Indian movie filming in Jacksonville sign of increased activity — and $1 million economic impact

Jacksonville Business Journal
NEWS

Jun 22, 2015, 3:10pm EDT Updated Jun 22, 2015, 3:39pm EDT

Colleen Michele Jones
Jacksonville Business Journal

'Romance Complicated" director Dhwani Gautam (far left) and the crew filming scenes in Downtown Jacksonville recently. 

A Bollywood movie is the latest project to be filmed on location in the River City. And there are dozens more on the way. Since Jan. 1, the Jacksonville Film & Television Office has permitted or assisted in obtaining permitting for more than 30 productions across the metro area.

The economic impact to the city: $861,700 in projected returns to the local economy, including approximately 282 hires, 400 hotel rooms and 114 days of production.

The crew for 'Romance Complicated' filming outside the Jacksonville Public Library Downtown last week.

The film crew and extras shooting a scene at Mavericks at the Jacksonville Landing for 'Romance Complicated.

“We’re absolutely seeing a lot of activity out of this office,” Todd Roobin, manager of the Jacksonville Film & Television Office, said in a phone interview.

“Romance Complicated,” the Indian romantic comedy currently on location in Jacksonville, is expected to generate up to $200,000 in economic impact alone. The 15-day production, which began June 15 and wraps up later this week, will feature such locales as Friendship Fountain, Laura Street, the Northbank Riverwalk, The Jacksonville Landing and the Jacksonville Beach Pier.

The film, which will be released this September, is also being shot in India and New York City.
While the city does not offer any specific incentives for filming in Jacksonville, Roobin helps to work out any logistical issues visiting film crews have, including access to public and private property and freelance staffing resources.

“When international productions film here, we have the opportunity to boost our local economy and globally showcase our beautiful city," Roobin said. "Hopefully, its international success will continue to inspire other Indian films to choose Jacksonville as a location.”