Just can't get enough

Touts move in as soon as Agnes Tse Nga-chi walks up to the entrance to Chungking Mansions, but the financial consultant isn't interested in trying the curries in one of the South Asian restaurants at the Tsim Sha Tsui landmark. Instead, as the security guards steer the posse away, she makes her way up a narrow staircase to a DVD shop on the first floor.

'I wouldn't normally come here, but what other options have I got? This is one of the few places where I can get Bollywood films in Hong Kong,' says Tse.

The 29-year-old can't get enough of India's escapist movies and has watched more than 100 over the past six years. Tse's blog, where she regularly gives updates on new productions, movie reviews and celebrity gossip, has attracted more than 13,600 views over the past three years.

Not surprisingly, South Asians make up most of the audience in Hong Kong for Bollywood productions, but the films are winning a new following in the larger Chinese community. Tse has got to know a number of fellow fans through the internet. Some also contribute blogs, including Kristy Wong Yee-man, whose Namastehk has received than 20,100 views since 2008, and Martin Wan Kwok-wai, who writes the Bollywood in Hong Kong blog under the name Loso.

A City University language student, 20-year-old Wong was so taken by an offering at the Hong Kong International Film Festival three years ago that she has since watched more than 100 Bollywood productions.

'The lavish lifestyles and costumes depicted in the film were overwhelming. Then there was music and dance, elements that the Hong Kong Kong audience loves,' she says.