Bradford is proving itself the Bollywood capital of the north with cinemas in the city boasting sell-out performances of the Asian hit movies.

Bosses at the new Odeon cinema in Thornbury, which shows both Hollywood and Bollywood films, have been left stunned by the phenomenal success of the epic Indian movies.

Assistant manager Shaun Doorbar said: "It's fantastic. We've been doing very well but early in August The Perfect Storm, starring George Clooney, opened the same night as Bollywood flick, Har Dil Jo Pyar Karta Hai (Every heart that loves).

"Hollywood and Bollywood went head to head - and Bollywood won.

"Ticket sales for the Bollywood film far outstripped those for the Hollywood one.

"We expected the films to do well but their success has exceeded our expectations.

"We are getting people from Bradford and Leeds and they keep coming back.

!"The film scene has really taken off and it is set to get bigger and even more popular."

The £5 million Odeon cinema has 13 screens, three of which are dedicated to Bollywood. It also has two Barry Norman-type film experts who give advice on both Eastern and Western films.

Film programmer Irfan Ajeeb, from the National Museum of Photography, Film & Television, said: "It just confirms what we already knew, that Bradford is the Bollywood capital of the north.

"Films like Har Dil Pyar Jo Pyar Karta Hai featuring big stars like Salman Khan and Rani Mukherjee and Dadkhan are doing really well.

"We are expecting even better box office sales for the much-touted forthcoming epic Tehra Jadu Jal Gaya starring Amitabh Bachchan's son Abishek.

"That film will probably break box office records," said Irfan, 25, who is also organiser of the Bite the Mango Festival.

At Bradford's first dedicated Asian cinema, the Marlboro in Manningham, spokesman Richard Hughes-Rowland said: "We got off to a slow start but we are doing well now and attract lots of families.

"Takings for opening night showings have been very good."