Hollywood calling for Yash Raj

After conquering the silver screen in India for over four decades, followed by hands in distribution and music production, the Yash Raj brand has finally taken the leap that few in Bollywood have dared: the gumption to court Hollywood.

Failed actor, director and son of scion Yash Chopra, Uday Chopra has announced the formation of YRF Entertainment, a Hollywood-based production and financing company focused on developing and producing feature films for the US and the international marketplace.

The company is launched and funded by Yash Raj Films, where young Uday will serve as CEO.

 In a statement, Chopra said: “My family has a deep commitment to making and distributing quality films that entertain and enlighten audiences.

“I share that passion, as well as a love for American films that I have had since childhood. It is that enthusiasm and my love of the creative process of filmmaking that drove me to start this new venture.”

YRF Entertainment has already zeroed in on its first Hollywood venture, with signing on to produce and finance the Jason Bateman and Olivia Wilde starrer, “The Longest Week,” which began shooting last week in New York City.

Written and directed by Peter Glanz, the movie also stars Billy Crudup, a comedy that tells the story of a bratty “man-child” (Bateman) who still lives with his parents in a chic Manhattan hotel but suddenly finds himself evicted, disinherited and hopelessly in love with his best friend’s heartthrob (Wilde).

It appears that enterprising Uday tracked down the project after the original financier had to abandon the film and immediately fell in love with the material. He quickly arranged a creative and physical production meeting with Glanz and Armian in Mumbai. After the lengthy meeting, he committed to making the movie, with his business and legal team closing the deal in less than two weeks.

YRF Entertainment is also building a slate of projects that it will actively develop and produce from the ground up. The first project the company will develop is an untitled action/comedy by Dan Ewen (“Opposites Attract”) about two twenty-something’s who run away from their podunk towns to pursue big dreams and become an unlikely but seemingly unstoppable duo after meeting serendipitously.

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