Reliance Entertainment and Friday Filmworks form JV called Plan C

While the creative strength will be provided by Friday Filmworks, the JV will be able to leverage the global marketing and distribution capabilities of Reliance

Anil Ambani-owned Reliance Entertainment and filmmaker-producer duo, Neeraj Pandey and Shital Bhatia's Friday Filmworks, have announced the formation of Plan C Studios, a 50:50 joint venture (JV) for production of movies.

While the creative and production strength will be provided by Friday Filmworks, the JV will be able to leverage the global marketing and distribution capabilities of Reliance Entertainment. Reliance Entertainment has produced, distributed and released more than 170 films in multiple Indian languages, including Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, Bengali, etc.

Plan C Studios' first project is the Akshay Kumar starrer, the period drama, Rustom, directed by Tinu Suresh Desai. Other projects include Neeraj Pandey's cinematic version of his novel, Ghalib Danger and films helmed by Shivam Nair, Chandra Prakash Dwivedi, Anurag Singh, Anvita Dutt and Shree Narayan Singh.

Pandey, of the most acclaimed directors in Bollywood today, has received wide appreciation from audiences and critics alike, in addition to blockbuster success at the box office. He is the man behind movies like "A Wednesday" (2008), which went on to win the National Award. He has also directed movies like "Special 26" (2013), and "Baby" (2015). Pandey is currently shooting for "M S DHONI - The Untold Story".

Amitabh Jhunjhunwala, group managing director, Reliance Group, said: "We are delighted to partner with creative minds like Neeraj and Shital. This relationship is in line with our continuing strategy in the media and entertainment business, of partnering with like minded and successful individuals, while playing the role of supportive investors on our part."

Pandey added: "The partnership with Reliance Group is very significant and welcome, as it enables us to further raise the bar on our continued strategy of developing cutting edge commercial content. We like to keep pushing the envelope, and this partnership will greatly expand our vision."

"The alliance with Reliance Group and our continued success at the box office, are a welcome and clear vindication of our focused strategy. Reliance's significant global and domestic distribution and monetization network, not just perfectly complements our distinct content, but will also ensure highest value creation for all our partners and stakeholders," added Shital Bhatia.