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Netflix has acquired rights to Bombay Rose, Gitanjali Rao’s animated film that last year became the first Indian animated pic to open Venice Critics Week. The streaming service will release the film globally (excluding China) in the fourth quarter of this year, with a bow in France to follow in 2021.

Written and directed by Rao, the plot of the visually stunning, hand-painted pic centers on a young club dancer named Kamala (voiced by Cyli Khare) living in the streets of Bombay who, escaping from child marriage, must choose between fending for her family and finding love with a boy named Salim ( Amit Deondi) orphaned by the militancy. A red rose brings together three tales of impossible loves: Love between a Hindu girl and a Muslim boy, love between two women, and love of an entire city for its Bollywood stars. The voice cast also includes Gargi Shitole and Makrand Deshpande.

Romantic drama to debut on streaming service across most of world this autumn.

Netflix has acquired Indian animated feature Bombay Rose and plans to release the romantic drama in most territories worldwide, excluding China, in the third quarter of this year.

A French release will come next year. It has not yet been decided whether the film will also get theatrical exposure.

Bombay Rose was the first Indian animated film to open the Venice Critics’ Week when it opened at the festival last August. The feature also screened at the Toronto, Busan and London festivals and won the Silver Hugo...

Variety has been given exclusive access to the trailer for animated film “Bombay Rose,” which will have its world premiere opening Venice Critics’ Week on Aug. 28.

The film, written and directed by Gitanjali Rao, will also play in the Contemporary World Cinema strand at the Toronto Film Festival on Sept. 7.

“Bombay Rose” is set amidst the struggle of survival in a big city, where a red rose brings together three tales of impossible loves. Love between an unavailable girl and boy. Love between two women. Love of an entire city for its Bollywood stars.

Rao’s animated short “Printed Rainbow” premiered in Cannes Critics’ Week in 2006 and went on to win 25 awards. “Bombay Rose,” her feature debut, was painted frame by frame and took more than six years to finish.

Rohit Khattar and Anand Mahindra are producing for Cinestaan Film Company. World sales are being handled by C International Sales.

Exclusive: Amazon has exclusive streaming rights to films like The Land Of The Gods and A Death In The Gunj.

Amazon has announced a long-term alliance with Cinestaan Film Company through its sales arm C International Sales for the exclusive distribution of independent Indian films.

The first batch of the titles includes The Land Of The Gods (Dev Bhoomi), A Death In The Gunj and The Hungry. The films will be streamed exclusively on Amazon Prime Video India after their theatrical release.

Rohit Khattar, chairman of India and UK-based boutique studio Cinestaan Group said, “In our quest to champion independent Indian films, we have been trying to figure out various ways to effectively distribute films which face the usual conundrum of high P&A and other costs. Amazon Prime Video has presented a much needed option.”

Nitesh Kripalani, director and country head of Amazon Prime Video India said, “Our alliance with Cinestaan is to build our selection...

Exclusive: Naseeruddin Shah and Tisca Chopra head the cast of UK-India co-production, which is a contemporary adaptation of Shakespeare’s Titus Andronicus.

Production has started on Cinestaan Film Company and Film London’s Shakespeare adaptation The Hungry, with a cast including Naseeruddin Shah and Tisca Chopra.

Written and directed by Bornila Chatterjee, the UK-India co-production is a contemporary retelling of Shakespeare’s Titus Andronicus, with the play’s themes of corruption, greed and revenge updated for a global audience.

Shah is known to international audiences for his roles in Monsoon Wedding and The League Of Extraordinary Gentlemen, while Chopra previously starred in Toronto title Qissa: The Tale Of A Lonely Ghost.

The cast also includes Arjun Gupta (Nurse Jackie), Neeraj Kabi (Viceroy’s House), Sayani Gupta (Margarita With A Straw) and Antonio Aakeel (City Of Tiny Lights).

Co-written and produced by Tanaji Dasgupta and Kurban Kassam, the revenge thriller was developed using Film London’s Microwave scheme...

India’s newest studio, Cinestaan Film Company today announced a joint venture with Anil Thadani. The new company,Cinestaan AA Distributors, will be distributing Indian films overseas. Anil Thadani’s AA Pictures is India’s leading independent distributor. Thadani will be the Managing Director and CEO of the new company, while Rohit Khattar is the Chairman.

The first film that the joint venture has released is Cinestaan Film Company’s Mirzya, directed by Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, starring screen legend Anil Kapoor’s son Harshvardhan Kapoor and Saiyami Kher. Other films are set to follow from Cinestaan Film Company as well as those from other production houses.

