Lucknow is a city we love for many things; the food, the people. The culture here is entirely different from anywhere else and we Lucknowites are fiercely proud of it. Though Lucknow was never a mainstream destination for Bollywood, yet there have been several movies shot in the city, about the city that have truly done justice to the essence of the city of Nawabs.
So, here’s a list of 9 movies that portray Lucknow in the most realistic sense.
1. Jolly LLB 2
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A story about a wannabe lawyer from the city and the corrupt police system, took away our hearts. There aren’t many movies who have been able to capture the laughter, the markets, the people and the language like Jolly LLB 2.
2. Dawat-e-Ishq
A gem of a movie, Dawat-e-Ishq was about the foremost things that brings the people of Lucknow together- food. Lucknow’s love for food is unmatched, the kind of love we hold in our hearts for kebabs was beautifully portrayed by Tariq’s raw passion. Though, quite weak on the storyline the movie did make its way into the heart of every Lucknowite.
3. Tanu weds Manu
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Tanu weds Manu was one movie where we saw prominent shots of the city, a portrayal of its culture and the spirit of Lucknow all encapsulated in one. The scene on Gomti bridge or the ‘Rangrez’ song where we saw the lanes of old Lucknow, the river bank and the cloth dyeing area.
4. Ishaqzaade
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Another great movie about Lucknow, Ishaqzaade talked of Lucknow’s religious rift, the communities and young love. A majority of the movie was shot in old Lucknow, mostly Chowk; the Lucknow railways station and the tracks even got a shout-out during the ‘Pareshan’ song.
5. Bullet Raaja
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Starring Saif Ali Khan and Jimmy Shergill, Bullet Raja was more on the swag of the ‘Nawabs’ of Lucknow . The movie showed us the rowdy side of the city, the gangs, the battles and some of the fun. Yet, it also showed us a beautiful view of this stunning city and that is something we’ll forever cherish.
6. Always Kabhi Kabhi
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This movie about students and the complications of young love was shot at La Martiniere, an iconic place for the city. The movie showed off Lucknow’s most premier educational institution and showcased the grandiose that is associated with the school and its architecture.
7. Bala
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The Ayushmann Khurrana and Yami Gautam starrer talked about the taboo associated with baldness with a light-hearted rom-com and box office went wild. The movie also showcased the stunning Lucknow river-front and the awe-inspiring Ambedkar park while the montage of the Tik Tok videos is shaping the love story of the prominent characters.
8. Youngistan
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Another movie that portrayed Lucknow’s grandeur was Youngistan. Driven by the idea that a young political leader will make the country a better place, the movie also has a love story brewing in the background. The epitome of the romance was celebrated here with the song- Suno na Sangemarmar. The song was shot in Lucknow’s Ambedkar Park and showed off the majestic memorial of Dr. Ambedkar.
9. Umrao Jaan, 2006
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This movie about a famous Lucknow courtesan of the same name showed a Lucknow of another era. The beautiful havelis and the architectural wonder of the city is wonderfully portrayed in the movie which talks of love, loss and pain. The movie celebrated Lucknow’s culture of music and poetry and the taboos associated with it.
Knock Knock
Each of these movies, show a different aspect of Lucknow. The city’s inherent charm, the kind of people who live here, our culture, our architecture and our spirit. These movies together define what Lucknow is and stands for and every time we see a familiar place we get ecstatic beyond belief.
