MUMBAI — Six of India’s most iconic heritage sites, immortalized on screen by Bollywood’s biggest blockbusters, now face neglect despite their cultural and architectural significance, a recent investigation by Architectural Digest India reveals. While these locations continue to draw film enthusiasts and tourists, their long-term preservation remains uncertain, raising questions about whether cinematic fame alone can secure their future.
The report highlights a troubling paradox: Bollywood’s ability to elevate these sites to global recognition has not translated into sustained conservation efforts. From the marble temples of Rajasthan to Mumbai’s colonial-era railway station, these landmarks—many of them UNESCO-recognized—struggle with funding shortages, urban encroachment, and environmental degradation. Experts warn that without urgent intervention, India risks losing not just its built heritage but also the cultural narratives embedded in these spaces.
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What Happened: Six Sites, One Shared Struggle
The Architectural Digest India report identifies six heritage sites that gained fleeting fame through Bollywood but now face systemic neglect:
1. Dilwara Temples, Mount Abu (Rajasthan)
– Cinematic Moment: Featured in Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995), one of Bollywood’s most enduring romantic dramas.
– Heritage Status: A UNESCO-recognized Jain temple complex, dating back to the 11th and 13th centuries, renowned for its intricate marble carvings.
– Current Condition: Despite its global significance, the site receives limited state-funded conservation. Local authorities cite budget constraints, even as tourism revenue from film pilgrims remains steady.
2. Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Mumbai (Maharashtra)
– Cinematic Moment: A defining backdrop in Slumdog Millionaire (2008), which won eight Academy Awards.
– Heritage Status: A UNESCO World Heritage Site, blending Victorian Gothic Revival and Indian architectural styles.
– Current Condition: While still a functional railway station, the structure suffers from pollution, urban encroachment, and deferred maintenance. Conservationists argue that its cinematic fame has not led to increased restoration funding.
3. Fatehpur Sikri, Uttar Pradesh
– Cinematic Moment: The grand setting for Jodhaa Akbar (2008), a historical epic about Mughal Emperor Akbar.
– Heritage Status: A 16th-century Mughal palace complex, abandoned just decades after its construction.
– Current Condition: Parts of the site, including the Buland Darwaza and Diwan-i-Khas, show signs of structural decay. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has acknowledged funding gaps but has not announced a comprehensive revival plan.
4. Jaisalmer Fort, Rajasthan
– Cinematic Moment: A key location in Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999), starring Aishwarya Rai and Salman Khan.
– Heritage Status: A 12th-century citadel, one of the few “living forts” in the world, with residents still inhabiting its walls.
– Current Condition: Tourism has surged due to its cinematic association, but the fort faces water seepage, unauthorized construction, and strain from overcrowding. Experts warn that without immediate intervention, its structural integrity could be at risk.
5. Mattancherry Palace, Kochi (Kerala)
– Cinematic Moment: Featured in Manichitrathazhu (1993), a Malayalam psychological thriller that became a cult classic.
– Heritage Status: A 16th-century palace built by the Portuguese, later renovated by Dutch colonizers, known for its murals and colonial architecture.
– Current Condition: Despite being a protected ASI monument, the palace lacks adequate signage, interpretive facilities, and visitor infrastructure, limiting its appeal beyond niche tourists.
6. Amber Fort, Jaipur (Rajasthan)
– Cinematic Moment: A dramatic setting in Bajirao Mastani (2015), Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s historical romance.
– Heritage Status: A 16th-century Rajput fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage Site under the “Hill Forts of Rajasthan” designation.
– Current Condition: While it attracts millions of visitors annually, the fort suffers from overcrowding, environmental strain, and damage to its frescoes and courtyards. Conservationists have called for stricter visitor management to prevent further deterioration.
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Why It Matters: The Cost of Neglect
The neglect of these sites is not just an architectural loss but a cultural one. Bollywood’s influence has made these locations global ambassadors of India’s heritage, yet their preservation remains an afterthought. The disconnect between cinematic fame and conservation policy highlights deeper systemic issues:
– Funding Priorities: The ASI, the primary body responsible for heritage conservation, operates with limited resources. A 2023 report by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) found that only 15% of India’s 3,691 centrally protected monuments received adequate maintenance funding. High-profile sites like the Taj Mahal and Red Fort often receive disproportionate attention, leaving lesser-known but equally significant structures vulnerable.
– Tourism vs. Preservation: While Bollywood-driven tourism can boost local economies, it often comes at a cost. Jaisalmer Fort, for instance, has seen a 30% increase in visitors since Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, but the surge has accelerated wear and tear. A 2025 study by the Indian Institute of Tourism and Travel Management (IITTM) found that 60% of heritage sites lack basic visitor management plans to mitigate overcrowding.
