ITV

Category: Film Production

  • Psych-ed up for scares as Abundantia and Furia forge horror pact

    Psych-ed up for scares as Abundantia and Furia forge horror pact

    MUMBAI: Get ready to sleep with the lights on, Chhorii is just the beginning. Riding high on the bone-chilling success of Chhorii 2, Abundantia Entertainment and horror maverick Vishal Furia are joining forces once again to craft a new wave of fright fests under the studio’s dedicated horror vertical, Psych.

    With critics and fans still reeling from Chhorii 2’s sinister twists and culturally grounded horror, the sequel has cemented itself as a standout in Indian horror both terrifying and thoughtful. Now, director Furia and Abundantia’s Vikram Malhotra are doubling down on the genre with a fresh slate of terrifying tales that go beyond shadows and jump scares.

    “Vishal’s storytelling is rooted, gripping and layered, he’s redefined horror for Indian audiences. Together, we’re not just making scary films. We’re building an entire universe of fear that mirrors the evolving Indian psyche,” said Malhotra, Founder and CEO of Abundantia Entertainment.

    Furia echoed the thrill: “Our journey with Chhorii has just scratched the surface. Psych is the next chapter, an incubator for stories that leave lasting chills, long after the screen goes dark.”

    The collaboration is already in motion with two films in development. One is inspired by a shocking real-life incident in urban India, while the second ventures deep into the spine-tingling realms of Indian cultural mythology.

    With Psych, Abundantia becomes one of India’s only content studios with a dedicated horror label aiming not just to entertain, but to transform how Indian viewers experience the genre. The productions will be platform-agnostic, promising edge-of-the-seat scares across OTT and theatrical screens alike.

    From emotionally intelligent hauntings to folklore-fuelled fear, this duo isn’t just raising the bar they’re raising the dead.

  • NYIFF 2025 bound ‘Little Thomas’ teaser out now

    NYIFF 2025 bound ‘Little Thomas’ teaser out now

    MUMBAI: As anticipation builds around its world premiere at the New York Indian Film Festival (NYIFF) 2025, Little Thomas, the upcoming heartwarming children’s film starring Rasika Dugal, Gulshan Devaiah and Hridansh Parekh launched its official teaser on Sunday.

    Little Thomas earned three nominations at NYIFF 2025 – including Best Actor, Best Actress, and Best Debut Film, marking it a standout film in this year’s lineup.

    Slated to be the closing film at NYIFF (20-22 June), Little Thomas offers a tender, nostalgic tale set in 1990s Goa. The story follows seven-year-old Thomas, a young boy on a heartfelt mission to reunite his estranged parents to have a little brother. Backed by Anurag Kashyap, the film marks a refreshing turn in the filmmaker’s career, embracing themes of innocence, curiosity, and emotional resilience.

    Directed by Kaushal Oza, the film’s newly released teaser gives audiences a glimpse into the warm storytelling, vibrant visuals, and moving performances that await.

    The film is jointly produced by Luminoso Pictures, Civic Studios, Good Bad Films, and Flip Films.

  • Mumbai’s new reel estate: BMC to allow temporary film sets under DCPR 2034

    Mumbai’s new reel estate: BMC to allow temporary film sets under DCPR 2034

    Mumbai: In a cinematic twist, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corp (BMC) has proposed a crucial amendment to its Development Control and Promotion Regulations (DCPR) 2034, officially permitting the construction of temporary sets for films, TV serials, and advertisements. The move aims to turn Mumbai’s open plots into a regulated playground for the entertainment industry, ensuring compliance while boosting civic revenue.

    The amendment, initiated under Section 37 (1) of the Maharashtra Regional Town Planning (MRTP) Act, 1966, will introduce a fresh category under regulation 57, allowing temporary studios with prior approval from the BMC. Citizens have a month to share their views with the BMC’s chief engineer (development plan) or the deputy director of town planning.

    BMC’s latest move comes just weeks after the city hosted the World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (Waves), positioning Mumbai as a media powerhouse. It also aligns with the state government’s plan to establish a massive creative economy hub in Malad.

