Did You Know? A Bollywood Movie Was Filmed in Jeita Grotto

After the recent controversy surrounding a wedding held inside Jeita Grotto, which resulted in the temporary closure of the caves for inspection, public debate has reignited around the importance of respecting and protecting the country’s natural heritage.

But few people know that this isn’t the first time the fragile rock formations have been mistreated. In fact, back in 1977, the Bollywood film Chandi Sona was partly shot inside the grotto.

Jeita Grotto, the Backdrop to a 10-Minute Dance Number

The film features a nearly ten-minute dance sequence filmed deep within the grotto. The scene includes dancing, loud singing, and bright artificial lighting reflecting off the fragile stalactites, all echoing through the cave’s natural chambers.

The actors climb, touch, and literally dance on the rock formations…behavior that would be unthinkable today. It’s hard not to cringe knowing the environmental damage these activities probably caused.

Irrevesible Damage…Again

Filming inside such a sensitive ecosystem was clearly inappropriate. Loud noise, harsh lighting, and constant movement can all disrupt the cave’s humidity and temperature levels, potentially damaging formations that took millions of years to develop.

Experts have long warned that vibrations and light exposure can permanently damage the cave’s calcite structures. The scene is the perfect example of how little awareness there was (and is, lol) about environmental conservation.

Lebanese engineer, artist, and sculptor Ghassan Klink discovered the upper cave of the grotto in 1958, and it officially opened to visitors in 1969.

The lower cave dates back even further. It was first explored in the 1830s by American missionary William Thomson.

That means when Chandi Sona was filmed, the grotto had only been open to the public for less than a decade. This makes the decision to shoot a full-scale musical inside it even more upsetting.

What’s This Movie Even About?

Sanjay Khan directed and produced the Hindi adventure film Chandi Sona, released in 1977. The story follows a group of treasure hunters searching for gold and jewels buried beneath the tomb of Shahenshah Chandi Sona.

Their quest leads them to dig tunnels and explore mysterious underwater caverns. The scenes filmed in Jeita Grotto represent the depths of those tunnels.

The film currently holds a 5.9/10 rating, which, honestly, feels generous given what it put the caves through.

Let’s Give Jeita Grotto a Break…Please

Today, the Chandi Sona sequence serves as a reminder of how fragile Lebanon’s natural heritage truly is. Decades ago, environmental awareness and regulations were not as strict, but now, there’s no excuse.

The grotto should never be treated as a movie set…or a wedding venue. Preserving it for future generations is the only way to honor this natural wonder.