Paramount Pictures is set to handle the worldwide release outside India of “Padmavati,” an Indian epic from sister company Viacom18. The picture will get a worldwide day and date release on Dec. 1.
The film is directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali and features Deepika Padukone, one of India’s top female stars and co-star in “xXx: Return of Xander Cage.” Previously made by Bhansali as an opera that was performed in Italy, the film is a story of a courageous and intelligent queen, her warrior king husband and an obsessive invader. Shahid Kapoor stars as Maharawal Ratan Singh and Ranveer Singh as Sultan Alauddin Khilji.
“This is a first-ever such collaboration with Paramount Pictures releasing a Viacom18 Hindi feature across international markets. We are breaking new ground with ‘Padmavati,’ its marketing and release strategy. With Paramount coming on board, we will take the film to a whole new level globally,” said Ajit Andhare, COO, Viacom18 Motion Pictures.
Viacom 18 is a joint venture that spans releasing and production in India, both in Hindi and regional languages. It is also the unit that handles releases in India of Paramount’s English-language studio output, with titles including “Transformers: Dark of the Moon,” “Mission — Impossible: Ghost Protocol” and “G.I. Joe: Retaliation.”
Indian films distributed have included “Drishyam,” drama “Margarita With a Straw,” “Bhaag Milkha Bhaag” and “Kahaani.” Productions and production investments have included “Gangs of Wasseypur I and II,” “OMG — Oh My God!” and “Shaitan.”
