Centre of Historic and Contemporary Appeal: Vasai Fort

Among the number of forts that hold a vital position in the country, the Vasai Fort is one such place. Famously known for being the filming site for rock-band Coldplay’s ‘Hymn for the Weekend’ song, the Vasai Fort has a historic and contemporary appeal as well. Here is a short account.

Vasai Fort source: Film Facilitation office

With countless trees of the palm species circumambulating the area and the nearby scent of the sea, the Vasai Fort or the crumbling Bassein Fort doesn’t just showcase the excellency of the coastal ruins but also depicts an enriching past. Hidden behind the number of coconut trees like a treasure trove, the Vasai Fort, with moss flanking its exterior, tells its age and stories of yore. Famously known as the site for band Coldplay’s ‘Hymn for the Weekend’ location, Fort Bassein is a ruined fort whose remnants are visited by many.

Constructed during the Indo-Portuguese period, the fort was formerly known as the Fort of St. Sebastian. While the exterior has weathered serious damage, the internal structure remains still the same. The high ceiling to the arches emanating European influences gives it a memorable look. The interior has stood the test of time, and many tourists who travel some fifty kilometres from Mumbai to look at this tower, even climb the staircases, unwavered by the possibility that the structure may cave in.

The carved stones and facades that hint at the intricately designed architecture also allude to the effervescence of the structure. Adorned with carved stones, the arch within the fort stands as one of the most remarkable features. With chisel marks still visible for people to see, the design undertaken by the Portuguese can still be seen in traces. There are three chapels within the fort that have stood the test of time. With a typical facade adorning 17th-century churches, the chapels are yet another strikingly different characteristic of the fort.

While the fort is visited by tourists, the largely noticeable absence of human civilization is clearly visible in the number of plants, animals and reptiles that have made its wide expanse their home. Emanating the essence of a time gone and yet a time come to a halt, the Vasai Fort remains one of the most visited sights by people around Bombay.

Over the years, the sight has become a favourite for creative teams in cinema. With the semi-destructed structure giving the right backdrop for the vision of the production team, the Vasai Fort has been chosen time and again as the filming location for several Hindi movies. Films like ‘Pyaar Tune Kya Kiya’, ‘Lagwa Do’ ‘Lukka Chuppi’ have been shot here. And so, the fort that was once the centre of administration and military strategies, now rests as a remnant of a time gone.