Disney and DreamWorks team up over Bollywood vision

Walt Disney and DreamWorks have announced a long-term distribution deal aimed at bringing Bollywood movies to the United States.

Under the terms of the deal, which has not been fully disclosed, Disney will distribute and market six DreamWorks films a year under its existing partnership with India’s Reliance Big Entertainment.

The first film produced as a result of the tie-up is expected to be released in 2010.

Disney chairman Dick Cook said he was “thrilled and honoured” to be working with DreamWorks’ founder Steven Spielberg and chief executive Stacey Snider.

“Steven has made some of the biggest and most loved films of all time, and continues to be one of the great icons of our industry,” he said.

“Stacey has an impeccable reputation and a phenomenal track record for making a wide variety of quality films.”

Spielberg, who set up DreamWorks in the mid 1990s, added: “Disney is the birthplace of imagination and has always been as close to the worldwide audience as any company ever has.”

Hrithik, Priyanka declared best actors at Filmfare Awards

Bollywood stars Hrithik Roshan and Priyanka Chopra were declared the best male and female actors respectively at the glittering 54th Idea Filmfare Awards ceremony here late Saturday night.

Hrithik won the award for essaying the role of Emperor Akbar in “Jodhaa Akbar”, while Priyanka walked away with the black lady statuette for her performance in “Fashion“.

“Jodhaa Akbar” pipped “Dostana“, “Ghajini“, “Jaane Tu..Ya Jaane Na”, “Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi”, and “Rock On!!” to bag the best film trophy, while the best director award went to Ashutosh Gowariker for “Jodhaa Akbar”.

Held at the Yash Raj Studios here, the evening saw a plethora of Bollywood’s Who’s Who dressed in their fanciest best walking the red carpet at the event.