SpongeBob Adapted for Bollywood Short

LONDON: In celebration of the tenth anniversary of the SpongeBob SquarePants property, Nickelodeon UK has produced a live-action Bollywood-style two-minute film, Bollywood Bob, choreographed by Slumdog Millionaire’s Longinus Fernandes.

The film, also developed in a shorter 30-second advertisement format, will run across the Nickelodeon UK network starting November 14 as part of its SpongeBash event, with back-to-back episodes of SpongeBob SquarePants all weekend. Bollywood Bob will then roll out across the global Nickelodeon network. The 30-second version will run in Vue and Cineworld cinemas nationwide from November 13 to January 1 around seasonal releases such as A Christmas Carol, Planet 51, Where the Wild Things Are, Alvin and the Chipmunks II and St Trinians 2.

Bollywood Bob has been produced by Nickelodeon UK in collaboration with Nickelodeon International and Nickelodeon India creative teams. It tells the story of Rohan, who tentatively enters a magnificent palace in the heart of Bollywood territory (just outside Mumbai) to present a King with a golden sponge. As he accepts the sponge a spectacular dance, involving his entire court, ensues. The film also includes a bespoke Bangra-style SpongeBob theme song, arranged by Akbar Sami and Firoze Patel.

Nickelodeon UK’s VP creative director, Peter Drake, said: “Bollywood Bob is the genuine global culmination of ‘Year of the Sponge.’ It is the most spectacular expression of regional cultures’ celebration and love of SpongeBob, and furthers his credibility as a lifestyle icon.”

Drake added: “This unique work pushes the boundaries and challenges the norm, extending SpongeBob appeal way beyond the core Nickelodeon audience. He is one of the few animation characters that can do this so effectively.”