Pen India Limited
Pen India Limited is an Indian film production and distribution company established by Dr. Jayantilal Gada on 31 March 1987. Based in Mumbai, it mainly produces and distributes Hindi films.
In 1992, the business was restructured under the name ‘Popular Entertainment Network’ and began to acquire video rights for movies to be distributed over various mediums such as video cassettes, satellites, terrestrial platforms, etc. The Company subsequently forayed into theatrical and distribution rights of movies.
Pen India Limited was incorporated in the year 2000. Post that, it became the exclusive agency to Zee TV for acquisitions of Hindi feature films for Zee Cinema. Between 2004 and 2016, the company aggregated more than 2,500 movies for a cumulative value of more than INR 4,000 Cr. Over the years, PEN has become one of the largest independent content and rights aggregators of Bollywood movies in India.
In the past few years, Pen Studios has produced films like Kahaani, Shivaay etc. with many A-listers, that have been a huge success at the Box-office. The company, now, is also expanding by focusing on producing good regional content.
Gearing up for the next major growth spurt in the media and entertainment industry - Pen is setting up its own digital media platforms and will offer unique services at reasonable prices for Indian consumers.
Pen India Limited launched a new Television Channel named WOW. WOW's content library is full of various Bollywood music, old classic Bollywood movies to new Hindi, Gujarati films. South Indian movies, TV series such as Mahabharat etc.
Initial years
Dr.Jayantilal Gada started as a small-time entrepreneur with a video library called Popular Video Cassette Co in 1984. Later he went into trading of video rights and distribution of VHS tapes across India by establishing Asia's biggest video shop "POPULAR VIDEO" at Lamington Road, Mumbai.Brief history
Restructured and formed Popular Entertainment Network Limited in the year 1992 and started dealing in copyrights of Hindi feature films viz. Video, Satellite and Doordarshan., Shahrukh Khan and Jayantilal Gada during the premiere of Issaq.
PEN was the largest content provider of Hindi feature films to channels.
In 1995, PEN created another landmark by telecasting Sholay 20 years after its theatrical release on Doordarshan and creating a record with the highest ever Television viewing ratings with approximately 7.5 crore revenues.
In 1996, Sony TV telecast Sholay to celebrate its 1st anniversary and gained No 1 position among satellite channels beating Zee TV for the first time.
Daughter Bhavita Jayantilal Gada also joined PEN in 2006 and started an Animation Division with mega projects like MAHABHARAT.
Nephew Kushal Kantilal Gada joined the group in 2007 after graduating in management studies.
In 2009 son Dhaval Gada, after completing his course at Whistling Woods International Institute, joined PEN to streamline production activities.
Film history
In 2012 PEN's maiden production Kahaani with Sujoy Ghosh proves successful at the box-office.In 2013 PEN released 3 projects: Issaq, released all over India in 900 theatres. Singh Saab the Great on 1970 screens in India. Mahabharat 3D animation feature film also released in 300 theatres.
In 2014 PEN completes and finally releases Sholay 3D in 780 theatres in India. PEN also co produces and distributes Nagesh Kukunoor's Art House film "Lakshmii" on 82 screens, Entertainment in 3,200 screens worldwide. PEN also distributes and released Ekkees Toppon Ki Salaami on 490 screens and Ketan Mehta's Rang Rasiya on 890 screens.
PEN has been associated in the past with films like Sauda , Kohram, Lal Baadshah, Kitne Door Kitne Paas, Shararat and Yeh Mera India as right holders and not as a production.
Filmography
;ProductionThe following is a list of notable films in which Jayantilal Gada Pen India Ltd has been involved.
;Distribution
- Rajini Murugan
- Singam III: Si3
- Zero
- Badla
- Family Of Thakurganj
- Judgementall Hai Kya
- Jabariya Jodi
- Dream Girl
- Ghost
- Satellite Shankar
- Marjaavaan
- Jawaani Jaaneman
- Love Aaj Kal
- Kaamyaab
- Angrezi Medium
- Coolie No.1
- Dolly Kitty Aur Woh Chamakte Sitare