Hindi
Bhanushali Studios and Aaz Films roll camera on new alliance
MUMBAI: It’s lights, camera, collaboration! Bhanushali Studios Ltd. and Aaz Films have inked a strategic partnership to co-produce a fresh slate of mainstream films designed to woo cinephiles from the heartland to the high-rises. The new banner promises everything from soulful romances to edge-of-your-seat dramas — all with box-office buzz in mind.
At the helm are Bhanushali Studios Ltd chairman & MD Vinod Bhanushali, and of Aaz Films’ Himanshu Mehra, with filmmaker Ali Abbas Zafar jumping aboard as creative producer.
The first project under the pact is set to roll in June 2025, with more titles and starry cast details to be revealed soon.
“Ali, Himanshu and I have always admired each other’s work. When the opportunity to collaborate came up, it felt like the perfect time. These films will tell compelling stories and create a strong connect between heartland and urban audiences,” said Bhanushali.
Mehra echoed the excitement: ““We are excited about this strategic collaboration focused on heartland cinema. This partnership opens doors for young, fresh storytellers to bring their vision to the big screen.”
Ali Abbas Zafar, known for his masala-meets-mettle filmmaking style, added, “Bhanushali Studios Ltd. and Aaz Films share the same passion for telling impactful, mainstream stories. This collaboration aims to deliver content that resonates deeply with today’s audience.”
With the creative dream team in place and the first shoot just around the corner, this partnership is set to script a blockbuster chapter in Indian mainstream cinema.
Hindi
YRF Entertainment appoints Saugata Mukherjee as head of content
Former SonyLIV content head to steer films and series at streaming arm
MUMBAI: YRF Entertainment, the streaming arm of Yash Raj Films, has appointed Saugata Mukherjee as head of content, signalling a strong push to scale its original films and series slate.
Mukherjee joins the company following a successful three-and-a-half-year stint at SonyLIV, where he served as executive vice president and head of content. In his new role, he will report to CEO Akshaye Widhani and lead the creative direction and commissioning strategy for YRF Entertainment’s growing slate.
The appointment comes on the back of YRF Entertainment’s recent global success with titles such as The Romantics, The Railway Men and Mandala Murders, which have helped position the studio as a serious player in the streaming space.
At SonyLIV, Mukherjee played a key role in shaping the platform’s identity as a premium content destination. Under his leadership, the service delivered acclaimed originals across genres, building a reputation for storytelling depth and creative risk-taking. His exit was described as “one of the harder goodbyes”, reflecting both the impact of his tenure and the strength of the team he leaves behind.
Mukherjee brings with him a wide-ranging career that spans publishing, television and streaming. Before SonyLIV, he led content initiatives at HBO Max under Warner Bros. Discovery, where he was instrumental in shaping the platform’s India strategy. His earlier roles include senior leadership positions at Hotstar and Star TV, where he worked on building original content pipelines and collaborating with top creative talent.
With a career that began in publishing at firms like HarperCollins and Pan Macmillan, Mukherjee’s journey reflects a deep-rooted understanding of storytelling across formats and platforms.
His move to YRF Entertainment comes at a time when the battle for streaming audiences is intensifying, with studios doubling down on high-quality originals to stand out in a crowded market.
For YRF, the appointment is more than just a leadership hire. It is a clear signal that the studio is ready to scale its streaming ambitions, with Mukherjee expected to play a central role in shaping its next chapter.
