Ryan Kavanaugh’s Relativity Expands to India

LOS ANGELES: Ryan Kavanaugh’s Relativity Media is partnering with Fuse Capital and Keyur Patel to set up an Indian production and distribution company.

The Mumbai-based Relativity Media India (RMI) will handle distribution for all future Relativity Media pictures for India and and will immediately begin acquiring English-language films from other Hollywood studios and producers for distribution in the lucrative Indian market. The venture will also develop, produce and distribute local language content across film, TV and gaming, and will license, adapt and remake internationally successful content and formats for India. The company is ready finalizing the acquisition of distribution rights to more than 30 English-language films, dating back to earlier this year.

Relativity’s partner in the venture is Keyur Patel, chairman and CEO of Fuse+Media, an investor in Indian media. Announcing the launch of RMI, Kavanaugh noted: "The idea for RMI rose out of a deep desire to enter this new and rapidly expanding market. Keyur’s expertise in production, distribution and in the digital world will make this a seamless extension of the Relativity brand. We are excited to have them join us in developing Relativity Media India."

Patel, who will serve as chairman and chief creative officer of RMI, added: "With our experience and intimate knowledge of the Indian market, coupled with Ryan’s and Relativity’s creativity and access to the highest quality content, I believe RMI will quickly establish itself as one of the top studios in India."

Relativity U.S. headquarters has committed to, produced and/or financed more than 200 studio-quality motion pictures through 2014. Its recent films include Zombieland, Couples Retreat, The Ugly Truth, Public Enemies, Fast and the Furious and The Bounty Hunter and Repo Men.