23-10-2011

FNE at Regiofun: Bollywood Returns to Krakow

By Katarzyna Grynienko

    KRAKOW: Indian director Shankar Dayal has completed principal photography for the political drama Saguni on location in Krakow. The film is the second Bollywood project brought to the city through the efforts of the Krakow Film Commission.

    The film is produced by Dream Warrior Pictures (www.dreamwarriorpictures.com), one of the biggest production companies of India. The Polish line producer is Film Polska Productions (www.filmpolska.pl).

    The choice of Krakow for the shoot location is seen as another success of the Krakow Film Commission (www.film-commission.pl), a local film fund very active in accruing international film projects for the region, giving support with choosing locations, connecting with local filmmakers and handling the necessary permits. "We are interested in big international productions because they are a sure way to boost our local film industry. They not only bring funds to the region, but countless jobs for local film professionals," Rafał Orlicki of the Krakow Film Commission told FNE during the 2nd Regiofun IFF in Katowice.

    The principal shoot in Krakow locations took place between 15 and 18 October 2011. The locations include St' Mary's Basilica, Peter and Paul's Church, the Main Market Square and Słowacki's Theater as well as streets Podzamcze, Retoryka, Basztowa, Pędzichów, Floriańska, Grodzka and Szpitalna. Krakow will play itself and not imitate another location. The production team now moves to other Polish locations including the Tatra Mountains, Castle in Ogrodzieniec and the dunes in Łeba. Poland locations are being used for several musical sequences in the movie, with a special appearance by a Polish folk dance company.

    A previous Bollywood project realized with the support of the Krakow Film Commission and production services from Film Polska Productions were employed for a previous Bollywood film, Azaan directed by Prashant Chadha and produced by JMJ Entertainment PVT (www.azaan.com).