TAG: The director and cast of Blood Money are enjoying filming in Cape Town. TAG: The director and cast of Blood Money are enjoying filming in Cape Town.
“WOW! Every location we’ve seen in Cape Town is mind-blowing,” says Vishal Mahadkar, director of the Indian film, Blood Money, filming in various locations in the Mother City.
Mahadkar makes his directorial debut with the film that focuses on the illicit diamond trade. Previously he had worked as an assistant director for Vishesh Films, the producers of this production.
Vishesh is owned by the Bhatts, a well-known family in the Indian film industry. Blood Money is their sixth film shot in Cape Town.
Local line production company, Film Ad, is co-ordinating the shoot of the film and has a longstanding relationship with the Bhatts.
Mahadkar explains: “Cape Town was chosen as the location over Antwerp in Belgium. I’m convinced that Cape Town is going to look stunning in our film on the big screen.”
Film Ad, under the auspices of Nizam Allie and Noorie Hassan, are both involved in various other sectors of the business world.
All the foreign location shoots for Vishesh Films are supervised by Sumit Saberwal, a man of few words, but highly respected by his entire unit.
Having been with the company for almost 11 years, he is well versed in the requirements of various sized shoots and has developed a great working relationship with the members of Film Ad.
He is a big fan of Cape Town and actively promotes the city as a filming location.
Saberwal says: “Originally we had intentions of filming in Antwerp, Belgium. But having visited there, we felt strongly that Cape Town offered us more in terms of locations. Moreover, Film Ad have a good understanding of our requirements and that helps the production process a great deal.”
The lead actor, Kunal Khemu, is a rising star in Bollywood.
He was a popular child actor who has made the change to adult roles very effectively. Amrita Puri is the leading lady.
This is her second film, having made a critically acclaimed debut in the film, Aisha, earlier this year.
Playing the villain is Manish Chaudhary, whose performance in the film, Rocket Singh, released in 2009, was greatly appreciated by audiences and critics alike.
Making his debut in a supporting role is Teeshay, an up-and-coming artiste.
Also featuring in the film is Mia Evonne Uyeda who hails from Canada, but is now resident in India. She has previously visited Cape Town as a contestant in the Indian version of the popular Fear Factor television series.
All the actors are unanimous in their praise of Cape Town and they are keen to visit again and continue soaking up the various holiday activities that they have had a taste of on their days off.
They speak very kindly of the warmth and general good nature of the city’s residents. - Cape Times