Production Studio

UTV Motion Pictures

UTV Motion Pictures was a powerhouse in Indian cinema from its founding in 1996 by Ronnie and Zarina Screwvala. Starting as the film distribution arm of UTV Software Communications, it quickly grew into one of South Asia's biggest production studios, handling everything from creative development and production to marketing, distribution, and merchandising. The studio became known for its diverse portfolio—juggling Bollywood hits, regional films, animation projects, and international productions. They also served as Disney's distribution label in India, partnering with major studios like 20th Century Studios, Walt Disney Pictures, and Sony Pictures, which cemented their position as a truly global player in the film industry. UTV Motion Pictures carved out a reputation for being creatively ambitious and commercially savvy, blending big-budget Bollywood spectacles with quality storytelling. Their contribution to Hindi cinema was significant during their peak years, backing films that ranged from mainstream masala to more experimental work. However, the studio's Bollywood chapter came to an unexpected end in July 2017 following the release of Jagga Jasoos, when they decided to shift focus away from Hindi film production. Instead, they concentrated their efforts on distributing Hollywood content and diving deeper into television, licensing, and merchandising ventures—a strategic pivot that reflected the changing landscape of Indian entertainment. By this point, UTV Motion Pictures had already been absorbed into Disney's operations, eventually evolving into other production banners under the Disney umbrella.