Sri Lanka promoted as a preferred film location | Sunday Observer

Sri Lanka promoted as a preferred film location

1 April, 2018

Sri Lanka’s potential to become a preferred cinema location in South Asia was highlighted at the recently concluded India International Film Tourism Conclave (IIFTC 2018).

The island’s beautiful landscape

During this three-day event, some of the high profile film directors of India, including Tharun Mansukhani (Bollywood) assistant director, Screen Writer and director, known for Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998) with Shahrukh Khan and Kajol and Kal Ho Naa Ho (2003), Kunal Kohil (Bollywood) - known for Hum Tum (2004), Teri Meri Kahaani (2012) and Fanaa (2006) with Amir Khan, Imtiaz Ali (Bollywood) - Jab We Met (2007), Love Aaj Kal (2009) and Rockstar (2011), David Dhawan (Bollywood),Allu Arvind (Telegu), and KV Anand (Tamil) were present at the event and they also visited Sri Lanka Tourism’s promotional stall.

With the participation of over 20 other competitive destinations, Sri Lanka Tourism created a limelight, by showing breathtakingly beautiful locations of the paradise island to the leading film producers from all across India representing the heart of the Indian film industry, the Bollywood cinema and the other regional industries including Kollywood (Chennai), Marathi and Bengali. The destination presentation conducted by Sri Lanka Tourism caught the attention of all the other competitors who looked with amazement and wonder at the breathtaking beauty of the country.

The Video presentations of Sri Lankan attractions and the informative brochures distributed at the Sri Lanka stall, highlighting the lush greenery, cultural splendour, and exquisite beaches, and many more pleasures which the country has to offer, equipped with all the natural resources, attracted many visitors, and members of the film industry. During the presentations, Sri Lanka Tourism further highlighted that with a distance of less than 2,500 km to the heart of Bollywood and having frequent flights from all around India to Colombo, Sri Lanka is a location that India must not neglect.

Opportunities of depreciated rupee, dynamic visa process, zero cultural shock and rich local film industry equipped with European standard production equipment, the arrival of more and more Indian cinema productions to Sri Lanka are expected to proceed through the next few years. In addition to SLTPB ‘s efforts in the destination promotional campaign, Sri Lanka Consulate General for Mumbai, Saroja Sirisena and members of the Sri Lanka mission in Mumbai, India supported the endeavour.

The delegation which represented Sri Lanka included renowned international film and commercial producers such as Chandran Rutnam of Asian Film Location Services (Pvt) Ltd, Rasitha Jinasena, Shy Entertainers (pvt ) Ltd, Priyanga T. Kumarasiri , crew for shoots, and Thishantha Shyaman Premasundara , Frames TV and Film production .

During the Sri Lanka destination presentation, industry veteran Chandran Rutnam stated, “as a compact destination with various natural and manmade wonders located just a few kilometres from each other, Sri Lanka is a perfect contender to compete for the Indian Cinema as a rich and diversified locations provider for various Indian films”

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