Filmmakers discuss overseas shoots at IIFTC, highlighting challenges, costs, and creative benefits of filming in global destinations

Filmmakers discuss overseas shoots at IIFTC, highlighting challenges, costs, and creative benefits of filming in global destinations

- Kabir Singh Bhandari

How are so many movies being shot abroad? Isn't that much more expensive? This is one thought that was laid to rest at a recent panel discussion when the makers and producers from the regional language industry, who have travelled all continents, visited over a hundred destinations and filmed extensively at different locations came together to share their experiences at the India International Film Tourism Conclave (IIFTC).

By the end, it was clear as to why the opposite is true - that is costlier for them to shoot in India than outside. And these were the reasons why.

Nishanthan Niruthan (Head of Operations, Lyca Productions)

We've been to Europe, and were in Azerbaijan recently. We're also thinking of going to other countries like Thailand. In fact, Sri Lanka is another major location for us where we ended up setting up our own production company because we were going there so often to film there. And now we are actually producing completely Sri Lankan films for the Sri Lankan market.