Bollywood Songs Shot In Freezing Conditions: ‘Gerua’, ‘Tum Kya Mile’ And More

Written By: Entertainment Desk

Oct 21, 2026 15:40 IST ⓘ

Bollywood songs shot in cold conditions.

Bollywood romance has a curious relationship with winter. The mountains must be snowy, the breeze must catch the heroine’s saree just right, and nobody is supposed to look as though they desperately need a heater. On screen, it is all lingering glances and effortless chemistry. Behind the camera, the actors may be struggling to move their lips. From Madhuri Dixit’s Alaska ordeal to Shahid Kapoor dancing through layers of winter clothing, several beloved songs demanded considerably more than expressions and choreography.

The conditions ranged from temperatures far below zero to biting winds and relentless cold rain. Here are 13 songs whose beautiful visuals came with some decidedly unglamorous shooting stories:

1. Kismat Se Tum Hum Ko Mile - Pukar

That dreamy blue chiffon saree came at quite a cost. Recalling the Alaska shoot on ‘The Kapil Sharma Show’, Anil Kapoor put the temperature at approximately minus 30 to minus 40 degrees Celsius. He was wearing several layers; Madhuri Dixit was in chiffon. When the wind dropped, Anil suggested bringing a helicopter closer to keep her saree moving for continuity. Madhuri recalled turning blue, struggling to lip-sync because her face felt frozen, and finally crying out that she could not continue. The effortless romance we remember certainly wasn’t effortless to film.

Sung by Sonu Nigam and Anuradha Paudwal, with music by A. R. Rahman, the song featured in Rajkumar Santoshi’s ‘Pukar’, released on February 4, 2000. The film also starred Namrata Shirodkar, Danny Denzongpa, Om Puri and Shivaji Satam. Choreographer Farah Khan helped create those sweeping visuals.

2. Bismil - Haider

There is nothing soft or dreamy about Shahid Kapoor’s ‘Bismil’ performance. It is an accusation disguised as a spectacle, with anger driving every movement. The weather made that intensity even harder to deliver. In a 2014 Rediff interview, Shahid said they filmed in temperatures of roughly minus 15 to minus 17 degrees Celsius. The performers needed frequent pauses while dancing, and he recalled wearing five layers of clothing, making movement difficult. Shahid also described struggling with the thin air and the unfamiliar conditions.

Sukhwinder Singh sang the track, composed by Vishal Bhardwaj with lyrics by Gulzar, for Bhardwaj’s Haider, released on October 2, 2014. The film’s cast included Tabu, Shraddha Kapoor, Kay Kay Menon and Irrfan Khan. The effort produced more than a striking sequence: Sukhwinder won the National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer for the song.

3. Tumhi Dekho Naa - Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna

The next time Rani Mukerji and Shah Rukh Khan’s soft-focus romance looks inviting, remember what Rani said about filming it. At the Galatta Plus roundtable in 2023, she recalled becoming so cold in a red saree that she could not walk, and Ayan Mukerji, then an assistant director, had to carry her to her car. Karan Johar recalled temperatures of minus 14 degrees and an attempt to add artificial rain, which he said was turning to ice before reaching the actors. Rani joked that what looked sensuous was actually her struggling to move her frozen lips.

The duet was sung by Sonu Nigam and Alka Yagnik, composed by Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy, and written by Javed Akhtar. Johar’s ‘Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna’ released on August 11, 2006, with Abhishek Bachchan, Preity Zinta, Amitabh Bachchan and Kirron Kher also in the ensemble. Those floating sarees concealed a much less comfortable reality.

4. Tum Kya Mile - Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani

Alia Bhatt’s chiffon-saree moment with Ranveer Singh was designed as an affectionate throwback to classic Hindi film romance. Kashmir supplied the scenery – and a formidable chill. In her song vlog, Alia reported minus 3°C while snow prevented the team from shooting. Karan Johar described filming across Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Srinagar, with fans adding to the wind for the desired look. It was also Alia’s first shoot after giving birth to Raha, giving this elaborate mountain romance an especially demanding place in her schedule.

