Kerala’s Athirappilly among 15 global spots where magic of movies brings tourists, thanks to Dil Se and Baahubali

The October 2025 edition of Travel+Leisure India celebrates the magic of movies that inspire us to travel. The magazine says cinema, like travel, is “an act of motion and meaning”—it changes how we see ourselves and the world.

This special Cinema Issue explores how films and travel are beautifully connected—how movie locations become iconic and how stories lead us to new destinations.

15 destinations made famous by films

One of the highlights of the issue is a feature titled ‘15 Destinations That Benefitted from Film Tourism’. It talks about how movies have inspired countless journeys across the world.

The article notes that films are “transformative—they inspire us to be better, take a leap of faith, and sometimes, simply to travel to a destination we've been mesmerised by on the silver screen.”

The list includes destinations like Corsica, Scotland, Darjeeling, Udaipur, Kolkata, Ladakh, Switzerland, Turkey, Singapore, the United Kingdom, Athirappilly, Jammu and Kashmir, Spain, Saudi Arabia, and Dubai.

Kerala’s pride: Athirappilly Waterfalls

Representing Kerala on the list, Athirappilly Waterfalls has long been a star of Indian cinema. Travel+Leisure India describes it beautifully: “There’s a certain drama to Athirappilly—the kind that doesn’t need special effects.”

Surrounded by lush greenery, the waterfalls have appeared in iconic films such as Baahubali (2015), Guru (2007), and Dil Se (1998). The article says Athirappilly is a place “where nature sets the stage for grandeur, emotion, and storytelling.”

For travellers heading to Kerala, the magazine suggests taking a small detour to experience the waterfalls for “a moment of calm amidst the noise.”

A moment of pride for Kerala

Travel+Leisure India also shared an Instagram reel celebrating Athirappilly’s feature. Kerala Tourism’s official page joined in by reposting the story, marking a proud moment for the state and its stunning natural landmark that continues to capture the hearts of travellers and filmmakers alike.