Yash Raj Films, arguably the biggest money-making "studio" of India has joined hands with one of the biggest studio in Hollywood, Walt Disney Studios. Here's what the press release says:
Yash Raj Films (YRF), India’s premier studio, has entered into an agreement with The Walt Disney Studios, world-renowned leaders in family entertainment, to exclusively create a series of original computer-animated feature films, it was announced today by Yash Chopra, Chairman of YRF, and Dick Cook, Chairman of The Walt Disney Studios. The collaboration marks the first time for both companies to enter a co-production to produce films in India.
Commenting on the announcement, Mr. Chopra said, “Yash Raj Films has been at the forefront in live-action feature films for almost four decades. Together with my son Aditya Chopra, we have created our own space with the efforts of a wonderful team – both creative and business – and have had the opportunity of producing films that we believe in – films that entertain a large population, as well as the Indian Diaspora.”
“When YRF decided to venture into the animation space, we felt that an alliance with Disney Studios, the leader in animation, represented the coming together of not just two organizations, but the teaming up of like-minded individuals committed to creating excellent products. Both companies not only have a common quest for excellence but also the same culture and traditions,” added Mr. Chopra.
Mr. Cook said, “We’re thrilled and honoured to be working with Yash Chopra and Aditya Chopra and their talented team at YRF to create exceptional animated films in the Indian language that are culturally relevant for the avid movie-going audiences in India and around the world.”“Yash Chopra and Aditya Chopra have proven themselves to be true visionaries and leaders in the Indian entertainment industry and have excelled in everything they have done. Animation is a new and rapidly expanding area in India, and the collaboration between Disney and YRF will bring the very best in story-telling and cutting edge technology together as we make wonderful films that appeal to the entire family,” added Mr. Cook.
This landmark announcement by Yash Chopra and Dick Cook is a first in the field of animation. YRF and Walt Disney Studios will work exclusively to co-produce a series of animation films in the Indian language. Both companies will be equal partners in the venture and will contribute creative, technical and financial support to the project.
Each film under this alliance will be creatively overseen by Aditya Chopra and worked on with an inventive array of leading local talent. The first film to be co-produced in this alliance will be ‘Roadside Romeo’, set to release in 2008. The film will be produced by Aditya Chopra and, written and directed by Jugal Hansraj, and will utilize state-of-the-art computer animation technology done entirely in India.
About Yash Raj Films (YRF)
YRF is the leading player in the Indian film industry and the country’s premier independent Studio conglomerate. The Company’s core lies in the production and distribution of some of the industry’s highest grossing films. With offices also in New York, London, and Dubai, YRF handles the global distribution of its own films as well as films of other leading Indian producers. The Company also has its own music and home entertainment labels, design cell and post-production facilities, internet, digital, merchandising and marketing divisions, as well as in-house units focused on the creation of television software, ad films, and music videos. YRF also has its own state-of-the-art fully integrated Studio, producing an average of 6 films a year, and thus making it an integral part of the entertainment business in India.
About Buena Vista International, Inc.Buena Vista International, Inc. is the international theatrical distribution arm of The Walt Disney Studios. It is headquartered in Burbank, California with 27 offices worldwide.
About The Walt Disney Company in India
The Walt Disney Company, together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, is a leading diversified international family entertainment and media enterprise with four business segments: consumer products, media networks, parks and resorts and studio entertainment. Disney is a Dow 30 company, had annual revenues of nearly $34 billion in its most recent fiscal year, and a market capitalization of approximately $73.8 billion as of May 11, 2007.
And their first film is:
ROADSIDE ROMEO
Synopsis:
A rich, cool, spoilt brat of a dog is abandoned on the wicked streets of Mumbai. He faces situations he has never faced before. He is confronted by dangerous, loony characters, the likes of which he has never met before. From mansions to streets... From five course meals to five courses of scraps... From soft beds to piles of garbage... From champagne to tap water... Hop on to the adventure as Romeo turns into “Roadside Romeo”...
Credit List
Written and Directed by Jugal Hansraj
Produced by Aditya Chopra
Music by Salim-Sulaiman
Lyrics by Jaideep Sahni
Animation Studio – TATA Elxsi (VCL)
Featuring (Voices Of)
Saif Ali Khan
Kareena Kapoor
Jaaved Jaaferi
Duh! Can't they leave the typical Bollywood stereotypes? They can't "HOLLYWOOD-ISE" themselves even when they are going to a COMMENDABLE, UNIQUE field. But, nonetheless, a good effort! Hope it turn great! For the first time, we'll be enjoying stars' voices on the mouths of canines. Let's hope Jugal Hansraj (the Masoom boy, or distinctly Sameer of Mohabbatein and Jignesh of Salaam Namaste)
IMAGE AND TEXT CREDIT: YASH RAJ FILMS (Click on the images to go to original page)
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