When it comes to aesthetics and beauty, nothing compares to the magnificence of Rajasthan. And among its gems, Udaipur shines the brightest. Spectacular architecture, tranquil lakes and cinematic beauty not only attract tourists, but also renowned filmmakers looking for a luxurious setting. The city’s marble palaces, layered courtyards, intricate mirror work and lake-facing terraces offer the perfect backdrop for movies.

What Makes Udaipur a Popular Filming Location?

Many Bollywood filmmakers choose to film movies in Udaipur due to its lavish properties, blending luxury, heritage and scenic beauty.

• Stunning locations – Udaipur is known as the “Venice of the East” because of its incredible network of serene lakes amidst hills, which is reminiscent of Venice’s canals and historical beauty, adding dramatic natural elements to the movies.
• Royal Architecture & Grandeur – Udaipur is home to historic forts and palaces, which serve as opulent sets without needing much artificial decoration. This adds ‘royal charm’ to luxurious wedding settings.
• Natural lighting – The golden hue created by the sun’s reflection on the water and palaces creates an aesthetic appeal.
• Accessibility and Infrastructure – Udaipur is well-connected via rails, roads and airways, alongside having the world’s best hotels with modern amenities, making stay and logistics convenient for the filming team.

Let’s have a look at which Bollywood movies have showcased Udaipur’s iconic grandeur and landscapes.

#1 Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani

A 2013 romantic movie starring, Ranbir Kapoor, Deepika Padukone, Kalki Koechlin and Aditya Roy Kapoor, features a grand wedding scene of Kalki Koechlin. The marriage scene was shot in the Oberoi Udaivilas Hotel. Besides that, the visuals of City Palace, Gangaur Ghat, Lake Pichola and Jag Mandir are also seen in the movie. The courtyards, jharokhas and arches featured in the film symbolise a strong Rajasthani tradition blended with royal hospitality, perfectly matching the film’s mood.

Key Interior and Architecture Highlights:

• Intricately framed jharokhas and balconies for emotional conversations.
• Central courtyards for dance and movements.
• Carved pillars and heritage textures show traditional Rajasthani details.

#2 Shuddh Desi Romance

Starring Parineeti Chopra and Shushant Singh Rajput, Shuddh Desi Romance is another romantic comedy film that features the Oberoi Udaivilas of Udaipur. The film showcases palace-adjacent streets, lake-facing public spaces and heritage interiors that reflect modern-day celebrations combined with tradition. Functional and smaller courtyards and wooden or stone jharokhas without any heavy ornamentation altogether shape the characters’ emotional journey.

Key Interior and Architecture Highlights:

• Smaller, compact courtyards are used as a socialising place.
• Rounded arches are used in casual conversations.
• Minimal decor to emphasise realism

#3 Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela

Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Ram-Leela transformed Udaipur’s heritage into larger-than-life sets. Starring Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh, many scenes of the film are shot on Fateh Garh, Gangaur Ghat, City Palace and Hanuman Ghat. Temple-like architecture, heavy ornamentation and huge havelis escalate the overall feel through saturated colours and cinematic movements. Udaipur’s dramatic courtyards and bold arches allow Ram Leela to feel more iconic, timeless and mythic.

Key Interior and Architecture Highlights:

• Fusion of Rajasthani-Gujarati interiors with heavy ornamentation.
• Central courtyards are used for celebration and conflict.
• Layered arches create visual intensity.
• Intricate mirrors, rich textiles and oil lamps to amplify opulence.

#4 Bajirao Mastani

Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s other masterpiece, starring Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh and Priyanka Chopra, Bajirao Mastani, is also shot in Udaipur. This historical epic needed a grand, royal setting to showcase the regal palaces and courts of the Maratha and Rajput Empire. The City Palace of Udaipur has been used to depict the majestic aura, power and imperial scale required for the movie. The movie features vast courtyards for durbars, processions and conflicts. The vertical layering of jharokhas, balconies and terraces add cinematic depth.

Key Interior and Architecture Highlights:

• Grand axial layouts and staircases are used to represent power.
• Huge open courtyards are used for martial scenes and ceremonies.
• Maratha-inspired architecture is used to create symmetrical arches and colonnades.

#5 Prem Ratan Dhan Paayo

A romantic family film starring Salman Khan with Sonam Kapoor, Prem Ratan Dhan Paayo, was shot in Udaipur to depict the royal courtesy. The film features City Palace, Lake Pichola and Jagmandir Island Palace to depict the royal kingdom of Pritampur. In the movie, courtyards are shown for grand ceremonies and carved marble jharokhas are used for royal appearances. The architecture features a value-driven narrative, where royalty is determined by love and responsibility rather than power.

