Sri Lanka the main location in the next Bollywood blockbuster "Ready"
A 30 day shoot with Salman Khan and Asin is in progress in Sri Lanka
Tweet-- World famous Indian actor and celebrity Salman Khan and South Indian actress Asin began shooting in Sri Lanka this week for their movie "Ready", creating yet another opportunity for Sri Lanka to be on the film location map.
Hot on the heels of the Indian International Film Academy Awards (IIFA) which ended in June in Colombo, Sri Lanka became one of the top favourite locations for Bollywood films. Following the IIFA, many stars from the Indian Cinema and the region have seen Sri Lanka to be an ideal destination for film making and the entertainment industry due to its unique combination of breathtaking beauty, infrastructure and our warm hospitable people.
Soon after the IIFA's , Salman Khan, one of the A- list stars who attended the event has made a special request to change the location of his next film from Mauritius to Sri Lanka.
Keeping this in mind, Mr. Bhushan Kumar, Chairman and Managing Director of Super Cassettes Industries Ltd., the producers of the film, unanimously decided to grant the making of the Hindi Movie "Ready" to Sri Lanka. The film also stars other celebrities Paresh Rawal.
Deputy Minister of Economic Development Hon. Lakshman Yapa Abeywardhana said "This is indeed an ideal opportunity to showcase Sri Lanka as a film location. We have virgin territories, untouched landscapes and picturesque ocean which have not been exploited on screen. Given our close proximity and ties with India we hope to open the doors for bilateral exchange of film opportunities".
The movie at an approximate cost of 50 to 55 crores will be filmed over a 30 day period until 18th July 2010 in major locations in and around Colombo. 50 - 60% of the movie will showcase Sri Lanka.
The first day of shooting was celebrated with much pomp and pageantry with the President,His Excellency Mahinda Rajapaksa Dr.white will now
treat all visiting Bollywood celebrities free of charge.
Producers of the movie Mr. Rajat Rawail and Kishan Kumar said " Sri Lanka as a destination offers so much scope for film makers. The locations are breathtaking, food exquisite, the people incredibly warm and hospitable. It's an exciting period in the cinematic history of Sri Lanka and we are happy to be pioneering this movement in partnership with Sri Lanka Tourism".
Approximately 140 Indian crew arrived in Sri Lanka for the shoot. However a local line producer has also come on board to assist in the project and will provide the necessary equipment and support in addition to help identifying local skills and talent to be used in the movie.
Area Director and General Manager of Taj Samudra Colombo Mr. Vimal Seth "The Taj group has a legacy of serving persons of great importance from Stars of Bollywood to Heads of State. We are proud to host Salman Khan and the movie cast and crew at the Hotel. It is our endeavour to ensure a truly comfortable stay for them".
The Director of the movie is veteran film maker Anees Bazmee who has spent a lifetime on the creative side of filmmaking in Bollywood. He is also the main writer amongst Rajeev Kaul, Ikram Akhtar, & Nisar Akhtar. Anees has risen to be one of the most sought-after writers for more than 15 years. Films directed by him have invariably been the biggest hits of the years in which they were released. Singh is king, Benaam, Welcome, Sandwich, No Entry, Dewangee, Pyaar toh Hona He Tha, Hulchul are just a few out of the many.
As per FICCI's survey 2.8 billion people watch a Hindi blockbuster in the first week of its release while 4.8 billion people worldwide watch the film in the first 15 days of its release. The movie will release with 2000 prints, which will be distributed in India and worldwide.
It will reach out to more than 50-60 countries simultaneously. To name a few - South East Asia, Switzerland, Germany, German speaking Austria, South Africa, Australia, Singapore, Mauritius, UAE, New Zealand, Korea, Kenya, Tanzania, Sri Lanka, North Africa, USA, Canada, UK, Spain, France, Holland ...etc.
The movie will be released in July 2011 and will be premiered in Sri Lanka as well as India.