Bollywood movies that beautifully portrayed the small towns in India

The location in a film is of utmost importance in the plot. It decides the background of the story as well as how the characters interact with one another. Small towns are a popular choice in Bollywood as it gives the filmmaker a new perspective to follow in the film. Here are some Bollywood movies that did justice to the innocence and simplicity of small towns:

1. Bareilly Ki Barfi - Bareilly:

   Set in a small town in Uttar Pradesh, Bareilly Ki Barfi came up as a film with a good plot and impactful characters. The character of Bitti in the film stands out, as intended, from what is expected of a small-town girl.

   
   

2. Tanu Weds Manu Series – Kanpur:

   Tanu Weds Manu is another film that captured the hearts of the audience. The film portrayed the simplicity of small towns with a lot of ease. Backed by strong characters, the film was lauded for being authentic to the essence of small-town life.

   
   

3. Dum Laga Ke Haisha – Haridwar:

   Although the film deals with a serious topic, the backdrop of Haridwar made it resonate with the audience. Set in the 90s, the film gave the audience a dose of nostalgia.

   

4. Masaan – Banaras:

   Masaan with its plot in the holy city of Banaras portrayed a unique story of life, death, corruption and love. Banaras as a backdrop in the film and with death being a constant part of the story, Masaan gave the audience a heart-touching story with simple characters.

   
   

   
   

5. Badrinath Ki Dulhania - Jhansi:

   While Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhaniya explored the metro city of Delhi for the first half of the film, Badrinath Ki Dulhaniya chooses Jhansi as the backdrop to drive home the social issues of gender bias and the dowry system.

   
   

6. Shuddh Desi Romance – Jaipur:

   Two love stories intertwined with arranged marriages Shuddh Desi Romance was set in Jaipur. The film provides a unique perspective on what younger people want from relationships. The Pink City was beautifully portrayed in the film capturing the gorgeousness of the city like no other.

   
   

7. Jolly LLB2 - Lucknow:

   Jolly LLB2 starring Akshay Kumar, Huma Qureshi, Saurabh Shukla and Annu Kapoor was a powerful satire on the Indian legal system. The film was so deeply set in Lucknow that the city became another character in the film.

   
   

8. Lipstick Under My Burkha – Bhopal:

   Following the story of four women, Lipstick under my Burkha took on the controversial topic of sexual satisfaction and desires of women. Although the film received a lot of flak from the Indian censor board, the city of Bhopal elevated the confusion and the taboo topic to a different level.

   
   

8. Toilet: Ek Prem Katha - Mathura:

   Based on sanitation awareness, Toilet: Ek Prem Katha was set in two small villages in Mathura. In small towns and rural areas where proper sanitation is still not mainstream, the film did a great job of bringing awareness to the health hazard. The backdrop of a rural setting helped the film cement its point even further.

   
   

8. Anaarkali of Aarah - Aarah:

   Set in Aarah in Bihar, the location plays an important role in the story of Anaarkali of Aarah. The story tells the journey of a folk dancer, the film captures the spirit of Aarah perfectly.