Hindi
Fun Cinemas in talks with PE investors to raise Rs 400 mn
MUMBAI: Fun Multiplex Pvt Ltd (FMPL), the Essel Group company that runs a chain of theatres under the Fun Cinemas brand, is in talks to raise around Rs 400 million from private equity investors to part-fund its expansion plans.
FMPL has an investment plan of Rs 750 million as it aims to launch nine multiplexes during the 12-month run ended 31 March 2011.
“We plan to raise around Rs 400 million and are in talks with private equity investors. We will be investing Rs 750 million in FY‘11 and adding nine multiplexes,” says Fun Multiplex chief operating officer Vishal Kapur.
The new multiplexes will be in Kolkata, Bhopal, Kochi, Raipur, Bhatinda, Ranchi, Mangalore, Patiala and Chennai.
FMPL currently has 77 screens in 24 multiplexes. “We are going into those kinds of markets where we think our venture would be profitable. We are taking a cautious approach while continuing with our expansion,” says Kapur.
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.
