Our Marigold Hotel and Khempur Story

Advised by a woman we meet in Goa about the village and hotel where the Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (British comedy/drama) was filmed, we connect with the owner and a mini adventure unfolds:

Ravla Khempur is an equestrian estate/palace in the village of Khempur (1.5 hours outside of Udaipur) owned and run by Hemant, a descendent of a tribal chieftain. The place dates back to the 1600’s; today it runs as a hotel, and equestrian and breeding centre of its beautiful marwari horses.

The fascinating story of Khemphur can be read on their website:

http://www.ravlakhempur.com

Hemant says we qualify.

The place is other-worldly; we are the only staying guests (a few come on day visit). It is already low season.

Roaming the grounds and buildings.

As this was the setting for much of the Best Exotic Marigold Hotel 2011, (as well as its 2015 sequel, The Second Best….) we watched the movies, with a curious marwari stallion periodically checking in on us:

The hotel has sixteen of these magnificent animals in various colours:

Note the trademark Marwari inward turning ears can go in opposite direction as well!

Our hotel common areas that seemed like ours alone:

Key hooks, door hardware, reception wall cabinet of a bygone era.

Serenity

And then…

We are told a film Desert Dolphin, (www.indb.com) India’s first skateboarding film, is being shot at the hotel the next day. Expect alot of action.

Are we interested in participating in a yoga scene that has just been added to the script? They need a yoga instructor (with a few lines) and a few tourists for extras.

We go for it.

Top: skate boarding park built for movie and for local village kids; bottom: ready or not… nerves: mostly not.

Scene shooting; and, director Manjari Makijany with Amrit Maghera as Jessica.

It’s all been a blast. An adventure – being at a particular place at a particular time – that we won’t easily forget.

See you at the movies! The director hopes to have the film shown at Tiff, if not this year, then next.