The most iconic Bollywood movies shot in foreign locations include Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (Switzerland and London), Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (Mauritius and Scotland), Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (London and Egypt), Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (Spain), Rockstar (Prague) and Jab Tak Hai Jaan (London). These films made foreign locations a big part of how Hindi cinema tells love stories.
Bollywood’s love for shooting abroad goes back decades. Raj Kapoor’s Sangam (1964) shot in London, Paris and Switzerland, and Yash Chopra later made the Swiss Alps a regular backdrop for romance. Below are 10 films that turned real places into famous film spots, with the exact locations and where you can stream each one in India as of October 2026.
Quick facts: Bollywood movies shot in foreign locations
| Film | Year | Main foreign locations |
|---|---|---|
| Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge | 1995 | Switzerland, London |
| Kuch Kuch Hota Hai | 1998 | Mauritius, Scotland |
| Kaho Naa… Pyaar Hai | 2000 | Krabi (Thailand), New Zealand |
| Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham | 2001 | London, Egypt |
| Kal Ho Naa Ho | 2003 | New York, Toronto |
| Bachna Ae Haseeno | 2008 | Italy, Sydney, Switzerland |
| Dostana | 2008 | Miami |
| Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara | 2011 | Spain |
| Rockstar | 2011 | Prague, Liberec (Czech Republic) |
| Jab Tak Hai Jaan | 2012 | London |
10 iconic Bollywood movies shot in picturesque foreign locations
1. Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995)
Aditya Chopra’s debut, starring Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol, is the film most people think of first. The European trip that brings Raj and Simran together was shot in Switzerland, at Saanen, Gstaad and Montbovon.
The London portions used Trafalgar Square, King’s Cross railway station and Angel Underground station.
Where to watch: Netflix.
2. Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998)
Karan Johar’s first film as director had Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol, Rani Mukerji and Salman Khan. The college scenes were filmed at the University of Mauritius in Moka.
The title song was shot over ten days in Scotland, at Eilean Donan Castle, Glen Coe, Loch Lomond and Tantallon Castle. The summer camp, set in Shimla, was actually filmed in Ooty.
Where to watch: Netflix and Prime Video.
3. Kaho Naa… Pyaar Hai (2000)
Rakesh Roshan directed this romantic thriller with Hrithik Roshan, in a double role, and Ameesha Patel. The island scenes were shot in Krabi, Thailand, near Khao Phing Kan, which many know as James Bond Island.
The song “Na Tum Jano Na Hum” and some other scenes were filmed in Christchurch and Queenstown in New Zealand.
Where to watch: ZEE5.
4. Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (2001)
Karan Johar’s big family drama starred Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol, Hrithik Roshan and Kareena Kapoor. The grand Raichand house exteriors were shot at Waddesdon Manor in England.
The second half is set in London, with scenes at St Paul’s Cathedral, the River Thames, Blenheim Palace, Bluewater Shopping Centre in Kent and the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff. The song “Suraj Hua Maddham” was shot at the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt.
Where to watch: Netflix and Prime Video.
5. Kal Ho Naa Ho (2003)
Directed by Nikkhil Advani and starring Shah Rukh Khan, Saif Ali Khan and Preity Zinta, this film is set in New York. Shooting began there in July 2003 and covered all five boroughs and Long Island, including the Brooklyn street where Aman and Naina live.
Some scenes with Saif and Preity, including the song “Kuch To Hua Hai”, were shot in Toronto over eight days.
Where to watch: Netflix and Prime Video.
6. Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (2011)
Zoya Akhtar’s road trip film with Hrithik Roshan, Abhay Deol, Farhan Akhtar, Katrina Kaif and Kalki Koechlin is still the go-to film for anyone planning a Spain trip with friends.
It was shot in Barcelona and across Andalusia. The bull run climax was filmed in Pamplona, the La Tomatina festival was recreated in Bunol for “Ik Junoon”, and “Senorita” was shot in the village of Alajar in Huelva.
Where to watch: Netflix.
7. Rockstar (2011)
Imtiaz Ali’s musical drama starred Ranbir Kapoor and Nargis Fakhri. Its Europe portions were shot in the Czech Republic, in Prague’s Wenceslas Square, Charles Bridge and Old Town.
Scenes were also shot in Liberec, at Dr. Benes Square in front of the Liebieg Villa. The old streets of Prague suit the film’s restless, sad mood well.
Where to watch: ZEE5.
8. Bachna Ae Haseeno (2008)
Siddharth Anand’s film follows Ranbir Kapoor through three relationships, and each one has its own country. Bipasha Basu’s portions were shot in Capri, Deepika Padukone’s in Sydney, and Minissha Lamba’s in Switzerland.
The song “Khuda Jaane” was shot across Italy, in Venice, Alberobello, Naples, Capri and other spots in Apulia.
Where to watch: Netflix.
9. Dostana (2008)
Tarun Mansukhani’s comedy with Abhishek Bachchan, John Abraham and Priyanka Chopra was shot in Miami, Florida, over about two months. The item song “Shut Up and Bounce” was also filmed there.
A sequel, Dostana 2, was announced in 2019 with Kartik Aaryan and Janhvi Kapoor, but it stalled during the pandemic and was reported shelved in December 2021.
Where to watch: Netflix and Prime Video.
10. Jab Tak Hai Jaan (2012)
Yash Chopra directed this romance starring Shah Rukh Khan, Katrina Kaif and Anushka Sharma. The London half covers almost every landmark in the city: Westminster Bridge, the Palace of Westminster, Trafalgar Square, Tower Bridge, Borough Market, Canary Wharf and Somerset House.
The “Ishq Shava” dance was shot in an underground club and on a boat on the Thames. The Ladakh and Kashmir scenes were filmed in India.
Why Bollywood keeps shooting abroad
Foreign locations give songs and romances a fresh look and sell a dream that audiences enjoy. Places like Switzerland, Spain and London still draw Indian fans who want to stand where their favourite scene was shot.
For more such lists, see our Bollywood section and other listicles.
Frequently asked questions
Which was the first Bollywood film shot abroad?
Raj Kapoor’s Sangam (1964) is widely credited as one of the first Hindi films shot largely abroad, with scenes in London, Paris and Switzerland.
Where was DDLJ shot in Switzerland?
DDLJ’s Swiss scenes were shot in Saanen, Gstaad and Montbovon. The London scenes used Trafalgar Square and King’s Cross station.
Where was Kuch Kuch Hota Hai college shot?
The college scenes were filmed at the University of Mauritius in Moka. The title song was shot in Scotland.
Which places in Spain were shown in Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara?
The film was shot in Barcelona, Pamplona, Bunol and Alajar, with more scenes across Andalusia.
Sources: Wikipedia: DDLJ, Wikipedia: Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, Wikipedia: Jab Tak Hai Jaan, JustWatch India.
