Maldives, blessed with exquisite beauty and popular among tourists across the globe, wants Bollywood to explore its tropical locales, including some of the world’s finest lagoons, and has offered one of its islands entirely for filmmaking.

Bollywood industry could be promoted in Maldives in the same manner as has happened in Seychelles and Mauritius, Maldivian tourism minister Toyyid Mohammad said here.

“We have already proposed that one of the islands could be turned into a studio to shoot movies. Hopefully, it will materialise by next year,” he said.

With a population of just 6.5 lakh, including 85,000 Indians, Maldives’ economy relies mainly on tourism and Bollywood filmmakers can definitely help promote this ‘paradise on earth’ among Indians by shooting in its exotic locations, Satyeash Pai of ‘Shades of Maldives’, a leading travel agency here, said.

Noting that Hrithik Roshan was in Maldives to shoot parts of his last release ‘Kites’, he said the country’s picturesque locales are ideal to be captured on camera.

Maldives’ keenness to invite Bollywood filmmakers to shoot their movies here is also reflected in the fact that most of the people in this country are huge fans of megastars like Shahrukh Khan and Aamir Khan.

Though most of the inhabited islands are devoid of cinema halls, the people watch their favourite actors on TV, with cable operators providing them access to both latest and old Hindi flicks.

Not only Indian movies, the ‘saas-bahu’ sagas made by Ekta Kapoor are also popular among Maldivians, especially women, said Mohamed Salih Hassan, General Manager Operations and Project/Director for Adaaran luxury resorts.

“Local people really like to watch Hindi movies and serials. Stars like Shahrukh, Aamir, Salman and Aishwarya are quite popular among them, including kids,” he said.

Hindi films are a big source of entertainment for Maldivians, said Shakir, a butler in a restaurant.

“People often talk about Bollywood and the movies they have seen,” he added.

Bollywood and Maldives

Tourism is an important sector for Maldives and a major revenue earner for that country. They do understand the importance of wooing Bollywood film-makers to their country, and also the importance of promoting their country to the affluent middle-class segment of India.

The Maldivian government is serious considering developing their islands as studios to attract more Bollywood film producers and directors.

They’re sure that Bollywood can be used to promote Maldives in the same manner as has happened in Seychelles and Mauritius.

The advantage Maldives has is that most Indian superstars (Shahrukh Khan, Hrithik Roshan and Amir Khan) are already convinced about the potential of this island country as prospective shooting locations.

Bollywood’s favourite luxury destinations to vacation at in the Maldives

Soneva Fushi : Situated in the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Soneva Fushi features 64 luxury beachfront villas and eight over-water retreats, ranging in size from one to nine bedrooms. Katrina Kaif, Varun Dhawan, Mouni Roy, Kareena Kapoor and Saif Ali Khan are a few celebrities who have stayed at this property. We love that their villas are crafted using sustainable, ethically-sourced materials like bamboo or plantation-grown wood. The resort is well-loved for organising bespoke experiences like movies on the beach, wine tasting sessions, snorkelling with manta rays and dolphin watching excursions. As though these weren’t enough, Soneva Fushi also launched the world’s first fine dining zipline experience, Flying Sauces, recently.

Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, Maldives : Nestled on Emboodhu Finolhu island and surrounded by spectacular coral reefs and unique flora and fauna, Taj Exotica is a favourite of Taapsee Pannu. This serene resort houses well-appointed, over-water and on-the-beach villas with private sundecks and pools. We recommend staying at the over-water Rehendi Presidential Suite that comes with amenities like a private infinity pool and a bathroom with floor-to-ceiling glass windows offering panoramic views of the Indian Ocean. The property’s restaurants—Deep End, 24 Degrees and Equator Bar—come highly recommended.

Inter Continental Maldives Maamunagau Resort : Recognised for the ‘Best Hotel Architecture’ in the Maldives at the Asia-Pacific Property Awards 2021-22, this resort is a favourite among celebrities like Tiger Shroff. A 35-minute seaplane ride from Velana International Airport, this hotel offers beach, lagoon and over-water accommodation. Showcasing the concept of ‘musafir’, an Arabic word conveying the ethos of wanderlust, the hotel exhibits a plethora of local artwork and Maldivian architectural influences. Located near a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, the retreat is home to diverse marine life, including a unique manta ray sanctuary. Also, don’t miss the spa here, which offers treatments in six over-water villas.

Grand Park Kodhipparu, Maldives : Conceptualised by well-known design firm, Hirsch-Bedner Associates, this resort exhibits a neutral colour palette, a rustic design aesthetic, state-of-the-art facilities and local architecture. A 20-minute speedboat ride from the airport makes it an ideal destination if you’re short on time. Housing 120 opulent villas, Grand Park Kodhipparu is located on its own island, offering utmost privacy to guests like Sonakshi Sinha, who stayed at the property recently. Moreover, the resort’s expert team curates personalised experiences like private dining, deep-sea diving, jet skiing, kayaking, windsurfing and fishing.

Conrad Maldives Rangali Island : This secluded hotel in the South Ari Atoll is accessible by a 30-minute scenic seaplane ride. While the Conrad Maldives Rangali Island has a number of villas and suites, The Muraka villa with an underwater bedroom is the most popular. Recently, actor Kajal Aggarwal shared a photograph from this one-of-a-kind spot, which features a main bedroom submerged over 16 feet below sea level. Additionally, the hotel offers interesting experiences such as snorkelling lessons, sunset fishing, turtle safaris and private island getaways.

One&Only Reethi Rah : Spread over 12 separate private beaches, this one’s become a top vacation destination for celebrities like Tom Cruise, David Beckham and Gordon Ramsay. The highlight here is the Grand Sunset Residence, a three-bedroom villa with its own private beach, an outdoor cinema, a number of pools and 24-hour butler service. One&Only Reethi Rah’s dining destinations are also well-loved. Guests can indulge in delicious Latin American fare at ClubOne Beach Club or try innovative Japanese-Peruvian fusion dishes at Tapasake, the over-water eatery.

W Maldives : Offering impeccable hospitality, a breathtaking backdrop and a number of fun activities, this heart-shaped island resort is a favourite among celebrities. Tara Sutaria was seen celebrating her birthday at W Maldives a few months ago. Along with their magnificent villas, the resort is renowned for its customisable experiences, including sailing, private island picnics, boxing classes and snorkelling at their house reef with marine biologists.

Cheval Blanc Randheli : Alia had shared gorgeous pictures from this resort when she was holidaying with her best friend Akansha Ranjan Kapoor, and her sister Shaheen Bhatt. Here you can swim among the clouds, sleep in the water, relax at the Maison.