Bollywood continues its 'love affair' with London 23rd Aug 2006
09.20 IST
By Agencies
Despite the terror alert in UK, Bollywood seems to be putting all odds behind with filmmaker Vipul Shah shooting his Akshay Kumar – Katrina Kaif starrer Namaste London in London on a massive scale.
Shah's 30 crore venture 'Namaste London', which trade sources claim is a contemporary remake of the classic 'Purab Aur Paschim', is being shot with a big crew of as many as 100 people in central London.
Industry sources, however, said it is a sheer coincidence that three mega scale productions are shooting in London at the same time, even when each movement there is being combed rigorously and the air traffic is in a mess.
Shah said from London that his crew is facing difficulties in sending people to and from India. "The main problem that we are facing is airport transfers and visas. Actually, the problem began after Mumbai blasts, following which there was some strictness shown in giving visas, but after Heathrow alert things have worsened," he said.
After the arrests of people of South Asian origin in connection with the terror plan, there is a tense atmosphere. A lot of ground transportation involved in shooting is usually undertaken by people of Pakistani origin, he mentioned.
"We are shooting at various locations in the heart of London because 75 per cent of 'Namaste London' crew are English locals. But, permission procedures are certainly being more stringently observed," he added.
Meanwhile, sources also said shooting with completely Asian crews is being monitored closely and even subjected to some questionings.