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Dubai becomes Bollywood movies' hub

DUBAI — Dubai is fast becoming an international hub for Bollywood films outside India for premieres and making of movies.

Several Bollywood movies have been premiered in Dubai last year and the latest in the series was Kismat Konnection, which premiered three days ago.

Bollywood stars like Amitabh Bachan, Shahrukh Khan or Salman Khan is a household name not only for the Indians but also for the Arabic speaking people.

“Dubai has a big Indian expatriate community. But Bollywood films are popular among the Arab-speaking people as well. This makes Dubai is a perfect overseas venue for Bollywood premieres,” says Aziz Mirza, director of Kismat Konnection, which premiered in Dubai three days ago. “Dubai is a vibrant city and it hosts different cultures from across the world. So it makes sense to have film premiere in Dubai because it can reach people from all over the world,” he said.

Distribution companies of Bollywood says that the response for Bollywood movies in Dubai is always overwhelming as people from different nations and different walks of life used to flock to theatre for each Bollywood movies released here.

Bollywood’s love for Dubai is set to have another boost soon as Yash Raj Films, India's leading film studio, has recently signed a multimillion-dollar joint venture with the Dubai investment company, Dubai Infinity Holdings to build a district in Yash Raj Films entertainment district in Dubai.

The Yash Raj Films entertainment district will include theme-park attractions, a film ‘palace’, unique hotels and other entertainment and leisure concepts themed around the studio's films

Samira Abdulrazzak, chief executive of Dubai Infinity Holdings, said, “The first phase of the project would be completed by 2012. The film district will promote Dubai as hub for Indian cinema attracting more Bollywood stars and premieres here.”

riyasbabu@khaleejtimes.com