Bangkok is a fav destination for Kannada films
May 24, 2009 RGVAnti-government protests that created several days of urban chaos in Thailand recently, had not created any problems for the shooting of Kannada films in that country.
Recently nearly fifty members of two Kannada film production units of Darshan starrer 'Abhay' directed by Mahesh Babu and Yogeesh-pragna starrer 'Preethse Preethse' directed by Maadesh were stationed in Thailand for shooting the songs of their respective film. The two production units had visited Thailand when that country was facing a big crisis and a riot like situation. But this development in the coastal country had not affected the shooting schedules of the Kannada films in Pattaaya or Bangkok. The producers and directors connected to these films say that the shooting of the song sequences went out without any hitch.
Two songs each for Preethse Preethse and Abhay were shot near the seaside resort city of Pattaya and Bangkok. Just a few kilometers away, the Thai army group was fighting with the red-shirt protesters who invaded a 16 nation Asian Summit hosted by Thailand.
"We found that Bangkok and Pattaya presented a different picture. We were hearing news about burning of the buses and explosion of many transport vehicles. But the agent who was with us told that the protesters or locals would not disturb the shooting of films, as the locals know that the country is benefiting from shooting of Indian films. We started the shooting immediately after we landed in Pattaya and found that there was no disturbance during our shooting. We did not find any protestors or policeman even miles away from our shooting spot. None of the residents of Pattaya created disturbances during our shooting. Our shooting had progressed without any hitch and trouble," says director Maadesh who has now returned to Bangalore.
Bangkok has been the favourite destination for shooting of Kannada films. A majority of the big budget films have song sequences or other sequences being shot in Bangkok. Bangkok has been a lucky spot for actor Darshan whose many big budget ventures have been shot. And Kannada film producers are erecting some sets to shoot in Bangkok where not only dream song sequences, but even item songs are picturised. Songs and sequences of Darshan starrers like Gaja, Snehaanaa Preethinaa, Bhoopathy have been shot in Bangkok. Abhay is only the latest addition.
The list of the Kannada films that are now shot in Bangkok is growing. Thamaashegaagi, Ganga Cauvery, Mast Majaa Maadi, Deadly Soma, Maadesha, Rocky and Gulama are just a few examples in the big list of Kannada films that have been shot in Bangkok.
Kannada film producer Anaji Nagaraj has become an expert on advising the other producers as to the best way to shoot in Bangkok and the best locations to chose. He has shot most of the films that he is connected to in Bangkok. "I started shooting for Bangkok from my first film Shashtri with Darshan. Then I took my unit again to Bangkok to shoot many sequences and songs in Thailand. Two songs of Mast Majaa Maadi were also shot in Bangkok. I think shooting in Bangkok is helpful to the producers as people in Thailand are very friendly and co-operative. We have to plan and fix the programme to suit our budgets. It is always better to have a good understanding with the different airlines and hotels in Bangkok which offers the best services," says Anaji Nagaraj. He says even getting good South Indian food in Bangkok is not that difficult.
The second most preferred location for shooting of Kannada films is Switzerland where song sequences are continuously shot. Other European countries like Austria, Germany and Italy have now become the favourite haunting grounds for the Kannada film producers. U.K. is not such a favourite destination for the Kannada film producers as many films that have been shot in London and peripheral places have done so well in the Box office.
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