EXCLUSIVE: Lionsgate India is teaming with Vikram Malhotra’s Abundantia Entertainment and Kavita Sharma Gandhi’s EFAR Films for a pair of streaming movies.
The company’s streamer, Lionsgate Play Asia, is working with Airlift producer Abundantia and content developer and distributor EFAR Films on the films, which are billed as “a genre-bending adventure” and a “rom-com like no other.”
Details on the pics are scant, but the first will blend comedy with action in a story “that promises thrills and drama loaded with fun.” The romantic comedy will include “loveable and memorable characters.” Scripting is underway on both, with “exciting, top-of-the-line create talent” leading them.
For Lionsgate Play Asia, which operates in Southeast Asia, the pact is the latest in a string of agreements that will raise its profile in a a busy regional streaming market, where the likes of Netflix, Prime Video, SonyLIV and Disney+ have strong subscriber bases and local competitors such as Viu and ZEE5 Global are also key players.
Lionsgate Play first launched in 2020, in India, with a model to make Hollywood content available locally in multiple Indian languages. It has added original Hindi-language movies and films such as Letters to Mr Khanna and Nausikhiye to the likes of the Twilight, John Wick and Hunger Games franchises over the past couple of years.
“We are delighted to collaborate with Abundantia Entertainment and EFAR Films on two exciting upcoming projects,” said Rohit Jain, President of Lionsgate Play Asia. “The projects underscore our commitment to delivering innovative and culturally resonant films to audience world over, and we are thrilled to bring this to life for our audiences in India. This is a testament to the power of gripping storytelling and the creative vision of our partners.”
Malhotra, Founder & CEO of Abundantia Entertainment, added: “At Abundantia Entertainment, we are committed to producing high-quality and engaging content that is uniquely Indian and resonates with audiences globally. The two upcoming films perfectly align with this vision. We are delighted to collaborate with major global studio Lionsgate and with EFAR Films to bring these stories to life in India.”
Former Viacom18 Motion Pictures COO Malhotra created Abundantia eleven years ago and is now established as a major producer of theatrical and streaming content. Its titles include Baby, Airlift, Toilet – Ek Prem Katha, Shakuntala Devi and Chhorii and recently released drama-comedy film Sukhee, along with original series such as Breathe, Breathe: Into the Shadows and Hush Hush.
Sharma Gandhi, who launched EFAR (Everything For A Reason), is another former Viacom18 exec. There she worked at the film and TV giant as Director of International Syndication, shopping film and TV content from the likes of Colors, MTV to international buyers. She also held a senior role at HBO’s Asian unit and was part of the team that launched Zoom TV. EFAR bills itself as capable of “leading film and OTT projects from inception to completion, concept development, scripting, casting and marketing.”
“We are delighted to be part of this exciting development alongside Lionsgate and Abundantia Entertainment,” said Sharma Gandhi. “Our aim is to tell stories that are rooted in Indian ethos and culture with a universal appeal. We look forward to working together to create a memorable cinematic experience through these creative projects and this unique partnership.”
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