CO-PRODUCTION
“Devi Chowdhurani,” helmed by Subhrajit Mitra, has become the first Bengali-language film to secure official Indo-U.K. co-production status. The period drama, starring Prosenjit Chatterjee and Srabanti Chatterjee alongside Sabyasachi Chakraborty, Arjun Chakraborty, Darshana Banik, Bibriti Chatterjee and Kinjal Nanda, is produced by Adited Motion Pictures (U.S./India) and LOK Arts Collective (India/U.K.), with the U.K.’s HC Films and Moringa Studios serving as co-producers.
The project, now in early post-production, adapts Bankimchandra Chattopadhyay‘s 1884 novel about one of India’s first female freedom fighters. Composer Pandit Bickram Ghosh is on board for the score.
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India’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, NFDC, FFO and Invest India, along with the U.K.’s BFI and DCMS, greenlit the co-production status.
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Adited Motion Pictures’ Aparna and Aniruddha Dasgupta called the recognition “a dream come true,” while LOK Arts Collective’s Soumyajit Majumdar emphasized the importance of international co-productions for global exposure. Lead actor Prosenjit Chatterjee said the move “will pave a new path for regional film industries” in India.
SINGLE SCREENS
Punit Goenka, MD and CEO of Indian media giant Zee, has acquired a majority stake in Maverick Media. The move aims to breathe new life into single-screen theaters across India’s tier II and III cities.
The statement announcing the deal said: “Mr. Goenka has made this investment in his personal capacity and the same has no bearing on the company that he leads.”
India has 9,742 screens for a population of 1.4 billion and less than 100 million people visited a cinema in 2023, according to the annual FICCI EY industry report.
“While my professional commitments continue to remain a priority, I believe that as key members of the fraternity, it is our collective responsibility to enhance the growth opportunities for all segments in the media value chain, and hence I have taken this decision in my personal capacity. The potential of single screen cinemas across several tier II and III cities is immense, and it is imperative to revive this infrastructure, keeping its fabric and cultural essence intact,” Goenka said.
CHANNELS
Prime Video has launched anime streamer Crunchyroll on its Channels platform in India, expanding anime offerings for local viewers. The add-on subscription, priced at INR79 (95 cents) monthly, grants access to over 800 titles, including simulcasts from Japan.
The service features 40+ new shows this season, such as “Kaiju No.8,” “Black Butler: Public School Arc” and “Demon Slayer: Hashira Training Arc.” Select content will be available in the Hindi, Tamil and Telugu languages, alongside English.
Gaurav Bhasin, head of Prime Video Channels India, cited growing anime popularity as the driver behind the move. Terry Li, Crunchyroll’s executive VP of business development, expressed hopes of attracting new fans through the partnership.
TEA TIME
“Back to the Future” fans won’t want to run outatime for a new themed afternoon tea in London, inspired by Back to The Future The Musical and timed to coincide with the original movie’s release on July 3, 1985.
Including DeLorean-themed burritos and E=MC2 toasties, the afternoon tea costs £45 ($57) per head at the SOUND Cafe at The Cumberland Hotel. There’s also the option to win complimentary bottomless drinks if guests roll a double with two futuristic eight-sided dice.
PRODUCERS
Hangtime International Pictures’ Frank Murray and Frida Torresblanco have joined the production team of “The Night Manager” Season 2 as co-executive producers. The BBC and Prime Video show, inspired by John Le Carré’s novel, is set to start shooting this month in London, with Tom Hiddleston reprising his role as Jonathan Pine. Other returning cast members include Olivia Colman and Alistair Petrie. Georgi Banks-Davies directs. The series is produced by The Ink Factory in association with Character 7, Demarest Films and 127 Wall, and in co-production with Nostromo Pictures.
CINEMA AND POLITICS
Bollywood actor Kangana Ranaut is set to return to the big screen with her directorial venture ‘Emergency” on Sept. 6. The release follows a delay due to Ranaut’s recent foray into politics, which saw her successfully campaign for and win the Mandi constituency seat with the Bharatiya Janata Party.
“Emergency,” produced by Zee Studios and Manikarnika Films, is a period political drama centered on former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. The film aims to depict a contentious period in Indian democratic history.
Ranaut said: “I am deeply inspired by William Shakespeare’s ‘Macbeth,’ essence of Emergency is the destruction wrought when ambition goes unchecked by moral constraints, it is undoubtedly the most sensational chapter of Indian democracy.”
The cast includes Anupam Kher, Mahima Chaudhary, Milind Soman, Shreyas Talpade, Vishak Nair and features one of the last performances of the late Satish Kaushik. Sanchit Balhara composes the music, while Ritesh Shah pens the screenplay and dialogues.
MUSIC
Tom Kiehl is set to become the new CEO of U.K. music body U.K. Music, after spending ten months as interim CEO. He was appointed by the U.K. Music board of directors following an extensive recruitment process attracting more than 130 applicants.
As part of the role Kiehl, who first joined U.K. Music in 2012 as director of public affairs, will spearhead cross-part engagement with government officials and policymakers. He recently oversaw the production of U.K. Music’s Manifesto for Music ahead of the U.K. election next week.
“It’s an immense privilege and great responsibility to take on the role of leading UK Music at such a pivotal moment,” said Kiehl. “My vision for U.K. Music is to build on our mission of bringing our sector together to speak with one voice and secure our place as the key organisation that fuels the growth and prominence of the UK’s music industry. “We must be relevant, representative, and able to deliver for the sector in order to achieve this.”
