The Portuguese Government, through its Secretary of State for Tourism, will recognize Indian and Bollywood Director Imtiaz Ali with the Touristic Medal of Merit, for choosing Portugal to film his movies and for promoting Portugal overseas through his Bollywood lenses. Imtiaz Ali directed the movie Jab Harry Met Sejal, which premiered in August 2017, and that was shot in its main part in Portugal.
The movie’s soundtrack also includes music – namely Portuguese guitar and Portuguese fado singer Cuca Roseta, who sang ‘Yaadon Mein’ with Mohammed Irfan and Jonita Gandhi. Two of the songs of the movie were actually filmed in Portugal, in Sintra, Cascais and Lisbon.
Jab Harry Met Sejal is performed by two of the biggest Bollywood stars, Shah Rukh Khan and Anushka Sharma. After Imtiaz Ali discovered Portugal, several Bollywood movies are being
filmed here.
Portugal is positioning itself as a prime location for international filming. Last year, the Government approved the Tourism and Cinema Incentive Fund, which instituted a new cash rebate incentive of up to 30% to international productions filming in Portugal.
Recently, the Government also created Portugal Film Commission, precisely to facilitate and promote Portugal as a major international film destination. The fund already supported 35 international film productions in Portugal in the last two years.
Portugal was founded in 1143, making it one of the oldest nations in Europe. Portugal is named after its 2nd largest city, Porto. There are 22 UNESCO World Heritage classifications in Portugal; and each year more than 20 million tourists visit the country.
With the longest bridge in Europe, Portugal is also a very popular destination from India for those looking for a Euro break and an extension to their Spain and Morocco itineraries. The total flight duration from Portugal to India is 10 hours, 42 minutes and India is 5:30 hours ahead of Portugal.
