The Celtic Tiger

As the cast and crew of Bollywood film Ek Tha Tiger wrap on their final day of filming in Dublin, Roe McDermott finds out how two cultures combined, as henna was traded for hurleys.

Roe McDermott, 28 Oct 2011

Wandering through Trinity College’s Parliament Square one breezy afternoon, it struck me just how happy the students here are. I can’t remember ever jumping joyfully around UCD with a group of brightly costumed classmates and saxophonists, as catchy Hindi music blared.

Then it hit me – I had walked straight into one of those all-inclusive, joyous, uplifting, spirit-uniting flashmobs! And they seem to be doing some kind of Slumdog Millionaire tribute dance routine! Wait, why am I being escorted away by a security guard?

It’s actually the final day of filming Ek Tha Tiger, the Bollywood romantic thriller that has been shooting in Dublin for the past two months. Directed by Kabr Khan, it stars Indian heartthrob and bad boy Salman Khan and his ex-flame Katrina Kahif, one of Bollywood’s highest-paid actresses.

While it stars India’s biggest celebrities, Ek Tha Tiger has been given a decidedly Dublin twist. With choreography from Dublin hip-hop teacher Jane Shorthall, dozens of Irish dancers were hired to play the friends and classmates of Kahif, whose character attends a fictional dance academy in Trinity College. Switching saris for skinny jeans and patiala salwar for pyjama bottoms – yes, Dubliners’ love of leaving the house without getting dressed is now going international! – the blend of iconic Dublin settings, Irish dance fusion routines and diverse cast ensure that this Indian film has been rendered in nearly 40 shades of green. One of the elaborate dance routines even featured hurlers – though how ginger lads waving their hurleys will translate back in India remains to be seen.

Keeping the shooting schedule secret to avoid attracting crowds, the production instead chose a Crouching Talent, Hidden Dancers guerrilla-style approach. Popping up in various locations around Dublin city, including Grafton Street, Trinity College, Temple Bar, the Millennium Bridge and more, unsuspecting shoppers, students and tourists found their daily routine interrupted by huge dance numbers, intimate scenes and even a dramatic sequence where a car is overturned by a LUAS.

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