Switzerland Bollywood Connect: Making Reel Life a Real One

How many times have you wished that the movies we saw on screen could, in fact, be real? That we could convert 3 hours of entertainment into something a lot more exciting? After all, Dil Toh Roaming Hai and no place can satiate your wanderlust more than the picturesque Switzerland! 

Alpine Wonders – Montreux to Interlaken

After exploring the wonders of Geneva, Vevey and Montreux along Lac Leman, it is time for us to go beyond the gently curving bend of Swiss Riviera towards Interlaken. With jewel-like meadows and unparalleled vistas, a perfect concoction for love onscreen, where do you choose to create your paradise?

Montbovon – Where Prayers Come True

Along the uphill journey from Montreux to Gstaad lies a quaint little town by the name of ‘Montbovon’, in the Fribourg region of La Suisse. Although it is yet to become one of Switzerland’s summer capitals, Montbovon has already found its cache of enthusiasts - the Bollywood fraternity.

Bollywood has, to its credit, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (DDLJ) – the biggest, grandest Hindi movie of all times. And the love of Raj towards Simran, the two fictitious movie characters, is shown to blossom for the first time in the Church of St. Grat, Montbovon.

A building that stands tall in all its beauty amidst geranium-filled fields, St. Grat Church evokes feelings of peace and wonder. Make a wish inside; for as Simran said “Whatever one seeks with a pure heart, one is surely given.”

Gstaad – Old School Romance

Gstaad is renowned as the ‘romantic haven’ for globe trotters across the world; a town where many a sweet verses have been sung and re-lived for decades. Remember the song Zara sa jhoom loon main from DDLJ? The legendary Bollywood director Yash Chopra, whose movies put Switzerland in the hearts of Indians, chose the famed Gstaad Promenade to shoot it.

Lined with beautiful wooden chalets and boutiques that might burn a hole in your pocket, the Promenade is the focal point of Gstaad.

Shopping aside, Gstaad exudes old-world charm and has many a newlyweds celebrating their love with a horse carriage ride. Get ready to be whisked away in one by your beloved, just like Raj and Simran in DDLJ, at sundown.

As the night transforms this Swiss town into a fairytale-like setting, make sure to drop by the Early Beck Shop, for a sweet summer chocolate treat. This delightful store has been featured in both Bachna ae Haseeno, another romantic movie with heartthrob Ranbir Kapoor and three leading Bollywood actresses, and DDLJ.

Some of the must-haves here are Saane Gibeni, Gstaad nut cake and Pavés de Gstaad. You can also head to Charly’s for divine pastries and a mug of good ol’ hot chocolate.

The Local Life in Gstaad: Primarily a ski town, Gstaad has its fair share of summer treats for tourists and locals alike. And the biggest of all is the Gstaad Promenade Party, which will take place on September 14th, 2013.  

From traditional fare to acquiring new tastes in wine and champagne, this festive event is the epitome of style, culture and novelty.

Rougemont and Chateaux D’Oex – Colours of Love

Near the classy yet old-style town of Gstaad are two Alpine destinations you simply cannot afford to miss - Rougemont and Chateaux D’Oex.

Rougemont has emerged as one of the sought-after tourist spots, after Bollywood film makers favoured its convenient location between the charming villages of Gstaad and Chateaux D’Oex for movies.

What draws a lot of crowd here is a beautiful castle known as Schloss Rougemont. With hints of Romanesque architecture, this grandiose castle has been used as a prime location for films such as Hum Aapke Dil Mein Rehte Hain and Jodi No. 1.

If you wish to get a bird’s eye view of the stunning Swiss landscape dotted with chalets and meadows with blossoming summer flowers, head to Chateaux D’Oex – an Alpine village where romance is re-lived from the heavens above (quite literally!) with a balloon ride.

Although the International Hot-air Balloon Festival is held during peak winters, you can fly high over the picturesque Swiss plateau any time of the year.

Interlaken (Lakes Thun and Brienz) – Timeless Beauty

Vivre d'amour et d'eau fraîche - To live on nothing more than love and fresh water - is a common French saying that best describes Interlaken, a town situated between two Alpine beauties Lake Thun and Lake Brienz.

Picking only one lake to visit is as tough, if not impossible, as choosing which of your kids do you love more. While Lake Thun, at a short distance from Interlaken West, leaves you spellbound with medieval castles, Brienz is a mecca for nature lovers.

Lake Thun, however, is more popular with movie lovers, given the fact that the famous Humko Humise Chura Lo song from a Bollywood classic Mohabbatein was shot here. With fields greener than pictured and turquoise waters shimmering with golden hues, recreating romance here will be one of your sweetest memoirs.

More Bollywood Magic in Switzerland!

Nothing tops the experience of Switzerland Bollywood connect, of re-creating Bollywood-style romance in Swiss Alps. And that’s why I will come back soon with a few more stunning locales where you and your beloved can make the reel life your real one. So go ahead, choose your Swiss tour and book flight tickets! Till then, goodbye my friends or as the French say it ‘Au revoir mes amies’!