How to Plan a Successful Video Shoot in India

A practical guide for international agencies, production houses and brands.

There’s a moment every international team has. The brief is exciting. The film feels big. The timelines are tight. Then someone says, “We’re shooting in India.” That’s usually when the questions arrive.

Do we have the right director and DP? Can we build a full crew locally? What about locations, permits, crew, travel, gear, weather, budgets and approvals across time zones? We get it.

At Scooter, we’ve been producing in India since 2013. Here’s what we’ve learnt. India isn’t hard to shoot in. India is specific to shoot in. Respect the specifics, and it becomes one of the most rewarding places in the world to make films.

P.S.: We are not just great at production, we are good hosts as well :)

India is a global hub

India is no longer just a “shoot destination.” It’s a production ecosystem. Global brands launch here. International companies build here. Agencies fly in or direct remotely and still expect the same quality and control. The good news is, India can deliver end-to-end.

Strong creatives. Deep crew networks. Serious rental infrastructure in key cities. Diverse casting. Locations that can double for many parts of the world. And post-production talent that spans edit, colour, sound, VFX, CGI and increasingly, AI-enabled workflows.

Think full production, not just line production

When international teams shoot in India, what they often need isn’t only “local support.” They need a production partner who can hold the whole thing. That means helping from the start, not just on shoot days. Creative and pre-production support. Director and crew assembly. Casting. Locations and permissions. Art and styling. On-ground production. A clean post pipeline through final deliveries.

That’s what makes the process feel calm, even when the film is ambitious.

Build the right team for the film

India has exceptional talent across departments. The key is fit. A glossy commercial needs a different crew rhythm than a documentary-style film. Fashion needs a different art pace than a corporate story. Comedy needs timing and patience, not just great lighting. When the crew matches the film’s personality, everything moves faster and looks better.

Design calm on set

India can move fast, but speed comes from prep and communication, not pressure. Build buffers for travel. Plan for the weather. Keep logistics kind and human for international teams. Lock post workflows early, especially if approvals happen across time zones.

A calm set isn’t an accident. It’s designed.

Final thought

India is a global hub because it offers scale, talent, texture and full-pipeline capability. The opportunity is real. Respect the specifics, plan end-to-end, and you’ll not only get great shots. You’ll get a great process.

If you’re planning a shoot in India, tell us what you want to create and what it needs to feel like. We’ll help you build it end-to-end, without losing the joy of it 🙂

FAQs

Is India a good place for international productions today?

Yes. India has matured into a full production ecosystem with strong creative talent, deep crew networks, robust rental infrastructure in key cities, diverse locations and end-to-end post-production capability.

Do we need a creative production house in India or just a line production team?

It depends on your setup. If you already have your director, key crew and post pipeline locked, a production house’s support just for line production may be enough. If you want a partner to assemble the creative team, manage production and run post and deliveries locally, a full creative production house is the better fit.

How far in advance should we plan a shoot in India?

If the film is complex or permissions-heavy, start early. If the film is lean and controlled, timelines can be tighter. The biggest deciding factors are locations, permits, talent availability, and whether equipment or travel needs special planning.

Do we need permits to film in India?

Often, yes. It varies by location type, city/state rules, and your production footprint. Some private properties are simpler and may come directly from the client, say in the case of a corporate film, while public, heritage or government-controlled locations can require longer lead times.

Can we shoot with drones in India?

Yes, but drone planning should start early. Requirements vary by location and compliance needs, so it’s best treated as a key production element, not an add-on.

Can international teams supervise remotely?

Yes. Many shoots in India are run with remote approvals and reviews across time zones. The key is to align on references, workflows, and delivery specs early, and to keep communication tight and simple.