UTV makes its international debut

Mumbai: Mira Nair’s The Namesake, a coming-of-age drama about a US-born child of Indian immigrant parents, is clearly the first Indo-US production that will receive a wide theatrical release in America across as many as 1,100 screens.

The film, co-produced, by Fox Searchlight Pictures and UTV, is what one would describe as a real crossover film because it has been funded with money both from India and America.

In India, the film will be released as a niche Indian picture, while in the US it will be released as an independent American movie.

Like The Namesake, Fox Searchlight and UTV came together to produce the Chris Rock-directed comedy I Think I Love My Wife, which will also be released in the US later this month.

"This is the first time that India will have a truly international production. The Namesake will open with 1,150 prints and later the Chris Rock film, which will be more mainstream, will open with 2,000 prints all over the US,” says CEO, UTV, Ronnie Screwvala.

For UTV, one of India's leading film production companies, The Namesake kicks off a conscious and concentrated attempt to make their presence felt in the West.

UTV is contracted to collaborate with Walt Disney pictures on future projects, and they are getting ready to re-release Rang De Basanti in America as an independent, foreign film after trimming its length.

"Markets take years to build. This was the result of building relations for over two years. Its like building confidence,” says Screwvala.

If UTV does succeed in making a significant mark in the US, and if they are able to establish their presence in Hollywood, then perhaps it won't be so difficult for them to lobby for an Oscar the next time round with their next big venture Ashutosh Gowarikar’s Jodha Akbar.

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