Entertainment | Film & Cinema
Warner Bros to take Bollywood plunge
Sony Pictures made its foray into the Hindi film industry last year with Saawariya, now Warner Bros has its sights set on Bollywood.
- By Manjusha Radhakrishnan, Staff Reporter
- Published: 23:24 July 26, 2008
- Tanushree Dutta in Saas, Bahu Aur Sensex, which is slated to be released in September.
- Image Credit: Supplied Picture
Sony Pictures made its foray into the Hindi film industry last year with Saawariya, now Warner Bros has its sights set on Bollywood.
When it comes to Hollywood, entertainment company giant Warner Bros has been linked to some of the most happening releases and deals. But after having conquered the West, with their hit films such as Harry Potter, Superman and Batman, it was only a matter of time before they looked East to penetrate the Indian film industry by joining hands with Indian filmmakers.
Needless to say, Bollywood was their first target market. If the industry sources are to be believed, Warner Bros Pictures India will be releasing their first Hindi film titled Saas, Bahu Aur Sensex (Mother-in-law, Wife And Sensex) on September.
Changing face
Surprisingly, their release does not boast the A-list Bollywood heavyweights like Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir Khan or Akshay Kumar. Made on a shoe-string budget, the movie has an eclectic mix of nondescript actors including Ankur Khanna, Tanushree Dutta and Masumeh Makhija and is based on the changing face of urban India. Apparently, it was the script that attracted Warner Bros. which lacks the usual Bollywood fanfare.
"We have been excited about SBAS since we first read the script. We see it as a movie which will appeal to teens, adults and family," says Neeraj Goswami, Director of National Sales Warner Bros Pictures India after the formal announcement.
That's one end of the spectrum. On the other end, is a venture that comes with the usual Bollywood trappings. In Chandni Chowk To China, the package deal is encrusted with Bollywood bigwigs Akshay Kumar and the current pin-up girl Deepika Padukone. Said to be loosely based on the lead actor Akshay Kumar's life, the film tells the tale of a Mumbai-based chef who is mistaken for a martial art hero. Padukone will provide the visual relief as she plays the role of an established actress.
Animation
Another territory that is being tested by the Indian counterpart of the global entertainment conglomerate is in the genre of animation. The currently untitled film will be directed by Jyoten Goel and will be based on the colourful world of the animal kingdom.
"My film is not based on the human kingdom and attempts to explore the lives of birds and animals from an unusual standpoint," says the director.
But the big question remains whether one of the world's largest entertainment companies, after having placed their stakes in a small, big budget and animated films, will continue its bull run in India?
Disney goes Bollywood
Walt Disney Studios has bought the Home Video rights of Bollywood star Aamir Khan's directorial debut Taare Zameen Par for release in the US.
This is for the first time that any Hollywood distribution company has bought the Home Video rights of an Indian movie to be released in the mainstream market overseas. Disney will release the DVD with English sub-titles.
"The film has had a successful theatrical run in the US. Being a poignant film based on an universally relevant theme, it should do well in the overseas home video circuits as well," said a PVR official in Mumbai.
— IANS
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