Showing posts with label Jyoti Deshpande. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jyoti Deshpande. Show all posts
Jio Studios to line up Rs 5,000 cr over 3 yrs for content push despite BO slowdown
9:48 AM
Rajesh N Naidu (THE ECONOMIC TIMES; May 18, 2026)
Mumbai: Jio Studios plans to invest Rs. 4,000-Rs. 5,000 crore in films and non-film content over the next three years, 30-40% more than in the previous three years, chief executive Jyoti Deshpande said, even as a prolonged box-office slowdown prompts several established and family-owned studios to scale back.
In an interview with ET, after the success of the Dhurandhar franchise films co-produced by the Reliance Industries unit, Deshpande said 98% of the company's content is released on "other" platforms (like Netflix and Amazon Prime).
Under Deshpande, Jio Studios has built a balanced portfolio of films. On the one hand, it has backed four blockbusters grossing more than Rs. 500 crore each: Stree 2, Chhaava and the two Dhurandhar franchise films. On the other, it has also supported films that deserve expression and space, such as Laapataa Ladies, Baramulla and Mrs.
Deshpande said her mantra has been: "Build scale, keep an eye on the bottom line and reach as many Indians as possible." She added: "I am more focused on looking into the eyes of a filmmaker and gauging his or her conviction. This is vital for me in backing a film. Then the other variables follow."
In a thin attention-span economy, Deshpande remains a staunch champion of long-form storytelling, especially theatrical films.
"Audiences have become accustomed to long-form and immersive storytelling thanks to streamers," she said. "Against this backdrop, I was confident that the Dhurandhar franchise films would work. The films broke conventional storytelling forms through their chaptered, episodic and immersive structure. They showed that content, not length, is what works.
Trade analysts said the Dhurandhar franchise films have grossed more than Rs. 3,000 crore worldwide on a budget of less than Rs. 500 crore.
Deshpande is unperturbed by streamers functioning as studios and releasing films theatrically. "I think consolidation is good. It will expand the market," she said.
Dhurandhar: The spy who came in with Rs 33 crore a day
11:31 PM
Rajesh N Naidu (THE ECONOMIC TIMES; December 19, 2025)
Mumbai: The stupendous success of multi-starrer film Dhurandhar has not only spawned a new template but also rewritten the rules of crafting and presenting spy films in Bollywood, writers, producers, distributors and exhibitors told ET.
In just 13 days since its release, the film has collected Rs 437.25 crore (India net), according to box office research firm Sacnilk, translating into an average daily collection of Rs 33.6 crore. Mounted on a budget of Rs 250–350 crore for its two parts, according to trade analysts, Dhurandhar is currently the second highest-grossing film of 2025 after Chhaava, which collected Rs 716.9 crore in India.
A key factor behind Dhurandhar’s success is its clear departure from existing Hindi spy films.
“In Bollywood, spy films have often been cheaper and tackier versions of James Bond movies. The makers of Dhurandhar have consciously avoided that path. In doing so, they have rewritten the grammar of the spy genre in Bollywood,” said writer and investigative journalist Anirudhya Mitra.
“The film is mounted extremely well. Its sound, production design and cinematography make it a far more credible spy film. It almost feels like a Pakistani film with an Indian character—something audiences have not seen before,” he added.
According to the makers, the film’s detailed storytelling has resonated strongly with audiences.
“Today’s audience rejects lazy storytelling. They appreciate rigour in narratives and depth in character development. Dhurandhar recognizes this. It stays away from the usual Hindi spy trope of romance between agents from rival countries ending in a happy-ever-after,” said Jyoti Deshpande, president – Jio Studios (Media & Content Business at Reliance Industries), one of the film’s producers.
The film’s structure has also contributed significantly to its success, distributors said.
“It is a smartly made film. While the facts may not be entirely accurate, what truly works is its structure,” said distributor and trade analyst Shaaminder Malik.
Challenges such as shrinking attention spans and the lack of authenticity in contemporary films are addressed by presenting Dhurandhar's story as a series of interlinked short films and blending truth with fiction by selectively showing characters representing real people and fictionalising real people,” Malik added.
He said Dhurandhar’s director Aditya Dhar has also interwoven gangster-genre tropes with spy elements to create a fresh universe of larger-than-life characters.
“There is also a jingoistic flavour, which, though tempered, appeals to a section of audiences. These elements have found resonance across age groups,” said Malik.
Consequently, the film’s structure has triggered polarised but intense debates on social media, further fuelling audience curiosity and theatre footfalls.
Exhibitors have even introduced midnight and post-midnight shows, indicating sustained audience interest.
Acknowledging this trend, Gautam Dutta, CEO – revenue and operations at PVR INOX, said, “Dhurandhar has thrived on strong word-of-mouth, high social media engagement around its writing, performances and music, and sustained weekday box-office traction.”
