UTV has been known to create new benchmarks with each of its new ventures and its latest one is no different. And now comes "UTV Classics", a sub-brand of UTV Motion Pictures that would promote experimental and unconventional cinema, making it accessible to a broad audience.

The opening film to be released under the banner will be ‘The Blue Umbrella’ directed by the inimitable Vishal Bhardwaj, that’s set to release in theaters across the country on January 5, 2007.
 
Based on a Ruskin Bond novella by the same name ‘The Blue Umbrella’ aims at adding a new dimension to today’s genre of kids’ films by combining entertainment with a morality tale. The film has astounding performances by Pankaj Kapur & Shreya Sharma. Having being screened at some of the top-notch film festivals abroad, ‘The Blue Umbrella’ is all set to captivate the minds and hearts of the young and the young at heart.

Says Ronnie Screwvala, CEO of UTV “The entertainment tastes of a section of the audience are maturing with time and UTV Classics is an initiative to address the needs of this growing audience for different cinema. 2006 has been proof of this, with unconventional movies that have broken the mould and which have been applauded by audiences and critics alike.

About UTV Motion Pictures:

Established in 1995, as a division within UTV, UTV Motion Pictures has contributed to the Studio model in India. UTV Motion Pictures has bought a system of work and is able to leverage the same to develop strong storylines, to have control over time and cost budgets while performing highly effective marketing and promotion activities.

Rang De Basanti from the UTV stable is India’s official entry for the Oscars this year. Presently UTV has a slate for 12 films, which are various stages of production, scripting, story formation. Its upcoming projects include Vishal Bhardawaj’s Blue Umbrella, Anurag Basu’s Metro, Milan Luthria’s Hattrick, Mira Nair’s masterpiece ‘Namesake’, Ashutosh Gowariker’s ‘Jodha-Akbar’, Vivek Agnohotri film ‘Goal’ amongst others.

UTV Motion Pictures also has a roster of the best Indian filmmaking talents like Madhur Bhandkar, Rakesyh Mehra and Vishal Bhardwaj.