So, you've been tasked with setting up a film shoot in India. Congratulations! You're about to embark on an adventure that's equal parts Bollywood spectacular and logistical roller coaster.

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One British Assistant Producer's grandmother was genuinely worried he'd be "eaten by crocodiles or tigers" in India. While we can't guarantee you won't encounter a curious monkey trying to steal your lunch (they're surprisingly good at it), we can promise the wildlife situation is far less dramatic than Grandma imagined.

But let's be honest—what really keeps production managers, producers, and filmmakers awake at night isn't the thought of wrestling tigers. It's the very real fear of permits going missing, drivers getting lost in translation, and budgets spiraling faster than a Bollywood dance sequence.

Here's your no-nonsense (but definitely humour-filled) guide to filming in India without losing your sanity, your budget, or your crew's respect.

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1. Find Your Production Soulmate (aka The Perfect Fixer)

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Because Not All Heroes Wear Capes—Some Just Carry Permits

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Choosing a fixer in India is like dating, but with higher stakes and more paperwork. You need someone who won't ghost you when things get complicated (spoiler alert: they will). Here's what to look for in your production partner:

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The Essential Qualities:

• Unflappable under pressure (Think zen master meets problem-solving ninja)
• Brutally honest about budgets (No one likes financial surprises, except maybe on birthdays)
• Infinite patience for your "stupid" questions (Trust us, there are no stupid questions—only unprepared fixers)
• Local knowledge that would make Google jealous
• A sense of humor (Because when your star elephant decides to take an unscheduled nap, you'll need those laughs)

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Pro tip: Ask colleagues for recommendations. The best fixers are talked about in hushed, reverent tones at industry parties and secret production groups. They're the ones with legendary stories about pulling off impossible shoots with a smile and a cup of chai.

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2. The Great Indian Permit Adventure

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Where Paperwork Goes to Multiply

Bureaucracy is an art form for us in India. We don't just love paperwork—we've elevated it to a spiritual practice. Filming without proper permits isn't just risky; it's like trying to make a Bollywood movie without songs. Technically possible, but why would you want to?

The Permit Reality Check:

• Government filming permits (because governments love to know what you're up to)
• Monument permissions (those historical sites didn't preserve themselves for centuries just for random filming)
• Wildlife sanctuary clearances (animals have rights too, apparently)
• Airport and port permissions (security is surprisingly serious about this)
• Private property releases (shocking, we know)

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At Backpack Films, we've mastered the dark arts of Indian bureaucracy. Our team has navigated more government offices than a seasoned civil servant, and we've got the coffee stains and paper cuts to prove it. We've successfully shepherded hundreds of international crews through the permit labyrinth—from Netflix documentaries to BBC series that shall remain nameless (confidentiality agreements are serious business).

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3. Accommodation: Where Dreams Meet Reality

Hotels That Actually Understand Film Crews

Your crew's accommodation needs are slightly more complex than the average tourist's. You need hotels that won't blink when your sound recordist wants breakfast at 4 AM or when your celeb presenter wants a Mint Matcha Japanese Green Tea at bedtime.

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What We Actually Do:

• Location scouting for hotels (because kit-storage room proximity matters when you're hauling equipment)
• Crew-specific negotiations (explaining why film people are wonderfully eccentric)
• Budget optimization magic (making every dollar count without sacrificing sanity)
• Backup plans for backup plans (because Murphy's Law loves film sets)

Our logistics team speaks fluent "hotel manager" and knows exactly how to explain why film crews need flexible check-in times, secure equipment storage, and room service that doesn't judge your dietary choices after a 16-hour shoot day.

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4. Transportation: The Great Indian Journey

‍Where Getting There Really Is Half the Adventure

Indian transportation is like Indian cricket—unpredictable, occasionally brilliant, and guaranteed to give you stories you'll tell for years. But unlike cricket, you can't just sit back and enjoy the show when your equipment truck decides to take a scenic detour.

‍The Reality Check:

• Roads that range from silk-smooth highways to... well, let's call them "character-building experiences"
• Drivers whose English vocabulary might be limited to "yes sir" and "no problem" (everything is "no problem" until it's a very big problem)
• Traffic that follows its own mysterious rules - good horn, good brakes and..good luck!
• Baggage logistics that would challenge a Tetris champion

‍Our Transportation Philosophy: We partner with vehicle providers who understand that "on time" isn't just a suggestion—it's a survival requirement. Our drivers may not all speak perfect English, but they all speak fluent "get the crew there safely," which is honestly more important.

We also handle the thrilling world of excess baggage booking, airport queues, and the ancient art of negotiating with airline staff who've seen it all and are unimpressed by your Emmy nominations.

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Read Part 2 of this article here!

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