ITV

Category: Production House

  • Balaji doubles down on digital as it reboots legacy storytelling for the OTT generation

    Balaji doubles down on digital as it reboots legacy storytelling for the OTT generation

    MUMBAI: Balaji Telefilms is throwing open the gates to a new era—one where saas, bahu and binge culture collide. The legacy studio, which helped script India’s television saga for over two decades, is rewriting the plot with a digital-first approach that spans OTT behemoths, Youtube Originals, and a mix of formats for India’s multi-screen audience.

    Announced in May 2025, the company’s roadmap reveals a sharp shift toward platform-driven storytelling, tapping into newer demographics without leaving behind its loyal viewer base. Armed with genre-spanning originals and marquee talent, Balaji aims to straddle every screen—from phones in Patna to smart TVs in Pune.

    “At Balaji, storytelling is in our DNA. For decades, we’ve created content that mirrors the aspirations, emotions, and realities of Indian audiences. Today, we’re embracing the digital era with the same passion, but through a renewed lens”, said GCRO Nitin Burman.

    Burman added, “Balaji has always been at the forefront of innovation, and as we embark on this new phase of digital-first storytelling, our goal is to create content that resonates deeply, sparking emotional connections and cultural relevance”.

    The proof lies in Balaji Digital’s slate. Early hits like Power of Paanch and Dus June Ki Raat on JioHotstar signalled intent. But it was Kull – The Legacy of the Raisingghs, featuring Nimrat Kaur and Ridhi Dogra, that cemented the studio’s OTT credibility. Balaji then made its Youtube Originals debut with The Great Indian Cricket Fan, a series celebrating cricket obsession with equal parts charm and chaos.

    As for what’s next: the studio is cooking up more digital exclusives—both long and short-form—for OTT and Youtube, alongside a steady dose of television content (Bade Achhe Lagte Hain) and cinema (upcoming titles include Bhoot Bangla and VVAN – Force of the Forrest). With murmurs of a Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi comeback, Balaji isn’t just revisiting nostalgia—it’s remixing it for the scroll-happy generation.

    From emotional depth to mass appeal, Balaji’s playbook is broadening while its roots stay firm. With this digital pivot, the studio is making one thing clear: it’s not chasing trends. It’s setting them.

     

  • EndemolShine India dives into branded entertainment, teams up with Mediascope

    EndemolShine India dives into branded entertainment, teams up with Mediascope

    MUMBAI: EndemolShine India, the content behemoth under Banijay Entertainment, is stepping into the branded entertainment arena, forging a strategic partnership with marketing agency Mediascope. This move is all about turning brand integration and advertiser-funded programming (AFP) into must-watch storytelling.

    In a world where brands crave authentic connections, EndemolShine India’s creative might meets Mediascope’s brand partnership expertise to build content that isn’t just about visibility — it’s about narrative. Branded entertainment will now be baked into original IPs, creating stories where brands play leading roles.

    Banijay Asia & EndemolShine India group chief operating officer Rishi Negi (pictured above) summed it up: “As the media landscape evolves, brands are seeking more organic, immersive ways to connect with audiences. Branded entertainment sits at the intersection of storytelling and strategy — and that’s where we thrive. With our strong creative engine and Mediascope’s expertise in brand partnerships, we’re excited to build a powerful branded content ecosystem in India.”

    EndemolShine India  EVP & head of content strategy Trevellyn Fynn added: “Branded entertainment allows us to design narratives that audiences choose to engage with while giving brands a compelling, purposeful role in the story. With this partnership, we’re bringing together strategic thinking and creative ambition to tell stories for and with brands in India.”

    For Mediascope, the partnership is a chance to harness EndemolShine’s storytelling prowess. Mediascope CEO & founder Marzban Patel noted:  “Branded entertainment lies at the heart of how brands build emotional resonance in the current media landscape. This isn’t just about visibility; it’s about creating stories that audiences genuinely seek out, where the brand plays a meaningful and lasting role in the narrative. EndemolShine India brings world-class storytelling and scale, and at Mediascope, we see this as a powerful opportunity to help Indian brands forge deeper, more nuanced connections with audiences.”

