Bollywood superstar Anil Kapoor, returns to Jumeirah Zabeel Saray to film ‘Welcome Back’
Dubai, 18 December 2013:
Jumeirah Zabeel Saray, the Ottoman inspired luxury resort located on Palm Jumeirah, has been used as the backdrop for several scenes in Welcome Back, the sequel to Bollywood blockbuster, Welcome.
Shooting in the hotel’s grand lobby, Anil Kapoor was joined by actors John Abraham, Paresh Rawal, Nana Patekar and actress Shruti Hasan alongside leading Director Anees Bazmee and Producer Firoz Nadiadwala.
In 2010, Jumeirah Zabeel Saray was featured as Anil Kapoor’s Indian palace in the ‘black tie’ scene alongside Tom Cruise in Hollywood blockbuster Mission:Impossible Ghost Protocol. In Welcome Back, the resort is again featured as his home Anil Kapoor said: “It was exciting to be back at Jumeirah Zabeel Saray on set filming for another all-star cast film and such a coincidence. It feels like a homecoming and brings back a sense of nostalgia for when we filmed here for MI4 in 2010, before the hotel had even opened. But it is great to be back working while the hotel is fully operational; it is such a beautiful resort and a personal favourite.”
In addition to filming at the resort, the cast and crew of Welcome Back filmed at locations across Dubai including Dubai International Airport, other hotel locations and a selection of private villas.
Jamal Al Sharif, Chairman of Dubai Film and TV Commission, said: “We’re very happy to be hosting the Welcome team in Dubai once again. It excites us to see filmmakers return to Dubai, as it confirms the emirate’s position as a premier filming destination. Filmmakers are becoming increasingly aware that the city has the capabilities and infrastructure to support major productions. Besides its famous alluring locations, Dubai offers a deep talent pool, state-of-the-art production facilities, a smooth permit process and customised incentives for those choosing to shoot in the emirate. Now that the UAE has won the right to host Expo 2020, we hope this interest will continue to escalate and expand, as even more people around the world will come to know and realise that Dubai is an attractive, viable, and desirable film and TV production hub.”
The Jumeirah Zabeel Saray, owned by the Jumeirah Group, the global luxury hotel company and a member of Dubai Holding, operates a world-class portfolio of hotels and resorts. Jumeirah Zabeel Saray is a luxurious beachside resort located on the West Crescent of the iconic Palm Jumeirah in Dubai. The interior of the resort is inspired by the ancient palaces of Turkey and features hand-painted finishings, Turkish artworks and stunning murals that conjure up images of the Golden Age of the Ottoman Empire. The resort boasts 405 rooms and suites, 38 Royal Residences, Talise Ottoman Spa, one of the largest and most luxurious spas in the Middle East and a collection of six diverse restaurants which offer a vibrant selection of culinary experiences.
