In a move that would mark its entry into mainstream Hollywood, Reliance-owned Adlabs Films has entered into a first of its kind agreement with Ashok Amritraj’s Hyde Park Entertainment for co-production of films.
Is Adlabs going to be just an investor? Or will they have creative license? “Adlabs is an involved producer and as a co production both companies will evaluate projects together. Once we have short listed the script, we would look at casting the most appropriate cast from either Indian or Hollywood actors,” says Manmohan Shetty, CMD Adlabs Films Limited.
So the day may not be far when we’ll see our stars share screen space with some of the big names in Hollywood. “The idea is to have a project that joins the best of both worlds. The crew and cast will depend of the script. Whatever the script demands, we will then finalise,” says Shetty.
The signing of the co-production and film financing deal with Hyde Park Entertainment Group comes after Adlabs Films set up UK and US offices.
Bollywood movie distribution will still be their primary business, but the overseas operations will also explore opportunities in film production and post-production.
“We have been testing the Hollywood market for some time now. Last year we tied up with Hyperion Pictures to co produce Marigold with Salman Khan, Ali Later directed by Willard Caroll,” says Shetty.
{{/usCountry}}“We have been testing the Hollywood market for some time now. Last year we tied up with Hyperion Pictures to co produce Marigold with Salman Khan, Ali Later directed by Willard Caroll,” says Shetty.
{{/usCountry}}“As part of our plans overseas we have decided to get into this venture. This will help us get into mainstream Hollywood,” he adds. And what is the financial deal? “As a listed company we cannot share details till the first project has been finalised. It will depend on the script, the cast and crew and we are evaluating projects and scripts together. We will share the same soon,” he says.
So how many movies will be co-produced in a calendar year? Shetty said, “This year, at least, we will have one film on the floor.” The financial details will vary from project to project. Recently, Adlabs got into international sales and distribution and is slated to distribute 18-24 films this year. We have signed production deals with various houses, including Ram Gopal Verma, Vipul Shah, Prakash Jha, Bobby Bedi and Rohan Sippy. So, will they be distributing their Hollywood projects too overseas? “No. Currently our strategy is to distribute Indian films abroad and open new markets. We’ve yet to take a decision on Hollywood,” he said.
The company recently made big money by distributing Rakesh Roshan’s Krrish overseas. “We have made a huge profit in our first venture as the international distributor. We have opened quite a few markets and have also successfully penetrated in existing markets. We have a huge line up of films to release in coming months,” Shetty said.