Written by new-contact on May 28, 2015. Posted in On Location

Major new Bollywood film commits to extended Abu Dhabi shoot

New Bollywood movie Dishoom will spend five weeks filming across Abu Dhabi later this year. Service company twofour54 and the Abu Dhabi Film Commission will support the shoot in conjunction with the Film & Television Producers Guild of India.

“Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment is one of the most reputable production companies in Bollywood and we are extremely proud to welcome their latest feature to Abu Dhabi,” said Noura Al Kaabi, Chief Executive Officer at twofour54.

“Their commitment to shoot in the Emirate is a testament to their belief in the UAE (United Arab Emirates) as well as the quality of work that we offer.

“We continue to make great strides as we attract large-scale productions that provide professional development opportunities to young Emiratis as well as contribute to Abu Dhabi’s economy.”

Abu Dhabi’s 30% filming incentive has helped boost the city’s profile as an international filming location, particularly for Bollywood which is only a three-hour flight away.

The Hollywood studios have been more tentative about filming locally, although there are signs the city’s Middle Eastern visuals are starting to become more popular. Abu Dhabi got a profile boost hosting the international action hit Fast and Furious 7, and will feature in Star Wars: The Force Awakens later this year.

“The locations in Abu Dhabi are amazing,” commented Fast and Furious 7 director James Wan when the film was released: “It adds a lot of production value to the film and makes it really exotic.

“We want to strike a balance with both the opulence in this part of the world as well as what is more traditional and cultural just to get a bit of that flavour into the film. It’s a bit different to what the Fast and Furious fans have seen before so there is a natural evolution in the series.”

(Image: Scott Garfield/Universal Pictures)