    This decision traces back to a 2019 BMC circular that allowed temporary filming structures on open plots. But what started as a filmmaker’s delight turned into an environmental nightmare, with unauthorized setups mushrooming even in Coastal Regulation Zones (CRZ). A subsequent inquiry in 2022 saw the BMC demolish 11 illegal studios in Madh, Marve, and Erangal.

    The new amendment seeks to end this chaos by setting clear boundaries—temporary sets can now be constructed only with proper permissions, capped at six months at a time and a maximum of three years in total. “Permissions will also generate revenue for the BMC,” a civic official confirmed.

    The revised rules will also help the civic body track how many production houses are using the designated plots for shoots, ensuring accountability.

  • Mad science meets cinema as Madlab Alpha experiments with bold storytelling

    Mad science meets cinema as Madlab Alpha experiments with bold storytelling

    MUMBAI: If a hindi masala movie is the formula, Madlab Alpha wants to break it. In a move that could redefine the future of Indian storytelling, Bodhitree Multimedia, Madlab Films, and Universe of Ideas have joined creative forces to launch Madlab Alpha Private Limited, a first-of-its-kind content studio that promises to rip up the rulebook and write a new one, genre by genre.

    Touted as India’s first high-concept content lab, Madlab Alpha isn’t here to play safe. It’s here to play mad in the best possible way. With a pipeline full of cerebral thrillers, speculative dramas, dystopian epics, and even interactive narratives, the studio is aiming at audiences that are over masala and hungry for mind-benders.

    At the heart of the initiative is a bold attempt to merge art and algorithm using AI-assisted production workflows and immersive tech to create content that’s not just visually striking but narratively disruptive. Think less assembly line, more alchemy.

    But it’s not just about flashy tools. Madlab Alpha wants to be a creative ecosystem nurturing emerging voices, offering mentorship, and cultivating a diverse slate that’s as rooted in local nuance as it is ready for global resonance.

    Backing the venture is Bodhitree Multimedia, known for The Gone Game and Class, and Universe of Ideas, born out of D’Artist Talent Ventures. Together with Madlab Films, the trio brings a cocktail of IP experience, genre muscle, and next-gen storytelling ambition.

    Madlab Films producers Gaurav Shukla and Abhijeet Khuman added,“With the rise of OTT platforms and global content, audience taste, especially in India, has evolved rapidly. This shift is impacting conventional commercial cinema, as we’re seeing more viewers gravitate towards fresh, bold narratives. It’s high time we acknowledge this change and create stories that speak to this new sensibility. With Madlab Alpha Private Limited, we aim to tell the kind of stories others shy away from merging craft with technology to deliver content that truly resonates. Together, we’re committed to delivering bold, original, and scalable content that speaks to a new generation of viewers.”

    D’Artist Talent Ventures and Universe of Ideas founder & CEO Darshana Bhalla added, “At its core, Madlab Alpha Private Limited is about empowering new voices and building a collaborative creator ecosystem. We believe in nurturing and mentoring emerging talent, offering them mentorship, resources, and a platform that values originality, craft, voice, and diverse perspectives on the global stage, fostering a space where originality thrives.”

    Talking about the partnership Bodhitree Multimedia Ltd MD Mautik Tolia added, “Madlab Alpha Private Limited represents a bold leap into the future of storytelling. This partnership marks a pivotal evolution in our content strategy, reflecting our commitment to shaping the progress and success of the industry. Together with Gaurav, Darshana, and Abhijeet, we are investing in the future of storytelling one that is bold, disruptive, and unapologetically narrative-first. We’re building more than a studio, that’s agile, and one that is built to scale across formats and geographies.”

    With legacy productions already under their belt and a bold slate of future-forward content in the works, Madlab Alpha Private Limited is angling to be India’s cultural petri dish, a place where stories mutate, mutate again, and maybe, just maybe, evolve into something the world hasn’t seen before.

    So, if Indian entertainment has long been a well-trodden path, Madlab Alpha is here to carve a few new roads wild, winding, and wonderfully unpredictable.

  • Tips hits the high notes with Rs 16,656 lakh annual profit and major reappointments

    Tips hits the high notes with Rs 16,656 lakh annual profit and major reappointments

    MUMBAI: When the music plays at Tips, it’s more than just melody, it’s money, momentum, and management moves. On April 23, 2025, the board of Tips Music Limited (formerly Tips Industries Limited) struck a high chord, approving robust financial results and announcing key leadership reappointments in what was a blockbuster boardroom session.

