MUMBAI: After venturing into film content and marketing with films like Lalbaug Parel (Marathi) and Haunted 3D (Hindi) through its divisions DAR Motion Pictures (DMP) and DAR Entertainment Marketing (DEM) respectively, DAR Media (a DAR Capital Group company) has now launched a wholly owned subsidiary focused on film distribution - DAR Film Distributors Private Ltd (DFD).
DAR Investments business head Vivek Rangachari said, "Having successfully established ourselves into the film content and marketing space, entering distribution was the next logical and appropriate step in our evolution as a fully integrated movie company."
The company has also appointed Murli Chhatwani from Cinergy as the business head for the new division. Chhatwani comes with a 13 years experience in the domestic business of Indian films. He began his career with Devgan Entertainment in 1998 and was associated with Eros International from where he moved to Studio18 - A Division of Viacom 18 heading their domestic distribution.
Rangachari added, "Like in the case of our film content and marketing businesses, our focus and driving factor in the distribution business will also be strong content. While our initial focus will remain on acquiring and distributing quality content in Hindi and other regional languages as well as International content in the Indian market, eventually we also do plan to enter the international distribution market at an appropriate time. We are very bullish about this business and are confident that Murli with his vast experience will spearhead the business in the right direction."
Chhatwani added, "As a company DAR has, since its inception a couple of years ago, always fascinated me, not just through their selection of challenging and path breaking projects, but also through their sincerity in pursuing quality yet commercial content. Hence I had absolutely no hesitation in taking up this role when the opportunity came knocking and am confident that I will definitely help DAR‘s distribution arm evolve as a frontrunner in its space."
As part of the initial line-up, DAR Distribution has already released Tell Me Oh Kkhuda in the East Punjab territory and will be distributing their first Marathi acquisition Ya Gol Gol Dabyatla in November.
