Gaming Meets Bollywood: How India’s Entertainment Giants Are Creating Blockbuster Mobile Games
Imagine Karan Johar making games!
Bollywood and Gaming - A Cultural Powerhouse in the Making
Bollywood, with its larger-than-life storytelling, mesmerizing stars, and global fan base, has been an integral part of Indian culture for decades. On the other hand, mobile gaming has emerged as a massive force in entertainment, driven by India’s burgeoning middle class, increasing internet penetration, and the growing accessibility of smartphones. The convergence of these two industries—Bollywood and gaming—is a natural evolution, but it is still in its early stages, and the results so far have been mixed.
While some Bollywood-themed games have achieved success, others have failed to capture the audience's attention. The reasons for these varied outcomes are complex, ranging from quality and authenticity to monetization challenges and market expectations. This article takes a closer look at the hits and misses in the Bollywood-gaming crossover, the money these games are generating (or losing), and what the future holds for this unique fusion of cinema and interactive entertainment.
Bollywood Gaming Hits That Struck Gold
1. Baahubali: The Game (Based on Baahubali Franchise)
Baahubali: The Game is perhaps the best example of how Bollywood and gaming can successfully converge. Developed by Moonfrog Labs in collaboration with Arka Media Works, the game was launched as a strategy-based mobile game in 2017 and quickly gained popularity. The Baahubali film franchise itself was a cultural phenomenon, grossing over $250 million worldwide (Box Office Mojo), and the game tapped into that success by immersing fans into the world of Mahishmati, allowing them to build armies, strategize battles, and protect their kingdom.
The Numbers Behind the Success: The game garnered over 10 million downloads within a year of its release and became one of India’s top-grossing strategy games on Google Play. While the exact revenue figures remain undisclosed, estimates suggest the game generated millions in revenue through in-app purchases and ads. The game's success is attributed to its strong connection to the movie's plot, high-quality gameplay, and the emotional investment fans had in the Baahubali universe.
2. Krrish: The Game (Based on Krrish Franchise)
Krissh: The Game is another standout success. Developed by Hungama Games, the game was based on the popular Bollywood superhero franchise Krrish, starring Hrithik Roshan. The movie franchise, with over ₹800 crore ($100 million) in box office revenue, provided fertile ground for a successful mobile adaptation. The game itself allowed fans to play as the titular superhero, engaging in action-packed sequences that mirrored the film’s plot.
Why It Worked: With over 5 million downloads, Krrish: The Game performed well in terms of user engagement and brand extension. However, its monetization model, based on in-app purchases and ads, had mixed success. While it tapped into the fandom, the game struggled with retention rates, as its gameplay was often criticized for being too simplistic. Despite this, Krrish: The Game successfully extended the film’s brand and contributed to a wider marketing strategy around the movie's release.
Why Some Games Fell Flat
1. Ra.One Genesis (Based on Ra.One)
Ra.One Genesis, based on the 2011 Shah Rukh Khan-starrer Ra.One, was released as a prequel to the movie, allowing players to take on the role of G.One (the protagonist) in high-octane battles. Although the film itself grossed over ₹207 crore ($26 million), making it a commercial success, the game failed to make a similar impact. Despite Shah Rukh Khan's massive fan base and the film’s sci-fi appeal, the game fell short of expectations.
Where It Went Wrong: The game suffered from a lack of quality and depth, with many players reporting that the gameplay was repetitive and unengaging. The game’s mechanics were simplistic, and while it tied into the film's narrative, it did little to keep players invested for long periods. As a result, while Ra.One Genesis generated initial buzz, its long-term retention and monetization were poor. Players quickly moved on, and the game was ultimately unable to capitalize on the hype surrounding the film.
2. Sholay: The Game (Based on Sholay)
Sholay: The Game, based on one of India’s most iconic films, Sholay (1975), had all the ingredients for success: nostalgia, a massive fan base, and a beloved storyline. However, the game, developed by India Games, failed to resonate with audiences despite the rich IP.
The Missed Opportunity: One of the key issues was the poor execution and lack of innovation. Players felt that the game didn’t do justice to the legacy of Sholay, offering little in terms of engaging gameplay or visual appeal. The game’s mechanics felt outdated, and it was clear that it had been produced more as a novelty rather than a serious attempt at creating a lasting gaming experience. Moreover, its monetization strategy was weak, relying solely on ads with little incentive for in-app purchases.
How Much Are Bollywood-Themed Games Making?
The Revenue Puzzle
The financial success of Bollywood-themed games is as varied as their quality. For titles like Baahubali: The Game, the combination of in-app purchases and ad revenue has proven lucrative. Industry estimates suggest that successful Bollywood-themed games can generate $1 to $10 million annually depending on their reach and retention.
However, many Bollywood games have struggled to make significant returns due to a reliance on ad revenue rather than player spending. This reliance on ads means that games with poor retention rates see limited profitability, as their ad impressions decline over time. Developers of Bollywood games must strike a careful balance between quality gameplay and compelling monetization strategies to sustain long-term success.
Free-to-Play and Pay-to-Play Struggles
Monetizing mobile games in India is challenging, as 95% of Indian gamers prefer free-to-play models (KPMG). This means Bollywood-themed games must offer engaging experiences that encourage players to make in-app purchases. For successful games like Baahubali, this balance was struck by offering players incentives to buy resources or unlock special features. However, for games like Sholay, which failed to engage players long-term, converting users into paying customers proved elusive.
The Future of Bollywood in Gaming
Opportunities for Growth
The potential for Bollywood-themed games is far from fully realized. As 5G becomes more widespread in India, the possibility for richer, more immersive gaming experiences, such as augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR), will expand. Bollywood’s visually spectacular storytelling could be perfectly suited for these new technologies, allowing fans to interact with their favorite cinematic worlds in ways that have never been possible before.
Esports and Competitive Gaming
Bollywood could also find its place in the rapidly growing esports sector. Imagine competitive gaming leagues set in the world of Krrish or Baahubali, where players compete in real-time multiplayer battles. With India’s esports industry projected to
reach $1.1 billion by 2025 (EY Report), the potential for Bollywood to tap into competitive gaming is huge. By creating multiplayer experiences that combine Bollywood IP with high-quality gameplay, studios could expand their influence and create new revenue streams.
The Dawn of Interactive Bollywood
The fusion of Bollywood and mobile gaming presents a unique and evolving opportunity for India’s entertainment industry. While some games have succeeded in bringing cinematic stories to life, others have faltered due to poor execution and weak gameplay. The path forward for Bollywood in gaming lies in delivering high-quality experiences that resonate with fans, integrating more interactive elements, and embracing emerging technologies like AR and esports.
With the right strategies, Bollywood could continue to expand its digital footprint, building not only on its cinematic success but also becoming a force in the global gaming industry. The next blockbuster could be more than just a film—it could be an interactive experience that puts fans at the center of the action.