MUMBAI: After a successful 2014 with films like Queen and Mary Kom, Viacom18 Motion Pictures (VMP) is all set to release a slew of films this year.
The studio has lined up as many as seven Hindi movies as well as two big Hollywood franchise films.
The first movie to release from VMP’s stable is Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s action drama titled Main Gabbar, starring Akshay Kumar. The movie is set to release on 1 May.
The second film is the Ajay Devgn starrer Drishayam, which is directed by Nishikant Kamath. The movie is the Hindi remake of the highly acclaimed and box office trailblazer wherein the same lead role has been essayed by likes of Mohanlal (Kannada), Venkatesh (Telugu) and Kamal Hassan (Tamil). The film is slated to go on floors in March and will release in September - October this year.
Additionally, VMP will also release the Kalki Koechlin starrer Margarita with a Straw that has already been creating ripples on the international film circuit with its TIFF and NETPAC Best Asian Film Awards world premiere, BFI London European premiere, BIFF Asian premiere. The movie also won Kalki the Best Actress award at 18th Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival in Estonia.
Furthermore, building upon the success of OMG – Oh My God, VMP is now producing its sequel titled Dharam IN Sankat, which is a satirical drama. The movie stars Paresh Rawal, Naseeruddin Shah and Anu Kapoor.
The studio is also readying a sequel to Pyaar Ka Punchnama as the battle of sexes continues in Pyaar Ka Punchnama 2, a film that rocked the youth with its first edition.
Next in line is the comeback film of veteran director - Ramesh Sippy, who is donning the director’s hat after 15 long years. Catering to the youth as well as the family audiences, the studio’s next offering is Sippy’s Shimla Mirchi. The movie stars Hema Malini along with Rajkumar Rao and Rakul Preet.
VMP will also be releasing the story of the mountain man – Manjhi starring Nawazuddin Siddique in the lead directed by Ketan Mehta.
On the Hollywood front, the studio will be hosting two epic franchises - Terminator - Genisys starring Arnold Schwarzenegger and Mission Impossible 5 starring Tom Cruise.
Viacom18 Motion Pictures COO Ajit Andhare said, "VMP’s choice of films are centered around content that the new India wants to watch. This studio has consistently produced films that are shaping the new age Indian cinema whether it was Kahaani and Gangs of Wasseypur in the past or films like Bhaag Milkha, Madras Café, Queen and Mary Kom recently. These films have found box office success and also emerged as winners in best film category across various awards. As a studio we are constantly looking to define and shape a new mainstream that does not see box office success and acclaim as two different goalposts but one seamless outcome, our films in 2014 demonstrated this and our slate for 2015 further builds on that approach."
