Leicester gets £34m Bollywood boost

A £34 million investment scheme aimed at encouraging Bollywood film-makers to work in the Midlands city of Leicester has been given the endorsement of the UK government.

The launch of the scheme will offer investors the chance to benefit from tax-relief incentives when backing up to 10 films made in the city.

Leicester is seen as attractive due to its large Indian community, consisting of 25 per cent of the city's population.

Patricia Hewitt, trade and industry secretary, will launch the scheme, and has the backing of Leicester City Council.

There are examples of Bollywood films made in England already, including Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham released in December 2001, but this is the first plan to produce this quantity of films.

The BBC reports Vinod Popat, chief executive of Midlands Asian Television, as saying: "Many Indian films include scenes in England, but producers simply show an aeroplane leaving India, then cut to a set of a castle to make it look as if they are in England.

"That is fine for Indians who have not been out of India but non-resident Indians know it is not the real thing. If Indian films are to develop and continue to broaden their appeal, authenticity is vital."

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