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to promote civic engagement in the Philadelphia region.Bollywood to Philly: You are not under attack
Friday, October 10th, 2008 at 12:01 am - by Alan Tu. Filed under: Entertainment.
Bollywood film crew shooting scenes in front of the PNC Bank Building made to look like a FBI office Image credit: Ross Irwin
A Bollywood production crew will film an action movie in the skies above Philadelphia Saturday. Sharon Pinkenson of the Greater Philadelphia Film Office says she put out the alert because she doesn’t want the public to be alarmed: “This is only a film.”
Bollywood actor John Abraham stars in "New York" currently being filmed in Philadelphia
Saturday’s shoot will feature at least two helicopters that will be disguised as official FBI units. Stunt men acting as SWAT agents will be suspended from the aircraft and shoot blanks. The filming will take place from 6 a.m. until about 3 p.m., above the PNC Building at 16th and Market. The film, with a working title of “New York,” stars a newer generation of A-List Bollywood stars, including John Abraham (star of Oscar-nominee “Water”), Katrina Kaif and Neil Nitin Mukesh.
This is not the first time Philly has been featured in a major Bollywood film. The 2006 film “Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna” (Never Say Goodbye) was largely filmed in New York City. However, several outdoor scenes were filmed in Center City Philadelphia locations, such as Delancey Street, Independence Hall, and the SEPTA train platforms at 30th Street Station
Shahrukh Khan was filmed at 30th Street Station for the 2006 Bollywood drama, Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna
Sharon Pinkenson from Philadelphia’s film office reports that yet another Bollywood movie will begin filming in the city next month.
It’s great that Philadelphia continues to be featured in films and television shows, but it would be nice if more films would incorporate Philadelphia into their plots (sort of municipal product placement) instead of being a stand in for the Big Apple.
Ferrick on Philly
October 10th, 2008 at 1:05 am
The film is titled New York? ***sigh***
I guess Philadelphia was already taken.
And John and Katrina - A- listers? Talk about grade inflation!
October 10th, 2008 at 11:14 am
casting info
Contact: Rosalyn Reidt
http://www.phillytalent.net
October 10th, 2008 at 11:39 am
Hey thanks for the link, Just saw that you guys will be doing a baseball scene on Monday for this Bollywood film. Will I get to see John if I go?
October 10th, 2008 at 11:46 am
Nice Article. Interesting to find out that another movie will be shot here as well. Any ides who will be in that one ?
October 10th, 2008 at 1:51 pm
I don’t know anything about the next film, but it would be great if the Big B were in it. Noreen do you watch Bollywood vids on AVS?
October 10th, 2008 at 2:46 pm
Nice article!!! I am always happy to see 100% accurate writing about Bollywood — and that picture of ShahRukh leaning on the “Grand Central Station” post on the Philly train platform, perfect!!
October 10th, 2008 at 2:56 pm
Yes Alan. I watch the videos on AVS. Why ?
October 10th, 2008 at 3:01 pm
Will we get to see John or Katrina tomorrow if we go?
Thanks
October 10th, 2008 at 3:55 pm
Noreen…just asking cause that’s I first started watching Bollywood music videos. Now I see the hindi films when they open in the multiplex in New Jersey.
October 10th, 2008 at 4:39 pm
I’m always looking for any news on the fabulous charismatic Indian actor Shah Rukh Khan here in the USA so I came across your posting here.
Thanks for the nice picture of him here.
I’m a Caucasian who never saw a Indian movie before last year but I tell you ladies once you see Shah Rukh Khan you will never care about any of those dull and non-sexy Hollywood actors anymore!
October 10th, 2008 at 7:23 pm
Ha ha Sally. If you think Shahrukh Khan is good you really need to check out Salman Khan. The moan is gorgeous I tell you.
And Alan I thought you were Indian.
Nina . . . you should definitely go check out the shooting. I went when they were filming in Central park since I live in NY and John Abraham was an absolute sweet heart.
October 10th, 2008 at 10:02 pm
Hey, who knew that there were so many Bollywood fans reading a civic engagement site. Mrs K. - grade inflation on John Abraham? C’mon he’s big box office draw. Virginia, I loved that SRK is sitting in a Septa train to go to Canada. Now we just need to get Bollywood to do a film set in Philly, with an NRI saving the city from its budget gap.
