Balaji ventures into film distribution

The house of Balaji has come a long way. From being a television series production house, Balaji Telefilms, it diverted into making films with the setting up of Balaji Motion Pictures. And now, with consecutive film successes in Love Sex Aur Dhokha, Taryanche Bait, Shor In The City, Once Upon A Time In Mumbai and The Dirty Picture, company head honcho Ekta Kapoor has decided to set up a distribution wing. Says Balaji Motion Pictures Head-distribution and acquisition Girish Johar, “Going by the expanding slate of films, it is a wise decision to open our own distribution unit for a pipeline of revenues end-to-end.” Balaji has as many as six films lined up for release in 2013. “The move is the next logical step for our studio’s growth,” Johar adds. Reportedly, Balaji Motion Pictures will, in the coming four months, set up an in-house distribution wing that will be headed up by Ramesh Sippy who was till now working as an advisor to the motion pictures business. Sippy is among the best connected distributors in the country having successfully guided his own company Raksha Distributors. As of now, the distribution team will occupy one of the floors in the existing Balaji office in Andheri while bureau offices are expected to be set up in major cities across the country. However, there is a possibility of an entirely new office being built for distribution. Balaji’s last film The Dirty Picture was sold to A A Films for distribution in the country.