The magic of legendary filmmaker Satyajit Ray’s 1974 classic Sonar Kella (The Golden Fortress) still echoes in Jaisalmer. Even 51 years later, the film continues to draw thousands of Bengali tourists to the Golden Fort, turning this desert city into a “mini Bengal” every October.
After the film’s release, Bengalis developed a deep fascination for the fort, which Ray had showcased as both mysterious and majestic. Since the 1980s, this fascination has translated into an annual wave of tourism — with nearly 30,000 visitors expected this year alone, generating business worth nearly ₹60 crore for local hotels, guides, and traders by Diwali.
The Fort That Became a Star
Ray, captivated by the architecture and “living fort” of Jaisalmer, shot most of Sonar Kella within its golden sandstone walls. The suspense thriller, based on his own 1971 novel, follows detective Feluda (played by Soumitra Chatterjee) as he investigates a boy’s mysterious visions of a past life inside the fort. The film not only cemented Feluda as a cult figure but also immortalized Jaisalmer in the Bengali imagination.
Tourism with a Bengali Touch
During this festive season, Jaisalmer resonates with Bengali voices, eateries offer fish and sweets to suit their palate, and local businesses prepare special packages. “These tourists are known for their simplicity and travel in groups with umbrellas, hats, and sunglasses. Their loyalty has been sustaining local tourism for decades,” said Anand Singh Tanwar, a tourism entrepreneur.
For the people of Bengal, visiting Jaisalmer isn’t just sightseeing — it’s a nostalgic journey into Ray’s cinematic world. And for Jaisalmer, Sonar Kella remains more than a film: it is a cultural bridge connecting the Thar Desert with Bengal’s literary and cinematic heritage.