From Mud Walls To Movie Magic: These Villages in Madhya Pradesh are Shining on The Big screen

By Dr. Vanita Srivastava

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Moving on from reel life to real life

At the end of a narrow, winding road in Bamuliya village, Sehore district, stands a humble mud-packed house that looks like any other rural home. A makeshift shed, a charpoy swinging under a tree, two buffaloes, and a goat complete the familiar scene. Yet, behind the simple facade hides a slice of Bollywood glamour.

This is Deepak House - named after the protagonist of Laapataa Ladies - and ever since the film won hearts across the country, visitors have been flocking to see it.

Seated comfortably on a chair, Vishnu Rathore, head of the household, plays with his two grandchildren while recounting how their ancestral home became a film set. "I wanted to keep the memories alive. Naming the house after the film's lead character felt like the best tribute," he says. During the shoot, Vishnu's family shifted to a rented accommodation while their home echoed with the hustle of endless retakes.

Vishnu's wife, Rekha, even bagged a small supporting role - holding an aarti plate to welcome Deepak's   wedding procession. "It was exciting! My house looked so different for those 10-15 days. Even today, people come to see it," beams the 50-year-old.

For 21-year-old Lokendra Thakur, being part of Deepak's marriage procession was a dream come true - even though multiple retakes later, he couldn't spot himself in the final cut. Still,  he remains hopeful for a bigger, more visible role next time.

Kiran Rao's Laapataa Ladies offers an authentic glimpse into rural life, shot extensively across villages in Sehore. Local residents brought a unique charm to the film, taking on supporting roles and background appearances that added depth to the story.

About 15 kilometers away, the village of Mahodiya has its own claim to fame as the backdrop of the hit series Panchayat. The village's labyrinthine lanes still echo with the show's dialogues. Landmarks like the Panchayat office, the towering water tank, the Pradhan's house, and the temple all played central roles.

Lal Singh Sisodia's sprawling house, modified with a 'fake' handpump, a kitchen, and a sewing machine, became the heartbeat of the series. With the fourth season set to release soon, Mahodiya continues to bask in its small-screen stardom.

"I too was offered the role of a policeman. They even brought clothes for me but I  backed out at the last moment," says Sisodia.

Cinematic Canvas

Bamuliya and Mahodiya are just two examples of how Madhya Pradesh is  being  discovered by filmmaker.

From the mud-packed lanes of Bamuliya to the bustling courtyards of Mahodiya, Madhya Pradesh is fast emerging as a popular canvas for Indian filmmakers - and a dream destination for travelers seeking a brush with cinema.

The state is rapidly emerging as a hotspot for film tourism, offering natural landscapes, majestic heritage sites, and vibrant culture. From the serene marble cliffs of Bhedaghat and the dense forests of Kanha to the historic palaces of Orchha and the bustling streets of Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh is a filmmaker's dream.

At its core, film tourism taps into the deep emotional connection that viewers form with stories and characters. Whether it's walking through the historic alleys seen in Panchayat, or exploring the wildernesses reminiscent of documentaries and adventures, travellers today want to move  into the frame themselves.  The visitors desire to travel to these locations to walk the same streets that framed their favourite stories. 

As the bond between cinema and travel deepens, film tourism will continue to shape not just where we travel, but also how we experience the world. Film tourism is an example of how art can influence real life.

Besides strengthening the tourism sector this also boosts cultural exchange. Villagers who participated in films as extras or opened their homes to film crews now share their stories with visitors, making tourism experience more personal.

Madhya Pradesh is not just a backdrop; it is  a living, breathing character in the evolving story of Indian cinema - a timeless destination where every corner waits to tell its own story.