Reinforcing its focus on regional entertainment, India’s fastest growing media conglomerate Viacom18’s filmed entertainment division Viacom18 Motion Pictures, has appointed Nikhil Sane as business head to lead its enhanced focus in Marathi cinema. Nikhil will report to Ajit Andhare, COO – Viacom18 Motion Pictures.
Welcoming Nikhil to Viacom18, Ajit Andhare, COO – Viacom18 Motion Pictures, said, “Viacom18 Motion Pictures is the only studio that operates in all the three Hindi, Hollywood & Regional segments. Our success in Hindi & Hollywood is well established. Our endeavour is to make a similar impact in regional cinema. As a first step we are going after Marathi Cinema which has tremendous potential & clear synergy with our broadcast business. Nikhil with his keen understanding of this market will be an asset to spearhead our move.”
Nikhil had previously been managing the Marathi Film division of Zee Studios. evolution. I have had the privilege of working with some of the best talent from the industry. With Viacom18 Motion Pictures, I intend to combine the strength of the organisation’s experience in the Hindi & English film industries with the remarkable strength of the Marathi film industry in story telling and experimentation. I look forward to chanelising my best efforts and strengths into creating the next big leap in Marathi cinema.”
Viacom18 Motion Pictures has steered focus on regional markets such as Marathi, increasingly aggressively. Conducive factors such as zero entertainment tax, exhibition window mandated by the government, the presence of large general entertainment channels and movie channels, controlled cost of production and an audience base that is keen to consume regional cinema, makes Marathi cinema an excellent growth potential area.
