FWICE Urges Indian Filmmakers To Avoid Turkey As Shooting Location

The Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) has issued a fresh appeal to filmmakers in the wake of rising diplomatic tensions, urging them to reconsider Turkey as a filming destination. This move follows Turkey’s recent show of support for Pakistan amid escalating strains between the two neighbouring nations.

FWICE's calls for boycotting Turkey

In its official statement titled “FWICE appeals to producers to boycott Turkey for shooting locations,” the industry body highlighted its concerns about investing in a country it says has frequently taken positions that undermine India’s sovereignty on global platforms.

“In view of recent developments and Turkey’s consistent positioning in support of Pakistan, which has raised concerns regarding national integrity and security, we believe it is not in the best interests of the Indian film industry to invest or collaborate in any form that could indirectly support or benefit such a nation,” the statement reads.

FWICE further noted that Turkey’s stance on the current situation is not an isolated incident but part of a broader pattern of behaviour that has clashed with India’s interests internationally.

FWICE banning Pakistani actors

This is not the first time FWICE has taken a strong stand on political grounds. Following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 lives, the federation announced a ban on all collaborations with Pakistani actors. The organisation made its "nation first" stance clear, warning of penalties for anyone found working with banned individuals.

One of the direct outcomes of this stance was the shelving of 'Abir Gulaal', an upcoming film featuring Fawad Khan and Vaani Kapoor. The film was supposed to mark Fawad’s return to Bollywood after a long hiatus due to the unofficial industry ban on Pakistani actors post the Uri attack in 2016. Fawad, who earned a strong fanbase in India through television dramas, gained recognition with Hindi films like 'Khoobsurat', 'Kapoor & Sons', and 'Ae Dil Hai Mushkil'.

Turkey and Bollywood films

Over the years, Turkey has served as a picturesque backdrop for several major Hindi films, including 'Race 2', 'Game', 'Guru', 'Dil Dhadakne Do', 'Baby', and 'Ek Tha Tiger'. However, FWICE’s latest directive could signal a shift in the industry’s choice of overseas filming locations, with national sentiment now being weighed more heavily in production decisions.

As of now, producers and production houses have not issued official responses to the call for a boycott. 

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