Karan Johar, UTV in distribution tie-up

Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions and UTV Motion Pictures have entered an exclusive worldwide distribution deal for Dharma Productions’ next two releases, Wake Up Sid and Rensil D’silva’s untitled film.

Karan Johar

UTV Motion Pictures will handle the distribution of the movie through different networks and platforms, including theatrical, home video, overseas, satellite, and other media.

Speculation is rife that the deal is worth over Rs 80 crores, though the two parties have not revealed any financial details.

UTV CEO Ronnie Screwvala was quoted as saying, “Karan has a brilliant slate of films to his credit. He brings a tremendous entertainment quotient to his films coupled with immense understanding of the pulse of the audience.”

Ronnie Screwvala

“His films are amongst the most awaited across the country and around the world. We are thrilled
to start what we hope is the beginning of a long relationship with Dharma Productions,” he added.

For his part, Karan Johar said, “I’ve known and been in touch with Ronnie for a long time now and I am glad that finally we are getting a chance to work together. His passion and sensibility towards understanding cinema is exceptional and I’m looking forward to working with UTV Motion Pictures.”

Karan Johar further added that he was impressed with UTV’s body of work, and he was sure that UTV would promote both his films, which he claimed were not typical Bollywood films, just the way they promoted A Wednesday and Welcome To Sajjanpur.

The new deal will put an end to the distribution deal between Dharma Productions and Yash Raj films. Putting paid to speculation that there is a breach between Dharma Productions and Yash Raj films, Karan Johar said that Yash Raj as taken a conscious decision to distribute only their own films and he respects that.

Photo: Konkona Sen Sharma and Ranbir Kapoor

Wake Up Sid, one of the movies that UTV Motion Pictures will distribute is directed by Ayaan Mukerji, who assisted Ashutosh Gowariker in Swades and Karan Johar in Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna. The movie starring Ranbir Kapoor, Konkana Sen Sharma, Rahul Khanna, Anupam Kher, and Naseeruddin Shah, is about a young man in love with an older, plain woman.

Wake Up Sid is lined up for an April 2009 release.

Rensil D’silva’s film will be shot entirely in London. Some reports have said that the name of the movie is Jihaad, but the director has categorically denied it. He has said that the movie is a romantic thriller set against the backdrop of terrorism.

The movie stars Saif Ali Khan, Kareena Kapoor and Vivek Oberoi. Rensil is the scriptwriter of Rang De Basanti (2006), and the to-be-released Luck.