From Kainchi Dham to Italy: How Hanuman Ansh and Cocktail 2 Are Influencing Travel Trends

Hindi cinema is doing more than entertaining audiences in 2026. Two films from very different genres are drawing attention to real-world destinations: devotional drama Hanuman Ansh has coincided with a surge in visitors to Kainchi Dham in Uttarakhand, while Cocktail 2, starring Shahid Kapoor, Kriti Sanon and Rashmika Mandanna, is helping put Italy back on the travel wish list of Indian moviegoers.

The scale of the developments is striking. Kainchi Dham has faced heavy crowds and traffic congestion, while travel platform ixigo has reported a 38% year-on-year increase in bookings to and from Italy since Cocktail 2 was released, according to a statement attributed to its Group CEO, Aloke Bajpai

Together, the two cases illustrate how films can influence travel decisions, even when the destinations appeal to completely different motivations.

Hanuman Ansh and the Growing Crowds at Kainchi Dham

Hanuman Ansh, directed by Vishal Chaturvedi, tells a spiritual story inspired by Neem Karoli Baba. Released in theatres on August 7, 2026, the film follows a young boy's spiritual journey and search for a deeper connection with Ram. Its success has brought renewed attention to the saint and his ashram at Kainchi Dham, near Nainital in Uttarakhand.

The increased interest has coincided with a major rise in visitors to the pilgrimage site. A ground report published by ThePrint on October 7, citing district administration figures, stated that Kainchi Dham received 24.34 lakh visitors during the first six months of 2026. The report described the film as one factor contributing to the destination's growing popularity, alongside social media and celebrity interest.

The crowds became particularly challenging around the Gandhi Jayanti long weekend in early October. Narrow mountain roads, limited parking and pressure on local facilities made movement difficult in and around the shrine.

The popularity of a film can bring economic opportunities to a destination, but Kainchi Dham's experience also highlights a practical concern: a pilgrimage site may not have the roads, waste-management facilities and visitor infrastructure required to accommodate a sudden increase in footfall.

Tourism Benefits Come With Infrastructure Challenges

The growing number of visitors has created opportunities for hotels, homestays, restaurants, taxi operators and roadside businesses around Kainchi Dham, Bhowali, Bhimtal and Nainital.

However, ThePrint reported that the rush also disrupted essential supplies and placed pressure on local roads, parking facilities and the surrounding environment. Some accommodation providers reportedly raised room prices during the busiest period.

For local residents, the issue is not simply the number of tourists. It is whether the area can manage those visitors without making everyday life more difficult for people who live and work there.

Authorities have begun considering measures to manage the crowds. A report published by ThePrint on October 8, citing officials, said Nainital district administration had decided to introduce shuttle services during weekends and festivals. A visitor-registration system was also being planned for consideration.

These proposals underline an important distinction: the challenge is not whether a destination should welcome visitors, but how it can accommodate growing demand safely and sustainably.

Cocktail 2 Brings Italy Into the Spotlight

While Hanuman Ansh is associated with spiritual tourism within India, Cocktail 2 offers a very different travel appeal.

The romantic drama features Shahid Kapoor, Kriti Sanon and Rashmika Mandanna, with portions of the film set against locations in Italy. The landscapes and city settings provide audiences with a visual introduction to destinations that may inspire future holidays.

According to the Bombay Times report cited by Bollywood Hungama, ixigo Group CEO Aloke Bajpai said bookings to and from Italy on the platform had increased by 38% year on year since the film's release.

The figure is a platform-specific booking comparison, not proof that the film alone caused the entire increase. Seasonal travel demand, flight availability, pricing and other factors can also affect bookings. Nevertheless, the reported rise provides a useful indication of the potential relationship between on-screen destinations and travel interest.

The effect is not entirely new. Hindi films have long used international locations to create a sense of aspiration. Switzerland became closely associated with romantic Bollywood imagery, while Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara helped bring Spain's landscapes and road-trip appeal to a wide Indian audience. 3 Idiots also brought widespread attention to Pangong Lake in Ladakh.

Cocktail 2 continues this tradition for a new generation of moviegoers, using Italy's scenery as part of its cinematic appeal.

Why Film Tourism Works?

The connection between entertainment and travel goes beyond seeing a beautiful location on screen.

A film can introduce viewers to a place they may not have considered visiting. A devotional story can encourage audiences to learn more about a spiritual figure or pilgrimage site. A romantic drama can turn streets, coastlines and historic towns into settings viewers want to experience for themselves.

Social media can reinforce this effect. Audiences share scenes, recreate film-inspired photographs and search for the locations where particular sequences were shot. The destination becomes part of the experience surrounding the film.

But the two examples also reveal that the results can differ significantly. International travel demand can generate business for airlines, hotels and local tourism operators. A sudden surge at a small religious site, meanwhile, can place immediate pressure on limited infrastructure.

The benefits of film tourism therefore depend partly on how prepared a destination is to receive visitors.

The Celebrity Hour Take

Hanuman Ansh and Cocktail 2 demonstrate two different ways cinema can influence travel. One connects viewers with a spiritual destination in Uttarakhand; the other showcases Italian locations as part of a contemporary romantic drama.

The reported 38% rise in Italy bookings is a notable commercial signal, while the crowds at Kainchi Dham show why increased visibility also requires careful planning. Neither example means a film is solely responsible for a destination's popularity, but both suggest that entertainment can play a meaningful role in shaping what audiences want to experience beyond the screen.

For filmmakers, locations can become part of a story's lasting appeal. For tourism businesses, that attention can create opportunities. For local authorities and residents, the priority is ensuring that growing interest does not overwhelm the places people have travelled to see.

The wider lesson is that a film's influence may continue long after audiences leave the cinema. Sometimes, the next chapter of the story begins when viewers decide to visit the destination themselves.