The Hindu Business Line : Hinduja Group to foray into film production

InNetwork Entertainment Ltd, a subsidiary of Hinduja TMT Ltd, will look at film production. "The Hinduja Group has been in film distribution since 1958. Our foray into film production is to straddle across the chain of film-making," Mr Ravi Mansukhani, Managing Director, InNetwork Entertainment Ltd, said.

The company, which runs the cable channel CVO and handles cable distribution, will look at a studio model for its film production business. "We are looking at strategic alliances with like-minded players to enter into film production," Mr Mansukhani said. Film financing activities will continue alongside.

InNetwork Entertainment is exploring the possibility of an alliance with an existing player, which has already adopted a studio model of film production. The studio model involves working on a few film projects with varying budgets, casts and crews.

Apart from the need to fill in the gaps in the film-making chain, InNetwork Entertainment has forayed into production to create television software for its cable channel, CVO.

"We have a cable network reaching out to 11 or 12 cities and CVO reaches out to seven million households. We are confident that the Conditional Access System (CAS) will become a reality someday. At that time, we can also use our films for pay per view," he said.

The company will also consider entering into a strategic alliance with a multiplex chain to fill in the exhibition end of the film chain.

At present, the company has a library of 1,200 Hindi films with rights ranging from five to 21 years. "Our blend of old classics, new films, comedies and musicals has helped us to survive in this competitive market where there are so many movie channels," Mr Mansukhani said.

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page

Stories in this Section
Where there is a guest, there is service

Cotton farmers desperate as Govt delays payment — Cautious response to Monsanto's Bollgard launch in Vidarbha

Shalimar Paints plans unit in South

Hinduja Group to foray into film production

Dalal Street may see upturn

Solvency margin: Pvt insurers feel the pinch

Health facilities go on auction mode

Air India resumes service to Toronto