TCA '09: Kattan’s ‘Hero’ Takes on Mumbai
New Bollywood-Themed Mini-Series Will Be Shot On Location
By Linda Haugsted -- Multichannel News, 1/8/2009 11:24:00 AM
MCN TCA Coverage
Los Angeles—It's hard to say what's more challenging about IFC's upcoming original mini-series: trying to generate interest in a Bollywood-themed story starring Saturday Night Live alum Chris Kattan as a leading man, or the fact the production will be shot in Mumbai, the site of deadly terrorist attacks in November.
The show has yet to be shot and the production will take place over 10 weeks in India. Producer Belisa Balaban said her first concern was for the safety of the production's collaborators in the nation, but added producers have done their research and believe it is safe to shoot on location in the country.
Kattan, speaking to TV critics here, said the program is something he'd like to watch on TV, adding that filming in Mumbai "...is going to be intense.”
The show, Bollywood Hero, features Kattan playing himself. Tired of being rejected for action hero or other leading roles in Hollywood, he decides to travel to India to develop a career in the Asian film capital. Though Kattan plays himself, the three-part mini-series is fully scripted, executives said. Each episode will feature two Bollywood musical-style numbers.
Asked if Saturday Night Live pals will appear in the mini-series, Kattan would only say that he hopes some of his friends will make cameos.
The series is produced by Snackaholic (Tabloid Wars on Bravo) in co-production with Starz Media. The show will be telecast sometime this summer.
IFC will also bring back Z Rock for a second season, beginning on June.
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