Ekta Kapoor’s Balaji Motion Pictures has signed a multi-film production deal with Armaan Zorace’s U.S. genre label Dark Hell and prolific Hollywood producer Steven Schneider.
Under the terms of the deal, a slate of high-concept films in the thriller-horror genre will be produced in Hindi and other Indian languages jointly by the three entities. Details of the projects under this association have not yet been revealed, but they are expected to “cater to the audiences of the South-East Asian markets in India and overseas,” the signatories said in a statement.
Schneider’s credits include “Paranormal Activity,” “Blair witch,” and M. Night Shyamalan’s “Split.” Zorace is an American filmmaker whose credits include the acclaimed short film, “God Is Dead.”
Films produced by Balaji include “Dream Girl,” “The Dirty Picture,” “Lipstick Under My Burkha,” “Once Upon a Time in Mumbai,” “Udta Punjab” and “Pagglait.”
Kapoor said, “At Balaji Motion Pictures, our aim is to continue telling genre-bending stories which connect with the viewers. I am elated for this association, and I’m certain to be bringing together the best of cross-cultural content to the Indian diaspora. Such an opportunity helps us expand our reach to markets and audiences not tapped before, and this collaboration is of mutual ideas and intent.”
Zorace said: “Balaji Telefilms is an envious name in the entertainment business who have carved their space by producing relevant and current content. We are most excited to have them as markets in this deal and look forward to bringing content from across Indian languages to the audiences.”
Schneider added: “This deal is a landmark for me and us as a team. India is an exciting market always known to put forth current and revolutionary content across genres. I’m looking forward to working with Ekta and Armaan, and together, we are certain to bring forth stories that are waiting to be told and heard.”
