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Reliance Entertainment
Reliance Entertainment
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Reliance Entertainment Pvt. Ltd. is an Indian media and entertainment company. It is a division of Reliance Group, handling its media and entertainment business, across content and distribution platforms. The company was founded on 15 February 2005, as two entities, namely Reliance Big Entertainment and BIG Pictures. Four years later the two companies were merged into Reliance BIG Pictures in 2009, and the company's name was changed to Reliance Entertainment the following year.[citation needed]

Key Information

The key content initiatives are across movies, music, sports, gaming, Internet & mobile portals, leading to direct opportunities in delivery across the emerging digital distribution platforms: digital cinema, IPTV, DTH and mobile TV.[citation needed]

Subsidiaries

[edit]

Current

[edit]

Former

[edit]

History

[edit]
  • Reliance forayed into the largely untapped video rental market in India by launching Bigflix.[5]
  • The company plans to launch TV Channels.[6]
  • On 15 July 2009, Reliance and Steven Spielberg announced a joint venture with funding of $825 million.[7]
  • Big 92.7 FM launched a radio station in Singapore considering 8% of the population residing there is Indian.[8]
  • On 5 April 2010, Reliance acquired a 50% stake in Codemasters.[9]
  • On 28 May 2010, the company achieved the first ever Hollywood box office market with the release of Kites.
  • Reliance co-produced director Steven Spielberg's film War Horse, which was released worldwide on Christmas Day in 2011. Many other projects from the director also have the company as a producer.[10]
  • In January 2012, it was announced that Reliance DreamWorks movies garnered 11 Oscar nominations.[11]
  • In November 2014, the company announced plans to begin the acquisition process of the North American and European mobile game studios of DreamWorks Studios in early 2015.[12]

Films

[edit]

Bengali

[edit]
Year Name Cast Note(s)
2009 Shob Charitro Kalponik Prosenjit Chatterjee, Bipasha Basu, Paoli Dam Relationship Drama Film
2010 Abohomaan Jisshu Sengupta, Riya Sen Family Relation Drama Film
2013 Ganesh Talkies Biswajit Chakraborty, Raima Sen Family Drama Film
Deewana Jeet, Srabanti Chatterjee Remake Of Deepavali
Boss: Born to Rule Jeet, Subhashree Ganguly Remake Of Businessman
2014 Chotushkone Parambrata Chatterjee, Payel Sarkar Thriller Film
Game: He Plays To Win Jeet, Subhashree Ganguly Remake Of Thuppakki
Buno Haansh Dev, Srabanti Chatterjee, Tanusree Chakraborty Based On Buno Haansh (Novel)
Bachchan Jeet, Aindrita Ray, Payel Sarkar Remake Of Vishnuvardhana
Jaatishwar Prosenjit Chatterjee, Swastika Mukherjee Musical Drama Film
2015 Ebar Shabor Saswata Chatterjee, Swastika Mukherjee Based On The Detective Story "Rin"
2016 Abhimaan Jeet, Subhashree Ganguly, Sayantika Banerjee Remake Of Attarintiki Daredi
2022 Shonibar Bikel Zahid Hasan, Nusrat Imroz Tisha, Mamunur Rashid U.S. and Canadian distribution only[13]
2023 Bagha Jatin Dev, Sreeja Dutta, Sudipta Chakraborty Overseas distribution
2025 Durgapur Junction Vikram Chatterjee, Swastika Mukherjee Distributed along with SSR Cinemas
Bohurup Soham Chakraborty, Idhika Paul Distributed along with SSR Cinemas
Devi Chowdhurani Prosenjit Chatterjee, Srabanti Chatterjee Distributed along with SSR Cinemas

