New Zealand – India agreement aids Bollywood

New Zealand is becoming quite well-known amongst Indians as one of the hottest destinations to travel to abroad. Its scenic and breathtaking beauty has gained wide appreciation thanks to the number of Bollywood movies being shot there recently. It’s because of this reason that an agreement has been signed between India and New Zealand, which aims at encouraging more co-operation between the two nations' film industries by enhancing screen co-investment, joint creative input and film crew interaction.

Tourism New Zealand research found 30,000 visitors arrived in this country from India in the year to May 2011, up 13% on the previous year. DQ chief executive Tony Everitt said the Bollywood film industry had a great deal of influence on the Indian tourism market, not just on the continent itself, but on wealthy Indians living around the world.

Dharma Productions’ has definitely been a pioneer in shooting at exotic locations all over the world, be it Miami for Dostana, New York for Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna or I Hate Luv Storys in New Zealand.  Although Switzerland was the habitual destination since decades for directors, it’s now out of fashion and New Zealand is all the rage. This agreement is definitely going to give Bollywood an even bigger boost.