How an Indian Film Company is Positioning India as a Global Filmmaking Destination
An Exclusive Conversation with Kunal Srivastava, Producer & Founder, India Shoots
The global film industry has changed dramatically over the past decade. Productions are no longer confined by borders. A Hollywood feature may shoot in India, complete post-production in Europe and premiere on a global streaming platform. A Bollywood blockbuster may find its perfect location in the Middle East, while a Spanish television series may travel across the Indian subcontinent to introduce millions of viewers to its culture and heritage.
As filmmaking has become increasingly international, production service companies have become the invisible force that keeps these complex projects moving. Among the companies at the forefront of this transformation is India Shoots, an international production services and line production company that has quietly built a reputation for helping filmmakers execute ambitious projects across India and around the world.
Founded by producer Kunal Srivastava, India Shoots has evolved far beyond the traditional role of a line production company. Today, it specializes in international production management, film incentives, government subsidies, taxation, visas, filming permissions, location management and cross-border logistics, areas that often determine whether a project succeeds or fails.
The Business Behind the Camera
While audiences see actors, directors and breathtaking cinematography, few appreciate the enormous logistical operation behind every international production.
A single overseas project involves immigration clearances, government approvals, customs documentation, equipment transportation, taxation, insurance, local labour regulations, accommodation, transport, security, scheduling and financial planning. Any delay can have a cascading effect. If crew visas are delayed or filming permissions are not granted on time, actors' dates may be lost, hotel costs continue to accumulate and production budgets can quickly spiral out of control.
This is where India Shoots has carved out its niche.
Rather than merely providing production support, the company helps producers navigate these challenges before they arise. By combining local expertise with international standards, India Shoots enables filmmakers to focus on creativity while the operational complexities are managed behind the scenes.
Specialising in Film Incentives and Production Rebates
One of the company's defining strengths is its expertise in film incentives and government rebate programmes.
Around the world, governments increasingly recognise film production as an economic catalyst. Countries compete to attract international productions by offering tax credits, cash rebates and financial incentives that reduce production costs while generating employment, tourism and foreign investment.
Understanding these incentive structures has become a specialised discipline in itself.
India Shoots advises producers on how to structure projects to maximise available incentives, identify the most suitable filming destinations and ensure compliance with government requirements. Proper planning at the earliest stages of production can substantially improve financial efficiency without compromising creative ambition.
For many international producers, this expertise becomes one of the deciding factors in choosing where to film.
Opening New Doors for Indian Cinema
Among the company's significant international milestones was its work on Badass Ravi Kumar, starring Himesh Reshammiya and Prabhu Deva.
The film's Oman schedule represented far more than another overseas shoot. It became an important step in establishing Oman as an emerging destination for Indian cinema.
Working closely with local authorities and stakeholders, India Shoots helped demonstrate how large-scale Indian productions could be executed efficiently in the Sultanate. The project also showcased Oman's ambition to develop its own film industry through attractive production incentives, including subsidies of up to 40 percent for qualifying productions.
For India Shoots, the objective extended beyond servicing a single film. It was about building a long-term production corridor between India and Oman, encouraging future collaborations that benefit both countries through filmmaking, employment and tourism.
Creating International Stories
The company's portfolio reflects the increasingly global nature of cinema.
India Shoots facilitated international schedules for the Bollywood hit Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety, recreating portions of Amsterdam through locations in Georgia. It also worked on the Telugu action thriller PSV Garuda Vega, coordinating overseas production requirements for one of the industry's most ambitious action films.
Its international collaborations extend well beyond Indian cinema.
One of the company's most demanding assignments was Valle de Sombras (Valley of Shadows) for Netflix and Disney, an international feature starring Spanish actor Miguel Herrán, widely recognised for his role in Money Heist. Filming took place across the Indian Himalayas, where temperatures dropped to nearly –17°C.
Managing a crew of almost 150 people in remote mountain terrain for nearly a month required extraordinary logistical planning, coordination and resilience. Weather conditions, altitude, transportation and safety all presented daily challenges, yet the production was successfully completed demonstrating India's ability to host technically demanding international projects.
Bringing Kazakhstan to India
India Shoots has also played an important role in strengthening cinematic ties between India and Central Asia.
The company serviced the feature films Kazakh Business in India and Bisharashki in India, both featuring some of Kazakhstan's biggest stars.
These productions introduced Indian destinations to new audiences across Central Asia while simultaneously bringing international investment into the Indian production ecosystem. Both films performed successfully in Kazakhstan, illustrating the growing appetite for stories that cross cultural and geographical boundaries.
Cinema as a Driver of Tourism
Perhaps the most compelling aspect of India Shoots' work is its contribution to film tourism. History has repeatedly demonstrated cinema's influence on travel. New Zealand became synonymous with The Lord of the Rings. Croatia welcomed millions of visitors after Game of Thrones. Spain, Iceland, South Korea and the United Arab Emirates have all leveraged international productions to build powerful tourism brands. India possesses extraordinary advantages in this regard.
Few countries offer such remarkable geographical and cultural diversity—from the Himalayas to deserts, beaches, royal palaces, dense forests, ancient temples and vibrant metropolitan cities.
Every international production filmed in India becomes an opportunity to showcase these destinations to global audiences.
A recent example is the Spanish travel television series featuring legendary footballer Joaquín Sánchez and his family.
Filmed across Delhi, Jodhpur, Jaipur, Agra and Varanasi, the programme presented India through authentic experiences rather than conventional tourist imagery. The crew explored iconic landmarks including the Taj Mahal, Humayun's Tomb, Amber Fort, Bangla Sahib Gurudwara and the ghats of Varanasi, while also highlighting Indian hospitality, cuisine, luxury hotels, local artisans, markets and cultural traditions.
For millions of viewers across Spain and the Spanish-speaking world, the series offers an intimate introduction to India—one that has the potential to inspire future travel and strengthen the country's global image.
Building an Ecosystem, Not Just Productions
Behind every project is a young and multidisciplinary team of around 40 professionals.
Unlike traditional production companies, India Shoots has deliberately built a workforce comprising individuals from diverse professional backgrounds, including production, logistics, finance, management, communications and technology.
This diversity enables the company to solve complex production challenges with agility and innovation.
International filmmaking demands flexibility. Every country operates differently, every government has its own regulatory framework and every production presents unique logistical challenges.
The company's philosophy is that production management should never become visible. When planning is done correctly, creativity remains uninterrupted.
Looking Ahead
India is entering an exciting period for international filmmaking. Government policies have become more supportive, infrastructure continues to improve and awareness of India's production capabilities is growing worldwide.
Yet Kunal believes the country's greatest opportunity lies ahead. With stronger collaboration between tourism departments, film commissions, governments and production companies, India can become one of the world's most filmmaker-friendly destinations.
Every international project represents new employment opportunities for local technicians, additional foreign investment for the economy, business for hotels and service providers, knowledge exchange between countries and global exposure for Indian destinations.
Cinema, in this sense, becomes far more than entertainment.
Every project shot in India becomes an engine of economic development, cultural diplomacy and tourism.
As India continues to emerge as a preferred filming destination, companies like India Shoots are demonstrating that successful production is not measured only by what appears on screen, but also by the opportunities it creates long after the cameras stop rolling.
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