TV drama to film as UK-India co-prod
Epic period love story The Far Pavilions will film on location in India as a major TV co-production between India and the UK.
Location filming on the £113m, 30-part project will take place in India and post-production work will be undertaken in the UK.
Originally written in 1978 by MM Kaye, The Far Pavilions tells the story of a British man raised as a Hindu who falls in love with an Indian princess. It is set in the late 19th century during the days of the British Raj in India.
The drama will be made Beautiful Bay Productions, with Michael Ward producing in India and Colin Burrows in the UK. Sadiq Khan, the mayor of London, officially announced the adaptation while on a trade mission to India.
“[The] UK and India’s film and TV industries have a long, proud tradition of working together,” said Khan, in comments to the media.
“Whether it’s Bollywood hits such as Judwaa 2 and Mubarakan being filmed on the streets of London, or blockbusters like Slumdog Millionaire and The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel – British movies filmed on location in India – the creative bond between India and the UK is as strong as ever – and one I have been promoting during my mayoralty.”
India is a major production hub with domestic industries that produce more than a thousand films a year, but bureaucracy and corruption have prevented the country from establishing much of a profile for international feature and TV producers.
London remains a major international hub for post-production, as well as for location filming.
Image: FreeImages/Ben Gribbin
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