ADA announces major initiatives in entertainment business

Mumbai, May 17 (UNI) Reliance BIG Entertainment, the 75 billion dollar media and entertainment arm of Anil Dhirubhai Ambani (ADA) group, is poised to take off in the film and entertainment business.

Reliance BIG Entertainment has finalised a slate of 69 feature films in nine languages for production and distribution over the next two years. These films include those in collaboration with the country's leading production houses such as Vinod Chopra Films, Excel Entertainment and directors like Shyam Benegal, Madhur Bhandarkar and Sudhir Mishra, a release said here.

Company Chairman Amit Khanna said the Reliance ADA group had more than 160 operating screens in the country, which was expected to reach 400 by end of calendar year 2009.

Earlier this year, the Group made its foray into the US film exhibition market with agreements to operate a 250-screen cinema exhibition chain with a nationwide footprint covering 28 cities.

The Group also operates six screens in Mauritius, a number that is slated to swell to 16 screens, including a multiplex, by May 2010.

Further expansion plans include the opening of its first multiplex in Kathmandu in August 2008. The Group has recently signed an agreement for acquisition of majority and controlling interest in Lotus Five Star Cinemas and will be operating a 51 screen cinema exhibition chain in Malaysia.

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