• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • HOME
  • REVIEWS
    • TRAILERS
  • BUSINESS
  • CELEBRITIES
  • HOLLYWOOD
  • REGIONAL
  • TV
  • MUSIC
  • TOP LISTS

Bollywood Presents

Exotic locations where popular Bollywood movies were shot

You are here: Home / Film & Media Business / Abu Dhabi & Dubai: Competing to Attract Bollywood Film Shoots

Abu Dhabi & Dubai: Competing to Attract Bollywood Film Shoots

October 9, 2015 by BollywoodPresents Team

burj khalifa dubai

Though Dubai may be ahead in the race, Abu Dhabi (UAE capital) is pulling up its socks and working hard to attract more Bollywood Film Shoots. Not only will it attract more tourists to the region, its also a different source of revenue for them, which is not dependent on oil.

Which city comes to the mind, if you talk about the UAE? For most its Dubai, especially if you’re located in India. In fact, for most Indians in smaller cities, the names that come to the mind when you talk about Gulf or Middle East, are Dubai and Saudi. If given an opportunity, many would definitely love to go to Dubai.

However, Abu Dhabi is making sure it gets its presence felt. Both the cities anyways are friendly rivals when it comes to investment and tourism in that region. Now they’re competing for Bollywood shoots as well.

Abu Dhabi vs Dubai

Dubai, of course has the first-movers advantage as several Bollywood movies (and substantial portions of it) have already been shot here. Abu Dhabi, on the other hand, has lately realized the potential of attracting film shoots and is working hard to persuade Hindi filmmakers to shoot films Abu Dhabi.

So while ‘Happy New Year’ was filmed in the luxury hotel The Atlantis, The Palm, in Dubai, Abu Dhabi managed to get the team of Bang Bang to film at their locations.

And while ‘Welcome Back’ was filmed in Dubai, Akshay Kumar’s ‘Baby’ has been shot in Abu Dhabi.

So you can see, in recent times, they have been neck to neck.

Advantages of Dubai

Shooting in Dubai does offer few advantages:

The local film council is flexible about permissions and other logistics.
Dubai has glamorous locations (and buildings)…that’s what its famous for the world over…isn’t it?

Besides, they have a sizeable Indian expatriate community, making the UAE one of the most important markets for Bollywood, after the United States and the United Kingdom.

And filmmakers know that if a film is shot at a particular location, locals there will flock to see that film, and that film will do well at that location. Dubai is definitely one of the bigger markets for Hindi films, which will only grow in the future.

The high-profile Hollywood movie ‘Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol’ was shot in Dubai and had scenes where Tom Cruise scaled the façade of the ‘Burj Khalifa’, the tallest structure on earth.

Read: Bollywood films shot in Dubai



Advantages of Abu Dhabi

Here are some of the positives of filming in Abu Dhabi.

The city can look modern, but also has that typical middle-eastern look and has locations that can double up as Pakistan and Afghanistan. The movie Bang Bang used a mixture of neighbourhoods and hotels.

The other factor that really helps to woo filmmakers away from other destinations is the rebate that Abu Dhabi offers on shooting expenses. The 30% cash-back production incentive in the form of a rebate, has been attractive not just to Hollywood and Bollywood producers, but also to regional filmmakers.

Out-station producers need to spend a minimum of $50,000 for a commercial and $200,000 for a movie to be eligible for the rebate. Hollywood films that have been recently filmed in Abu Dhabi include ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ and Furious 7.

Read: Bollywood films shot in Abu Dhabi



Related Posts:

  • Is film school worth it?
  • Representation of women in Bollywood Films
  • Social Impact of Bollywood on Indian culture
  • Top Forthcoming Bollywood Movies (& Trailers): Upcoming…

Filed Under: Film & Media Business

RELATED POSTS

bollywood super cars

Indian property developer in UAE buys car license plate for $9M

Several car owners are ready to pay a premium to get single-digit (or unique numbered) license plates for their luxury cars. In India, cars with such numbers belong to politicians, businessmen, high profile government officials, and it gives an impression that the car belongs to a VVIP. Such numbers are a rage around the world. […]

hollywood film business

Rowan Atkinson (Mr Bean) is ‘Alive and Kicking’, take a look at his Indian connection

British actor Rowan Atkinson, popularly known as Mr Bean, was reported dead recently. The false tweet, which claimed that Mr Atkinson had died in a car crash, was liked/shared over 300,000 times (that explains his popularity). However, website Hoax Alert debunked the story as false, much to the delight of his fans. The tweet read: […]

Rehearsing the lines before an audition

A Strugglers Typical Day Chasing Bollywood Dreams

We all love our Bollywood stars, and surely envy the fame and fortune they make. But how does it all start? What does it take to get the first break? If you already have a mom/pop working in the industry, probably it’s easier to get the break. If you have tons of money to spend, […]

Hui Culture Park China

To Improve Relationship With Arab World, China Builds Huge Muslim Theme Park

The city of Yinchuan (located 600 miles west of Beijing) is the capital of the Ningxia region that has a majority Muslim population (Hui Muslims). China is spending close to $3.5 billion to turn it into a “World Muslim City” to improve its relationship with the Arab world. This huge theme park, known as the […]

Top multi-designer fashion stores & boutiques in India for buying designer outfits

Top multi-designer fashion stores in India for buying designer clothing/outfits. The Fashion Industry in India has grown manifold in the last few years. Buyers are showing preference for designer outfits, and look for that cool quotient when it comes to design, style or fabric. With so many exciting/upcoming designers, designer brands, Indians are spoilt-for-choices when […]

priyanka chopra in quantico

Despite her success, Priyanka Chopra says she is not “a Hollywood star” yet

Although a late entrant in Hollywood, Priyanka Chopra seems to be on the right path towards stardom, shows the World that Bollywood is not just about song and dance. In the last few years, Priyanka Chopra has made a name for herself in in Hollywood, has presented an award at the Oscars, dined with the […]

Can Wedding Planning Really Be A 50k Plus Job?