Key Interior and Architecture Highlights:

• Large ceremonial courtyards are used for royal processions, gatherings and public addresses
• Arches and jharokhas are used for royal framing
• Warm, diffused lighting to create a festive, royal mood

#6 Khel Khel Mein

Starring Akshay Kumar, Khel Khel Mein brings an entertaining and suspenseful storyline to the big screen. The film was mainly shot in Radisson Blu Udaipur Resorts and Spa, a luxurious hotel that offers breathtaking views of the Fatehsagar Lake. The film also showcases Udaipur’s tranquil lake-facing setting for romance, leisure and modernity rather than ceremonial palaces. The arches shown in the movie guide movement and create cinematic depth in long shots.

Key Interior and Architecture Highlights:

• Open-air spaces used for social and musical moments
• Refined colonnades and arches combining comfort with luxury
• Ambient, soft lighting for evening scenes

#7 Hum Saath Saath Hain

Another Salman Khan classic, Hum Saath Saath Hain, features Udaipur’s appealing palaces. This film represents ideal family bonding, tradition and warmth, rather than power or conflict. Prominent locations featured in this film, such as Lake Palace, Fateh Sagar Lake and Lake Pichola, subtly incorporate into the film’s harmony and traditional tone. The film showcases courtyards for family gatherings and celebrations, symmetrical arches to create visual rhythm and a lake-facing palace to provide a serene backdrop for emotional moments in the movie.

Key Interior and Architecture Highlights:

• Haveli-style interiors represent family bonding
• Courtyards and traditional layouts symbolise multi-generational living
• Homely furnishing depicts minimal luxury

#8 Yaadein

Yaadein, starring Kareena Kapoor and Hrithik Roshan, is a Subhas Ghai film that was shot in 2001. Amongst many locations, Udaipur’s Lake Palace and City Palace hosted many scenes from the film. This film’s iconic song ‘cham cham cham chamakti sham hai’ is shot in Jagmandir Island Palace Udaipur. Lake Pichola also appears in several establishing shots in the film. In Yaadein, Udaipur’s royal courtyards, jharokhas, arches and lake-facing palace architecture symbolise wealth, nostalgia and emotional depth.

Key Interior and Architecture Highlights:

• Lake views are used as emotional backdrops
• Grand corridors and staircases for dramatic movement
• Natural lighting creates warmth and nostalgia

#9 Guide

Starring the legends of Bollywood, Waheeda Rehman and Devanand, the Guide film features the classic immortalised lakes and ghats of Udaipur of the 1960s. In this movie, Devanand plays the role of a guide, taking tourists to different locations, such as the City Palace and the Chittorgarh Fort in Udaipur. In Guide, the movie director Vijay Anand uses the Udaipur landscape to convey emotional transition and spiritual solitude rather than luxury and celebrations. Courtyards appear calm and uncluttered, jharokhas appear as modest overhanging balconies and arches are understated and smooth.

Key Interior and Architecture Highlights:

• Spacious rooms with minimal furnishings and high ceilings
• Less dense decor allow emotions and characters to dominate
• Door frames and arches allow quite transitions

#10 Mera Saaya

Another 1960s hit, Mera Saaya, also has some scenes shot in Udaipur. This film has given some of the greatest songs in the history of Bollywood, such as Jhumka Gira Re, Tu Jahan Jahan Chalega and Naino Mein Badra. In this romance-suspense film, the filmmakers have used Udaipur’s architecture to intensify the themes of silence, mystery and emotional ambiguity. The City Palace’s courtyards, jharokhas, staircases and arches are prominently seen in the movie to create an intriguing feel rather than a spectacle.

Key Interior and Architecture Highlights:

• Quiet corridors deliver a suspenseful feel
• Minimalist arched doorways support spatial framing
• Play of highlight and shadow to intensify mystery

How These Movies Influenced the Interior & Architecture Industry

Udaipur’s royal palaces and luxurious hotels have always offered a unique blend of elegance and history to the filmmakers. Films like Prem Ratan Dhan Paayo and Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani popularised destination weddings in heritage places. Raam-Leela and Bajirao Mastani focus on courtyards, arches, symmetry and a timeless setting. While Yaadein, Shuddh Desi Romance and Khel Khel Mein focus on turning heritage spaces to cafes, resorts and luxury craftsmanship.

Together, these films have transformed Udaipur from a historic city to a living design laboratory, promoting Udaipur for wedding venues, contemporary interiors and modern hospitality of royal Indian interiors and architecture. Bharat Interior draws inspiration from this timeless legacy, converting royal aesthetics into thoughtfully designed spaces that meet present day lifestyle needs.