Leh: To get a good photograph in Ladakh, all you have to do is point your camera in any direction and press the shutter button. Mountains, lakes, long winding roads, awe-inspiring monasteries and the beautiful play of light make it a land unlike any other.
Aside from being a photographer’s dream, Ladakh is a filmmaker’s dream too, as it is nestled between two of the world’s greatest mountain ranges – the Himalayas and the Karakoram. In 1964, Chetan Anand’s war drama Haqeeqat became the first Bollywood film to be shot there.
The current generation of cine-goers, however, remembers fondly the sight of Kareena Kapoor Khan riding a yellow scooter, dressed as a bride, along the shores of the Pangong Lake.
When the movie 3 Idiots was released in 2009, the beautiful lake as well as the Druk Padma Karpo School became popular among tourists. In this article we are sharing our top five locations in Ladakh where some of the Bollywood blockbusters were shot. These movies can transport you to the heavenly surroundings of this place if you long to be on a Ladakh trip over the weekend.
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Pangong Lake
Pangong Lake, also known as Pangong Tso, is a scenic endorheic lake (meaning it’s a body of water that does not flow into the sea), extending from India to China. It is 134 km long. It is the biggest tourist attraction in Ladakh and is located 4350 meters above sea level. This lake’s natural beauty and allure have drawn people from far and wide. Apart from 3 Idiots, the stunning backdrop in one of the scenes of the Bollywood movie Jab Tak hai Jaan features Pangong Lake. It is the scene in which Anushka meets Shah Rukh Khan while shooting for Discovery Channel. Filmed extensively in Ladakh, the film features a variety of locations in the area.
Thiskey Monastery
This is the largest monastery in central Ladakh. The monastery is located in the Indus Valley, 18 km from Leh. Perched on top of the hill, it belongs to the Gelugpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism. The architecture of the monastery, as well as its location, is famous. The Saif Ali Khan and Kareena starrer Tashan saw its song “Falak Tak Chal” exclusively filmed at the Thiksey Monastery in Ladakh. Furthermore, scenes from Jab Tak Hai Jaan as well as the “Satrangi Re’ song from the Dil Se movie were shot here.
Nubra Valley
In the Nubra Valley lies an expanse of arid mountains and fertile river beds that make it one of the most beautiful places on earth. Nubra Valley is also called Ldumra, which means “Valley of Flowers”. It is located at the confluence of the Shyok River and the Siachen River. Ladakh and the Karakoram Range are separated by this striking valley, which is perched at an altitude of 10,000 feet.
A beautiful scene in the biopic of Milkha Singh takes place here. When Milkha, played by Farhan Akhtar, becomes distracted from his goals, his coach takes him for special training. This part of Milkha’s journey takes place in the Nubra Valley. In Ladakh, it’s not easy to walk, much less run at such high altitudes. But when you’re Milkha Singh, no mountain is too high! An inspirational song in the background adds a nice touch.
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Basgo Gompa
Basgo Gompa (Maitreya temples) is the oldest surviving religious structure of its type in Ladakh, between the Himalayan and Karakoram mountain ranges. It is dedicated to the future Buddha. Despite their location in the stark, barren landscape of the Himalayas, they continue to be actively used and cherished by the locals and tourists. In the film Bunty Aur Babli, the song “Chup Chup Ke” was filmed at Basgo Gompa. This is also the place where some scenes from the film Dil Se were shot during the rendition of “Satrangi Re”.
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Tanglang La
There is no better way to see Ladakh than to drive through Tanglang La, which is located at 5,328 meters above sea level. It is renowned for its incredible views and the sheer thrill of crossing it, which is no less than an adventure. As part of the Manali-Leh highway, Taglang La is often frequented by adventurous souls from around the world. In the Hrithik Roshan starrer Lakshya, do you remember the climax scene where the actor hoists the national flag at an altitude? It was filmed in Tanglang La!
