MUMBAI: AIM listed The Indian Film Company (TIFC), which raised £55 million in June, is getting aggressive on the production front. As was first reported by Businessofcinema.com, the company has inked a Rs 2.11 billion deal for six films with Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani’s Excel Entertainment. The IFC has now signed a co-production deal with Sohail Khan Productions to produce two films. Incidentally both these films will have Salman Khan in the lead.

One of these films will be directed by David Dhawan and will star Salman Khan, Govinda, Kartrina Kaif and Lara Dutta – the Partner combination. The second film is tentatively tilted Mr and Mrs Khanna, starring Salman Khan and Lara Dutta will be directed by Prem Soni. Pre-production work on the film has begun and it is scheduled to go on floors in November this year.

Sohail Khan said, “Both our films are premium and exciting projects of our company. We have been overwhelmed by the commercial success of Partner and are focused on delivering vastly entertaining content. We are very happy to associate with The Indian Film Company for both these films. The collective experience of The Indian Film Company would greatly complement our core expertise.”

The Indian Film Company board advisor Sandeep Bhargava added, “The Indian Film Company is keen to associate with top of the line motion picture projects. Partner is slated to be the biggest industry hit of 2007 so far and the next film with the same winning combination is already making waves in trade circles. Salman Khan has a great track record of successful films and we are very happy to undertake two exciting projects with him in the lead cast. We are looking to associate with Sohail Khan Productions for more promising projects in the near future.”

Related story:
The Indian Film Company inks Rs 2.11 billion deal with Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani’s Excel Entertainment