DISTRIBUTION
“Emergency,” written, directed and produced by Bollywood star Kangana Ranaut, has set a release date. The film focuses on one of the most controversial periods of post-Independence Indian history from 1975 to 1977 when then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi declared a nationwide state of emergency. During that time civil liberties and press freedom were curtailed and elections were canceled.
The film is produced by by Zee Studios and Ranaut’s Manikarnika Films. Ranaut stars as Indira Gandhi and the cast also includes Anupam Kher, Mahima Chaudhary, Milind Soman, Shreyas Talpade, Vishak Nair and the late Satish Kaushik.
“Indi(r) a’s Emergency,” a three-part documentary series from Applause Entertainment and Vikramaditya Motwane’s Andolan Films, deals with the same subject. It is yet to be released.
Ranaut told Variety: “’Emergency’ is the most controversial, sensational, and scathing event in the history of Indian democracy. It is also a deeply engaging and dramatic story of the rise and fall of one of the most popular world leaders and India’s first woman Prime Minister, Mrs. Indira Gandhi.”
“Emergency” will release theatrically worldwide on June 14.
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Elsewhere, In.2 Films will release historical drama “Jeanne du Barry,” which opened the Cannes Film Festival in 2023, in U.K. and Ireland cinemas on April 19. The film, which has had a successful release across France and Italy, stars Johnny Depp, with Maïwenn, who also directs and co-writes. It follows Jeanne Vaubernier (Maïwenn), a woman born into poverty who uses her intellect and charms to climb the social ladder, rising to the opulent court of King Louis XV of France (Depp).
IPO
India’s Baweja Studios, whose credits include “Dilwale,” “Diljale,” “Chaar Sahibzaade” 1 and 2, “Qayamat,” “Bhaukaal” 1 and 2 and “Super V,” is opening an Initial Public Offering of up to 54,00,000 equity shares on Jan. 29. The price band of the offer has been fixed from INR170 – 180 ($2-$2.15) per share. Revenues grew from $2.3 million in 2021 to $8.8 million in 2023, the company said.
Baweja Studios has seven films scheduled for release in the coming months, along with six projects currently in the pre-production phase. The company also holds a repository of scripts, book rights, life rights and remake rights, all at different stages of development.
Harman Baweja, MD of Baweja Studios Limited, said, “The IPO is a testament to our commitment to pushing creative boundaries and setting new production standards. The capital raised will empower us to explore new horizons, nurture talent, and continue delivering exceptional content to a global audience.”
SERIOUS MONEY
The Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts has named TV project “Seriously Funny” as the winner of its annual AACTA Reg Grundy Award, which comes with a A$50,000 ($36,000) prize.
Featuring stand-up comedy and TV veteran Rachel Berger, “Seriously Funny” is a factual entertainment series following a diverse group of people, as they develop their unique personal stories into 5-minute stand-up comedy routines. The show, to be directed by Josh Ben-Moshe, was recognized for using stand-up comedy as a lens through which to explore people from all walks of life, as they reveal their true selves through the hilarious and therapeutic interventions of Berger’s stand-up workshops.
The prize was determined by a panel of established television production experts, including Debbie Cuell, Steve Oemcke, Sharon Wheeler, Marion Farrelly, and Ian Hogg.