    The tie-up also syncs with Banijay Entertainment’s global push in branded entertainment, fuelled by its Banijay Branded Entertainment (BBE) division, which is already crafting brand-led content across markets. Expect a slate of original branded IPs from this powerhouse duo, blurring the line between storytelling and strategy.

  • 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.

     

  • Vinay Kalia takes centre stage at Fremantle, joins as head production

    Vinay Kalia takes centre stage at Fremantle, joins as head production

    MUMBAI: Vinay Baldev Kalia, a production heavyweight with nearly three decades of experience, is back in the Fremantle fold, taking on the role of head of production for India. After a brief stint as a freelance production executive, Kalia has returned to the very place where he previously held the same title, promising to bring his production skills to the forefront.

    Kalia’s career reads like a who’s who of Indian television, with stints at Balaji Telefilms, Miditech, Optimystix Entertainment, and, of course, Fremantle itself. He’s been the production maestro behind some of India’s biggest shows, including Indian Idol, Fame Gurukul, and numerous daily soaps that have kept viewers glued to their screens.

    His LinkedIn profile is a testament to his extensive skill set, boasting expertise in everything from project coordination and financial planning to team building and vendor management. With a track record that spans both fiction and non-fiction, Kalia is a seasoned pro in the cut-throat world of Indian television production.

  • 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.

  • Verun Baabar elevated to VP – production and operations at Balaji Telefilms

    Verun Baabar elevated to VP – production and operations at Balaji Telefilms

    MUMBAI: Verun Baabar has been appointed vice president – production and operations at Balaji Telefilms  effective immediately. The board, acting on the recommendation of the nomination and remuneration committee, gave its nod on 11 April.

    Baabar, a media and entertainment industry veteran, has spent 12 years at the Balaji group, where he played a pivotal role in shaping productions. With over 16 years of experience under his belt, he now steps into a new spotlight.

    A graduate of DAV College, Punjab University, Baabar is set to bring his production prowess and operational acumen to his latest role. Expect action, drama, and plenty of behind-the-scenes magic as he takes charge.

  • Fremantle unveils Imaginae Studios, an AI-powered creative label

    Fremantle unveils Imaginae Studios, an AI-powered creative label

    MUMBAI:  Fremantle has launched Imaginae Studios, a dedicated label focused on harnessing the full potential of artificial intelligence for creative content production. Led by Andrea Scrosati, group chief operating officer and CEO europe, the studio aims to provide creators with cutting-edge AI tools, fostering a space for experimentation and innovation in storytelling.

    “Our mission is to empower creatives with the best tools and support to deliver compelling content globally,” Scrosati stated. “AI presents unprecedented opportunities to transform ideas into diverse media, including visuals, video, sound, and art. Imaginae Studios will serve as a dynamic bridge between human creativity and advanced technology, cultivating an environment where innovation and experimentation thrive.”

    Imaginae Studios will operate as an independent entity, staffed by a specialised team of creatives passionate about pushing the boundaries of storytelling through AI. This team will explore a wide array of AI-driven solutions, developing new methods for content creation across various platforms. The studio’s focus will extend beyond mere technological application, emphasising the crucial role of human creative direction in shaping AI-generated content.

    The label’s operations will adhere to stringent intellectual property and compliance standards, ensuring ethical and legal considerations are prioritised.

     Imaginae Studios is poised to explore the intersection of AI and human creativity, aiming to revolutionise the production of media and entertainment. This initiative signals Fremantle’s commitment to investing in future-forward technologies and supporting the evolution of creative storytelling in the digital age. It intends to use AI to enhance all parts of the production process, and push the boundaries of current creative limitations.

  • 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.