Manish Malhotra's maiden production Saali Mohabbat to premiere at IFFI
3:05 PM
Couturier-turned-producer Manish Malhotra’s maiden movie, Saali Mohabbat, is to premiere at the International Film Festival of India in Goa this month
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; November 11, 2024)
As the year is nearing its end, it’s a new start for Manish Malhotra. The fashion designer is taking his maiden production, Saali Mohabbat, to the 55th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa. The Radhika Apte, Divyenndu and Anurag Kashyap-led suspense drama, which marks actor Tisca Chopra’s foray into direction, will premiere at the film festival on November 22. Malhotra was scouting for a powerful story to venture into filmmaking, when Saali Mohabbat came his way.
“The moment I read its script, I was drawn to its intense and thrilling narrative. At Stage5 Production, we work closely with directors to bring their vision onto the screen with artistry and care. Tisca Chopra’s commitment to crafting this story with such complexity made it all the more compelling,” says the designer-turned-producer.
Jyoti Deshpande, President of Media and Content Business at Reliance Industries, shared her happiness on the news, “We are thrilled to collaborate with Manish Malhotra, who is bringing his creative brilliance from the world of fashion to film—a natural progression for a visionary who has always made impactful statements. With Saali Mohabbat, Manish extends his legacy of creativity, now crafting stories that captivate just as his designs have. Saali Mohabbat is a thrilling and layered story that aligns with our mission to present unique stories from India. We’re honored to debut this film at IFFI and reinforce our dedication to meaningful storytelling.”
In Saali Mohabbat, Apte plays a homemaker who is telling a story of infidelity, deceit and murder to a group of people. While her listeners are riveted, one of them gets the message she intended. First-time director Chopra is thrilled that her ‘howdunit’ is premiering at the prestigious film gala.
She says, “Saali Mohabbat is a story close to my heart, and I’m grateful to Manish Malhotra and Jio Studios for trusting in my vision and supporting my journey as a director. I couldn’t be more excited to present it at IFFI, which celebrates diverse and bold voices in cinema.”
Singham Again, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 to vie for Diwali box office collections
8:29 AM
Rajesh Naidu (THE ECONOMIC TIMES; September 27, 2024)
At a time when the Hindi film industry is finding its footing after the success of 'Stree 2', all eyes are on the Diwali clash between franchise films 'Singham Again' and 'Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3', as producers challenge the belief that two major releases on the same day during a lean phase may cannibalise each other’s box office collections.
Many industry watchers believe that releasing these films one after the other, with a sufficient gap, could have helped producers realise the true box office potential of both movies — especially considering that very few films have succeeded at the box office since the beginning of the year.
“It remains to be seen if the box office can support two such large films,” said an established producer who wished to remain unnamed.
Some producers, however, feel that the gamble will pay off because both films have different appeals.
Jyoti Deshpande, president of media and content business at Reliance Industries, which co-produced 'Stree 2', the highest-grossing film of 2024, said: "The genres of both films are totally different. Two or more films clashing during a holiday period is not uncommon. Our 'Stree 2' has just emerged as the winner from a three-way clash with other films."
Reliance Industries’ Jio Studios is also a co-producer of Ajay Devgn-starrer action film 'Singham Again'.
"We have assembled the biggest ensemble of stars for this Diwali event film. 'Singham Again' will bring together all the cop characters from the 'Singham' franchise along with new cop characters," Deshpande said.
‘Singham Again’ was initially slated for an August 15 release but was postponed to avoid clashing with the highly anticipated Telugu film 'Pushpa 2 - The Rule', the sequel to 2021's blockbuster 'Pushpa: The Rise - Part 01'. The release of 'Pushpa 2’, meanwhile, had been postponed to early December.
In recent years, films in the horror-comedy and action genres have been well-received by audiences. This is reflected in the successes of films such as 'Animal', 'Munjya', and 'Stree 2'. This trend could potentially work in favour of both 'Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3' (horror-comedy) starring Vidya Balan and Kartik Aaryan, and 'Singham Again' (action), said exhibitors and trade analysts.
Kamal Gianchandani, president of the Multiplex Association of India, said: "The genres of 'Singham Again' (action) and 'Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3' (horror comedy) provide differentiated offerings to audiences. It is a long Diwali weekend. One must not consider it a clash of two films."
There are no capacity constraints in the exhibition industry, as there are enough single and multiplex screens to accommodate both films, Gianchandani said. Additionally, audiences not only have choices but also a compelling reason to return to theatres to watch another film, he added.
Trade analysts are also optimistic about the box office performance of these two films, largely because there is no big film in the line-up for release for five weeks after Diwali.
"The trade circuit is not worried about the clash of these two films. People will watch both films given their different genres and the high recall value of their franchises,” Veteran trade analyst Komal Nahta said. “On a Diwali weekend, people have the spending power. So, two films on a Diwali day can easily work."
Producer and film business expert Girish Johar added: "There is enough scope for both films to do well at the box office. These films do not have competition from another big-budget, star-studded film for at least five weeks after Diwali."
