Engelberg and Mumbai are poles apart. The former is a picturesque valley in the heart of Switzerland with a population of 3,385, a serene nook functioning with typical Swiss efficiency.
The other is a huge Indian metropolis with a population of 12 million plus, a bustling commercial centre which seems to function despite all odds.
Yet, these two unlikely places, one a picture-perfect village and the other a sprawling city with innumerable suburbs, have a binding link: Bollywood.
The story unfolds: Switzerland, particularly Engelberg, is a favourite spot for Bollywood film producers who want to weave “European” glamour and snow-covered mountain peaks into their films.
So, interspersed with the story line — which may well be an Indian feudal set up — will be the stars cavorting around on the snow-covered mountainside and possibly riding up in a gondola to Mount Titlis.
Indians, Indians everywhere
The population of Engelberg, which, even a few decades ago, may not have seen a brown face, is now overrun by Indians.
Apart from the mammoth film crews numbering 200 upwards, there are many well-to-do countrymen who want to watch the filming of the next blockbuster.
Then they can go home and tell their awed neighbours that they have seen a particular scene (say, with Aishwarya Rai) being filmed.
Recent Indian movies that have been filmed partially in Switzerland include Dil To Paagal Hai, Dhakan, Darr, Laaga Chanari Mein Daag.
The link seems to be getting stronger by the day — obvious from the many Indian tourists flooding in and hotels catering to their preferred cuisine (idli sambar, for example).
Once, Hotel Terrace had four separate Indian tour groups. Just listening to the languages made one feel as if it were Mumbai airport.
Meet Mr and Mrs Ramaswamy, an elderly, conservative couple from Madurai, both wearing balaclavas and heavy woollens.
Why were they there? In a mixture of English and Tamil, they said they had seen the place in movies and wanted to experience it.
The same sentiments were voiced by Mr and Mrs Krishnaprasad of Lucknow. Likewise with the Jhunjhunwalas and the Chakrabortys.
Just seeing the dining room packed with Indians gobbling up parathas, upma and sambhar made one wonder if it was Baroda or Kanpur.
“It is almost 100 per cent occupancy during the season,” the manager said, expressing the satisfaction of a true hotelier. “Bollywood has put us on the tourist map for Indians and we are delighted with the response. Naturally, we ensure their comfort by getting chefs and waiters who understand their needs.
But Engelberg is not just filled with Indian film stars who dance around trees or roll down snow-covered slopes as they sing duets.
The pretty little village is the epitome of a Swiss holiday area and sports locale. It is also the largest summer and winter resort in central Switzerland.
Towering above the valley is the spectacular 3,020-metre Mount Titlis, clad in perennial snow, and from it feather out ski slopes and cross-country runs.
The ascent is easy, with the first stage from Engelberg being in a six-person gondola, then a cable car and, finally, a ride on the Rotair, the first revolving aerial cable car in the world.
I looked up and swinging overhead in a gondola were two South Indian couples — the ladies both wearing heavy Kanjeevaram saris, balaclavas and white sneakers!
Ice Grotto
Another exciting visit is to the Ice Grotto, a cave under the glacier. Bathed in an eerie light-blue glow, one clings to the icy sides, trying not to slip.
The place is frightening and exhilarating at the same time, as well as a favourite spot for photo sessions.
There is also a window from which one can enjoy a superb view of the Alps.
Engelberg has all the prerequisites for an Alpine resort. Easily reached from the Zurich Airport (90km) and Lucerne (35km), there are year-round ski runs sledding slopes, trails for hiking, mountain biking and even a 9-hole golf course.
Adding a medieval charm to the village is an AD 1120 Benedictine monastery.
It could have been any popular Swiss resort, but what sets it apart is the influx of Indians.
And catering to their needs is the Terrace Hotel, which was built in 1903 by Gotfreid Fassbind, a Swiss army colonel.
After it was closed down following World War Two, later, in 1993, it was taken over by local authorities and Titlis Rotair Aerial Cableways Co.
— Nirmal Khanna is a UAE-based freelance writer
Chopra’s choice
Switzerland has been the favourite with tourists and filmmakers for decades.
Lots of scenes have been shot here and, of course, for Bollywood, there are the song-and-dance sequences which work out just right with the snowy Alps in the background.
The country was a favourite with Yash Chopra, who portrayed the region wonderfully in films such as Chandni, Lamhe, Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge and Veer-Zaara.
There’s even a lake in Switzerland that has been named Chopra Lake.
It’s also very easy to get permission to shoot there. In 2003, the Consulate-General of Switzerland and Switzerland Tourism launched a handbook, Switzerland Movie Star, offering information on all practical aspects of shooting a film in Switzerland.
