Vijayan is based on a novel by the same name by Anita Nair. The movie stars Adil Hussain and Roshni Achreja who together search for J.A. Krishnamurthy’s (Adil Hussain) lost daughter along the coasts of Southern India. The movie is equally intriguing as well as fresh. And as the cherry on top, the movie was shot partly in Pondicherry!
Mozhi- Music is a huge part of Indian movies but Musical Romantic Comedy? Mozhi is exactly that. This 2007 Tamil movie is written and directed by Radha Mohan and you can’t help but fall in love with the songs, story and scenic beauty of the movie!
Rebel- Action Drama doesn’t sound like scenic beauty, right? But with blood, gore and revenge this 2012 movie, this movie also portrays the beauty of this South Indian city, Pondicherry.
