The Hindu Business Line : UTV turns arc lights on South

Hyderabad, Oct. 1 UTV Motion Pictures, an arm of UTV Software Communications, has decided to produce 6-8 films every year in the south Indian languages.

The company has pegged a total budget of Rs 60-75 crore a year to make the films, Mr Ram Mirchandani, Executive Vice-President (Creative and Projects) of UTV Motion Pictures, told Business Line.

He was here in connection with the launch of the audio of Mahesh Babu-starrer Athidhi, which was bought by UTV for a reported Rs 24 crore.

The company would give emphasis on making films in the South, where the production was a disciplined and planned activity.

UTV Motion Pictures was listed on the London Stock Exchange’s international market for smaller growing companies two months ago and raised about $70 million. The company would use part of the proceeds to fund the South projects.

Athidhi is the first Telugu film for the company, which had announced its foray into the film production business in the South one-and-a-half years ago.

For UTV, film production had been a profitable business. It had produced about 18 films so far in Hindi. Seeing good opportunity globally, the company tied up Fox and Will Smith’s company to co-produce films.

Exclusive pacts

UTV, the first major entry by a corporate into film making in the South, is planning exclusive tie-ups with top actors and directors.

“In Telugu, we have a two-film deal with Mr Mahesh Babu, the first being Athidhi,” he said.

The second film with him could be a bilingual one. This could also launch him in Bollywood.