250-member Indian crew to shoot “Bombay Velvet” in Sri Lanka
View(s):A 250-strong Indian film crew led by talented actor Ranbir Kapoor will spend millions of rupees and use some 11,000 room nights between July-September to shoot an ambitious movie in Sri Lanka.
Indian film director Anurag Kashyap is using Sri Lanka as a location for the movie “Bombay Velvet” to be shot at Serendib Studio at the Ranminithenna Tele Village in Hambantota.
The Information and Media Ministry has entered into an agreement with Phantom Films Pvt. Ltd of India to provide facilities for the movie from next month, Ministry Secretary Dr. Charitha Herath said.
He noted that four acres have been allocated at the tele village to put up sets to recreate old Bombay. Around Rs 260 million will be spent by the Indian producers to recreate the Bombay of the 1950s through ’70s, the period in which the story is set.The set designing is nearing completion by Sonal Sawant with the assistance of Sri Lankan and Indian teams, he revealed. The ministry has called for expressions of interest from reputed organisations to provide hotel room facilities and air tickets for 250 people.
Dr. Herath disclosed that the selection of suitable organisations will be made in a transparent manner following proper government procedures.
The cost of accommodation will be around Rs. 50 to Rs. 60 million, he said adding that the amount will be determined after the selection of the relevant organization.
The selected organization should arrange 11,000 room nights in Colombo, Galle and Tissamaharama for the visiting crew negotiating charges with local hotels and provide 230 economy class and 30 business class air tickets.
Phantom Films will carry out a massive publicity and advertising campaign to promote the film worldwide at a cost of US$ 8 million and it will help to boost the Sri Lanka’s Serendib studio (at the tele village) and tourism industry as well, he said. In addition, accommodation facilities will be provided for the Indian crew in 143 rooms at Ranminithenna Tele Village.
The film features Mr. Kapoor, Anushka Sharma, K.K. Menon and Naseeruddin Shah in lead roles.
Unlike Mumbai, where the monsoon is from mid-June to mid-September, the weather in Sri Lanka during that time is comparatively dry. That is why the Indian producer has selected Sri Lanka for this production, Dr. Herath said.
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