Vishesh Films shot maximum films in South Africa: Mukesh Bhatt

He has made 63 films so far and out of them, nine were shot in South Africa, says filmmaker Mukesh Bhatt, whose last hit production venture "Aashiqui 2" was also filmed in the country.

"Vishesh Films (his production house) has shot maximum films in South Africa. We have shot nine films in the country," Bhatt said Thursday at the South Africa India Film and Television Awards (SAIFTA) press conference.

He added that his "appetite for looking for different locations never ceases", and that works as a driving force in exploring new places.

Bhatt, who canned films like "Blood Money" and "Crook" and the recent blockbuster "Aashiqui 2", in South Africa, said he enjoys the warmth and hospitality of people of Durban so much that he calls "Durban a home away from home".

And why not? Indian movies and music are popular among the locals, and a large number of Indian Diaspora resides here.

The Indian film industry is celebrating its 100 years and according to Bhatt, SAIFTA, an initiative by Mumbai-based event company Celebrity Locker and KwaZulu-Natal Department of Economic Development and Tourism of Durban, will strengthen cultural ties between the two nations.

"We are now on a threshold of doing historical things together," said Bhatt, who is in the SAIFTA judges' panel along with Waheeda Rehman, Boman Irani, Farah Khan and Farhan Akhtar.

The award ceremony is Friday.

(Arpana can be contacted at arpana.s@ians.in)