Bollywood still in love with Tyneside

Nov 15 2008 by Paul Loraine, The Journal

MAKERS of the third Bollywood film to be shot in the North East in quick succession said the experience of making films in the region gets “better and better”.

Phhir, meaning Again, is being shot entirely in the region and follows two other high profile Bollywood movies – Kaun Bola and Apni Boli Apna Des – shot throughout Northumberland, County Durham and Tyne and Wear in the summer. A thriller about a psychic trying to uncover the disappearance of a doctor’s wife, Phhir is the latest film from director Vikram Bhatt, whose last film, 1920, was premiered in Yorkshire following an extensive shoot in the area.

Sue Bellarby, location manager on Phhir said: “As soon as we came over the Tyne Bridge the region sold itself, we really didn’t have to do much recce’ing at all.

“We’ve had such a good time shooting here already and the experience of shooting in the North East just keeps on getting better and better.

“The people are fantastic – whether it is Northern Film and Media or a local business, people in Gateshead or in a rural location such as Northumberland, really couldn’t be more helpful.

“As soon as the filmmakers saw the North East they made the decision that the film just had to be based here.”

Gayle Woodruffe, location service manager at Northern Film and Media said: “The Bollywood films that successfully shot in the North East earlier this year coupled with our Filming Friendly Partnership with local authorities and the general goodwill that the people of the region offer to productions when they arrive in the region have combined to make the North East a realistic option for film production once again.

“We look forward to welcoming more productions to the region in the near future.”

Key scenes have already been shot at the shipyards of A&P Group in Hebburn, with Burn Hall, Gateshead Town Hall, the Gateshead Millennium Bridge and city centre locations planned. Others scenes will be shot at the University of Northumbria City Campus East.

Movie-maker Giresh Dhamija was so impressed by Northumbria University’s award-winning new City Campus East that he decided to recast one of his leading characters as a law lecturer. Northumbria University’s name will remain unchanged in the film, which is being shot in various locations around Newcastle this month.

Prof Andrew Wathey, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of Northumbria University, said: “We are pleased that our award-winning City Campus East buildings have captured the imagination of a Bollywood filmmaker.

“The buildings, which house the Law, Design and Business Schools, provide our students with world class teaching facilities and ... have made a real contribution to the regeneration of this area of the city.”