In 2014, a group of passionate Tulu-speaking individuals in the UAE came together to do something no Indian film had ever done before — make a full-length feature film without shooting a single scene in India. That bold move resulted in Nirel, the first Indian movie shot entirely abroad. Directed by Ranjith Bajpe, produced by Shodhan Prasad and San Poojary, this pioneering project was born in Dubai and became a landmark in Indian cinematic history.
The First Indian Movie Shot Entirely Abroad
Nirel made history by being the first-ever Indian film — in any language — to be filmed entirely outside the country. While many Indian films had scenes shot abroad before, Nirel was the first to complete 100% of its shooting in a foreign location. Every frame of the film, from homes to offices, roads to beaches, was captured in and around Dubai, showcasing the emirate’s diverse cityscape as a perfect backdrop for an Indian story.
in Photo - Ranjith Bajpe - Director Nirel Movie
Turning Dubai into Karnataka
One of the most fascinating aspects of Nirel was how the team transformed Dubai locations to resemble scenes in India. For instance, a hotel scene that takes place in "Bangalore" was actually shot at a luxury hotel in Dubai. Through smart camera angles, props, and visual storytelling, the crew convincingly recreated Indian settings without ever stepping on Indian soil. Ramesh Aravind, a veteran Kannada actor, even shot his scenes near a Dubai beach — designed to look like an Indian film studio set.
Friday Filming and a Full-Time Workforce
What makes the story of Nirel even more inspiring is that it was filmed only on Fridays — the weekly holiday in the UAE. The entire cast and crew were full-time employees with day jobs in various industries. From IT engineers to hotel staff, the film brought together a cross-section of the Tulu-speaking community. Over the course of a year, every Friday was dedicated to shooting, proving that passion and commitment can overcome all logistical challenges.
in Photo - Rajneesh Amin, Sachin Padil, San Poojary, Ranjith Bajpe
The Production Behind the Passion
Nirel was not a big-budget production with commercial studios or celebrity actors. Instead, it was a community project created by Tulu-speaking expatriates. Here’s what made it remarkable:
- Shot over 12 months, exclusively on weekends
- Used only local talents living in UAE, except one cameo
- Filming required expensive permissions and equipment rentals
Breaking New Ground in Tulu and Indian Cinema
Nirel was a trailblazer for regional and diaspora cinema. It wasn’t just the first Tulu film made outside India — it was also the first Indian feature of any kind to be entirely foreign-shot. The team’s ability to pull off such a milestone project inspired Tulu communities worldwide and proved that regional films can go global with the right vision.
- Premiered in Dubai with packed theaters
- Screened later in India, Canada, Oman, and the UK
- Inspired more Tulu films to explore international production
in Photo - Shodhan Prasad, Sandya Prasad
Award-Winning Recognition
At the Tulu Cinemotsava 2015, Nirel won multiple awards including Best Film, Best Story, and Best Cinematography. It was also honored at the RED FM Tulu Film Awards for being the first international Tulu production.
Strategic Valentine’s Day Release
Nirel was released on February 14, 2014 — Valentine’s Day — aligning with the movie’s romantic storyline and drawing large crowds of youth and families to its opening shows in the Gulf.
in Photo - Deepthi Actress
Premiered in UAE Theaters
More than 3,000 people attended the first day shows in Dubai; many were turned away due to full bookings.
Set Construction in Real-Time
Art direction and props were often created on-location in real time, reflecting the team’s quick thinking and adaptability.
in Photo - Ramesh Aravind, Ranjith Bajpe
First for Regional Diaspora
Nirel gave Tulu-speaking expatriates a platform to express their language and culture globally.
Legacy of Innovation
The film opened doors for other regional films to be made abroad, expanding the idea of where Indian cinema can happen.
When San Poojary, Ranjith Bajpe and Rajneesh Amin wanted to meet Shodhan Prasad, asking him to produce a short film, but Co-producer San Poojary had something else in mind. He wanted to make history by creating a first ever International Tulu Movie. That’s why the short film idea turned into the first ever Indian film shot abroad.
Kannada super hit KGF executive producer wrote story and screenplay for the movie.
Director Ranjith Bajpe was a debutant, but the movie never made viewers feel it was made by newcomers. Working in Dubai and shooting was a big challenge for the team.
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Nirel First Indian Movie Abroad Tulu Cinema Dubai Filming Indian Regional Film Ranjith Bajpe