Fiji's first South Indian movie has just completed shooting. The film which stars South Indian sensation and TV host Swati Reddy and co-stars Shanthanu Bhagyaraj and Nakul Jaidev tells a love story iinvolving three friends.



The film which is called "Ammali Tumaali" is produced by Gemini Industries & Imaging Limited of Chennai and directed by K.S. Adhiyaman. The first few scenes of the film were shot at the Warwick Fiji Resort & Spa where the Attorney General Mr Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum initiated the first phase of the production.



Commenting at the launch for the production director Mr Adhiyaman said "there has been a lot of support from Government as well as from the Fiji Audio Visual Commission, and many locals who have been involved in making this happen."



Scenes from the film were shot in different areas in the western division including Naisoso and the Mamanuca Islands. Whilst over 45 cast and crew members were brought in from overseas, a substantial number of locals were also directly involved in the production. Private residences, resort owners and the public played an important part in ensuring its timely completion.



Fiji Audio Visual Commission Acting CEO, Mrs Florence Swamy, said "the commission was excited to be part of the production. This was the first Indian film to be shot here, it is a big film, and is very good for the industry."



The production was the first to utilise the 47% Film Tax Rebate offered by the Fiji Government to fully funded overseas productions that wish to film in Fiji.



The exposure Fiji will receive and the implications on promoting Fiji, to potential producers as a production destination and generally for tourism purposes, will be immense.



END