Bollywood comes to Abbey

The Gothic grandeur of the ruins of Bolton Abbey will feature in a new Bollywood movie starring hearthrobs Tajneesh Duggal and Anjori Alagh.

The supernatural thriller is being directed by one of the most prolific writer-directors of Indian movies, Vikram Bhatt.

It is the first Indian movie to be shot in Yorkshire since this summer’s Bollywood Oscars which took place across the county. Regional bosses hope it will be the first of many.

Bhatt and a film crew chose the 12th century Augustinian priory, near Skipton, because of its atmospheric setting in a valley by the side of the river Wharfe.

Production staff reconnoitred the site following advice from Screen Yorkshire and set up at the location yesterday.

Bhatt, his actors and crew spent all day shooting scenes including some at night.

Moira Smith, Bolton Abbey visitor manager, said that shots were taken in the priory ruins, in the graveyard and by the river.

“The film is a horror story so the location was an ideal place,” she said.

“The nightime filming was absolutely fantastic, so atmospheric. They used a smoke effect which was fabulous.”

She said that Bhatt and his crew treated the place with great respect. “The following morning it was as if they had never been there,” she added.

The movie is a supernatural love story set in 1920s Britain involving an Anglo-Indian woman and Indian man.

The fiming is expected to take 17 days and includes a number of other locations in the county including Allerton Park near Knaresborough, Bramham Park and Ripley Castle.

Sally Joynson, chief executive of Screen Yorkshire, which promotes the regions film industry, said the growth of the Indian market was affecting every business sector including the film industry.

“The International Indian Film Academy awards have given Yorkshire and excellent headstart in building a long term relationship with the Indian film production community which will be mutually beneficial.”

“Our diverse locations are perfect for Bollywood films and, along with our experienced crew and existing ties with South Asia, it makes the region ideally placed to be the gate way to the UK for Indian productions.”

2:24pm today

By Clive White