Movies
Jio Studios announces Kannada debut with Kotee
Mumbai: Leading content studio Jio Studios announced its debut in Kannada cinema with the exciting announcement of drama thriller Kotee, featuring the talented Dhananjay and helmed by director Param. The occasion was marked with the launch of the film’s teaser at an event in Bangalore.
One of the foremost content creators in the country, following a string of recent blockbusters including Baipan Bhari Deva (Marathi), Article 370, Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya, Shaitaan, and Laapataa Ladies, Jio Studios is set to further solidify its position as a leading creative force with its foray into Kannada.
In the upcoming Kotee, Dhananjay plays the character of a young man named ‘Kotee’, which translates to a crore in Kannada. A writer transforms his experiences into a story. An actor translates the story on to the cine screen. Dhananjay is one of those sensitive actors who lives the role, rather than enact it.
Excited about his role and elaborating the myriad hues of Kotee’s world, Nata Rakshasa Dhananjay said, “People think if they can get a crore rupees, or are able to earn so much, they can feel settled in life. Our man Kotee thinks so too. You can find a Kotee in every home, every family, and it could be a brother or son. Such people think that by earning so much, they can solve their problems, and live happily ever after.”
He further added, “The fun part of life is that there is a Kotee in each one of us. Playing the role allowed me to explore the layers of ‘Kotee’ hidden deep inside me. Watch the movie to discover the ‘Kotee’ in you”.
Param, making his directorial debut with Kotee, brings a wealth of expertise in storytelling with his successful stints with TV serials and reality shows for Colors Kannada and has taken up the challenge of adapting his talent to the larger canvas.
Commenting on his debut as a film maker, Param said, “It’s an indescribable feeling to see my vision come to life on the silver screen with ‘Kotee’. I extend my heartfelt thanks to Jio Studios and Jyoti Deshpande for believing in my story and giving me the wings to soar. Their unwavering commitment towards nurturing storytellers is not just about making films, it is about growing content, amplifying diverse voices, and shaping narratives. As Jio Studios continues to expand its footprints, we hope to recreate a similar success story in Kannada cinema as well”.
Among the star cast, model Moksha Kushal hailing from Coorg makes her debut as leading lady opposite Dhananjay, marking a vital break for her. Ramesh Indira, who won popular acclaim as the negative character in ‘Sapta Saagaradache Ello’ plays a prominent role in the movie. Rangayana Raghu, Tara, Prithvi Shamanuru, Sardar Satya and Tanuja Venkatesh are seen in other prominent roles.
Kotee boasts of a solid team with Vasuki Vaibhav composing music for the five songs in ‘Kotee’, three of which have been written by Yogaraj Bhat and one by Vasuki himself. The background score, set by Nobin Paul of ‘777 Charlie’ and Malayalam super hit ‘2018’ fame, which is edited by Prateek Shetty of ‘Kantara’ fame. Camera work is by Arun Brahman, who partnered Param in his small screen journey as cinematographer.
The release of the film’s teaser has sparked widespread excitement about Dhananjay living the title role through his natural acting, and Ramesh Indira emerging as a major ‘villain’. Kotee is set to release on 14 June 2024.
Hindi
Hansa Entertainment launched to produce across OTT, TV and film
New venture from R K Swamy Hansa Group eyes multi-language stories for digital-first audiences.
MUMBAI: Hansa Entertainment has just stepped into the spotlight because when a legacy media house decides to script its next act, even the credits get excited. Hansa Entertainment Private Limited has been incorporated to develop and produce original programming across digital, television, OTT platforms and theatrical features. The company will create short-running series, long-running series and original films for OTT, alongside standout theatrical ventures. It will also launch a podcast platform called Hansa Spotlight and produce content for the fast-growing vertical drama format. Stories are initially planned in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Bengali and Kannada.
The venture is founded by Sruti Swamy and Siddharth Swamy, drawing on the rich legacy of Hansa Vision and the broader R K Swamy Hansa Group. Sruti brings creative expertise with a master’s in architecture, interiors and design from Milan and a postgraduate degree in business management from the Indian School of Business. Siddharth contributes a data-driven perspective, having studied data science at Imperial College London.
Sujatha Narayanan has been appointed CEO of Hansa Entertainment. With over two decades of experience in creative content curation and production across film and OTT, she is also a well-known film columnist and media entrepreneur.
R K Swamy Hansa Group executive chairman Srinivasan Swamy said, “The launch of Hansa Entertainment marks an exciting new chapter. The new entity is the brainchild of the next generation and will be independently managed by Sruti Swamy, who is the Director and the newly appointed CEO.”
Hansa Entertainment director Sruti Swamy added, “I am very optimistic about the future of Hansa Entertainment, given the content explosion and the opportunities offered by new technologies for production.”
Hansa Entertainment director Siddharth Swamy noted, “The idea is to grow a contemporary production house that creates compelling stories for today’s multi-platform audiences while drawing inspiration from the rich storytelling traditions that audiences have appreciated over the years.”
Hansa Entertainment CEO Sujatha Narayanan said, “Hansa Entertainment will evolve as a story-first, IP-driven entity. We have already put together a smart team of interesting and dynamic creators who will helm our vertical dramas, shows and films.”
In the ever-evolving world of Indian entertainment, where stories now travel faster than the scripts that birth them, Hansa Entertainment is stepping onto the stage with fresh ink and big ambitions proving that even the best legacies know when it’s time for a compelling sequel.
