BCR NEWS (MUMBAI): India — In a move underscoring its growing presence in India and throughout the international distribution arena, Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd.’s (ZEEL) content studio, Essel Vision Productions Ltd., has released a first look at action superstarVin Diesel’s supernatural action thriller The Last Witch Hunter to moviegoers in India, the company announced today. Essel secured the rights to market and distribute the film from premier next generation global content leader Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF) and is releasing it in theatres across India on Thursday October 22, 2015. The Last Witch Hunter features an ensemble cast led by global action icon Diesel, Academy Award-winning Michael Caine and Rose Leslie, widely acclaimed for her role as Ygritte in the blockbuster series Game of Thrones. It is directed by Breck Eisner.
Essel’s distribution partnership with Lionsgate on The Last Witch Hunter is another milestone in the Indian content studio’s goal of becoming the premier producer and distributor in the territory. The first of numerous anticipated Hollywood blockbuster acquisitions, The Last Witch Hunter is distinguished by non-stop action, world-class production values, heart-stopping excitement and breath-taking special effects. The film tells the story of Kaulder, The Last Witch Hunter (played by Diesel), who is all that stands between humanity and the combined forces of the most terrifying witches in history.
Akash Chawla, Business Head of Essel Vision studio said, “We’re always looking to collaborate with the most successful content companies in the world as well as to give new filmmakers an opportunity to showcase their work. Following our successful ventures into television, short form content, Bollywood, regional cinema and music, our exclusive deal with global content leader Lionsgate to handle all the marketing and distribution of The Last Witch Hunter in India cements our leadership in handling Hollywood blockbusters as well.
“Vin Diesel is one of the biggest action heroes on the planet. Following the record-breaking success of Furious 7, his next film is breathlessly anticipated by his fans here in India and around the world,” continued Mr. Chawla. “We’re thrilled to team with Lionsgate to give Indian audiences the opportunity to see The Last Witch Hunter aday prior to its worldwide release on Thursday 22 October, which is also the auspicious occasion of Dussera. Today’s sneak peek marks the first step in our innovative and aggressive marketing campaign to ensure that the film receives the mammoth reception it deserves.”
“The Last Witch Hunter showcases action superstar Vin Diesel at his exciting best, and we’re delighted to partner with our friends at Zee Entertainment to bring his latest thriller to Indian moviegoers,” said Lionsgate Motion Picture Group Co-Chairs Patrick Wachsberger and Rob Friedman. “The large and fast-growing Indian marketplace offers tremendous opportunities. With their marketing prowess and distribution expertise, Zee Entertainment is the right partner, The Last Witch Hunter is the right film and Vin Diesel is the right superstar to help us conquer the box office there.”
Essel Vision is already an established name in Indian cinema, and the studio noted that it will also make its first foray into Hindi motion pictures in October with the release of Jazbaa, one of the most anticipated films of the year starring international icons AishwaryaRaiBachnan and Irrfan Khan. Jazbaa has already received a massive reception on the world stage.
About Essel Vision:
Established in 2012 as the content engine for Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited (ZEEL), Essel Vision Productions Ltd has emerged as a full-fledged state of the art studio with a strong foothold in Television and Feature Films (regional and Hindi). The global triumph of the studio’s renowned feature film ‘The Lunchbox’ and the critical reception of ‘D-Day’ signify the company’s vision to increase profitability with entertaining and original content. Essel Vision’s line up of Hindi feature films for the year 2015 includes the most awaited film of the year, ‘Jazbaa’, starring AishwaryaRaiBachchan, Irrfan and ShabanaAzmi and HimeshReshammiya’s ‘Heeriye’. The studio has also inked a three film deal with successful film maker Sanjay Gupta.
With an array of successful regional films in their stable, The studio’s productions has garnered 5 prestigious National Awards including Golden Lotus for Best Children’s Film ‘Elizabeth Ekadashi’ and Best Marathi film ‘Killa’ and Best Debut Film ‘Fandry’. ‘Killa’ also bagged awards at MAMI and PIFF. ‘Elizabeth Ekadashi’ was awarded with FIPRESCI Critic’s choice award along with the Best Film at PIFF.
In the television also, the studio continues to be a thought leader by developing successful properties like ‘Fear Files’, ‘Dance India Dance’, ‘Sa Re Ga Ma Pa’, ‘India’s Best Draamebaaz’. Essel Vision will soon launch innovative global digital property #Lifeismusic along with Zee Digital which cuts across all barriers and truly adheres to ZEE’s philosophy of VasudhaivaKutumbakam.
