Famous Indian filmmaker brothers in Georgia to shoot new film

Two Indian brothers well-known for directing famous Bollywood films are in Georgia to shoot a new film described as a "twisted love story”.

Filmmaking brothers Abbas and Mustan Burmawalla, crew and actors of their new film Machine will spend 65 days in Georgia shooting scenes for the film, which is slated for release on February 17, 2017.

The filmmakers said they will shoot the entire film in Georgia. The majority of filming will take place in Georgia’s Black Sea resort town Batumi and in Mestia, an ancient highland small town in northwest Georgia.

[Machine] is a twisted love story. It is a grand film with car racing and romance, which the youth will connect with. We are shooting the entire film in Georgia,” the brothers told the Bombay Times before travelling to Georgia.

The filmmakers said the ideas conveyed in the film, such as love and romance, had changed over the years and now the youth of today were quick to say ‘I love you’. This had to be appropriately reflected in the film, otherwise the audience would not relate to it.

Filmmaking brothers Abbas and Mustan Burmawalla met Georgia's Economy Minister Dimitry Kumsishvili today in Georgia. Photo by Georgia's Ministry of Economy. 

We are equally passionate and nervous about every project we take up,” said the Burmawalla brothers, adding they would not treat this film any differently than their previous works despite the fact Abbas’ son was making his acting debut in the film.

We haven't given him any special treatment either. Every film is our baby. The onus of success and failure of a movie lies mostly on the director. But with this film, the state of excitement and nervousness is a notch higher. We are nervous about how he will deliver, adjust and get used to that setup.”

The Burmawalla brothers decided to shoot Machine in Georgia and benefit from the state program ‘Film in Georgia’, which was established to stimulate the local film sector by offering favourable conditions for local and international film makers.

By filming in Georgia the Indian filmmakers can gain a 20-25 percent cash rebate on qualified expenses incurred here.

As well as enjoying financial benefits, the Government of Georgia aimed to create a favourable working environment for producers by removing any bureaucratic obstacles that may occur during the production process.

After this film is shot here, a Bollywood movie, an American film and a Georgian-German production will be filmed in Georgia, announced Georgia’s Ministry of Economy.