Pictures: Dubai’s Upcoming Bollywood Theme Park

Dubai Parks and Resorts, the Meraas Holding company developing the emirate’s mega theme parks project, revealed new details about its Bollywood-inspired park on Wednesday.

Spread across three million sq ft, Bollywood Parks Dubai will host 16 rides and attractions, located within five movie themed areas featuring content developed in partnership with Mumbai’s major film studios: Bollywood Film Studios, Mumbai Chowk, Hall Of Heroes, Regal Plaza and Rustic Ravine, a statement said.

The entrance to the theme park, ‘Bollywood Boulevard’, will have an ongoing site-wide live entertainment fixture combining dance performances, character interactions and street theatre.

In addition to the themed zones, Bollywood Parks Dubai will offer retail outlets and themed restaurants.

Raed Al Nuaimi, CEO of Dubai Parks and Resorts, said: “The cultural impact and appeal of Bollywood is universal with a global fan base of over three billion people.

“For the first time ever, a theme park in the region will recreate for residents and tourists the unparalleled glamour and extravagance of Bollywood on one stage. Here guests can live, learn, and immerse themselves in the delightful fantasy that they get to experience on the silver screen.”

Popular Indian actors such as Amir Khan and Arbaaz Khan will be associated with the project, the statement said.

The statement quoted actor Aamir Khan as saying, “I am happy to be associated with Bollywood Parks Dubai, a first-of-its-kind endeavour to recreate the magic of Hindi cinema outside of Mumbai.

“The UAE has always been a big market for Hindi films and I am sure the theme park will prove an instant hit with visitors.”

Arbaaz Khan added, “The connection between the UAE and Bollywood is without doubt, very strong. Hindi films are very popular with Arabs and thus this region serves as a vital market for Bollywood. I am proud that our blockbuster film Dabangg is being showcased here.”

The theme park will also feature elements from movies such as Don, Krrish and Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara.

Red Chillies Entertainments, owned by Shah Rukh Khan said: “The UAE is a cultural potpourri. Not only non-resident Indians but Emiratis, Arabs and people from other Asian countries living here are ardent Bollywood fans.

“We are sure the theme park with its spectacular rides and attractions will successfully bring the Bollywood experience to life.”

Located in Jebel Ali between Dubai and Abu Dhabi, the overall Dubai Parks & Resorts project is a Dhs10 billion complex of five theme parks announced by Dubai’s ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum in November 2012. The project is expected to attract five million visitors in its first year of operation.

Phase one, set for completion in 2016, will comprise three theme parks: Motiongate Dubai, Bollywood Parks Dubai, and Legoland Dubai. The development will also feature Riverpark – an entrance plaza featuring retail, dining and entertainment options and Lapita, a family themed hotel.

Spread across four million square feet, Hollywood-inspired Motiongate will feature four zones, including a DreamWorks Animation zone and a Sony Pictures Studio and Smurfs Zone.

The Legoland Dubai park will feature over 15,000 Lego model structures made from 60 million Lego bricks including 40 interactive rides, shows and attractions set in six themed areas – Lego City, Adventure, Lego Kingdom, Create, Lego Factory, and Miniland.

Spread across three million sqft, it will be the first Legoland park in the Middle East and the seventh worldwide.