MUMBAI: London Mayor Boris Johnson on Thursday called for more big-budget Bollywood movies to be shot in the British capital as he met Indian film executives during a tour of Mumbai to drum up investment.
"Film-making is massively important to both our cities and we need to build on the momentum that already exists," Johnson said, promoting London as the perfect location for India's song-and-dance spectaculars.
"I want to make it as easy as possible to film in the city, whether you want to feature an iconic landmark as a backdrop (or) take advantage of our second to none post-production facilities," he said.
Johnson announced that two Indian films would be shot in London next year, "Housefull 3" starring Akshay Kumar and "Kick" starring Salman Khan, with post-production also being done in the capital's Soho district.
Many Bollywood plotlines feature Indians living abroad, and the city played a leading role in the 2007 hit "Namastey London" starring half-British pin-up Katrina Kaif.
Late director Yash Chopra's use of Swiss mountain backdrops in his Bollywood films made Switzerland a holiday destination of choice for well-heeled Indians.
Much of Chopra's final film, "Jab Tak Hai Jaan" starring Shah Rukh Khan, is also set in London.
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hey borris becareful indians will bring indian funny money made in pakistan.
What about Lollywood. We want end to this preferential treatment. High quality Pakistani films like Maula Jutt have a big market in UK
Most major city halls all over the world have one stop film division to ensure that one person looks after all the needs of the Film crew. Film crew brings jobs, free publicity, goodwill, tourists and soft power. Pakistan should learn the art of job creation and invite Bollywood film crew to shoot in the country.