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
Jio Studios, Sanjay Dutt team up to revive Khal Nayak
Rights acquired for new version, format under wraps as remake plans take shape.
MUMBAI: The villain is back and this time, he’s rewriting his own script. Jio Studios has partnered with Three Dimension Motion Pictures and Aspect Entertainment to revive the 1993 cult classic Khal Nayak, marking a fresh chapter for one of Bollywood’s most iconic anti-hero stories. The original film, directed by Subhash Ghai under Mukta Arts, was a commercial and cultural milestone, with Sanjay Dutt’s portrayal of Ballu becoming one of Hindi cinema’s most memorable performances.
Dutt, along with Aksha Kamboj, has now acquired the rights from the original creators, bringing on board Jio Studios and its President Jyoti Deshpande to steer the project creatively.
While the exact format whether remake, sequel, prequel, or a completely new narrative remains undisclosed, the collaboration aims to reinterpret the story for contemporary audiences while retaining the essence that made the original a defining film of the 1990s.
The move taps into a broader industry trend of reviving legacy intellectual property, particularly characters with strong recall value. “Khal Nayak” was notable for pushing mainstream Hindi cinema into morally grey territory at a time when heroes were largely one-dimensional, making Ballu’s character a standout.
The project also marks the film production debut of Aspect Entertainment, signalling a push towards more technology-led storytelling frameworks. Meanwhile, Jio Studios continues to expand its slate, having built a library of over 200 films and series, with more than 60 titles collectively winning 500-plus awards.
For Dutt, the revival is as much personal as it is strategic, a return to a role that reshaped his career. For the industry, it is another sign that nostalgia, when paired with scale, remains a powerful box-office proposition.
Because in Bollywood, some villains never fade, they just wait for the perfect comeback.
