MUMBAI: The Indian film business has been attracting a slew of new companies lately. After Mahindra & Mahindra, the next big company that has set its eyes on the space is Indian restaurant major BJN Group.
The company, which operates close to 30 restaurants like Firangi Paani, Angeethi, Aromas of China, amongst others in cities like Bangalore, Hyderabad and Mumbai, has forayed into Hindi film production under the BJN Entertainment banner.
BJN Entertainment will be headed by BJN Group CEO Rakesh Malhotra.
Marking its first step in the space, BJN Entertainment is planning at least six films. The directors that the company is currently in talks with for three films each are Paritosh Painter and Sanjay Chhel. However, the papers have not yet been signed.
Speaking to Businessofcinema.com, Malhotra says, "We are looking at entering the film production space in a big way and are in talks with a few directors."
However, Malhotra declined to impart any further information on the company’s plans forward.
Both Chhel and Painter confirmed to Businessofcinema.com that they are in talks with BJN Entertainment to direct films.
Chhel says, "I am in final stages of negotiations with the BJN Group for three films. Things will be finalised over this week. The three films will go on floors only next year." Painter adds, "Yes, I am in talks with the BJN Group for three films. However, it is too early to talk about it. Things will get finalised over the course of next week."
Currently Chhel is readying for his next film after Maan Gaye Mughal-E-Azam, which is tentatively titled Fantastic. The film will go on floors soon and is being produced by Percept Picture Company. The movie stars Konkona Sen Sharma, Rahul Khanna, Paresh Rawal, Javed Jaffrey and Neha Dhupia.
On the other hand, Painter is working on his film titled Paying Guests for Subhash Ghai’s Mukta Arts. The film is currently is the post-production stage and stars Shreyas Talpade, Jaaved Jaffery, Vatsal Sheth, Ashish Chaudhary, Celina Jaitly, Sayali Bhagat, Riya Sen, Neha Dhupia, Johnny Lever and Chunkey Pandey. It is slated to release in January next year.
