Shifting loyalties

There is no change in the script, only this time the backdrop is zara hatke. Forget the Swiss Alps. Other nations are serenading Bollywood in red carpet style.Italy is a case in point.Winston Periera of Indo-Italian Chamber of Commerce, explains why. "Indian cinema has now found an increasing audience among non-Indians," he says. Singapore, Hong Kong and New Zealand are also baiting Bollywood. As Edward Chew of Singapore Tourism Board says, "India is our seventh largest source market.We expect it will move up the rankings, given the increasing propensity to travel.""Hong Kong," informs David Leung of HK tourism, "has set up a film services office here to act as a one-stop shop for production houses." New Zealand''s USP is that shooting costs there are less than half of Europe or US. And Bollywood''s biting. Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai and Soldier were shot in NZ, Company and Gumraah in HK,while some others in Singapore.Pereira estimates Bollywood will pump in a cool US$ 1.5 million next year for on-location shooting.Howzzat for globe-trotting with jhankaar beats?