Tag: Bhanushali Studios

  • Warner Bros. signs five-film desi deal to remake its classics for Indian cinema screens

    Warner Bros. signs five-film desi deal to remake its classics for Indian cinema screens

    MUMBAI: Hollywood’s muscle just got a Mumbai makeover. In a landmark alliance that promises paisa vasool and popcorn, Warner Bros. Pictures has joined hands with Bhanushali Studios Limited (BSL) and Joat Films to remake five of its legendary films for the Indian market. This isn’t just a Hindi-meets-Hollywood tale—it’s a calculated move to blend global blockbusters with India’s narrative spice and masala magic.

    The deal will see the studios collaborate to develop Indian adaptations of iconic Warner Bros. Pictures titles. The reimagined films will retain their emotional heart but undergo a full Indian cultural reset. Warner Bros. Pictures will handle global distribution, indicating a wide international rollout.

    “India represents one of the world’s most vibrant and sophisticated film markets, with audiences who deeply appreciate authentic, locally rooted narratives. This partnership allows us to combine our storytelling heritage with exceptional local talent to create films that will resonate profoundly with Indian audiences while maintaining the universal appeal that defines great cinema”, said Warner Bros. Pictures VP & MD India Denzil Dias.

    BSL founder Vinod Bhanushali echoed the excitement, stating, “We’re incredibly excited to partner with Warner Bros. Pictures, a studio that has shaped cinematic history across generations. This collaboration represents a unique opportunity to reimagine the stories by Warner Bros. Pictures through an Indian creative lens, blending emotion, scale, and culture for audiences both at home and internationally”.

    Jack Nguyen of Joat Films will co-produce the films under his first-look deal with Warner Bros. Pictures. Nguyen, a seasoned industry executive with over 30 years of experience in Asian productions, set up Joat to independently back cinematic projects with regional depth.

    “I’m excited to partner with BSL to adapt Warner Bros. Pictures on titles that will resonate with Indian audiences”, Nguyen said. “Warner Bros. Pictures has an unparalleled library from which we will carefully curate select titles for the vibrant Indian market”.

    BSL’s recent critical success Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai bagged five Filmfare OTT Awards in 2023, including Best Web Original Film—cementing the studio’s rising stock in India’s storytelling ecosystem.

    Development for the first project under the alliance is currently underway, with casting calls and crew reveals expected in the coming months.

    The strategic move underscores Warner Bros. Pictures’ intent to deepen its global roots by embracing local storytelling formats in high-potential markets. As international studios increasingly eye India for both eyeballs and box office returns, this five-film pact could signal a new genre of big-budget ‘Indiwood’ collaborations.

  • Bhanushali Studios and Aaz Films roll camera on new alliance

    Bhanushali Studios and Aaz Films roll camera on new alliance

    MUMBAI: It’s lights, camera, collaboration! Bhanushali Studios Ltd. and Aaz Films have inked a strategic partnership to co-produce a fresh slate of mainstream films designed to woo cinephiles from the heartland to the high-rises. The new banner promises everything from soulful romances to edge-of-your-seat dramas — all with box-office buzz in mind.

    At the helm are Bhanushali Studios Ltd  chairman & MD Vinod Bhanushali, and of Aaz Films’ Himanshu Mehra, with filmmaker Ali Abbas Zafar jumping aboard as creative producer.

    The first project under the pact is set to roll in June 2025, with more titles and starry cast details to be revealed soon.

    “Ali, Himanshu and I have always admired each other’s work. When the opportunity to collaborate came up, it felt like the perfect time. These films will tell compelling stories and create a strong connect between heartland and urban audiences,” said Bhanushali. 

    Mehra echoed the excitement: ““We are excited about this strategic collaboration focused on heartland cinema. This partnership opens doors for young, fresh storytellers to bring their vision to the big screen.”

    Ali Abbas Zafar, known for his masala-meets-mettle filmmaking style, added, “Bhanushali Studios Ltd. and Aaz Films share the same passion for telling impactful, mainstream stories. This collaboration aims to deliver content that resonates deeply with today’s audience.”

    With the creative dream team in place and the first shoot just around the corner, this partnership is set to script a blockbuster chapter in Indian mainstream cinema.