    The company posted an impressive net profit of Rs 16,656.15 lakh for the year ended March 31, 2025, a 31 per cent jump over the previous year’s Rs 12,716.70 lakh. Total income surged to Rs 32,967.96 lakh from Rs 25,595.82 lakh in FY24, riding on strong revenues from operations totalling Rs 31,068.73 lakh, up from Rs 24,158.07 lakh.

    Tips also declared and disbursed dividends totalling Rs 7 per share across three quarters, resulting in a Rs 8,948.21 lakh payout to shareholders. Meanwhile, the company executed a buyback of 5.95 lakh equity shares at Rs 625 per share, worth Rs 3,718.75 lakh, showcasing confidence in its valuation and balance sheet.

    In leadership harmony, the board re-appointed Kumar Taurani as chairman and managing director for a further three-year term starting 1 June 2025. Known for building one of India’s most vibrant music catalogues and guiding the company through decades of transformation, Kumar Taurani remains central to TIPS’ continued growth.

    Joining him in the encore are Ramesh Taurani and Girish Taurani, reappointed as executive directors. The trio brings over 100 years of collective experience in the entertainment business, a fact that resonates with the company’s sustained success in a competitive media landscape.

    The board also greenlit appointments of M/s. Grant Thornton Bharat LLP and Maheshwari & Co. as internal auditors, and M/s. NL Bhatia & Associates as secretarial auditors for a five-year term. These moves reinforce the company’s governance framework as it tunes up for its next growth phase.

    The quarter ended March 2025 alone saw profits of Rs 3,061.13 lakh, with a total comprehensive income of Rs 3,063.46 lakh. Earnings per share (EPS) stood at Rs 13.02 for FY25 compared to Rs 9.90 the previous year. The company continues to operate in a single segment Audio/Video Products with music licensing, royalty income, and digital content driving performance.

    Tips has also settled a long-pending dispute with Wynk, recognising Rs 1,200 lakh in revenue during the year following consent terms filed with the Bombay High Court another legal note wrapped with commercial finesse.

    From emotional ballads to bold boardroom decisions, Tips Music is orchestrating a growth symphony with strategic foresight, family-led leadership, and consistent financial crescendos. With Rs 33,940.28 lakh in total assets and a sharp focus on shareholder value, the beat goes on.

  • Balaji Telefilms taps money man Viren Trivedi as new bean counter

    Balaji Telefilms taps money man Viren Trivedi as new bean counter

    MUMBAI: Balaji Telefilms, the entertainment powerhouse, has promoted veteran finance whiz Viren Trivedi to finance controller, effective immediately. The production giant’s board approved the appointment yesterday following a nod from its nomination and remuneration committee.

    Trivedi, a chartered accountant by training, is hardly a fresh face at the firm. Having joined the Balaji Group in 2013, he brings over 11 years of financial savvy to his new role. The company appears to be betting on the devil it knows rather than the devil it doesn’t.

    Before his Balaji stint, the money man cut his teeth at accounting firms Suresh Patni & Associates and Mehta & Vasu Associates, where he honed his skills in everything from tax audits to drafting partnership deeds.

    At Balaji, Trivedi has been knee-deep in the company’s financial affairs, juggling quarterly financials, liaising with auditors, managing day-to-day funds and authorising payments. He’s also had his fingers in the film distribution pie, handling commercials and assisting with revenue deals.

     

  • Bodhitree ropes in Sudip Roy as group CRO, launches Bodhi Tree Ventures to cash in on digital IP

    Bodhitree ropes in Sudip Roy as group CRO, launches Bodhi Tree Ventures to cash in on digital IP

    MUMBAI: Bodhitree Multimedia, the name behind some of Indian TV’s biggest hits, has just turned the page—and the playbook.

    On 15 April 2025, the Mumbai-based content powerhouse announced two big moves: the appointment of media revenue veteran Sudip Roy as its group chief revenue officer and the birth of a new digital-age beast—Bodhi Tree Ventures, a division dedicated to turning IP into serious rupee rain.

