Netflix to produce its first Bollywood film

Backed by Indian media veteran Ronnie Screwvala, Netflix, the American media streaming giant is set to produce its first Bollywood production, reports the Hollywood Reporter. The name of feature is titled “Love Per Square Foot,” which will be co-produced by the recently launched production company, RSVP, owned by Screwvala. Screwvala founded the UTV group, which was then acquired by Walt Disney Company back in 2012. Following the acquisition, Screwvala also served as Walt Disney Company India’s managing director, who later stepped down from the position in 2014. Netflix will stream the film worldwide, marking the first time an Indian film will be produced exclusively for streaming. Also co-produced by Still and Still Pictures, the feature is slated to premiere in early 2018. The film is described as a quirky romantic comedy about a young couple who enter a marriage of convenience to buy a flat in Mumbai. Featuring Vicky Kaushal and debutant actor Angira Dhar in the lead, the project also marks as the directorial debut of Anand Tiwari. The supporting cast includes veteran actors Ratna Pathak and Supriya Pathak, along with actor Raghuvir Yadav. “How, where and when great stories are watched is changing every day,” Screwvala told Hollywood Reporter. “Our younger audiences choose their mediums. We love to disrupt and innovate in this space and this is a first of its kind for South Asia,” he added. “We’re always looking for stories that bring joy to Netflix members, and Love Per Square Foot is a gem that we’re proud to have on the service,” Netflix founder and CEO Reed Hastings told the Hollywood Reporter. “RSVP is a visionary partner, and we want to continue working with them and the best of Bollywood to deliver compelling stories to consumers around the world,” he added. Netflix has other Indian projects in their pipeline as they are partnering with leading Bollywood entities such as superstar Shah Rukh Khan’s Red Chillies Entertainment, with which will co-produce spy thriller “Bard of Blood.” The video giant’s first Indian original series, “Sacred Games,” is also currently in production, starring Bollywood star, Saif Ali Khan and co-directed by Anurag Kashyap (director of Gangs of Wasseypur) and Vikramaditya Motwane.