Rohit Khattar, Founder and Chairman, Cinestaan Film Company, says “We are delighted to join hands with Anil, who is undoubtedly India’s most prolific and credible distributor. Together we wish to create the most reliable and transparent overseas distribution network to further the reach of Indian Cinema.

Celebrated Indian filmmaker Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra’s latest cinematic masterpiece, Mirzya, received its Gala Premiere at the 60th BFI London Film Festival in partnership with American Express® on Thursday 6th October.

International actor Anil Kapoor, the father of the lead star Harshvardhan Kapoor, and his sister, Bollywood actress and India’s style icon Sonam Kapoor, walked the Red Carpet along with leading lady Saiyami Kher, co-star Art Malik, director Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, producer Rohit Khattar, amongst others.

Mehra’s accomplished body of work includes critically hailed sports biopic, Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, and celebrated Indian drama, Rang De Basanti – BAFTA-nominated for Best Foreign Language Film and India’s official selection for entry to the Academy Awards. Says Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, “It cannot get more exciting than this. ‘Mirzya’ now has the perfect partner in BFI – needless to say it’s an honor to have a Premiere at the London Film Festival.

Celebrated Indian filmmaker Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra’s latest cinematic masterpiece, Mirzya, will be receiving its European Premiere at the 60th BFI London Film Festival in partnership with American Express® on Thursday 6th October at 5.30pm. The visionary director will be joined by leading stars of the film, Harshvardhan Kapoor and Saiyami Kher, at the gala screening, ahead of the film’s worldwide release on 7th October.

Mehra’s accomplished body of work includes critically hailed sports biopic, Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, and celebrated Indian drama, Rang De Basanti – BAFTA-nominated for Best Foreign Language Film and India’s official selection for entry to the Academy Awards. Says Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, “It cannot get more exciting than this. ‘Mirzya’ now has the perfect partner in BFI – needless to say it’s an honor to have a European premiere at the Lff in October.”

Mirzya is presented and produced by Cinestaan Film Company and Romp Pictures.

Exclusive: India’s Cinestaan Film Company has hired Film London execs Deborah Sathe and Tessa Inkelaar and Madrid-based sales agent Marina Fuentes to head up its ambitious new international division.

Sathe has been appointed Cinestaan director of international operations, with Inkelaar as vice president – international development, and Fuentes as director of international sales & acquisitions.

Cinestaan, a boutique studio spanning film, TV and digital operations, was launched by Mumbai Mantra chief Rohit Khattar in 2014 with backing from Indian tycoon Anand Mahindra.

Currently head of talent development and production for Film London, Sathe will move to the new division, Cinestaan International, at the end of May, while Inkelaar has already left her post as Film London development producer. Fuentes previously headed Spanish sales agent 6 Sales, which she recently merged with Simon Crowe’s Sc Films, closing the Madrid office.

Remaining in London and Madrid, the trio will be working with Indian and international talent on a slate of features...

Exclusive: India’s Cinestaan Film Company has hired Film London execs Deborah Sathe and Tessa Inkelaar and Madrid-based sales agent Marina Fuentes to head up its ambitious new international division.

Sathe has been appointed Cinestaan director of international operations, with Inkelaar as vice president – international development, and Fuentes as director of international sales & acquisitions.

Cinestaan, a boutique studio spanning film, TV and digital operations, was launched by Mumbai Mantra chief Rohit Khattar in 2014 with backing from Indian tycoon Anand Mahindra.

Currently head of head of talent development and production for Film London, Sathe will move to the new division, Cinestaan International, at the end of May, while Inkelaar has already left her post as Film London development producer. Fuentes previously headed Spanish sales agent 6 Sales, which she recently merged with Simon Crowe’s Sc Films, closing the Madrid office.

Remaining in London and Madrid, the trio will be working with Indian and international talent on a slate...

Film London has announced that India’s Cinestaan Film Company will invest in the ambitious Film London Microwave International: Shakespeare India training through production fund.

The international iteration of Film London’s award-winning initiative will unite Asian filmmaking talent from the UK and India. Five successful teams will be selected for Microwave’s acclaimed Microschool. This will give the writers, producers and directors from both countries the chance to hone their skills through an intensive programme of training, professional mentoring and advice on issues ranging from financing through to distribution.

Cinestaan will join Film London and the British Council in investing in the unique and groundbreaking scheme. In addition to the new business partnership, mentors Vishal Bhardwaj (Maqbool, Omkara and Haider – three successful Shakespeare adaptations), Ritesh Batra (The Lunchbox), Vikas Bahl (Queen, Phantom Films) have been announced as three of the expert industry mentors who work with the successful applicants during the project.

