The buzz for Border 2 is all over the internet, with its teaser and trailer released on YouTube. People are giving mixed reactions about the starcast, the scenes, and the VFX used. At the same time, people are comparing it with the original 1997 movie Border. We at unstumbled too thought of going back in time and looking at the locations where JP Dutta’s Original Border movie was filmed. Want to know Border filming locations? Check this out!
JP Dutta’s Original Border (1997) Filming Locations Revealed!
Thar Desert, Near Bikaner
The shooting of JP Dutta’s Border (1997) took place primarily in the Thar Desert near Bikaner in Rajasthan. The reason behind choosing this location was that the director wanted to actually recreate the 197 Battle of Longewala on the screen.
The vast stretches outside Bikaner hosted major battle sequences, which included actors like Sunny Deol and Suniel Shetty at 50 degree celsius heat and sandstorms. The director chose this location for its remote dunes and untouched look to bring in authenticity. He also coordinated with the army units to understand the location.
Below is a list of things you can do if you visit the Thar Desert:
Camel Safaris: Explore the vast dunes by riding a camel through sandy terrains. It is a guided terrain excursion that ranges from short 30 to 60 minutes ride to multi-day treks.
Desert Camping: You can stay overnight under the starry sky in traditional tents or luxury tents for glamping experiences. Such stays include experiencing a nomadic lifestyle, relishing regional cuisine, stargazing, and enjoying folk music and dance.
Dune Bashing: If you like adventure, go for dune bashing, which is an off-road adventure sport. It involves a 4 by 4 vehicle, which needs skillful driving up, down and across the dunes.
Jaisalmer
The Battle of Longewala was a significant engagement during the Indo-Pak War of 1971. It took place at the Longewala Post near Jaisalmer. One of the climax scenes of the movie was shot on a en-route villeage near Jaisalmer. Here, the village people played as extras for the shot.
The tan-colored dunes and sparse vegetation in the location perfectly matched the historical site’s terrain. This brought in a lot of realism to the scenes, making it look like the actual battle location.
Below is a list of places you must visit in Jaisalmer:
Jaisalmer Fort: Also known as Sonar Quila, this massive fort is a living fort with people still residing in it. The fort offers some of the most panoramic views of the beautiful city.
Gadisar Lake: Gadisar Lake is an artificial lake that is famous for sunset views and fun boat rides. The lake is beautifully surrounded by temples and ghats.
Desert National Park (DNP): This national park in Jaisalmer features rocky terrain, dunes, and the rare wildlife that is critically endangered, like the Great Indian Bustard. It offers camel rides, jeep safaris, ancient fossils, and birdwatching.
Jodhpur
The additional desert shots in the movie were shot in the Jodhpur area. This includes wide-angle aerial shots taken over rocky outcrops. The Military airfields in Jodhpur facilitated the Pakistani Mirage jet simulations by using Indian Air Force MiGs.
Below is a list of places you must visit in Jodhpur:
Mehrangarh Fort: This is a colossal fort from the 15th century with an excellent museum that houses royal relics. It also has stunning courtyards and palaces.
Mandore Gardens: Mandore Gardens is known for its amazing collection of royal cenotaphs or chhatris of the Marwar rulers. It also includes beautiful red stone architecture and the unique shrine of 33 crore gods.
Jaswant Thada: Jaswant Thada is proudly known as the “Taj Mahal of the Marwars.” It has intricate carvings that glow in sunlight and offers panoramic views of Jodhpur city.
Fact: The director, JP Dutta, made sure that all the military equipment used in the movie, like jeeps, tanks, and ammunitions are real. The Indian Army and Air Force loaned weapons and vehicles for the production of the film, assisted by the Indian military.
Summing Up
JP Dutta’s Border (1997) was shot mainly in the Thar desert near Bikaner and some parts of Jaisalmer and Jodhpur. The movie was a multi-starrer starring Suniel Shetty, Akshaye Khanna, Sunny Deol, and Jackie Shroff. The movie was honored with three National awards, so make sure you watch it ASAP!
