In today’s high-tech times when several film-makers compromise on authenticity by using ‘VFX-Plates’ illusion effects, instead of shooting on actual foreign locations, globe-trotting director Kabir Khan (of ‘Ek Tha Tiger’ fame) is among the exceptional. That’s because the passionate travel-buff film-maker Khan considers foreign locations as his “screen-characters’ and not just a back-drop”.
Little wonder than Kabir was honoured with a special award for his “outstanding contribution” at the 7th Edition of IIFTC Conclave and the third annual IIFTC Film Tourism Impact Awards meticulously convened by the dynamic Harshad Bhagwat (who is also the pioneering Editor of ‘CinePort’ magazine).
The other awardee in this category was Jagannath Puri (Telugu movies) while ten other film-makers pan-India including Gajendra Ahire (of ‘Miss Molly’ shot on Swedish locales) and Luv Ranjan whose movie ‘Sone Ke Titu..’ had its locations in Georgia, were also felicitated.
Incidentally, the current mega-hit patriotic movie Uri: The Surgical Strike had been largely shot on locales in Serbia (Europe) and this was proudly declared by the Serbian Ambassador Vladimir. Over 21 foreign countries are participating in this three-day unique conclave.
The celebs turn-out included Southside eminent film-maker A M Rathnam, tall, suave M.P. and Bengali regional super-star and Dev (of ‘Hoichoi Unlimited’ shot in Uzbekistan), noted director Rima Das, and vivacious model-actresses Samapti Patra (of ‘The Pickup Artist’ movie), Shiny Dixit, Muktamukhi Sarkar and Eshika Dey (of ‘Sacred Games’).