Anil Ambani meets Spielberg; to provide Rs4,000 crore for films

“We put a gun to his head, and only when he agreed, did we inform him that it wasn’t loaded,” was how Anil Ambani explained Steven Spielberg’s agreement to collaborate with Reliance Big Entertainment. Humour went hand-in-hand with big announcements at the press conference organised in New York, by Reliance Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group (ADAG) chairman Ambani, and DreamWorks Studio partners Steven Spielberg and Stacey Snider.

Ambani announced an investment of $825 million (“roughly Rs4,000 crore”), with $325 million being contributed by ADAG, debt financing from a number of banks and a contribution of $150 million by Disney. The investment, said Ambani, was for three years.

To whether the films would be tailored to the tastes of Indian audiences, Spielberg responded, “The aim is to tell good stories with a global appeal, and hopefully they will do well in India too,” He added that The Adventures of Tintin: Secret Of The Unicorn will most probably be his first directorial venture for the new company, expected to be released in 2010.  

Spielberg dwelt on his Indian connection, mentioning a hitchhiking trip around the country, alone, for three weeks in the late 70s, apart from shooting Close Encounters Of The Third Kind here in 1977. He plans to visit India by the end of the year.

Responding to a question asked by DNA about possible future collaborations, Ambani said that the company was in talks with Hollywood stars like Nicholas Cage, George Clooney, Tom Hanks, Brad Pitt and Julia Roberts. He also said the partnership would be a “game-changing event” for Indian entertainment internationally.

Among the films announced in the first phase of the partnership are Dinner For Schmucks, an adaptation of the French film The Dinner Game, to be directed by Jay Roach of Austin Powers fame, announced Snider. The film will star popular comedian Steve Carell. Other films include Hereafter, to be made by Clint Eastwood, 39 Clues, Motorcade and Cowboys And Aliens.

Spielberg
“I look forward to interacting with Indian filmmakers - writers, directors, producers - when I come to India later this year”