October 11th, 2008 at 4:06 am
You should SO try to see John. I agree with Noreen - he’s a sweetheart. I met him on a shoot a few years back and he is just the most kind and gracious person.
October 11th, 2008 at 6:53 am
Thanks Noreen & Sangeeta,
I’m on my way now to Philly…Wish me luck! Love u John!!
Nina
October 11th, 2008 at 9:22 am
Wait…Nina…all you’re going to see is helicopters today. Turn around. Save a little gas, wait till Monday.
October 11th, 2008 at 10:55 am
salasks Watching FBI helicopters hover over City Hall. Heard that its for a Bollywood flick
October 11th, 2008 at 2:54 pm
I hope Nina read Alan’s message in time. he seems to know a lot about the shooting schedule. I read on a forum that John was not there but the rest of them were.
October 11th, 2008 at 2:54 pm
[...] AND THEN, I make it downtown to Temple’s center city campus, and the sidewalks near the building are all blocked off by caution tape. I look up, and there are two helicopters hovering overhead posed in what looks like a standoff. The helicopters had the letters F, B, and I printed in large lettering on the sides. Of course I assume the worst, but it turns out they were filming a scene for a movie of some sort. [...]
October 11th, 2008 at 4:22 pm
katrina, john and neil? never heard of this film..
is it from yashraj studios?
anywys will b nice to see katrina once without akshay!
October 11th, 2008 at 5:31 pm
Yes is is a Yash raj film. There are very few details about this film. But this monday, they are shooting a scene in Philly at a baseball field.
so…NYC , fbi, baseball, bollywood = ???
October 12th, 2008 at 11:33 am
NYC, FBI, baseball, bollywood ………. let’s see if we could figure out the story Alan. Oh, and don’t forget Central Park, and Hot Dog stand, since that is where they were shooting scenes in NYC when I met them.
October 13th, 2008 at 3:16 am
Well, I heard it’s about terrorism. Cops tracking down a terrorist cell in NYC apparently. Although a couple of Indian showbiz sites seem to think it’s based on the Hollywood film ‘Arlington Road’ - although they’ve been spectacularly wrong in the past - LOL. Does that help?
October 13th, 2008 at 10:04 am
Hey all! I didn’t get to see John, I went & only saw the choppers. The studio guy said that John was at the top of the PNC building, but no luck.
What baseball field are they gonna be at? Citizens Bank Park?
October 13th, 2008 at 10:47 am
I don’t know what baseball park they are at. But at least you can say you saw Bollywood helicopters. That’s something. A Philly blogger snapped a shot of the choppers really close to One Liberty Tower. http://tinyurl.com/4ktwqm
October 13th, 2008 at 12:29 pm
Aww, bad luck Nina. Don’t give up hope though. I hear John is in Philly till early November. So you still might catch him. Keeping my fingers crossed for you.
October 13th, 2008 at 9:00 pm
Yeah Nina. Don’t give up hope. You will find him. And when you do, don’t let him go (lol).
October 14th, 2008 at 11:01 am
You all are too sweet! Thanks! I’m keeping hope!
October 14th, 2008 at 12:37 pm
Anyone know how the baseball filming went? Was John there?
October 18th, 2008 at 2:53 pm
i have been in two different scenes on two different days for bollywood film ”new york’
wanted to have a speaking role or be seen more but oh well,take what i can get i guess.
but this is the seventh movie i have been in this year, pa is doing well film wise hopefully i can be in the next one bigger part,
denise
October 21st, 2008 at 11:45 am
Thats cool Denise. Let us know what movies and what parts so I can be like OH look I know that girl (lol).
October 21st, 2008 at 11:51 am
Next Bollywood film to be shot in Philly has some big stars. Kareena Kapoor, Saif Ali Khan, Vivek Oberoi (Kisna).
October 21st, 2008 at 11:00 pm
I know Alan ! I am so upset that I have to leave the country. I won’t be able to see the shooting.
October 30th, 2008 at 1:56 pm
Can any body tell now where can I see John and Katrina again in Philly.
October 30th, 2008 at 3:22 pm
Hey,
I want to meet John and Katrina.
Can anybody tell me where can I find them now???
I would really appreciate.
December 13th, 2008 at 3:30 am
What a fun post
I must see this movie!
And I too always look forward to John abraham’s movie, no matter what he’s up to!
Best Regards,
Ritika