France banks on film tourism

According to Sheetal Munshaw, Director-India, Atout France, a Yash Raj film shot entirely in France will showcase various facets of the country and encourage more Indians to travel there.

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Atout France in collaboration with Yash Raj Films celebrated the upcoming movie Befikre which is the first Bollywood movie to be entirely shotin France. Munshaw informed that in 2015, France crossed the half a million mark for Indian tourist arrivals corresponding to a 34 per cent increase over the previous year. She adds that in 2016, the trend from Indian travellers looks very positive and hopes to see at least 15-20 per cent growth for 2016. “France is making history at the moment. Befikre is the story of many firsts for us. It is the first-ever Bollywood film to be entirely shot in France and the first time that a Yash Raj production has taken place entirely in France. The trailer was launched internationally at the Eiffel Tower. The movie will showcase the spirit of France; from the myriad charms of Paris, glitz and glam of Cannes to the castle city of Picardy etc. The movie will excite more Indians to go on to explore the various facets of the country.”

Munshaw also points out that soon, Befikre trails will be introduced around France as a tourism product to showcase the locations where the film has been shot offering a variety to the Indian travellers.