This story is from November 10, 2008

Saying boo to Dubai?

Harsha Bhatnagar / TNN / Nov 10, 2008, 00:31 IST

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Filmmakers, planning to shoot in Dubai, will now have to get their scripts scrutinised by the Dubai Studio City. NT checks B-town’s reactions.

When director David Dhawan and producer Vashu Bhagnani arrived in Dubai for a 15-day shooting schedule of their comedy flick Do Knot Disturb, they were surprised to learn that they would have to submit the script of their film to the Dubai Studio City, (an agency, which facilitates film shooting and monitors cultural activities in Dubai) in order to get the required permission to shoot.
The reason behind this new rule is to prevent filmmakers from shooting action and sexy scenes in Dubai, as the authorities there feel that such films are damaging the image of the city. NT spoke to some of the biggies of the industry to know how they have taken this bit of news.
A welcome move
Giving a firsthand account of what exactly happened in Dubai, producer Vashu Bhagnani says, "When we reached there, we were approached by the DSC to submit the scripts. We were definitely taken aback, but when they explained that this was to protect the image of their city and that they would facilitate us with state-of-the-art equipment, which is required for shooting, we realised that they were also being very accommodative. The permission to shoot was also granted in a day. They also gifted David and me a clapboard, which was a wonderful gesture."

Seconding the move, but for an altogether different reason, the General Secretary of Federation of Western India Cine Employees, Dinesh Chaturvedi says, "There have been several incidents wherein filmmakers and producers have taken the entire cast and crew to Dubai and indulged in undesirable activities. So, this norm will help in curbing such activities. This new rule is in the interest of our artists."
Too perfect

Chairperson of Film Producers' Guild Mukesh Bhatt says that though he has also heard this bit of news, he has not yet received a formal intimation from DSC. Reacting to the piece of information, he says, "If they have a problem with filmmakers shooting action or sexy scenes and if they will make things rigid for us, then we will find new locations. For filmmakers, Dubai is not the end of the world. I have shot in 37 countries and have never faced such a problem." He further adds, "The only attraction about the place is that it is a duty-free city and hence, economical and one can reach there by air in just one and a half hour."
Cinematographer Aseem Bajaj had been to Dubai this July to find a location for his next film Teen Patti. But, he found the place 'too perfect' and 'plastic'. Speaking from a cinematographer's point of view on this latest development, he says, "No doubt the place is beautiful, but if it comes to this, Bollywood can live with the loss."
Fantastic locales
Abbas Burmawalla loves shooting in Dubai and has shot major portions of films like 36 China Town, Naqaab and climax of the film Race in the city. He too seems a wee bit surprised with this latest development. Expressing his thoughts, he says, "The place has fantastic locales, but if they do not want us to shoot action or sexy scenes, which may be necessary for the overall outcome of the film, then we will go to other countries."

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