Indians are crazy about cricket and Bollywood. Though the way we play cricket hasn’t changed much, the ways of filmmaking have changed a lot. With production houses pumping in more money than ever, all it takes for a nobody to make it big is one good film. And a lot of these production houses are willing to give newcomers a chance. Here’s a list of 16 Bollywood production houses that have done so well that no newcomer can ever say ‘No’ to them:
1. Yash Raj Films – Biggest Production House in India
Notable flicks: Deewar, Mohabbatein, Veer-Zaara, DDLJ, Darr, Dhoom 3, Mardaani
Founded by Yash Chopra, YRF is one of the most successful production houses in the country. It has made superstars out of everyday dudes. Also, it keeps rolling out a Dhoom movie every once in a while to keep Uday Chopra’s acting career alive.
2. UTV Motion Pictures Ltd
Notable flicks: Swades, Rang De Basanti, Life In A… Metro, Fashion, Kaminey, Barfi, Chennai Express, 2 States
Founded by Ronnie Screwvala, this production house is currently headed by Siddharth Roy Kapur who was the marketing mind behind Rang De Basanti. This man sure knows how to market his films… and himself (he’s married to Vidya Balan.*sigh*).
3. Eros International
Notable flicks: Sholay, Mr India, Om Shanti Om, Love Aaj Kal, Housefull, Rockstar, Cocktail
A production house so profitable that it’s listed in the London Stock Exchange and the Bombay Stock Exchange. Well, that’s Eros for you. If you release your film under this banner, chances are that they’ll distribute your film to 50 other nations, courtesy their wide distribution network.
4. Dharma Productions
Notable flicks: Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Dostana, My Name Is Khan, Student of the Year
The signature crooning of the lady at the beginning of a Dharma film instantly brings back memories of Kuch Kuch Hota Hai. This production house was set up way back in 1976 by Yash Johar. Of late, Karan Johar has been warming the chairman’s seat (when he’s not in the judge’s seat of India’s Got Talent).
5. Red Chillies Entertainment
Notable flicks: Main Hoon Na, Om Shanti Om, Ra.One, Chennai Express, Happy New Year
We all love SRK and so does SRK, so much so that he gifted himself Red Chillies, a production house that churns out films with only him in the lead (or at least in an item number #Kaal).
6. Vinod Chopra Productions Pvt Ltd
Notable flicks: Munna Bhai MBBS, Lage Raho Munna Bhai, 3 Idiots, Ferrari Ki Sawaari, PK
Vidhu Vinod Chopra has been directing films since 1942 and has adapted his style to the changing times. He swears by Rancho’s rant of “kaabil bano, kaamyaabi jhak maarke peeche aayegi”.
7. Rajshri Productions
Notable flicks: Maine Pyar Kiya, Hum Aapke Hain Kaun, Hum Saath Saath Hain, Vivah
If production houses had brand ambassadors, Alok Nath would have been perfect for Rajshri Productions. Known to make films loaded with sanskaar and sanskriti , this banner has produced classics which every Indian dadaji would want to show his grandchildren. You’ll never have to think twice when you take your grandparents for a Rajshri film.
8. Bhansali Productions
Notable flicks: Goliyon Ki Raasleela: Ram-Leela, Mary Kom
Sanjay Leela Bhansali creates magic on screen with the awesome sets and costumes. I’m guessing he began producing his own films because then he wouldn’t have to justify the lakhs he plans to spend on those curtains… that would appear for less than 2 seconds in the movie.
9. Vishesh Film
Notable flicks: Murder1,2, Tum Mile, Aashiqui 2
Mukesh Bhatt launched this company in 1988 and later got his brother Mahesh Bhatt on board. Other than Emraan Hashmi, they’ve also given Indian cinema some super duper hits. If their films tanked, the foot-tapping music has more than made up for it. Either way it has always been a win-win situation.
10. Balaji Motion Pictures
Notable flicks: Shootout at Lokhandwala, Once Upon a Time in Mumbai, Ragini MMS, The Dirty Picture
From the small screen to the silver screen, Ekta Kapoor has come a long way. I’m glad she didn’t extend her fascination for the letter ‘K’ to films.
11. JA Entertainment
Notable flicks: Vicky Donor, Madras Cafe
JA stands for John Abraham. Though this production house is pretty much a toddler among the big baddies, it won’t be long before it grows up to be a hulk like John. Last heard, JA will be coming up with 5 films in 2015. See, I told you this toddler is growing up fast.
12. Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment Pvt Ltd
Notable flicks: Highway, 2 States, Kick, Heropanti
The name has “grandson” in it that says it all. The Nadiadwalas have been doling out blockbusters for 3 generations, beginning with the Ashok Kumar-starrer Inspector in 1956 to the recent Salman Khan blockbuster Kick .
13. Reliance Big Entertainment
Notable flicks: Ghajini, Singham, Kites, Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, Holiday
From mobiles to petroleum, Reliance has always been all over the place and thus it came as no surprise when they announced their entry into film production in 2005. All their films have tasted success… except for Kites .
14. Aamir Khan Productions
Notable flicks: Lagaan, Rang De Basanti, Dhobi Ghat, Taare Zameen Par
The Perfectionist put everything at stake and set up Aamir Khan Productions in 2000 for Lagaan . The rest as they say is history. Since then, every film coming out of Aamir’s production house has gone on to become a super hit. Some say it’s his perfection, others believe it’s Kiran Rao’s charm that works for him.
15. Excel Entertainment
Notable flicks: Dil Chahta Hai, Lakshya, Don, Rock On, Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, Dil Dhadakne Do
Excel Entertainment excelled on its debut with the release of Dil Chahta Ha i. They’ve been on a roll ever since. Headed by Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani, this banner has an enviable track record.
16. Anurag Kashyap Films Pvt Ltd
Notable flicks: Dev D, Udaan, Gangs of Wasseypur – Part 1, The Lunchbox
AKFPL, as it is popularly known, was founded in 2006 by the maverick Anurag Kashyap. This banner might not have the money that other biggies have but it sure fosters the courage to give newcomers a chance. AKFPL’s USP is the high-on-content films that it produces.
*waits eagerly for a call from one of these banners*
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