· First time SLTPB collaborated with Bollywood to shoot in Sri Lanka
By Mewati Sitaram
Under the film tourism promotions, Sri Lanka Tourism has taken the initiative to welcome the first Bollywood’s top film Production Houses representing makers of blockbusters including Padmaavat, Bajirao Mastani, Gully Boy, Air Lift, Batla House, Lust Stories, Archies and Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway to feature Sri Lankan locations, local culture & talent in Bollywood creations.
Film maker Shobha Sant lighting traditional lamp
These film makers visited Sri Lanka covering Colombo, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Ella, Hambantota and Kalutara. The producers will be searching for fresh locations (both manmade & natural) for shooting their upcoming films and OTT web series. Also, they have undertaken several key meetings with Sri Lanka Tourism Officials along with other government agencies and film industry partners to further discuss possible incentives and local support for filming in Sri Lanka.
India is world’s largest film producer over taking all the other popular cinemas including Hollywood. Annually India creates over 2000 films and many OTT (web) series.
Bollywood film maker with Chaminda Munasinghe of SLTPB
The focus of this promotion is to increase overall destination awareness about film shooting in Sri Lanka, among production house executives representing key Indian film / OTT production houses of Bollywood, and encourage Indian filmmakers to choose film locations along with the relevant services from international film service providers here.
As a result of facilitating Indian Film & OTT productions in Sri Lanka, tourism industry expects to generate a greater amount of foreign income via hospitality, transportation, and various other logistical services. Most importantly, popularizing Sri Lankan locations, local culture and way of life via the Indian entertainment industry, influences Indian travelers to visit Sri Lanka as a must-visit Holiday Destination.
Shobha Sant who’s the Head of Film Content at Jio Studios stated that “I am amazed by the beauty of Sri Lanka and am touched by its hospitality, warmth and personal attention we have received. I will make sincere effort to come back here for a Film Shoot. The service, food culture and environment of Sri Lanka is very similar to India. With the right support from the local film industry and government bodies, we will be able to build a mutually beneficial and sustainable Industry”.
It may be noted that Shobha is one of the most senior and influential Content Heads in Indian Cinema, with over 40 years of experience across Pan Indian Cinema. She was the producer behind Bajirao Mastani and Padmaavat. She has managed many actors such as Madhavan, Abhay Deol, Shruti Haasan and Irrfan Khan to be precise. She is one of the most connected senior leaders in Bollywood and worked with most of the Indian Super Star Actors and Directors.
Angad Dev Singh, CEO and producer of Tiger Baby, the production house behind Gully Boy. Tiger Baby Production house was founded by renowned Indian Cinema directors Zoya Akthar and Reema Kagti and has spent close to a decade in the media business. He is credited with producing films and series such as The Archies, Kho Gaye Hum Kahan, Made in Heaven, Dahaad, Eternally Confused & Eager for Love amongst others.
Angad Dev Singh, sharing his experience about filming destination stated “Sri Lanka is a captivating shooting location, not only due to its exceptional beauty and unique cultural diversity but also because of the myriad opportunities it presents for filmmakers. The country’s diverse landscapes, ranging from pristine beaches and lush forests to ancient temples and bustling urban settings, offer a versatile canvas for storytelling. Its varied geography will allow filmmakers to capture a wide range of cinematic scenes, from epic adventures along the coastlines to intimate character-driven moments in serene countryside settings”.
Karan Joshi CEO of Emmy Entertainment, the producer of Airlift with Akshay Kumar, Batla House and Satyamev Jayate with John Abraham & Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway with Rani Mukherjee, stated “It was been an absolute delight visiting Sri Lanka, a once-in-a-lifetime experience made possible by the tourism ministry. The country is beautiful, vibrant, much like its people and their hospitality is world-class. It was wonderful getting to know the people and learning that our people in India and Sri Lanka have much in common, from culture to their warmth. Many of the locations I visited during this tour are ideal for projects we shall be starting in the near future. I’m looking forward to shooting in Sri Lanka with the government’s help which has already given us such a wonderful experience.
Chalaka Gajabahu, Chairman -Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau stated, “Over the past several years, we have been aggressively promoting Sri Lanka as a filming destination for Indian, European and Hollywood Cinemas. While working closely with all relevant government institutions including National Film Corporation and other industry stakeholders, we have taken various initiatives to encourage international filmmakers to choose Sri Lanka as their ideal film location destination”.
Chalaka added “We have set up a Film Tourism Policy for Sri Lanka Tourism. Currently we are working on a ‘Single Window Filming’ Process, centralized under SLTPB. In terms of promotions and marketing, we have been representing in International Film Tourism & Location Shows along with our industry partners to invite foreign filmmakers to Sri Lanka. As a result of that, this is the second film location familiarization trip we have organized in 2023, focusing on Indian Cinema. In April, we welcomed a film delegation from Kannada Cinema. As an immediate outcome of these promotions, do expect to bring several Indian film / OTT projects to Sri Lanka very soon to promote the destination via popular Indian Cinema. Currently, we are in discussion to create an in-house developed incentive scheme for selected foreign projects.
Veteran filmmaker Chandran Rutnam who also supported Sri Lanka Tourism on this destination promotion has stated that “I would like to thank Sri Lanka Tourism for inviting these international film producers. It is important to show them the current situation in Sri Lanka and showcase Sri Lanka as a film-friendly destination.
In my opinion, our presence at these international film location promotional marketing events and continuing to invite foreign producers for location familiarization trips is productive. Several decades ago, we were the leaders in the region for international film location services. Today other destinations have gone far from us offering well-developed facilities, various incentives, rebates, etc. So, we have so much work to do. Overall, country promotions undertaken by SLTPB for key international filming markets are impressive and those marketing and promotional activities have taken the attention of many Intentional Film Industry professionals. The progress that has been made by their Film Tourism Team in recent years is brilliant and we have to continue keeping the momentum.
Representing The Hotel Association of Sri Lanka (THASL) tremendous support given by hospitality partners including Thema Collection, The Grand Hotel Nuwara Eliya, Shangri La Resort & Spa, Hambantota.
Editor in Chief : Mewati SItaram