Arijit Singh and Shreya Ghoshal sang the Pritam composition, with lyrics by Amitabh Bhattacharya and choreography by Vaibhavi Merchant. Karan Johar’s ‘Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani’, also starring Dharmendra, Jaya Bachchan and Shabana Azmi, released on July 28, 2023. The sarees supplied the colour; Alia and Ranveer had to supply the warmth.

5. Dil Diyan Gallan - Tiger Zinda Hai

Even spies apparently have to brave the weather for a little romance. Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif filmed this gentle love song across Austria, including difficult Alpine terrain and a frozen lake. Contemporary production accounts described sub-zero conditions. Director Ali Abbas Zafar explained that the lake sequence required natural colours suitable for the ice to create the enormous portrait of Katrina seen in the song. The finished image measured approximately 20 feet by 20 feet – a grand romantic gesture with a rather unforgiving canvas.

Sung by Atif Aslam, composed by Vishal–Shekhar and written by Irshad Kamil, ‘Dil Diyan Gallan’ offered a tender pause in Zafar’s action film ‘Tiger Zinda Hai’. Released on December 22, 2017, the film also featured Paresh Rawal, Kumud Mishra, Girish Karnad and Sajjad Delafrooz. Tiger and Zoya made the Alps look peaceful; the filming conditions were another story.

6. Gerua - Dilwale

Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol against Iceland’s dramatic landscapes is the sort of pairing that makes a song instantly recognisable. Their making-of video, however, revealed the work behind the postcard: cold-weather layers between takes, awkward terrain, waterfall shoots and lips that struggled to cooperate. Kajol recalled that their lips had turned blue and that lip-syncing was difficult. Even Iceland’s summer proved a formidable opponent for flowing outfits and romantic poses.

Arijit Singh and Antara Mitra sang the Pritam composition, with lyrics by Amitabh Bhattacharya and choreography by Farah Khan. The song appeared in Rohit Shetty’s ‘Dilwale’, released on December 18, 2015, which also starred Varun Dhawan and Kriti Sanon. Its sweeping frames look spectacular, but the behind-the-scenes accounts give those embraces an additional practical appeal: warmth.

7. Rabba - Heropanti

Tiger Shroff and Kriti Sanon’s early screen romance included a demanding snowy song shoot in Kashmir. Director Sabbir Khan recalled that heavy snowfall halted work for a day. Snow had to be cleared for their dance moves; Kriti wore snow boots beneath her chiffon saree, while Tiger’s lips turned blue. Locals brought small braziers to help the crew warm up. Quite a challenge for a pair introducing themselves to Hindi film audiences.

Mohit Chauhan sang ‘Rabba’, composed by Sajid–Wajid with lyrics by Kausar Munir. Khan’s Heropanti, which also featured Prakash Raj, Sandeepa Dhar and Vikram Singh, released on May 23, 2014. The romantic melody feels wonderfully relaxed; the production account suggests the team had to work hard for every usable take.

8. Chunari Chunari - Biwi No. 1

The infectious energy of ‘Chunari Chunari’ gives little indication that Sushmita Sen was freezing. In a Pinkvilla interview, she recalled filming in the US with Salman Khan dressed in a polo neck, layers and a blazer, while she performed in a lehenga-choli. She associated the song with San Francisco and San Jose and described the whole unit being wrapped in woollens. Sushmita also admitted she hadn’t initially understood the song’s appeal, although Salman and director David Dhawan were convinced it would work. The enduring dance-floor favourite proved their point.

Sung by Abhijeet Bhattacharya and Anuradha Sriram, the Anu Malik composition featured in Dhawan’s ‘Biwi No. 1’, released on May 28, 1999. Karisma Kapoor, Anil Kapoor and Tabu also starred, with Saif Ali Khan in a brief role. The song’s playful mood was a convincing disguise for the cold its performers remembered.

9. Heer Aasmani - Fighter

Winter clothing did not make Hrithik Roshan, Deepika Padukone, Karan Singh Grover and Akshay Oberoi immune to Kashmir’s chill. The making of ‘Heer Aasmani’ showed the team juggling snowball fights, bonfire moments and the challenge of lip-syncing in freezing weather. Deepika described it as the film’s training-and-bonding song, while Akshay recalled the cold alongside the camaraderie. Their fun on camera was real, but so was the struggle to get the words out.