Hindi

[edit]
Year Name Cast Note(s)
2008 Singh Is Kinng Akshay Kumar, Katrina Kaif Action Comedy Film
Rock On!! Farhan Akhtar, Arjun Rampal, Prachi Desai Rock Musical Drama Film
1920 Rajneesh Duggal, Adah Sharma Horror Film
Hulla Rajat Kapoor, Kartika Rane Comedy Film
Karzzzz Himesh Reshammiya, Urmila Matondkar Remake Of Karz (1980)
2009 Luck By Chance Farhan Akhtar, Konkona Sen Sharma, Rishi Kapoor, Sanjay Kapoor, Hrithik Roshan Drama Film
13B: Fear Has a New Address R. Madhavan, Neetu Chandra Psychological Horror Film
Kal Kissne Dekha Jackky Bhagnani, Nushrat Bharucha Copied From Next
Sikandar R. Madhavan, Parzaan Dastur Crime Drama Film
Daddy Cool Suniel Shetty, Kim Sharma Copied From Death At A Funeral Film
Do Knot Disturb Govinda, Sushmita Sen Remake Of The Valet
Paa Abhishek Bachchan, Vidya Balan Comedy-Drama Film
3 Idiots Aamir Khan, Kareena Kapoor Based On Five Point Someone (Novel)
2010 Well Done Abba Boman Irani, Minissha Lamba Remake Of Jau Tithe Khau
Aashayein John Abraham, Sonal Sehgal Drama Film
Raavan Abhishek Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai Epic Adventure Film
Mirch Shreyas Talpade, Raima Sen Drama Film
Break Ke Baad Imran Khan, Deepika Padukone Romantic Comedy
2011 Shagird Nana Patekar, Anurag Kashyap Action Thriller Film
Double Dhamaal Sanjay Dutt, Kangana Ranaut, Arshad Warsi, Riteish Deshmukh, Aashish Chaudhary, Javed Jaffrey, Mallika Sherawat Comedy Film
Singham Ajay Devgn, Kajal Aggarwal Remake Of Singam
Phhir Rajneesh Duggal, Adah Sharma, Roshni Chopra Romance Thriller Film
Aarakshan Amitabh Bachchan, Saif Ali Khan, Deepika Padukone, Manoj Bajpayee Drama Film
Bodyguard Salman Khan, Kareena Kapoor A Remake of his Bodyguard (2010)
Don 2 Shah Rukh Khan, Priyanka Chopra, Lara Dutta Action Thriller Film
2012 Dangerous Ishhq Rajneesh Duggal, Karisma Kapoor Supernatural Thriller Film
1920: The Evil Returns Aftab Shivdasani, Tia Bajpai Horror Film
Talaash: The Answer Lies Within Aamir Khan, Rani Mukerji, Kareena Kapoor Psychological Horror Thriller
2013 David Vikram, Tabu Crime Drama Film
I, Me Aur Main John Abraham, Prachi Desai, Chitrangada Singh Romantic Comedy Film
Zanjeer Ram Charan, Priyanka Chopra, Sanjay Dutt, Atul Kulkarni, Mahie Gill, Prakash Raj A Remake of his Zanjeer (1973), Crime Action Drama film; Bilingual
Besharam Ranbir Kapoor, Pallavi Sharda Action Comedy Film
Commando: A One Man Army Vidyut Jammwal, Pooja Chopra Action Film
Sooper Se Ooper Vir Das, Kirti Kulhari Comedy Film
2014 Total Siyapaa Ali Zafar, Yami Gautam Drama Film
Holiday: A Soldier Is Never Off Duty Akshay Kumar, Sonakshi Sinha Remake Of Thuppakki
Bobby Jasoos Ali Fazal, Vidya Balan Comedy-Drama Film
Singham Returns Ajay Devgn, Kareena Kapoor Action Film
2015 Hawaizaada Ayushmann Khurrana, Pallavi Sharda Inspired By The Biography Of Shivkar Bapuji Talpade
Masaan Richa Chadha, Vicky Kaushal, Shweta Tripathi, Sanjay Mishra Drama Film
2016 1920 London Sharman Joshi, Meera Chopra Horror Film
Wazir Farhan Akhtar, Aditi Rao Hydari Crime Thriller Film
Ghayal Once Again Sunny Deol, Soha Ali Khan Action Drama Film; co-distribution with PVR Pictures only
Te3n Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Vidya Balan Remake Of Montage
Raman Raghav 2.0 Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Sobhita Dhulipala Neo-Noir Psychological Thriller Film
Parched Tannishtha Chatterjee, Radhika Apte, Adil Hussain, Surveen Chawla, Sayani Gupta Drama Film
Shivaay Ajay Devgn, Sayyeshaa, Erika Kaar, Abigail Eames, Vir Das, Girish Karnad, Saurabh Shukla Action Thriller Film
Trapped Rajkummar Rao, Geetanjali Thapa Survival Drama Film
2017 Running Shaadi Amit Sadh, Taapsee Pannu Romantic Comedy Film
Commando 2: The Black Money Trail Vidyut Jammwal, Adah Sharma, Esha Gupta Action Film
Naam Shabana Akshay Kumar, Taapsee Pannu Action Spy-Thriller Film
Golmaal Again Ajay Devgn, Parineeti Chopra, Tabu Supernatural Action Comedy Film
2018 1921 Karan Kundra, Zareen Khan Horror Film
Aiyaary Sidharth Malhotra, Rakul Preet Singh, Pooja Chopra Action Thriller Film
Bhavesh Joshi Superhero Harshvardhan Kapoor, Shreiyah Sabharwal Vigilante Action Film; co-distribution with Eros International
Vishwaroopam II Kamal Haasan, Andrea Jeremiah Action Film; co-distribution with Rohit Shetty Picturez of Hindi version only
Namaste England Arjun Kapoor, Parineeti Chopra Romantic Comedy Film
Simmba Ranveer Singh, Sara Ali Khan Inspired From Temper
2019 Super 30 Hrithik Roshan, Mrunal Thakur Based On Anand Kumar
Saand Ki Aankh Bhumi Pednekar, Taapsee Pannu Biopical Drama Film
Commando 3 Vidyut Jammwal, Adah Sharma, Angira Dhar Action Film
Panipat Arjun Kapoor, Sanjay Dutt, Kriti Sanon Epic War Film
2020 Love Aaj Kal Kartik Aaryan, Sara Ali Khan, Randeep Hooda Romantic Drama Film
2021 The Girl on the Train Parineeti Chopra, Aditi Rao Hydari, Avinash Tiwary, Kirti Kulhari Mystery thriller film; distributed by Netflix
Sooryavanshi Akshay Kumar, Katrina Kaif Action film
83 Ranveer Singh, Tahir Raj Bhasin, Pankaj Tripathi Based on 1983 Cricket World Cup
2022 Vikram Vedha Hrithik Roshan, Saif Ali Khan and Radhika Apte Action thriller film
Cirkus Ranveer Singh, Pooja Hegde, Jacqueline Fernandez Uncredited; based on The Comedy of Errors
Sherdil: The Pilibhit Saga Pankaj Tripathi
Operation Romeo Sidhant Gupta [14]
Thai Massage Gajraj Rao, Divyenndu, Rajpal Yadav
Code Name: Tiranga Parineeti Chopra, Harrdy Sandhu
2023 Bholaa Ajay Devgn , Tabu
IB71 Vidyut Jammwal, Anupam Kher
Ajmer 92 Karan Verma, Sumit Singh
The Purvanchal Files Siddharth Pandey, Shivani Thakur
Faraaz Zahan Kapoor, Aamir Ali, Juhi Babbar, Aditya Rawal International distribution only[15]
Bheed Rajkummar Rao, Bhumi Pednekar
Afwaah Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Bhumi Pednekar
2024 Singham Again Ajay Devgn, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Deepika Padukone, Arjun Kapoor, Tiger Shroff, Akshay Kumar, Ranveer Singh Action film

