In what is being said, as one of the biggest film deals ever made in Bollywood, Pritish Nandy Communications, signed a deal with Sholay Media & Entertainment to officially remake Sholay, one of the great Bollywood films. They will be producing not only the remake, but also a prequel and sequel to the classic film and also an animated version. The deal has PNC spending over $100 million dollars on the four versions.
Sholay is one of the best-known and loved films in the history of Bollywood. According to The Times of India, “Sholay is the highest grossing Indian film of all times and has earned over Rs 236.45 crore. Sholay racked up a record 60 golden jubilees across India and doubled its original gross over subsequent reruns.”
Sasha Sippy, who is the chairman of Sholay Media & Entertainment and grandson of the original producer of Sholay, G P Sippy, said, “We have great respect for PNC’s creativity, innovation and excellence in film-making. Sholay deserves someone who can respect its scale and magnificence. Pritish Nandy does. It’s the perfect fit for us. We have been hunting for the correct creative and business partner whom we can trust to take our family legacy, Sholay, to the next level. We have found him.”
Nandy said of the honor of being chosen, “It’s a terrific challenge, but we are ready to pick up the gauntlet. Sholay is not only about remaking a great movie, but also about recreating a legend. It’s the biggest and most successful film ever made in Bollywood, and it will not be easy. But we love creative challenges. And this is as big as they get.”
Work will start almost immediately on the animated version according to Nandy and by the end of 2007, they will begin production on the remake, with the sequel and prequel to produced later.
