Film Production
Jay Pandya launches Blank Slate Films with debut release ‘Manorathangal’
Mumbai: Media industry leader Jay Pandya, recognized for his role in cinematic storytelling, has launched his new production company, Blank Slate Films. To start this new chapter, Blank Slate Films debuts with the Malayalam anthology project, ‘Manorathangal’.
Manorathangal is an anthology based on nine captivating short stories by the acclaimed M. T. Vasudevan Nair. Presented by Saregama (Yoodlee Films) and supported by Kamal Haasan, this inaugural project for Blank Slate Films features an illustrious ensemble cast including Mohanlal, Mammootty, Fahad Fazil, Biju Menon, Nedumudi Venu, Siddique, Indrajith Sukumaran, Asif Ali, Mamukkoya, Vineeth, Indrans, Aparna Balamurali, Parvathy Thiruvothu, Surabhi Lakshmi, and Ann Augustine. The film is now available for streaming on ZEE5.
Jay Pandya, whose career spans over two decades, has seamlessly transitioned from being a distinguished media executive to a visionary producer. Reflecting on his new role, Pandya shared, “As a producer and storyteller, my goal is to transcend traditional content creation. I aspire to build immersive worlds, develop compelling characters, and bring stories to life in ways that deeply resonate with audiences. My mission is to blend creativity with strategic insight to craft narratives that leave a lasting impact.”
Commenting further on Manorathangal, Pandya added, “I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to be part of such a prestigious project. It has been a dream to bring M. T. Vasudevan Nair’s remarkable stories to the screen, especially with a cast and crew of this caliber. Working alongside legendary directors like Priyadarshan and Santosh Sivan is truly an honor. This project stands as a testament to our commitment to storytelling excellence.”
Before founding Blank Slate Films, Jay Pandya served as the ZEE5’s head of content acquisition & original films and Legend Studios’ CEO, where he played a pivotal role in developing significant projects such as ATAL and Veer Savarkar. His diverse portfolio also includes the production of three acclaimed music videos available on leading platforms.
With Blank Slate Films, Jay Pandya aims to continue his legacy of delivering content-driven stories that resonate with audiences, marking a new phase in his career.
Film Production
Priyanka Kaur Dhillon joins SVF Entertainment as lead for music distribution
A seasoned content dealmaker with 16 years in digital and satellite media joins the Bengali entertainment powerhouse as it pushes into the pan-India music market
Mumbai: Priyanka Kaur Dhillon has made her move. The content acquisitions and commercials veteran, most recently commercial manager at Sony Pictures Networks India, has joined SVF Entertainment as lead for music distribution, stepping into one of the more interesting briefs in regional entertainment right now.
SVF is no ordinary regional label. Over 30 years it has built a formidable legacy in Bengali cinema and music, driven by culturally resonant storytelling and a catalogue that consistently punches above its weight. Its recent success with Chiraiya underlines the point. But the Kolkata-based powerhouse now has its sights firmly set beyond Bengal, most visibly through Legacy, a rap reality series produced in collaboration with hip-hop label Kalamkaar that signals a deliberate push into the pan-India music ecosystem.
Dhillon brings precisely the kind of muscle SVF needs for that expansion. At Sony Pictures Networks India, she led film acquisition and commercials and handled music licensing across the entire satellite network. Before that, she spent nearly 15 years at Hungama, rising to assistant general manager and leading strategic content licensing for the platform’s digital entertainment business, with a particular focus on international markets. Her label relationships span the full roster: Sony Music, Universal Music, Warner Music, Believe International, Tunecore, The Orchard and a clutch of smaller aggregators. She has negotiated and closed deals with Hollywood studios, Bollywood production houses and regional content players alike, building pricing models and deal structures off data analysis rather than instinct.
Announcing the appointment, Dhillon said she was “thrilled to begin this journey with an iconic Bengali music label and content powerhouse,” adding that SVF’s “constant drive to push boundaries” was what drew her to the role.
SVF has spent three decades proving that regional does not mean limited. With a sharp commercial operator now steering its music distribution, its bid to go national just got a good deal more serious.
