Foreign shoots in limbo due to Covid-19
The romanticism of Switzerland, the rough desert terrain of Abu Dhabi, exotic locales of France and spectacular islands across the world — Bollywood has, for long, captured the beauty of these and more in its films. But this could temporarily change in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic, not just due to logistical reasons, but also as India gets ‘vocal for local’.
Karan Johar’s team had done extensive recce to lock locations across Italy and Spain for his ambitious project Takht. And he’s not the only one in a quandary over locations. According to trade sources, a spate of movies — some yet to be announced — were slated to be shot abroad. An OTT show was due to be shot in Bangkok, Salman Khan’s Radhe had a schedule in Dubai, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 and Tiger 3 also had foreign schedules.
Filmmaker duo Raj & DK say 50% of one of their big projects was set abroad, but now they’re reassessing plans.
Raj Nidimoru, who believes it may be “irresponsible and impractical” to think that once the lockdown is lifted, people can do as they want, says, “It’s a question of what precautions you’re going to take.”
So, while the “let’s wait and watch” mantra continues, industry experts feel some filmmakers may tweak scripts to set them in India.
Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 producer Bhushan Kumar tells us, “If you haven’t started shooting yet, you can change the script. Our film had a foreign scene, but we’re thinking of changing the setting to Goa now. Getting permissions to shoot abroad won’t be easy now, too.”
Considering that the effect of this unprecedented crisis will last another six to eight months, filmmakers will have to consider minimal outdoor shoots, points out Ajit Andhare, COO, Viacom18 Studios. He explains, “We’ve to redraw shoot plans. However, to redraw you need to first define and determine conditions that are unknown as yet. Locations will be a key point to re-examine.”
Incentives such as tax credits, cash rebates, refunds, fee-free location scouting et al, have attracted filmmakers to shoot in myriad locations abroad in recent years, but Red Chillies Entertainment COO Gaurav Verma says at least 90% of our films and series are shot within India. Having said that, he raises the several questions that will come with planning an outdoor shoot.
“Countries will exercise caution. So, one has to see how much travel will be allowed. And that is apart from the fact whether we want to travel or not,” Verma says, adding that it “will take time to build confidence” before people start travelling even within India, let alone to foreign countries.