Representatives of various Bollywood movie productions visit Sri Lanka for film tourism promotion

The production houses represented makers of blockbusters like Padmaavat, Bajirao Mastsni (Ranveer Singh & Deepika Padukone), Gully Boy (Ranveer Singh & Alia Bhat), Air Lift (Akshay Kumar), Batla House (Jhon Abraham), Lust Stories, Archies, Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway (Rani Mukherjee).

Over the six-day visit to Sri Lanka, covering Colombo, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Ella, Hambantota, and Kalutara, producers searched for fresh locations, both manmade and natural, for shooting their upcoming films and OTT (Over The Top) web series in the country. 

They met  Sri Lanka Tourism Officials, along with other government agencies and film industry partners, to further discuss possible incentives and local support for filming in Sri Lanka.
 
The key focus of the promotion was to increase overall destination awareness about ‘’Shooting In Sri Lanka’’, among production house executives, representing key Indian film / OTT production houses in Mumbai (Bollywood), and encourage Indian filmmakers to choose Sri Lankan film locations along with the relevant services from international film service providers in Sri Lanka. 

Shobha Sant, who is the Head of Film Content at Jio Studios (part of Reliance Industries), said: “I’m amazed by the beauty of Sri Lanka and am touched by its hospitality. warmth and personal attention we have received.”

“I will make a very sincere effort to come back to Sri Lanka for a Film Shoot here. The service, food culture, and environment of Sri Lanka is very similar to India and with the right support from the local film industry and government bodies, we will be able to build a mutually beneficial and sustainable Industry,” Sant said.

Angad Dev Singh, CEO and producer of Tiger Baby,  the production house behind Gully Boy, said Sri Lanka is a captivating shooting location, not only due to its exceptional beauty and unique cultural diversity but also because of the myriad opportunities it presents for filmmakers.

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“The country’s diverse landscapes, ranging from pristine beaches and lush forests to ancient temples and bustling urban settings, offer a versatile canvas for storytelling,” Singh said.

“Its varied geography will allow filmmakers to capture a wide range of cinematic scenes, from epic adventures along the coastlines to intimate character-driven moments in serene countryside settings,” he said.

Karan Joshi CEO of  Emmy Entertainment, the producer of Airlift with Akshay Kumar, Batla House & Satyamev Jayate with John Abraham & Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway with Rani Mukherjee, said: “The country is beautiful and vibrant, much like its people and their hospitality is world-class.”

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“It was wonderful getting to know the people and learning that our people in India and Sri Lanka have much in common, from culture to their warmth. It truly felt like coming home. The sights are unmatched, and the natural beauty is untarnished,” he said.

Chalaka Gajabahu, Chairman -Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, said: ”We have set up a Film Tourism Policy for Sri Lanka Tourism and currently, we are working on a Single Window Filming’ Process, centralized under SLTPB.” 

“In terms of promotions and marketing, we have been representing in International Film Tourism & Location Shows along with our industry partners to invite foreign filmmakers to Sri Lanka,” he said. 

“As a result of our that, this is the second film location familiarization trip we have organized for 2023, focusing on Indian Cinema,” he said. 

He said a film delegation from Kannada Cinema had earlier visited the country in April.