Unearth is a newly launched environmental news journal published from the United Nations, New York City. Shared here is my first story published in the journal. You can read the original story here.
This might spell bad news for the Indian film industry: Mount Kilimanjaro, considered by filmmakers as a picturesque location for song
and dance sequences, is literally losing its cool status. The climate
has been fast changing on the mountain, sending the mercury higher with
every passing month and robbing the mountain of its fabled velvety green
cover.
Song and dance sequences are a signature feature in Indian movies,
and, often a film’s success at the box office is decided by its
beautifully choreographed songs, shot at scenic locales. For decades,
Switzerland topped the list of Indian filmmakers’ favorite locations.
But now Kilimanjaro also features high on the list, with several chart
buster songs being shot around the mountain.
According to Alok Bishnoi, a Mumbai-based actor and director, an
Indian filmmaker looks at three factors before zeroing in on a spot for
shooting a song: beautiful landscape, pollution-free air which provides
good lighting, and a suitable climate. “It is common for a pair of lead
actors to change costumes multiple times during a single song sequence
,” says Bishnoi. “
A mild climate helps a lot as the actors can wear anything fashionable and pretty. Kilimanjaro has those features
,” says Bishnoi. “
A mild climate helps a lot as the actors can wear anything fashionable and pretty. Kilimanjaro has those features