The most extensive preparation that I have ever did before a trip was definitely done for India. Besides the classic travel content checklists I have for each trip, this time around I also spend quite some time to research various movies and books set in or portraying India.
MOVIES
Before reaching Pune, during the trip and even when I got back home, my movie list was dominated by Indian titles. PK (2014) became one of my favorite movies of all time instantly, as I have not seen anything else which ties so well together the characteristics of India.
Also with this occasion, I discovered Aamir Khan, a proper superstar in the Asian continent and portraying the main character in most of the classics below.
- The Story of India (2007)
- The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2011)
- The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel: Behind the Story: Lights, Colours and Smiles (2012)
- 3 Idiots (2009)
- Gandhi (1982)
- Dangal (2016)
- Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India (2001)
- Mumbai Diaries (2010)
- PK (2014)
- Rang De Basanti (2006)
- Badhaai Ho (2018)
BOOKS
I managed to read The White Tiger just before leaving for India and I could not recommend it enough as an easy entry level book to the Indian culture.
- The Home and the World by Rabindranath Tagore (2005)
- The White Tiger by Aravind Adiga (2008)
- Gandhi: An autobiography by Mahatma Gandhi (1993)
MAP
The photos in the next section have been taken in the following places:
PHOTOS
The photos below have been captured over a period of five weeks in late 2018 in Pune, Mumbai, New Delhi and Agra.
Observing the world 