Travel

Take a trip to the hot, stunning Indian setting that plays host to ITV’s new period drama Beecham House


IT’S being described as “Downton in Delhi” and ITV’s new period drama Beecham House is set to show India like it has never been seen before.

The series is set in 1795 and revolves around British soldier John Beecham (Tom Bateman) and a tissue of secrets, lies, war and love.

 New ITV period drama Beecham House is shot in the beautiful city of Jaipur

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New ITV period drama Beecham House is shot in the beautiful city of JaipurCredit: Getty

Expect sizzling storylines, as well as extraordinary scenery, glittering costumes and Indian architecture.

Writer and director Gurinder Chadha, who created award-winning film Bend It Like Beckham in 2004, reckons she knows exactly how to shoot in India to make it sparkle.

She says: “There are certain famous films, which I won’t name, that don’t look nearly as rich as Beecham House. I know India and how to get the best out of it.”

The cast admit that filming was challenging because of the heat, stomach bugs, noise and crowds.

 It stars Tom Bateman as British soldier John Beecham, who buys a house in the hope of starting a new life with his family

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It stars Tom Bateman as British soldier John Beecham, who buys a house in the hope of starting a new life with his familyCredit: ITV

But they also found shooting in and around Jaipur — capital of the Rajasthan region in the north — was unforgettable.

Bollywood star Pallavi Sharda, an Australian, plays a mysterious friend to John Beecham, and says: “Rajasthan is the image we conjure up when we think of India.

“It’s the beautiful desert, with camels and turbans — and that light. If you conjure up India in your mind, you’re probably thinking of Rajasthan without realising it.

“But India’s so diverse — every 300km the language, outfits and landscapes change.”

 Adil Ray recommends using Jaipur as your base on holiday so you can easily head off to explore other areas such as Delhi

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Adil Ray recommends using Jaipur as your base on holiday so you can easily head off to explore other areas such as DelhiCredit: Getty

Tom, who stars in most scenes in the drama, says: “I was lucky because I got to see every location — from Jaipur Palace to the Taj Mahal.

“All the places that would be on your list if you visited the region as a tourist.

“I spent two weeks filming at The Amber Fort, which is about 40 minutes from Jaipur up a mountain. The view is incredible.

“It almost looked like the Great Wall of China, with this amazing wall snaking through beautiful gardens.”

 Writer and director Gurinder Chada says her dual heritage means she knows exactly how to shoot in India to make it sparkle

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Writer and director Gurinder Chada says her dual heritage means she knows exactly how to shoot in India to make it sparkleCredit: Getty

Bessie Carter, who plays Margaret, a potential love interest for John, says she took advantage of all her time off to explore the region.

She says: “A lot of the hotels are former palaces, which are beautiful.

“I remember staying in Samode Bagh, which is just outside Jaipur, in this beautiful fort, and walking to work through these beautiful gardens and lawns, looking at the peacocks roaming around and the monkeys in the trees.

“On one day off, I went to the holy city of Pushkar, about three hours from Jaipur, where they have the camel fair. It has about 300 temples.

 Pallavi Sharda says: 'If you conjure up India in your mind, you’re probably thinking of Rajasthan without realising it'

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Pallavi Sharda says: ‘If you conjure up India in your mind, you’re probably thinking of Rajasthan without realising it’Credit: ITV

“You go into a temple, take your shoes off and give an offering, and that was extraordinary.”

Adil Ray, star of BBC sitcom Citizen Khan, plays nobleman Murad Beg. But Adil has struggled to get a visa to visit India before because he is of Pakistani heritage.

He says: “I loved Delhi more than anything — such a great city, rich in history. The same in Mumbai — it is very cosmopolitan and social.

 The six-parter starts tomorrow night and will show many of the stunning locations India has to offer

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The six-parter starts tomorrow night and will show many of the stunning locations India has to offerCredit: Getty

“I was keen to get around more but it’s such a vast country. There’s plenty to explore within even just one region.”

For the perfect holiday, Adil would recommend using Jaipur as your base and then exploring other areas by a mixture of car and aeroplane.

Go: India

Getting/staying there: Wendy Wu Tours offer nine days full-board on An Indian Wedding tour from £2,790 per person.

Price includes return flights to Delhi and a stay at Samode Bagh – one of the show’s iconic locations – as well as an invitation to a real Indian wedding. For more information, see wendywutours.co.uk.

More information: Beecham House will be shown on ITV tomorrow and Monday, June 24, at 9pm.

He says: “There’s a little trip you can do that is Jaipur, Jodphur, Udaipur, Agra and Delhi.

“The internal flights are so cheap — an hour-long flight might only be £20 if you go at the right time.

“Some people drive around but I don’t recommend it.”

ITV release new Beecham House trailer







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