Lootera – the 2013 film starring actors Ranveer Singh and Sonakshi Sinha has emerged as one of the most beloved films in recent decades. Based on author O. Henry’s 1907 short story, ‘The Last Leaf’, the film is set in the 1950s. What stayed with the audiences were the immaculate filming locations, captured beautifully in the movie’s frames. This is why we’ll be deep diving into the filming locations of this film.
Lootera Filming Locations
Kalatop, Dalhousie
Dalhousie is a quaint little hill town in the scenic hills of Himachal Pradesh. From Dalhousie, Kalatop is only about 12 kilometers (km) away, making it an easy one-day destination from Dalhousie. Enter Kalatop and you’ll be greeted by snow-capped mountains and lush green meadows sprawling across the horizon.
When you’re here, do not forget to visit the Kalatop Wildlife Sanctuary. It is known for rare Himalayan Black Bear, Himalayan Marten, as well as plenty of other birds and animals. Plus, the region is blessed with thick vegetation. You have thick forests of pine, deodar, and oak beautifully adorning the hills. The song ‘Zinda’ from the movie was shot here; a few other scenes involving Sonakshi Sinha were shot at Kalatop’s Forest Guest House.
Itachuna Rajbari, West Bengal
The Itachuna Rajbari is one of the most intriguing historical monuments in the state of West Bengal. As per historical texts, Marathas used to invade Bengal to collect taxes and they were called ‘Bargees’ by the local Bengali people. Many Bargees, instead of returning back to their homeland, settled in Bengal. One such family that settled here was that of the ‘Kundans’. They settled themselves in the Bargee Danga and then changed their surname to ‘Kundu’ to serve as local zamindars. Today, the same Bargee Danga is known as Itachuna Rajbari.
Itachuna Rajbari has been featured in many scenes in Lootera, including some scenes of the protagonists conversing in a dimly-lit library. The songs ‘Shikayatein’ and ‘Sawaar Loon’ featured scenes shot here. The former also includes scenes of the protagonists sitting by the Itachuna Rajbari Pond. Overall, if you’re into architecture, history, and films of course, a visit to Itachuna Rajbari is a must!
Purulia Town
The quaint town of Purulia is an interesting place blending history with nature. You have lush green mountains and perched atop are ancient temples and structures. These structures represent ancient Hindu and Jain heritage. Purulia comprises the territory that was earlier part of Banga, one of the 16 Mahajanapadas (kingdoms) in ancient India. Since ancient times, the place has been a melting pot of different Indian cultures – from the states of Bengal, Jharkhand, and Orissa.
Lootera features a few scenes involving Ranveer Singh in Purulia, including the ancient Jain temples here. If you too are a history buff, you’ll surely love exploring this ancient town of Purulia.
Chandrataal Lake
We all remember the heart-touching scene of Ranveer Singh expressing his desire to visit Chandrataal once, don’t we? The lake is one of the most visually stunning destinations in India – and you would understand why once you visit it. Located in the upper Chandra Valley, the lake is known for its stunning crescent shape and panoramic views of the entire valley.
The lake and the surrounding region is home to some of India’s most elusive flora and fauna. These include the Snow Leopard, Red Fox, Ibex, Golden Eagle, and the Blue Sheep, among many others. Chandrataal Lake trek is one of the most famous treks amongst trekkers and is a moderately difficult one.
Summing Up
Here we reach the end of the list of Lootera filming locations. The film, released in 2013, is re-releasing in movie theaters on 7th March, 2025. Over the years, the movie, thanks to its performances, music, plot, and cinematography, has achieved the status of a cult classic. While the film beautifully captured these locations, when are you setting out to capture them by yourself?
