R Take Studios is building a diverse film slate featuring stars like Kajol and Dhanush. Founder Shraddha Agrawal said, "The process of making a film goes beyond putting together a cast and arranging finances." The studio now focuses on multilingual projects like OM, moving well beyond conventional Hindi cinema stories.
One of its notable projects has been Salaam Venky, directed by Revathi and featuring Kajol, Aamir Khan, Vishal Jethwa, Aneeth Padda and Prakash Raj.
From bringing Kajol and Aamir Khan together in Salaam Venky to backing a multilingual project featuring Dhanush and Mammootty, R Take Studios is looking to make its presence felt in the Indian film industry. With films spanning different languages, genres and casts, the production house is gradually putting together a slate that reflects its interest in exploring stories beyond conventional Hindi cinema.
One of its notable projects has been Salaam Venky, directed by Revathi and featuring Kajol, Aamir Khan, Vishal Jethwa, Aneeth Padda and Prakash Raj. Centred on the emotional relationship between a mother and her son, the film brought together a strong ensemble cast, with Kajol leading the story. The production house has also been associated with Daadi Ki Shaadi, adding another title to its growing list of projects.
There is also OM, an upcoming multilingual film that has an interesting line-up of actors. Featuring Dhanush, Mammootty, Sreeleela, Sai Pallavi and Nasser, the film is associated with filmmaker Rajkumar Periasamy and is planned across Tamil, Hindi, Telugu and Malayalam. The makers have kept the plot under wraps for now, but bringing together actors from different film industries makes it one of the more interesting projects in the pipeline.
Behind these projects is founder Shraddha Agrawal, whose journey into filmmaking took a somewhat unconventional route. After studying at the New York Film Academy (NYFA), she moved to Mumbai and began working in the film industry through an internship. She went on to assist on several projects before deciding to start her own production company. However, the COVID-19 pandemic forced her to put those plans on hold.
Agrawal returned to Nagpur during this period and became involved in her family's real estate business, R. Sandesh Group. She eventually took responsibility for at least 11 projects during a year that also saw significant expansion for the group. Once the film industry got back on its feet, she returned to her original plan of building a career in cinema.
A Creative Approach To Filmmaking
For Agrawal, the process of making a film goes beyond putting together a cast and arranging finances. She believes in staying involved at every stage, from developing the script to production, marketing and taking the finished film to audiences.
She also places importance on the people working behind the camera, with an emphasis on professional relationships, timely payments and a smooth working environment for cast and crew.
Her filmmaking influences include A24, Hombale Films and Yash Raj Films, though for different reasons. While A24 stands out for its distinctive storytelling, Hombale Films has caught her attention for backing new directors and talent. Yash Raj Films, meanwhile, is an example of how a production house can build a strong reputation through professional practices over the years.
Looking Beyond Hindi Cinema
The next step is to explore more stories across Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada cinema, along with opportunities in international markets. The ambition is to work across different budgets and genres rather than be associated with just one kind of film.