Warner Bros. Pictures has signed a major partnership with Bhanushali Studios Limited (BSL) and JOAT Films to create Bollywood adaptations of some of its most iconic titles. The exclusive five-film deal will see classic Warner Bros. movies reimagined for Indian audiences. These adaptations will blend the emotional storytelling and scale of Bollywood with the timeless appeal of Warner Bros.’ original content. The goal is to give beloved global hits a new life through the lens of Indian culture, while keeping their core themes intact.
Warner Bros. Pictures will manage worldwide distribution, while the production will be led locally by Vinod Bhanushali, founder of BSL. Bhanushali’s studio has already made waves with films like Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai, which won five Filmfare OTT Awards, including Best Web Original Film.
“India represents one of the world’s most vibrant and sophisticated film markets, with audiences who deeply appreciate authentic, locally rooted narratives,” said Denzil Dias, Vice President and Managing Director of Warner Bros. Pictures India. “This partnership allows us to combine our storytelling heritage with exceptional local talent to create films that will resonate profoundly with Indian audiences while maintaining the universal appeal that defines great cinema.”
BSL has also recently teamed up with Hansal Mehta’s True Story Films on a three-film deal, adding more depth to its growing content slate. Their upcoming titles include Janhit Mein Jaari, Main Atal Hoon, Costao, Bhaiyya Ji, and Kahan Shuru Kahan Khatam, covering both theatrical and OTT releases.
“We’re incredibly excited to partner with Warner Bros. Pictures, a studio that has shaped cinematic history across generations,” added Vinod Bhanushali. “This collaboration represents a unique opportunity to reimagine Warner Bros. stories through an Indian creative lens, blending emotion, scale, and culture for audiences both at home and internationally.”
Adding more strength to the partnership is Jack Nguyen, founder of JOAT Films, who brings over 30 years of industry experience. Nguyen already holds a first-look deal with Warner Bros. Pictures and is currently working on a Korean remake of “The Intern.”
Jack Nguyen, founder of JOAT Films, said, “I’m excited to partner with BSL to adapt Warner Bros. Pictures titles that will resonate with Indian audiences.” He added, “Warner Bros. Pictures has an unparalleled library from which we will carefully curate select titles for the vibrant Indian market.”
The first project under this collaboration is already in development, with creative teams and production schedules expected to be revealed soon. While Warner Bros. and BSL haven’t confirmed which titles are being adapted first, fans can expect announcements in the coming months.
Notably, Bollywood remakes of Hollywood films are not new. In 2021, a remake of The Intern starring Amitabh Bachchan and Deepika Padukone was announced, but it has yet to materialize.
This latest initiative, however, reflects a more organized and long-term approach to bringing global cinema to Indian screens. With Warner Bros.’ extensive film library and the rising demand for Indian-language adaptations, the partnership is poised to deliver content that appeals both domestically and internationally.
This collaboration signifies a growing recognition of India as a key entertainment market. For global studios, India offers a massive and diverse audience hungry for relatable yet high-quality content. For local production houses, access to well-loved international stories opens up new creative possibilities.
As Bollywood continues to evolve in both style and scale, such collaborations could define the next era of cross-cultural storytelling in cinema.