April Fool's Day is here, and instead of making a fool of someone, we decided to take a look at all the times when the public has been deceived about Goa.
If you're one of those people who came to Goa after watching Bollywood movies and ended up being disappointed because Goa's portrayal on the big screen is not entirely true, then we totally get you!
Most times, Goa is either misunderstood or misrepresented onscreen.
Bollywood films have hyped the stereotypical views about Goa so much that it is hard to picture Goa in that manner when you actually visit the place.
For instance, Goa is always portrayed as a land of beaches, which is far from the truth. There is no doubt that there are wonderful beaches in Goa, but there is much more besides that. It is for this reason that the hashtag 'beyond beaches' has become a trend nowadays.
And then, there's the common notion that Goa is a spot that's exclusively for parties and beaches! Oh, come on, we can list several better reasons to love Goa.
Amid this mess, which is routinely created by the filmi world, we'd like to clear the confusion and break free from the stereotypical hogwash that Goa is regularly being made a victim of.
1. 'W' AND ST SEBASTIAN GARDEN
If you've come to Goa in search of the 'W', shown in the movie, Dhamaal, and which has huge amounts of cash hidden underneath it, then I hate to break this to you, but there are no coconut trees in the shape of a 'W' in Goa!
The only 'W' in Goa is the luxury hotel, W, situated in Chapora, North Goa. In addition to that, there is no 'St Sebastian Garden', at least not in Panjim.
Instead, what you can do on your next visit to Goa is check out the St Sebastian Chapel, in Fontainhas, Panjim, which is very beautiful!
So, next time you come to Goa in search of 'W', be prepared to be disappointed and not find any such coconut trees.
2. DEAR ZINDAGI ROAD?
Believe us, the number of people who have visited, or still visit, the 'Parra road' (which is the real name of the place) after watching Alia Bhatt and Shah Rukh Khan cycle in Dear Zindagi movie, is unbelievable!
Firstly, the real name of the road is not Dear Zindgai Road, but 'Parra road'. The local people call such places, in Goa, as madani.
Secondly, there are many places in Goa, where the roads are lined with coconut trees on either sides.
(Tip: Take a leisurely drive around Goa's interiors, and you are bound to find long stretches of roads, bordered by coconut trees).
3. WINE, WOMEN AND SONG
All of us have danced to the song Goa, Wale Beach Pe ... baby Aankhein Meech Ke...Thandi Thandi Beer Piyenge... But, do we really need a song that portrays Goa in such a distasteful light?
Goa isn't merely about beaches, babes and free-flowing booze. There is so much more to it than this false image about Goa that is shown on the big screen.
Goa is home to some stunning historical sites, beautiful places to see, music, etc. So, why is Goa always misrepresented?
The film, Dum Maro Dum, where Bollywood actress Bipasha Basu's lines, "Here in Goa, liquor is cheap, but girls are cheaper," sparked a storm as Goa's womenfolk were shown in a derogatory light.
We don't deny that there are people with these names, but Goans definitely have other names, and these are scarcely used in the movies.
So, the next time you come to Goa, don't be startled when you hear 'unfamiliar' names such as Carlos, Luis, Vilas, Ravina, etc...
