Durban to flaunt its charms in films
DURBAN will get to show off its beauty alongside that of some of the most recognised faces in the world with the filming of the star-studded Happy Anniversary and Aankhen 2 movies, which starts the end of next month.
South African film producer Javed Aboobaker, 27, was in Durban this week to meet representatives of the German makeup company that will supply the products to be used by the film stars.
They include the Bachchan family — Aishwarya Rai, husband Abishek as well as father-inlaw Amitabh.
Aishwarya and Abishek are to portray roles mirroring their real-life ones in the Gaurang Doshi-produced Happy Anniversary, the story of a husband who discovers intriguing things about his loving wife. “For this film, it’s very warm locations, very tropical,” said Aboobaker.
The heist film Aankhen 2 will star Amitabh alongside Amit Kapoor, Arjun Rampal and Shahid Kapoor against the backdrop of Durban’s Suncoast, Sibaya, Wild Coast and four other casinos.
The combined budget for the films is R220-million.
Film crews will consist of 100 South Africans, accord- ing to Aboobaker, and only the stars, directors and other production executives are from Bollywood.
“I was born in Durban and I want to bring something back to the city,” he said.
“These movies are for Durban. We want to bring the youth into the industry. Durban has a lot of scope, but people look around and do not see opportunities.
“I think this is going to open up Durban.”