MUMBAI: Entertaining the world for over two decades, Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited (ZEEL) has achieved another milestone by becoming the first Indian broadcaster to set up a production company in Canada.

A few of the initial productions that are in the pipeline include adaptations of the smash-hit format of ZEE’s homegrown sitcom, ‘Hum Paanch’ which is being produced in its British version as ‘Lala’s Ladiez’ and an Anglo-Spanish sitcom ‘Love Thy Neighbour’ (working title) which is adapted from the ever-popular home grown format ‘Bhabiji Ghar Par Hain.’

ZEE Studios International marks ZEE’s entry into global production for mainstream audiences which will facilitate production requirement for ZEE’s diverse platforms as well as international markets. The production company, located at Vancouver, British Columbia, will be headed by Subhadarshi Tripathy who will be supported by a local team.

Tripathy will jointly report to ZEEL MD and CEO Punit Goenka, and CEO - international broadcast Business Amit Goenka.

Amit Goenka said, “Canada is known as a large production hub for various Hollywood companies, as the country offers the requisite infrastructure, talent pool, scenic locales as well as a favourable Government incentive scheme. After a series of discussions with the Government of British Columbia, Canada, we were invited to set up a production company in Vancouver. Our endeavor through this venture is to produce global content for mainstream audiences across various international markets as well as take care of our domestic requirements."

“ZEE Studios International will be headed by Subhadarshi Tripathy who has been with the organisation for over 18 years and has championed several of our leading brands," Goenka added.

“I’m pleased to welcome Zee Studios International to British Columbia,” the premier John Horgan said. “This new production company will create jobs and opportunity for people, and showcase our province to audiences around the world. B.C. is a global leader in film and television production, and we’re pleased to see that growth continue with the addition of Zee Studios International.”

ZEE Studios International will create global content and formats for international markets in their local languages, many of which will be based on successful Indian ideas and concepts. The production company will initially focus on developing content for television and digital platforms as well as original formats and homegrown remakes, with a plan to venture into film production at a later stage.

The content developed will encompass a wide portfolio of ingenuously developed scripted and unscripted formats across an array of genres, ranging from reality, game and dance shows to shows in the fictional crime drama, sitcom, sci-fi, horror and paranormal space.