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Tag: Anil D. Ambani

  • Reliance Entertainment re-launches Bigflix in nine languages

    MUMBAI: Anil D. Ambani led Reliance Entertainment’s pioneering movie platform, Bigflix, is now a global personal blockbuster for Indians in India and audiences across the world. Reliance Entertainment today announced the launch of Bigflix in a nine-language, multilingual avatar for India and global markets. With the re-launch, the country’s first video-on-demand brand is back with a contemporary positioning and a bigger reach in and outside of India.

    The new Bigflix will have 2000 HD movies in nine Indian languages to start with, including Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Punjabi, Malayalam, Gujarati, Marathi, Bhojpuri and Bengali. The indigenously developed technology of Bigflix will deliver a personalised theatre experience to users who can stream and download movies advertisement-free, on any Internet-connected device including personal computers, tablets, smartphones, smart TVs and game consoles.

    Bigflix technology will allow a multi-screen experience to users who will be able to switch devices – smartphone to tablet to television and back – in the middle of a film. The same technology will also allow a clean and smooth film experience.

    Said Reliance Entertainment chief operating officer Shibasish Sarkar, “Indians are moving to digital entertainment in a big way with consumption growing on daily basis. Notably, Bigflix will fill in the void created by the decline of the home video market by digitally delivering movies.”

    With 3.9 million registrations, Bigflix is already amongst the leading SVOD (Subscription Video On Demand) provider. It offers video content in categories such as feature films, short films, devotional, and movie trailers.

    Reliance Entertainment-Digital CEO Amit Khanduja said, “Globally the demand for video content has risen steeply, and the digital platform is witnessing a wider audience everywhere, including India. Bigflix will provide high quality video content from some of the biggest banners including Dharma, Disney, Viacom, Phantom, Telegu One and Rajshri, among others.”

    In its revamped avatar, Bigflix will also serve the latent demand of the Indian expatriates across the world. With its multi lingual library of 2000+ HD films, including latest films, Bigflix aims to put an end to piracy and poor quality film viewing.

    Bigflix is one of the world’s largest SVOD provider with over 3.9 million registered users. Launching with an aggressive pricing of Rs 50 for unlimited viewing per month, Bigflix is set to provide quality entertainment without breaking the bank across genres, languages and platforms.

  • Spielberg-Reliance’s global hit ‘A Dog’s Purpose’ comes to India

    Spielberg-Reliance’s global hit ‘A Dog’s Purpose’ comes to India

    MUMBAI: Anil D. Ambani-led studio Reliance Entertainment, and Steven Spielberg’s partnership venture, Amblin Partners’ film “A Dog’sPurpose”, is set to release in India today. The movie is an American comedy-drama film directed by Lasse Hallström, based on the best selling 2010 novel of the same name by W. Bruce Cameron.

    The film is about a dog that looks to discover his purpose in life over the course of several lifetimes and owners. It turns out that human beings are not the only ones that have existential thoughts such as the meaning of life. Man’s best friend is also looking for purpose, hence the title A Dog’s Purpose. The caveat here is that these beloved canines are able to reincarnate into new bodies, sometimes switching breeds and genders.

    A Dog’s Purpose, which released earlier this year in the US and China, has been a runaway success globally. The film has already crossed US$ 175 million (Rs. 1,100 crore) at the global box office, with China alone already contributing over US$ 75 million (Rs. 500 crore).

    The movie is yet to release in several major international markets, such as UK, France, Spain, Portugal, Australia, Japan, Russia, etc.

    Speaking about the film, Dennis Quaid, the actor, said, “Its such a fantastic story; I just had to do it. For me, it reminded of my first pet, Gertrude — that classic boy-dog experience,” he shared, his voice breaking a bit. “I’m getting welled up again.”

    A Dog’s Purpose, besides being the first Hollywood film to release in India at the start of the summer, is a film for families and all ages, and will be enjoyed by parents and children alike.

  • Reliance MediaWorks sells multiplex business to Carnival Cinemas

    Reliance MediaWorks sells multiplex business to Carnival Cinemas

    MUMBAI: Reliance MediaWorks (RMW) and Carnival Cinemas have announced the signing of definitive agreements for sale of RMW’s multiplexes business to Carnival Cinemas in the largest ever deal in the sector in India.

    The proposed transaction will catapult Carnival to the ranks of the top three multiplex operators in the country, with over 300 screens nationwide, and set the company firmly on its path to achieve leadership in the business.

    Carnival Group chairman Shrikant Bhasi said, “I am thankful to Reliance Group chairman Anil D. Ambani for his support to a first generation entrepreneur like me, and in facilitating this transaction with Carnival Cinemas in preference to other leading cinema chains. We are targeting to achieve 1,000 screens by the year 2017, and look forward to the continued support of Reliance Group in our future growth.”

    Reliance Capital CEO Sam Ghosh added, “We are delighted to begin a long term relationship with the rapidly growing Carnival Group, through the sale of the multiplexes business of Reliance MediaWorks to them. We look forward to supporting the Group in their future growth initiatives in India and overseas.”

    “The proposed transaction is in furtherance of Reliance Capital’s stated objective of focusing purely on its core financial services businesses, significantly reducing exposure to non-core investments in the media and entertainment sector, and reducing overall debt,” added Ghosh.

    The transaction will reduce Reliance Capital’s leverage by approximately Rs 700 crore, through a combination of transfer of debt of RMW and infusion of cash proceeds.

    The deal excludes real estate owned by RMW at IMAX Wadala and other properties, which are intended to be separately monetised for an approximate value of Rs 200 crore.

    Reliance Capital will have the option to acquire a pre IPO minority stake in Carnival Cinemas at an appropriate discount, upon eventual listing of the Company.

    “We are very serious about exhibition business and are moving in an organic way also. Carnival Cinemas will not only make their presence in tier I but would lay emphasis for strong presence across tier II & III cities. We want to make Cinemas synonymous to Carnival” added Bhasi.

    The proposed transaction is subject to necessary statutory and other approvals and is expected to be closed within the current financial year.

     EY are deal advisors to Reliance Group, and KPMG are acting as deal advisors for Carnival Group.