If you’re a 90s kid, chances are you grew up watching Shah Rukh Khan spread his arms, Salman Khan throw his shades mid-air, and Aamir Khan romancing in the rain. But did you ever realize how often they’ve done all that – and more – right here in the UAE? Yup, Bollywood has been secretly (or not so secretly) obsessed with the Emirates for years. From wild action scenes to romantic slow-mos, our deserts, skyscrapers, and metro stations have seen it all.
Let’s rewind and take a full-on filmy tour through Bollywood’s best UAE moments. Popcorn ready?
1. Race
Remember Race? That super twisty Bollywood thriller where you couldn’t trust anyone? Well, some of its slickest action scenes were shot right on Jebel Hafeet. That scene where the sports car goes flying and flipping down the mountain? That’s our rocky boy in Al Ain making his movie debut. Saif Ali Khan and Akshaye Khanna even had a sweet flashback scene riding a cycle through the Green Mubazzarah Park.
2. Pathaan
You know it’s a big deal when the Burj Khalifa boulevard shuts down – and no, not for New Year’s Eve. We’re talking Pathaan, where Shah Rukh Khan and John Abraham face off amidst the glittering Dubai skyline. Add Deepika Padukone to the mix, a dose of espionage, and explosive stunts, and you’ve got a Hollywood-level spectacle. The action was so intense, even the city had to pause and watch.
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3. Dabangg
Only Salman bhai could turn desert dune bashing into a choreographed dance routine. For Dabangg, the team turned Dubai into a high-energy Bollywood music video, zipping through the sand and vibing at the Burjuman metro station. The icing on the cake? That viral pic of Salman and Sonakshi chilling in the middle of the desert. Fans still try to recreate it, and yes, some even do the whole moustache-and-sunglasses combo.
4. Hamari Adhuri Kahani
If there’s a competition for the most romantic shot in Dubai, Emraan Hashmi standing in the middle of Dubai Miracle Garden wins hands down. This tearjerker of a film painted love against a backdrop of flower-laced sculptures, peaceful water bodies at Dubai Creek, and the vibrant chaos of Meena Bazaar. The UAE never looked more heartbroken, or more beautiful.
5. Tiger Zinda Hai
Abu Dhabi turned into an action movie warzone for Tiger Zinda Hai. And no, this wasn’t just quick montages – we’re talking 65 days of full-throttle filming in crazy heat. Salman and Katrina played spies from opposite sides but united for drama (and love, duh). The Arkan Cement Factory in Al Ain? Director Ali Abbas Zafar called it a visual jackpot. Just imagine: 300+ crew members, the Liwa desert, and fight scenes in furnace-level weather. Bollywood madness!
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6. Happy New Year
When Farah Khan said she wrote Happy New Year with Dubai in mind, she wasn’t kidding. The cast – including Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone, Abhishek Bachchan, and Boman Irani – literally moved into Atlantis The Palm while filming this glittery dance-heist comedy. Sure, the movie didn’t exactly break box office records, but it did roll out the red carpet in Dubai itself, making the city both the setting and the spotlight.
The UAE isn’t just a vacation hotspot – it’s basically Bollywood’s side bae. And we’re not mad about it. From ‘90s drama to 2025s blockbusters, the Emirates has been adding glam, grit, and that extra oomph to our favourite movies. So next time you spot a familiar skyline in a Bollywood flick, give yourself a proud little nod. You knew it first.
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