Filming on the action-adventure film Dishoom, starring John Abraham, Varun Dhawan and Jacqueline Fernandez, appears to be going full steam ahead in Abu Dhabi. So far, its stars have been spotted filming at Yas Marina, Yas Marina Circuit and Yas Viceroy Hotel. The production crew were also reported to have set up camp on Yas Beach on Wednesday, while key scenes are expected to be shot in February at Nurai Island, Saadiyat Island, Emirates Palace, Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium and Liwa desert.
Following our exclusive interview with Abraham at Iris restaurant, we caught up with producer Sajid Nadiadwala, who was in town on a whirlwind trip to plan the long filming schedule, on set at Yas Marina.
Why did you choose to film parts of Dishoom in Abu Dhabi?
It was a script requirement. We needed a place in the Middle East and my director, Rohit Dhawan, happened to come here and he liked the place. But it’s all to do with the script.
You used special motorbikes from Germany when filming a daring stunt in Morocco over the summer. In Abu Dhabi, you are filming at the F1 circuit. What kind of cars are you using?
We are using some F1 cars, but I can’t say more than that.
Until recently, Switzerland used to be a popular destination for filming Bollywood movies. Is Abu Dhabi gaining that same reputation?
It’s looking like it. Switzerland was more for songs, though, even if the script did not demand it, people used to go there to shoot songs. That’s not the case with Abu Dhabi. You have people who are coming here because they just see it as a great place to make movies.
What are the best film locations in Abu Dhabi?
It has that feeling of having the most beautiful aspects of the Middle East — you’ve got sand, blue skies, the coast and many other requirements that make a good film.
Are you planning on returning to the UAE for future projects?
Yes, Housefull 3 will be shot in Abu Dhabi at the end of February. That's with Jacqueline Fernandez, Akshay Kumar and Abhishek Bachchan.
Who are your favourite actors?
Salman Khan and Akshay Kumar.
Akshay Kumar’s latest film, Airlift, was also filmed in the UAE (in Ras Al Khaimah). What did you think of it?
It was very well-made.
You have had several hits — such as the Housefull films and Heyy Babyy — with Akshay Kumar. What’s he like to work with?
Great. He was in the same class as me, we were in the same school [Don Bosco School, in south Delhi]. We have made many films since then — I respect him 100 per cent.
Is it true that Salman Khan dropped in on the Dishoom set when you were filming in Mumbai?
Yes, he did. We were shooting in the Mehboob Studio. He drops in on all my film shoots.
Would you ever consider making a film with the three Khans of Bollywood — Aamir, Shah Rukh and Salman?
If I do that, then it will only happen if I direct.
What is your next project?
I’m working at the moment on a script with Salman, but the writing is still ongoing.
Have you been able to enjoy all that Abu Dhabi has to offer during your stay?
Yes, but for us it’s all work. Twofour54 is fantastic, it’s a great organisation, and the Abu Dhabi Film Commission, too — they are great ambassadors for Abu Dhabi. That’s the reason everything is going well — a film shoot doesn’t happen overnight. It is an exercise that people in both [India and the UAE] go through for about a year before the shooting begins.
artslife@thenational.ae