Punjabi

[edit]
Year Name Cast Note(s)
2012 Ajj De Ranjhe Aman Dhaliwal, Gurleen Chopra Drama Film

Tamil

[edit]
Year Film Cast Note(s)
2009 Yavarum Nalam R. Madhavan, Neetu Chandra Psychological Horror Film
2010 Singam Suriya, Anushka Shetty Action Film
2011 Yuvan Yuvathi Bharath, Rima Kallingal Romantic Film
Osthe Silambarasan, Richa Gangopadhyay Remake Of Dabangg
2012 Naan Ee Sudeep, Samantha Akkineni, Nani Fantasy Action Film
2013 David Vikram, Jiiva, Isha Sharvani Drama Film; partly dubbed
2016 Irudhi Suttru R. Madhavan, Ritika Singh Sports Action-Drama Film
2019 Dev Karthi, Rakul Preet Singh Based On Road Adventure
NGK Suriya, Rakul Preet Singh Political Action Film
Game Over Taapsee Pannu Psychological Thriller Film
2021 Aelay Samuthirakani Comedy Drama film
Mandela Yogi Babu Comedy Drama film
Jagame Thandhiram Dhanush Action Thriller film

Telugu

[edit]
Year Name Cast Genre(s)
2009 Saleem Vishnu Manchu, Ileana D'Cruz Drama Film
2011 Money Money, More Money Brahmanandam Comedy Drama Film
2012 Devudu Chesina Manushulu Ravi Teja, Ileana D'Cruz Fantasy-Action Comedy
Adhinayakudu Nandamuri Balakrishna, Raai Laxmi Telugu Action Drama Film
2013 Attarintiki Daredi Pawan Kalyan, Samantha Akkineni, Pranitha Subhash Comedy Drama Film
Toofan Ram Charan, Priyanka Chopra, Prakash Raj, Srihari, Mahie Gill A Remake of his Zanjeer (1973) Action Crime Drama Film; Bilingual
Sahasam Gopichand, Taapsee Pannu
Bhai Nagarjuna, Richa Gangopadhyay Action Drama Film
2014 Manam Nagarjuna, ANR, Naga Chaitanya, Shriya Saran, Samantha Akkineni Fantasy-Drama Film
Jump Jilani Allari Naresh, Isha Chawla, Swathi Deekshith Comedy Drama Film; Remake of Kalakalappu
2016 Nannaku Prematho N. T. Rama Rao Jr., Rakul Preet Singh Action Thriller Film
2019 Game Over Taapsee Pannu Psychological Thriller Film

Kannada

[edit]
Year Name Cast Note(s)
2010 Ijjodu Aniruddha Jatkar, Meera Jasmine Drama Film
2015 Rana Vikrama Puneeth Rajkumar, Anjali, Adah Sharma Action Thriller Film

Malayalam

[edit]
Year Name Cast Note(s)
2010 Kutty Srank Mammootty, Kamalinee Mukherjee Drama Film

