MUMBAI: Balaji Motion Pictures has acquired the worldwide rights of Adlabs’ Sarkar Raaj being directed by Ram Gopal Varma. The rights include India and overseas theatrical and satellite rights.
Balaji Motion Pictures CEO Ramesh Sippy confirmed the deal but refused to comment on the acquisition price. However industry sources say that the deal was singed by Balaji for Rs 380 million (Rs 38 crores). T
he music and home video rights of Sarkar Raaj had been earlier bought by T-Series for Rs 25 million (Rs 2.5 crores).While Balaji recently signed papers with Adlabs, T-Series had acquired the audio and home video much before the movie went on floors.
Sarkar Raaj is a sequel to Ram Gopal Varma’s earlier film Sarkar, which released in 2005. While the prequel starred Amitabh Bachchan and Abhishek Bachchan, the sequel has Big B’s daughter-in-law Aishwarya Bachchan too in the film. This is not only the first full length feature film of the trio together (barring the item song Kaja Re – Bunty Aur Babli), but also the first film release after Abhishek and Aishwarya got married earlier this year.
The shooting of Sarkar Raaj has wrapped up and the film is currently in post production stages. The film is slated for release in January 2008. Prior to the release of the film, Balaji Motion Pictures is looking at setting up offices at New York, London and L.A.
