Bollywood is no stranger to grandeur, but few songs can match the sheer extravagance of Gerua from Rohit Shetty’s 2015 film Dilwale. Choreographer Farah Khan recently disclosed that the romantic track, featuring Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol, was made at a jaw-dropping cost of ₹7 crore, making it one of the most expensive songs in Hindi cinema. What makes it even more remarkable is that it remains the only Bollywood song ever shot in Iceland.
The Icelandic Dream Turned Reality
Farah Khan shared this revelation during a candid chat at Shark Tank India judge Ashneer Grover’s home. When Grover’s wife, Madhuri, mentioned their visit to Iceland, Farah immediately recalled the iconic shoot, asking if they recreated the SRK-Kajol moment. Grover quipped about lacking a chiffon saree, highlighting how deeply the song has become etched into pop culture.
Gerua was not just a visual treat but a logistical nightmare:
- Extreme weather: Temperatures dropped to freezing levels, yet Kajol braved the cold in chiffon sarees.
- Unreal landscapes: Waterfalls, volcanic terrains, and glacier backdrops gave the song an otherworldly appeal.
- High production cost: Flying crew, transporting equipment, and securing Icelandic locations pushed costs to ₹7 crore.
SRK–Kajol Magic, Again
Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol, after creating history with films like Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge and Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, reunited in Dilwale (2015) after My Name is Khan (2010). While the movie itself faced mixed reviews, Gerua became its saving grace, offering fans the timeless romance they craved.
More Than Just a Song
Gerua was more than a track—it was a statement. It showed Bollywood’s hunger to compete on a global scale, both in aesthetics and production. Some critics, however, slammed the makers for spending ₹7 crore on a single song in a film that didn’t live up to its hype. Others argue that Gerua redefined what a Bollywood love song could look like on an international stage.
Final Take
Farah Khan’s revelation reopens the debate: Was Gerua an indulgence worth celebrating, or an unnecessary splurge in a film that underdelivered? Regardless, one thing remains uncontested—SRK and Kajol, against the surreal landscapes of Iceland, gifted Bollywood one of its most visually breathtaking love songs.
By – Nikita