English

[edit]
Year Name Cast Note(s)
2010 Tucker & Dale vs. Evil Tyler Labine, Alan Tudyk
Kites Hrithik Roshan, Bárbara Mori Romantic Action Thriller Film
Skyline Eric Balfour, Scottie Thompson Indian distribution only[16]
The Fighter Christian Bale, Mark Wahlberg Nominee of the Academy Award for Best Picture; Indian distribution only[16]
Dinner for Schmucks Paul Rudd, Steve Carell
2011 I Am Number Four Alex Pettyfer, Teresa Palmer Based On I Am Number Four (Novel)
The Help Jessica Chastain Nominee of the Academy Award for Best Picture; Based On The Help (Novel)
Fright Night Anton Yelchin, Imogen Poots Remake Of Fright Night
War Horse David Thewlis, Emily Watson Nominee of the Academy Award for Best Picture; based on War Horse (novel)
Scream 4 David Arquette, Neve Campbell co-distribution with Cinergy Independent Film Services in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Bhutan only
Foster Toni Collette, Ioan Gruffudd
Cowboys & Aliens Daniel Craig, Harrison Ford
Jesus Henry Christ Jason Spevack, Toni Collette, Michael Sheen, Samantha Weinstein
One Life Daniel Craig
2012 Safe Jason Statham, Catherine Chan Indian distribution only[16]
People Like Us Chris Pine, Elizabeth Banks Drama Film
Dredd Karl Urban, Lena Headey Based on the 2000 AD comic strip Judge Dredd and its eponymous character created by John Wagner and Carlos Ezquerra[17][18]
Lincoln Daniel Day-Lewis, Sally Field Nominee of the Academy Award for Best Picture; Inspired By Team of Rivals (Book)[19]
2013 The Last Stand Arnold Schwarzenegger, Johnny Knoxville Indian distribution only[16]
Bullet to the Head Sylvester Stallone, Sung Kang
Rush Chris Hemsworth, Daniel Brühl Indian and Pakistani distribution only
The Fifth Estate Benedict Cumberbatch, Daniel Brühl Based On Inside Julian Assange's War on Secrecy (Book)
Delivery Man Vince Vaughn, Cobie Smulders Remake Of Starbuck
Walking with Dinosaurs Justin Long, John Leguizamo Inspired by Walking with Dinosaurs[20]
Paranoia Liam Hemsworth, Gary Oldman, Amber Heard, Harrison Ford
2014 Need for Speed Aaron Paul, Imogen Poots Inspired by Need for Speed (Game)
The Hundred-Foot Journey Om Puri, Helen Mirren Based On The Hundred-Foot Journey (Novel)
Enchanted Kingdom Idris Elba
Vampire Academy Zoey Deutch, Lucy Fry, Danila Kozlovsky, Dominic Sherwood
Locke Tom Hardy Indian distribution only
2015 Self/less Ryan Reynolds, Ben Kingsley Indian distribution only[21]
American Ultra Kristen Stewart, Jesse Eisenberg Indian distribution only[22][23]
Bridge of Spies Tom Hanks, Amy Ryan Nominee of the Academy Award for Best Picture; Historical Drama Film
Broken Horses Vincent D'Onofrio, Anton Yelchin, Chris Marquette
Secret in Their Eyes Julia Roberts, Nicole Kidman, Chiwetel Ejiofor Indian distribution only
2016 The BFG Mark Rylance, Ruby Barnhill Based On The BFG (Novel)
The Light Between Oceans Michael Fassbender, Alicia Vikander Drama Romance Film
The Girl on the Train Justin Theroux, Emily Blunt Based On The Girl on the Train (Novel)
Office Christmas Party Jason Bateman, Olivia Munn Comedy Film
The Sea of Trees Matthew McConaughey, Ken Watanabe, Naomi Watts Indian and Pakistani distribution only
Solace Colin Farrell, Anthony Hopkins Indian distribution only
2017 Viceroy's House Hugh Bonneville, Gillian Anderson Historical Drama Film
A Dog's Purpose KJ Apa, Britt Robertson Based On A Dog's Purpose (Novel)
Ghost in the Shell Pilou Asbæk, Scarlett Johansson Based On Ghost in the Shell
Thank You for Your Service Miles Teller, Haley Bennett Based On Thank You for Your Service (Book)
2018 7 Days in Entebbe Daniel Brühl, Rosamund Pike Indian distribution only[16]
The House with a Clock in Its Walls Jack Black, Cate Blanchett Based On The House with a Clock in Its Walls (Novel)
Green Book Mahershala Ali, Viggo Mortensen Winner of the Academy Award for Best Picture; Indian and Pakistani distribution only, re-released in India on 1 March 2019[24]
2019 A Dog's Journey Henry Lau, Marg Helgenberger Based On A Dog's Journey (Book)
1917 George MacKay, Claire Duburcq Nominee of the Academy Award for Best Picture; War Film
2020 Come Play Gillian Jacobs, John Gallagher Jr., Azhy Robertson, Winslow Fegley Based On Larry (Short Film)
2021 Finch Tom Hanks, Caleb Landry Jones
2022 Easter Sunday Jo Koy, Lou Diamond Phillips
The Good House Sigourney Weaver, Kevin Kline
The Fabelmans Michelle Williams, Paul Dano
2023 The Last Voyage of the Demeter Corey Hawkins, Aisling Franciosi
2024 Long Distance Anthony Ramos, Naomi Scott

French

[edit]
Year Name Cast Note(s)
2017 To the Top Kev Adams, Vincent Elbaz Comedy-drama film

Spanish

[edit]
Year Name Cast Note(s)
2010 Kites Hrithik Roshan, Bárbara Mori Romantic Action Thriller Film

