ITV

Tag: Anil Arjun

  • Reliance MediaWorks splits biz into 2, film exhibition to form one arm Children’s fest

    Reliance MediaWorks splits biz into 2, film exhibition to form one arm Children’s fest

    MUMBAI: Reliance MediaWorks, Reliance Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group‘s film and entertainment services company, has separated its businesses into two divisions – film and media services, and film exhibition.

    The company has appointed Venkatesh Roddam as the CEO of the Film and Media Services division and Ashok Ganapathy as the CEO of the Exhibition division, to enhance the independent focus on each operating division.

    Reliance MediaWorks CEO Anil Arjun will henceforth be associated with the company as a strategic advisor.

    The creation of two independent divisions follows signing of an indicative non-binding term-sheet by Reliance MediaWorks with an unidentified private equity fund for selling a substantial minority stake for Rs 6.05 billion. The term sheet envisages separate subsidiary for the film and media services business, after the completion of customary detailed duediligence, definitive documentation, and approvals as may be necessary.

    Reliance MediaWorks‘ businesses are spread across India, the US, the UK and Malaysia.

    Reliance MediaWorks has also filed a draft prospectus with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) for a rights issue to raise Rs 6 billion.

    Reliance MediaWorks‘ market capitalisation is Rs 2.54 billion based on Friday‘s closing price of the company‘s shares. Its shares closed at Rs 55.25, down 1.43 per cent.

  • Reliance MediaWorks in deal with PE for Rs 6 bn

    MUMBAI: Debt-laden Reliance MediaWorks (RMWL), controlled by Reliance ADAG, has agreed to capital infusion of Rs 6.05 billion from an undisclosed international private equity firm.

    The company said Wednesday it has signed a term-sheet agreement for a ‘substantial‘ minority stake in its film and media services division.

    RMWL runs a cinema exhibition business under Big Cinemas, a TV production unit under Big Synergy, and a film and media services segment.

    The company plans to use the funds to cut debt and for expansion. Last year, RMWL had announced plans to raise Rs 5 billion via rights issue to reduce its debt. RMWL‘s debt is over Rs 10 billion and has been a matter of concern for the Anil Ambani-controlled company.

    RMWL MD Anil Arjun declined to disclose the name of the private equity fund as the two parties have agreed to exclusivity for the next 90 days.

    The proposed investment is subject to completion of customary detailed due diligence, definitive documentation, and completion of subsidiarisation of the film and media services business, and approvals.

    Early this year, RMWL board had given the nod to hive off its exhibition and film and media services businesses into subsidiaries.

    RMWL has a presence in Film and Media Services; Motion Picture Processing and DI; Film, Audio Restoration and Image Enhancement; 3D; Digital Mastering: Studios and Equipment rentals; Visual Effects; Animation; Broadcast and TVC Post Production with presence across India, USA and the UK.

    RMWL had earlier said that it will deepen its presence in the Tamil and Telugu markets to expand its domestic entertainment services portfolio across films, broadcast and television commercials.

    The company had reported net loss of Rs 5.18 billion on net sales of Rs 7.98 billion for the fiscal 2011-12.

  • Reliance MediaWorks to strengthen presence in South India

    Reliance MediaWorks to strengthen presence in South India

    MUMBAI: Reliance ADA Group company Reliance MediaWorks plans to deepen its presence in the Tamil and Telugu markets as it looks to expand its domestic entertainment services portfolio across films, broadcast and television commercials through strategic alliances, capacity expansion and leveraging of existing relationships.

    To strengthen the services offerings in South India market, Reliance MediaWorks has recently partnered with VenSat to expand its VFX, CG and Animation capabilities and create a studio in Chennai. It has also tied up with Annapurna Studios to manage and operate their studio facility and operate and expand the Digital Post Production facility at the Hyderabad studios.

    Reliance MediaWorks CEO Anil Arjun said, “In 2012, we plan to deepen our presence in the Tamil and Telugu market through our strategic alliances and additionally further strengthen our service offerings and leverage of existing relationships with capacity expansion and new strategic partnerships. With production values constantly going up we see a significant potential and growth opportunity.”

    Reliance MediaWorks had offered varied services such as Motion Picture Processing, Digital Intermediate (DI), Digital Cinema mastering, Promos and trailer services and visual effects for 110 out of 114 Bollywood films that released in 2011. The company also handled DI and VFX for over 65 films besides starting to offer 3D Conversion services to Bollywood Studios, Don 2 being its first domestic project.

    The company, which also operates digital restoration and content processing services facilities in India, has restored over 250 legacy films in 2011 which includes titles like Sholay, Laawaris, Devdas and Do Bhigha Zameen.

