Maps of Movies

Chennai Express (2013)

Where Chennai Express says it takes place, and where it was really shot.

A Mumbai sweet-seller's grandson takes a train south to scatter his grandfather's ashes, and the Tamil hill village he lands in was largely built in Maharashtra

Scenes and places

The grandfather's last wish (2013)

Rahul, a rich bachelor in Mumbai, loses his grandfather just before his 100th birthday. His grandmother asks him to take half of the ashes to Rameswaram. He agrees reluctantly, because he would rather be in Goa with his friends.

Set in The Mithaiwala family home, Mumbai — Rahul's grandmother asks him to carry half of his grandfather's ashes to Rameswaram.

The film's opening world is a Mumbai confectioner's family house; no specific real building is named in the cited sources.

Boarding the Chennai Express (2013)

Rahul books one ticket on the Chennai Express. His plan is to ride only as far as Kalyan Junction, where his friends wait to drive him to Goa. His grandmother comes to see him off, so he has to travel by train at all.

Set in Mumbai departure station — Rahul boards the southbound Chennai Express, with his grandmother seeing him off.

A grand Victorian-Gothic terminus, the headquarters of Mumbai's Central Railway.

Filmed at Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Mumbai — Additional filming was done here with a minimal crew; the link to the departure scene comes from a single outside page. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there:

Kalyan Junction, and the girl who runs for the train (2013)

Rahul gets off at Kalyan, then realises he left the ashes on the train and rushes back. As the train pulls out he helps a young woman and four men aboard, and it leaves before he can get off.

Set in Kalyan Junction railway station — The stop where Rahul meant to get off and meet his friends. Google Maps · Apple Maps

A busy suburban junction town northeast of Mumbai; the film's station is a Goa station dressed to match.

Filmed at Vasco da Gama railway station, Goa — Used to portray Kalyan Junction. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there:

The train south, past the waterfall (2013)

On the moving train Rahul learns that the four men are her cousins, taking her home to Komban to be married off. Meenamma makes him talk to her through film songs so the men suspect nothing.

Set in Chennai Express, moving south through the hills — A moving train with no fixed place on the map.

A four-tier waterfall on the Goa-Karnataka border, crossed by a railway viaduct.

Filmed at Railway beside Dudhsagar Falls, Goa — A romantic scene on board a train passing next to the falls was shot here. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there:

Komban, the village that was built in Maharashtra (2013)

Meenamma takes Rahul to her father and introduces him as her lover. Rahul, who does not understand Tamil, unknowingly accepts a duel from her suitor Tangaballi.

Set in Komban village — The fictional Tamil Nadu village of Meenamma's father.

A made-up Tamil Nadu hill village, in the style of Ooty.

Filmed at Film sets near Wai, outskirts of Panchgani — Ooty-style locations were rebuilt here as sets; the coordinate is the town of Wai, not the set. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there:

The stolen car (2013)

Surrounded by Durgesh's sickle-wielding men, Rahul pretends to take Meenamma hostage and drives off in Durgesh's car. When it breaks down they quarrel and part ways, until Rahul turns back.

Set in Durgesh's car, on the run — A car breaking down on the road away from Komban.

A tea-hill reservoir area in Munnar, Kerala, where a 10-day schedule was shot in April 2013.

Filmed at Devikulam Lake, Munnar — Scenes were shot at Devikulam Lake; the link to this scene comes from a single travel article. The coordinate is the Devikulam place name, not the lake. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there:

The village that thinks they are married (2013)

Meenamma tells the villagers she and Rahul are married, so they are taken in. To keep the lie alive Rahul must carry her up hundreds of steps to the temple, and she begins to fall for him.

Set in Vidhamba village — A village where Meenamma says they are a married couple who need protection and rest.

A village the film never ties to a real place in the sources read.

Rameswaram and the bridge (2013)

Rahul decides to finish his grandfather's last wish after all, and Meenamma insists on coming with him to Rameswaram.

Set in Rameswaram — The southern island town where the ashes are to be dispersed. Google Maps · Apple Maps

An island pilgrimage town at the tip of Tamil Nadu, reached by the Pamban rail and road bridges.

Filmed at Pamban Bridge — Setting of the song "Tera Rastaa Chhodoon Na"; the bridge connects Mandapam with Pamban Island and Rameswaram. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there:

Filmed at Mehboob Studio, Mumbai — First shooting day Google Maps · Apple Maps

Filmed at Ramoji Film City, Hyderabad — Remaining scenes Google Maps · Apple Maps

Characters

• Rahul — A rich Mumbai bachelor who has to carry his grandfather's ashes to Rameswaram.
• Meenamma — The daughter of a Tamil Nadu kingpin, running from a forced marriage.

Questions answered on the map

• Where was Chennai Express's Kalyan Junction really filmed?
• Where is the film's Tamil hill village really?