Indian silver screen is one of the busiest film industries in the world with a production of over 2000 films annually through main two languages (Hindi & Tamil) and in other various regional languages. Cinema is also one of the fastest growing industries in modern India to date and hasn't shown any sign on slowing down soon.

Indian cinema industry has been contributing a lot for their local economy as well as to the other regional and most importantly in international destinations. Especially, considering the growing contribution for foreign economies, the interest of Indian cinema to explore new film locations in overseas has shown significant growth in recent years by creating new opportunities for the hosting destinations.

Beyond that, even other sectors such as travel & tourism had directly benefited through Indian Film Tourism. While having an emotionally connected diehard fan base, Indian cinema influence it’s millions of fans to travel abroad and experience the moments in the exact location where their favourite films have been shot. Indian cinema fans do not hassle to gain such experience, especially such location is only 2500km away from the heart of Bollywood Cinema. In recent years, many European (UK, France, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, Sweden, etc.) and Asian locations (China, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, etc.) had great influence for their inbound tourist footfall.

As a compact destination with various natural and manmade wonders located just few kilometres away to each other, Sri Lanka is a perfect contender to compete for the Indian Cinema as a rich and diversified locations provider for various Indian films. Focusing on this growing opportunity, Sri Lanka Tourism took part of India's leading film location fair' lndia International Film Tourism Conclave ‘IIFTC 2019’, to promote Sri Lanka as an ideal film location and further develop Sri Lanka as film tourism hotspot cater for overall Indian Cinema.

IIFTC 2019 kicked off at the J W Marriot –Hotel, Juhu, and Mumbai during 21st Feb to 23rd Feb at the Marriott hotel Juhu for the 7th consecutive year. With the participation over 35 other competitive destinations , Sri Lanka Tourism creates a limelight in the event by showing our breathtakingly beautiful locations to the Leading film producers participated from all around India covering Main Bollywood cinema and the other regional industries including Kollywood (Chennai) ,Marathi, Bengali, etc. The destination presentation conducted by Sri Lanka Tourism taken the attention of all the other competitors since it has been done collaboratively with local film industry partners who engaged in International Film Productions in Sri Lanka.

During the country presentation, legendry film producer & director Mr. Chandran Rutnam from Asian Film Location Services given engaging speech to the audience about Sri Lanka’s glorious international film history and current industry strength. Mr. Priyanga Kumarasiri President of International Film Producers Association & Mrs. Sandya Salgado Secretary for the association invited all India Film Producers & Directors to Sri Lanka as ‘’Ideal Film Location Destination’’ for Indian Films. On behalf of Sri Lanka Tourism, Chaminda Munasinghe conducted the country presentation for Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka Tourism further highlighted with a distance of less than 2500km to the heart of Bollywood and having frequent flights from all around the India to Colombo, Sri Lanka is a location that India must not neglect. Opportunity of depreciated LKR , dynamic visa process , zero cultural shock and rich local film industry equipped with European standard production equipment, it is to be expected the arrival of more and more Indian Cinema productions to Sri Lanka.

During the three days event, the Bollywood, Kollywood and Thelingu film producers , directors and line managers from top Indian productions houses were been convinced by the Sri Lanka Tourism to consider Destination Sri Lanka as the next film location supplier to feed Indian Cinema. Some of the high profile films directors, production houses met Sri Lankan delegation including Mr. Sanjay Gadhvi director for Dhoom 1 (2004) & 2 (2006) film series, Ajab Gazabb Love (2012) Vijay Krishna Acharya director for Tashan and Thugs of Hidusthan (starring Amitabh Bachan, Aamir Khan, Katrina Kailf), Yash Raj Films , Dharma Productions , etc.

Upon taking part of this major film location promotional event in Mumbai, India Sri Lanka Tourism expect to organise a location familiarisation tour program for selected high profile film directors & producers from the Indian Cinema in order to extend their awareness about the destination and showcase Sri Lanka's capability to facilitate Indian Film Industry.

To succeed with the destination promotional campaign, Sri Lanka Consulate General for Mumbai, Mrs. Chamari Rodrigo and the members of Sri Lanka mission in Mumbai-India offered greater support for this country promotion in order to maximise the opportunities.