Reflections on Dr. Shuchi Srivastava’s New Paper on Religious Tourism

At Luminous Photo Expeditions, we believe travel is not only about landscapes—it’s also about meaning. A new academic paper by Dr. Shuchi Srivastava, Religious Themes in Bollywood Movies: Impact on Religious Tourism, published in Scope (March 2025), offers compelling insight into how Indian cinema is shaping sacred journeys across the subcontinent.

Dr. Srivastava, Assistant Professor of Anthropology at National P.G. College in Lucknow, takes us on a visual and anthropological journey through Bollywood’s evolving portrayal of religion—and how it powerfully fuels spiritual tourism.

From early mythological epics like Raja Harishchandra (1913) to contemporary critiques of blind faith in PK (2014) and OMG: Oh My God (2012), Bollywood films have become catalysts for both internal reflection and external pilgrimage. The sacred becomes cinematic. The screen becomes a spiritual guide.

The study identifies ten powerful ways in which religious representation in Bollywood films contributes to tourism:

1. Promotion of Sacred Sites – Films like Kedarnath (2018) and Rockstar (2011) have drawn attention to holy destinations such as the Kedarnath Temple and Nizamuddin Dargah.
2. Encouragement of Pilgrimage – Movies inspire viewers to embark on real-life spiritual journeys, such as visiting Ajmer Sharif after watching Sultan (2016).
3. Boosting Iconic Religious Locations – Popular films strengthen the global profile of places like Varanasi and Amritsar.
4. Interfaith Harmony – Storylines in films like Amar Akbar Anthony (1977) and My Name is Khan (2010) nurture respect across religions.
5. Festival Appeal – Lavish depictions of celebrations in Devdas and Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge bring cultural rituals to life and attract festive tourism.
6. Event-based Travel – Scenes from Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (2011) or Bajirao Mastani inspire travelers to time visits with specific events.
7. Economic Benefits – Increased tourism boosts local livelihoods, as seen with Ladakh’s rise in popularity after 3 Idiots.
8. Infrastructure Development – Destinations portrayed in films like Bhool Bhulaiyaa and Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi have seen real-world improvements in services and access.
9. Tourism Authority Collaboration – Tourism boards, such as in Tamil Nadu and Kashmir, have begun collaborating with filmmakers for mutual promotion.
10. Cultural Preservation and Challenges – The paper doesn’t shy away from pointing out ethical concerns—such as commercialization of sacred spaces, or misrepresentation of rituals—and stresses the need for sustainable tourism planning.

As explorers and visual storytellers, we are especially drawn to this intersection of film, faith, and travel. A single movie scene can trigger a lifelong dream to witness a ritual at the Ganges, stand in reverence at the Golden Temple, or wander through Varanasi’s mystic alleys.

Dr. Srivastava’s work invites us to reflect on how storytelling—cinematic or photographic—can carry the weight of culture and ignite the desire to see with new eyes. For our Luminous travelers, this is an invitation not only to visit these places, but to feel them, question them, and understand them in their full historical and spiritual context.

For those interested in religious tourism, cultural heritage, or visual anthropology, we highly recommend reading the full paper here.

And if this inspires you to embark on a photography expedition to India’s sacred landscapes—from Rajasthan’s temple towns to the high Himalayas—get in touch with us. We’ll help you trace the path from reel to real.