The Great Dane

He knew nothing about Indian cinema, had never visited India and was not even remotely associated with any kind of film activity. Yet Thomas Jullen, a Danish entrepreneur, was chosen to shape the Bollywood zone at the Dubai Parks and Resorts. MEENAKSHI RAO caught up with him at Dubai. Excerpts from the conversation

 Why would a man all the way from Denmark who knew nothing about Hindi cinema, be hired to carve out the world’s first Bollywood theme park?

Well, it is true that when I was offered this project, I did not what Bollywood was and I had never seen a Hindi movie. But I would like to tell you that I have been in the theme park industry for close to 4 decades. I own Denmark’s first and only amusement park called BonBon Land. That may have done the trick I guess. Also, theme parks are an old concept in Denmark. Did you know that Lego was invented in Denmark and America as you might have thought?

 So how did you get familiar with your new subject?

For almost more than six months I studied Bollywood. I saw close to 200 movies with translations. I loved Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara. It is my favourite Hollywood film. I met industry people in Mumbai. I tried to understand the audience and the filmmaking processes. And then I chose the films I have showcased here as rides and ambience enhancers.

 How did you choose the movies for shaping the thrilling rides? Were they all based on your personal film preferences?

Not really. We went into it thorough a research focussed group. We sat down with people who know the Bollywood industry inside out. We met producers, filmmakers and of course our senior management knows a lot about the Indian population. We also met Indians from Africa and Europe who love Bollywood. And then we picked the biggest people in Bollywood — the three Khans, Shah Rukh, Aamir and Salman Khan — to showcase Bollywood.

We chose Sholay as it’s an all-time classic, Lagaan because it is a super story. We created a roller-coaster ride with a swinging cricket bat. So, first one is to choose the right movie, then to have big stars, then to create a ride out of it. The Lagaan ride in beginning was a big theme. Then we looked at it from the theme park perspective and we could see the capacity was not big enough. So we turned it into a simulator and then a roller-coaster with a swinging cricket bat. The ride’s story is totally in sync with the original movie.

 You have all the big male stars from Bollywood but where are the women?

Personally, I would have liked to have women like Priyanka Chopra, Deepika Padukone and Katrina Kaif. But you know the Bollywood industry is very much male-centred so we chose the big male stars. But personally we would love to have more women.

 So do you have any plans to expand the rides to include the women around the men?

Yes, that’s obvious. Actually the Bollywood Park has almost the same amount of space available for expansion both on the right side and the left side of the park. We have the space and we need the women stars so we will be going into this aspect fast.

 Can you give us a sneak peek into the park?

It’s a life around bold action, colourful stories and captivating dance sequences from Bollywood. The magic of blockbuster films has been recreated via 3D and 4D simulations, immersive rides and live shows across multiple stages. In terms of scale and spectacle, it’s much bigger than the movies. One minute you’re watching over 100 dancers performing in front of you, the next minute you could be a part of the troupe yourself. You can experience Krrish’s flight or be chased through the streets of Dubai with Don.

 In this three-themed park, which is the biggest zone?

Size-wise, Motiongate Dubai is the biggest but a lot more is happening in Bollywood. The showstopper is the 850-seater Rangmahal Theatre which runs a separately ticketed two-hour Broadway style Bollywood musical every day. Visitors can appear in their own Bollywood movies or watch one of the 30 different live and impromptu shows put on every day by more than 400 performers and 200 Bollywood dancers. Then there are eateries, merchandise and much more.

 Not everybody knows Bollywood so do you think it will be a big draw, like Motiongate Hollywood or Legoland which are more universal?

There is a huge following for Bollywood in this region and the world around. Also, the Indian tourist figures are robust. Besides, I have become a convert myself and I am sure the drama, the colour and the song and dance around Bollywood would convert many newbie audiences, especially when they take those thrilling rides.

Source:: Sunday Pioneer, 22 January, 2017