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Back to Bollywood

Sivaji Productions ventures into Hindi films after more than four decades

BOARDROOM BASICS Jimmy Shergill in a still from `Delhi Heights'

The last time Sivaji Productions produced Hindi films was in the 1960s. Amardeep and Rakhi, produced by the group, failed to click at the BO.

The production house quickly retraced its steps and stuck to its home ground, Tamil films. Now, after four decades, the group is revisiting Bollywood.

The film, titled Delhi Heights, looks at the lives of young professionals and the impact of their work on their personal lives. The cast includes Jimmy Shergill, Neha Dhupia, Om Puri and Simone Singh. Directed by first time film-maker Anand Kumar, the film has music by Rabbi Shergill.

Producer Ram Kumar, who along with his brother and actor Prabhu spearheads the production house started by his legendary father Sivaji Ganesan, informs that this Hindi film is just the precursor to their larger plans.

He says, "A year ago, I signed film-maker Rajkumar Santoshi and composer A.R. Rahman for a Hindi film. But since the plans got delayed, we launched Delhi Heights. It's a small budget film with a good storyline and will help us gauge Bollywood. The Rajkumar Santoshi film will begin in December."

Larger plans

He reveals that Sivaji Productions plans to venture into other languages as well. "After the stupendous hit Chandramukhi, we thought the time is right for us to venture beyond Tamil films. We'll be starting a Kannada film with Puneet Rajkumar soon. We are looking at the Telugu film industry as well. We also plan to tie up with global firms to produce English television serials."

For now, the attention is on Delhi Heights. Speaking about the film, adman-turned-feature film-maker Anand Kumar says, "Jimmy Shergill and Neha Dhupia, who work for rival corporate companies, live in this apartment complex called Delhi Heights. Vivek Shauq plays an interesting part of a cricket bookie."

The highlight of the film is Rabbi Shergill's music. A song from Rabbi's Indipop album, Tere Bin, has been used for the film. The crew boasts of Samyukta, who has penned dialogues for Hum Tum and Fanaa, and editor Srikar Prasad, who has worked for Mani Ratnam's films.

SDK

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