Hindi
Door opens for UTV to distribute Karan Johar’s films
MUMBAI: Karan Johar has for the first time moved out of the Yash Raj Films distribution umbrella to rest the revenue fortunes of his two forthcoming movies on Ronnie-Screwvala promoted UTV.
UTV Motion Pictures will get to distribute Dharma Productions‘ Wake Up Sid and an untitled film directed by Rensil D‘Silva.
As per the agreement, UTV holds the worldwide theatrical, home video and satellite distribution rights.
Says Dharma Productions CEO Apoorva Mehta, “UTV will be distributing these two movies. We still have not decided on the release dates, but it would be during the second half of this year.”
A mid-budget film, Wake Up Sid is written by Ayan Mukerji and casts Ranbir Kapoor and Konkona Sen Sharma in pivotal roles. The music of the film has been composed by the trio Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy.
The big budget, untitled film has been written by Karan Johar and stars Saif Ali Khan, Kareena Kapoor and Vivek Oberoi. Music has been scored by Salim-Suleiman.
“Our next two productions – My Name is Khan and Koochie Koochie Hota Hain –
are also in the release pipeline for this year. They are currently under production,” Mehta adds.
Penned by Karan Johar and Shibani Bathija, My Name is Khan casts Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol and is slated for a December release. Shibani Bathija is the screenplay writer and the music has been given by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy again.
Koochie Koochie Hota Hain is the animated version of Kuch Kuch Hota Hai starring Shahrukh khan, Kajol and Rani Mukherji. The film is directed by Tarun Mansukhani and Prana Studios is the animation studio associated with the flick.
Hindi
Marico founder Harsh Mariwala’s book Harsh Realities set for film adaptation
Almighty Motion Picture taps Karan Vyas to script Marico story
MUMBAI: Almighty Motion Picture is turning its lens on India Inc., with plans to adapt Harsh Realities: The Making of Marico into a screen project. The story charts the rise of Harsh Mariwala, the chairman and founder of Marico, and is currently in early development, according to a report by Variety.
Writer Karan Vyas, known for his work on Scam 1992, Scoop and Made in India – A Titan Story, is attached to pen the screenplay. The project continues the studio’s growing interest in real-life Indian narratives that blend business with human drama.
At the heart of the story lies a defining moment in 1987, when Mariwala chose to step away from the family-run Bombay Oil Industries and strike out on his own. What followed was not just the creation of a company, but the reinvention of a legacy. Marico would go on to become a global FMCG player, with brands like Parachute, Saffola, Set Wet and Livon becoming household names, reaching nearly one in three Indians.
The source material, co-authored by Mariwala and renowned business strategist Ram Charan, offers more than a boardroom chronicle. It captures the grit behind the growth, the risks behind the rewards and the leadership lessons forged along the way.
The adaptation aims to move beyond balance sheets and brand milestones, focusing instead on the person behind the enterprise. Expect a narrative that leans into the emotional stakes of entrepreneurship, where decisions are as personal as they are professional.
Today, Marico draws about a quarter of its revenue from international markets across Asia and Africa, reflecting its steady transformation from a domestic player into a multinational force. Yet, if the makers have their way, the screen version will remind audiences that every global success story begins with a leap of faith.
With development set to begin soon, this is one business story that may just trade spreadsheets for storytelling, and profit margins for moments that linger
