Bollywood in Saltaire

This elephant is always a popular attraction. It used to stand on the roof of The Aagrah (a highly-regarded Indian restaurant) just down the road from Saltaire. Now it is brought out for special events.

It had a starring role in the recent BBC production of 'Bollywood Carmen Live', filmed in June in Bradford's City Park. Loosely based on Bizet's opera Carmen, this updated romantic tale had an Indian film star, Abhay Deol, in the lead male role.  He made a spectacular entrance, riding this elephant. With colourful costumes, pop-song mash-ups, a reworking of some of Bizet's classical music with a Bollywood twist and lively dance routines, it was a spectacular celebration of 100 years of Indian cinema and Bradford's status as UNESCO City of Film.

The elephant had a more sedate role as part of the Festival in Saltaire's Roberts Park, advertising the Aagrah food tents and cookery demonstrations.

Shipley is a great place to come if you like exotic food. As well as The Aagrah, another Shipley restaurant Shimla Spice has just won an award for Best Curry House in England.