Bollywood says 'no shooting' in Australia

The ongoing attacks on Indian students studying in Australia have received a strong reaction from the Indian film fraternity.

Conforming the development Ficci Entertainment Committee chairman and Yash Raj Films Studios founder Yash Chopra said, “We should not go to Australia for shooting because of the anti-Indian activities there.”

In the past, Yash Raj Films has shot more than three movies extensively in the country. Chak De, Salaam Namaste and Bachnaa Ae Hasseno are some of the movies shot in Australia by the production house.

Filmmakers have also come out in support of Indian students and have vowed not to shoot their films in Australia. Heyy Babyy, Singh Is King, Victory, Ta Ra Rum Pam, Dostana and Main aur Mrs Khanna (yet to release) are some of the recent movies shot in Australia.

The Federation of Western India Cine Employees, which has a membership of 45,000, has also agreed to boycott Australia till the racist attacks on Indian students continue.

Shooting in foreign locations has been part of the growing globalisation of Bollywood. Realising this, the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Ficci) had been inviting delegations from several countries to its annual meet — Ficci-Frames.

In 2007, a group of 11 Australian companies and institutes showcased the country’s cutting-edge technology in film and entertainment at ‘Ficci-Frames 2007’.