  • Three of Reliance MediaWorks’ staff to receive Academy honours

    Three of Reliance MediaWorks’ staff to receive Academy honours

    MUMBAI: Three members of Reliance MediaWorks Ltd have been selected to receive the revered Academy plaques at the Academy’s Scientific and Technical Awards 2012 on 12 February.

    The award, to be collected by Kimball Thurston, Ian Godin and Tim Connolly, is for the development of a unique and efficient system for the reduction of noise and other artifacts, thereby providing high quality images required by the filmmaking process.

    On being selected to receive an award, Reliance MediaWorks‘ Technology Centre lead Scientist Kimball Thurston said: “Being selected for this award is a very rigorous process, which proves that the technology that started well over 10 years ago has become a powerful tool in the movie making space. Our peers and customers in Hollywood respect the technology as a unique offering. I am extremely proud to have helped create this technology and be honored with an award, and also proud of the rest of the team at RMW Burbank who continue to move the bar forward.”

    According to an Academy notification, the achievement demonstrates a proven record of contributing significant value in the space of science and technology for the process of making motion pictures.

    Commenting on this achievement, Reliance MediaWorks CEO Anil Arjun said, “We are extremely proud of the team and their invaluable contribution towards the development of the proprietary image processing technology. Technology and innovation has been the cornerstone of our strategy and it is a great honour for the company to have its technology and members receive this prestigious recognition from the Academy.”

    Reliance MediaWorks Burbank has developed sophisticated proprietary software that delivers unparalleled results for a variety of applications including restoration, re-mastering, SD to HD upconversions, large format films, new production emergency work, 3D correction, 2D to 3D conversion, among many others related to the media and entertainment industry.

    The company’s body of work includes film restoration for classics like Citizen Kane, Singin’ In The Rain, Casablanca, Sunset Boulevard, the Indiana Jones trilogy, the early Star Wars films, twenty James Bond films and numerous classic Disney animated films.

  • Reliance MediaWorks teams up with VenSat Tech Services

    Reliance MediaWorks teams up with VenSat Tech Services

    MUMBAI: In its endeavour to expand its VFX, CG and animation capabilities and create a studio in Chennai that will cater to the growing needs of the Media & Entertainment industry, Reliance MediaWorks has partnered with Chennai-based VenSat Tech Services.

    VenSat, a global media and entertainment company founded by Satyanarayana Mudunuri and Venkatesh Roddam, offers creative services for the international motion picture, television, home entertainment, gaming, and mobile entertainment markets.

    In respect of projects related to Reliance MediaWorks, VenSat will set up a VFX, CG and Animation team in Chennai. This strategic alliance provides Reliance MediaWorks an immediate direct presence in the South India and the ability to quickly and efficiently expand its capabilities in response to growing demands.

    Reliance MediaWorks CEO Anil Arjun said, “This alliance is a strategic win for Reliance MediaWorks for a number of reasons. First, VenSat gives us direct presence in Chennai, and enables us to strengthen our reach in the Southern film market.

    “Second, VenSat‘s creative and technical expertise adds depth to our existing VFX, CG and Animation capabilities, offering unrivalled speed, innovation and scale to Indian filmmakers.”

    Said VenSat Tech Services Pvt Ltd. executive director and co-founder Satyanarayana Mudunuri, “We are delighted to be making this strategic alliance announcement with Reliance MediaWorks which is a name to reckon with in the entertainment space globally and the timing is right.

    This alliance will allow Reliance MediaWorks and VenSat to leverage and complement our combined strengths and competencies to create meaningful synergies that would augment the market place as both companies have very high operating standards.”

    As a part of this strategic alliance, VenSat Founder and Executive Director Venkatesh Roddam would join the Reliance MediaWorks management team as the CEO of the entire Film and Media Services division.

    While VenSat is best known for having worked on the highest grossing films in India in 2010 and 2011 namely Dabangg and Robot, Bodyguard and Ra.One, Reliance MediaWorks has recently completed work on Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, The Dirty Picture among others.

  • Reliance Mediaworks plans restructuring; Q2 net loss widens to Rs 1.2 bn

    Reliance Mediaworks plans restructuring; Q2 net loss widens to Rs 1.2 bn

    MUMBAI: Reliance MediaWorks (RMWL), Reliance Group’s film and entertainment services company is undergoing a business restructuring in order to better position the company to pursue strategic growth opportunities.

    The board has approved the proposal to explore various options for restructuring the business, including creating of subsidiaries for Exhibition and Film and Media services divisions.

    Anil Ambani-led Reliance Group (then Reliance ADAG) had bought the controlling stake in the company way back in 2005 (Adlabs). The facilities included a motion picture processing lab in Mumbai and 24 cinema screens located in Maharashtra.

