Hrithik Roshan, the 42-year-old actor known for his work in the Krrish series and Jodhaa Akbar, is moving into the video gaming world with an exclusive multi-year partnership with Nazara Games. The Mumbai-based mobile gaming company made the announcement on Monday.
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"Gaming has become a major influence in the lives of today's youth and knowing that, I have decided to use that platform to engage with my fans through my digital avatar," Roshan said in a statement. "My kids are going to love it and so will my fans. So look forward to being a part of it."
Nazara is known for its work with the popular children cartoon Chhota Bheem and a 2015 partnership with Indian cricketer Virat Kohli that led to the creation of Virat Cricket, apart from forming a deal with Moscow-based Zeptolab back in November to bring its famous Cut the Rope franchise to the subcontinent in an Indian flavour. In Roshan, Nazara is tapping one of Bollywood's top influencers. The developer said as much, claiming Roshan has "one of the highest social following with over 26 million followers across social platforms".
"I am thrilled to welcome Hrithik to our ever growing celebrity gaming family," Manish Agarwal, CEO of Nazara Games said in a statement. "I need not repeat Hrithik's achievements in Bollywood as they are unparalleled. Hrithik also brings with him a never back down attitude that motivates and inspires all people across age and gender. The love for Bollywood in India is huge and gaming is a natural extension for celebrities like Hrithik to engage with their audience. We will work with Hrithik closely to bring differentiated gaming experiences for his fans."
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Nazara has earlier worked with Roshan's likeness to make a video game around 2014's action film Bang Bang! starring the aforementioned actor. But that was produced in a collaboration with Fox Star Studios, the film's producer, whereas this sees the company ink a partnership with Roshan's talent management agency, Exceed Entertainment.
The first of these new mobile games - with no details forthcoming from Nazara - will see the light of day sometime this year.
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