Dubai - MENA Herald: Bollywood Parks™ Dubai, the first of its kind Bollywood themed park in the world, and a part of Dubai Parks and Resorts, set to be the region’s largest integrated theme park destination on its opening in October 2016, today presented an exclusive preview and tour of the upcoming park at a press conference held at Taj Dubai, Business Bay. Hosting the event was Thomas Jellum, General Manager of Bollywood Parks™ Dubai along with senior management from Dubai Parks and Resorts. Based on popular films featuring the biggest names of Bollywood including Shahrukh Khan, Salman Khan, Aamir Khan, Hrithik Roshan, Farhan Akhtar and more, the mega-entertainment project unveiled details of all its major rides and attractions that will appeal to families and children alike and immerse visitors into the grand and explosive world of Hindi Cinema.
Thomas Jellum, General Manager of Bollywood Parks™ Dubai commented: “We cannot wait to welcome people into Bollywood Parks™ Dubai this October! Each show and each ride has all been carefully developed to completely transport our guests into the world of Bollywood, whether they are chasing Don, flying with Krrish, being saved by Chulbul Pandey or playing cricket with Bhuvan and today we have highlighted our biggest attractions. Bollywood is cherished and adored not just by people in the region, but by a large global audience and we are positive that the park will be the hottest destination in Dubai this year.”
Highlights of the press conference were a special never seen before video preview of the park featuring clips of the intellectual properties as well as the first look of the new Pre-launch brand campaign featuring 2 characters created specially for Bollywood Parks™ Dubai. Several interactive displays were also presented to the guests as part of the immersive tour that allowed for selfies and snapchats plenty. The event ended in true Bollywood fashion with an energy filled live performance that gave the audience a glimpse of what’s to come, leaving them to B_Spellbound!
As the tour explained, guests will be welcomed into the park at Bollywood Boulevard, the first of five zones, where they can listen to songs by the popular band, Magik at the Rock On!! restaurant that will be open late nights every day as well as Jumbo Café, an international bakery of foreign delicacies. The zone will also be the site of the first grand stage of the park, Crossroads, which will feature contemporary fusion performances bringing the old and the new of Bollywood on one platform!
Paying a tribute to Bollywood’s hometown, the Mumbai Chowk zone will provide unique offerings such as a recreation of the famous Victoria Station, built like a classic Mumbai suburban railway train offering typical Mumbai fast food while showcasing performances on the roof of the train- the Mumbai Express stage that will bring to life colourful characters from the city such as the Mumbai tapori (hustler)! Visitors will also enjoy the Don – The Chase ride, a 3D motion immersive tunnel, which will have visitors chasing their favourite criminal mastermind across the city of Dubai, hoping that they will be the first to catch him.
Moving away from the city and into the golden villages of India that have inspired countless Bollywood classics, guests step into the Rustic Ravine zone that will be home to the Lagaan carnival with several rides (wheels, carousels, and all) catered specifically for the young ones along with a motion simulator vehicle for older children and adults that will take them right into the heart of the film’s epic cricket match. But that’s not all: the rural themed zone will also feature a live action packed Dabangg Stunt Spectacular show that will showcase the beloved filmy police officer, Chulbul Pandey, engrossed in visually stunning action sequences. In addition, this zone also houses a dark and dangerous interactive 3D ride The Hunt for Gabbar Singh, based on the first blockbuster of Hindi Cinema, Sholay, which, will challenge the brave to take on the infamously terrifying villain, Gabbar Singh with laser guns!
Staying true to every rustic village, the Rangmanch stage set around a banyan tree, will celebrate the vibrant traditional dance forms of India such as garba and bhangra while also featuring exquisite performances centered around rustic icons such as the village belle. Visitors will be able to feast on traditional Indian foods at the Spicy Dhaba with tasty options such as rustic home style curries and the ever popular tandoori style cuisine.
At the heart of Bollywood Parks™ Dubai lies its crowning jewel, the magnificent Rajmahal Theatre, an 850 seater opulent theatre that will host a separately ticketed Broadway-styled Bollywood musical several times a week, the first of its kind in the region. To complement the grand stage in the Royal Plaza zone, the Mughal-e-Azam restaurant will serve as the perfect venue for a pre-theatre dinner and will offer royal ‘shahi’ cuisine prepared by culinary artists. During the day, the zone’s Stars on Steps Stage will showcase a special performance paying tribute to Bollywood through the ages. With large LED screens that will serve as a backdrop for legendary scenes, this performance will be unmissable!
Added Thomas: “Both the attraction development and the rehearsals are going strong as we gear up to offer Dubai an experience unlike any other! Bollywood Parks™ Dubai will be recreating some of Bollywood’s greatest moments and presenting them in a fresh and brand new way to our audience.”
“Each attraction at Bollywood Parks™ Dubai has been carefully crafted along with valuable input from some of Bollywood’s biggest names. Bollywood Parks™ Dubai is an integral part of Dubai Parks and Resorts, providing guests with a flavor of Bollywood and Indian culture through immersive experiences, delicious food, stunning dances and extravagant entertainment. With so much on offer in our destination, we are confident Dubai Parks and Resorts will be creating unforgettable memories for everyone,” said Stanford Pinto, Chief Parks Operating Officer, Dubai Parks and Resorts.
Want to feel part of a big budget A-list film? Bollywood Parks™ Dubai‘s Bollywood Film Studios featuring Hall of Heroes zone will offer just that. Guests will be taken on the magical filmmaking journey of one Bollywood’s best travel flicks ever produced, Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara. Cinemagic featuring Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, will have a live stage show that requires audience participation to complete the experience. To add to this excitement, two superhero rides will also be featured: RA.One Unleashed is a 4D theatre experience that will throw guests right into the heart of the battle between good and evil while Krrish – Hero’s Flight offers guests the region’s first panoramic flying attraction around some of India’s most famous landscapes with their favourite masked vigilante.
This star studded zone also includes the Cinema Circle stage recognizing the best children’s songs of Bollywood that will have the tiny boppers grooving to their favourite filmy anthems. Studio Canteen will be a children’s favourite as it offers the most mouth-watering dessert menus along with a range of fast foods with an Indian twist!
Scheduled to open in October this year, Bollywood Parks™ Dubai is part of Dubai Parks and Resorts which will also feature the region’s first LEGOLAND® Park and a LEGOLAND® Water Park. Committed to bringing together the best of the East and West, Dubai Parks and Resorts will also feature motiongate™ Dubai, the first ever theme park to bring three Hollywood studios in one park. The entire destination will be connected by Riverland™ Dubai – a retail, dining and entertainment walkway and guests can stay at the Lapita™ Hotel, Autograph Collection, a Polynesian-themed resort catering to families.