(Image source from: Hindi cinema's passionate affair with Gujarat})

Bollywood is in love. We're not talking about a sensuous actress here, but the alluring aridness that is Gujarat. The state has weaved an unforgettable spell on Hindi film makers, who can't seem to stay away from its vast mysteries. Be it 'The Good Road' or the upcoming 'Ramleela', there is something special about Bollywood's favorite Desi destination.

Forget Yash Raj's chilly Switzerland. Here is our very own and very Indian cinema destination that is sure to make you hot and eager. Gujarat has ignited the passions of several filmy couples, the most prominent of which include Refugee, 3 Idiots and the very colorful Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam. It's hard to pick the best, and yet one can't help but notice how sandy Gujarat transforms into a lively kingdom through Sanjay Leela Bhansali's lens.

In Ramleela, the magic has been revisited and the trailers promise many forbidden pleasures. Gujarat is close to Bollywood and just geographically. From India's Oscar entry to an endearing Kai Po Che, the state is turning into a lucky trademark for Hindi films. And then there was Lagaan. Did you feel the goosebumps that I'm feeling too? Yes, the film is more about the grand view of a mysterious village and less about the foreign presence. Gujarat is where small becomes big, in the eyes of a Bollywood film maker.

The Good Road is now taking Amithabh Bachchan's 'discover Gujarat' campaign to a new level. It is not just us, but also Hollywood, gearing up to discover the state's many charms. With the release of Ramleela, passion is about to get very naked against an enticing background.

AW: Sruthi