Filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt today said authorities in the Metropolis should take a cue from foreign countries, who provide the best facilities to the Indian film industry to shoot movies on their lands.

''Several countries provide us cost effective rates and good facilities to shoot our movies. There are no hiccups, no problems with bureaucracy. Authorities in Mumbai should do some soul searching and offer the film industry facilities they rightfully deserve.

We save time and hence quality of our product is enhanced when shooting abroad,'' Bhatt told reporters while promoting his latest film ''Awarapan', which has been shot in Hong kong in association with the Hong Kong Tourism Board.

To a question on why he is keen to promote the East through his films while most of his film fraternity is looking towards the West, Mr Bhatt said there was a lot to learn from Asian countries.

According to him, Indians can identify with rest of the Asians more because of their common emotions and respect for elders.

''Just like we want to work with people whom we are comfortable with or like a lot, I feel we chose locations to shoot we were comfortable with. I have been coming to Hong Kong for the last 35 years and feel it is a very vibrant city,''he added.

Mr Bhatt recalled that his love affair with Hong Kong dates back to the 70's when he shot 'Lahoo Ke Do Rang' with Vinod Khanna, later in the 80's with 'Naam' and 'Gumraah' in the 90's.

David Leung, Regional Director-South and South East Asia Hong Kong Tourism Board, noted that this was the first time the board supported the shooting of an Indian feature film to showcase the amazing locales and attractions of Hong Kong.

It is one of the most photogenic cities with its diversity of scenes. It has already been the backdrop of number of major international and Bollywood movies,''he added.

Mr Leung said through 'Awarapan', the Hong Kong Tourism Board hopes to form a synergy with Bollywood and create a strong platform for promoting Hong Kong to Indian visitors.

'Awarapan' stars Emraan Hashmi and Shriya Sharan of 'Sivaji' fame.