Telugu filmmakers are smitten with the UK. Here’s why

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By Y Sunita Chowdhary

15/03/2023

Actor-writer-director Srinivas Avasarala’s upcoming Telugu film Phalana Abbayi Phalana Ammayi — releasing on 17 March — has been extensively shot in the UK. 

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He says the UK is the favourite shooting location for most Telugu filmmakers because of the tax rebates offered by the country work out well for film production.

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“Since the UK is small, you can drive to any location easily and without hassles,” he elucidated.

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Phalana Abbayi Phalana Ammayi has been shot mostly in Birmingham city because the film is a university-based story.

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“We got blanket permission for government locations, free of cost. Other locations were charged though. We shot Mr Majnu (2019) for 42 days in London,” he recalled.

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He also pointed out that there won’t be food-related issues because there are several Indian and Pakistani restaurants in the UK.

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Cinematographer Diwakar Mani shares, as a technician, he felt that Ninnila Ninnila (2021) — starring Ashok Selvan, Ritu Varma, and Nithya Menen – had a mood that needed to be captured.

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“The film had to be shot in cold weather — I wanted to shoot in November-January since the weather in the UK would add value to the script,” he recalled.

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