Substance with style - UTV's Forthcoming films

UTV has delivered a few duds at the box office in recent months but it continues to back some of the best Bollywood projects and the biggest of stars.

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Despite What’s Your Raashee?, Agyaat and Chance Pe Dance, Ronnie Screwvala’s UTV Motion Pictures has not given up on the quest to produce quality films. The UTV Spotboy company has largely been dissolved but the parent company continues to back both big-budget starry movies and small edgy films. “We are confident of delivering content that will enjoy commercial success and critical acclaim,” says Siddharth Roy Kapur, CEO, UTV Motion Pictures. “Hats off to the cast and crew of all our productions, and to the UTV team to have put such a wonderful slate together.” Here’s the list of forthcoming films from the UTV stable.

Raajneeti: Releasing on June 4, this Prakash Jha film has a super line-up — Ajay Devgan-Ranbir Kapoor-Katrina Kaif to Nana Patekar-Arjun Rampal-Manoj Bajpai. Raajneeti is based on characters from the Mahabharata and explores the current political machinations by different parties. The buzz about Katrina doing a Sonia Gandhi is deafening.

Peter Gaya Kaam Se: Rajeev Aamir Khandelwal’s second film is about a motorcycle taxi rider in Goa. Directed by John Owen, it has the stunning Lekha Washington (She anchored the first IPL cricket tournament on Max.) opposite Rajeev.

I Hate Luv Stories: The first co-production of UTV and Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions, IHLS is a romantic comedy starring Imran Khan and Sonam Kapoor. The film is directed by Punit Malhotra and has music by Vishal-Shekhar. “We are vastly excited about our next, I Hate Luv Stories,” says Karan. It releases on July 2.

Chillar Party: UTV’s first film for kids is directed by first-timers Nitesh Tiwari and Vikas Bahl. This is the story of nine children and a dog who come together to fight some silly rules made by adults. Their protest pitch? A Chaddi March!

Peepli Live: After wowing audiences at Sundance and other prestigious film festivals, this Aamir Khan co-production will eventually release in India. It’s about farmer suicides, features veterans like Raghubir Yadav and is directed by Anusha Rizvi.

Delhi Belly: Another UTV-Aamir Khan co-production, Imran Khan and Shenaz Treasurywala star in this rip-roaring caper directed by Abhinay Deo. “I am happy to be associated with UTV and it is wonderful to work with them on our two co–productions,” says Aamir. 

Paan Singh Tomar: A biopic starring Irrfan in the title role, this is the true story of an athlete who turns into a deadly dacoit. Directed by Irrfan’s friend and Haasil maker Tigmanshu Dhulia.

Arjun — The Warrior Prince: UTV’s first of two animation films, this one is an action-filled mythological saga about the iconic Indian hero, Arjun. Arguably the biggest animation film made in the country, with music by Vishal-Shekhar.

Alibaba Aur 41 Chor: The second animation film ready for release, this one’s an Arabian Nights adventure with dreamy landscapes and fun characters. Star voices include John Abraham and Priyanka Chopra.

Phillum City: An out-and-out comedy directed by Deven Khote, this is about a spot boy who makes a film with John Abraham. The strange thing about Phillum City is that John knows nothing about the film he is starring in!

Guzaarish: A Sanjay Leela Bhansali film. If that’s not enough, it stars Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan together again. Plus it has model-turned-actress Monikangana Dutta in a pivotal role.

No One Killed Jessica: The film that brings together Rani Mukerji and Vidya Balan. The Raj Kumar Gupta venture is described as “a thriller based on the moving story of two women who use the power of the media to fight for their rights”! “I’ve done my first film Aamir with UTV and now I’m doing my second film with them,” says Gupta. “If they believe in the script they will aggressively stand by the project.”

Tees Maar Khan: Farah Khan’s next biggie after Main Hoon Na and Om Shanti Om. No Shah Rukh Khan this time, Tees Maar Khan stars the superhit jodi of Akshay Kumar and Katrina Kaif. It is slated for a 2010 Christmas release.

Saat Khoon Maaf: Vishal Bhardwaj directs Priyanka Chopra as a woman who loves and then kills her seven husbands. And what husbands! From Mohanlal to Irrfan, Naseeruddin Shah to Neil Nitin Mukesh.

Thank You: The multi-crore hit-maker Anees Bazmee returns with yet another big comedy starring Akshay Kumar, Bobby Deol, Irrfan, Suniel Shetty, Sonam Kapoor, Rimii Sen and Celina Jaitley.