Bollywood to make waves

18 January 2016 - 02:08 By Leonie Wagner

Local Bollywood channels could soon be as popular on television as bunny chow is in Durban. Channel Zee World, which broadcasts Bollywood films and series, is already one of the top three foreign content channels on DStv. And though it was launched less than a year ago, it is getting ready to expand.This year CEO Harish Goyal has his sights set on bringing an Indian competition, Dance India Dance to local television screens. The local rendition will be called Dance Africa Danceand will begin in August this year."The show will not only be for Bollywood music, but we are expecting that 60%-70% will be Bollywood songs and dances. We realised that our viewers are keen on seeing themselves on the screen," said Goyal.Given that Bollywood is one of the largest film industries in the world it comes as no surprise that Goyal is also planning to bring three more channels similar to Zee World to Africa.Goyal said: "There are many similarities between Indian culture and African culture. For example, here you have lobola and in India we have reverse lobola called a dowry. In India complexion of the skin is important and here in Africa people also value that."While other African countries still need to get on board for Dance Africa Dance, South Africa has already committed to the show with auditions scheduled for later this year."There is a wave of Bollywood on the continent right now and our research has shown that South Africans especially are liking Bollywood content," said Goyal...

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