Indian entrepreneur Prasanna Ajarekar has launched Anashwar Media and Entertainment, marking the company’s debut with director Nikhil Mahajan’s “Taxi Driver” at the ongoing Film Bazaar project market.
The film follows a taxi driver and a thief whose lives intersect during one fateful night, revealing an unexpected connection from their past. Production is set to commence in early 2025, with a targeted release in early 2026.
“I have always been fascinated by the business of cinema,” says Ajarekar. “When Shrirang Godbole introduced me to Nikhil and Suhrud, I felt that this was the right association for me, looking at their body of work. I realized that this business is about long-term engagement and collaborations, and my eyes are set for the next few years where I want to create an ecosystem for modern, cutting-edge Indian cinema. ‘Taxi Driver’ is just the start.”
For Mahajan, whose latest film, environmental thriller “Raavsaheb,” is competing at the International Film Festival of India (IFFI), Goa, “Taxi Driver” represents a genre shift following his family drama “Godavari.”
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“‘Taxi Driver’ is one of my dream projects,” Mahajan notes. “I am grateful to Prasanna for understanding the potential of this story and for supporting it with so much conviction.”
The film continues the partnership between Mahajan and producer Suhrud Godbole, marking their fourth collaboration following “Pune 52,” “Baji,” and “June.” Godbole, who has worked with Mahajan since 2009, emphasizes their commitment to expanding the boundaries of Marathi-language cinema. “We are thrilled that in Prasanna we have someone who understands our creative vision,” says Godbole, noting that Ajarekar is also an investor in “Raavsaheb.”
The project’s launch at Film Bazaar builds on the team’s history with the platform, which has supported their previous ventures in the Marathi film industry.
Film Bazaar (Nov. 20-24) is the project market component of IFFI (Nov. 20-28).