Bollywood’s love affair with city
CAPE Town has played host to many Bollywood stars over the years and become known as a hot spot for its scenic sights.
This past weekend, a delegation of Indian film producers visited the city to view some of the sights in the hope of featuring them in their future productions.
Teeshay, a young actor who made his film debut in a Bollywood film shot in the city during 2011, has seen his star rise in the industry and considers Cape Town his lucky charm.
Since 1995, when acclaimed Indian film-maker Rakesh Roshan set his Bollywood melodrama Karobaar in Cape Town with stars Rishi Kapoor, Anil Kapoor and Juhi Chawla, the Indian film industry and film-makers have come to the city in droves to capture our beautiful locations.
Many have exclaimed is as “heaven on Earth”, describing the stunning sights they encounter.
South African Tourism, in conjunction with the KwaZulu-Natal Film Commission, facilitated a tour for Indian film producers with Jitendra Chacha, who runs a films location company in India. The delegation visited a number of areas in KwaZulu-Natal including the Drakensberg, North Coast, the Durban city centre and the beachfront.
They also met many local producers and members of the Durban film industry at a special event. I was hosted by the commission at their final dinner, at the five-star Beverly Hills Hotel in uMhlanga.
During conversation with the members, including Chacha, Sunny Nirula, Dilip Advani of Tips Industries, Shyam Sunder of BSK Network and Entertainment, and Vishal Desai of Friday Films, it was apparent that many of them had already filmed in South Africa, – in Durban and Cape Town.
However, with so many countries now competing for the Bollywood market, film-makers are spoilt for choice.
They were here to explore how they could convince their teams that South Africa was still a worthwhile option and were keen to learn about the Department of Trade and Industries film rebate scheme, and if they would qualify, as well as looking at the facilities offered by the Cape Town Film Studios.
On their three-day visit to Cape Town, the studios were on the itinerary, aside from a trip to Table Mountain, the vineyards, the Waterfront and other scenic sights.
When film-makers are brought to a country in the hope of enticing them to set their films there, every effort should be made to include the business side of film-making in the itinerary and not just look at it from a tourism perspective. The two go hand in hand because film-makingis a business.
I’m hoping enough was done to ensurethese film-makers left our shores with enough information to convince them South Africa should still be topmost of mind when selecting their next foreign destination to grace the Bollywood silver screen.
Someone who has been lighting up the small and big screen is Teeshay. He started his film career with Bollywood’s Blood Money, shot extensively in Cape Town five years ago. The story was set in the city as well. In a supporting role, he made his mark as the friend of the lead character played by Kunal Khemu.
Teeshay remembers his visit well and says this part set up his career in many ways. After the release of the film, his career took off. At 27, he is a veteran of 80 commercials, four films, two hit TV shows, has done theatre productions and recently finished a regional film.
Many top actors are now working in and producing regional films to acclaim. Teeshay’s last film was The Perfect Girl, starring opposite Tara Alisha Berry, who made her acting debut in Love Games – also shot in Cape Town last year.
His big television break came with hosting the entertainment show Planet Bollywood for Zoom TV, which aired in 67 countries.
Teeshay, who has recently returned from the US where he successfully went in search of new opportunities, is also hosting a sports show focusing on cricket called Match Point. It airs on Star Sports, part of the Fox Sports and Star Sat stable.
It is a credit to Teeshay’s versatility he has been able to make the transition through various genres of entertainment. Match Point is a fun and unique cricket show incorporating everybody’s opinion, including bloggers, fans, experts and commentators, after a match. With cricket being akin to a religion in India, Teeshay certainly has his hands full. Currently they are covering the India/England Test series.
It’s wonderful to see that Cape Town is appreciated by members of the Indian entertainment industry from all walks of life and that they
hold memories of the time spent here deep in their heart.