Bollywood Hollywood Production Announces Line Production Of The First Indian Films Supported By Mayor Bloomberg's "Made In New York" Incentive Program

Bollywood Hollywood Production, Inc. is pleased to announce its position as line producer for the first two Indian films supported by the City's "Made in NY" initiative. The Mayor's Office of Film, Theatre and Broadcasting developed this pioneering program that supports and takes pride in film, television and commercial productions shot in New York City.

Shirish Kunder, one of the top film editors in the Hindi motion picture industry—also known as "Bollywood"—makes his directorial debut with the film, "Jaaneman" ("Beloved"), a love triangle with a comedic twist. The film stars Bollywood luminaries Salman Khan, Preity Zinta, and Akshay Kumar, and will be filmed in New York hot spots throughout TriBeCa, SoHo, and Greenwich Village.

Producing "Jaaneman" is the fifty-year veteran production house, Nadiawala Grandson Entertainment. Now in their third generation of success, and with nearly 200 films under their belt (including Salman Khan's recent hit, "Mujhse Shaadi Karogi"), Nadiawala Grandson Entertainment plans to establish a US base in the New York City area for production and distribution. "Jaaneman" marks their first US endeavor.

The second Indian film to bear the "Made in New York" badge is acclaimed Indian actor Naseeruddin Shah's directorial debut, "Yun Hota To Kya Hota, What If…" Shah won over American audiences in 2003 as Captain Nemo in the action sci-fi film, "The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen," opposite Sean Connery. Now Shah teams with producer Shabbir Boxwala, under his Cat Films banner, to bring a gripping tale of four Indian immigrants on the brink of having their American dreams turned to reality only to have fate intervene. The film stars Irfan Khan ("The Warrior") and Konkana Sen Sharma (2006 Cannes Film Festival Jury Member).

"This is a very significant time," says Prashant Shah, CEO of Bollywood Hollywood Production. "Not only are 'Jaaneman' and '…What If…' the first two Indian films to be part of the 'Made in New York' program, but Bollywood Hollywood Production has the honor of line producing both of them. It really is a joint venture between Bollywood and Hollywood!"

"We are proud that ‘Jaaneman’ and ‘Yun Hota To Kya Hota’ will be 'Made in
New York'," said Katherine Oliver, Commissioner of the Mayor's Office of Film, Theatre and Broadcasting. "New York's rich crews, talent pool and locations have long made our City a gathering ground for a diverse group of filmmakers to tell their stories, and we look forward to working closely with more international films to facilitate their production in our spectacular city."

Both "Jaaneman" and "…What If?" begin filming in New York this fall and are scheduled for global release in spring 2006.

Established in 1999, Bollywood Hollywood Production, Inc. is a New Jersey-based independent motion picture company specializing in production, distribution, and marketing. Their productions include music videos as well as four feature films in the US, including "Love in Times Square," "Out of Control," and the Bengali film, "Sei Bishtir Ratein."

Prashant Shah individually produced the film, "It Was Raining That Night," due to release in 2006. Former Miss Universe Sushmita Sen stars opposite Victor Banerjee, who is internationally recognized through his work with Roman Polanski and David Lean. The film was directed by award-winning actor/director Mahesh Manjrekar and was filmed in New York, New Jersey, and India.

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