Film buffs star in Bollywood games
Desi fans who aren't satiated by the films they watch on the big screen or the TV screen have been turning, in rising numbers, to the mini screens of their cell phones. But instead of being passive viewers, they play mobile games that are based on Bollywood films. There has been an explosive growth lately and so far over 60 titles have flooded the market. The trend got started with a game version of Sholay, that iconic ‘curry western' from the ‘70s, and by now it's been reportedly downloaded close to a million times. Rang De Basanti, Hum Aapke Hai Kaun and Maine Pyar Kiya are some of the other favorites. Games based on movies in certain regional languages are also available. The target audience is not just the typical urban male but also fans in India's rural heartland, where the connectivity is finally getting better. What's even more interesting is that mobile games featuring solo actors will soon be rolled out, giving film lovers the chance to assume the role of a sultry starlet or a handsome hero in their own production. Apparently, the very first one is going to have Sameera Reddy as an Indian princess (a la Lara Croft of the popular Tomb Raider series) who defends her father's ancient city from marauding warriors. Also in the works is a game starring John Alexander. Apart from hi-tech gizmos, though, the Gospel of Bollywood will also be dispensed through a low-tech product like the good old comic book. Illustrated Orchids is supposedly working on a new series titled Bollywood, but there's no word yet on when the celluloid charmers will appear as cartoon characters.
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