MUMBAI: Nikhil Advani and Mukesh Talreja’s People Tree Films (erstwhile Orion Pictures) is scaling up its film production activities. The company currently has as many as eight movies, which are in various stages of development.
The first film to hit the marquee will be the Akshay Kumar – Deepika Padukone starrer Chandni Chowk To China, which is being directed by Nikhil Advani. Speaking to Businessofcinema.com, People Tree Films’ Talreja says, "The shooting of Chandni Chowk To China is nearly complete with only four more days of work remaining. This is a very lavish film, which is made on a mammoth budget. It has been shot in China, Bangkok and India. The film has a whole lot of martial arts and the action director is Dee Dee Ku (Huan-Chiu Ku), who has films like Kill Bill and Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon to his credit."
Apart from Chandni Chowk To China, People Tree Films will be investing a sum of approximately Rs 2 billion (Rs 200 crores) in seven of its other films.
The company’s film titled Jaane Kahan Se Aayi Hai, which will be directed by debutant Milap Jhaveri, is scheduled to go on floors on 6 September. The movie stars Ritesh Deshmukh and Sonal Sehgal. "The film is being made on a budget of Rs 250 million (Rs 25 crores)," informs Talreja.
People Tree Films will also be rolling out its first animation film called Ab Dilli Door Nahi, which will be directed by Nikhil Advani. The movie will have voice overs by Govinda, Akshaye Khanna, Boman Irani and Urmila Matondkar. The animation of the movie will be carried out by Pune based studio Crayon Pictures. "The movie is about a group of animals who raise their voice against increasing human enchroachment on their space and march up to Delhi to complain to the government officials in the Parliament. The herd comprises a monkey (Govinda), bear (Akshaye Khanna), parrot (Boman Irani) and a mother Panther (Urmila Matondkar). A panther cub is also a part of the group but we haven’t yet decided on the voice for the same," says Talreja.
Advani is also slated to direct another film for his banner, which is tentatively titled Chand. The movie is scheduled to go on floors in February next year. "The movie is about a child’s journey from a remand home. We are in talks with Akshaye Khanna for this film," informs Talreja.
Earlier this year, People Tree Films had acquired the remake rights of the Hollywood film Wedding Crashers from Warner Bros. The Indian version of the film will go on floors in August next year. The cast and crew of the film has not yet been finalised. "We are in talks with big actors and also a couple of directors for this film. However, nothing has been finalised as of now," says Talreja.
Additionally, director Navdeep Singh has been signed by People Tree Films to direct a police drama. The cast of the film is in the process of being finalised. The company has also signed directors Shivam Nair and Vikramaditya Motwani for one film each. "The scripts of these films have now been finalised and the cast and crew will be decided soon," adds Talreja.
