MUMBAI: Anil Ambani’s media and entertainment foray is getting ‘Big’ger by the day. After inking various deals with Hollywood actors and directors for film production coupled with its investment in Steven Spielberg’s DreamWorks SKG most recently; Reliance Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group (ADAG) has now inked a joint venture with Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan’s company AB Corp.
In July last year, Businessofcinema.com had posed a question to Bachchan whether AB Corp was looking at any kind of synergies with Ambani’s Reliance Entertainment. However, Bachchan had replied in the negative at that point saying, "No nothing yet." A year later, plans have surely firmed up.
Speaking to Businessofcinema.com of the new joint venture, Reliance Entertainment chairman Amit Khanna says, "To begin with, we will be looking at making four – five films with AB Corp. We value our relationship with the Bachchan family immensely. The creativity of the Bachchan family combined with our business acumen will create a win-win situation for all."
At present, Reliance Entertainment has a slate of 69 Indian films and approximately 30 Hollywood films that were announced at the Cannes Film Festival last month.
According to media reports, directors like Chandraprakash Dwivedi, Rohan Sippy, Sujoy Ghosh and R Balakrishnan (Balki) have been signed for films under the new JV.
Some of the films are likely to star Amitabh and Abhiskek. Incidentally Abhishek Bachchan is also the brand ambassador of Reliance ADAG’s radio station – BIG FM.
Reports suggest that the JV will also look at television series, reality shows, internet and mobile content.