Indian films Court, Chauranga and Killa were the big winners at the close of the Mumbai Film Festival (Mff), which wrapped on Tuesday night.

Chaitanya Tamhane’s Court won best film and best director in Mff’s International Competition for first and second-time filmmakers, along with a Special Jury Mention for the ensemble cast. The film, produced by Vivek Gomber, also recently won best film in the Orizzonti section at the Venice film festival.

The jury for this section, headed by UK director Peter Webber, gave the Jury Grand Prize to Mexican film Gueros, directed by Alonso Ruizpalacios (see full list of winners below).

Chauranga, directed by Bikas Ranjan Mishra, won best film in the India Gold competition. Produced by Onir and Sanjay Suri, the film tells the story of a young ‘dalit’ boy who dares to write a love letter to a girl from a higher caste.

Avinash Arun’s Killa, about a young...

Since the launch of a social media campaign to save the Mumbai Film Festival on August 28, the festival has raised Inr 1.5 crores of its 5-crore budget. [Read: Uncertainty over Mumbai Film Festival, supporters take to social media]

Cinestaan Film Company, promoted by Anand Mahindra and Rohit Khattar, has committed Rs. 60 Lakhs for the festival. The rest of the funding has been committed by well-known producer-directors Vidhu Vinod Chopra and Rajkumar Hirani; producers Manish Mundra, Vivek Kajaria and Nilesh Navlakha; director Hansal Mehta and film critic Anupama Chopra among others.

Speaking on these developments, festival director Srinivasan Narayanan said, “We are delighted and grateful to Cinestaan Film Company, Anand Mahindra, Rohit Khattar and Manish Mundra for their generous contribution. Also we are extremely thankful to Vidhu Vinod Chopra, Anupama Chopra, Vivek Kajaria and others for ensuring that the festival rises like a Phoenix. Today for the first time ever it truly feels that the Mumbai Film Festival belongs to the patrons and lovers of the festival.

Updated: The social media campaign to save the Mumbai Film Festival, threatened with closure due to a lack of funding, has raised $250,000 in just two days.

Companies and individuals pledging donations include Cinestaan Film Company, founded by Anand Mahindra and Rohit Khattar; high-profile producer-directors Vidhu Vinod Chopra (Broken Horses) and Rajkumar Hirani (3 Idiots); producers Manish Mundra, Vivek Kajaria and Nilesh Navlakha; director Hansal Mehta and author and critic Anupama Chopra.

Organised by the Mumbai Academy of Moving Image (Mami), the festival has been under threat after a five-year deal with Reliance Entertainment ended last year and has not been renewed. A sponsorship deal with American Express has also expired.

Local filmmakers, stars, industry figures and fans of the festival have taken to Facebook and Twitter to raise the $824,000 (Rs50m) that is needed for the event to go ahead this year.

The campaign’s banner reads: “5,000 supporters, Rs10,000 each is all it will take. Lets make it...

Screenwriter Anjum Rajabali, who is known for his work in Satyagraha, Aarakshan and Raajneeti among others, has joined hands with Mumbai Mantra for their new initiative - Mumbai Mantra Cine Rise Screenwriting Programme '100 Storytellers A Year', which was announced of late. With Anjum Rajabali as its Convenor, the Mumbai Mantra Cine Rise Screenwriting Programme is a detailed step-by-step process of nurturing, which will have 8 defined stages of creative intervention. The Programme invites applications from enthusiastic and determined Indian screenwriters from any part of the world. The programme is also open to non-resident Indians and even those with mixed Indian parentage. For which the submission date is August 20. Said Anjum Rajabali, "Indian screenwriting is in an exciting phase right now, and poised to take a leap to another level. Young aspirants are coming up with very promising work. By giving a much-needed boost to their efforts, this programme will help...

Cinestaan's first subsidiary, the Cinestaan Film Company, will foray into film production in association with Anand Mahindra, with a three film agreement with Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra's production company Romp.

Speaking about this new venture Rohit Khattar, Founder and Chairman of Cinestaan said, "I am delighted to announce the launch of Cinestaan Entertainment in partnership with Anand Mahindra. We share a common vision and similar tastes in story-telling which shall, we hope, manifest in some good films. Cinestaan is committed to preserving the rich legacy of our cinema heritage for which we are working on several initiatives including an oral histories television project that shall celebrate the memories and contributions of our screen legends."

