Durban ideal for Bollywood film sequel

The Prince Pictures crew at work on location. Picture: Supplied

DURBAN was abuzz with the excitement of an Indian film being made in the city, and local actors, production companies and other service providers have enjoyed the benefits that making films offers the economy.

Produced by Prince Films and directed by Hari, the Tamil movie Singam 2, which will be released later this year, is described as an “action-masala” film and stars popular actor Suriya, who was also in Durban for the shoot, with supporting roles played by Anushka Shetty, Hansika Motwani, Vivek and Santhanam.

The Indian crew of almost 30 people will wrap up filming in Durban before heading to Malaysia for the next round of shooting.

Joburg-based line producer Kyle Ambrose of Mannequin Films, who is in charge of the South African shoot, said: “The Indian production team were considering using Kenya and Nigeria for the African country needed in the movie, but thought Durban was the perfect location.

“The locations have included the Natal Command site for some gunshot and fighting scenes and the cut-off road overhang in Warwick Triangle for the car-crash scenes.”

Toni Monty of the Durban Film Office said they were encouraged and pleased that Singam 2 was being shot in Durban: “We have some obvious links with India, notwithstanding a huge diaspora for potential extras, but also from a climate, cityscape, flora and geographical point of view there are good synergies that are in line with the subcontinent, so it makes it a comfortable marriage for co-productions between the countries.

“We are keen to further develop our relationships with the prolific Indian film industry, and if we can continue to provide good locations coupled with the experience of local South Africa production teams, it will help strengthen the growth of the local industry.”

The movie is the sequel to Singam (2010) and will be produced by S Lakshman Kumar. It is expected to release simultaneously in Telugu as Yamudu 2.

Two years ago, Suriya took up an action avatar in Singam, blending action with masala (traditional) throughout the script and delivered a hit. Now he’s back in Singam 2.

The latest news from the team is that the film will have a Hollywood villain in addition to Prakash Raj portraying a powerful negative role.

Speaking about the film, Hari said: “The story of Singam 2 goes from Tuticorin to South Africa. We are planning to shoot the very prominent fight sequence with a new villain in South Africa.

“The South African action scenes will be power-packed stunt sequences. In Singam 2, Suriya will be more aggressive and energetic than in the first one. So, South Africa will be ideal for a fiery action sequence.”

Meanwhile, the actor is expected to return to Chennai after the South African shoot to announce his next film.

Film-makers Gautham Vasudev Menon and Linguswamy have confirmed upcoming projects with Suriya. Menon is expected to fly to the US to select the locations and said the project would go on the floors by next month. Meanwhile, Linguswamy said he was fine-tuning his story with Suriya.

The actor is expected to have a different look in each film. – Additional reporting from IndiaGlitz.com