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For the past two weeks, as the Hollywood superstar shoots for her latest film Eat, Pray, Love at Pataudi in Gurgaon, men trained to be the country’s best in personal protection have been at her service.
A little-known private security company, Holistic Securities, has deployed close to 90 people to protect Roberts day in and day out for the 22 days she plans to spend shooting for the film, based on Elizabeth Gilbert’s novel by the same title. Most of the 10-odd Personal Security Officers (PSOs) forming a close security ring around the actor have, at some point or the other, served with either the NSG or SPG and are now retired from government service. And they are in addition to the actor’s own personal security from the US.
While the NSG is India’s elite commando force dealing with counter-terrorism, anti-hijacking and VIP security, the SPG deals exclusively with providing security cover to the Prime Minister, former prime ministers and members of their immediate families.
Sources told The Indian Express that 90 personnel, including PSOs, bouncers, guards and gunmen, have been deployed to guard the sprawling area housing the Pataudi Palace and the ashram where Roberts is shooting for the “Pray” segment of the movie.
As many as four-five PSOs (in SPG-like safari suits and carrying small arms) are in close proximity, three-four bouncers (in plainclothes) at a slight distance, while a battery of men keep a close surveillance on the overall surroundings.
Having hired most of the former NSG and SPG personnel for this particular assignment, Holistic is learnt to have rejected as many as 40-odd candidates for the jobs of PSOs and bouncers. The selected men were then trained for 10 days before being put on the job.
To prevent any overlapping or gaps, the security personnel deployed by Holistic have been working in close tandem with Roberts’s security from the US. “In fact, the Indian guards are on the same radio frequency as her American guards,” a source said.
Set up in March 2008, Holistic Securities has over 1,000 personnel spread across five states in the country and has many retired Army personnel, some of whom once served with the NSG, on its rolls. This, in fact, came in handy when the company successfully bid for the contract to provide security to the film’s cast and crew, beating some well-established names in the private security business.
Among those on its rolls, for instance, is a retired Army official who worked with the NSG for four years and was part of the commando operations at Chrar-e-Sharif and Hazratbal, sources said. Also, the fact that Holistic Securities is based in Gurgaon and has tie-ups with the local police and other agencies helped it clinch the deal, pegged at approximately Rs 40 lakh.
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Though we Indains treat our guests on the theme of "Atithi Devo Bhava" but practically its a tough job to handle the security and other day to day arangements and if the guest is such a hi profiled celebraty,the job becomes more tough.So the all credits should be given to the co which has handeled her security and other arrangements so that we can look forward to welcome such "ATITHIS" in big no in the time to come!
It came as a pleasant surprise that the security of one of the Top Rated Hollywood Actress is being handled by an Ex-Servicemen Group Company
I have evaluated Holistics Security company for my projects and seen their work at other projects as well. Certainly, Holistics deliver's value for money for their clients. This project simply shows as why they were preferred over other large multi national security companies. I strongly recommend use of Holistics or similar agency for tailor made security arrangements where usually large companies fails to deliver.
dear sirThe holistic security is a well organised security agency . it is headaed by ex- nsg and SPG officers. They have done a commendable job whereever they have been deployed. Though in their nascent stage, their professionalism will ensure that they mature and achieve greater heights. wishing them continued success.
It is a proud moment for Indian Army
Whenever the western high profile personalities visit India, they make it a point to create lot of media fuss about their security detail. Our PR agencies are just to eager to help. This is just to create the hype about their importance and leave an impression they are in a country of thugs, vulgar and violent people. Who knows hollywood stars like julia roberts except enlish movie watchers. Nobody cares to take the trouble to go see her. Spending $75000 in India, they are able to create so much media fuss of their importance. Can they afford similar excercise in US or Canada?