Lucknow: Lucknow is no longer just a picturesque shooting location—it has become one of Bollywood’s most evocative collaborators. The City of Nawabs, steeped in history and layered with living culture, continues to cast a spell on filmmakers who seek authenticity without sacrificing scale. From misty mornings in Chowk to the stately silence of the Residency and the grand symmetry of Ambedkar Park, Lucknow offers cinema what few cities can: a timeless canvas that effortlessly bridges the past and the present.
This enduring allure is now backed by serious intent. Uttar Pradesh’s aggressive film policy, supported by nearly ₹1,000 crore in infrastructure investment, has transformed Lucknow into a film-friendly powerhouse. With two upcoming film cities planned along the Lucknow–Agra Expressway and in Unnao, streamlined permissions, local crew availability and rising production facilities, the city is fast rivaling established hubs like Hyderabad and Ooty. In 2025 alone, Bollywood’s presence in Lucknow has generated an estimated ₹500 crore economic ripple, revitalising tourism, crafts and local employment.
A City That Performs on Camera
Lucknow’s cinematic rise this year is best illustrated by the range of high-profile films that chose the city as a central character. The action thriller Maalik, starring Rajkummar Rao, wrapped an extensive three-month shoot across Lucknow and adjoining districts. Key sequences filmed at Lucknow University, old havelis and highway fringes recreated the tense socio-political landscape of 1980s North India. Released in July 2025, the film’s gritty realism was widely praised, with critics highlighting how Lucknow’s layered streets added emotional depth that studio sets simply couldn’t replicate.
Similarly, Khuda Haafiz: Chapter II – Agni Pariksha utilised Lucknow’s winter fog and Gomti riverfronts for high-octane chase sequences. Director Faruk Kabir credited the city’s adaptable locations and efficient local crews for completing a demanding schedule despite seasonal challenges. Other productions, including Nishaanchi and Agnifera, continued filming through late 2025, spotlighting heritage zones like Qaiserbagh Palace and the artisanal world of chikankari workshops, blending storytelling with cultural preservation.
Upcoming projects further underline the city’s versatility. Golmaal Gharana, a family comedy set in a sprawling ancestral haveli, uses the narrow alleys of Chowk for chaotic humour, while filmmakers continue to rediscover classic locations once immortalised in films like Tanu Weds Manu and Daawat-e-Ishq. Even modern landmarks such as Ambedkar Park have found favour, their monumental architecture lending itself to grand song-and-dance sequences.
Beyond Locations: A Cultural Muse
Lucknow’s contribution to Bollywood extends well beyond visuals. Its cultural imprint has become increasingly visible in fashion, food and performance. Chikankari, the city’s signature embroidery, has emerged as a red-carpet staple in 2025, worn by leading actors during film promotions and public appearances—quietly carrying Awadhi elegance into mainstream style narratives.
Food, too, has taken centre stage. From galouti kebabs to nihari, Lucknow’s cuisine has featured prominently in films and promotional content, riding on the city’s growing reputation as a culinary capital. Bollywood panels at literature and food festivals in 2025 openly discussed how regional flavours are now integral to cinematic storytelling, not just props on a plate.
Jobs, Tourism and a Creative Pipeline
The economic impact is tangible. According to estimates, Bollywood activity in Lucknow has created over 5,000 seasonal jobs in 2025, spanning extras, technicians, set designers, drivers and hospitality staff. Tourism has seen a 25 per cent spike in areas featured on screen, with fans visiting filming locations tied to recent and past releases.
Equally important is the talent pipeline. Interactions between visiting stars and local students, regional film awards hosted in the city, and increased collaboration between Mumbai-based producers and UP-based creators are nurturing a new generation of storytellers rooted in the Hindi heartland.
A Northern Pulse Redefined
As rumours swirl around expansions of popular franchises and mega cultural-sporting events featuring Bollywood icons, one thing is clear: Lucknow is not a passing trend. In 2025, it stands at the crossroads of heritage and modern filmmaking—offering stories, spaces and soul.
More than a backdrop, Lucknow has become a co-author in Bollywood’s evolving narrative, proving that history, when framed right, doesn’t belong to the past—it belongs on the big screen.
