The recently released film 12th Fail features long sequences shot in Delhi’s Mukherjee Nagar. Director Vidhu Vinod Chopra has said that he wanted Vikrant Massey to feel the energy of the space, leading to the decision to shoot in the area rather than creating a set in Mumbai. Sidharth Malhotra’s Indian Police Force was also shot extensively in Delhi – from Humanyun’s Tomb to Greater Noida.

Delhi Tourism officials say that while Chandni Chowk and CP are most popular filming locations, Mehrauli Archaeological Park (near Qutub Minar) and Baansera have become new favourites.

Old Delhi and Paharganj continue to charm foreign filmmakers. For instance, director Neil Burger shot his spy thriller Inheritance starring Bridgerton actor Phoebe Dynevor in Paharganj, Chandni Chowk, and surrounding areas.

Despite Delhi being a favourite filming location, shooting in Delhi has had its challenges over the years. Filmmakers and line producers would complain that they needed approval from 17-18 agencies. Over the last six-seven years, the I&B Ministry’s Film Facilitation Office has been working to streamline the process, which is now evident in the increasing number of film shooting applications. Delhi Tourism formed a film tourism policy in 2022, leading to rise in number of shoots in the capital.

Delhi Tourism, which is the nodal agency for film shooting permissions, introduced its film policy and single-window clearance in 2022. From 2022 to the beginning of 2024, the department received 64 applications for film shootings in Delhi, and 44 have already completed.

Sources from the department say that they conducted presentations for Producers’ Guild of India, Motion Picture Producers and Distributors of America, and production house to inform them about Delhi Tourism’s single-window mechanism, which led to more applications for shoots.

Regarding location permissions, a source explains, “Different locations in Delhi have different owners. For example, scenes from Akshay Kumar’s Raksha Bandhan shot at Yamuna Ghat, owned by DDA required permission from them. 12th Fail UPSC building scenes needed permission from them. The Delhi Tourism department sends applications to Delhi Police, Delhi Traffic Police, and the relevant agency based on the location.”