Hindi
PVR Pictures lines up 20 releases for 2008
MUMBAI: PVR Pictures plans to release 20 films, both Bollywood and Hollywood, by the end of this year.
The company recently inked a distribution deal with US-based Focus Features for 13 Hollywood films which will be released in Indian theatres this year. Focus Features is the art house films division of NBC Universal‘s Universal Studios.
PVR acquired a good sum of films at Cannes in France this year. Around 12 films have been acquired from Focus Features. One of the deals have been struck with a distribution studio in Sydney, Australia and QED, Los Angeles, US.
PVR successfully distributed Dan In Real Life from Focus Features in May and Blindness opened at Cannes. Some of their forthcoming releases include In Brughes, Miss Pettigrew Lives For A Day, The Other Boleyn Girl, Be Kind Rewind, Burn After Reading, Strangers.
PVR Ltd director Sanjeev Bijli says, “We have acquired a collection of films at Cannes this year which includes big ticket projects.” It also includes a Mel Gibson starrer film. Bijli confirms the acquisition cost at around $350000 to $400000.
PVR has distributed big films like The Aviator, Chicago, Kill Bill, Finding Neverland.
On being asked about whether PVR plans to strike co-production deals with international studios, Bijli says the company doesn‘t feel there is the need for it. “We don’t see ourselves heading in that area. We want to explore the Indian scenario and there is a lot happening here.”
PVR‘s bouquet of Hindi films for distribution include Ghatotkach (released), Mere Baap Pehle Aap and Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na. Contract, Mere Khwabon Main Jo Aaye are co-produced by PVR Pictures; PVR will also distribute them.
The Hindi films to be released this year have been acquired for a sum of Rs 300 million, says Bijli.
Amongst the Hindi lot, PVR has distributed Omkara, Don, Honeymoon Travels, Being Cyrus and Bheja Fry.
Hindi
Rashmika Mandanna, Shanaya Kapoor and Naila Grrewal climb IMDb’s Indian celebrity rankings
Upcoming films and returning shows are driving fan interest across Bollywood and streaming
MUMBAI: Bollywood’s popularity contest has a new weekly scorecard, and the numbers are telling. IMDb’s Popular Indian Celebrities list for this week places Shanaya Kapoor at number six, buoyed by buzz around her film Tu Yaa Main. Naila Grrewal slots in at seven on the back of the returning comedy series Maamla Legal Hai, while Rashmika Mandanna climbs to eighth, riding mounting anticipation for Cocktail 2.
The list, available exclusively on the IMDb app for Android and iOS, tracks trending Indian entertainers and filmmakers each week, drawing on data from more than 200m monthly visits to the platform worldwide.
Further down the rankings, Raaka is keeping two of its biggest names in the spotlight. Deepika Padukone holds 11th position, with Allu Arjun close behind at 13th, as the film continues to find traction with audiences.
The list offers fans a weekly pulse on who is breaking through, who is holding steady, and who is fading. It is a barometer as unsparing as the box office itself.
