Walt Disney studios is to link up with a Hindi cimema film company to make an animated film based on the Indian cult industry.

Disney is hoping the original animations, which will be filmed in Hindi, appeal not only to Indian audiences but to cinema audiences around the world.

The film, with the working title of Roadside Romeo, will tell the tale of a spoilt dog which is abandoned in the streets of Mumbai. The film will feature the voices of Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor.

Bollywood lends itself well to the Disney movie model, with the vibrant songs, dances and colour - all essential to both.

Disney Studios chairman Dick Cook said: "Animation is a new and rapidly expanding area in India, and the collaboration will bring the very best in story-telling and cutting edge technology together."

The film is slated for release next year.