In the movie “band Bajaa baraat”, the protagonists play the role of wedding planners, who make their living from the wedding business. In recent times, there were a few other movies as well where the lead actors were part of the wedding business. So is this a really viable business model? Is it possible to […]

salman khan

Salman Khan honoured with Global Diversity Award in United Kingdom

Bollywood superstar Salman Khan was recently honoured with the Global Diversity Award by United Kingdom’s member of parliament Keith Vaz in London. Salman also visited the British Parliament. Presenting the award, Keith Vaz said, “Salman Khan is a role model and a hero to millions of people worldwide. Besides his Indian cinema success, Salman is […]

Priyanka Chopra Net Worth

Top Priyanka Chopra controversies

Top Priyanka Chopra controversies. Priyanka Chopra trolled for wearing short dress during meeting with Narendra Modi Priyanka Chopra met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Berlin and later shared an image. Thank you for taking the time to meet me this morning @narendramodi Sir. Such a lovely coincidence to be in #berlin at the same […]

Gujarat Tourism

Bollywood Films Shot in Gujarat

Here we take a look at the Bollywood movies that have been filmed in the state of Gujarat. Film stars & crew members love shooting there as they also get to indulge in authentic Gujarati food on the sets. Besides, Gujarat is also a very film-friendly state as approvals can be obtained quickly. Jackky Bhagnani’s […]

Primary Sidebar

LOOKING FOR SOMETHING?

RECENT POSTS

Tamannaah Bhatia

Tamannaah Bhatia: Lifestyle, Business and Net Worth

Tamannaah Bhatia is a well-known Indian actress who has made a name for herself in the film … [Read More...] about Tamannaah Bhatia: Lifestyle, Business and Net Worth

Saudi Arabia Tourism

Shah Rukh Khan’s ‘Dunki’ is Bollywood’s first movie to be shot in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia is keen to reduce its dependency on oil and has been promoting tourism, including film … [Read More...] about Shah Rukh Khan’s ‘Dunki’ is Bollywood’s first movie to be shot in Saudi Arabia

film making

Is film school worth it?

Do film schools provide value to students and are they really worth the exorbitant amount of money … [Read More...] about Is film school worth it?

Shah Rukh Khan on business

Filming Destinations of SRK’s ‘Pathaan’ Spans Europe to the Middle East

Shah Rukh Khan's film Pathaan was filmed at several filming locations in Europe, Russia, Dubai, and … [Read More...] about Filming Destinations of SRK’s ‘Pathaan’ Spans Europe to the Middle East

music cities

Top music schools / colleges in the world

Top music schools / colleges in the world to learn music performance under expert musicians, to … [Read More...] about Top music schools / colleges in the world

Bollywood in Poland, Country with Medieval Hot Spots & Energetic Cities

Poland is located in the heart of Europe and is well known for its history, which is reflected in … [Read More...] about Bollywood in Poland, Country with Medieval Hot Spots & Energetic Cities

movie trailers

Top Forthcoming Bollywood Movies (& Trailers): Upcoming Entertainers for 2021

Want to know when the next entertainer of your favorite star is going to be released? Want to plan … [Read More...] about Top Forthcoming Bollywood Movies (& Trailers): Upcoming Entertainers for 2021

National Museum of Indian Cinema (NMIC)

Social Impact of Bollywood on Indian culture

Movies are one of the most influential tools of communication and society does learn a few things or … [Read More...] about Social Impact of Bollywood on Indian culture

bollywood rapes

Representation of women in Bollywood Films

Women in Bollywood films have been subject to stereotypes and objectification, and appeared in … [Read More...] about Representation of women in Bollywood Films

Music Scene in Saudi Arabia

How's the music Scene in Saudi Arabia. Is it really frowned upon? Read more here. Young musicians in … [Read More...] about Music Scene in Saudi Arabia

Amazon Fashion

Useful Read

  • Who coined the term ‘Bollywood’?
  • Dadasaheb Phalke (Father of Indian Cinema)
  • Evolution of Hindi Films
  • Social Impact of Bollywood on Indian culture

Footer

Upcoming Bollywood Movies

  • Love Aaj Kal Movie
  • Hum Bhi Akele Tum Bhi Akele Movie
  • Hawayein Movie
  • Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan Movie
  • The Hundred Bucks Movie
  • BHOOT: Part One – The Haunted Ship Movie
  • Haunted Hills Movie
  • 'O' Pushpa I Hate Tears Movie
  • Guns Of Banaras Movie
  • Thappad Movie

Bollywood Movie Reviews

  • Malang Review
  • Jawaani Jaaneman Review
  • Panga Review
  • Street Dancer 3D Review
  • Tanhaji – The Unsung Warrior Review
  • Chhapaak Review
  • Good Newwz Review

Top Celebs

  • Ajay Devgn
  • Kajol
  • Saif Ali Khan
  • Shraddha Kapoor
  • Varun Dhawan
  • Deepika Padukone
  • Kangana Ranaut
  • Tabu
  • Aditya Roy Kapur
  • Disha Patani
  • Rajinikanth

About Us

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Write for Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclosure
  • Sitemap
  • Newsletter

Copyright © 2023 · News Pro on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in