Architectural Heritage as Filming Location: View From Literature

Abstract

Using architectural heritage sites as filming locations is a longstanding practice linked to the parallel existence of the film industry and heritage discourse. It creates complex impacts on tourism, building protection, and association between heritage and its people. The moderate yet consistent recognition of the study of this phenomenon is found in the global Western context, but the available literature discusses limited practical learnings. The phenomenon regrettably remains underexplored, particularly in the Indian context. This review paper aims to illuminate the current understanding of this phenomenon internationally and rigorously within India through a comprehensive literature review. Owing to the overall scarcity of knowledge in this regard, the paper examines published and unpublished works across various discourses: Heritage Conservation, Film-Induced Tourism, Film and Architecture, and Films and Audiences. An integrated literature review framework highlights research gaps, while content analysis assesses existing Indian policies, particularly in Rajasthan, a key filming location. The critical paradigm position aids in summarizing pertinent research and practice gaps, corroborating the pressing need for further investigation in this area.