Abu Dhabi Film Commission and Yash Raj Films collaborate on Salman Khan’s next blockbuster, Tiger Zinda Hai

Tiger Zinda Hai is the fifth Indian film to shoot in the UAE Capital
At 65 days, it will be Abu Dhabi’s longest-yet shooting schedule

All India, 01st May 2017: Abu Dhabi Film Commission is set to welcome one of India’s most anticipated Bollywood movies, Tiger Zinda Hai. The Yash Raj Films production will have its longest shoot in the Emirate, and will be Abu Dhabi’s longest feature film project to date with a filming schedule of 65 days.

The film is a sequel to the blockbuster film Ek Tha Tiger and will be directed by Ali Abbas Zafar. Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif will star in the larger than life production, along with a strong supporting cast.

Tiger Zinda Hai will commence filming in the Emirate on 4 May, taking advantage of Abu Dhabi Film Commission’s 30 percent rebate. twofour54’s Film and TV Services division will provide production services and, as part of the agreement, twofour54 and Yash Raj Films have already begun construction of a 20,000 sq. metre backlot. Around 150 workers will be on site for a total 100 days to create the film’s main set, many of whom helped to build the Star Wars set in Abu Dhabi in 2013. The production will also film at 20 other locations around Abu Dhabi before moving to the set.

A crew of 300 is expected to work on the production, with Abu Dhabi-based freelancers working alongside crew members from India, the US and the UK. Demonstrating the government’s support for Abu Dhabi’s growing production industry, the UAE military is providing military equipment, including helicopters, during the shoot.

CEO of Media Zone Authority – Abu Dhabi, Maryam Al Mheiri said: “Abu Dhabi is gaining traction in India as the emerging new home of Bollywood, as a result of what we can offer this dynamic industry: a generous 30 percent rebate, a huge variety of locations, and crew with Bollywood experience. With four previous Bollywood productions under our belt, we have built up considerable understanding of this unique format and we look forward to working with the Yash Raj Films team to ensure a smooth and successful shoot while they are with us in Abu Dhabi.

Ali Abbas Zafar, the film’s director, said: “A film like Tiger Zinda Hai requires a certain scale, which we found in Abu Dhabi. Keeping all the practical measures in mind, the kind of support we’ve had from Abu Dhabi Film Commission and twofour54 on the infrastructure was phenomenal. That, along with some stunning locations, makes shooting in Abu Dhabi really special.”

Salman Khan, who plays the title role, said: “Tiger Zinda Hai is a film of sizeable scale and context. Abu Dhabi, with a variety of locations and gracious hosts, is ideal to shoot for a film like this one. I hope that the entire unit will enjoy our time here.”

Katrina Kaif said: “Tiger Zinda Hai shifts to different locations across the globe, and Abu Dhabi fits in perfectly with our story. Additionally, it provides all the comforts and conveniences that a film unit needs. I look forward to shooting in eye-catching locations and on the impressive set here.”

In addition to Tiger Zinda Hai, Abu Dhabi has hosted four other Bollywood film productions including Bang Bang! and Baby, which both filmed in 2014; as well as Dishoom (filmed in 2016) and DJ (filmed in 2017). Abu Dhabi Film Commission and twofour54 have hosted several events in Mumbai in the past two years to promote Abu Dhabi as a filming location to the Indian industry.

A number of Hollywood films and international television formats have also embraced Abu Dhabi as a filming destination, adding to the Emirate’s production industry credentials. These include: Fast & Furious 7, Star Wars: The Force Awakens and Deliver Us from Evil.

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About Abu Dhabi Film Commission
Abu Dhabi Film Commission (ADFC) facilitates film and TV production projects in Abu Dhabi, helping to build the UAE’s capital as the destination of choice in the MENA region for international and regional TV and film production. ADFC sits under the umbrella of the Media Zone Authority – Abu Dhabi.

ADFC assists filming at the Emirate’s most iconic and versatile locations through its support services which include budgeting, scouting for filming locations advice on script clearance, obtaining permits and visas plus access to companies within the UAE who provide production services, equipment and crew.

ADFC also administers a highly successful 30% production rebate scheme, the only cash-back incentive in the region. Introduced in 2012, the scheme has helped to attract some of the industry’s biggest and most popular productions including Disney’s Star Wars: Episode VII, Universal Pictures’ Fast & Furious 7, Bollywood feature film Bang Bang from Fox Star Studios, BBC’s Top Gear and regional drama production, ‘The Brothers’ / Al Ikwa.

For further information about ADFC and its incentive scheme please see: http://www.film.gov.ae/

About twofour54
twofour54, home to Abu Dhabi’s media and entertainment industry, aims to cultivate Abu Dhabi’s media free zone and provide products and services to attract local, regional and international media businesses to the Emirate. Tasked with enabling a new generation of creative leaders and building Abu Dhabi as the Middle East’s leading hub for content creation, twofour54 provides world-class production facilities, talent development initiatives and training, and business support services for media companies.

Since establishment, twofour54 is home to more than 450 Arabic and international media and entertainment companies including Sky News Arabia, Image Nation, Ubisoft, CNN, Fox, Flash Entertainment, M&C Saatchi, and Flat6labs, in addition to a pool of 600 bilingual talented freelancers.

twofour54 is operated under the ownership of Media Zone Authority–Abu Dhabi, a government entity. For more information, visit www.twofour54.com.

About Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority
Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority conserves and promotes the heritage and culture of Abu Dhabi emirate and leverages them in the development of a world-class, sustainable destination of distinction which enriches the lives of visitors and residents alike. The authority manages the emirate’s tourism sector and markets the destination internationally through a wide range of activities aimed at attracting visitors and investment. Its policies, plans and programmes relate to the preservation of heritage and culture, including protecting archaeological and historical sites and to developing museums, including the Louvre Abu Dhabi, Zayed National Museum and Guggenheim Abu Dhabi. The authority supports intellectual and artistic activities and cultural events to nurture a rich cultural environment and honour the emirate’s heritage. A key authority role is to create synergy in the destination’s development through close co-ordination with its wide-ranging stakeholder base.

For more information please contact:
Anu Bhat
PR and Brand Executive
Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority
India
Tel: +91 11 23737348, +91 9643674469 | Fax: +91 11 23350270
Email: ABhat@tcaabudhabi.ae