    For a company known for scripted dramas, this move is straight out of the unscripted, unsparing world of digital dominance. Bodhi Tree Ventures has been set up to do more than just produce stories—it’s here to own, scale and monetise them across platforms like Youtube and beyond.

    The mission?

    To build a fortress of content-fuelled, revenue-generating intellectual property—because in 2025, eyeballs don’t pay the bills. Data does.

    And at the helm of this fresh offensive is Roy, a man who has spent over 25 years wrangling revenues at Star News, Zee, Neo Sports, Network18, and TCM.

    “I’m thrilled to join Bodhitree Multimedia at this exciting phase of growth. With the launch of Bodhi Tree Ventures, we are laying the foundation for a future-ready, digital-first business focused on scalable IPs, strategic partnerships, and innovative monetisation models. I look forward to collaborating with Mautik and the team to build sustainable revenue engines and shape the next chapter of value creation for the company,” said he, already sliding into the role with trademark flair.

    The move comes as Bodhitree seeks to pivot from being just content creators to full-blown content capitalists—using tech, data, and savvy content strategy to wring every last drop of value from its ideas. Think production house meets performance marketing—with a content lab cooking up originals while analytics wrings out ROI.

    “We are delighted to welcome Sudip Roy to Bodhitree as we are entering a decisive phase of growth. His strategic acumen and deep understanding of driving revenue strategies and scaling digital businesses make him the perfect fit to lead Bodhi Tree Ventures. This new division marks a pivotal shift in our journey — from being content creators to becoming owners and monetisers of scalable digital IPs. This is an evolution toward owning and building a future-focused revenue model. Together, we aim to shape a resilient and forward-looking content business,” said Bodhitree Multimedia Ltd MD Mautik Tolia.

    The new unit is already operational with multiple IPs and digital channels in the works, acting as a kind of agile, fast-response content-and-commerce squad. Expect an army of mini-documentaries, character-led shorts, and genre-bending series—all tailored to the algorithm’s mood swings and your binge cravings.

    With this ambitious move, Bodhitree is chasing not just ratings—but retention, revenue and relevance in the new digital jungle. Old-school production houses, take note: the age of passive syndication is out. IP-led monetisation is in.

  • Lyca rolls camera on trio of treats for south cinema superfans

    Lyca rolls camera on trio of treats for south cinema superfans

    MUMBAI: Lights, camera, triple action! Lyca Productions is turning up the heat in South Indian cinema, announcing a power-packed line-up of three upcoming films that promise drama, spectacle and plenty of box-office buzz.

    The studio, which made waves with the 2014 blockbuster Kaththi and more recently with Mani Ratnam’s magnum opus Ponniyin Selvan Parts 1 and 2, is back on set with fresh plans to deliver another round of cinematic showstoppers. Known for its flair for grandeur and high-stakes storytelling, Lyca is doubling, making that tripling, down on its mission to redefine regional filmmaking for a global audience.

    A spokesperson for Lyca confirmed: “We are pleased to confirm that Lyca Productions has plans to produce three new movies in the coming months. Our team has a proven track record of delivering major hits, both critically and commercially.”

    Lyca’s secret sauce? A solid mix of creative vision and pan-Indian appeal. The production house has become synonymous with high-quality Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada films, consistently spotlighting top-tier talent both in front of and behind the camera.

    Part of the Lyca Group of companies, the studio has carved out a space where South Indian cinema thrives not just locally, but globally. From its early days producing landmark titles to its current standing as a cinematic powerhouse, Lyca’s journey is as gripping as the films it backs.

    And if fan ratings are anything to go by Lyca’s films consistently score big on platforms like Imdb, the audience is already sold. With three more titles loading, the production house is clearly not just banking on past glory.

    “We are committed to investing in the future of the Indian film industry,” the spokesperson added, “supporting the next generation of writers, directors and actors, bringing their best talents to the big screen.”

    From historic epics to contemporary thrillers, Lyca’s upcoming slate could be just what the doctor ordered for a movie-hungry audience. Now all eyes are on the big screen and on what magic Lyca will unveil next.

