Disney has partnered with Yash Raj Films to create Disney branded animated films, reports WSJ (subscription required). As per Yash Raj Films CEO Sanjeev Kohli, they will be required to make at least one animated feature every year. The first will feature the voices of Bollywood stars Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor, and is expected to be released in at least three languages - Hindi, Tamil and Telugu. The films are expected to cost between $4 million and $10 million each. Currently, local content accounts for 25% to 40% of Disney’s television programming in India, targeting an under 14 population that is bigger than the entire US population. The company also plans to make live action movies for South India, eventually looking to produce around 8 movies a year.
I wonder why Disney didn’t go with UTV, which it has 14.9 percent stake in. UTV has animation facilities of its own, and is a fairly successful movie producer with films like Rang De Basanti, and lately Life…in a Metro”. Also bear in mind that UTV has a fair amount of experience in creating programming for kids: Disney had bought Hungama TV from UTV.