Directors And Their Love-Affair With Delhi

Yeh Delhi Hai Mere Yaar
Bas Ishq Mohabbat Pyaar

Nothing can be more true about Delhi than these words penned down by Prasoon Joshi! Dilwalon Ki Delhi has a special charm, a beauty! It has the ability to embrace all who comes to the capital and make them feel at home! Bustling with energy, painted bright with colours and laced with history, one can't help but simply fall in love with Delhi.

And if we are so smitten by the city, it is but obvious that many in Bollywood too will share the same feeling! Heck, Delhi is the home for soo many of our Bolly celebs! But not only are they in love, but those who have spent even some time in the city return back to it ti,e and again!

This also includes many of our directors! And their love forr Delhi is portrayed to each of their films. Many a times, the city transcends from being a mere backdrop to the life and soul of the film. We have spotted 7 directors who are absolutely in love with the capital city and in whose films Delhi plays a major role.

1. Imtiaz Ali: 

He has an undying love for Delhi. Period. Even Ranbir Kapoor, with whom he has shot Rockstar and Tamasha, had said in an interview, "No other director justifies Delhi better than Imtiaz... He understand Delhi, the heart of Delhi, its characters, its people, its language." From the commonplace locations of Love Aaj Kal, or the highways and a few localities in Highway to Hauz Khas village in Tamasha or Delhi University and Hazrat Nizzamuddin Dargha in Rockstar, Delhi seems to be the lifeline of Imtiaz's films. 

2. Rakesh Omprakash Mehra:

Before you even say anything, remember that he is the guy who made an entire film only on Delhi- Delhi 6! Not just that, one of the best films in the history of cinema- Rang De Basanti, has been shot in Delhi.

3. Raju Hirani- 

Two of Hirani's films 3 Idiots and PK have been shot in Delhi! While 3 Idiots feature Delhi just as a setting (IIT Delhi to be precise), PK has more locations from Delhi!

4. Maneesh Sharma

Remember Band Baaja Baraat? Yes, it has been filmed at the most commonplace ocations in Delhi. But the film also captures the thought that probably every youth has in Delhi-to make it big in life. People from all over the country come to Delhi and paint it with their hopes and their dreams! Born and brought up in Delhi, he sees Delhi in a way that most directors can't! Not just Band Baaja, but Fanaa, Ladies VS Ricky Bahl and Fan, all have Delhi playing a major role in the film!

5. Shoojit Sircar-

He is the classical case of what many Bengalis would be able to relate to- born in the city trapped in time Kolkata, but attained youth in Delhi. He did his higher studies in the city, from where he developed this simultaneous love affair with both the cites! Sircar's films combine the best of both Kolkata and Delhi. Take for example Vicky Donor or Piku! I guess that's explanatory enough!

6. R Balki-

Thid director also includes Delhi as his favorite location forr shooting. Remember how important Qutub Minar was in Cheeni Kam or how beautifully the city was captured in Paa?

7. Luv Ranjan

You may say that both the parts of Pyaar Ka Punchnama was similar, but well both were shot in Delhi! And wasn't it absolutely relatable? The gruelling work Liquid has to do or the araam wali naukri that Chaudhary did, or the party and club culture! It captured the essence of the lives of the 20 something youth of Delhi!