One film this year, the others scheduled for release in 2014.
By Deepak Chitnis
WASHINGTON, DC: Reliance Entertainment and Dharma Productions, two of Bollywood’s biggest names, are teaming up for the release of four upcoming blockbusters.
Reliance Entertainment is part of India’s Reliance Group, while Dharma Productions is the company of famed writer/producer/director Yash Johar, who passed away last year. The four films that will be produced by the joint venture of the two companies are:
- Gori Tere Pyaar Mein — Starring Kareena Kapoor and Imran Khan, releasing November 22nd, 2013.
- Hasee Toh Phasee — Starring Parineeti Chopra and Siddharth Malhotra, releasing February 7th, 2014.
- Ungli — Starring Emraan Hashmi, Kangna Ranaut, and Sanjay Dutt; releasing in 2014.
- Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania — Starring Varun Dhawan and Alia Bhatt, releasing June 27th, 2014.
“Reliance Entertainment is delighted to partner with Dharma Productions – India’s premier film production house, said Mahesh Ramanathan, the COO of Reliance Entertainment, in a press release announcing the partnership. “The collaboration should break new ground in the overseas markets and expand the reputation of both the companies internationally.”
Dharma Production CEO Apoorva Mehta echoed those sentiments, saying “Our strength in content creation matched by their distribution expertise will ensure that the films have the widest possible reach in traditional and non-traditional markets”.
Reliance Entertainment is responsible for distributing some of the biggest Bollywood hits of the past few years, such as Don 2, Bodyguard, Talaash, and Bhaag Milkha Bhaag. It was also the international distributor for 3 Idiots, the second highest-grossing Indian film of all time (its record was beaten earlier this year by Chennai Express, which was distributed by UTV Motion Pictures).
The company also partnered with Steven Spielberg’s production company, Dreamworks Pictures, in 2011, and co-produced hits like The Help, The Fighter, and Lincoln, all of which won Academy Awards in their respective years.
Dharma Productions has been a powerhouse in the industry for several decades. Established in 1976, its first film was 1980’s Amitabh Bachchan-starrer Dostana. Although Mehta is the company’s CEO, Karan Johar plays a critical role in Dharma Productions. The company has produced all of his films — Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna, My Name is Khan, and Student of the Year — as well as other blockbusters like Kal Ho Na Ho, 2008’s Dostana, and this year’s Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani, which is currently the fourth highest-grossing Indian film ever.
To contact the author, email to deepakchitnis@americanbazaaronline.com