Aiming for a bigger play in regional space, television and motion picture content producer Balaji Telefilms is planning to launch 10 shows in Bengali and southern languages as well as tie-ups with local partners.
The company could also look at launching its popular Hindi shows in regional languages. "Our plan is to have three-five shows each in Bengali and southern languages by the end of FY2016," Balaji Telefilms has said in its annual report. "We are gradually moving into regional content by tying up with locally operating partners as our entry <g data-gr-id="43">strategy.</g>" it added. To this effect, the firm has already partnered Kolkata- based <g data-gr-id="34">Chhayabani</g> to form <g data-gr-id="35">Chhayabani</g> Balaji Entertainment for producing fresh content in Bengali for Zee Bangla.
It had earlier produced a Bengali serial Konya in <g data-gr-id="42">2010,</g> but was discontinued a year later. "Going forward, we may look at using our existing Hindi content for regional channels. For example, there are plans to broadcast Kumkum Bhagya on Zee Bangla. We are also looking at tie-ups in the regional market in South India, which will yield three to four shows," the production house said.
Balaji Telefilms' popular daily soap Ye Hai Mohabbatein was remade in the regional languages, including Tamil and Bengali and has been on <g data-gr-id="33">air</g> since November 2014 and January 2015, respectively. On its movies division, Balaji said it has a strong pipeline of movies for FY16 and FY17.
Top movie production houses in the country <g data-gr-id="37">include,</g> UTV Motion Pictures, Eros <g data-gr-id="36">International</g> and Yashraj Films. "We are targeting to become the No. 2 entertainment studio going forward," it said. In its report, the company also said it will look at launching its celebrity sports reality show Box Cricket League in the regional space.
"Moving ahead, Box Cricket League may be pushed into regional markets too," it said. It will also continue to focus in the <g data-gr-id="31">Hindia</g> GEC space, and will air six new shows this fiscal.
"For FY2016, we have an exciting pipeline of nearly six shows to be aired. This includes shows for Sony, Colors, Life Ok, Star Plus and other channels. We are also working on impactful mini-series which will run between August 15 and January 26," it said. The company is also working on a comedy show on the lines of the Great Indian Laughter Challenge, it added.