Kochi is a port city on the Arabian Sea, historically known as Cochin. It is famous for Fort Kochi, Mattancherry, and the backwaters.
Kochi lies within Ernakulam district, so the names are often used interchangeably.
Ernakulam is considered the commercial capital of Kerala, with offices, shopping, and transport hubs.
For locals, “Ernakulam” usually means the mainland commercial hub, while “Kochi” refers to the coastal port and heritage zones. Together, they form the Kochi Metropolitan Area, one of India’s fastest‑growing urban regions.
Kochi Metro links Ernakulam Town to Kochi in ~20 minutes. Kochi Metro runs from Ernakulam Town (Maharajas College station) to Kochi areas.
Movies shot in and around Kochi -
- Angamaly Diaries is set in Angamaly, a town in Ernakulam district, ~39 km northeast of Kochi.
- Premam (2015) is a romantic drama starring Nivin Pauly and Sai Pallavi.
- Charlie (2015) stars Dulquer Salmaan and Parvathy, with the vibrant lanes of Fort Kochi and Mattancherry playing a central role in the story. It won Kerala State Film Awards and became a cult favorite.
- Chef (2017, Hindi) is Saif Ali Khan’s remake of the Hollywood film. Parts of the movie were filmed in Kochi, highlighting Kerala’s vibrant food culture.
- Ezra (2017) is a horror thriller starring Prithviraj Sukumaran. It is filmed in Kochi’s Jewish quarters and heritage buildings.
- Mammootty’s gangster drama Bheeshma Parvam (2022) is shot extensively in Kochi’s neighborhoods, highlighting family feuds and power struggles.
- Kallan D’Souza (2022) is a Malayalam action‑comedy film set in Kochi, following the misadventures of a small‑time thief who gets entangled in unexpected situations.