Amazon Prime Video announces theatrical co-production with Karan Johar

NEW DELHI: The box office failure of its most recent theatrical film Ram Setu notwithstanding, Amazon Prime Video has announced that it will co-produce a new movie with Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions and Leo Media Collective. The currently-untitled movie will have Vicky Kaushal in the lead, and will be directed by Anand Tiwari and produced by Hiroo Yash Johar, Karan Johar, Apoorva Mehta, Amritpal Singh Bindra and Anand Tiwari. The film will also feature Triptii Dimri and Ammy Virk in pivotal roles, and is scheduled for a theatrical release on 28 July 2023.

The Vicky Kaushal-starrer is the second theatrical co-production that Prime Video has partnered with Dharma Productions on, after Sidharth Malhotra-starrer Yodha.

“Our aim is to serve our diverse customers in India with local stories that they can enjoy on any screen of their choice. We are committed to the growth of the Indian film industry and our recent foray into co-productions is a perfect example of this,” Gaurav Gandhi, vice president, Prime Video, India said in a statement. “Our association with Dharma for theatrical co-productions is a perfect extension of our existing deep association that includes licensed movies, direct-to-service premieres and Indian Originals across both series and films,” Gandhi added.

Johar said direct-to-service premieres of films like Shershaah and Gehraiyaan, as well OTT premieres of theatrical ventures when they released on streaming are testament to the strength of Dharma’s association with Prime Video. “We are thrilled to be collaborating with them across the spectrum of storytelling – licensing, original series, original movies and now theatrical co-productions,” Johar said in a statement.

Manish Menghani, director – content licensing, Prime Video, India, said the step of foraying deeper into theatrical co-productions will serve to strengthen the company’s partnership and collective commitment to bringing the best content to customers, across the world. “We are excited to work with the best creative voices in the country to co-create stories that leave an everlasting impression on the viewers,” Menghani said in a statement.