Croatia attracting Bollywood

Wednesday, April 12, 2006

Chandigarh (UNI): Marketing itself as a 'Switzerland at a cheaper price', Croatia is inviting Indian filmmakers to shoot in this 'common man's paradise.' ''Bollywood may soon be shooting films in Croatia'', said Croatian ambassador to India Dino Debeljuh while releasing ''Croatia Calling'', a Video CD produced by the Embassy, here yesterday.

Emphasising the cost effectiveness of shooting in Croatia, he said the initial response from the Bollywood was encouraging.

Mr Debeljuh cited the comments of veteran producer director Dev Anand who sees a ''strong possibility of Indian filmmakers using the beautiful Croatian locales for shooting, now that the country has been peaceful for more than a decade .'' Subhash Ghai's production company Mukta Arts has also displayed interest in Croatia. ''Croatia is very beautiful.It can be one of the future locations for shooting movies,'' he cited executive producer of Kisna Prem Pillai as having said.

Croatia is also being considered as an option for shooting the sequel of Munnabhai MBBS by the Vinod Chopra Productions, he added.

The ambassador also mentioned the fact that the famous Jackie Chan starrer Armour of God was also shot in Croatia.

Mr Debeljuh said more than 70,000 tourists visited Switzerland every year, whereas less than five percent of them visit Croatia.

''This is happening despite of the fact that Croatia is acknowledged as more beautiful than Switzerland.'' Flagging off First Indian Tourist Delegation to Croatia from North India, Mr Debeljuh expressed the hope that the growth curve of the number of tourists from India to Croatia would soon follow the rise of Indian Sensex.

Calling Croatia a ''cauldron of love, fun and peace'', he invited Indians to visit his country for their family summer vacations.

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