Written by on Feb 21, 2014. Posted in On Location

Oman hosts first Indian movie to film entirely on location in the country

Feature film Velli Vechathil (Silver Light) has become the first Indian movie to film entirely on location in Oman on the Arab Peninsula. The production involves a 70-strong Indian crew and the story will focus on the lives of both Indian expats and local Omanis.

"This is the first time that an Indian movie is being filmed fully in Oman,” line producing company Mezoon Travels told Times of Oman: “We have a 38-day schedule of shooting at various locations in Oman, especially at exotic spots in Muscat, Yiti, Muttrah, Barka, Fanja and Sharqiyah sands.”

Added the company’s Executive Director Renny Johnson: “We are receiving an overwhelming response from the nationals. They are helping us a lot. Some have even rented out their villas free of cost for the shoot. Many Omani nationals are also acting in this movie. We will capture the breathtaking beauty of Oman and showcase it globally.”

The film’s director Madhu Kaithapuram commented to the outlet: “When I came here for location scouting last month, I was impressed by the landscape of Oman. Now, when I have started filming, I am surprised by the country's beauty. I have not seen a place like this which gives any director a chance to capture light and shadow. I feel that so far Oman has not been fully showcased in movies by any of the movie makers.”

When I came here for location scouting last month, I was impressed by the landscape of Oman. Now, when I have started filming, I am surprised by the country's beauty.

Madhu Kaithapuram, Director

Oman views Bollywood as a major international market given the geographic proximity of the two countries.

In April 2013, Oman hosted a location scouting trip for a group of Bollywood directors and producers, who said that Oman would be more appealing for longer shoots with improvements to local production infrastructure.

(Main page image: Sabihuddin Khan)