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Viacom to co-produce feature films in India
The US-based media conglomerate would initially work on an English film project and subsequently venture into Indian language films.
US-based media conglomerate Viacom plans to produce feature as well as animation films in the country and is seeking local partners for its project.
"I am here to discuss with various stakeholders. I expect to finish the talks within few days from now. By next 10-12 months, we would begin production here," Viacom chief operating officer Tom Freston said here on Wednesday.
Viacom, the company behind MTV and CBS Television Network, would initially work on an English film project and subsequently venture into Indian language films.
Asked whether he was looking for project specific partners or was interested in acquisitions, the Viacom CEO remained non-committal. But he said the company was open to all sorts of options to expand its presence.
"As a global media platform company, we are looking at various projects in many parts of the world," Freston said.
"Presently, we are aiming to reconstitute some of our ailing subsidiaries. We plan to restrengthen our distribution network. Once, this task is completed, we would focus on newer entertainment markets like Germany and India," he added.
The company had recently took over noted film director Steven Spielberg's studio Dreamworks for $775 million cash deal, besides taking over ailing firms for $825 million obligations.
"As per a part of the deal the director (Steven Spielberg) would produce...Not necessarily direct four-five films for us," Freston said.
