Film shooting in progress for Jackie Chan movie at Jumeirah Lake Towers Dubai. - Photo by Shihab
Dubai - Dubai's Jumeirah Lakes Towers (JLT) area was a hub of activity on Monday as several pedestrian areas in and around the JLT Clusters were closed for a film shoot.
Published: Tue 13 Oct 2015, 12:00 AM
Last updated: Tue 13 Oct 2015, 10:11 PM
Khaleej Times saw over 15 trucks and vehicles parked just off First Al Khail Street near Almas Tower, most of them marked with signs such as "camera truck", "location truck" or "sound truck."
Several dozen crew members were seen carrying boxes of equipment into the lake area and setting up the set.
Traffic, however, seemed to be flowing normally with no signs of delays of back-up. No road closures were reported. "Since the shooting began, this area is completely closed," said a security guard standing near Indigo Towers.
Signs posted around the lake warned passerby that video and photography is forbidden in the areas overlooking the film set, and a Khaleej Times journalist was brusquely warned to stop taking iPhone pictures in the area. Security guards and crew members refused to confirm which film the set was for. When asked how long the area would be closed for, one security guard said "just for one day", while two others said they weren't sure. Additionally, signs were posted around the area directing extras for the film to go inside Almas Tower. As pedestrian areas around the lake were closed, many people were forced to take long detours around the lake to get to their offices or to the metro.
Many JLT residents, however, said they weren't particularly bothered by the commotion. "I saw in the news that Star Trek shooting is going on. I take the metro to work and walked to the station, but I really didn't see any traffic on my way," said Vishesh Marwah.
Another resident, Jasminder Kaur, 25, said the inconvenience of a long walk in the sun didn't bother her if she had a chance to run into a celebrity. "Since I don't have a car if gets a bit painful that I have to walk a distance to get a cab, and the weather outside makes it not any better. But if it's only for a few days I don't mind, as long as I get to see a Hollywood A-lister."
Mukesh, the manager of Spice Kraft - a vegetarian fast-food restaurant located in Platinum Tower in JLT Cluster I - said that his restaurant was completely closed until the evening. "It has to be closed until 8'O clock, but I can't say that it is really hurting our business at all. People will come later."
Others like the Reebok Crossfit Lifespark gym and EuroPets pet supply store reported that they remained open, as most of their customers come by car.
bernd@khaleejtimes.com
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