CINEWORLD Feltham has been hailed as the number one Bollywood attraction in Europe, showing at least 30 films each year.

Of these, hit comedy Housefull 2: The Dirty Dozen was named the highest grossing film of the year, following its release in April 2012.

But it is the blockbuster My Name is Khan that smashed box office records at Feltham, and is the biggest Bollywood release of all time in the overseas markets. The film stars ‘golden’ pair Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol in a post 9-11 story about love, autism and Islam.

It is the period in the noughties when Bollywood reached new heights, its success spreading to all corners of the world and making way for bigger box office hits.

Modern and daring plots combined with special effects were first brought to viewers by iconic production houses, tackling issues such as the caste system and post-9-11 prejudice.

Yash Raj Films and Dharma Production are operated by the most famous directors in Bollywood, including mogul Yash Chopra and son Aditya, and the renowned Yash Johar and son Karan, who brought Veer-Zaara (2004) and My Name is Khan (2010), respectively.

The two companies collaborated on award-winning projects Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (Sometimes Happiness, Sometimes Sadness; 2001) and Kal Ho Na Ho (There May or May Not be a Tomorrow; 2003).

Other producers’ hits include Lagaan (2001), remake of 1917 Devdas (2002), psychological thriller Ghajani (2008), and comedy 3 Idiots (2009).

At Feltham up to four Bollywood premieres are shown each month, and a reel of superstars have graced the red carpet at the Leisure West complex.

Bollywood is famous for using Hollywood plots but altering characters and scenes.

The first premiere of 2012 was for Players, an action thriller heist based loosely on The Italian Job, starring the legendary Amitabh Bachchan’s son Abhishek, who walked in to cheers and rapturous applause.

Other films launched this year were Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu (One Me and One You) in January, with leading cast members Kareena Kapoor (aka Bebo) and Imran Khan signing autographs for fans, followed by a sizzling summer release starring super hot on-screen couple Priyanka Chopra, a former Miss World, and Shahid Kapoor for the time travel romance Teri Meri Kahaani (Our Story), set in three eras 1910, 1960 and 2012.

Although the first premiere at the west London cinema is not known, older launches include the
pre-release of sci-fi film Love Story 2050, which was held on July 2, 2008, with Priyanka Chopra and newcomer Harman Baweja meeting and greeting crowds.

And no Bollywood film is complete without songs and dances, and the soundtrack is usually released prior to the film, to stir up interest.

The playback singers have built such a rapport over the years that they have their own fan base and concerts. Some of the best known include Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhosle, Alka Yagnik among the women, and Kumar Sanu, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and Sonu Nigam representing the male voice.

Music and lyrics range from sad farewell rhythms to lively upbeat wedding tracks. Dancing has developed from the traditional steps of kathak to a more heavy western influence in today’s sequences.

As Bollywood celebrates 100 years of films globally, Cineworld Feltham also plans to mark the milestone but plans are being kept under wraps for now.