Visitors to the world’s first Bollywood-themed amusement park will get to fly like Indian superhero Krrish and enjoy a lavish Mughal-style banquet when it opens in Dubai in October.
The 1.7 million-square-feet Bollywood Parks, part of the Dh10.5billion Dubai Parks and Resorts complex, will have 16 cinematic rides, six themed restaurants and 30 live shows inspired by contemporary Hindi-language blockbusters, including superstar Shah Rukh Khan's Don, Salman Khan's Dabangg and Aamir Khan's Lagaan, as well as classics such as Sholay and Mughal-E-Azam.
Visitors will enter the park through “Bollywood Boulevard” to gain access to four other zones: Mumbai Chowk, Rustic Ravine, Royal Plaza and Bollywood Film Studios.
The park will also house the 850-seat Rajmahal Theatre, which will stage Broadway-style musicals.
“We have tried to take all the ingredients that go into a Bollywood movie and pick evergreen classics for the park that will stay with the people,” says Vinit Shah, chief destination management officer of Dubai Parks and Resorts.
“We went directly to the production houses to talk about the films for the concept development and for insights for the story development for our rides.”
Immersive 3-D and 4-D rides and stunts will offer visitors a first-hand look at the behind-the-scenes action for movies such as Krrish and RA.One.
The Bollywood Boulevard zone will be home to Rock On!, a restaurant with a live rock band recreating a scene from the 2008 film of the same name, starring Farhan Akhtar.
In Mumbai Chowk, Don: The Chase, will bring to life the classic car-chase sequence from the film, while the Rustic Raven zone will shine the spotlight on movies with a rural focus.
The Lagaan corner will be set up as a carnival, with a Ferris wheel, carousel and games. The ride Sholay The Hunt for Gabbar will have visitors fighting the “bad guys”.
The Royal Plaza Zone will house Mughal-e-Azam, a restaurant inspired by the classic 1960s film, with a sumptuous menu inspired by the Mughal era.
The Bollywood Film Studios' Hall of Heroes area will provide a sneak peek into the making of movies, including the coming-of-age drama Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara. Aspiring filmmakers and actors can also try their hand at filming a scene on site.
Retail outlets such as Chalte Chalte, the Bollywood Studio store, Desi Emporium and Mumbai Bazaar, all of which will sell movie memorabilia and themed merchandise, will be found throughout the park.
Thomas Jellum, the general manager of Bollywood Parks, said the park was created not only to attract Bollywood fans but people from all over the world who are curious about one of the biggest film industries in the world.
“As a European, I find the concept of the park so unique,” he says. “It has a flavour that is not too spicy and will be entertaining for everyone. A lot of people are already aware of Bollywood, and for them coming here will be a good education in the industry and what it has to offer, as well.”
• An annual pass to Bollywood Parks Dubai (unlimited admission) costs from Dh755. Visit www.bollywoodparksdubai.com. Prices for day passes will be announced in July
aahmed@thenational.ae
