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3 Bollywood films that celebrate travel, friendship, and life lessons—perfect inspiration for World Tourism Day 2025.
Dil Chahta Hai stars Aamir Khan, Saif Ali Khan, and Akshaye Khanna
Years ago, Robert Frost’s The Road Not Taken reflected on the journey of life, showing that every path is a peek into our choices and experiences. Similarly, every film can act as a mirror to ourselves. Whether it’s conquering inner fears on a bachelor trip, embarking on an unexpected journey with strangers, or enjoying a fun trip to Goa that turns into a life lesson, travelling is one of our best teachers. Bollywood filmmakers have truly understood this magic of travel.
This World Tourism Day, we celebrate the joy of travel with Shivangi Sharma, Chief Entertainment Officer at Excitel, curating three iconic films:
Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (2011) | Amazon Prime Video
Post-2011, Spain saw a mammoth rise in Indian tourists venturing abroad for bachelor trips and honeymoons. The reason? ZNMD! When the three musketeers Arjun (Hrithik Roshan), Imraan (Farhan Akhtar), and Kabir (Abhay Deol) set off on their reunion adventure, Spain became a must-visit destination. But it wasn’t just the picturesque locations—it was packed with life lessons. The film explores the thrill of unknown places and a deep dive into personal fears. From the Tomatina festival blast to facing their worst fears together, this iconic movie made many add Spain to their travel checklist. It reminds us that travel teaches us to live life to its fullest, because, as the film says, “Dilon mein tum apni betaabiyan leke chal rahe ho, toh zinda ho tum.”
Karwaan (2018) | Amazon Prime Video
Who doesn’t love Irrfan Khan subtly delivering life lessons under the guise of comedy? Karwaan is a heartwarming tale of three strangers on a road trip from Bangalore to Kochi. What begins as a hilarious journey to collect a misplaced coffin transforms into a reflection on love, loss, and longing. Against the backdrop of picturesque South Indian landscapes, the film captures how travel can lead us down unknown paths, helping us meet strangers—and ourselves. Irrfan casually gives one of the most memorable lines: “Logon ko haq jatana aata hai, rishta nibhana nahi aata…”—a quote that still resonates deeply.
Dil Chahta Hai (2001) | YouTube
The OG travel movie! When Aamir Khan said, “Humein har saal ek hafte ke liye Goa aana chahiye,” it became an immortal sentiment that remains relevant today. This iconic film made Goa the go-to destination for bachelor trips, honeymoons, and solo adventures. Beyond the scenic beauty, it is a timeless ode to friendship, youth, and growing up. The breezy road trip sequences and carefree Goa vibes teach us to look beyond landscapes and dive into the hearts of our companions. Two decades later, it still inspires us to pack our bags and hit the road with friends.
Our life needs a bit of style to get the perfect zing in the daily routine. News18 Lifestyle is one-stop destination for everything you need to know about the world of fashion, food, health, travel, relationshi…Read More
Our life needs a bit of style to get the perfect zing in the daily routine. News18 Lifestyle is one-stop destination for everything you need to know about the world of fashion, food, health, travel, relationshi… Read More
September 21, 2025, 10:33 IST
