The entertainment industry is fast cashing in on the fact that 54 per cent of the Indian population is below the age of 25.

Following films and games based on films on mobile phones, India's first film-based video game for the PC is here. Indian game developers are looking to tap into the popularity of Bollywood films by building games around the films and actors.

FXLab Studios, a leading developer of high-quality game products for PCs and video game consoles, has united with Yash Raj Films to develop a video game titled D:2.5, based on the hit Bollywood thriller Dhoom 2.

This is the first time an Indian film is being made into a full-length PC game set in a 3D world, featuring characters which resemble those in the film.

Sashi Reddi, founder and chairman, FXLab Studios, says, "D:2.5 will boast of international AAA quality production standards. The offline game will stick to the storyline presented in the movie so that the gamers can expect an exciting finish with a chance to play skateboarding sequences and dance to the 'superhit' songs".

D:2.5 is designed to give players the opportunity to assume the role of their favourite D2 characters and make their way through numerous exciting missions and mini-games.

Though the market for movie-based gaming (MBG) and celebrity-based gaming (CBG) has been prolific in Hollywood, until now Bollywood was not in the loop. Until now.

In January 2008, FXLabs will be launching its celebrity-based video game, Agni. The game is loosely based on Dante's Inferno. It is a story of a woman protagonist who goes through various levels of hell looking for her daughter.

Reddi says, "There are terrific opportunities for both MBG and CBG. Outside of Bollywood, we have very few celebrities in our list of probables - one can look at cricket stars or upcoming stars such as Sania Mirza".

In addition, the company is developing a game based on the Archie Comics. According to Reddi, the company is planning to get necessary licenses to develop games based on Hollywood as well. "The Hollywood properties will be the next step for us," he adds.

Entertainment-related applications are accessed by 54 per cent active Internet users and that's what the gaming industry is aiming to tap.

With an average of 1,000-plus films releasing every year, there is wide scope for gaming companies. And the domestic box office, which is sitting at Rs 530 crore and expected to reach Rs 1,020 crore by 2010, certainly promises to offer a lucrative opportunities.