Some cities need a set designer. Udaipur just needs someone to point a camera. Palaces floating on water, hills on every horizon, ghats that glow at sunset: no wonder filmmakers keep turning up with their crews and their lighting rigs.
If you love films, here's how the City of Lakes earned its place on screen, and how to see those same views for yourself.
Octopussy: the Bond film that made Udaipur famous abroad
Ask anyone in the old city about films and they'll start with Octopussy (1983). Roger Moore's James Bond came to Udaipur, and the city was not a background; it was the whole mood of the film.
- The Lake Palace on Lake Pichola became the floating home of Octopussy herself.
- Sajjangarh, the Monsoon Palace, played the hilltop lair of the villain Kamal Khan.
- The old city lanes hosted the chaotic chase scenes, complete with street stalls and auto-rickshaws.
Four decades later, the film still runs on loop in some old city rooftop restaurants in the evenings. Watching Bond race through streets you walked that afternoon is strangely satisfying. It also made Udaipur "the James Bond city" for a whole generation of foreign travellers.
Local tip: Go up to Sajjangarh before sunset, look down at the city, and you'll recognise the villain's view. Then take a Pichola boat ride for the hero's. Check current timings for both before you go.
Guide: an early classic
Long before Bond, Vijay Anand's Guide (1965), with Dev Anand and Waheeda Rehman, used Udaipur among its Rajasthan locations. It's one of the most loved Hindi films ever made, and spotting the city's palaces and lakes in its frames is a lovely little treasure hunt for classic-film fans.
Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani: the wedding everyone wanted
If you grew up on Bollywood in the 2010s, Udaipur probably means one thing: the friend's wedding in Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani (2013). Ranbir Kapoor, Deepika Padukone, music, dancing and the lakeside views at The Oberoi Udaivilas. It captured a young, fun, celebratory Udaipur instead of a museum piece.
Plenty of couples will tell you that film is why they chose the city for their own celebrations. If that's you, our Udaipur weddings page is a good place to start.
The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel: a British take on Rajasthan
The 2011 British comedy-drama with Judi Dench, Maggie Smith and Dev Patel was filmed in Rajasthan, partly in and around Udaipur, and its sequel The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2015) came back to the region. Both show the warmer, everyday side of Rajasthan: crowded streets, old havelis, colour everywhere.
Why filmmakers keep coming back
Variety within a short drive
Palaces, island pavilions, lakes, hilltop forts and narrow old lanes all sit within easy reach of each other. A crew can shoot four very different looks in a day.
That light
Morning haze over Pichola, a golden hour that bounces off white marble, and the hills turning purple at dusk. Cinematographers love it. So do phone cameras.
A city used to cameras
Between film shoots, weddings and travel creators, Udaipur is used to cameras. Locals are mostly relaxed and helpful, as long as you ask before you film them.
How films changed Udaipur
Every big release sends a new wave of visitors looking for "that place from the movie". Heritage hotels saw more interest, wedding planners got busier, and the old city rooftops found a new evening ritual. Today the camera never really leaves: fashion shoots, wedding films and Instagram reels keep the city on screen every single day.
Live your own movie moment
- See the Lake Palace from the water. It's open only to hotel guests, but a Pichola boat ride gets you the classic view.
- Walk the old city chase route. The lanes between Jagdish Temple and the ghats are where the action feels closest.
- Climb to Sajjangarh at sunset. Villain's view, best light in town.
- Dress the part. Several old city shops rent traditional outfits for photos. Our guide to Mewar's traditional dress will help you choose well.
Good to know: Filming with drones or professional kit at monuments usually needs permission. If you're planning a shoot, sort it out well before you arrive, or ask our travel assistance team to point you in the right direction.
Quick answers
Which James Bond film was shot in Udaipur?
Octopussy (1983), starring Roger Moore. The Lake Palace and the Monsoon Palace both appear in the film.
Which Bollywood film has the Udaipur wedding scenes?
Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani (2013). Its destination-wedding sequence was shot in Udaipur, with lakeside views at The Oberoi Udaivilas.
Can I visit the Octopussy palace in Udaipur?
The Lake Palace is a hotel open only to guests, but you can see it up close on a Lake Pichola boat ride. The Monsoon Palace at Sajjangarh is open to visitors.