  • Edstead brings in storytelling sorceress Charu Budhiraja to supercharge business mojo

    Edstead brings in storytelling sorceress Charu Budhiraja to supercharge business mojo

    MUMBAI: In the boardroom of content creation, few wield the narrative wand like Charu Budhiraja. Known for turning brand briefs into blockbuster ideas, she’s now swapped the corporate corridors of Warner Bros. Discovery for the storytelling stronghold of Edstead. As of 2 April 2025, Budhiraja officially steps in as chief business officer at the research-led documentary studio with a cause.

    With decades of experience (and probably a few dusty awards by now), Budhiraja brings a lethal mix of creativity and commercial sense. From crafting campaigns that hit you right in the feels to plotting partnerships that print money, her career reads like a masterclass in modern media hustle.

    She now aims to channel that magic into Edstead’s next act. The mission? Turn powerful, purpose-led storytelling into big business. And she’s not just here to play nice. Expect brand partnerships, content alliances, and revenue blueprints as bold as the stories Edstead wants to tell.

    “Edstead stands for storytelling with purpose—stories that challenge perspectives, ignite conversations, and create real impact. In today’s media landscape, authenticity and depth matter more than ever, and Edstead has built a strong foundation in this space. I’m excited to build on that momentum, foster strategic partnerships, and help scale Edstead’s reach while staying true to its mission,” said Budhiraja.

    Edstead’s founder Shekhar Bhattacharjee rolled out the welcome mat, saying, “Edstead is driven by the belief that powerful stories can inspire change. Charu’s expertise in branded content and content strategy will be instrumental in amplifying our impact and expanding our reach. Her ability to bridge creativity with business strategy makes her the perfect partner as we take Edstead into its next phase of growth.”

    Before this appointment, Budhiraja held the creative head position at Warner Bros. Discovery, leading award-winning content across themes like travel, lifestyle, education, and culture. She has also worked across Discovery, Ogilvy, Creativeland Asia, and JWT, bridging storytelling with marketing like it was child’s play. Her fingerprints are on some of India’s most iconic brand narratives.

    With Budhiraja now in the driver’s seat, Edstead looks set to scale up its storytelling superpower, turning brains and budgets toward purpose-driven content that isn’t just good-looking but does good, too.

  • Amit Sadh shifts gears with Gully Gladiators, revving up storytelling game

    Amit Sadh shifts gears with Gully Gladiators, revving up storytelling game

    MUMBAI: Familiar with the phrase, “Life is like riding a motorcycle-keep moving or you’ll fall?” Well, actor Amit Sadh took it a bit too literally. Hindi cinema’s favourite rugged adventurer has kickstarted his production house, Gully Gladiators Productions LLP, and he’s cruising full throttle into the content-creation fast lane. Yes, folks, storytelling just got a whole lot more exciting (and louder).

    On 18 March 2025, Sadh officially unveiled his latest brainchild-Gully Gladiators Productions, dedicated to delivering compelling, high-octane storytelling. The first project from this creative stable, Motorcycles Saved My Life, has already zoomed ahead in popularity, currently in its gripping second season. But Sadh isn’t stopping there; he’s shifting up gears with several new fiction and non-fiction narratives under development. Fasten your helmets; it’s about to get bumpy!

    “With Gully Gladiators, my vision is to tell stories that resonate deeply and leave a lasting impact. From my early days in television to carving a path in cinema, these two decades have been a journey of passion, growth, and storytelling. As we embark on this new chapter, Motorcycles Saved My Life becomes the perfect catalyst for us to shift gears! Through this journey, we aim to bring narratives to life that inspire, connect, and push creative boundaries,” shares Sadh.

    Motorcycles Saved My Life isn’t your typical Sunday cruise-it’s a powerful non-fiction ride that delves deep into life’s transformative journeys, celebrating freedom, adventure, and the resilience of the human spirit. Its latest episode explores Ladakh’s nomadic tribes, offering raw, unfiltered tales of unconventional living. Available now on Youtube, it’s the perfect escape route from your average, mundane existence.

    Want a taste of freedom? Watch Sadh trade film sets for the open road and uncover extraordinary tales of survival, adventure, and self-discovery in Motorcycles Saved My Life.