    RMWL CEO Anil Arjun said, “The company has witnessed a phenomenal growth in the scale of its operations in last 5 years. This strategic structuring initiative will enable us to effectively pursue the best business opportunities available to each operating unit independently, and also enable our Company to remain well-positioned and appropriately structured for sustainable, long-term growth.”

    Meanwhile, RMWL has posted a consolidated net loss of Rs 1.20 billion in the quarter ended 30 September. In the corresponding quarter of the previous fiscal, the net loss was at Rs 447 million.

    RMWL clarified that the jump in net loss is the result of the “investment and stabilisation of business verticals, resulting in increased interest and depreciation charge.”

    Total income of the company fell by 4.78 per cent in the quarter to Rs 2.35 billion (from Rs 2.46 billion). However, expenses surged 16 per cent to Rs 2.92 billion (from Rs 2.52 billion).

    The company suffered a loss of Rs 267.61 million from its theatrical exhibition business segment on a revenue of Rs 1.62 billion. RMWL deployed Rs 8.38 billion towards this segment.

    From the Film production services segment, the company suffered a loss of Rs 205.71 million on a revenue of Rs 466.09 million.

    The only segment which was profitable was the TV / Film production and distribution segment which posted a profit of Rs 100 million on an income of Rs 279.11 million.

  • Reliance Mediaworks offers 3D conversion service to Indian films

    Reliance Mediaworks offers 3D conversion service to Indian films

    MUMBAI: Reliance MediaWorks (RMWL), the film and entertainment services company, said today that it now offers 3D Conversion services to Bollywood studios.

    "Hollywood has shown how 3D format can enhance the immersive audience experience and for Bollywood, 3D will prove to be the next technological phase in entertainment. Within next two years, the 3D cinema screen count is expected to cross 1500 screens in India and the penetration of 3D television will also be significant, establishing exceptional opportunity which Indian film studios can leverage to garner higher returns," Reliance MediaWorks CEO Anil Arjun said.

    RMWL‘s first Bollywood 3D conversion project is Shah Rukh Khan starrer Don 2 for Excel Entertainment and Reliance Entertainment. The movie will release in cinemas worldwide on 23 December in both 2D and 3D formats.

    Commenting on the 3D release of Don 2, Farhan Akhtar said, "The 3D conversion of Don 2 has been done by the Reliance MediaWorks team and we are very happy with outcome. We explored the option of releasing the film in 3D by doing a test demo and the results came out looking fabulous and since it was translating well and technology has come to a point where we don‘t need to shy away from it, we decided to go ahead and give the audiences a 3D experience of Don 2."

    RMWL said that it will offer Indian film studios well-established proprietary technologies, creative expertise and powerful tools for 3D project requirements. The company will be able to provide quality and scale of services available through its operations in India which includes a team of more than 600 trained 3D artists.

    Reliance MediaWorks COO media and creative services Naresh Malik said, "Being one of the leading 3D conversion service providers to Hollywood leaders has helped us understand and develop optimal solutions that can enhance 3D viewing. We look forward to leverage this global experience to deliver unparalleled results for a variety of applications and ultimately help Indian filmmakers in creating the finest possible 3D experience."

    Reliance MediaWorks‘ bouquet of 3D services includes stereoscopic 2D to 3D conversion, services for 3D alignment issues, image and detail enhancements, grain and noise management and on-set consulting, DI grading for 3D, creation and handling of 3D DCPs and 3D camera services.

    Reliance MediaWorks currently has a presence in film services: motion picture processing and DI; visual effects; animation; film restoration and image enhancement; 3D; digital mastering: studios and equipment rentals with presence across India, the US, UK and Japan.

  • Reliance MediaWorks to manage Annapurna Studios’ facility

    Reliance MediaWorks to manage Annapurna Studios’ facility

    MUMBAI: Reliance ADAG’s film and entertainment services company, Reliance MediaWorks, has partnered with Annapurna Studios, the Hyderabad-based film and television studio and production house to manage and operate their studio facility.

    Annapurna Studios, founded by Telugu actor Akkineni Nageswara Rao, is a leading provider of various production facilities, including sound stages, outdoor sets, editing and sound recording theaters to the Telugu entertainment industry. The 80-year-old Telugu film industry, based in Hyderabad, is the second biggest film producer in India.

    Spread across 22 acres, the centrally located studio complex owned by Annapurna Studios in Hyderabad has added five new air-conditioned studios to the existing five studio complex and the facility will be a comprehensive resource for feature films, television, commercials, and music videos amongst others.

    RMWL will also operate and expand Annapurna Studios’ digital post production facilities that cater to the needs of the motion picture and television commercials industry.

    Through this alliance, RMWL and Annapurna aim to combine the expertise of both players in offering cutting edge infrastructure, skill sets and operating strengths to the industry.

