Big Kiwi-Bolly flick for RWC
Towering Kiwi and Bollywood talent come together in a giant of a movie to be shot in New Zealand in the next few months.
The multi-million dollar budget sports action movie, “First XV”, is set to star New Zealand veteran Temuera Morrison in the lead role, and also Bollywood thespian Anupam Kher in the rugby oriented film set to hit the big screen in New Zealand at the same time as the Rugby World Cup next year.
Even Jonah Lomu, New Zealand rugby’s super star, is all set for a cameo appearance.
And the man behind it all, Purple Post Films’ Monti Issar of Auckland, says they have the blessings of the New Zealand Rugby Union and also support of Tourism New Zealand.
“It is appropriate that with the Rugby World Cup taking place next year, a bit more of New Zealand should be showcased to the world,” Issar told Indian Weekender this week in an exclusive interview.
“Yes, the movie has been inspired by the World Cup. All the world will be watching; it sure is bound to create a good image of New Zealand.”
Issar, who penned the First XV story together with Auckland journalist Steve Cook, said they expected to finalise the cast, including director, by the end of November following auditions for some of the roles next month.
As the movie’s storyline revolves around college rugby, Issar is in talks with NZRU to try and use some members of the Junior All Blacks for on-field roles.
Temuera Morrison (Once Were Warriors, Star Wars, What Becomes of the Brokenhearted) plays Willie Moon, a championship winning high school rugby coach who returns home after his son becomes paralysed in a rugby game.
Home is Wairoa where the town’s high school team is on a losing streak – and they are without a coach, and Moon is persuaded to take the “losers” under his wings.
Anupam Kher plays Baljeet Singh, head of the Indian family running a dairy in Wairoa. His son, Preet, is the only Indian player picked in the team, in the face of major resistance from his conservative family who believe rugby is a game for thugs.
At this point, search is still on for a young, Indian actor to play the role of Preet, said Issar.
Issar said while First XV dealt with a multitude of themes, the underlying story was about the strength and resolve of one man in his bid to overcome racial prejudice and bigotry.
“Coinciding with the biggest sporting event in New Zealand sporting history – the Rugby World Cup 2011 – First XV not only celebrates NZ’s national game but also the indomitable spirit of grassroots rugby,” said Issar.
“Along the way, First XV deals with multiculturalism and racial intolerance in 21st century New Zealand, and the impact they have on a town struggling with its own identity.
“First XV adopts the winning formula of feel-good blockbusters such as Gridiron Gang and Bend It Like Beckham.”
First XV will mostly be shot in Wairoa and Napier where, Issar said, the local councils had been “extremely accommodating”.
Issar said they always faced major obstacles when trying to work with Auckland City Council on movie projects. His latest project, “Pump Up The Mandali”, was also shot mostly in Napier, Auckland and Fiji.
Issar can be contacted at Purple Post Films in Mt Roskill, Auckland.
Towering Kiwi and Bollywood talent come together in a giant of a movie to be shot in New Zealand in the next few months.
The multi-million dollar budget sports action movie, “First XV”, is set to star New Zealand veteran Temuera Morrison in the lead role, and also Bollywood thespian Anupam Kher...
Towering Kiwi and Bollywood talent come together in a giant of a movie to be shot in New Zealand in the next few months.
The multi-million dollar budget sports action movie, “First XV”, is set to star New Zealand veteran Temuera Morrison in the lead role, and also Bollywood thespian Anupam Kher in the rugby oriented film set to hit the big screen in New Zealand at the same time as the Rugby World Cup next year.
Even Jonah Lomu, New Zealand rugby’s super star, is all set for a cameo appearance.
And the man behind it all, Purple Post Films’ Monti Issar of Auckland, says they have the blessings of the New Zealand Rugby Union and also support of Tourism New Zealand.
“It is appropriate that with the Rugby World Cup taking place next year, a bit more of New Zealand should be showcased to the world,” Issar told Indian Weekender this week in an exclusive interview.
“Yes, the movie has been inspired by the World Cup. All the world will be watching; it sure is bound to create a good image of New Zealand.”
Issar, who penned the First XV story together with Auckland journalist Steve Cook, said they expected to finalise the cast, including director, by the end of November following auditions for some of the roles next month.
As the movie’s storyline revolves around college rugby, Issar is in talks with NZRU to try and use some members of the Junior All Blacks for on-field roles.
Temuera Morrison (Once Were Warriors, Star Wars, What Becomes of the Brokenhearted) plays Willie Moon, a championship winning high school rugby coach who returns home after his son becomes paralysed in a rugby game.
Home is Wairoa where the town’s high school team is on a losing streak – and they are without a coach, and Moon is persuaded to take the “losers” under his wings.
Anupam Kher plays Baljeet Singh, head of the Indian family running a dairy in Wairoa. His son, Preet, is the only Indian player picked in the team, in the face of major resistance from his conservative family who believe rugby is a game for thugs.
At this point, search is still on for a young, Indian actor to play the role of Preet, said Issar.
Issar said while First XV dealt with a multitude of themes, the underlying story was about the strength and resolve of one man in his bid to overcome racial prejudice and bigotry.
“Coinciding with the biggest sporting event in New Zealand sporting history – the Rugby World Cup 2011 – First XV not only celebrates NZ’s national game but also the indomitable spirit of grassroots rugby,” said Issar.
“Along the way, First XV deals with multiculturalism and racial intolerance in 21st century New Zealand, and the impact they have on a town struggling with its own identity.
“First XV adopts the winning formula of feel-good blockbusters such as Gridiron Gang and Bend It Like Beckham.”
First XV will mostly be shot in Wairoa and Napier where, Issar said, the local councils had been “extremely accommodating”.
Issar said they always faced major obstacles when trying to work with Auckland City Council on movie projects. His latest project, “Pump Up The Mandali”, was also shot mostly in Napier, Auckland and Fiji.
Issar can be contacted at Purple Post Films in Mt Roskill, Auckland.
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