Salman-Katrina starrer " Ek Tha Tiger" is facing protests from locals in Ireland, where it's being shot. Industry workers demonstrating over poor pay targeted the shooting of the film, reported Irish newspaper Evening Herald. Excerpts from the report:
They're bringing Euro 1.5million into the country, creating more than 1,000 short-term jobs and spending hundreds of thousands of Euro - so why is a major Bollywood production being shot here facing protests that threaten to drive filmmakers away from Ireland for good?
Ireland's potential as a base for multi-million Euro Bollywood movies is being jeopardised by a handful of industry protesters. Two A-list actors have been left frightened by protests at the filming in Dublin city centre, it's been claimed. Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif, described as the Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie of India, were said to be "frightened and worried".
Industry workers demonstrating over poor pay and conditions picketed a weekend shoot of blockbuster "Ek Tha Tiger". Gardai (Irish police) were called to the scene after the 30 or more protesters allegedly used klaxon horns and other methods to ensure filming was seriously interrupted. "They started to shout and stick their placards across the wall at the crew and cast," said a source.
Irish production company Fantastic Films told the Herald the firm had "worked long and hard" to bring "Ek Tha Tiger" to Ireland. "The film is a high-profile Bollywood production that will reach an audience of over 100 million in India, the Middle East worldwide," a spokeswoman said, "It's breathing life into the Irish film industry, creating jobs and generating revenue. It is disappointing that the actions of a small minority will jeopardise the reputation of Irish filmmaking internationally."
However, a shop steward for Irish film workers, John Arkins, rejected the claims, saying the shoot took place on All-Ireland final day when hundreds of football fans were blowing horns and chanting. "What sort of genius said, 'Let's film 100 metres from O'Connell Street on All-Ireland final day'? I witnessed the Viking tour bus blowing its horn, people blowing car horns..." He said demonstrators were highlighting low pay, long hours with no overtime and a lack of regulation within the Irish film industry. Mr Arkins doubted claims that the Bollywood stars were frightened, saying "You have hundreds and thousands" of fans "chasing these people around the streets" in India.
