New Zealand PM signs Bollywood deal

New Zealand Prime Minister John Key wants more Bollywood filmmakers to capture the island nation on their lens and has signed an agreement to promote it.

New Zealand Prime Minister John Key, who met the cast and crew of upcoming film Players, a part of which was shot in his country, said he wants more Bollywood filmmakers to capture the island nation on their lens.

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He visited the Bollywood set of Abbas-Mustan directed Players at the Film City here to watch a scene from the film, which was already canned in New Zealand but was re-shot today in honour of Key.

He also met actors Abhishek Bachchan, Bipasha Basu and director duo Abbas-Mustan.

In order to boost tourism, New Zealand has opened its doors for Bollywood to shoot Hindi films in the country.

"We have signed an agreement with the Indian government that will lead to more Bollywood films being shot in New Zealand. In the last ten years, approximately 150 films were made in New Zealand. We want filmmakers to make many more. It's a great place to shoot," Key said.

Players also stars Bobby Deol, Sonam Kapoor, Neil Nitin Mukesh, Omi Vaidya and Sikander Kher. Shot in India, New Zealand and Russia, the action-thriller is expected to release on December 23 this year.

"It is a great movie. Its the most anticipated film," Key said.

Tourism New Zealand's Chief Executive Kevin Bowler said, "Showcasing New Zealand's tourism appeal on the big screen has played a strategic role in attracting Indian visitors to our country. I would like to thank to all the producers who choose to incorporate New Zealand's beautiful scenery in their films."