MH One to invest Rs 40 cr in films, albums in Punjab

The company also plans to produce 3-4 Punjabi films a year

In order to revive the Punjabi film industry, MH One TV Network Ltd will invest Rs 30-40 crore in films and albums here in Punjab. It plans to produce three to four Punjabi films in a year and at the same time launch a Punjabi music & entertainment channel in the UK, the US, and Canada, with an initial investment of Rs 15-20 crore by May.

In an exclusive interview to Business Standard, MH One TV Network Ltd Chief Executive Officer Pradeep Gangal said, "We will make loud films on a par with films like 'Ji Aayan Nu'. Around Rs 25 crore will be spent on the production of four films and the cast will be from Bollywood only. The rest of the amount will be spent on musical albums. Since the Punjabi film industry has started reviving, time is ripe for making investment. It's emerging as a separate industry in the state."

The channel aims to explore the Punjabi niche market overseas. "We intend to take MH One to the UK, the US, Canada, Australia, and the Far East. The channels in UK, the US and Canada will be launched by May. The investment will be Rs 15-20 crore," said Savita Jhingan, vice-president, marketing communications, MH One.

"Punjabi films and albums have demand throughout the world. That is what is fascinating the investors once again. Approximately Rs 200 crore of revenue is generated from the Punjabi film & music industry. Over time the industry is becoming modern and advanced techniques are being used for shooting. Earlier the emphasis was on lyrics; now video has emerged strongly. We see music nowadays and do not exactly listen it. Today 85 per cent of shooting is done in Punjab only," said Vivek Tulli, director (sales), MH One TV Network.

"Very soon we would be coming up with a comedy show which will have an all-women team," Gangal said.