All eyeballs are on the much-awaited spy thriller Pathaan. If you watched it first day, first show like we did, you’ve probably already added these superhot locales onto your must-visit list for 2023!
The action-packed Pathaan, directed by Siddharth Anand, produced by Aditya Chopra, stars Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone, John Abraham, Ashutosh Rana, Dimple Kapadia, with a cheeky cameo by Salman Khan (establishing a first in Yash Raj Films’ ‘Spy universe’, which will have crossover appearances like the Marvel superhero franchises do). Just released across India in Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu, it has found favour among critics and audience alike.
With a budget of Rs 250 crore, the crew flew around the world quite freely. According to film critic and industry insider Taran Adarsh, its high-adrenalin scenes have been picturised in some eye-popping locations across eight countries, namely India, Afghanistan, France, Italy, Russia, Siberia, Spain, Turkey, and the UAE.
Here are some that we recommend…
Dubai, the UAE
Just a fortnight ago, the Pathaan trailer was played on the façade of Dubai’s Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, with SRK doing his trademark arm spreadeagle and voicing dialogues from the film. The city’s tryst with the movie will continue, as you explore it and try and spot shoot locations.
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- Take a moment at that crucial crossing where Jim (John Abraham in a fantastic super villain role) makes his entrancing entry. Hint: It’s not far from the Burj Khalifa itself, located within the two sq kms of Downtown Dubai near the plush sales centre of Emaar real estate.
Explore beyond Pathaan
- While shopping here is much in demand, there’s a lot more to explore. Check out our article on: Five fabulous ways to experience Dubai beyond the malls and souks!
- Here are some wonderful dining options too: Dubai on my plate! Top 7 restaurants on our radar at Dubai Food Festival 2023.
Lake Baikal, Russia
If you can take your eyes off the breathtaking bike action between Pathaan and Jim, you’ll find yourself as spellbound by the beauty of a frozen Lake Baikal in Siberia. The world’s largest freshwater lake by volume, it contains almost 23 per cent of the world’s fresh surface water. Plenty of space for those dramatic widescreen chases when its frozen, for sure. The UNESCO World Heritage Site has some of the clearest water and diverse vegetation. If you’re visiting Baikalia, note that the average temperature of this region varies from a winter minimum of −19 °C to a summer maximum of 14 °C!
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- In winter (December to April), the frozen lake is the perfect spot to try ice biking (like the film’s protagonists did in that stunning sequence), which involves bikes fitted with specialised tires.
- Ms Rubina Mohsin may not have had a choice while saving the orb, but if you take a dip in Lake Baikal, the locals believe that the waters have miraculous properties, which will add five years to your life. Suit up and explore the golden sandy beaches along the northern shore of Olkhon Island, where the water is said to be shallow and warm.
- Another Russian destination featured in the film: Moscow.
Explore beyond Pathaan
- Lake Baikal is also the hub of many other exciting adventures, from hovercraft rides to snowmobiling to ice fishing. You can do a dogsled ride through the forest at Listvyanka’s Baikal Dog Sledding centre, or even enjoy a hiking trail to Olkhon Island, staying in a yurt on the ice at night.
- Visit the city of Irkutsk, with its mix of traditional timber houses and modern buildings.
- The Irkutsk Regional Museum is a great way to get a glimpse of the country’s past through artefacts and shamanist ritual items.
- Meet some sunbathing seals at the Khoboy peninsula.
Cádiz, Spain
In a film that doesn’t rely on song picturisations to entertain, Jhoome Jo Pathaan makes the audience stay right till the end of this 146-minute spectacle. While the chemistry between India’s Pathaan (SRK) and ISI agent Dr Rubina Mohsin (Deepika Padukone) and the choreography by Bosco Martis are certainly front and centre, the sights of ancient Andalusia also bring main-character presence. Situated on Spain’s Costa de Luz, the Coast of Light, this stunning location is worth a visit for its unique architecture and glorious shoreline.
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- Visit the Plaza Cabildo in Sanlúcar de Barrameda, the main action of the song takes place around the fountain here.
- Savour the famous local sherry and prawns at the historic Casa Balbino and stop to click pics against the wall and sign outside for your Pathaan moment.
- See the gorgeous Cathedral of Cádiz city which frames that Titanic moment between the titans beautifully.
- Other Spanish destinations featured in the film: Jerez, Mallorca.
Explore beyond Pathaan
- Cádiz is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Western Europe. The busy port was built by Phoenicians as far back as the seventh century BC.
- Visit the older part of Cádiz within the old city walls is called the Old Town (Casco Antiguo by the locals).
- See the giant trees which people believe were brought to Spain by Columbus the explorer.
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