Inside the massive Bollywood theme park that's opening in Dubai this year
Dubai plans to woo millions of movie lovers with an extravagant Bollywood theme park that's scheduled to open this October. Spread across 1.7 million square feet, Bollywood Parks is suitably over-the-top.
In true Bollywood fashion, it will pack in plenty of singing, dancing, drama and action, with 3D and 4D rides, live performances, musicals, stunt shows, shops and restaurants inspired by India's Hindi film industry.
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It is located inside the $2.8 billion Dubai Parks & Resort project, which will also house the Hollywood theme park Motiongate. "This was designed and built for the billions of Bollywood fans that live in close proximity to Dubai," Dubai Parks & Resorts CEO Raed Kajoor Al Nuaimi says in a recent video.
Bollywood Parks is targeted at Bollywood fans around the world, but also aims at drawing more Indian tourists to Dubai. India is already the biggest source of Dubai's foreign tourists, with 1.6 million Indians visiting the country in 2015.
Bollywood Parks will be divided into five zones, including a Bollywood Film Studio that offers a participatory behind-the-scenes glimpse of film production, 4D rides and a live stage show based on Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara. There's also a replica of Mumbai's Victoria Terminus station and a 850-seat Rajmahal Theatre that will host a ticketed Broadway-style Bollywood musical with performers from Mumbai.
“Each attraction at Bollywood Parks Dubai has been carefully crafted along with valuable inputs from some of Bollywood’s biggest names," the press release states.
The park has several rides inspired by Bollywood blockbusters, including the 3D immersive tunnel Don--The Chase inspired by Don, a village fair with a simulated cricket pitch from Lagaan, a stunt show based on Dabangg and a laser gun shooting game from Sholay.
There are also plans to hold 30 live shows across six stages, and have six Indian restaurants and eight retail outlets offering film memorabilia and souvenirs.
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Sonam Joshi was Mashable's principal correspondent in India. She has previously worked for The Times of India group and Time Out Delhi, and written for The Caravan, Mint Lounge and Yahoo Originals.
