Bhansali's next? It's a Sony!

Sony Pictures, after raking in the moolah in India with their Spider-Man films, have now decided that this is the place to be.

The international film giant has now announced a momentous tie-up. It will be co-producing a full-fledged Hindi film, to be directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali.

Michael Lynton and Amy Pascal of Sony Pictures Entertainment and Uday Singh, General Manager of Sony Pictures Releasing of India made the groundbreaking announcement.

Lynton, chairman and chief executive officer, SPE, described the step as "a defining moment for us as a company and for filmmakers, artists and audiences in India as well."

"Sanjay Leela Bhansali's body of work has been in a class of its own," said Pascal, vice-chairman, SPE, and chairman, Motion Picture Group, before going on to wax eloquent about Khamoshi, Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, Devdas, and Black. "We are indeed proud to associate with one of India's most revered directors," she added.

The fact that a major Hollywood studio is collaborating for a Bollywood production is a significant one, and more such collaborations are likely to follow as the Hindi movie industry increasingly finds Western acceptability.

The film will be called Saawariya. While no details of cast and story have yet been declared, one assumes this is likely to be the director's already announced next project, starring Rishi Kapoor's son, Ranbir, and Anil Kapoor's daughter, Sonam.