Bollywood film to build back lot in Abu Dhabi

A Bollywood action sequel featuring Indian superstar actor Salman Khan is set to build a 20,000 sq ft back lot for filming in Abu Dhabi.

By Nick Goundry 2 May 2017

Bollywood film to build back lot in Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi

A Bollywood action sequel featuring Indian superstar actor Salman Khan is set to build a 20,000 sq ft back lot for filming in Abu Dhabi.

Tiger Zinda Hai is a sequel to the 2012 Bollywood spy thriller Ek Tha Tiger and reunites Khan with Bollywood actress Katrina Kaif.

The film is scheduled to shoot in Abu Dhabi for 65 days, making it the longest production schedule for any Bollywood movie in the emirate city so far.

A main set will be built as a back lot facility over the course of several months and 20 different locations around Abu Dhabi will also appear in the final movie.

Tiger Zinda Hai will use the city’s 30% filming incentive and is being serviced by twofour54.

“A film like Tiger Zinda Hai requires a certain scale, which we found in Abu Dhabi,” said Ali Abbas Zafar, the film’s director.

“Keeping all the practical measures in mind, the kind of support we’ve had from Abu Dhabi Film Commission and twofour54 on the infrastructure was phenomenal. That, along with some stunning locations, makes shooting in Abu Dhabi really special.”

The crew on Tiger Zinda Hai will be drawn from the UK and the US as well as India, adding further international dimensions to the shoot.

Abu Dhabi recently welcomed its first production from the Tollywood industry – originating from Telugu in south-east India.

Films and TV shows from Europe and the US are less common, but high-profile productions have included Brad Pitt’s War Machine, which used Abu Dhabi as a stand-in for Afghanistan.

Images: iStock.com/anzeletti/xavierarnau

The film is scheduled to shoot in Abu Dhabi for 65 days, making it the longest production schedule for any Bollywood movie in the emirate city so far.

A main set will be built as a back lot facility over the course of several months and 20 different locations around Abu Dhabi will also appear in the final movie.

Tiger Zinda Hai will use the city’s 30% filming incentive and is being serviced by twofour54.

“A film like Tiger Zinda Hai requires a certain scale, which we found in Abu Dhabi,” said Ali Abbas Zafar, the film’s director.

“Keeping all the practical measures in mind, the kind of support we’ve had from Abu Dhabi Film Commission and twofour54 on the infrastructure was phenomenal. That, along with some stunning locations, makes shooting in Abu Dhabi really special.”

The crew on Tiger Zinda Hai will be drawn from the UK and the US as well as India, adding further international dimensions to the shoot.

Abu Dhabi recently welcomed its first production from the Tollywood industry – originating from Telugu in south-east India.

Films and TV shows from Europe and the US are less common, but high-profile productions have included Brad Pitt’s War Machine, which used Abu Dhabi as a stand-in for Afghanistan.

Images: iStock.com/anzeletti/xavierarnau

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