Foreign film-makers head to India

“Life of Pi”, “Eat, Pray, Love”, “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel”, “MI4”, “Singularity” and “Trishna” - the number of international projects being shot in India is on the rise. Is Indian exotica alone drawing big foreign film banners and stars to our country now?
In a recent interview, Michael Winterbottom, who shot for “Trishna” in India, had said, “When one is raising money for a film it’s helpful if you indicate that India is a part of it, somewhere or the other.This is because India is a successful country, it’s a booming country. So, when you talk for finances, you get it. A lot of people have seen Indian films and also international films set in India; so everyone knows that it’s an exciting place, big, new booming economy, so those aspects make it easy to raise money for the film.”
Dileep Singh Rathore, service producer and line producer of many international projects in India, says, “I have been attached to the shooting of Peter Weir’s “The Way Back” in Darjeeling and the Walt Disney film titled “Lilly The Witch: The Dragon and the Magic Book” in Rajasthan. Apart from the cost factor, India offers a unique look to movies. India is in fashion now. Besides, there are professional people who are well-equipped to handle the foreign productions here.”
Kolkata-born Houston-bred director Trisha Ray, whose “Sugarbaby” was shot in Kolkata, says, “Cost is not the only factor. Mexico too is a cheap destination. But there are chances of another kind of shooting happening simultaneously if you film there. Shooting in India is peaceful and stress-free. Besides, the India crew is at par with that of any international unit is also a crucial factor. With an Indian crew, you can be rest assured that you will get the job done within the stipulated time and budget.”
Another interesting aspect that’s emerging nowadays is that many foreign units are shooting in India though they are presenting it as an exotic location without calling it India per se. As a parting shot, Rathore says, “This is a new trend emerging. When “LTW” was shot in India, it was depicted as some exotic land. A lot many others are following the same path now.”