/> Try this for quirkiness in never-never land. While most love stories are shot in Europe the actioners are mostly done in Bangkok, Thailand and Malaysia.

Is this an indication of geographical aptness or plain practical common sense?

At least 2 dozen action-adventure films during the past two years have been shot in South East Asia. In fact last month you couldn't take two steps in Bangkok without running into a Bollywood crew.

Neil Nitin Mukesh who had been shooting for a film Freeze just had to step out of his hotel room to attend an Indian awards function in Bangkok.

"There was so much of Bollywood in Bangkok I was confused whether I was in Mumbai or Bangkok." Laughs Neil. "We did a lot of heavyduty action scenes in Bangkok.I guess the atmosphere there is conducive to crackling and bone-cracking stunts."

While Hansal Mehta who directed his thriller Woodstock Villa right here in Mumbai thinks it's laziness and lack of imagination that propel all actioners to Bangkok Soham Shah who shot his rugged adventure film Luck in South Africa says, "I think thrillers are shot in places like Bangkok and Thailand because a crime action adventure film needs a dark dingy hectic atmosphere with shady bylanes and alleys. Bangkok gives a certain edge to a crime drama.

Because it has a history of crime behind it whereas European countries like Switzerland with their green virgin locales lend themselves well to romance."

Kunal Kohli who shot his romantic films Hum Tum and Thoda Magic Thoda Pyaar in Europe thinks it's all about economics. "Action films cost a lot of money. So they anyway need cheaper locations with good infrastructure. You get that in South- East Asia.."

Producer Bunty Walia who's shooting his next film in Kashmir thinks action films favour South -East Asia for their rugged landscape.

"South Asian countries have the look manpower and the expertise to execute complicated action scenes at a comparatively cheaper rate. As for love stories, filmmakers need virginal beauty spots, imposing architecture and super outdoors. Understandably they head for Europe and Australia."

Sanjay Gadhvi shot his actioner Kidnap in Mumbai but went to Bangkok for one crucial action scene."Why Bangkok? I'll tell you. It's more economical. Shooting shifts for action films are far more expensive. So costs are cut through cheaper locations."

Milan Luthria who has shot rugged action films like Kachche Dhaage attributes the exodus for action to South East Asia to these factors.

"There are so many props required in an action film. There are cars bikes, chopper and boats to ply and wreck. Action crews are far cheaper in South Africa and South-East Asia. And since an action film needs a much bigger crew to be transported, the airfare to these countries is relatively cheaper.

Regarding romance European and Australian locales are prettier for love and the quality of light in these countries is best for close-ups and other intimate moments."