Text Credits: Lakshmi Priya 

It’s summer vacation and where are you heading to, to spend your holidays productively? If you haven’t decided yet then we have some special places for you. There were many famous movies in Malayalam cinema which were shot at various beautiful locations around Kerala. Why not take a walk through the ‘Varikkasseri Mana’ where Jagannathan of Aaramthampuran resided? Why not breath-in the fresh air at Kuttanad where innumerable hit Malayalam movies captured its scenic beauty on the celluloid? To make your travelling experience a bit more than just memorable, here is a list of popular shooting locations in Kerala that you can explore. From places of natural beauty to mansions full of antiques, these places will definitely take you for a nostalgic trip through the history of Malayalam cinema.

Varikkasseri Mana

Image source: hyd-masti.com

Even after years, the movie Aaraam Thampuram is greeted with applause by the viewers because of the spectacular performance of the complete actor, Mohanlal. The movie might have been incomplete without the ancient Ettukettu model house – Varikkasseri Mana where the movie was set. It is one of the oldest aristocratic Namboothiri‘s houses located at Manissery Village of Ottapalam, Palakkad. Devasuram, Rapakal, Thoovalkottaram are some of the other movies shot here. Visitors are allowed in this age-old mansion when no shooting is going on.

Kuttanad

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Known as the ‘rice bowl’ of Kerala, Kuttanadu in Alappuzha is popular for its vast paddy fields, backwaters and picturesque villages. The natural beauty of Kuttanad is beautifully captured in many Malayalam movies. Amen, Champakulam Thachan, Bhagyadevatha are some of the movies shot here. Few scenes from the famous Hindi films like Dil Se and Tashan were also shot here. If you are heading to Kuttanad, don’t forget to explore the Punnamada Lake in a houseboat and experience Kayaking, a water sport.

Padmanabhapuram Palace

Image source: wikipedia.org

When actress Shobana mused the character of ‘Nagavalli’ for the movie Manichithrathazhu and moved her feet to a Tamil song, Kerala witnessed one of the best movies ever made in the Indian cinema history. As stellar as Shobana’s performance, the big mansion – Padmanabhapuram Palace where the movie was shot also fascinated the movie enthusiasts.  Located at the Kalkulam taluk of Kanyakumari district, Tamil Nadu and owned and maintained by the Government of Kerala, Padmanabhapuram Palace is the face of the Travancore-era of Kerala. The movie His Highness Abdulla was also shot here.

Thalassery

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The movies Malarvadi Arts Club, Thattathin Marayathu and Oru Vadakkan Selfie, is known for capturing the beauty of Malabar. Situated on the Malabar coast of Kerala in Kannur, Thalassery is turning out to be a popular movie location. Thalassery is known for its historically significant locations like Tellicherry fort, Gundert Bungalow and AndalurKavu. Muzhuppilangad beach, the longest Drive- in Beach in Asia is also situated there. Thalassery is also famous for giving birth to the art form Theyyam and the martial art Kalaripayattu. 

Olappamanna Mana

Image source: keralatourism.org

Moideen and Kanjana Maala of the movie Ennu Ninte Moideen has undoubtedly conquered our hearts with their tragical yet divine love story. Olappamanna Mana, situated in Vellinezhi of Palakkad district is the house of Moideen in the movie. Olappamanna is the birthplace of Kerala’s famous poet Olappamanna Manakkal Subramanian Namboothirippad. The mana is opened for tourists and also has the facility of homestay. This place can definitely give you a glimpse to the age-old Namboothiri heritage. Aaram Thampuran, Madambi, Aakasha Ganga, Naran are the other movies which were shot here.

Vagamon

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A hill station located at the Kottayam district, Vagamon is known for its scenic beauty and peaceful ambience. The movie Iyyobinte Pusthakam was completely shot here. The place has a number of resorts and places of adventurous sports.

Athirapally Falls

Image source : photo.webindia123.com

Located at Chalakudi Taluk of Thrissur, Athirapally falls have been a popular location for shooting song sequences in Malayalam movies. The movie Anandabadram and a number of other movies were shot here. The falls are also commonly seen in most of the Mani Ratnam movies like Kannathil Muthamittal, Guru, Raavan, Dil Se.  

Bolgatty Palace 

Image source: ktdc.com

Nirakootu, My boss, Vellinakshathram are some of the movies shot in Bolgatty palace constructed by the Dutch at the Bolgatty Island in Kochi. One of the popular holiday destinations of tourists, Bolgatty palace has an ayurvedic centre and Kathakali performances on a daily basis.

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