Abunduntia, the independent motionpictures studio started by former Viacom18 Motion Pictures COO, is all set for its first release this summer. The company will make its Bollywood debut through its tie up with Crouching Tiger Motion Pictures.
Kangana Ranaut-starrer Revolver Rani will be Abunduntia's first Bollywood venture.The film is directed by Sai Kabir Srivastav and will hit cinemas on 25 April. Co-starring with Ranaut will be Piyush Mishra and Vir Das.
Apart from this, the production house has two more films for the year - Saat Uchhakkey and Runningshaadi.com.
Started by Malhotra in 2013, the studio recently roped in investors in the form of RW Media (RWM) - along with a Singapore-based investment fund Calista Capital who have acquired a strategic significant minority stake in Abundantia.Malhotra continues to be the majority stakeholder in the company.
Malhotra, managing director and CEO, Abundantia Entertainment said, "Abunduntia is created with a focusto produce and support innovative and impactful content. Our aim isto build a robust business on the back of strategic partnerships onthe creative and distribution fronts with like-minded individuals andorganizations. We are delighted to get on-board RW Media and itspartners. This partnership will give the studio access to adequatecapital to fuel the next phase of growth."
Ashok Wadhwa of the Ambit Group, whowas instrumental in facilitating the fund raising from RW Media,added, "Globally, the media & entertainment business iswitnessing a transformation. In India this industry is set to doubleover the next five years. I see a clear inflection point andorganizations that can raise their game are poised to unlock anddeliver significant value. In Abundantia and Vikram there exists apremier organization and credible leadership that has the capabilityto rise to the top."
Malhotra reveals that the budget of filmsthat Abunduntia will partner in or make will range from Rs 10 to 70crore. The combined value of the 11films it intends to release under its partnership with CrouchingTiger Motion Pictures is nearly Rs 250 crore. These films will be released between 2014 and mid-2016, informs Malhotra.
Driving the model of creating'talent-studio partnerships', Abundantia has also announcedmultiple film deals with production houses which will produce filmswith Neeraj Pandey (A Wednesday, Special 26), Shoojit Sircar (VickyDonor, Madras Cafe) and Nikhil Advani(D-Day, Kal Ho Na Ho) as wellas up-coming talent like Soumik Sen (Gulaab Gang) and a clutch offirst-time directors.