Content creators launch petition to evict Sajid Khan from Bigg Boss 16
9:09 AM
As #MeToo accused Sajid Khan joins Bigg Boss 16, content creators launch petition to evict him from the reality show; Sona, Meera and Saloni slam his participation as channel remains tight-lipped
Mohar Basu, Letty Mariam Abraham (MID-DAY; October 8, 2022)
In 2018, when the #MeToo wave hit India, it appeared that time was truly up — on sexual harassment and misconduct, and power imbalance. But four years on, we are, unfortunately, a long way from effecting change. The entertainment industry’s moral bankruptcy came sharply into focus last week, as #MeToo accused Sajid Khan was brought on as a contestant on Bigg Boss 16.
Bollywood has habitually rehabilitated many of the accused, be it Anu Malik turning judge for Indian Idol 11 and 12, or director Vikas Bahl whose Goodbye opened in theatres yesterday. Even as the powerbrokers remain silent on the latest move, there is an online petition to evict Khan from the reality show.
On Wednesday, digital content creators Chandana Hiran and Sukriti Chauhan launched a petition on Change.org, demanding Khan’s ouster. Earlier in the week, singer Sona Mohapatra, in a series of tweets, slammed his inclusion on the show, calling Indian TV channels a “depraved and sad lot.”
Hiran tells mid-day, “We have collected over 13,000 signatures. Celebrities like Sona Mohapatra, Meera Chopra, Saloni Chopra and Chinmayi Sripaada have come out publicly and condemned this. But Colors TV is yet to acknowledge our petition. We want them to respond. One understands that they have already shot a few episodes [with Khan], but we want to know their stand on the matter. Are they planning to continue despite protests?”
In 2018, Khan was accused of sexual harassment by several actors and a journalist, among others. He was dropped from Housefull 4, a film that he was then directing, and had stayed away from the limelight until Bigg Boss 16. Hiran is hopeful that the rising voices will make the officials at Colors TV do right by the brave women, instead of chasing TRPs.
“They have been eerily silent. All we want to hear right now is that they condemn sexual harassment, and he should be evicted immediately. They need to take responsibility. We have reached out to the Viacom 18 TV Head [Nina Jaipuria] and Viacom 18 CEO [Jyoti Deshpande].”
After mid-day’s repeated attempts to reach out to Colors TV officials, the channel’s spokesperson declined to comment. A source revealed that Khan had been approached for one of the previous seasons as well. “Sajid was chased down by the show’s casting agents a few times before. It took a lot of to and fro between the legal teams to lock him for this season. He is getting votes, which works for the show’s format.”
Eros sues Abhishek Kapoor for refusing to refund 60 lacs taken as fee to helm a Ranbir Kapoor film
8:01 AM
A leading studio has sent a notice to Abhishek Kapoor for refusing to refund an advance of Rs 60 lakh, taken as part of fee to helm a planned Ranbir Kapoor starrer
Ankur Pathak (MUMBAI MIRROR; April 23, 2015) Abhishek Kapoor recently sued his Rock On!! producers, Excel Entertainment, for excluding him from the credits of the musical's sequel. Now, the director has found himself at the recieving end of a legal notice.
Eros International has sent Abhishek a notice for failing to refund an advance of Rs. 60 lakh, given upon the promise to deliver a film featuring Ranbir Kapoor. A source close to the development told Mirror that the transaction took place in August 2010, but five years later, Abhishek (popularly known as Gattu) is yet to start work on it.
"He was to make a film with Ranbir in the lead, the concept was finalised, but Gattu kept delaying it and eventually moved on to other films with other studios," says the source.
Jyoti Deshpande, Group Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director, Eros International, confirmed the news, saying, "We have patiently waited for over five years for Abhishek to make the film for us. We don't want any bad-blood. We are only asking for a refund of the money that he owes us."
Jyoti added that when Eros urged him to start work on this film, he asked for double the remuneration he had initially agreed upon. "Back then, it was decided that he would be paid Rs. 2.50 crore as his directorial fee. But later on, he demanded 5 crores -which is double the amount. This would send the film's budget spiralling out of control," Jyoti said.
Several letters were sent but following a no show from the filmmaker, the studio was forced to explore legal options, claimed Jyoti.
"A notice has been served. Since he has to refund the advance of Rs. 60 lakh, a strong case will be made against him if he fails to do so. His way of functioning has been highly unprofessional," she added.
What if Abhishek who is currently busy with Fitoor, the Indianised adapation of Charles Dicken's Great Expectations featuring Aditya Roy-Kapur, Katrina Kaif and Rekha, agrees to make the film?
"His remuneration doesn't work commercially any longer, we'd rather have our money back," she retorts.
When contacted, the director's spokesperson said, "In case any proceedings are initiated, it will be very unfortunate as according to our knowledge there is no dispute between Eros and Abhishek and he is not aware of any legal proceedings against him."
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