Innsbruck stars in Bollywood

Once again, Innsbruck stars in Bollywood as the main setting for “Pardes Mein Hai Mera Dil“. Since being founded in 1998, Cine Tirol has been promoting the region to international filmmakers and India has taken notice.

“Pardes Mein Hai Mera Dil” crew and cast wearing beanies courtesy of  Karin Seiler-Lall (Innsbruck Tourism)

“Pardes Mein Hai Mera Dil” is a daily soap opera scheduled to debut on Star Plus during the first week of November, attracting over 70 million viewers. The soap features Drashti Dhami playing opposite Arjun Bijlani in a love story set in Innsbruck. It’s inspired by the Bollywood film “Pardes”, starring Shah Rukh Khan. This will be the first time the two share the screen and fans and tabloids in India are already buzzing; reporting everything from their social media updates to their new looks for the show. The show also features several leading television actors including Alka Amin, Surekha Sikri and Additi Gupta.

Arjun enjoying himself in Old Town of Innsbruck.

The crew has been working hard, but also taking every opportunity to enjoy their surroundings.

Innsbruck stars in Bollywood

Innsbruck benefits greatly from international film projects like this one. The big budget production has been shooting in many locations around Innsbruck; including Nordkette, Tiroler Landestheater, Hofburg, and even smaller villages like Götzens. Such productions rely on local businesses for accommodation, catering, film crews, logistics and countless other services. Some local models and actors even get to participate as extras. The show will also entice viewers to visit Innsbruck for themselves. Indian visitors already play a huge role for tourism and they are growing in numbers every year thanks in part to past film projects like Subash Ghai’s “Yuvraaj”, Nitin Manmohan’s “Chal Mere Bhai”, and “Manmadhadu” starring Sonali Bendre.

Ishvinder “Baba” Maddh (Managing Director)

Christian Mair (Nordkettenbahnen), Karin Seiler-Lall (Innsbruck Tourismus), Drashti Dhami, Muzammil Desai (Director), Arjun Bijlani , Ishvinder Maddh (Managing Director) and Thomas Fuchs (Cine Tirol).

“Baba” is an Austro-Indian entrepreneur, Business Development Manager for Eurotours India, and founder of Robinville (Bollywood Line Production). He is responsible for many of the Bollywood projects taking place throughout Austria and much of the influx of visitors from India. He’s also a really chill guy, I ran into him at the Adler’s Rooftop Clubbing event last weekend where he stopped me for a little chat.

Muzammil Desai (Director)

Muzammil Desai, Director of “Pardes Mein Hai Mera Dil”

Of Bade Achhe Lagte Hain fame, Muzammil is a favorite to work with among Indian actors. We watched him work as he shot a few scenes. It’s obvious that his attention to detail will make this soap a complete success.

Drashti Dhami

Drashti Dhami starring in “Pardes Mein Hai Mera Dil”

Drashti is a famous Actress, Model, and Dancer. In the past she has starred in “Dill Mill Gayye”, “Geet – Hui Sabse Parayi”, “Madhubala – Ek Ishq Ek Junoon” and “Ek Tha Raja Ek Thi Rani”. She’s an absolute pro. She went from freezing cold in between shots to laser sharp focus while filming. We wish Drashti a speedy recovery from her recent injury suffered while playing on the ice. @dhamidrashti

Arjun Bijlani

Arjun Bijlani discussing a scene with Director, Muzammil Desai

Arjun is one of India’s most renowned television celebrities. His playful demeanor kept everyone smiling on the set. He’s starred in Disney Channel’s “Kartika”, and lead roles in “Left Right Left”, “Miley Jab Hum Tum” and in films like “Direct Ishq”. Find out more about him on Instagram: @arjunbijlani

Additi Gupta

“Pardes Mein Hai Mera Dil” star knows how to yodel

Additi is an Actress, Model, and Fashion Designer. She spent some time with us chatting about the soap (see more in our video!). She told us that her character is a villain, but she was nothing but sweet. She’s starred in “Kis Desh Mein Hai Meraa Dil”, “Qubool Hai”, “Yeh Hai Aashiqui”, “Badalte Rishton Ki Dastaan”. She’s also an Instagram babe – check it out for yourself: @additigupta.

I also interviewed Drashti Dhami and Additi Gupta and taught them some real “Tyrolean” things. #oachkatzlschwoaf

For your viewing pleasure, we’ve put together a few Bollywood clips shot in Innsbruck. How many of the locations do you recognize?

Chal Mere Bhai

Yuwraaj

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=epYqR2mL8DY

Yuvvraaj

Manmadhudu

Chal Mere Bhai

Action Jackson

All photos by Carlos Melgar