Search

Bollywood Metaverse: Media Giant Creates ‘Themed Experiences’ for Iconic Indian Films

Bollywood Metaverse: Media Giant Creates 'Themed Experiences' for Iconic Indian Films

Indian media group Shemaroo Entertainment launched “themed metaverse experiences” for some of India’s iconic films, such as Disco Dancer and The Great Gambler. The immersive experience is set in The Sandbox metaverse under the joint-venture cultural hub BharatBox.

In a blog post published on Friday, The Sandbox said the space will host activities ranging from film launches and award ceremonies to live concerts and screenings. It will also feature high-profile artists and brands from India’s film industry, which is known as Bollywood.

Also read: Sony and Spyglass Reveal Horror Gaming Metaverse ‘Survive Thanksgiving’

‘Immersive virtual engagements’ for Bollywood fans

Shemaroo, which reported a turnover of over 500 crores (~$67 million) at the end of last year, joins several media and entertainment entities like BBC and Disney to enter the metaverse. It says the launch offers fans “an immersive virtual engagement” with their beloved characters.

Arghya Chakravarty, chief operating officer at Shemaroo, described the BharatBox metaverse as “a tribute to our fans, offering them an immersive journey into the heart of Indian cinema, where they can not only relive their favourite moments but also be a part of them.”

Themed experiences are typically crafted to capture the essence of cinematic masterpieces, including Bollywood intellectual properties such as Jab We Met, Khuda Gawah, Blue, and 22 Yards, bringing users into virtual worlds filled with A-list stars, locations, and storylines.

As part of the Bharatbox cultural metaverse, The Sandbox said that several so-called gaming zones inspired by Indian movie classics will soon be launched. It includes a Retro Night Club (inspired by Disco Dancer) and a casino-themed Gaming Club (inspired by The Great Gambler).

Based on the movie Blue, Underwater Treasure Hunt is a gaming experience where users navigate the oceanic depths in search of treasure, and Cricket Game (From 22 Yards) allows players to explore the cricketing universe with tournaments and virtual merchandising.

There’s also a horse-riding gaming experience inspired by the movie Rescue, as well as Quest (Khuda Gawah-themed), a café for socializing (Jab We Met), and an action game (Tango Charlie), according to the blog post.

“Merging traditional cinematic masterpieces with the limitless potential of the digital realm signifies the dawn of a new era for Bollywood enthusiasts globally,” said Karan Keswani, CEO at BharatBox.

Growing media presence in the metaverse

The Sandbox is a decentralized gaming and metaverse platform. Shemaroo Entertainment is a conglomerate that’s been producing movies and comedy for 60 years. The company operates multiple broadcast channels and boasts over 50 million subscribers on its YouTube channels.

Shemaroo joins brands like Disney, Warner Music Group, and Universal that have created their own metaverse experiences in The Sandbox. In May, the BBC launched metaverse versions of its popular TV programs Doctor Who and Top Gear, part of the British broadcaster’s “ambitious plans to grow our brands into new categories with innovative technology.”

The metaverse, a new frontier where people can explore new worlds, meet, and create new experiences, is seen as a major opportunity for media companies to reach fresh audiences and generate new revenue streams.

Shemaroo and The Sandbox did not say how users could access the Bollywood metaverse or when it would be available.

Image credits: Shutterstock, CC images, Midjourney, Unsplash.

Welcome

Install
×