The historic Kingston Flyer steam train will co-star today in the major Bollywood feature film being shot in the Wakatipu, the film company and receiver confirmed yesterday.
The executive producer of I Hate Luv Stories, Marijke deSouza, of Dharma Productions in Mumbai, said the train would be towed into position to be the backdrop in a dialogue scene between the two stars of the film.
The film crew's use of the train was questioned last weekend because of legal wrangles over which party had access to it.
Kingston Acquisitions Ltd was placed in receivership in November, owing $4.7 million plus interest.
However, receiver Lindsay McLean, of Malloch McLean, said the filming of the scene including the Flyer would take place today in Kingston as planned.
"The NZTA [New Zealand Transport Agency] has agreed to temporarily amend the conditions of Kingston Flyer Steam Train Ltd's licence for the day, to allow the locomotive to be shifted approximately 50m from the yard to the station building, after which it will be returned to the yard."
Kingston Flyer Steam Train Ltd's licence had been in abeyance since August 2009 and would revert back once filming was complete.
About 30 Queenstown film-makers joined forces with almost 50 from India at Earnslaw Park on Monday as location shooting continued in and around the resort.
Queenstown has a starring role as itself in I Hate Luv Stories, which is due for international release in late May 2010 and will be dubbed or subtitled in 34 languages.
Young Bollywood stars Imran Khan and Sonam Kapoor are the leads, and the film is directed by newcomer Puneet Malhotra.
India and South-east Asia regional manager Kiran Nambiar said it was expected the film would be watched by 150 million people.
"It's publicity [for Queenstown] money can't buy."
