Rustom film poster © Friday Filmworks
A new Bollywood movie due for release this month was filmed across Kent and brought in over half a million pound to the economy.
Rustom is a Hindi thriller inspired by the real life story of Indian Navy Commander Kawas Manekshaw Nanavati who was tried for killing his English-born wife’s lover.
The 1959 murder case captured the public’s attention because of the details and conflicting stories that came out during the trial.
Kent locations used in the production included Canterbury, Maidstone river path and County Hall, Leeds Castle, Aylesford, and The Historic Dockyard Chatham.
The film is directed by Dharmendra Suresh Desai (Special 26, Players), written by Vipul K. Rawal and stars Akshay Kumar (Singh Is Kinng, Housefull 2), Ileana (Barfi!, Devadasu), and Arjan Bajwa (Son of Sardaar, Bobby Jasoos).
The Rustom production filmed on location in Kent in April.
The Kent County Council Film Office assisted the production in finding suitable locations and arranged road closures.
The production filmed in the county for nine days with an additional 20 days for pre and post-production, spending £570,000.
Kent County Council Film Office manager Gabrielle Lindemann said: “We had an existing relationship with the producer, having worked on previous projects together and met them along with the Rustom team in late 2015 to assist with finding locations and arranging recces.
“We assisted throughout the film shoot in April of this year, in particularly with a complex night shoot in Canterbury involving road closures which we facilitated with various partner agencies. We look forward to seeing Kent on screen once again.”
Leader of Canterbury City Council Simon Cook, said: “We were very pleased to welcome the stars and crew of Rustom to Canterbury and to help make this filming happen.
“They used some of our most historic streets, including Burgate, Sun Street and Sun Yard, for their night shoot and we’re looking forward to seeing them on the big screen.”
Leeds Castle press officer Gemma Wright said: “Leeds Castle was delighted to host filming for Rustom earlier this year.
“With Kent’s excellent reputation for TV and film production, we were delighted to support the production and for the castle’s beautiful surroundings to be used as locations to be featured in the movie.
“Our birds of prey were bemused to see a giant drone hovering high in the sky to film aerial shots of the leading couple having a romantic kiss in the centre of the maze.
“Filming also took place on the moat, where the actors were floated through the ancient castle arches in a wooden punt.
“The Pavilion Lawn, usually used by families picnicking, was transformed into a graveyard. We are not only ‘the loveliest castle in the world’ but also a stunning film location and we are thrilled to have been able to take Leeds Castle to Bollywood for the first time in its 900 year history.”