Bollywood filmmakers boycott Australia over racist attacks

The Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) said on Friday it would not shoot any films in Australia until the government takes action against people behind a series of violent assaults on Indian students there.

Australia is a hot destination for Indian film-makers with about a dozen films shot there every year. Two Bollywood movies - including one by Bollywood's largest producer, Yash Raj Films -- were to be shot in Australia this month.

Dinesh Chaturvedi, head of the FWICE, which represents 250,000 workers, including actors, lighting and sound technicians, camera operators and dancers, issued a notice to all Bollywood producers announcing the boycott.

The attacks, which Indian media have called race-based, caused some diplomatic discomfort between the two countries and sparked angry protests in India. Australia's government condemned the attacks but said racism was not behind them.