PRESS RELEASE AAMIR KHAN S ICONIC FILM LAGAAN GETS ITS OWN RIDE AT BOLLYWOOD PARKS DUBAI Dubai, UAE 22 nd September: Bollywood Parks Dubai, part of Dubai Parks and Resorts, the largest integrated theme park destination set to open this year, today announced its collaboration with Mr. Perfectionist, Aamir Khan, to create the ride, Lagaan: Thrill of Victory inspired by the Oscar nominated, epic sports-drama, Lagaan, which was produced by Aamir Khan Productions.
The highest grossing film of 2001, Lagaan is a favorite among Indian s all over the world. Ranked No. 55 in Empire magazine s "The 100 Best Films of World Cinema it was the perfect choice for a theme park ride at the World s first Bollywood inspired theme park. Talking about the success of the film, Aamir Khan said, We make films with a lot of heart and emotions and some of them get this strange intangible quality which connects with people and Lagaan was one such film which connected with people across the world. It travelled on its own, we didn t have to do anything with it. The Aamir Khan Productions blockbuster film is set in the Victorian period of India's colonial British Raj. The story revolves around a small village whose inhabitants, burdened by high taxes, find themselves in an extraordinary situation as an arrogant officer challenges them to a game of cricket as a wager to levy more taxes. The ride however has a twist for guests of the park with Aamir Khan playing two different characters. Commenting on his dual characters, Aamir Khan said, I am playing two characters for this ride, one is the original Bhuvan of course, and the other is the maker of this ride, his great-great-grandson, and of course he looks very different. We went for a steam-punk look as his character get up, to give it a more futuristic look. He is very proud of his great-greatgrandfather. He further added, The ride is about giving people an exciting time, giving you a feeling of exhilaration, and it will take you back to the film. So for people who have watched the movie, it will be a nostalgic experience. For everyone, we wanted it to be an exciting ride, it s very thrilling, it s bound to give you a rush. A superstar through and through, Aamir is known to get attached to all his characters and usually keeps some of the accessories from the characters he has played over the years as memorabilia. Some of the distinct pieces used for the iconic character Bhuvan from the original film, have been used for the Lagaan: Thrill of Victory ride. The Bollywood Parks Dubai team was thrilled to have Aamir Khan on board for the only Bollywood themed park in the world. Commenting on his experience working with the Bollywood Parks Dubai team, Aamir Khan said, The Bollywood Parks Dubai team was wonderful to work with, everyone was very focused on what they wanted to achieve and there was a lot of passion for their work. We managed to finish our schedule on time and it was a very good experience over all.
Located at Bollywood Parks Dubai, within the Rustic Ravine zone, guests will get to join Bhuvan and his team in a game of cricket against the British Raj through a rollercoaster motion simulator based ride that will give visitors the best point of view of a moving cricket ball. Be the first to watch the airing of the video on the given YouTube link: http://bit.ly/makingoflagaan Visitors will soon be able to purchase their dated Bollywood Park Dubai daily tickets for AED 285 for Adults and AED 245 for child and senior citizens respectively. Ultimate theme park enthusiasts can purchase the Bollywood Parks Dubai Annual Pass which includes limitless access to the World s first Bollywood themed park at AED 755. With over 16 rides and attractions plus 20 daily live shows, spread across 1.7 million sq.ft, the Annual Pass will provide visitors with unlimited access to B_Spellbound, while unlocking a host of exclusive benefits and rewards. Annual passes for Bollywood Parks Dubai are currently on sale at www.bollywoodparksdubai.com and www.dubaiparksandresorts.com Scheduled to open this year, Bollywood Parks Dubai is part of Dubai Parks and Resorts which will also feature MOTIONGATE Dubai a unique theme park showcasing some of Hollywood s most beloved characters from DreamWorks Animation, Sony Pictures Studios and Lionsgate as well as the region s first LEGOLAND Park and a LEGOLAND Water Park. The entire destination will be connected by Riverland Dubai a retail and dining destination at the heart of Dubai Parks and Resorts, and guests can stay at the Lapita Hotel, a Polynesian themed family hotel part of the Marriott Autograph Collection. Expected to open in late 2019, Six Flags Dubai will be destination s fourth theme park and the region s first Six Flags theme park. ends Bollywood Parks Dubai Bollywood Parks Dubai a part of Dubai Parks and Resorts is a first of its kind theme park showcasing the authentic Bollywood experience. Bollywood, the Hindi language film industry based in Mumbai, India is one of the largest centres of film production in the world.
Located near the Dubai-Abu Dhabi border in the United Arab Emirates, the park will feature cinematic rides, thrilling attractions and entertaining live shows that bring to life the action, music, dance and drama of Bollywood. Bollywood Parks Dubai will recreate the Bollywood experience through themed attractions and rides spread across five zones: Bollywood Boulevard, Mumbai Chowk, Rustic Ravine, Royal Plaza and Bollywood Film Studios featuring Hall of Heroes. Visitors will experience bold action, colourful storytelling and captivating dance sequences inspired by nine popular films or IPs: Rock On!!, Don, Lagaan, Sholay, Dabangg, Mughal-e-Azam, Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, RA.One and Krrish. Bollywood Parks Dubai is also home to the stunning 850-seat Rajmahal Theatre that will house a separately ticketed Broadway-style, Bollywood themed musical. During the day, the park will have up to 20 live shows across five stages: Rock On!!, Crossroads, Mumbai Express, Rangmanch and Stars on Steps The park will also offer six themed restaurants that capture India s mouth-watering culinary offerings and eight retail outlets stocking quintessential filmy fare. Set to open within the Dubai Parks and Resorts destination, Bollywood Parks Dubai will cover 1.7 million square feet. For more information, go to: http://www.bollywoodparksdubai.com Dubai Parks and Resorts PJSC (DFM: DUBAIPARKS), will become the Middle East s largest multithemed leisure and entertainment destination when it opens in October 2016 comprising three separate theme parks: MOTIONGATE Dubai, a Hollywood movie inspired theme park concept; LEGOLAND Dubai, the first LEGOLAND theme park in the Middle East; and Bollywood Parks Dubai, a first-of-its-kind family theme park that will showcase rides and attractions based on the authentic Bollywood experience, It will also host the LEGOLAND Water Park, the region s first water park catering to families with children aged 2-12. Expected to open in late 2019, Six Flags Dubai will be destination s fourth theme park and the region s first Six Flags theme park. The entire destination will be connected by Riverland Dubai a uniquely themed retail and dining destination at the heart of Dubai Parks and Resorts, and guests can stay at the Lapita Hotel, a Polynesian themed family hotel part of the Marriott Autograph Collection. The large-scale AED 13.2 billion development is spread across 30.6 million square feet of land located on Sheikh Zayed Road opposite the Palm Jebel Ali in Dubai equidistant to Dubai and Abu Dhabi International Airports. 6.7 million ticketed visits are expected in 2017, the first full year of operation. For more information go to: http://dubaiparksandresorts.com http://dprcorporate.ae Follow Dubai Parks and Resorts:
For further information, please contact: Pavishia Nair / Farah Nezam ASDA A Burson-Marsteller Email: pavishia.nair@bm.com / farah.nezam@bm.com T: +971 4 4507600