Bollywood and United Aim To Bring Football to India - 15/10/2007

Bollywood has teamed up with Manchester United in an effort to enable football to break through into the lucrative Indian market. The Hindi film industry has shot a film at Old Trafford Dhan Dhana Dhan ... Goal featuring two leading stars of one of the world's most vibrant film industries, John Abraham and Bipsha Bass (Abrahsm's off screen girl friend). Although there are no cameo roles for any of the United players, Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo are likely to be used to promote the film. It is about a struggling club in the London suburb of Southall (which has a large population of Asian origin) which is facing closure. The manager takes the team to Old Trafford to inpsire them. The actors were trained by former Southend United striker Andy Anah who choreographed the screen matches. Although cricket is by far the number one sport in India, European football leagues are increasingly interested in India as the next big emerging market after encountering issues such as piracy in China. The aim is to make football the country's number two sport. The Premiership is stepping up its training programme in India with the aim of finding a star and role model. At present India is ranked 145 in world football rankings and has not qualified for the World Cup since 1950.