Indian cinema tourism: Culture and Travel Context

Indian cinema tourism refers to the Indian film industry, which consists of multiple 'woods'. The largest is Bollywood, a portmanteau of the city of Mumbai's former name "Bombay" and "Hollywood". In fact it is the largest in the world by the number of feature films made each year, well ahead of Hollywood. Bollywood films are mostly in Hindi and, since Hindi and Urdu are quite similar as spoken languages, they are popular in Pakistan as well as in India.

Other 'woods', smaller but still of significant size, include Tollywood (Telugu cinema), Kollywood (Tamil cinema) Mollywood (Malayalam cinema), and Pollywood (Punjabi cinema) and Sandalwood (Kannada cinema).

As Indian cinema grows its global presence, so has Indian cinema tourism. Ardent fans visit famous shooting locations around the world, celebrity homes and other themed destinations.

Indian cinema is one of the world’s largest and most diverse film ecosystems, producing thousands of movies each year across multiple languages and regional industries. For many travellers, cinema is more than entertainment — it’s a window into India’s cultures, landscapes, music, and storytelling traditions. From the glamour of Bollywood to the earthy realism of Malayalam cinema, each region offers its own cinematic identity, shaped by local history, language, and artistic sensibilities.

Cinema tourism in India has grown rapidly as iconic film locations, studios, and shooting spots become destinations in their own right. Travellers can visit the bustling film sets of Mumbai, the lush backwaters of Kerala seen in Malayalam films, the grand forts and palaces featured in Telugu blockbusters, or the vibrant fields and villages that define Punjabi cinema. Many visitors also explore film museums, studio tours, and live TV show recordings to experience the industry from the inside.

Indian films often blend music, dance, drama, and emotion in a way that reflects the country’s cultural diversity. Bollywood’s Hindi‑language productions are internationally recognised for their scale and spectacle, while Tollywood (Telugu) and Sandalwood (Kannada) have gained global attention through high‑energy action epics. Mollywood (Malayalam) is known for its realism and strong writing, and Pollywood (Punjabi) celebrates rural life, music, and diaspora stories. Watching films from different regions can help travellers understand the social themes, humour, and values that shape everyday life across India.

For many visitors, exploring Indian cinema becomes a journey through the country itself — its cities, festivals, food, fashion, and traditions. Whether you’re touring a studio, attending a film festival, or simply watching a local blockbuster in a packed theatre, cinema offers a uniquely immersive way to experience India’s cultural heartbeat.

Dhurandhar (Parts 1 & 2) – Action‑drama duology centred on power, rivalry and high‑stakes conflict.

1 Film City (Dadasaheb Phalke Chitranagari). The film studio complex that serves as the venue for many shootings has since 2014 started guided tours taking you to historical and live shooting sets. (updated May 2023)

6 Ramoji Film City, Ranga Reddy, Telangana (near Hyderabad), [email protected]. The largest film studio in the world with a film-themed park. It is modelled after Universal City in California, United States. Many Telugu and Hindi films are produced here. The city encompasses massive buildings, gardens and other sets suitable for filming movies. Fans of Indian movies will find many locations where scenes from their favourite films were shot. (updated May 2023)

This cultural overview is an excerpt of a community travel guide. Confirm current access, schedules and prices with the venue before planning a visit.

Source and licence

Text adapted from Indian cinema tourism by Wikivoyage contributors under CC BY-SA 4.0. Paragraphs have been selected and abridged, and formatting adjusted. This adapted text is shared under the same licence. Contributor history.