Kiwis woo Bollywood with exotic locations

Kiwis woo Bollywood with exotic locations
M S M DESAI

MARCH 12: Tired of seeing heroes and heroines cavorting in the same, old Swiss locales of Bollywood busters? Well, you might just get to see Kiwi country. New Zealand is making a concerted bid to woo Indian film producers to use the scenic island as a backdrop for their films. Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Phil Goff along with officials of the New Zealand High Commission, met Shakti Samanta, President of Film Federation of India, Tilak Raj Magan, Secretary General and Supran Sen, Secretary FFI and said their country had far more picturesque locales than Switzerland. They offered their full support to Indian producers who chose to shoot in New Zealand.

Shakti Samanta said many foreign countries have made a beeline to Bollywood producers and directors. ``Since India is the largest film producing country in the world and Indian films continue to be very popular abroad several countries have sought to boost their tourist trade through Indian films. South Africa, British Columbia and Malaysia are some of the countries which have already approached film producers and offered to extend all facilities. We explained to the New Zealand delegation that one major problem is the distance and asked for concessions in air fare. We also need them to give out on hire at reasonable rates equipment like cranes, camera, lights, trolleys and other such heavy studio stuff which cannot be taken out of the country.''

Samanta also asked for a single window system to obtain permission to shoot in the country.

The Minister assured the Federation that the equipment needed for shooting would be provided at a reasonable rate and a one-window system also could be arranged. The Trade Commissioner said they were considering opening an office of the Consulate in Mumbai to cater to the needs of film producers to obtain visas. The Minister said New Zealand was planning to start international film festivals in which there would be a separate section for Indian films.

Supran Sen, secretary of the FFI said he had also met Elinor Caplan, Canadian Minister for Citizenship and Immigration last Friday who too had invited Indian producers to shoot in Canada as Indian films were very popular. Though several producers had come in the past to shoot in Canada, some of the crew members had stayed back and tried to settle there illegally. She wanted FFI to certify the bonafides of Indian producers coming to Canada to shoot and give an assurance that no member of the unit would try to stay back and settles there illegally.

Sen told her that though FFI can issue certificates guaranteeing the bonafides of the Indian film producers wanting to shoot in Canada, it couldn't guarantee that no unit members would stay back. It is up to the Canadian government to see that immigrants leave the country after the expiry of their visas.