Gurinder Chadha is trying to coax producers of her first
big budget Hollywood film to shoot in Rajasthan

 

New Delhi, September 23, 2004
IANS

British Indian director Gurinder Chadha is trying to coax producers of her first big budget Hollywood film to shoot in Rajasthan.

"They are a little wary because they don't know much about India," smiled Chadha, who is set to direct "I Dream of Jeanie" based on the 1960s US TV sitcom.

The film, she said, would be in the "Pirates of the Caribbean" sort of adventure tale, referring to last year's hit sea saga starring Johnny Depp.

"But I love shooting in India. I had such a blast shooting here for my last film that I knew I must return."

Chadha is now in New Delhi to promote her latest flick "Bride and Prejudice", starring Bollywood queen Aishwarya Rai. The film is an adaptation of Jane Austen's famous novel Pride and Prejudice.

Portions of "Bride and Prejudice" were shot in Amritsar in Punjab.

"I have seen some lovely locales in Rajasthan and it is just ideal for great outdoors. I am very keen to shoot some shoots here," said Chadha about the film, which has about $10 million budgeted for special effects.

"I know once they come here, they'll fall in love with the place and it'll look fantastic on screen."