How & why Anil Ambani will define India in 2012
In 2011, Reliance turned the corner with three big Hindi hits and Hollywood production house DreamWorks, 50% owned by Reliance, got its act together.
By ET Bureau | Updated:
Anil Ambani
52 years, Promoter, Reliance Entertainment
Sector: Entertainment
Career Milestones:
The Help was made on a shoestring budget of $25 million (by Hollywood standards) but raked in $189 million.
AcquiredAdlabs Films in 2005 for Rs 360 crore.
Purchased 50% in Steven Spielberg’s DreamWorks in 2009.
Why Him:
Because 2012 could be the game-changer for his movie business. In 2011, Reliance turned the corner with three big Hindi hits and Hollywood production house DreamWorks, 50% owned by Reliance, got its act together. New release Don 2 has had a strong opening and may end up a winner. Hollywood flick War Horse, directed by Steven Spielberg, is winning rave reviews. The director is free of DreamWorks’ previous contracts and will attend to the studio’s own productions. At least two deals with Hollywood stars could fructify this year.
All three domestic productions, Double Dhamaal, Bodyguard and Singham, were superhits.
What Next:
In the works are two big-budget productions, Robopocalypse and Lincoln. Reliance’s other big Hollywood initiative, IM Global, in which it bought a majority stake in May 2010, has a current slate that includes the Dredd in 3D, Walking With Dinosaurs in 3D and a 3D wildlife feature, Enchanted Kingdom. DreamWorks is also looking to launch its own fantasy franchise, having acquired the rights to all five books of the Darkfever series.
The Help was made on a shoestring budget of $25 million (by Hollywood standards) but raked in $189 million.
Who Else:
Ekta Kapoor 36 years, Film and TV Producer
Ten years and six flop films later, Kapoor realised TV and cinema are different. The key differentiator is content. Enter: Alt Entertainment, aptly named, as it makes offbeat movies. Her movie portfolio justifies it: Love, Sex Aur Dhokha, Once Upon a Time in Mumbai and The Dirty Picture. In 2012, Kapoor will offer sequels to Kya Kool Hain Hum and Once Upon..., and India’s first zombie film Rock the Shaadi. Signature style: unusual topics, cult directors and multiplex audience targets. The Dirty Picture, made under Rs30 crore, grossed over Rs70 crore. At this rate, Kapoor can be the stealth winner at the box office in 2012.
52 years, Promoter, Reliance Entertainment
Sector: Entertainment
Career Milestones:
The Help was made on a shoestring budget of $25 million (by Hollywood standards) but raked in $189 million.
AcquiredAdlabs Films in 2005 for Rs 360 crore.
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Stormed Hollywood in 2009 with a string of movie deals with A-list stars such as Brad Pitt and George Clooney.Purchased 50% in Steven Spielberg’s DreamWorks in 2009.
Why Him:
Because 2012 could be the game-changer for his movie business. In 2011, Reliance turned the corner with three big Hindi hits and Hollywood production house DreamWorks, 50% owned by Reliance, got its act together. New release Don 2 has had a strong opening and may end up a winner. Hollywood flick War Horse, directed by Steven Spielberg, is winning rave reviews. The director is free of DreamWorks’ previous contracts and will attend to the studio’s own productions. At least two deals with Hollywood stars could fructify this year.
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His 2011:All three domestic productions, Double Dhamaal, Bodyguard and Singham, were superhits.
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Mixed run in Hollywood; flop in Cowboys and Aliens and a sleeper hit in The Help.What Next:
In the works are two big-budget productions, Robopocalypse and Lincoln. Reliance’s other big Hollywood initiative, IM Global, in which it bought a majority stake in May 2010, has a current slate that includes the Dredd in 3D, Walking With Dinosaurs in 3D and a 3D wildlife feature, Enchanted Kingdom. DreamWorks is also looking to launch its own fantasy franchise, having acquired the rights to all five books of the Darkfever series.
The Help was made on a shoestring budget of $25 million (by Hollywood standards) but raked in $189 million.
Who Else:
Ekta Kapoor 36 years, Film and TV Producer
Ten years and six flop films later, Kapoor realised TV and cinema are different. The key differentiator is content. Enter: Alt Entertainment, aptly named, as it makes offbeat movies. Her movie portfolio justifies it: Love, Sex Aur Dhokha, Once Upon a Time in Mumbai and The Dirty Picture. In 2012, Kapoor will offer sequels to Kya Kool Hain Hum and Once Upon..., and India’s first zombie film Rock the Shaadi. Signature style: unusual topics, cult directors and multiplex audience targets. The Dirty Picture, made under Rs30 crore, grossed over Rs70 crore. At this rate, Kapoor can be the stealth winner at the box office in 2012.
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