In my opinion, there are many costs that are too high. Logistics are challenging due to geography and varieties of Landscape are limited. For events like IIFA, you need single venues which can seat huge crowds and also accommodation in vicinity. Otherwise, it becomes an operational nightmare for event organizers handling all these high-profile people in multiple places. Usually, the various levels of accommodation provided for film crew, the stars get premium and the rest based on their job, but in the islands probably the producer has to put all of them in the resort itself. But i seriously think Addu or a similar island other than the central atoll can change this and provide a good opportunity. As it’s connected with many islands and various segments of accommodations and large grounds for set up.

Interesting thought, there’s an event done in Mumbai by the organizers of SATTE. Where destinations take part and chase the film industry. But let me be honest, countries go after Indian Film Industry because when a film is done , then Indian starts traveling there. Does Maldives need that type of publicity ? It’s already well known in India. I know movies require a lot of support , lot of subsidy , a lot on complimentary. What is the incremental game the Maldives will have putting the movie production. Every Indian has been traveling to the Maldives, every celebrity has been hosted , honeymooners have come. I cannot see an incremental value in spending a million dollar and bringing an Indian Movie. It’s not going to get Maldives any more publicity which the country do not have.

As much as we would love to be a part of the Filmfare or IIfa there are a few challenges that we need to keep in mind and also how we can overcome those. -Venue big enough to host around 800-1000 people including celebrities and audience is currently not available. -Accommodation for approximately 500 people at a time in a vicinity close to the event venue with convenient transportation is a must. - If the venue is on the main island do we have accommodation to host celebrities on a main dry land like Addu (interconnected islands) or Fuvahmulah or Hanimaadhoo or any island which is big where you can drive. -If not then how do we manage 400-500 celebrities transport from the resort island to the event venue.? -Gala Dinner to be hosted for all the guest post award night , Will there be sponsors to host / sponsor the Gala event. As usually the host nations does it . These are some key pointers in my view. As I’ve been involved in shooting the movie “Kite” with Hrithik Roshan and later I did some South Indian movie shoots and some MICE in the Maldives. Maldives is beautiful and challenging due to its geography and high price.