Shoots go smoothly during Thailand protests

Bangalore, April 15 (IANS) Anti-government protests in Thailand did not affect the shooting schedules of two Kannada films being shot in Pattaya and Bangkok. The producers and directors of these films say the shooting of the song sequences went off without a hitch.

Two Kannada films were being shot in the seaside resort city of Pattaya and Bangkok at the time of the political unrest due to protests by the red-shirts which led to the cancellation of the ASEAN summit.

"We found that Bangkok and Pattaya presented a different picture. We were hearing news about burning of buses and other violence. But the agent who was with us told us that the protesters or locals would not disturb the shooting of our films, as the locals know that the country is benefiting from shooting of Indian films," said director Maadesh, who is now in Bangkok shooting the song sequences for his film "Preethse Preethse" with Yogeesh and Pragna in the lead.

"We started 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," Maadesh said.

"None of the residents of Pattaya created disturbances during our shooting. Our shooting progressed without a hitch," Maadesh added.

Maadesh told IANS that the song sequence of another Kannada film "Abhay" starring Darshan in the lead was also being shot in a Pattaya seaside resort and other places in Bangkok and the shooting went off without any problems. "Abhay" is directed by Mahesh Babu.

Bangkok has been a favoured shooting destination for Kannada films.