Sonar Kella & Jaisalmer Fort’s golden film career

In 1974, Satyajit Ray brought to life his iconic detective Feluda in the film Sonar Kella, based on the short story ‘The Golden Fortress’. Set against the backdrop of Jaisalmer Fort, the movie not only captivated audiences but also transformed the fort into an iconic tourist destination.

“Oi Dekho Sonar Kella….”. This dialogue needs no introduction for a movie buff or connoisseur. It is an iconic line from the legendary director Satyajit Ray’s 1974 film Sonar Kella, based on detective Feluda’s short story The Golden Fortress, published in 1971.

Recently, this Satyajit Ray-directed film, starring the late Soumitra Chatterjee as the iconic detective Pradosh Chandra Mitter, better known as Feluda, celebrated its 50th anniversary. The movie, which revolves around a mysterious plot of reincarnation, childlike naivety, and deceit, held its jubilee celebration at Paddapukur Road in Bhawanipore in Kolkata, one of the locations featured as Mukul’s neighbourhood in the film.

On the occasion of the golden jubilee anniversary, a special calendar was unveiled, featuring photos from the film’s shooting, lobby card booklets, Satyajit Ray‘s hand-drawn title cards, Feluda’s house plans, movie posters, and book covers.

But, miles away from Kolkata, the film’s main setting, the golden sandstone Jaisalmer Fort, known as Sonar Qila, also fascinated Ray. Set on the Tirkuta Hills and surrounded by the vast Thar Desert, the fort became the key location for the movie. Ray’s 1974 detective adventure film helped put Jaisalmer Fort on India’s tourist map.

Brief Snapshot of Jaisalmer Fort

Constructed by Bhatti Rajput ruler Rawal Jaisal in 1156 CE, the Jaisalmer Fort, is said to have been built on the advice of a local mystic who believed the site was blessed by Lord Krishna. According to the mystic, Lord Krishna’s blessing would render the fort invincible to its enemies.

True to this blessing, the fort’s location on Tirkuta Hill, surrounded by the vast Thar Desert, was considered a naturally well-protected site for the new stronghold.

Arun Purohit, a veteran tour guide in Jaisalmer, is President of the Jaisalmer Guide Welfare Association. He explains the unique aspects of the Golden Fortress.

“Integrating defence with aesthetics, the structure features intricately carved walls, detailed jharokhas or balconies, and a stunning courtyard, thus creating a perfect blend of artistry and functionality, Purohit tells Media India Group.

Crafted from yellow sandstone without the use of mortar and reinforced by 99 bastions and corner towers, the fort has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is part of a group of six historic forts in Rajasthan, alongside those in Chittorgarh, Kumbhalgarh, Sawai Madhopur, Jhalawar, and Jaipur, capital of Rajasthan.

What makes Jaisalmer Fort truly unique is that it is one of the few ‘living forts’ in the world. It is surrounded by a thriving city with shops, hotels, and homes where generations of families continue to reside to this day.

Impressed by the architecture of Jaisalmer Fort while shooting his fantasy film Goopy Gyne Bagha Byne in 1968, Ray decided to return in 1974 to shoot another film, where the fort itself became the central theme.

Impact of Satyajit Ray’s Film on Jaisalmer Fort

Despite Sonar Kella‘s release nearly 50 years ago, the film’s impact on the monument is still felt today. Mahendra Singh Rathore, President of the Rajasthan Association of Tour Operators and co-chairman of the Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO), Rajasthan Circle, highlights the film’s lasting influence on the fort.

“At that time, Rajasthan was not as popular a tourist destination, but after the movie’s release, people worldwide became aware of the forts, palaces, and the beauty of Jaisalmer and Rajasthan. Previously, Jaisalmer was known primarily for the desert, but after the film, it gained recognition for its many other attractions as well,” Rathore tells Media India Group.

Meanwhile, a four-day festival, Ramjhol 2.0, held from August 1-4, 2024, aimed to explore and celebrate the cultures of Rajasthan and West Bengal at the Kolkata Centre for Creativity. During the event, the director’s son, Sandip Ray, shared an anecdote about how tourists visiting Jaisalmer used to carry copies of Sonar Kella as guidebooks, reflecting the story’s influence during a time when affordable travel options were limited.

Recounting the lasting impact of the film, Purohit emphasises that both the story and the film played a crucial role in boosting the image of the city as a prominent tourist destination.

“Once a hidden city in India and the world, Jaisalmer gained global recognition through Satyajit Ray’s 1974 film Sonar Killa, based on his 1971 novel featuring the fictional detective Feluda. The film, shot in the Jaisalmer Fort area, significantly boosted the city’s image as a prominent tourism destination, not only in India but worldwide,” adds Purohit.

In 1975, Sonar Kella was nominated for the Gold Hugo Award at the Chicago International Film Festival in the Best Feature category. That same year, the film also won the Golden Lotus Award for Best Direction at India’s National Film Awards. Even today, many tourists online speak fondly of the time when, as fans of the prolific detective Feluda, they visited Jaisalmer Fort and felt as though they had discovered their roots.

Although exact data is unavailable, it is clear that both the story and the film have immortalised the monument and the city in the minds of readers, guides and film enthusiasts alike.

Rajasthan: Filmmakers’ favourite set

Rajasthan, with its grand royal palaces, majestic forts, and vast deserts, remains a popular destination for both national and international filmmakers, alongside Goa. Renowned directors like Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Christopher Nolan have showcased its iconic locations, such as Chittorgarh Fort in Padmaavat and Jodhpur’s Mehrangarh Fort in The Dark Knight Rises. Jaisalmer, too, has long been a favourite filming spot for movies like Border, Tashan, Sarfarosh, Lamhe and Mela, according to the Rajasthan Association of Tour Operators.

To further boost film tourism, the state launched the 2022 Film Tourism Promotion Policy, offering subsidies of up to INR 20 million for productions employing at least 15 pc local staff and waiving charges for filming at state-managed monuments. The policy also introduced a digital system to expedite clearances within 15 days.

With these initiatives gaining traction, Jaipur is set to host the prestigious 2025 IIFA Awards from March 7-9, enhancing Rajasthan’s appeal on the global stage, both as a tourist spot as well as a golden setting for any film.