MUMBAI: The Indian Film Company (TIFC) has inked multiple film deals with various independent producers.
The company has inked a co-production deal with director duo Abbas Mastan’s company Burmawala Brothers for a film called Life Partner. The film is directed by Rumi Jaffery and stars Govinda, Fardeen Khan, Tusshar Kapoor and others. This film will be ready for release by Q3 fiscal year 2009.
Arshad Warsi’s Shooting Star Films will also be co-producing a film called I Believe in Angels directed by Kabir Kaushik with TIFC. The film stars Arshad Warsi and is tentatively scheduled to release by Q1 fiscal year 2010.
TIFC has also inked a deal with Dev Benegal’s August Entertainment for a film titled Road Movie. The film will be directed by Dev Benegal and the key cast is yet to be finalised. The screenplay of Road Movie was an official selection at the Cannes International Film Festival. The film will be ready for release by Q1 fiscal year 2010.
TIFC has also signed directors Sanjay Ghadvi for two films. Ghadvi is currently directing Kidnap produced by Shree Ashtivinayak Cine Vision, which has been acquired by TIFC for worldwide distribution. TIFC and Sanjay Ghadvi have planned to commence shooting of the first film by Q2 of fiscal year 2010 and that of the second film by Q2 of fiscal year 2011.
David Dhawan will also be directing a film for TIFC, which is tentatively scheduled to release in December 2010. In addition, TIFC is also co-producing David Dhawan’s next film, a sequel to Partner named Tom and Jerry which is being co-produced with Sohail Khan Productions starring Salman Khan, Govinda and Lara Dutta.
The company has also acquired the worldwide distribution rights of Anil Kapoor Film Company’s next production Shortkut – The Con is On. The film is directed by Neeraj Vohra and stars Akshaye Khanna, Arshad Warsi and Amrita Rao. The film is scheduled to release in the second half of fiscal year 2009.
TIFC has also acquired the domestic theatrical and satellite rights for Aamir Khan’s Gajni, which is scheduled to release later this year. The film is directed by A.R. Murgadoss, has music by AR Rehman and is a remake of the blockbuster Tamil film, also called Gajni.
TIFC had entered into a co-production deal with Kaleidoscope Entertainment for a two films – Lajjo and Baby. In line with the company’s portfolio management approach, TIFC took the decision to realise the value of these investments, by doing which, it has locked in positive returns from these investments in the pre-production stage of their development.
The Indian Film Company and Studio 18 CEO Sandeep Bhargava says, "We have continued to enjoy success during the quarter, building a solid portfolio of investments. At the same time we have achieved increased revenues from our existing assets as well as realizing the value of some investments in order to invest in new opportunities."
