Suva, May 2009 - Two Bollywood films, both with A-list star casts, will be shot in Fiji later this year. This announcement was made by the Chairperson of the Fiji Audio Visual Commission, Sharon Smith-Johns this morning.

Making the announcement with the film's Chief Assistant Director, Mr. Mohammed Burmawalla, the Producer, Mr. Mohammed Jalal and other production executives, Ms. Smith-Johns said that two Hindi films, also scheduled to be shot in Australia, will have substantial parts shot in Fiji. "The production executives have seen various locations here and have confirmed that at least 80% of the first movie and 40% of the second movie will be shot here," she said.

The FAVC's Marketing & Public Relations Manager, Florence Swamy said that, "Mr. Ashish Ranade, the films' Art Director who is an integral part of the delegation from Bollywood, confirms that Fiji locations will be magnificent on the big screen, with its many exotic and untapped locations, its unique culture and multiracial, multi-religious & multi-ethnic people." The recommendations on locations, she added, will be made to the films' internationally renowed directorial duo Abbas-Mastaan, who are scheduled to visit Fiji towards the end of next month to confirm the locations for the two films.

Mrs. Swamy also said that lovers of Hindi films may also be able to see- and some may perhaps even rub shoulders with the stars of the silver screen and other film personalities right here in Fiji. Abbas-Mastaan are known to cast A-list stars in their films and an impressive cast has also been named for the Fiji films.

"Having a Bollywood production in Fiji is great news itself because of the range of economic activity and jobs it will generate locally," said Ms. Smith-Johns. The producers have indicated that quite a number of locals will be locally recruited. Many locals will also have the chance to act in minor roles and to appear as extras, said Ms. Smith-Johns. Added to this, she said, will be the enhanced positive press that Fiji will receive from the international media as the stars that will be coming to Fiji to film always attract the press. Such exposure is unrivalled and will most definitely boost Fiji's profile overseas as a production destination. Additionally, she said, the implications of such exposure to tourism cannot be underscored enough.

The producers intend to utilize the Film Rebate for their productions and their Financial Controller, Mr. Turbert Datta is also in Fiji, following up on these and other matters.

For additional information/ clarification, please call Florence Swamy on 330 6662/ 992 6665 or fswamy@fijiaudiovisual.org.fj
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