Australia has become the new ‘favourite' of Bollywood filmmakers, with recently released Saif Ali Khan and Preity Zinta starrer ‘Salaam Namaste' grossing 7.5 million dollars worldwide in its first three weeks.

The movie, which also stars Australian actress Tania Zaetta, was based and filmed in Melbourne with a budget of 2.5 million dollars. It featured recognisable Melbourne and Victorian images, including the Great Ocean Road, central Melbourne and Chapel Street, and after its release last month Indian producers have shown great interest in coming to the Continent.

"It's now the top-grossing Indian film in the world this year," The Age quoted Film Victoria spokeswoman Shae Quabba as saying.

Mitu Lange, the film's line producer, said: "For a lot of Indians, Melbourne is very special because the MCG is here....'Salaam Namaste' is about two young people who are away from India who are staying in Melbourne. One is a chef, one is a radio jockey and every time she comes on air, she says, ‘Good morning, Melbourne'"

Salaam Namaste is showing on 500 screens, including 300 in India, and production company Yash Raj Films expects 300 million people will see the film.