Panorama Studios and Anthology Studios have made a ground-breaking announcement at the ongoing Cannes Film Festival. They revealed their partnership for the remake of the popular Drishyam franchise led by Ajay Devgn in the Korean language. This marks the first-ever collaboration between an Indian and Korean studio, as well as the first official remake of a Hindi film in Korean.
The announcement took place on May 21, 2023, at the India Pavilion managed by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) at the Cannes Film Festival. The news has created a buzz among moviegoers and industry professionals as it represents a significant milestone in cross-cultural collaboration.
Anthology Studios, founded by esteemed personalities including former Warner Bros local Korean production head Jay Choi, renowned actor Song Kang-ho from the film Parasite, and acclaimed director Kim Jee-Woon, brings together a wealth of talent and expertise to this venture. The announcement has generated great anticipation for the Korean adaptation of Drishyam and the creative interpretation that Anthology Studios will bring to the project.
Kumar Mangat Pathak says, “I’m excited that Drishyam franchise is being made in Korean, a first for a Hindi film. This will not only increase its reach outside India but will also put Hindi cinema on the global map. All these years, we have been inspired by Korean fare, now they have found a muse in one of our films. What can be a bigger achievement for the Indian film fraternity!”
Jay Choi is equally upbeat about the collaboration. He says, “We are thrilled to have an opportunity to remake a massively successful Hindi film with a touch of originality from Korean cinema. And the remake has greater significance as the first major co-production between Korea and India. Through our partnership, we will be able to bring the best of both Indian and Korean cinema and make a meaningful remake that is as excellent as the original”.
Also of note is the involvement of US-based Jack Nguyen as Executive Producer. He was previously a 30-year executive at Warner Bros. in Los Angeles and worked with Kumar Mangat on the WB-produced comedy hit, Atithi Tum Kab Jaoge, and with Jay Choi and his team producing a slate of Korean films including 2016’s critically acclaimed blockbuster drama, Age of Shadows. “I have a history with and the utmost respect for these highly-regarded producers so it was a natural fit for me to bring them together to collaborate on a great story in Drishyam. I’m excited to help them make history with this first-of-its-kind Indian-Korean co-production”.
Drishyam and Drishyam 2 were originally made in Malayalam by filmmaker Jeethu Joseph and the films starrer Mohanlal in the lead. Panorama Films, which remade both the movies in Hindi, acquired the remake rights of Drishyam and Drishyam 2 in non-Indian languages earlier this year.
