India signs film deals with Julia Roberts & Hollywood Inc.

Berlin. As the Berlin International Film Festival gets into a full swing there are reports of Indian Reliance Big Entertainment (RBE) signing development deals with a number of Hollywood ventures, including a two picture agreement with 'Pretty Woman' star Julia Roberts' Red Om Films and Brett Ratner's Rat Entertainment. The latest announcement was made in Berlin by Reliance Big Entertainment's chairman Amit Khanna and president Rajesh Sawhney. Kathy Robinson looks at recession-proof India for India-EU Film Initiative (www.iefilmi.com)

According to observers in Berlin, Indian Film Industry doesn't seem to be caught up in the recent recession and economic turmoil. Supported by a number of film stars India's IPL, Cricket league, surprised many as the bidding for international cricket players went up and up Friday, Feb 6, 2009. Recession? What recession, noted many.

With the Berlin announcement, Anil Ambani-led group's current tally of development deals reaches to nine, following the announcement at Cannes last year of pacts with Nicolas Cage's Saturn Prods., Jim Carrey's JC 23 Entertainment, George Clooney's Smokehouse Prods., Chris Columbus' 1492 Pictures, Tom Hanks' Playtone Prods., Brad Pitt's Plan B Entertainment, and Jay Roach's Everyman Pictures.