Fox STAR Studios Lines Up New Bollywood Feature

MUMBAI: Fox STAR Studios, a co-venture of Twentieth Century Fox and STAR to produce local-language films in Asia for a global rollout, has inked a deal with Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan and director Karan Johar to finance and distribute a film about an Indian Muslim living in the U.S.

Fox STAR Studios will market and distribute My Name is Khan in India. Fox Searchlight Pictures, following its success with Slumdog Millionaire, will handle distribution in the U.S., and 20th Century Fox International will distribute across the rest of the world.

In My Name is Khan, Shah Rukh Khan stars as an Indian Muslim suffering from Asperger’s Syndrome living in San Francisco. The film explores how he is impacted by the attacks of 9/11 and subsequent change in attitudes towards Muslims. Starring alongside Khan is Kajol, his co-star in the Bollywood blockbusters Kuch Kuch Hota Hai and Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge.

“We are extremely excited about this association, which reflects our ongoing commitment to partner with the most talented people in the film business,” said Jim Gianopulos, the chairman of Fox Filmed Entertainment. “After meeting with Karan and Shah Rukh, and hearing their vision for this film, I was deeply affected by this story and feel it will touch moviegoers around the world. With Shah Rukh’s global popularity coupled with Karan’s commercial sensibilities, My Name is Khan is sure to be a global hit and will be one of the priority releases for Fox and Fox Searchlight in 2010.”

Uday Shankar, the CEO of STAR India, added: “STAR has had an enviable relationship with both KJ and SRK that goes back many years. No other media group can claim such a privileged relationship with two so big entertainment icons. Since STAR has now entered the business of movies, it is only natural for us to extend this relationship to movies. I am confident that MNK is the first in a long series of compelling movie entertainment that this partnership will deliver.”