Rail Budget Special: Bollywood's fascination with trains

For many years, trains have been an integral part of Bollywood. Trains not only add to the visual beauty of a film but also extend themselves as characters to the film's narrative. Trains lend an old-world charm to films and transport the viewer to another era. From dancing on the roof of a train to romancing inside it and from making out in a dingy train compartment to picking up a fight inside it - Bollywood films have time and again, expressed their love for trains. As Union Railway Minister, Suresh Prabhu announces his first rail budget today, we take a look at some Hindi movies which immortalised trains.

Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge: The climax scene of DDLJ is probably the first thing to strike your mind when you think about Bollywood and trains. A strict father finally surrenders to the power of love and lets his daughter go and catch the train that will change her life. Even after 20 years of the film’s release, the scene is etched in our memories. We still remember the expression on Amrish Puri’s face when he lets Kajol go and the look of relief on Shah Rukh's to have finally won the love of his life. How can one imagine this without a train?

Dil Se: The Hindi film industry changed for the better when actors stopped dancing on hill stations and jumped on the roof of a train to show off their moves. Yes, we are talking about song ‘Chhaiyan Chhaiyan...’ from the film, Dil Se which saw Shah Rukh Khan and Malaika Arora Khan make merry on the roof of a train. While item songs enjoy popularity in Bollywood, this one stood out for the unique location it was shot at.

The Burning Train: Trains can be an interesting backdrop for film and director Ravi Chopra’s The Burning Train, brought forth his fascination for trains. The film had an impressive ensemble cast with well-sketched characters. The train was used as the factor that linked all their stories together.

Chennai Express: The film is about a 40-year-old bachelor from Mumbai whose life completely changes after he boards the Chennai Express. In one of the scenes, Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone recreate the magic of DDLJ. However, the scene is a hilarious take on the romantic one that featured in the original.

Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani: Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani is one of the many films to have paid DDLJ a tribute by featuring scenes inspired by the Shah Rukh Khan-Kajol starrer. Very much like DDLJ’s Kajol, Deepika too had a train and a guy to run after. However, the tone of the scene was very light and there was no bloodshed or crying that preceded it.

Dhoom 2: The train robbery scene from Dhoom 2, where Hrithik Roshan lands on the roof of the train running in the deserts of Namibia, to rob the British queen’s crown, is one of the coolest robbery scenes we have ever seen in a Hindi film. The fight scene which immediately follows the robbery is something that can only happen on a train.

Jab We Met: Director Imtiaz Ali utilised the characteristics of a train to the fullest in the film, Jab We Met, starring Shahid Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor. Imtiaz managed to beautifully utilise the closed quarters of the train to bring Geet and Aditya together. The train was definitely a character in the film without which the story would have lost its magic.