A BOLLYWOOD blockbuster is to be filmed in the heart of Greenock - with film crews setting up in the town centre from today.

Scenes for new geo-political thriller Tehran will be shot until the middle of next week, inside and outside the Municipal Buildings.

The film stars Bollywood icon John Abraham and scenes for it have also been shot in Glasgow city centre over the last few weeks.

Motorists are being warned of disruption to accommodate the cast and crew as they go about their work and there will be fewer parking spaces while filming is under way.

Parking in and around Greenock Town Hall and the Municipal Buildings will be restricted this weekend and next week, with filming beginning today and expected to last until Wednesday.

This is not the first time that Greenock has played a leading role in a big Bollywood film.

In 2020, the owners of Greenock-based company PG Paper helped bring the production for box office smash Bell Bottom to town.

It was based on the true story of plane hijacks that shook India in the 1980s, and featured Bollywood legend Akshay Kumar.

PG Paper owners Poonam and Puneet Gupta were instrumental in persuading renowned film producer Vashu Bhagnani to come to Scotland to make the film.

Scenes were recorded outside the company’s headquarters at Custom House Quay, while the cast and crew used its offices for rehearsals, hair and make-up and wardrobe.

Now the town is back at the heart of the action once again.

Between midnight Tuesday until Thursday, the Cathcart Street car park will be closed to the public and will be used for sole use of the filming crew.

There will also be fewer spaces available at Wallace Place during this time and fewer spaces to park on both Cathcart Street area and at Wallace Place today while the crew set up.

Access to the carriageway between Wallace Place and Cathcart Square will also be restricted while filming is taking place, with council staff and members of the public being asked to use alternative routes and entrances.

People are being asked to plan ahead and make sure they take these temporary restrictions into consideration, particularly if they are looking to park in and around the town during these times.

The council says that on-street parking on Cathcart Street will be unaffected.

Alternative parking is available nearby, including in the council-owned Cathcart Street west car park near to Greenock Central Station and the Bullring Roundabout car park where the usual ‘pay and display’ rules remain suspended at present.