Salman Khan chooses Kanpur over Ireland

Last time, he had requested the producers (read demanded) to create Morocco in Mumbai. This time, perhaps because it is his brother Arbaaz Khan’s debut directorial, Salman Khan has decided to be a bit more lenient with his terms and conditions.

Refusing to go along with plans of shooting a romantic song in Ireland (a place made famous by the actor in Ek Tha Tiger) due to damp weather, the actor has now asked makers of Dabangg 2 to shoot portions in Kanpur and Lucknow first. For the climax, Salman has chosen Satara, Maharashtra. After all, in his own words from a much popular song in Judwaa – East or West, India is the best.

TOI has learnt Salman would travel to Lucknow and Kanpur in the second week of September. In fact, Arbaaz and his team have just returned from UP. “They have applied for the permissions required to shoot in both cities. Salman is very clear that he doesn’t want to cause any inconvenience in the area,” said a source close to the unit.

Among the many places Arbaaz visited, Ghanta ghar, Birhana Road, Saint Mary’s Convent, Ganga barrage, the Central railway station and Phool Bagh were a few.

Earlier, Salman was supposed to leave for Ireland to shoot a song. That however, has been pushed to October. According to sources, the Ireland schedule will now happen after the talkie portions are shot in September.

Interestingly, Salman had earlier recreated Kanpur city in Kamalistan studios. He had even shot for 15 days there. And now, he will be shooting on real location. After returning to Mumbai, he will shoot the climax in Satara.

Post Salman’s visit to Ireland, there was a healthy spike in the tourism there. Perhaps by the time he finishes shooting for Dabangg 2, Satara would end up being the next hotspot for Mumbaikars.