GECs
Fremantle acquires majority stake in Element Pictures
Mumbai: Television format creator, producer and distributor Fremantle has acquired a majority stake in film and drama production company Element Pictures. Working across production, distribution, and exhibition, Element Pictures is managed by co-founders Ed Guiney and Andrew Lowe, with offices in Dublin, London, and Belfast. It is an independent production company and has made “Normal People,” Academy Award-winning films “The Favourite” and “Room” and the new TV series “Conversations With Friends.”
The deal was spearheaded by Fremantle’s Group COO, and Continental Europe CEO, Andrea Scrosati and Lorenzo De Maio, of De Maio Entertainment. The acquisition further underlines its strategic plan to invest in and develop premium production companies and creative talents from around the world.
Element Pictures upcoming television productions include “Conversations With Friends,” based on Sally Rooney’s novel. The 12-part series was developed and produced by Element Pictures, directed by Lenny Abrahamson and Leanne Welham, co-written by Alice Birch and will premiere on BBC and Hulu on 15 May, and will roll out globally soon after. This follows Element Pictures’ adaptation of Sally Rooney’s novel “Normal People.”
Speaking on the latest development, Guiney and Lowe said, “Element Pictures is 21 years old this year and it is incredibly exciting for us and our wonderful colleagues to be entering a new and ambitious phase of growth in partnership with our friends at Fremantle at a truly exhilarating time for our industry. We are huge fans of the people at Fremantle, their vision for the future and the extraordinary talent they are working with across film and television. Collaborating closely with Jen, Andrea, Lorenzo, Christian, Jens, and their brilliant team will allow us to build on and grow our existing relationships with the very best creators in the world and expand our capacity to make exceptional film and television drama for international audiences.”
Scrosati said, “Fremantle is proud to invest and partner with the very best creative minds in the business. Ed, Andrew, and the amazing Element Pictures team certainly fall into this category. They have built an astonishing company, which has become one of Europe’s most exciting and innovative creative production companies. We look forward to working closely with their immensely talented creatives, helping to build on their slate of high-quality, sophisticated, and powerful productions. Creative freedom will sit at the very heart of this partnership, and everyone at Fremantle is excited to be working with the Element Pictures team and supporting their growth internationally.”
Last August, RTL Group announced its aim to increase Fremantle’s full-year revenue target to € three billion by 2025.
Element Pictures current television production includes “The Gallows Pole” (BBC/A24), a BBC period drama from director Shane Meadows and Nancy Harris’ eight-part comedy-drama “The Dry” (BritBox/RTE/ITV Studios/Screen Ireland). Previous television includes the co-production of “The Dublin Murders” with the Fremantle-backed Euston Films.
Current films in post-production include Sebastián Lelio’s “The Wonder” (Netflix), with actor Florence Pugh; Yorgos Lanthimos’ “Poor Things” (Searchlight Pictures) starring Emma Stone, Mark Ruffalo and Willem Dafoe; Stephen William’s historical biopic “Chevalier” (Searchlight Pictures) starring Kelvin Harrison Jr, and Joanna Hogg’s “The Eternal Daughter” (BBC Films/A24) starring Tilda Swinton.
GECs
Vikram and Ajinkya Gandhe win Masterchef India season finale
Chef Sanjeev Kapoor joins judges for emotional MasterChef finale
MUMBAI: The latest season of MasterChef India concluded on a high note, with brothers Vikram Gandhe and Ajinkya Gandhe crowned winners in the grand finale aired on Sony Entertainment Television.
The duo from Nagpur lifted the coveted trophy and donned the show’s signature golden apron after a season that celebrated India’s diverse culinary traditions under the theme “Pride of India”.
This edition of the popular cooking reality show introduced a new jodi format, with 50 pairs from across the country competing in the Masterchef kitchen. Contestants brought personal stories, regional flavours and family bonds to the competition.
The grand finale featured the final three pairs: Vikram and Ajinkya Gandhe (brothers), Saisree and Chanda (mother and daughter), and Anju and Manju (sisters).
The finale was attended by celebrity chef Sanjeev Kapoor, who joined the show’s judging panel comprising Vikas Khanna, Ranveer Brar and Kunal Kapur.
Kapoor said the show has long served as a platform to celebrate India’s rich culinary heritage and provide passionate home cooks with a national stage. He noted that the current season reflected a confident India that takes pride in its roots while embracing new culinary ideas.
Judge Vikas Khanna said the contestants’ journeys and the memories created during the season would remain with the team long after the show’s conclusion. Ranveer Brar described the show as a family that continues to grow with every season, while Kunal Kapur praised the contestants’ creativity and determination.
With the finale now concluded, the latest season of MasterChef India once again highlighted how food can reflect identity, heritage and storytelling, inspiring home cooks across the country to pursue their culinary ambitions.
