Befikre, the first Bollywood film shot entirely in France

From Cinema tax rebate to tourism boost

Entertainment

Freestyle

October 12, 2016

/ By / New Delhi

India & You



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Befikre, an Indian comedy directed by Aditya Chopra, is scheduled to be released on December 9. It now holds the distinction of becoming the first Bollywood film shot entirely in France, thanks notably to the international tax rebate introduced on January 1 there.

Such big production, with huge Indian stars like Ranveer Singh and Vaani Kapoor, is a great way to promote destination France to Indian viewers, who are hugely influenced by movies in their choice of travel destinations abroad.

Befikre was shot for 55 days in Paris, notably in the famous cabaret Lido de Paris, in Picardy region, north of the capital, and in Cannes, on the French Riviera. The film employed 80 French technicians and incurred nearly EUR 6 million of spending.

There will also be an indirect impact on tourism, once the film is released. According to specialists of tourism promotion, for every Euro spent in helping financially an Indian production in France – from tax rebates to better deals and time spent in India by French Embassy services or in France by film facilitating structures – the local economy gains between EUR 5-10, including the tourism revenues generated, depending on the film, the amount of France it showcases and its success. Not to mention the huge amount of money France would have to spend in tourism publicity campaigns to match the level of exposition a film can offer, from screens to social media.

“This is a very important event because it symbolises the strength of the new tax rebate (30 pc rate) and its impact on the French economy but also on employment and tourism,” said Frédérique Bredin, President of the influential public body Le Centre national du cinéma et de l’image animée or CNC (the National Centre for Cinema and the Moving Image), about the shooting of Befikre, adding that thanks to the international tax rebate France had hosted 24 shootings, totalising more than EUR 150 million in terms of spending in the country.

“If you take into account all the tax rebates involved, this represents already more than EUR 380 million in terms of relocated activities, and more than 10,000 jobs in France since January 1, 2016,” added Frédérique Bredin.

To learn more, read our comprehensive insight on the increasing number of Indian films shot in France, in our India Outbound Magazine.

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