IT IS a vibrant and lively scene evoking the exotic culture of the Indian subcontinent.

Glamorous sari-clad dancers, handsome men, booming Bollywood music and the smell of incense drifts across the water.

But the opening scenes of one of the most hotly-anticipated Indian films is a lot closer to home.

Bollywood icon Arshad Warsi is today at a Southampton marina for the final day of filming of his next silver-screen hit.

Welcome to Karachi is set in the warm waters of the Arabian Ocean, but has been part-filmed in Southampton’s Ocean Village.

The entire feature has been shot in this country as producers take advantage of a Government scheme to attract top Indian filmmakers to Britain by paying towards their costs.

Moored in the shadow of the 28-storey Admiral’s Quay tower block, two boats have been transformed into brightly coloured wedding cruise ships with pink and white balloons and streamers and images of Hindu god Ghanesh.

A stream of dancers clad in traditional Asian attire have spent the last four days arriving in cars alongside men in smart suits.

Cameramen have been shouting orders from behind a network of huge lenses and stage lights as music blares from speakers.

The comedy, by top Indian producer Vashu Bhagnani, features the story of two bungling sailors who become shipwrecked while navigating a wedding party from Mumbai, India, to the Pakistani city of Karachi.

Mr Wasi, 46, from Mumbai, who plays unfortunate captain Shami Thakur, said: “We chose Southampton because of the boats, the clean air and water.

“It’s much simpler to film here without the heat as you don’t get as exhausted.

“Bollywood films have always been popular in Britain and we have found it easy to source Pakistani actors from those living in this country.”

The film is due to be released in March.