Sunday Times 2
Mayor says London can be a Bollywood star
View(s):MUMBAI, Nov 29 (AFP) – London Mayor Boris Johnson on Thursday called for more big-budget Bollywood movies to be shot in the British capital as he met Indian film executives during a tour of Mumbai to drum up investment.
“Film-making is massively important to both our cities and we need to build on the momentum that already exists,” Johnson said, promoting London as the perfect location for India’s song-and-dance spectaculars.
“I want to make it as easy as possible to film in the city, whether you want to feature an iconic landmark as a backdrop (or) take advantage of our second to none post-production facilities,” he said.
Johnson announced that two Indian films would be shot in London next year, “Housefull 3″ starring Akshay Kumar and “Kick” starring Salman Khan, with post-production also being done in the capital’s Soho district.
Many Bollywood plotlines feature Indians living abroad, and the city played a leading role in the 2007 hit “Namastey London” starring half-British pin-up Katrina Kaif.
Late director Yash Chopra’s use of Swiss mountain backdrops in his Bollywood films made Switzerland a holiday destination of choice for well-heeled Indians.
Much of Chopra’s final film, “Jab Tak Hai Jaan” starring Shah Rukh Khan, is also set in London.
Follow @timesonlinelk
Related Posts:
A soldier with a double lifeThe last movie directed by Bollywood cinema giant Yash Chopra, ‘Jab Tak Hai Jaan’ (Till There is Life), starring Shahrukh ...
A tale of a Tiger‘Ek Tha Tiger’ (There was a Tiger) , a Bollywood romantic action thriller directed by Kabir Khan and produced by ...
Mumbai murals recall old Bollywood as centenary nearsMUMBAI, (AFP) Frustrated by the lack of old Bollywood glamour on the streets of Mumbai, two film buffs are trying ...
‘Creative export’ Priyanka Chopra flying highSuperstar and close friend Shah Rukh Khan recently called actress Priyanka Chopra the country's first creative export. Apart from her hugely ...
India’s first Playmate says she’s a pioneerThe first Indian woman to pose naked for Playboy magazine says she is proud to have pushed the envelope in ...