A FILM TIPPED to become the Bollywood blockbuster of the year is set for global release today – a year after it was filmed on location in Dublin.
The romantic thriller Ek Tha Tiger (Once There Was a Tiger) stars two of the Indian film industry’s biggest stars, Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif, and is expected to reach a global audience of 100 million people.
The film is being released today in 3,000 cinemas across in India and 24 countries around the world – including Ireland.
Ek Tha Tiger centres on an Indian secret agent’s efforts to investigate a Trinity College scientist suspected of selling information about missile technology to Pakistan. The agent, played by Khan, falls in love with the professor’s assistant, Kaif, who is also studying dance at Trinity.
Parts of the film were shot on location around Trinity College and in Dublin city centre last autumn, and the new release will feature dance scenes and stunts at familiar locations like the Ha’penny Bridge, Grafton Street, the Luas and Dublin Castle.
Tourism Ireland says that this was the first time that a major Bollywood production was filmed in Ireland and the film could help to significantly boost awareness in India of Ireland as a tourist location.
“Bollywood is deep-rooted in the psyche of most Indians and in Indian communities across the world and the films have a considerable influence on Indian travellers when they are deciding on their holiday destination,” according to Tourism Ireland chief Niall Gibbons.
“There is tremendous excitement in India, and among the Indian Diaspora, about this week’s release of Ek Tha Tiger and we are confident that it will help increase awareness of the island of Ireland among Indian travellers who are always on the look-out for new destinations to explore.”
“We expect the film will whet their appetites and create a curiosity to come and visit the places where the film was shot,” Gibbons added. “We are delighted to have co-operated with the Irish Film Board in securing this important film for Ireland which was also made possible through strong support at Government level.”
Tourism Ireland, the Irish Film Board and the Irish Embassy in Mumbai held a special event for Indian media and travel trade contacts last week to highlight the film’s launch.
The film’s Irish premiere is being held at the IFI this evening at 7pm and it goes on release at Cineworld on Parnell Street, Dublin from today.
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