Jaipur, The Pink City is a treasure trove of history, colour and liveliness that makes even the most jaded travellers open their mouths with awe. The best word to describe Jaipur would be, a city. That may seem underwhelming, but it is a compliment, for it really is a city in the truest sense of the word. Though it is as modern a city like any other, every building, every restaurant, every monument, every person living here, even every plate of food made here seems to be a part and product of Jaipuri culture, unmistakable for anything else. Reading that must have given you a rush of nostalgia for the city, and possibly a sense of disappointment that the quarantine prevents you from rushing over and taking it in. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered, with this list of movies you can watch this weekend that’ll immerse you in the city and its culture from the comfort of your own home.
Bajirao Mastani
Sanjay LeelaBhansali’speriod piece about PeshwaBajirao and his paramour, the Bundelkhand Mastani, featured now real-life spouses Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh in a performance for the ages. Their chemistry flows in droves, and Priyanka Chopra plays a brilliant role as the devoted yet shunted wife. One of the most aesthetically pleasing performances of the film, delivered by Padukone on the song ‘Mohe Rang Laal,’ was shot in parts of the Amber Fort, one of the most famous attractions of the Pink City. The fort was built in the 16th century by Sawai Man Singh I and is significant for its blend of Mughal and Rajput architecture, in a lovely piece of symbolism for the movie as a whole.
Streaming on JioCinema
Paheli
Amol Palekar’s adaptation of a native tale, and India’s official entry into the 2006 Academy Awards, the musical fantasy features Rani Mukherjee as a lonesome bride and Shah Rukh Khan as her absentee husband. Rani Mukherjee eventually encounters a benevolent ghost who shapeshifts into her husband, beginning a very interesting tale. Her first notice of signs of a supernatural being comes as part of a scene shot at the Chand Baori stepwell in the Abhaneri village near Jaipur. The well is heavily frequented by tourists, and is one of the earliest examples of effective water-harvesting systems in the region, featuring 3500 steps in perfect symmetry. The song ‘Kangana Re’ from the movie was recorded at another major attraction in the main city, the Narain Niwas Palace.
Streaming on Netflix
Shudh Desi Romance
This rom-com stars the recently-deceased Sushant Singh Rajput in a fun and vibrant role as a tour guide in Jaipur who falls in love with a free-spirited client, and the trials and tribulations of their relationship. The premise of the movie means that it has to take the viewer on a complete tour of the city, from the Jal and HawaMahals to Amber and Nahargarh Forts, along with the less-touristy markets and alleys of the city, making you really feel like you’re in Jaipur. And isn’t that what we want?
Streaming on Prime Video
