A delegation of directors, screen writers and producers from Mumbai visited Oman this week to view potential filming locations as Bollywood audiences continue to crave new and exotic settings for the movie industry.
With an increasing number of Indian movies being filmed overseas, The Public Authority for Investment Promotion and Development (PAIPED) in Oman is looking to position the country as a destination for big budget Bollywood film shoots.
Bollywood directors and writers Sriram Raghavan, Sudhir Mishra, Sanjay Puran Singh Chauhan, Ashwini Chaudhary and producer Amar Butala of UTV Motion Pictures met with PAIPED's Investment Promotion Team before being shown potential locations in Muscat, Dakhiliyah and Al Batinah.
"We believe Oman's versatility will appeal to Indian directors and screen writers in search of new locations. Just a two hour flight from Mumbai, Oman offers spectacular deserts, pristine beaches, clear blue seas, wadis and even snow-capped mountain scenery.
"The Sultanate is a popular business destination for people from the Indian subcontinent and while the country's relationship with Bollywood is in its infancy, several movies have already been part filmed in Oman which in-turn has helped raise our global profile," Faris Al Farsi, PAIPED's Director General of Investment Promotion, said.
The film industry is a proven method of promoting a destination with countries such as New Zealand, Turkey and Canada strengthening tourism through movie making.
"Through film, people around the world will get to experience Oman's stunning topography. That has to be good for the economy," Al Farsi said.
Commenting on the successful visit, Gautam Roy of V4 Entertainment said that travelling from Mumbai to Muscat is cost effective and more practical than reaching some locations within India.
"Oman offers unique scenery and year-round sunshine that eliminates the challenges seasonality. These factors makes it highly competitive," Roy said.
The film industry will also benefit local businesses through marketing, hospitality and product placement contracts. The Indian media and entertainment industry is expected to grow by 11.8 per cent by the end of 2013 to be worth USD 17 billion, reaching over 1 billion people domestically as well as millions more through overseas syndication.
"By utilizing this important medium of communication Oman could potentially reap significant rewards," said PAIPED's Director General of Investment Promotion.