About Cinestaan's association with popular filmmaker Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, Rohit added, "To begin our film slate with a prodigal talent like Rakeysh Mehra is an incredible high and we are excited about developing these films with him.

Sundance Institute | Mumbai Mantra screenwriting fellows & mentors on an early morning hike by the shores of Lake Pavna

Photo credit: Dani Sanchez-Lopez | Bernat Camps for Mumbai Mantra

I had thought that writing a few paragraphs about my experiences at the Sundance Institute | Mumbai Mantra Screenwriting Lab would be pretty much a piece of cake, but as is so often the case, the task of distilling a flood of thoughts into a more or less concise and coherent narrative feels like an exercise in reduction.

I might begin by mentioning how I submitted my script mainly for the deadline, or more pertinently for the external discipline I hoped the deadline would impose upon me to finish a new draft. That’s certainly not to suggest I didn’t care one way or the other whether I got selected… the lab frankly sounded a bit like paradise, and a couple of friends...

Sundance Institute and Mahindra today announced the winners of the 2014 Sundance Institute | Mahindra Global Filmmaking Award, in recognition and support of emerging independent filmmakers from around the world. The winning directors and projects are Hong Khaou, Monsoon from Vietnam/UK; Tobias Lindholm, A War from Denmark; Ashlee Page, Archive from Australia; and Neeraj Ghaywan, Fly Away Solo from India.

The awards were presented at a private ceremony at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah, U.S.A., by Rohit Khattar, Chairman, Mumbai Mantra, Michelle Satter, Founding Director, Feature Film Program, Sundance Institute, and Paul Federbush, International Director, Feature Film Program, Sundance Institute.

Now in its fourth year, the Sundance Institute | Mahindra Global Filmmaking Award is part of a multifaceted collaboration that exemplifies a commitment to and support of world cinema by the Mahindra Group, one of the largest industrial conglomerates in India known throughout the world for its...

Sundance Institute and India’s Mahindra Group announced the four winners of the 2013 Sundance Institute | Mahindra Global Filmmaking Awards, in recognition and support of emerging independent filmmakers from around the world. The winning directors and projects are: Sarthak Dasgupta, The Music Teacher from India; Jonas Carpignano, A Chjana from Italy-us; Aly Muritiba, The Man Who Killed My Beloved Dead from Brazil;and Vendela Vida & Eva Weber, Let The Northern Lights Erase Your Name from UK-Germany-us.

The awards were presented at a private ceremony at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah, U.S.A., by Rohit Khattar, Chairman, Mumbai Mantra, Michelle Satter, Founding Director, Feature Film Program, Sundance Institute, and Paul Federbush, International Director, Feature Film Program, Sundance Institute.

Each of the four winning filmmakers will receive a cash award of $10,000, attendance at the Sundance Film Festival for targeted industry and creative meetings, year-round mentoring from Institute staff and creative advisors,...

Mumbai Mantra, the media and entertainment division of the Mahindra Group, is  collaborating with Sundance Institute for the inaugural Mumbai Mantra Sundance Institute Screenwriters Lab 2012. Eight feature film projects have been selected through a rigorous evaluation process of submissions from Indian screenwriters from around the world . These Screenwriting Fellows will have the opportunity to work intensely on their feature film scripts with the support of Creative Advisors (established Screenwriters and Directors) in an environment that encourages innovation and creative risk-taking. Through one-on-one story sessions with the Creative Advisors, the Screenwriting Fellows will engage in an artistically demanding process that offers indispensable lessons in craft, a fresh perspective on their work and a platform to fully realize their material.This year.s Screenwriting Fellows who will go through an immersive five day workshop (March 11-16) at a Club Mahindra Resort are: .    Charudutt Acharya (Sonali Cable Centre).    Shonali Bose & Nilesh Maniyar (Margarita,...

The Sundance Institute and Mumbai Mantra, the media and entertainment division of the Majindra Group, have selected eight feature film projects by Indian screenwriters for the inaugual Mumbai Mantra | Sundance Institute Screenwriters Lab. The Screenwriting Fellows will work on their scripts with the support of established screenwriters and directors during a five day workshop at a Club Mahindra resort. The Creative Advisors will include Shekhar Kapur ("Elizabeth"), Michael Goldenberg ("Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix"), Marcos Bernstein ("Central Station") and Guillermo Arriaga ("Amores Perros"). "We are at an exciting storytelling stage in the history of Independent Cinema in India," said Rohit Khattar, chairman of Mumbai Mantra. "With the help of our exceptional partners, Sundance Institute, we are keen to recognize, nurture and hone talent in India and across the world.  We welcome to the lab the...