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Reliance Entertainment Private Limited is an Indian media and entertainment company headquartered in , , that specializes in content creation, production, and distribution across films, animation, gaming, music, , and digital platforms. Established in 2005 as Reliance Big Entertainment and BIG Pictures under the Reliance Anil Group, the company merged its entities in 2009 to form Reliance Entertainment and was acquired by Vistas Media Capital in 2024, expanding into a diversified portfolio that includes motion pictures, broadcast, and new media ventures. Key business areas encompass film production and distribution in and internationally, with over 300 films in its portfolio, including major Bollywood successes like (2009), Ghajini (2008), (2018), and (2017), as well as co-productions such as War Horse (2011) and Lincoln (2012). The company also operates Reliance Games, a mobile gaming division with more than 550 million downloads, and Reliance , known for award-winning projects like (2009). Internationally, Reliance Entertainment holds a significant stake in , a formed in with , which has produced acclaimed films including Green Book (2018), winner of three , and 1917 (2019), nominated for ten Oscars. Domestic partnerships include joint ventures with filmmakers such as (Rohit Shetty Picturez), (Y NOT Studios), and Imtiaz Ali, focusing on regional content and Southern Indian distribution through Global Cinemas LLP. Under Group CEO Shibasish Sarkar, Reliance Entertainment continues to emphasize digital growth, OTT originals, and global collaborations, adapting to evolving media landscapes with ventures in television, streaming, and licensed content like The Fixies.

Company Profile

Background and Founding

Reliance Entertainment was founded in 2005 as part of the (ADAG), led by , with the aim of entering India's rapidly expanding media and sector. The initiative marked ADAG's strategic push into Bollywood and related industries following the group's formation earlier that year after the split of the original Reliance empire. Through its subsidiary , ADAG acquired a 51% controlling stake in Adlabs Films for approximately Rs 360 , providing an immediate foothold in film processing, production, exhibition, and . The company was initially established as two separate entities: Reliance Big Entertainment, which concentrated on distribution and investments, and BIG Pictures, dedicated to . This dual structure was designed to create a vertically integrated player capable of managing the full spectrum of entertainment operations, from to delivery across Bollywood and regional cinema markets. The core mission emphasized building converged platforms for movies, digital content, and ancillary services to meet the aspirations of India's young demographic amid the industry's growth. An early milestone came in 2007 with the launch of BigFlix, a video rental service that introduced home entertainment options through retail stores and delivery, targeting the untapped demand for accessible movie rentals in . In 2009, Reliance Big Entertainment and BIG Pictures merged to streamline operations under a unified banner.

Ownership and Leadership

Reliance Entertainment was originally a wholly owned of the Reliance ADA Group (ADAG), led by as chairman. The company operated under this structure since its , with ADAG providing the primary financial and strategic oversight for its media ventures. Key leadership at Reliance Entertainment has included Sanjeev Lamba, who served as CEO from 2009, overseeing major expansions in and distribution. In January 2019, Shibasish Sarkar was elevated to Group CEO for content, digital, and gaming, a role he continues to hold as of November 2025, even after the ownership transition. On September 10, 2024, Singapore-based Vistas Media Capital (VMC), a media content and firm, completed its acquisition of Reliance Entertainment for Rs 700–800 , ending ADAG's control and establishing VMC as the new owner. Post-acquisition, VMC has focused on enhancing content financing models and integrating advanced to revive and modernize operations, amid Reliance Entertainment's prior financial challenges. No significant leadership changes have been announced by November 2025, preserving continuity under Sarkar's guidance. Additionally, Reliance Entertainment's 20% stake in , the production company co-founded with , has been retained under VMC ownership.

Subsidiaries and Affiliates

Current

As of 2025, Reliance Entertainment operates under the oversight of Vistas Media Capital (VMC), following VMC's acquisition of the company in September 2024 for approximately 700-800 , which integrates its assets into a broader media content and framework focused on management and global distribution. This structure emphasizes enhanced content pipelines, including digital monetization tools and cross-border collaborations, aligning with VMC's expertise in media . Reliance Animation, formerly known as BIG Animation, remains a key active subsidiary specializing in animated films, (VFX), and content for global audiences. The studio continues to drive innovation in Indian animation, with ongoing operations highlighted by its September 2025 collaboration with the (BMC) to conduct career workshops in 1,118 schools, aiming to build talent pipelines for the animation industry. In August 2025, it formed a global content alliance with Rian, an AI-powered localization platform, to expand Indian animated content internationally by overcoming language barriers through hybrid AI-human translation techniques. Earlier in March 2025, Reliance Animation partnered with Animotion Media to distribute popular children's franchises like "The Fixies" across and , marking a strategic push into kid-focused IP development and regional expansion. Reliance Games, the mobile gaming division of Reliance Entertainment, is active with over 500 million downloads across its portfolio. As of 2025, it continues to publish and develop games, including recent initiatives like leading digital campaigns against for and partnerships such as with BLAST for in . Reliance Entertainment maintains an equity stake in Storyteller Holding Co., LLC (), established in 2015 as part of a joint venture with Steven Spielberg's , DreamWorks Studios, Participant Media, and Entertainment One, enabling ongoing Hollywood co-productions and international film collaborations. This investment, confirmed as active through Amblin's 2020 distribution agreement with where Reliance was listed among continuing equity holders, supports cross-cultural content initiatives without reported changes post-acquisition. Risee Entertainment, a and production arm launched in , remains operational as a , focusing on emerging media formats following the termination of a proposed sale in 2023. Under VMC's integration, Reliance Entertainment's active units prioritize IP curation and technology-driven monetization, including arms that facilitate streaming and ancillary revenue streams for its content library, ensuring sustained operations amid the evolving media landscape as of November 2025.

