South Australian Deputy Premier welcomed Indian Cricket Legend to Adelaide as Indian film projects reignite Bollywood’s love with South Australia. Deputy Premier John Rau welcomed Sachin Tendulkar and the crew of the TV commercial being filmed in Adelaide at Ashmangrove Residential Aged Care.
Mr Rau said: "South Australia has a great film culture and a great love for cricket, so I am glad the two could be combined together. I’m also particularly pleased that the crew decided to put the spotlight on Adelaide and shoot the commercial with Sachin here. The Indian film industry is very welcome in South Australia and I’m sure the success of this shoot will encourage more Indian crews to consider our state as a location."
Producer Anupam Sharma thanked the Deputy Premier for his welcome and said "South Australian government has always been very welcoming of Indian film shoots and as someone who is originally from Adelaide and has done almost all the Indian projects in South Australia it is very encouraging to see Indian film crews coming to Adelaide after a long gap. These film crews are known around the world for investing money in local economy providing jobs to local film industry and for showcasing the film skills and locations to hundreds of millions of people."
South Australia's Special Envoy to India Brian Hayes QC said “Stronger links with Indian film and media industry is the most effective way to develop stronger ties. With Cricket,which is almost a religion in India, thrown in the mix- it is the perfect recipe for warmer relationships with Indians."
Adelaide is also hosting a strong delegation of Indian businessmen lead by SA Trade commissioner to India Mr. Ayub Tareen. Attending the cricket match and developing links with SA business, Tareen said "We get many queries from Indian film makers about SA and have facilitated many shoots. The current shoot is further testament to the untapped potential of working with the world's biggest film Industry – India.
South Australia has had a long association with Indian entertainment sector which ranges from hosting TVC shoots for Honda and Van Heusen to Bollywood films. South Australia also sponsored India's only guide to Australian Film Services and SA locations were showcased to hundreds of millions of people through Bollywood films.
India has the biggest film industry in the world growing at more than 20% annually. Australia has been strengthening its links with India through frequent Bollywood shoots in Australia, Australian films in India, and investment into India Centric Australian films. Last year also saw the first and only Australian Film Festival in Mumbai supported by Hugh Jackman (www.aafilminitiative.org) and this year the festival will be showcasing Baz Luhrman's work to film loving population of India estimated to be hundred's of millions. Many countries and Australian states constantly woo Indian film makers to film in their state for obvious benefits to Tourism, Education, and Film industry.