List of films shot in Varanasi
The following is a list of films shot in the Indian city of Benaras (Varanasi/Benares/Kashi),[1][2][3] a hub for several film industries.[4] Being well connected to the major cities across India makes it approachable.[5] A small number of Bhojpuri movies are shot too.[6] In these fictions and documentaries, the setting is usually explored through the themes of spirituality[1] and death,[7] traditionally associated with the place[8] as well as the scenic location of the ghats.[9] The history of the city, its religious importance in Hinduism and the prominence of the river Ganges are also addressed in various films.[9] A majority of them was shot on location.[10][11]
Films
- Aghori (2023, Bhojpuri)[12]
- Agnyaathavaasi[4]
- Angrezi Mein Kehte Hain[13]
- Aparajito (1956, Bengali)[14][15][16]
- Banaras (2006)[13]
- Banaras (2009, a Malayalam film)
- Banaras (2022, Kannada)
- Bas Itna Sa Khwaab Hai (2001, Hindi)[17][18]
- Benares: The Hindu Heaven, released by James A. Fitzpatrick[19] (1931, English), American travelogue[20]
- Sarnath, Benares (1934), German anonymous documentary featurette[21][22]
- Bhaiaji Superhit[23]
- Bholaa[24]
- Bidesiya (1963, Bhojpuri)[25]
- Brahmāstra: Part One – Shiva[26]
- Brahmotsavam[27]
- Bunty Aur Babli[28]
- Chokher Bali[29]
- Deep River (1995, Japanese)[30]
- Dharm[31]
- Dream Girl[23]
- Falimy
- Feast of Varanasi
- Forest of Bliss (1986, English),[32] American documentary
- Ganges: River to Heaven
- Gangs of Wasseypur
- Ghatak: Lethal (1996)[33][34]
- Global Baba (2016, Hindi)[35]
- Gypsy[36]
- Guns of Banaras
- Half Girlfriend[37]
- Har Har Byomkesh
- Hotel Salvation (2016, Hindi)[38][13]
- Jaya Ganga[39]
- Jolly LLB 2[40]
- Indra[41]
- ISmart Shankar[42]
- Issaq[13]
- Joi Baba Felunath[43]
- Junction Varanasi[44]
- Laaga Chunari Mein Daag[13]
- Maang Bharo Sajana (1980, Hindi)
- Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi[45]
- Masaan (2015, Hindi)[46][13]
- Mere Dost Picture Abhi Baki Hai (2012, Hindi)[47]
- Mohalla Assi (2018, Hindi)[48][13]
- Mukkabaaz[49]
- Mulk[29]
- Mumbai Varanasi Express[50]
- Naan Kadavul
- Odiyan[51]
- Projapoti (2022 film)
- Raanjhanaa (2013, Hindi)[52][53][13]
- Ram Teri Ganga Maili (1985, Hindi)[54]
- Piku[55]
- Sange Meel Se Mulaqat (1989, Hindi)[56]
- Setters[57]
- Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan[58]
- Super 30[59]
- The Curious Case of Benjamin Button[60]
- The Eken: Benaras e Bibhishika (2025, Bengali)[61]
- The Experiment (2010 film)[62]
- The Last Color[63]
- Un plus une[62]
- Vanvaas
- 2006 Varanasi – The Untold
- Water (2005, Hindi; English)[64][13]
- Yamla Pagla Deewana[65]
OTT Platforms
- Asur[66]
- Bahut Hua Sammaan[67]
- Bicchoo Ka Khel[68]
- Helmet
- Mirzapur[69]
- Madhuri Talkies
- Raktanchal
- A Suitable Boy[70]
- UP65[71]
- Virgin Bhasskar[72]
See also
- Category:Films shot in Varanasi
- Varanasi
- List of tourist attractions in Varanasi
References
- ^ a b Devasundaram, Ashvin Immanuel (10 February 2022). Indian Indies: A Guide to New Independent Indian Cinema. Routledge. ISBN 978-1-000-57717-4.
- ^ "7 Movies That Show Varanasi Through The Eyes Of Bollywood Like Raanjhanaa - Zee5 News". ZEE5. 1 May 2021. Retrieved 20 September 2025.
- ^ Mallet, Victor (2017). River of Life, River of Death: The Ganges and India's Future. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-878617-7.
- ^ a b "Film shooting venues are the new tourist attractions in Varanasi". The Times of India. 6 October 2019.
- ^ "Other Important Places".
- ^ "Time To Make In Indie, Babua!".
- ^ Ramnath, Nandini (7 April 2017). "'Mukti Bhawan' film review: A welcome appointment with death in Varanasi". Scroll.in. Retrieved 29 September 2025.
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- ^ a b "Les films sur Varanasi : entre spiritualité et mysticisme - Verso Benares" (in French). 10 August 2025. Retrieved 20 September 2025.
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- ^ "Watch Sarnath, Benares & Santal Tribes online - BFI Player". player.bfi.org.uk. Retrieved 29 September 2025.
- ^ a b "7 Movies That Show Varanasi Through The Eyes Of Bollywood Like Raanjhanaa".
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- ^ Gupta, Sandeep Kumar; Prasad, Satyendra Kumar (2025). "A HISTORIOGRAPHY OF EARLY BHOJPURI CINEMA (1962–1990s)". International Journal of Interdisciplinary Cultural Studies. 20 (1).
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- ^ "Shiv Sainiks disrupt Bunty Aur Babli shoot". Bollywood Hungama. 22 October 2004.
- ^ a b "These Bollywood Films Beautifully Captured the Spirit of Banaras".
- ^ "THE MOVIE GUIDE : Deep River (Published 1995)". 28 April 1995. Retrieved 23 September 2025.
- ^ "Dharm: a masterly take on religious bigotry vs humanism".
- ^ Aitken, Ian (18 October 2013). Encyclopedia of the Documentary Film 3-Volume Set. Routledge. ISBN 978-1-135-20620-8.
- ^ "4 films that perfectly capture the spirit of Varanasi! | India.com". www.india.com. Retrieved 23 September 2025.
- ^ "Ghatak".
- ^ bhatnagar, rohit (11 March 2016). "Global Baba movie review: Beyond a god man's game lies a political scam | Global Baba movie review: Beyond a god man's game lies a political scam". www.deccanchronicle.com. Retrieved 23 September 2025.
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- ^ Service, Indo-Asian News (9 April 2025). "'Raanjhanaa' to 'Tere Ishk Mein': Aanand L Rai continues his love affair with Banaras". The Siasat Daily. Retrieved 23 September 2025.
- ^ "Crazy love in Banaras". The Hindu. 20 July 2013. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 23 September 2025.
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- ^ iamanoushkajain (27 June 2024). "A Shehnai of Secular Tunes: Ustad Bismillah Khan's Vision of a Banaras Beyond Bigotry and Communalism". Enroute Indian History. Retrieved 23 September 2025.
- ^ "'Setters' trailer: Aftab Shivdasani is on the hunt for Shreyas Talpade". 12 April 2019.
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- ^ a b "Filming Location Matching Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India". IMDb.
- ^ "The Last Color talks about the taboo surrounding widows in Vrindavan". The Times of India. 10 December 2020.
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