iWorld
Netflix, Dharmatic Entertainment to bring documentary on Ma Anand Sheela
MUMBAI: Netflix in association Dharmatic Entertainment will produce a documentary on Ma Anand Sheela. The documentary is named as Wild Wild Country will focus on Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh, Ma Anand Sheela, and their community of followers in Oregon.
Ma Anand Sheela is the Indian-born American–Swiss spokeswoman of Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh from 1981 through 1985. Sheela pleaded guilty to attempted murder and assault for her role in the 1984 Rajneeshee bioterror attack in Oregon.
Along with revealing facets of her that have thus far never been seen, a highlight of the documentary is a candid conversation between Ma Anand Sheela and director-producer Karan Johar, Netflix said in a statement. In this no-holds-barred chat, Karan asks questions that have been on viewers’ minds, which have been answered by her, in quintessential Ma Anand Sheela style, it added. The feature will be directed by documentary makers, Shirley Abraham and Amit Madheshiya.
“Netflix has been a pioneer in bringing documentaries to Indian audiences and at Dharmatic, as we take a step towards producing newer formats, we're so pleased it starts with this. Wild Wild Country was a fascinating story and we’re excited to be producing a peek into the life and journey of the feisty Ma Anand Sheela. Non-fiction content is a dynamic space in India and we’re thrilled to be exploring it with a partner like Netflix," says Dharmatic CEO Apoorva Mehta.
"Some believe she’s the epitome of feminism, a pop icon, and others view her as the criminal mastermind behind one of America’s biggest scandals. But does anyone know who she really is? The documentary will attempt to peel the layers of her personality to unveil the real Ma Anand Sheela and show the world an inside glimpse of a woman whose antics and statements cause a stir wherever she goes," showrunner and executive producer Shakun Batra said in a statement.
iWorld
Zeel to invest up to Rs 116 crore in PhantomFX for AVGC push
Strategic deal targets VFX, animation and gaming to scale global IP play.
MUMBAI: Lights, camera… and now a lot more action behind the scenes Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd. is doubling down on the magic that happens after the shoot, betting big on visual effects and animation to power its next growth chapter. The company has approved a strategic investment of up to Rs 116 crore in Phantom Digital Effects Ltd., marking a decisive push into the fast-growing Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming and Comics (AVGC) segment. The investment will be made through compulsorily convertible debentures in one or more tranches, subject to shareholder approvals.
The move signals a clear shift in Zeel’s playbook from just telling stories to engineering how they look, feel and travel across platforms. With PhantomFX’s global footprint spanning key markets such as the US and UK, the partnership is expected to significantly enhance ZEEL’s ability to create high-impact, visually rich content across OTT originals, animation, gaming and mythology-led formats.
At the heart of the collaboration lies a blend of storytelling muscle and technological precision. Zeel plans to tap into PhantomFX’s AI-integrated production workflows, proprietary pipelines and post-production expertise to improve efficiency and scale across projects. The two companies will also jointly develop original intellectual properties for OTT, gaming and licensing, expanding monetisation avenues beyond traditional formats.
The partnership is structured as non-exclusive, allowing PhantomFX to retain operational independence while continuing to serve its global clientele. For Zeel, however, the alliance offers a steady pipeline of creative and technical capabilities, enabling it to strengthen its omni-channel strategy and build globally relevant content assets.
PhantomFX brings with it an impressive pedigree. Its network includes award-winning studios such as Tippett Studio known for Academy Award-winning work on Jurassic Park and Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi and Milk Visual Effects, which has bagged both an Oscar and a BAFTA for Ex Machina.
The investment comes at a time when the AVGC space is rapidly expanding, driven by demand for immersive, effects-heavy storytelling and cross-platform content experiences. For Zeel, this isn’t just a deal, it’s a visual upgrade to its global ambitions, where pixels, pipelines and IP could define the next blockbuster moment.
