Where Was The Film Raees Shot?

The gritty streets and vibrant chaos of 'Raees' felt so real because it was shot in actual locations that mirrored its raw, underworld narrative. Most of the filming took place in Gujarat, particularly Ahmedabad and Bhuj, which gave the movie its authentic small-town gangster vibe. The production team also used sets in Mumbai to recreate some key scenes, blending studio work with on-location shoots seamlessly. What fascinated me was how they transformed everyday spots into cinematic gold—like the bustling markets of Kalupur in Ahmedabad, which became the backdrop for some intense sequences. The arid landscapes around Bhuj added this desolate, lawless feel that perfectly complemented Shah Rukh Khan's character. It's rare to see a Bollywood film so committed to location authenticity, and it paid off in making 'Raees' visually unforgettable.

Rahul Dholakia directed 'Raees', and what a ride that film was! I remember watching it in theaters, completely blown away by how Shah Rukh Khan transformed into this gritty, morally ambiguous character. Dholakia's direction had this raw energy—like you could almost smell the tension in those Gujarat streets. The way he balanced action with human drama reminded me of those 70s Bollywood crime flicks, but with slicker pacing. What really stuck with me was how the film didn’t glorify its protagonist. It left you questioning right and wrong, which is rare for mainstream Bollywood. Dholakia’s earlier work like 'Parzania' showed he isn’t afraid of tough subjects, and 'Raees' proved he could handle scale without losing his edge.

There’s a lot to like about 'Raees' beyond the soundtrack, and where it was filmed really helps sell that 1980s–90s Gujarat vibe. The bulk of shooting was done in India, split mainly between Mumbai and multiple locations across Gujarat. Mumbai handled most of the studio work and indoor sets — think Film City–style setups where they rebuilt marketplaces, bars, and offices to match the period look. On-location work took the crew to several Gujarati cities. Ahmedabad features heavily for its old bazaars and street textures, while places like Jamnagar and Vadodara provided exteriors and some of the rustic, small-town backdrops. You’ll also notice stretches that resemble Kutch’s wide-open areas in a few scenes, used for more expansive exteriors. The filmmakers blended real streets with constructed sets, so what you see onscreen is often a mix of genuine Gujarat locations and carefully dressed Mumbai interiors. If you like tracing filming spots, go look for the market sequences that scream Ahmedabad’s narrow lanes and the outdoor festival moments that were likely shot in smaller Gujarat towns — it’s fun to spot where reality and set-design meet.

Raees is a gritty crime drama that grabbed me from the first scene. It follows the rise of a bootlegger named Raees Alam in Gujarat during the 1980s, played brilliantly by Shah Rukh Khan. The film's got this raw energy—Raees starts small, smuggling liquor under the radar, but his sharp mind and ruthless tactics turn him into an underworld kingpin. What I loved was how it blurred moral lines; he's a criminal but also helps his community, building schools and hospitals with his illegal profits. Nawazuddin Siddiqui as the cop chasing him adds this electrifying cat-and-mouse tension. The climax? Heart-wrenching. You almost forget he's the 'bad guy' when the system corners him. What stuck with me was how the film critiques corruption without preaching. Raees' downfall isn't just about justice—it's about how power consumes itself. The dialogue 'Baniye ka dimag aur miyanbhai ki daring' (A trader's brain and a rebel's bravery) became iconic for a reason. The soundtrack, especially 'Laila Main Laila,' is pure fire. It's not just a gangster flick; it's a tragic portrait of ambition.

Raees' hit the screens back in 2017, and man, what a ride that was! Shah Rukh Khan absolutely owned the role of a gritty bootlegger—it felt like he channeled a whole new energy. The film had this raw, almost vintage Bollywood vibe mixed with modern storytelling, and the soundtrack? Fire. I remember rewatching the 'Laila Main Laila' sequence way too many times. It's one of those movies that sticks with you, not just for the plot twists but for how unapologetically bold it felt. Funny thing is, I stumbled into it on a lazy Sunday, expecting just another SRK flick, but it ended up being this wild blend of power struggles and moral gray areas. The production design nailed the 80s Gujarat setting too—those dusty streets and neon-lit hideouts added so much texture. Even now, I catch myself humming 'Zaalima' when I’m in a nostalgic mood.

Raees is this gritty crime drama that feels like a throwback to those classic gangster flicks with a Bollywood twist. The story follows Raees Alam, a bootlegger in Gujarat who rises from nothing to become this untouchable kingpin. What makes it fascinating is how he's not just some one-dimensional villain—he's got this Robin Hood vibe, helping the poor while running his illegal empire. The whole prohibition angle in Gujarat adds this layer of political tension, especially when a relentless cop, Majmudar, starts closing in on him. Shah Rukh Khan totally owns the role, balancing charm and menace in a way that makes you root for him even when he's doing terrible things. The film's got this electric energy, especially in the first half where Raees builds his empire with street-smart schemes. The second half gets darker as his world starts crumbling, and the cat-and-mouse game with Majmudar turns brutal. What stuck with me was how the movie doesn't glamorize crime—it shows the cost of that life, especially in Raees' relationship with his mother. That scene where she disowns him? Chills. The ending's inevitable but heartbreaking, like watching a Shakespearean tragedy unfold in the dusty streets of Gujarat.

The movie 'Raees' is a Bollywood crime drama that really grabbed my attention when it first came out. The lead role is played by Shah Rukh Khan, who absolutely killed it as Raees Alam, this charismatic but ruthless bootlegger. His performance was so layered—you could see the charm, the cunning, and the vulnerability all at once. Nawazuddin Siddiqui plays Majmudar, the cop trying to bring him down, and their chemistry is electric. Mahira Khan stars as Aasiya, Raees' love interest, and she brings this quiet strength to her role. The supporting cast, including Atul Kulkarni and Narendra Jha, adds so much depth to the story. What I love about 'Raees' is how it balances these intense action sequences with moments of real emotional weight. Shah Rukh Khan’s monologues, especially the one about the 'baniye ka dimag aur miyabhai ki daring,' are iconic. The film’s setting in 1980s Gujarat also gives it this gritty, almost nostalgic feel. If you haven’t seen it yet, it’s definitely worth a watch just for the performances alone.

I've always been fascinated by how Bollywood blends reality with fiction, and 'Raees' is a perfect example of that dance. While the film isn't a direct biopic, it's heavily inspired by real-life bootlegger Abdul Latif, who operated in Gujarat during the prohibition era. Shah Rukh Khan's character mirrors Latif's rise from small-time operations to becoming an underworld kingpin with political ties. The screenwriters took creative liberties—like the romantic subplot and dramatic showdowns—but the core of ruthless ambition and systemic corruption feels ripped from headlines. What stuck with me was how the film captures the gray morality of its protagonist; you catch yourself rooting for him despite his crimes, which says a lot about how power narratives are crafted. Interestingly, the team avoided naming real figures or events to sidestep legal issues, but locals in Gujarat reportedly recognized thinly veiled references. The director mentioned researching police archives and interviewing journalists to get the texture right. It's less 'based on a true story' and more 'what if we took this infamous persona and made him charismatic enough to carry a three-hour blockbuster?' The result is a gritty masala film that lingers because of its roots in reality—like 'Scarface' but with desi swagger and way better dance sequences.