Kangana Ranaut’s Tejas Set to Grace Cinemas on 20th October, Produced by Ronnie Screwvala’s RSVP Movies

The much-awaited film, Tejas, featuring the talented Kangana Ranaut in the lead role, is all set to grace the silver screens on the 20th of October. Directed by Sarvesh Mewara, the film revolves around the inspiring journey of an Air Force pilot and is backed by the esteemed producer, Ronnie Screwvala.

Undoubtedly, Ronnie Screwvala, who gracefully exited the showbiz industry almost a decade ago following the sale of his company UTV Software Communications to Walt Disney, is discreetly scripting a substantial comeback to the entertainment business. Publicly, the experienced media mogul primarily focuses on his ventures in the online education realm through upGrad and his philanthropic initiative, The Swades Foundation. However, behind the scenes, his renowned production house, RSVP Movies, has been diligently engaged in producing a diverse portfolio of feature films and web originals.

In recent years, RSVP Movies has emerged as a prominent player in the OTT content creation space, with an impressive lineup of web shows in various languages. These shows have garnered significant attention and acclaim from audiences and critics alike, solidifying RSVP’s position as a leading content creator for digital platforms. This successful transition to the web can be attributed to Ronnie Screwvala’s inclination towards concept-driven, realistic storytelling, which has been a hallmark of his approach throughout his career.

Among the notable web shows produced by RSVP, Netflix’s anthology dramas Paava Kadhaigal (in Tamil) and Pitta Kathalu (in Telugu) have garnered widespread appreciation for their compelling narratives and strong performances. Additionally, romantic comedy Mismatched, mystery thriller Raat Akeli Hai, and the critically acclaimed short film Natkhat, starring Vidya Balan, have further added to RSVP’s reputation as a producer of high-quality and diverse content.

RSVP Movies began its journey in the entertainment industry with a remarkable start at the box office. The war drama, “Uri: The Surgical Strike,” released in 2019, proved to be a massive success, earning over ₹200 crore. The film, based on the real-life surgical strikes conducted by the Indian Army, struck a chord with audiences and received widespread acclaim for its powerful storytelling and compelling performances.

Following the resounding success of “Uri: The Surgical Strike,” RSVP Movies continued its streak of delivering impactful films with the release of “Kedarnath.” Starring the late Sushant Singh Rajput in the lead role, the romantic drama garnered moderate success, grossing around ₹70 crore at the box office. The film, set against the backdrop of the devastating 2013 Uttarakhand floods, showcased a heartfelt narrative and received praise for the performances of its lead actors.

During Ronnie Screwvala’s tenure at UTV, he earned a reputation for supporting smaller films and offbeat narratives, often championing projects that stood out from the mainstream Bollywood fare. His foresight and belief in the potential of such films led to the success of several sleeper hits that resonated with both critics and audiences. Some of these noteworthy films include:

“Khosla Ka Ghosla”: Released in 2006, this comedy-drama, directed by Dibakar Banerjee, followed the story of a middle-class family’s struggle to reclaim their land from a real-estate mafia. The film was appreciated for its humor, strong performances, and a relatable portrayal of the common man’s fight against corruption.

“Life…in a Metro”: This 2007 anthology film, helmed by Anurag Basu, weaved together multiple stories of characters living in the bustling metropolis of Mumbai. The film explored themes of love, relationships, and the complexities of urban life, earning praise for its storytelling and ensemble cast.

“Mumbai Meri Jaan”: Released in 2008, this drama, directed by Nishikant Kamat, depicted the aftermath of the 2006 Mumbai train bombings and its impact on the lives of several individuals. The film received critical acclaim for its sensitive portrayal of the human spirit amid tragedy.

“A Wednesday!”: This 2008 thriller, directed by Neeraj Pandey, centered on a common man who takes matters into his own hands to tackle terrorism. The film’s gripping narrative and powerhouse performances by Naseeruddin Shah and Anupam Kher made it a standout success.

“Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye!”: Directed by Dibakar Banerjee and released in 2008, this crime-comedy film was based on the true story of a notorious thief. The film’s quirky humor and unique storytelling style garnered widespread acclaim.

“The Lunchbox”: This 2013 romantic drama, directed by Ritesh Batra, captivated audiences with its heartfelt tale of an unlikely connection between a lonely office worker and a housewife through a lunchbox delivery service. The film received international acclaim and became a defining success for UTV and Indian independent cinema.

Besides the highly anticipated film “Tejas” RSVP Movies is also backing another significant project, the war drama “Pippa.” The film features the talented actor Ishaan Khatter in the lead role, and its production is poised to deliver another impactful cinematic experience.