Hindi
Crest, Lionsgate’s 3D animated stereoscopic film to hit screens in October
MUMBAI: After a long period of restructuring, stress and graduation, Crest Animation Studios is readying to open the global theatrical gates to its first co-production film project in October.
Christened Alpha and Omega, the 3D animated stereoscopic film directed by Anthony Bell and Ben Gluck from the Crest Animation Studios-Lionsgate stable, is expected to release across 2,200 screens worldwide.
The movie is part of the three-film deal between Crest Animation Studios and Lionsgate that was signed in 2005.
For Alpha and Omega, Crest Animation is handling the production process of the movie and will also take care of the project‘s distribution and marketing in India.
In a bid to exploit the licensing and merchandising (L&M) opportunities from the film, Lionsgate has tied up with publishing house Scholastic for launching a variety of books based on the movie.
As part of the film‘s marketing and promotion initiative, the film‘s trailers will be released in spring followed by various promotional activities beginning September till November.
Alpha and Omega has been produced through the special purpose vehicle (SPV) route, thereby helping in derisking Crest Animation.
Meanwhile, the two companies have also announced the co-production of their next film, Norm Of The North, that is due for release in October 2010.
Said Lionsgate Family Entertainment EVP, USA Ken Katsumoto, “Our partnership with Crest has gotten off to a terrific start with Alpha and Omega and Norm of the North is an ideal follow-up. In its range of characters, locations and narrative, Norm of the North offers a bounty of riches for family audiences.”
Norm of the North is written by Steven and Daniel Altiere. Katsumoto will oversee the production for Lionsgate while Crest Animation production president Richard Rich will oversee for Crest.
The third offspring from Crest and Lionsgate is in the early development stage.
Shares of Crest closed Thursday at Rs 69.70 on the BSE, up 4.03 per cent from the previous close.
Hindi
Dhurandhar the revenge storms past Rs 1,000 crore in a week, rewrites box office records
Aditya Dhar’s spy thriller sets fastest run to Rs 1,000 crore with record-breaking weekday hold
MUMBAI: The box office has a new juggernaut—and it is moving at breakneck speed. Dhurandhar the revenge has smashed past the Rs 1,000 crore mark worldwide in just a week, clocking a staggering Rs 1,088 crore and resetting the rules of the blockbuster game.
Backed by Jio Studios and B62 Studios, and directed by Aditya Dhar, the spy action sequel opened to the biggest weekend ever for an Indian film globally—and then refused to slow down. Unlike typical tentpole releases that taper off after Sunday, this one powered through the weekdays with rare muscle, posting Rs 64 crore on Monday, Rs 58 crore on Tuesday, Rs 49 crore on Wednesday and Rs 53 crore on Thursday.
The numbers stack up to a formidable first-week haul. India collections stand at Rs 690 crore nett and Rs 814 crore gross, while overseas markets have chipped in Rs 274 crore, taking the worldwide total to Rs 1,088 crore in just eight days.
The film’s opening weekend alone delivered Rs 466 crore, laying the foundation for what is now being billed as the fastest climb to the Rs 1,000 crore club in Indian cinema. Every single day of its first week has set fresh benchmarks, from the highest opening weekend to the strongest weekday hold—metrics that typically separate hits from phenomena.
A sequel to the earlier hit Dhurandhar, the film has not just built on its predecessor’s momentum but obliterated previous records, emerging as the biggest global blockbuster run by an Indian film to date.
At this pace, the film is not merely riding a wave—it is creating one.
