ABU DHABI A number of Bollywood film studios are eyeing Abu Dhabi’s pristine deserts and modern architecture as filming locations, Paul Baker, Executive Director of twofour54 Intaj, told XPRESS..
“There are a number of projects in the pipeline. We have got a lot of requests,” Baker said, declining to name production units expected in the emirate shortly.
However, he said while Bolly-wood is showing a growing interest in shooting in Abu Dhabi, the emirate is also keen to leverage the Bollywood connect to boost tourism.
“We are forging a very strong relationship with Bollywood. Just two and a half hours away, we have five daily direct flights connecting to the biggest production centre in the planet.”
“When Abu Dhabi is trying to attract more Indian tourists, what better way to do it than have Bollywood superstars Hrithik Roshan, Katrina Kaif or Akshay Kumar whizzing around Yas Marina Circuit or other locations.”
Baker was referring to the Bollywood blockbuster Bang Bang which was shot in Abu Dhabi. Various locations including the Corniche, Liwa oasis, Hyatt Capital Gate Hotel, Qasr Al Sarab, Emirates Palace and Yas Island were heavily featured in the movie.
More recently, another Bolly-wood action thriller, Baby, starring superstar Akshay Kumar was shot in Abu Dhabi.
Hollywood calling
Hollywood cameras are also panning in on Abu Dhabi after Disney’s Star Wars: Episode VII and Universal’s Fast and Furious 7 capitalised on Abu Dhabi’s fantastic locations and world class production facilities offered by twofour54.
Abu Dhabi has been named a top international location for film production in the latest issue of Hollywood-based online magazine P3 Update, putting the UAE capital among the ranks of cities in Australia, Canada and Germany.
The Hollywood-based digital publication said vibrant locations inspired by Arab heritage and year-round sunny skies make Abu Dhabi “like no place on Earth.”
Producers are also enticed by the Abu Dhabi Film Commission’s 30 per cent production rebate which has no funding cap and covers all qualifying spend. Flm and entertainment website Hollywood Reporter reckons the UAE capital is “poised to become Hollywood’s go-to locale in the Middle East”.
Baker said the unique combination of great locations, production rebate, world class production facilities and support by the local government have laid the foundation for strong relationship with regional and international production units. “We are extremely focused on the continuity of growth of production work both in terms of indigenous and international productions. Our dream is to be as busy as possible, to provide as many production days as possible. That will provide infrastructure growth and drive more people into the fledgling film industry in the UAE,” he added.
