Twofour54 is collaborating with India’s Fox Star Studios to produce the Hindi film Bang Bang in the capital for a three-week filming schedule.
Inspired by the Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz film Knight and Day and starring the Bollywood A-listers Katrina Kaif and Hrithik Roshan, Bang Bang comes to Abu Dhabi right after Universal Studios’ Fast & Furious 7 wrapped up filming in the capital two weeks ago.
“Abu Dhabi is fast becoming an attractive hub for filming, production, and post-production,” says Noura Al Kaabi, the chief executive of twofour54. “Government support, our production facilities, access to experienced crew, the range of diverse locations and the ADFC’s [Abu Dhabi Film Commission] rebate are successfully attracting regional and global films to the emirate.”
Vijay Singh, the chief executive of Fox Star Studios, says: “Fox Star Studios is happy to be partnering with twofour54, the commercial arm of Abu Dhabi Media Zone Authority. We are developing a slate of films in Bollywood and Tamil to appeal to the fast-growing Indian theatrical market, as also the diaspora that lives across the world. We are excited about our partnership with twofour54 on Bang Bang, which is our biggest Bollywood film, and are looking forward to doing some big-ticket action in Abu Dhabi with assistance from twofour54 intaj. I have no doubt that post-release of the film, Abu Dhabi will be a must-visit city for Bollywood fans.”
Bang Bang’s cast and crew are headed to Abu Dhabi after long filming schedules in India.
The production has not been without incident: a few days ago, Zee News reported that Kaif was injured on set while apparently attempting a complicated dance sequence. Last year, Roshan had to undergo surgery after he hurt his head while attempting a stunt, postponing production.
Bang Bang is directed by Siddharth Anand. The action sequences and stunts are choreographed by Hollywood’s Andy Armstrong, whose credits include Spider-Man, Thor and The Green Hornet. Bang Bang is due out in the UAE on October 2.
[ artslife@thenational.ae ]
