Annapurna Studios, Reliance Join Hands

The city-based Annapurna Studios has partnered with Anil Ambani's Reliance MediaWorks Limited to manage and operate its studio facility as well as to expand its digital post-production facility.

Annapurna Studios, founded by thespian Akkineni Nageswara Rao, is a leading provider of various production facilities, including sound stages, outdoor sets, editing, and sound recording theatres, to the Telugu entertainment industry. Reliance MediaWorks is a film and entertainment company.

Spread across 22 acres, the centrally-located studio complex owned by Annapurna Studios has added 5 new state-of-the-art air-conditioned studios to the existing 5-studio complex.

The complex will now be a comprehensive resource for feature films, television, commercials and music videos, amongst others.

Under the strategic alliance, the studio facility will now be managed and operated by Reliance MediaWorks.

Reliance MediaWorks will also operate and expand Annapurna Studios' digital post-production facilities that cater to the needs of the motion picture and television commercials industry.

Reliance MediaWorks owns and operates RMW Studios, which are India's largest "Hollywood-benchmarked studios", and comprise 8 sound stages spread across a 7-acre area within Film City, Mumbai.

Having worked on over 150 films, Reliance MediaWorks' Digital Intermediate Lab is is known as a leading 4K facility in Mumbai, with real-time grading capabilities.

"This partnership evokes a shared vision for a unified film, media & entertainment industry in India. The shared strengths will enable the Studio to leverage expertise & complement each other (sic) in providing world-class facilities and services to its Customers," Akkineni Nageswara Rao said on the alliance.

"I am enthusiastic about this partnership with Reliance MediaWorks. It is futuristic," Akkineni Nagarjuna, Managing Director of the Studios, said in a statement, "The collaborative strategic approach between the 2 studios will drive new growth opportunities and realize the potential to ultimately transform the media & entertainment sector in India."

He further added, "Reliance MediaWorks and Annapurna Studios together with their unique backgrounds and distinctive perspectives will deliver world-class services through inspired concepts and designs."

"Annapurna Studios has created an ecosystem par excellence for the Telugu film industry, and it is our honour to partner with them." Anil Arjun, CEO of Reliance MediaWorks said.

Reliance MediaWorks has put together an experienced team of film and media services executives with a proven track record of accomplishments as operators and successful marketers and we can bring the experience, financial skills and hands-on approach that can make a difference. We are excited about the synergies and opportunities that will be created as we begin to work together and we look forward to strengthening our presence in Southern India," he added. (INN)