    Reliance MediaWorks CEO Anil Arjun said, “Annapurna Studios has created an ecosystem par excellence for the Telugu film industry and it is our honour to partner with them. Reliance MediaWorks has put together an experienced team of film and media services executives with a proven track record of accomplishments as operators and successful marketers and we can bring the experience, financial skills and hands-on approach that can make a difference. We are excited about the synergies and opportunities that will be created as we begin to work together and we look forward to strengthening our presence in Southern India.”

    Reliance MediaWorks boasts of extensive experience in the studios and digital post production space. The company owns and operates RMW Studios which are Hollywood benchmarked studios and comprise eight sound stages spread across a seven acre area within Filmcity, Mumbai. Having worked on more than 150 films, RMWL’s digital intermediate lab is the leading 4K facility in Mumbai with real time grading capabilities.

    Rao said, “This partnership evokes a shared vision for a unified film, media and entertainment industry in India. The shared strengths will enable the studio to leverage expertise and complement each other in providing world- class acilities and services to its customers”.

    Annapurna Studios MD Akkineni Nagarjuna said, “I am enthusiastic about this partnership with Reliance MediaWorks. It is futuristic. The collaborative strategic approach between the two studios will drive new growth opportunities and realise the potential to ultimately transform the media and entertainment sector in India.”

  • Reliance MediaWorks teams up with video management and licensing firm

    Reliance MediaWorks teams up with video management and licensing firm

    MUMBAI: Reliance MediaWorks has tied up with Thought Equity Motion, Inc, a provider of video management and licensing services, to offer integrated, digital content solutions in India.


    Reliance MediaWorks aims to help its clients increase the accessibility and value of their content libraries through Thought Equity Motion‘s cloud-based video platform.


    It will support Indian film studios, broadcasters and sports bodies as they move to digital file based workflows and expand their distribution avenues across new media such as tablets, 3G, and HD Streaming.


    Reliance MediaWorks CEO Anil Arjun said, “Through our partnership with Thought Equity Motion, we bring together the next generation of integrated media services, storage, access, and delivery for content. We‘ll make available to Indian media companies the world‘s deepest stock footage collection and will also be able to generate new utility and monetization for local film libraries.”


    Thought Equity Motion licenses sports, news, entertainment, editorial, and creative content to the world‘s leading producers in advertising, film, television, publishing, and interactive media and works with more than 400 rights holders globally to store, manage, and monetise their libraries.


    Reliance MediaWorks had initially partnered with Thought Equity Motion in April this year to offer media and content services including restoration, image enhancement and up-rezzing from SD to HD to various global film archives and libraries.

  • Reliance MediaWorks launches in-cinema 3D advertising

    Reliance MediaWorks launches in-cinema 3D advertising

    MUMBAI: Film and entertainment services company, Reliance MediaWorks Ltd., launches 3D conversion services for advertisers.

    The first advertisement to be converted into 3D is for Reliance Netconnect’s ‘It’s Fast. Are You?‘ campaign, which includes three films.

    The films were scripted and shot by Grey India keeping the 3D format into consideration and would be screened across BIG Cinemas from 26 August.

    The company’s bouquet of 3D services includes stereoscopic 2D to 3D Conversion, 3D services for any type of 3D alignment issues, image and detail enhancements, grain and noise management and on-set consulting,DI grading for 3D, creation and handling of 3D DCPs and 3D camera services.

    Reliance Communications Group head – brand and marketing Sanjay Behl said, “With our world-class network quality and wireless data penetration in over 1000 towns, we are confident of delivering the fastest Wireless Broadband speed in the country, tested at levels of upto 28 MBPS, powered by the superior MIMO Technology. The ad campaign demonstrates that Reliance Netconnect‘s GSM and CDMA wireless data product range delivers the best broadband speeds in over 1000 towns across the country, thereby resulting in a delightful customer experience.”

    A member of the Reliance group, Reliance MediaWorks currently operates one of the largest Stereoscopic 2D to 3D Conversion services facilities in India at Navi Mumbai and has a team of 400 artists.

    The company has recently completed VFX and 3D Conversion work for the remake of Conan the Barbarian and has also provided 3D solutions for movies such as Avatar, Journey to the Center of the Earth, U2, X Games 3D: The Movie and Step Up.

    According to an official statement, with the increased consumption of 3D films in the country, In-cinema 3D advertising has the potential to capture a significant share of the OOH pie in India.

    Reliance MediaWorks CEO Anil Arjun added, “There are over 230 3D cinema screens in India and they offer an engaged and seated audience with a leisure mindset. By using our hi-end 3D conversion services, advertisers can offer an immersive, fun and innovative experience to this captured audience, which will help strengthen the brand recall. With technology advancements in 3D televisions, in the near future we will also witness 3D advertising reaching home entertainment.”