The song was sung by Vishal Dadlani, Sheykhar Ravjiani and B Praak, composed by Vishal–Sheykhar, with lyrics by Kumaar. Directed by Siddharth Anand, ‘Fighter’ released on January 25, 2024, with Anil Kapoor in a leading role. The number gave the aerial action drama a welcome stretch of friendship and off-duty warmth amid all that snow.

10. Main Ek Deewana Ladka - Deewaanapan

Arjun Rampal and Dia Mirza’s snowy romance required a carefully prepared escape from the cold. Choreographer Longinus Fernandes recalled filming on Mount Hutt in New Zealand, with hot drinks, gloves and a fireplace ready. Arjun wore coats while Dia performed in an off-shoulder top. He suggested she bring a hotel blanket, and her car waited nearby so she could leave promptly after her shots. The blanket was an especially sensible addition to the romantic-song wardrobe.

Shaan sang ‘Main Ek Deewana Ladka’, composed by Aadesh Shrivastava with lyrics by Sameer. Directed by Ashu Trikha, ‘Deewaanapan’ released on November 16, 2001, and also featured Vinod Khanna, Om Puri and Smita Jaykar. The melody may invite you to linger over the scenery; Dia’s standby car tells us why the actors might have felt differently.

11. Palkon Ke Peechhe Se - Talash

Long before the modern making-of video, Sharmila Tagore was discovering how uncomfortable snowy romance could be. Speaking to Bombay Times, she recalled walking barefoot on snow in a ghagra-choli for ‘Palkon Ke Peechhe Se’, opposite Rajendra Kumar. After each take, she hurried into warm coverings and snow boots and sipped something hot. Those graceful screen moments came with some decidedly uncomfortable steps.

Lata Mangeshkar and Mohammed Rafi sang the duet, composed by S. D. Burman with lyrics by Majrooh Sultanpuri. It featured in O. P. Ralhan’s ‘Talash’, released on August 9, 1969, with Balraj Sahni, Helen and Madan Puri also in the cast. Sharmila’s recollection is a reminder that this particular Bollywood endurance test stretches back well beyond the chiffon romances of the 1990s.

12. Tu Jaane Na - Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani

The pale terraces and striking ruins of Pamukkale, Turkey, gave Ranbir Kapoor and Katrina Kaif’s ‘Tu Jaane Na’ an otherworldly setting. According to choreographer Ahmed Khan, the reality was rather less comfortable: temperatures around 5°C, light costumes, difficult wind and limited daylight. In a 2025 account, he praised Katrina for keeping her focus and not letting the discomfort show. That temperature was above freezing, but cold wind and summery clothes still made the shoot demanding.

The familiar Atif Aslam version of the song was composed by Pritam, with lyrics by Irshad Kamil. Rajkumar Santoshi’s ‘Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani’ released on November 6, 2009, and also starred Upen Patel, Darshan Jariwala and Smita Jaykar. Ranbir’s wistful performance and Katrina’s composed presence made the landscape feel romantic rather than uncomfortable.

13. Jo Haal Dil Ka - Sarfarosh

Snow is not essential for a miserable cold-weather shoot. Sonali Bendre recalled spending 10 days in real rain in Panhala while filming ‘Jo Haal Dil Ka’ with Aamir Khan. In an interview with Bollywood Bubble, reported by The Times of India, she described conditions cold enough that they rubbed brandy on their feet in an attempt to warm up. She also remembered the careful colour coordination between her costumes and Aamir’s shirts. The romance was meticulously planned; the prolonged soaking was much harder to enjoy.

Kumar Sanu and Alka Yagnik sang the Jatin–Lalit composition, with lyrics by Sameer. Directed by John Matthew Matthan, ‘Sarfarosh’ released on April 30, 1999, and also starred Naseeruddin Shah, Mukesh Rishi and Akhilendra Mishra. Its rain-drenched romance belongs here for the performers’ account of the cold, rather than any claim that it was filmed below zero.

The camera preserves the flowing saree, the perfect glance and the mountain backdrop. The shivering between takes usually disappears in the edit. Knowing these stories adds another layer to the songs: behind those warm, romantic memories were performers who often couldn’t wait to reach a blanket.