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19 March 2024

Shah Rukh's 'Happy New Year' premiere at Dubai's Atlantis

'Happy New Year' director Farah Khan (R) and actor Shah Rukh Khan (L) interacts with journalists during a press meet in Dubai, September 12, 2013. (Kamran Malik)

Published
By Ajanta Paul

'Happy New Year' is the latest coup in a busy and successful year for Dubai’s burgeoning media production industry.

Dubai Film and TV Commission (DFTC), in collaboration with Atlantis, The Palm, Emirates Airlines, Dubai Mall are extending their full support for the smooth production of the hotly anticipated Bollywood film 'Happy New Year'.
 
The cast of the film during a press meet expressed their gratitude towards the authorities and the residents of Dubai.

'Happy New Year' director Farah Khan. (Ashok Verma)

Director Farah Khan announced that 'Happy New Year' will be premiere at the Atlantis in Dubai. As the film is still in its initially stage Farah did not go into further details about the premiere, but she concluded with a promise to premiere her movie in Dubai.

Actor Shah Rukh Khan and the team of 'Happy New Year' donned traditional Arabic wear - kandura for men and abbaya for women - for the press met.

Shah Rukh said, "The idea of donning up this local look comes from Abhishek Bachchan so we all would thank him for that. We are happy to be dressed like this... when we looked at mirror; many of us look like locals."

'Happy New Year' cast along with Jamal Al Sharif, (L-2) Chairman of Dubai Film & TV Commission. (Kamran Malik)
 
Shah Rukh said it’s a wonderful experience to shoot in Dubai.

"Dubai is a beautiful city. It has a great scenic balance of ancient and modern architecture. It’s not just the shopping capital of the Middle East but is a perfect location for a film shoot. We have been shooting for our film since Sep 2nd Dubai is like home for me and I have loved every bit of experience of shooting for Happy New Year here."
 
“We haven’t chosen Dubai to shoot the film; it is Dubai that has chosen us. Dubai is an integral part in the film. Dubai is a character in the film and not just a city. It's a beautiful location and the culture you have here, it is not there anyone else,” Farah Khan told reporters during a press conference here.

Actor Boman Irani. (Ashok Verma)
 
Speaking about the reception meted out to them in Dubai, Boman Irani said, "We have always heard about red carpet being rolled out but I can tell you safely that it's the first time that I have seen a red carpet rolled out studded with diamonds in the shape of hearts. I cannot thank you all, not just the facility and not just the convenience but every single facility that is given to us with so much of love in every nook and corner. I cannot thank you on behalf of the team. This is coming straight from the heart."

Actor Abhishek Bachchan. (Ashok Verma)
 
Abhishek Bachchan, who has a villa here said, “The warmth and respect they (Dubai) give me, and especially my family, has always been very touching.”

Encouraging the positivity of Dubai, he continued, “(This) attitude will encourage more Indian filmmakers to come and work when they see that the entire city, not just the authorities, but even the people, want to go out of their way to make it possible for us to come here and make movies”.

Deepika Padukone. (Ashok Verma)
 
Jamal Al Sharif, Chairman of Dubai Film & TV Commission, commented on Happy New Year’s presence in Dubai, and the support that Dubai has been able to offer: “Happy New Year is a true mark of the success that can be achieved through the collaboration of public and private entities in Dubai. In close partnership with Atlantis, The Palm, Emirates and DTCM, we’re delighted to help facilitate the latest venture from Farah Khan and Red Chillies Entertainments, and showcase Dubai as a world-class filming destination”.
 
'Happy New Year', started shooting from September 1 and will continue throughout this month starring Bollywood biggies Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone, Abhishek Bachchan, Boman Irani, Sonu Sood and Vivaan Shah.