Nilofer Ansari
The search for new exotic locations, this is what “Hollywood and “ Bollywood” have in common and quite recently representatives of both have paid a special visit to Georgia, a new eastern European filming destination. “Bollywood” puts an accent on the finest place of Georgia. With Bollywood filmmakers keen on exploring newer filming locations, Georgia turns out to be the next filming hotspot for Bollywood.Recently many Bollywood film representatives visited Georgia to explore new filming locations, existing infrastructure, meet local production service companies and hear all the benefits that the government of Georgia has on offer. At the same time Ms. Ketevan Bochorishvili, vice minister of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia who had visited India in April 2016, meeting representatives of over 25 filmmaking houses and acquainting them with the efficient cash rebate system that Georgia offers filmmakers, and the rebate is coupled with amazing locations, fusion of European, medieval, soviet architecture and the qualified crew on the spot. This visit significantly increased interest towards Georgia.
In frames of “Film in Georgia” program, run by Enterprise Georgia and partnering with National Film Centre, two Bollywood movies have already been filmed in Georgia, which involved about 500 local and foreign actors. Filmmakers, brothers Abbas and Mustan Burmawalla, crew and actors of their new film Machine have spent 65 days in Georgia shooting scenes for the film, which is slated for release on February 17, 2017.Enterprise Georgia hosted a FAM tour of Bollywood producers, who were given an opportunity to scout most picturesque and amazing locations of the country, meet local production service companies and all top government officials associated with “Film in Georgia” program.
French European Indian Organization President Mr. Satish Reddy was seen interacting with top production houses in Tbilisi, Georgia. He said, “I am glad to enjoy extraordinary a hospitality from the representatives of Georgian Government and look forward to working with them soon.” Aashish Singh of Yash Raj Films was amazed with the Georgian state-run programme and will be soon start working on filming in Georgia , Malvika Khatri from Disney, Vikesh Bhutani from Excel Entertainment and CEO of Producers Guild of India Mr. Kulmeet Makkar were quite impressed with what Georgia has to offer and will surely start to consider Georgia as their next filming destination. Others who were present Film critics Mr. Taran Adarsh and Asif Merchant.
Sophio Bendiashvili, Head of Film in Georgia- Cash Rebate Program and Tatia Bidzinashvili Coordinator of Cash Rebate Program said, “It’s the best time to build strong business ties between the two countries and we do believe that soon Georgia will become the top eastern European Filming Destination”. Mr. Sanjay Pratap was seen hosting the party at his resort in Anaklia, Georgia.
