The Yas Viceroy Abu Dhabi could be one of the many of the capital’s landmarks that will play key roles in the upcoming Bollywood film, Dishoom.
The cast – including Jacqueline Fernandez, John Abraham and Varun Dhawan – and crew of the movie will arrive towards the end of October for a shoot in and around the capital that is expected to last several weeks.
“We have a Bollywood film coming up, which is obviously a big blockbuster – or it will be – and the filming will be done here,” says Andrew Humphries, general manager of the Yas Viceroy.
While he did not reveal which parts of the hotel would host the filming, we know that Dishoom will feature several motorbike stunts and chases, so Yas Marina Circuit would be the perfect location for a supercharged sequence – this is the only hotel in the world built over a Formula 1 racetrack, after all. Not many people realise that the Yas Viceroy was also the setting for scenes from the blockbuster film Furious 7, says Humphries.
No stranger to making movies in the UAE, Abraham's last visit was last year to make the gangster comedy Welcome Back, 90 per cent of which was shot in the UAE. Hotels showcased in that film included Dubai's Jumeirah Zabeel Saray, the Waldorf Astoria, Meydan, Sofitel Hotel – The Palm, Grand Hyatt and Emirates Palace. While the critical reception of Welcome Back was lukewarm, Abraham has high hopes that Dishoom, directed by Rohit Dhawan, will be a big hit when it is released in April next year.
"The bike sequences, the chases, the action overall in the film are of really high standards," he told dnaindia.com. Abraham is in Bulgaria shooting for Force 2 until October 21, after which he is expected to fly to Abu Dhabi for the next leg of Dishoom.
He even compared the film with Dhoom, the blockbuster motorbike franchise that he first starred in 11 years ago.
"I believe Dishoom will be the next biggest franchise, because Dhoom has matured," he says. "Dishoom is a young franchise because it's a far younger film. Dishoom is a fun film with a lot of action and drama, and is in the same space as the Lethal Weapon series or Bad Boys."
Abraham, 42, is working with co-star Dhawan, 28, for the first time, and has been pleased with their on-screen chemistry.
"The combination of Varun and me is special," he says. "I also think we will go on to make the best action pair together in Bollywood for years to come, if Dishoom becomes a franchise."
The film will be shooting in Abu Dhabi for about five weeks, making it the longest film shoot to date in the capital, with more than 90 cast and crew members flying in for it. Shooting will take place at 40 locations in the city.
Rumours are rife in India that the talented but reclusive Akshaye Khanna, who last appeared in the 2012 film Gali Gali Chor Hai, will have a cameo in Dishoom – apparently as an Afghan.
artslife@thenational.ae
