By Surender Bhutani
Warsaw, April 11 (IANS): Bollywood superstar Salman Khan has arrived in Poland to shoot the climax of his upcoming movie "Kick". The film is said to have many daring scenes.
The Polish capital Warsaw has been selected for its tall buildings and many river bridges. The tallest building in Warsaw is the Palace of Culture, which was built as a gift by Soviet leader, Joseph Stalin, in the early 1950s.
For Sajid Nadiadwala’s directorial debut, Salman will apparently jump from Gdanski bridge on the river Vistula and there will be a helicopter crash scene also.
"We have been urging Bollywood producers and directors to use Poland for their outdoor shooting for the past three years. Now they have seen the virtue of using Poland's natural beauty, which is no less than Switzerland,” said Monika Kapil Mohta, Indian ambassador to Poland.
“Poland is a business-friendly country and people are also appreciating Bollywood movies in a big number. Shah Rukh Khan is a well known figure and now Salman may become the next famous (Bollywood) star in Poland," added Kapil Mohta.
Nine years ago, Aamir Khan, Kajol and Suniel Shetty had come to shoot the climax of Yash Raj Films' "Fanna", which was directed by Kunal Kohli. They shot it during the harsh winter in the Tatra mountains.
Currently it’s spring time in Warsaw and shooting will be much easier. The city authorities are doing their best to co-operate with the film (“Kick”) unit. The bulk of the technical staff will be Polish.
After 10 days, Nadiadwala will bring his unit of 70 people to shoot the film with Randeep Hooda and Sri Lankan actress Jacqueline Fernandez.
Earlier this month, Ketan Mehta of "Mirch Masala" fame visited Poland to select locales for his next film.
Satisfied with the facilities available here, he said: "Poland is a remarkable country and its famous directors such as Andrzej Wajda and Roman Polynski have impressed us greatly. Poland also has well equipped studios and film institutes. The cost of shooting is much cheaper than other European countries."
The Indo-Polish Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IPCCI) under the leadership of J.J. Singh has also been championing the cause of Poland before Bollywood producers all these years.
"Finally there is some light outside the tunnel," said Singh.