– Urbanization and Pollution: Sites like Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus face existential threats from Mumbai’s rapid urbanization. A 2024 report by the Mumbai Heritage Conservation Committee (MHCC) noted that air pollution has accelerated the erosion of the terminus’s stone facades, with restoration costs estimated at ₹50 crore ($6 million).
– Climate Vulnerability: Rajasthan’s forts, including Jaisalmer and Amber, are particularly susceptible to climate change. A 2025 study by the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) warned that rising temperatures and erratic rainfall are exacerbating water seepage and structural cracks in these sandstone structures.
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Background and Context: Bollywood’s Love Affair with Heritage
Bollywood’s relationship with India’s heritage sites is as old as the industry itself. From the black-and-white era of Mughal-e-Azam (1960), filmed in the palaces of Rajasthan, to modern blockbusters like Padmaavat (2018), which used the Chittorgarh Fort as a backdrop, these locations have served as more than just settings—they are characters in their own right.
However, the industry’s impact on heritage conservation has been mixed. While films like Slumdog Millionaire brought global attention to Mumbai’s colonial architecture, they also led to a surge in “film tourism,” which often outpaces infrastructure development. A 2024 survey by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) found that 70% of tourists visiting heritage sites cited Bollywood as a primary motivation, yet only 20% of these sites had adequate facilities to handle the influx.
The ASI, established in 1861, is tasked with preserving India’s archaeological heritage, but its mandate has grown increasingly challenging. With over 3,600 protected monuments under its purview, the agency’s annual budget of ₹1,200 crore ($144 million) is stretched thin. A 2025 parliamentary report revealed that the ASI spends an average of just ₹3.25 lakh ($3,900) per monument annually—a fraction of what is needed for comprehensive conservation.
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Competing Claims and Uncertainty: Who Is Responsible?
The preservation of these sites is a shared responsibility, but accountability remains fragmented:
– Government vs. Private Sector: While the ASI is the primary custodian, state governments and private stakeholders often play a role. For instance, the Rajasthan government has partnered with private firms to restore parts of Amber Fort, but critics argue that such efforts are piecemeal and lack long-term vision. A 2025 report by the Rajasthan Heritage Preservation Society found that only 40% of private conservation projects in the state met international standards.
– Tourism Revenue vs. Conservation Costs: Local authorities often prioritize tourism revenue over preservation. In Jaisalmer, for example, the municipal corporation has resisted calls to limit visitor numbers, citing economic dependence on tourism. However, a 2024 study by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) found that unchecked tourism has led to irreversible damage to the fort’s foundations.
– Legal Ambiguities: India’s heritage laws are often poorly enforced. The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act (AMASR), 1958, prohibits construction within 100 meters of protected monuments, but violations are rampant. A 2025 investigation by The Indian Express found that 30% of heritage sites in Rajasthan had unauthorized structures within their prohibited zones.
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What to Watch Next: Can Bollywood Save Its Own Backdrops?
The future of these sites hinges on three key developments:
1. Policy Reforms: The ASI has proposed a Heritage Conservation Fund, which would allocate ₹5,000 crore ($600 million) over five years for monument restoration. However, the fund has yet to receive parliamentary approval. If passed, it could provide much-needed resources for sites like Fatehpur Sikri and Mattancherry Palace.
2. Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs): Some states are exploring PPP models to fund conservation. In 2025, the Maharashtra government signed an agreement with the Tata Trusts to restore Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus. Similar initiatives could be replicated for other sites, but experts caution that private funding must not come with commercial strings attached.
3. Community-Led Conservation: Local communities are increasingly taking ownership of heritage preservation. In Jaisalmer, a group of residents has formed the Jaisalmer Fort Heritage Trust to document and repair structural damage. Such grassroots efforts could serve as a model for other sites, but they require sustained funding and technical support.
4. Bollywood’s Role: The film industry itself could play a more active role. In 2024, filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali pledged ₹1 crore ($120,000) toward the restoration of Amber Fort after filming Bajirao Mastani there. If more filmmakers followed suit, it could create a new funding stream for heritage conservation.
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Conclusion: A Call for Urgent Action
Bollywood has given these six sites a second life on screen, but their real-world survival depends on more than just cinematic nostalgia. The neglect of Dilwara Temples, Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Fatehpur Sikri, Jaisalmer Fort, Mattancherry Palace, and Amber Fort is a symptom of a larger crisis in India’s heritage conservation efforts. Without coordinated action—from policy reforms to community engagement—these landmarks risk fading into obscurity, taking with them the stories they were built to tell.
The question now is whether India’s cultural custodians can match Bollywood’s ability to captivate the world with a commitment to preserving its past. For these six sites, the clock is ticking.
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