Written by on Sep 13, 2013. Posted in On Location

Shah Rukh Khan films Happy New Year feature on location in Dubai

Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan is filming his new feature Happy New Year on location in Dubai. Directed by Farah Khan, the movie is shooting extensively in luxury hotel complex Atlantis, The Palm on manmade island the Palm Jumeirah.

Farah Khan and her production team have the support of the Dubai Film and TV Commission and the Dubai government, while Emirates Airlines has provided travel services.

“Dubai is a beautiful city,” Shah Rukh Khan commented: “It has a great scenic balance of ancient and modern architecture. It is not just the shopping capital of the Middle East, but is a perfect location for a film shoot.”

“I wrote the script of Happy New Year with Dubai in mind,” Farah Khan added: “In fact, in this film, Dubai is not just a location but an integral character! The entire climax is shot around New Year’s Eve at Atlantis, The Palm! To have been able to secure the location and have all the logistics in place is a perfect combination.”

Dubai is a beautiful city. It has a great scenic balance of ancient and modern architecture.

Shah Rukh Khan

Unlike its neighbour Abu Dhabi, Dubai does not have a formal filming incentive in place. Instead, it offers production support through the Dubai Film and TV Commission and has secured international shoots in the past with informal incentive arrangements.

To read The Location Guide’s interview with Jamal Al Sharif, Chairman of Dubai Film & TV Commission, click here.