Former

Reliance Entertainment has divested or discontinued several subsidiaries and affiliates over the years, primarily to streamline operations and address financial pressures within the Reliance ADA Group, including mounting debt obligations that peaked before 2024. BIGFlix, established as India's pioneering video-on-demand and DVD rental service under Reliance Entertainment, initially expanded with physical retail outlets but faced declining viability in the evolving digital landscape. By 2011, the company shut down its physical distribution business, pivoting to paid streaming to compete in the nascent OTT space. Relaunched globally in 2017 with a multi-language HD movie library targeting the , it offered unlimited viewing for $1.99 monthly but struggled against dominant players like due to limited content scale, poor user acquisition, and inadequate marketing. Ultimately discontinued amid these streaming market shifts, BIGFlix represented an early but unsuccessful foray into services. Reliance MediaWorks, acquired by Reliance in 2009 to enhance (VFX) and capabilities for and media projects, became a key asset for handling high-profile international work. However, amid the group's financial restructuring efforts, it was merged with Prime Focus in July 2014 in a multi-layered deal valued at approximately Rs 1,200 . Under the agreement, Reliance MediaWorks infused Rs 120 for a 30.2% stake in Prime Focus, while transferring its global and media services business, including studios and facilities, to create a larger entity with combined revenues exceeding Rs 1,000 annually at the time. This divestiture allowed Reliance to reduce operational overheads tied to debt-laden assets. In the gaming domain, Reliance Entertainment pursued international ventures but exited several stakes in the early and beyond as part of broader debt management. A notable example was its investment in UK-based , where Reliance acquired a 50% stake in April 2010 for up to $150 million through its gaming arm , later increasing it to 60.41% by 2013 to support mobile and console game development. Facing group-wide constraints, Reliance began divesting in May 2018, selling 60% of its holding back to ahead of the latter's IPO, reducing its ownership to 14.2% by June 2019. Further sales occurred in 2019, offloading shares and effectively exiting the venture. These moves were driven by the need to generate cash amid ADAG's escalating debt, which exceeded Rs 1,21,000 by 2016.

History

Early Development (2005–2009)

Reliance Big Entertainment was established in 2005 as the media and entertainment arm of the Reliance Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group, marking the conglomerate's entry into Bollywood film production and financing. The company quickly pursued key initiatives to build its presence, including investments in film financing for high-profile Bollywood projects and the launch of distribution networks to handle domestic and international releases. In 2008, it acquired a majority stake in ND Studios in Karjat, establishing an in-house facility for production and post-production services. Additionally, Reliance Big Entertainment expanded its capabilities by purchasing the digital images business of U.S.-based DTS Inc., enhancing its visual effects and restoration expertise. A pivotal moment came in 2009 when Reliance Big Entertainment merged its production and distribution operations with BIG Pictures to form Reliance BIG Pictures, aiming to streamline workflows and consolidate resources in a competitive market. This restructuring supported early ventures, such as co-producing the Bollywood hit in 2008, a starring that became one of the year's top-grossing films and demonstrated Reliance's financing model for star-driven projects. The company also secured distribution rights for major blockbusters, expanding its network to reach wider audiences in and overseas. Despite these advances, the early years were marked by challenges, including initial financial losses stemming from aggressive expansion amid the 2008 global financial crisis, which created volatility in the entertainment sector and delayed international partnerships. Reliance's ambitious investments in production infrastructure and Hollywood deals, such as negotiations with DreamWorks, incurred costs without immediate returns, testing the company's resilience in a turbulent economic environment.

Expansion and Investments (2010–2019)

During the early 2010s, Reliance Entertainment intensified its global ambitions with a significant push into Hollywood. Building on its 2009 equity investment of $325 million in DreamWorks Studios, the company financed and co-produced several high-profile films, including the 2011 release , which marked one of the first major outputs from the partnership. This collaboration allowed Reliance to gain distribution rights in international markets and participate in the creative process for projects backed by Steven Spielberg's studio. By 2015, Reliance further solidified its Hollywood footprint by co-founding alongside Spielberg, Participant Media, and Entertainment One, acquiring a 20% stake in the new entity dedicated to developing and producing event films and family entertainment. In parallel, Reliance expanded aggressively within the Indian film industry, focusing on large-scale productions and strategic acquisitions to bolster its domestic infrastructure. The company produced blockbuster Hindi films such as in 2011, a high-octane action thriller that highlighted its strategy of backing commercially oriented content with major stars and directors. Complementing this growth, Reliance completed the integration of its 2005 acquisition of Adlabs Films by rebranding it as in 2009, which expanded its capabilities in film processing, , and distribution across during the decade. This move enabled Reliance to handle end-to-end production for an increasing slate of titles, enhancing efficiency and market reach. Reliance also diversified into and gaming, launching and scaling ventures like Zapak Digital Entertainment, which evolved into a prominent platform for online and mobile games targeted at Indian audiences. By the mid-2010s, Zapak had developed a portfolio of browser-based and downloadable titles, positioning Reliance as an early player in India's burgeoning sector. These initiatives reflected the company's broader investment in non-traditional content formats, complementing its film . By 2019, these efforts culminated in peak achievements, with Reliance having produced or co-produced over 100 films globally, including international collaborations like War Horse (2011) and Lincoln (2012) through its DreamWorks partnership. Such projects underscored Reliance's role in bridging Indian capital with Hollywood storytelling, contributing to a diverse portfolio that spanned action, drama, and historical epics.

