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IN THE WAKE OF KAHO NAA.. PYAR HAI’S SUPER
SUCCESS...
Hrithik
Roshan makes New Zealand a hit
By
Saumya Bhattacharya
The trade commissioner of New Zealand Trade Development Board,
Peter Healy, dubs it the ‘Hrithik factor’. And it
certainly shows star-power: the New Zealand High Commission
in Delhi has witnessed an unprecedented rise in visa/permit
applications from Indian students, as well as tourists, following
the release of the mega-hit Hrithik Roshan-starrer Kaho Naa
Pyar Hai.
In fact, with the number of visa applications rising as meteorically
as the star, the High Commission found it difficult to cope
with the spurt in demand as the infrastructure was inadequate.
Therefore, in the last six months, the existing 2,000-square
feet immigration and visa office has been extended by another
8,000 square feet, to handle the steady pile of applications.
Pointing out that the total investment in the expansion was
US $ 0.5 million, Healy says: “We call this additional
area the ‘Hrithik Addition’. In fact, we invited
Hrithik Roshan to open the building, but unfortunately he
was away abroad.” A new resource centre for Indian students
wanting to study in New Zealand was also opened last week.
According to Healy, “Since the movie came out, we noticed
an immediate increase in the number of tourists as well as
students. The movie has dramatically raised the visitor inflow
to New Zealand.” There have been four films from South
India, which were shot in New Zealand as well, which became
mega hits and contributed to the inflow, this year. “But
the ‘Hrithik factor’ is unprecedented,” he
adds.
Here’s a look at the visa/permits issued in the last
one year. Immediately after the release of the movie, the
number of students visas/permits issued in February 2000 shot
up to about 70 from around 15 in December 1999, and 15 in
January 2000. Compared to the July 1999 figure of around 42,
the number of visas and permits granted to students in July
2000 soared to over 150. On the other hand, the tourist inflow
has risen to 600-700 visas/permits a month from 300 per month
before the release of the movie.
There is more to it though. Not only the tourist inflow from
India has gone up but Indian tourists from Canada, the UK
and the US have been flocking to New Zealand too, drawn to
the beautiful locales showcased by Bollywood. The New Zealand
hotel industry has been a witness to this phenomenon in the
recent months too, says Healy. This seems to be just the beginning
of the Hrithik era in New Zealand. According to Healy, the
wonderboy of the Indian film industry will soon be back in
New Zealand to shoot for two more movies to be directed by
his father Rakesh Roshan.
The ‘Hrithik factor’ has turned out to be an employment
generation factor as well at the High Commission. Post Kaho
Naa Pyar Hai, the number of immigration staff at the high
commission office in New Delhi has doubled to 16 members from
the earlier 8. “These employees owe their jobs to Hrithik,”
chuckles Healy.
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