Mumbai: Former Jio Studios chief marketing officer Saurabh Varma has joined hands with a former executive from Cinépolis Gulf and Sony Pictures Utpal Acharya to form a content creation studio – Content Engineers.
According to a statement, the studio will put $50 million as an initial investment to create all forms of intellectual properties including feature films, web series, documentaries and docudramas to cater to both theatrical and OTT space.
Content Engineers is backed by Silicon Valley-based technology consulting and Angel investing enterprise Veear Projects which has networks all across North America and Asia.
“The content will focus on grass-rooted Indian stories with Indian values. The vision is to create films based on new-age, heart-warming Indian stories that will connect with audiences all across the world,” a statement said.
The firm will set up its own ideation cell and think tanks, disruptive media-tech initiatives, technology innovations, VFX studios, a post-production unit, and virtual production and script lab. The team at Content Engineers will consist of writers, storytellers, content creators from all across India including tier 2 and 3 towns with a focus on commercially viable original stories.
Varma has worked with Jio Studios, Inox, Reliance Entertainment and PVR Ltd, handling marketing, distribution, programming and content syndication. Varma has also directed multiple feature films. Acharya has been part of giant corporates like Sony Pictures, UTV, Studio18, Reliance Entertainment and Cinepolis Gulf handling box office, sales, business development, production, distribution, programming, content acquisition and syndication. Both will bring in the experience of over 45 years and more than 1500+ films together.
“Good stories can survive the toughest of times and well-engineered content has the power to put ideas into the world today,” said Saurabh Varma. “The recent growth in demand for content due to the rise of so many OTT platforms has opened a world of opportunities to explore disruptive content. In today’s world, where language is no longer a barrier, we intend to create grass-rooted Indian content that is Indian and yet global in its appeal. Content Engineers intends to invest in people, emotions and stories seamlessly link these elements to create impactful and meaningful content.”
“Apart from creating relevant IP’s and disruptive content, Content Engineers aim to build a wholesome system that will nurture the chosen projects from scripting till it reaches the audiences worldwide,” said Utpal Acharya. “At times, a good narrative fails to get the right audience due to the lack of proper strategy and initiatives. Content Engineers aims to fill that void by forming a fine balance between the creative and the commerce thinking in the media-tech business.”