Challenges and Acquisition (2020–present)

The debt crisis engulfing the Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group (ADAG) from 2019 onward, particularly following the bankruptcy of , severely constrained funding for Reliance Entertainment and prompted a significant scaling back of its operations. With group-wide debts peaking at nearly ₹94,000 in 2019 and leading to asset sales totaling approximately ₹73,250 between 2019 and 2025 to repay creditors, Reliance Entertainment reduced its film slate to mitigate financial risks. This shift marked a departure from its earlier expansion, focusing instead on cost management amid limited access to capital. The onset of the in 2020 exacerbated these pressures, halting productions and theater releases across the industry, including Reliance Entertainment's postponement of major films like . Between 2020 and 2021, the company pivoted toward over-the-top (OTT) platforms to sustain revenue, but achieved limited success as it withheld high-profile projects such as '83 amid uncertain market conditions and producer reluctance to release new content digitally. This period saw a broader industry trend of OTT growth, yet Reliance Entertainment's efforts were hampered by the prevailing financial constraints from the ADAG crisis. Facing intensified pressures tied to the group's unresolved debts, Reliance Entertainment underwent a negotiated sale to Singapore-based Vistas Media Capital, completed on September 10, 2024, in a transaction valued between Rs 700–800 designed to stabilize its operations and provide fresh capital infusion. The acquisition addressed ongoing liquidity challenges inherited from ADAG's proceedings and probes, allowing the company to transition out of the family's direct control. Following the acquisition, Reliance Entertainment has emphasized IP revival and innovative financing under Vistas Media Capital's leadership, announcing by early 2025 a with Media to localize and premiere the The Fixies and its film across and South East Asia, with expansions into neighboring markets. This focus on family-oriented content and new IP development signals a cautious revival, supported by diversified revenue models blending streaming and regional distribution, without reports of major layoffs as of November 2025.

Film Productions

Hindi Films

Reliance Entertainment has been a prominent player in the , often serving as a co-producer and financier for high-budget Bollywood productions, particularly in the action and genres. Through strategic partnerships, the company has backed that emphasize mass , spectacle, and star-driven narratives, contributing to several successes. One of the company's flagship contributions is the Singham series, directed by , which exemplifies Reliance's focus on high-octane action thrillers. The inaugural , Singham (2011), starring , was produced by Reliance Entertainment and became a major hit, grossing over $22.2 million worldwide and marking one of the early billion-rupee earners in Indian cinema. The sequel, Singham Returns (2014), continued this success, achieving the highest opening day collection for a at the time with ₹32.09 nett in . In 2024, Reliance co-produced Singham Again as part of the expanding Cop Universe, featuring an ensemble cast including , , and , further solidifying the franchise's blockbuster status. Beyond the Singham series, Reliance has financed and co-produced other notable action and comedy ventures, often in collaboration with director Rohit Shetty through their joint venture, Rohit Shetty Picturez. Films like Golmaal Again (2017), a horror-comedy starring Ajay Devgn and Parineeti Chopra, emerged as one of the highest-grossing Hindi films of the year, with nett collections exceeding ₹200 crore in India. Similarly, Sooryavanshi (2021), another Shetty-directed action film with Akshay Kumar, marked a significant post-pandemic release, earning over ₹195 crore nett domestically and highlighting Reliance's role in reviving theatrical audiences. The biographical sports drama 83 (2021), co-produced by Reliance and directed by Kabir Khan, starred Ranveer Singh as Kapil Dev and chronicled India's 1983 Cricket World Cup victory; despite pandemic challenges, it garnered critical acclaim for its authentic portrayal and ensemble performances. Reliance's co-financing model has enabled the backing of ambitious spectacles, allowing for large-scale productions while sharing risks with established banners. Over the years, the company has been involved in more than 50 films, prioritizing genres that blend action with comedic elements to appeal to broad audiences. This approach has yielded substantial impacts, with several Reliance-financed titles ranking among the top earners, such as Bodyguard (2011), which collected over ₹148 nett in . In recent developments, Reliance Entertainment presented the thriller Murderbaad (2025), directed by Arnab Chatterjee and starring Nakul Roshan Sahdev and Kanikka Kapur, which explores themes of romance and deception in a format; released on July 18, 2025, it received attention for its fresh narrative twist. These efforts underscore Reliance's ongoing commitment to diverse , leveraging partnerships like the one with to drive innovation in genre filmmaking.

