FremantleMedia Invests in Gurinder Chadha’s Production Company

FremantleMedia has taken a 25 percent interest in Bend It TV, the scripted TV production company founded by filmmaker Gurinder Chadha (Bend It Like Beckham, Bride and Prejudice).

“Gurinder is a phenomenal storyteller and a real auteur,” CEO Cecile Frot-Coutaz said of the Kenyan-born British director. “I’m thrilled to be working with her. When we set out to build our scripted business, at the top of my list was working with and supporting the best creative talent in the world and this new partnership truly exemplifies that goal.”

Chadha added, “I am so impressed with Cecile, Sarah [Doole, director of global drama at FremantleMedia] and her team and their understanding and support for creative storytellers like me. I look forward to working on our vibrant, international drama slate and bringing our brand of stories to our global audience, now excitingly, on TV.”

FremantleMedia has made a number of investments in creative indies over the last 18 months, including Abot Hameiri, Naked Entertainment, Man Alive Entertainment, Full Fat TV, Corona Pictures, Dr Pluto, Dancing Ledge, Wild Blue Media, Eureka, No Pictures Please, Fontaram, Kwai and Wildside.