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Warner Bros. Pictures is betting big on the Indian market with a new strategic partnership that will see the studio’s iconic titles get the Bollywood treatment.
The studio has inked an exclusive five-film deal with Bhanushali Studios Limited (BSL) and JOAT Films to develop Indian adaptations of Warner Bros. Pictures titles. The pact aims to reimagine classic WB properties through an Indian cultural lens while preserving the universal themes that made them global hits. Warner Bros. Pictures will handle worldwide distribution.
BSL, helmed by founder and producer Vinod Bhanushali, scored big with “Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai,” which nabbed five trophies at the Filmfare OTT (streaming) Awards, including best web original film. The company recently struck a three-film deal with Hansal Mehta’s True Story Films. Its slate includes “Janhit Mein Jaari,” “Main Atal Hoon,” “Costao,” “Bhaiyya Ji,” and “Kahan Shuru Kahan Khatam,” spanning both theatrical and streaming releases.
“India represents one of the world’s most vibrant and sophisticated film markets, with audiences who deeply appreciate authentic, locally rooted narratives,” said Denzil Dias, VP and managing director, India, Warner Bros. Pictures. “This partnership allows us to combine our storytelling heritage with exceptional local talent to create films that will resonate profoundly with Indian audiences while maintaining the universal appeal that defines great cinema.”
“We’re incredibly excited to partner with Warner Bros. Pictures, a studio that has shaped cinematic history across generations,” Bhanushali added. “This collaboration represents a unique opportunity to reimagine the stories by Warner Bros. Pictures through an Indian creative lens, blending emotion, scale, and culture for audiences both at home and internationally.”
Adding production firepower to the venture is Jack Nguyen of JOAT Films, who brings three decades of industry experience and an existing first-look deal with Warner Bros. Pictures, which will kick off with a Korean remake of “The Intern.”
“I’m excited to partner with BSL to adapt Warner Bros. Pictures on titles that will resonate with Indian audiences,” Nguyen said. “Warner Bros. Pictures has an unparalleled library from which we will carefully curate select titles for the vibrant Indian market.”
Development on the first title is already underway, with creative teams and production timelines to be unveiled imminently.
A Bollywood remake of “The Intern” was announced in 2021, but hasn’t come to fruition yet.
English (US) ·