Regional Indian Films

Reliance Entertainment has diversified its portfolio beyond by co-producing and distributing films in various regional Indian languages, aiming to tap into local storytelling traditions while building pan-India appeal through and strategies. This approach includes joint ventures with southern production houses to and release content across linguistic markets, enabling wider distribution and cross-regional collaborations. Over the years, the company has been involved in approximately 20 regional productions, focusing on genres like , thriller, and social that resonate with diverse audiences. In Bengali cinema, Reliance has emphasized adaptations of literary works and emotional dramas, often featuring collaborations with acclaimed directors. A notable example is Shob Charitro Kalponik (2009), directed by Rituparno Ghosh, which explores themes of loss and self-discovery through the story of a poet's death and its impact on his wife; the film was produced by Reliance's BIG Pictures and selected for the Durban International Film Festival. Other contributions include Abohomaan (2010), a family drama starring Jisshu Sengupta and Riya Sen, highlighting interpersonal relationships, and more recent releases like Ebar Shabor (2015), a mystery-thriller, and Ganesh Talkies (2013), which blend nostalgia with contemporary narratives. For Punjabi films, Reliance's early efforts focused on empowering rural and NRI stories, partnering with local stars to achieve record openings. Mera Pind: My Home (2008), directed by and starring , depicts an NRI's return to his village to promote ; distributed by BIG Pictures, it achieved the widest release for a Punjabi film at the time, grossing over INR 57 in its opening weekend in and overseas markets. Recent involvement includes the release of Nanak Naam Jahaz Hai (2024), directed by Kalyaani Singh, which continues the tradition of culturally rooted narratives. In Tamil and Telugu cinema, Reliance has co-produced action-oriented films with potential for national remakes, supporting high-impact South Indian talents. The Tamil film Singam (2010), directed by Hari and starring Suriya, follows a fearless sub-inspector combating corruption; co-produced with Studio Green, it laid the groundwork for the Hindi remake Singham. Additional titles include the bilingual David (2013 Tamil/Telugu), a multi-narrative thriller directed by Bejoy Nambiar, and Dev (2019 Tamil/Telugu), a romantic drama starring Karthi. Reliance's engagements in other regional languages like and remain selective but strategic, prioritizing social-issue driven content. In , the company released 19.20.21 (2023), directed by Mansore and based on real events of violations involving a tribal youth; starring Shrunga B.V., it addresses systemic injustices. Similarly, (2024), starring V. Ravichandran, was handled for release, focusing on legal and moral dilemmas. In , (2023), a social satire on family dynamics directed by Subhash N. S., was distributed pan-India, underscoring Reliance's push for broader accessibility. Overall, Reliance's regional strategy leverages into multiple languages and remake rights to amplify reach, as seen with successes like Singam's transition to , contributing to the rise of pan-India films that generate significant revenue from dubbed versions—up to 25% of South Indian film earnings in recent years. This model fosters conceptual cross-pollination while respecting regional nuances, enhancing the company's footprint in India's diverse cinematic landscape.

International Co-Productions

Reliance Entertainment expanded into international co-productions primarily through strategic investments in Hollywood studios, beginning with a significant stake in in 2008, which enabled financing and co-production of English-language films. This partnership facilitated Reliance's involvement in high-profile projects, including the drama War Horse (2011), directed by , where Reliance served as a key production entity alongside DreamWorks and . The film, which explored themes of loyalty and human-animal bonds amid wartime devastation, marked an early milestone in Reliance's global footprint, grossing over $177 million worldwide and earning five Academy Award nominations. Building on this foundation, Reliance co-financed and co-produced Steven Spielberg's historical biopic Lincoln (2012), focusing on President Abraham Lincoln's efforts to pass the 13th Amendment abolishing slavery. Starring in an Oscar-winning performance, the film highlighted Reliance's role in supporting prestige cinema, contributing to its critical acclaim and success of $275 million globally. Further collaborations under the DreamWorks banner included (2011), a science-fiction Western blending action and adventure, which underscored Reliance's willingness to back genre-blending Hollywood ventures despite mixed commercial results. These efforts established Reliance as a financier for over a dozen English-language films by the mid-2010s, emphasizing narrative-driven projects with broad international appeal. In 2015, Reliance became a founding equity partner in , a content creation entity led by Spielberg that integrated DreamWorks, , and Participant Media to produce films across genres. This alliance yielded notable co-productions such as Bridge of Spies (2015), a thriller directed by Spielberg and starring as a lawyer negotiating a , which earned six Academy Award nominations including Best Picture. Reliance's involvement extended to the fantasy adaptation (2016), another Spielberg-directed film based on Roald Dahl's novel, where it provided partial financing alongside and ; the project aimed to capture the whimsical tale of a giant and an orphaned girl, though it underperformed commercially with $195 million in global earnings. Through , Reliance supported more than 10 international credits, prioritizing high-impact stories with potential for awards recognition and cross-cultural resonance. Beyond Hollywood, Reliance pursued limited European co-productions to diversify its portfolio, including the Indo-French thriller nOmber One (2016), directed by and blending espionage elements with cross-cultural narratives. This project, co-produced with French partners, represented Reliance's exploratory foray into non-English language markets, though it remained a modest venture compared to its American investments. Spanish collaborations were minimal, often tied indirectly through ties in the , such as minor financing stakes in select international projects, but lacked substantial standalone output. Following its acquisition by Vistas Media Capital in September 2024, Reliance Entertainment has shifted toward renewed emphasis on global development, leveraging VMC's expertise in media technology and content to pursue English-language and multilingual projects aimed at international streaming and theatrical markets. This strategic pivot builds on prior Hollywood ties while expanding into digital-first global IPs, though specific upcoming titles remain in early stages as of late 2025.

References

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