Posted on 2/01/06 at 07:15 AM

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Andaman island to feature in Hollywood movie

Port Blair, Jan 31 (PTI):Andaman's famous Havelock island is set to feature in Hollywood filmmaker Peter Weir's big- budget flick 'Shantaram'.

The Oscar-winning director arrived here today to explore locations for the film, accompanied by a seven-member team of the Hollywood production company - On the Road Production.

While the bulk of the shooting will take place at Mumbai in November, some parts of the film will be shot at Radha Nagar beach of Havelock island in the Andamans in March 2007, Weir told PTI.

The director said he had originally planned on Goa as a location for the film but decided to shoot at Havelock island after he heard of the world-class beach there.

Scenes to be shot at the island include those depicting Oscar-winning lead actor Johnny Depp walking on the beach, he said.

Weir said he was receiving a lot of help from the central government and local administration and hoped he could count on their cooperation till the end of the shoot.

The film project promises to benefit the Andaman islands both in terms of potential employment, revenue as well as worldwide publicity of its tourist spots.

The movie is based on the prize-winning novel 'Shantaram' written by George David Roberts and depicts the story of an Australian ex-con who begins life anew in Mumbai.

Weir is known for making complex dramas focussing on emotional struggles of men caught up in social change and upheaval.