14/08/2012 - Film with Bollywood superstars expected to encourage tourism to Ireland

Director Kabir Khan’s musical action thriller Ek Tha Tiger (Once there was a Tiger) is set for release on August 15 (the Indian independence day) in 24 countries and the makers expect admissions of more than 100 million. The film is the first major Bollywood co-production between India and Ireland. Aditya Chopra produced for India’s Yash Raj Films and Brendan McCarthy and John McDonnell executive produced for Irish company Fantastic Films. The film shot for five weeks in Dublin in the summer of 2011.

Ek Tha Tiger recounts the story of a Trinity College, Dublin, scientist suspected of selling missile technology secrets to Pakistan. The Indian government sends a secret agent, codenamed Tiger (Salman Khan), to investigate the matter. Tiger falls in love with the professor’s caretaker Zoya (Katrina Kaif) who is studying at a fictitious dance academy located at Trinity College, and together they embark on an adventure that takes them from Dublin to Istanbul to Kazakhstan and Chile.

Tourism Ireland worked with the Irish Film Board to secure the necessary permissions and facilities for the production. Niall Gibbons, Tourism Ireland’s chief executive, said, “Bollywood is deep-rooted in the psyche of most Indians and the films have a considerable influence on Indian travellers when they are deciding on their holiday destination. We are confident that the footage shot in Dublin will help whet appetites and create a curiosity among Indians to come and visit the places where the colourful Ek Tha Tiger was shot.”

Salman Khan is a box office draw for South Asians with his last three releases each grossing over €15 million.