Fox STAR Studios Signs Multiple Film Deal With Leading Bollywood Producer Vipul Amrutlal Shah

Fox STAR Studios Signs Multiple Film Deal With Leading Bollywood Producer Vipul Amrutlal Shah

London, October 4, 2008: Fox STAR Studios, a pan-Asian joint venture between Twentieth Century Fox and STAR, today announced its first major move in Indian cinema - a multiple-film deal with producer Vipul Amrutlal Shah. One of the most consistent and successful producers and directors in Hindi cinema, Shah's hits include "Namastey London" and "Singh is Kinng"; the latter film, released in August, broke records by taking the biggest opening ever for a Hindi film (Opening weekend GBO $16.1M), and has become one of the top-grossing Bollywood films of all time.

The Fox STAR Studios India deal includes the development and production of a visual effects-driven fantasy action movie and a contemporary romantic comedy as well as a first look deal on Shah's future projects. The VFX event film will be supported by a team of top visual effects directors from Hollywood and supervised by Fox's multiple award-winning in-house visual effects team.

Jim Gianopulos, Chairman and CEO of Fox Filmed Entertainment, said, "We are delighted to announce our creative partnership with Vipul Shah. His talent and demonstrated understanding of Indian audiences, together with our Studio's marketing and financial expertise, will provide audiences of Indian cinema with films that will set new benchmarks in India and around the world. Vipul is a valuable part of our creative plans, and we are looking forward to a fruitful long-term relationship with him."

Vipul Amrutlal Shah said, "I am extremely excited to work with Fox STAR Studios India. I have always believed in growing and surprising my audiences with every film I work on. The deal with Fox STAR Studios gives me the opportunity to develop innovative concepts and work with the best talent to create films that will appeal to audiences around the globe. This is the future for Indian cinema - we have to partner with the best technical and creative talent from around the world while yet keeping the Indian soul in our films intact."

Said Sanford Panitch, President of Fox International Productions, "We are excited about this first step in our growth and are committed to building relationships in Bollywood with like minded producers and we hope to add value to the creative production process – by bringing the latest VFX and animation technology to Bollywood productions."

Fox STAR Studios is a joint venture company formed between Twentieth Century Fox and STAR, Asia's leading media company, to produce world-class local-language films for worldwide distribution. The global studio expertise of Twentieth Century Fox and STAR's unmatched broadcasting and marketing network gives Fox STAR Studios India a distinctive edge in the business of Bollywood film production and distribution in India.

Paul Aiello, CEO of STAR said, "As the leading broadcaster in India, STAR fully understands the importance of partnering with inspired local talent in order to build a strong connection with the audience. We are thus very happy to join hands with leading producer Vipul Shah who has a well established track record of producing high quality box office hits. This tie-up sets the table for some truly groundbreaking cinematic releases which I am confident will enthrall audiences in India and across the world."

Vijay Singh, CEO of Fox STAR Studios India said, "It is just amazing how Indian cinema has continued to reinvent itself and is today the best expression of popular Indian culture. Our relationship with Vipul is special – a shared vision to create global quality content, but with an Indian soul for Indian audiences across the world. We are committed to accessing and demonstrating Twentieth Century Fox and STAR's global strengths in the development, production, distribution and marketing of Bollywood films."

The Indian Film industry is expected to nearly double in size over the next five years – from $ 2.4 billion in 2007 to $ 4.4 billion in 2012. so there is tremendous opportunity to grow", Vijay Singh added.

About Fox STAR Studios:Fox STAR Studios is a joint venture between Twentieth Century Fox, one of the world's largest producers and distributors of motion pictures and STAR, Asia's leading media company to produce world-class local-language films in Asia for worldwide distribution. The joint venture is making its first foray in India and will soon expand into other markets including Greater China and South East Asia.