UTV targets 14 films in 2008 - Article

MUMBAI: UTV Motion Pictures is on a roll. As many as 14 movies are being planned for release until October this year.

While the company distributed movies like Welcome and Taare Zameen Par in select terrotries, it also released it home production Dhan Dhanadhan Goal last year. The company also made its foray into the South Indian film industry with the Telugu film Atidhi starring Mahesh Babu and its Tamil release Kennamoochi Yennada.

What's more, the company has at least 14 movies lined up for release in 2008. The first being Jodhaa Akbar, which will hit theatres on 15 February, 2008. It is directed by Ashutosh Gowarikar and stars Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan.

Next in line is Race, which has been produced by Tips. The film is slated for a 21 March release and stars Saif Ali Khan, Akshaye Khanna, Anil Kapoor, Bipasha Basu, Katrina Kaif and Sameera Reddy. On the other hand, Wednesday starring Naseeruddin Shah, Jimmy Shergill and Anupam Kher is going to hit theatres on 28 March, 2008.

The first film under UTV's Spotboy banner - Aamir is being readied for a release in April this year. The movie will be the debut vehicle for television actor Rajeev Khandelwal. Another film to hit screens in April will be Phir Kabhi starring Dimple Kapadia, Rati Agnihotri and Mithun Chakraborty.

On the other hand, Hawai Dada being co-produced by UTV Motion Pictures and Karol Bagh Film and Entertainment, is expected to release in May this year. The movie stars Anupam Kher and Tanuja. Karol Bagh Film and Entertainment is Satish Kaushik and Anupam Kher's new film production company.

June 2008 will see the release of M Night Shyamalan's The Happening. The movie stars Mark Wahlberg and is being co-produced by UTV Motion Pictures and 20th Century Fox.

Another Tips production Kismat Konnection, which has been acquired by UTV will also be released in June 2008. The film stars Shahid Kapur and Vidya Balan.

July will see Bombay Meri Jaan hitting theaters. The movie stars R Madhavan, Irrfan Khan, Paresh Rawal, Kay Kay Menon and Soha Ali Khan. Shyam Benegal's first comedy movie Mahadev, which recently went on floors, will be released in July. The film stars Shreyas Talpade, Amrita Rao and Ravi Kissen.

Dhoondte Reh Jaaoge starring Kunal Khemu, Zayed Khan, Soha Ali Khan, Celina Jaitley, Paresh Rawal and Rajpal Yadav will be released in August 2008, whereas Anurag Kashyap's Dev D starring Abhay Deol is being planned for a September release.

Madhur Bhandarkar's next titled Fashion is expected to release in October 2008. The movie stars Priyanka Chopra, Kangana Ranawat and Arbaaz Khan. On the other hand, Shoebite directed by Shoojit Sarkar and starring Amitabh Bachchan is expected to release in October 2008.

UTV Motion Pictures chairman Ronnie Screwvala said, "It has been a good quarter for us and we are looking forward to big things in our next quarter with our biggest product to date, Jodhaa Akbar being released on 15 February, 2008."

The company has also signed actors and directors like Salman Khan, Kareena Kapoor, Priyanka Chopra, Shahid Kapoor, John Abraham, Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra and Anurag Basu for films. Live action and animation projects with Will Smith's Overbrook Entertainment are also in the pipeline. UTV also recently launched its music label under the name UTV Music with Jodhaa Akbar.