Mumbai: Pocket Aces, acquired by Saregama India Ltd., has solidified its status as India’s foremost digital entertainment and production company with an impressive showing at this year’s Cannes Film Festival. Following their successful debut in 2022 in collaboration with the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Pocket Aces has made significant strides at the prestigious event even this year.
The festival provided an unparalleled opportunity for Pocket Aces to network and collaborate with leading content houses worldwide. The producers behind IPs like Little Things, What The Folks, Operation MBBS, Adulting, Ghar Waapsi, etc., were at Cannes to build and expand IPs with global producers for a larger audience. Leveraging its substantial production capabilities, the company is now in advanced discussions with multiple international partners to create content tailored for the global market.
Highlighting their presence at Cannes, Pocket Aces secured exclusive screenings for their three diverse and talented stars: actors- Ayush Mehra and Viraj Ghelani, and artist-cum-aspiring actor Karishma Gangwal (RJ Karishma). This accomplishment underscores the company's dedication to the core values of art and cinema, further establishing Pocket Aces as a global content leader ready to make its mark on the international stage.
Viraj Ghelani, set to make his regional debut with the film Jhamkudi, received an exclusive invite from Warner Bros to attend the world premiere of Chris Hemsworth’s Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga. He also attended screenings of Kevin Costner’s Horizon: An American Saga, Emma Stone’s Kinds of Kindness, and Radhika Apte’s Midnight Sister.
Ayush Mehra, known for his roles in Kacchey Limbu and popular OTT shows like Minus One and Call My Agent - Bollywood, attended the festival to experience the works of Indian and international filmmakers. He watched Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, Kinds of Kindness, and Indian director Payal Kapadia’s award-winning film All We Imagine As Light.
On the other hand, with the aspiration of becoming an actor after successfully transitioning from an RJ to portraying several characters in her sketches online, Karishma Gangwal (RJ Karishma) attended the screening of Kinds of Kindness and Horizon; An American Saga showcasing her love for cinema and art.
On successfully aligning international and Indian film screenings for their talents, Clout Pocket Aces & Head of Strategy Vinay Pillai said, “This experience at Cannes exemplifies our dedication to nurturing talent and supporting the art of cinema. Today, content creators, artists, and actors alike infuse the festival with dynamic, innovative energy, significantly broadening its reach and appeal. They bridge the gap between traditional media and the rapidly evolving digital landscape thanks to the digital age thereby fostering inclusive and diverse representation. Their real-time, unique coverage captivates global audiences, enhancing the festival's visibility and relevance in our digital age. This year, with our first official selection for the Palme d’Or in 30 years with All We Imagine as Light, truly marked India’s moment at the festival. As for Pocket Aces, our presence goes beyond the glitz of the red carpet, reinforcing our vision to be at the forefront of cinematic excellence.”
Pocket Aces co-founder and CEO, Aditi Shrivastava said, "At Pocket Aces, we believe in the power of storytelling in all its forms. Our multiple journeys to the Cannes Film Festival whether limited to just the company in its first year and now as a studio as well as a management company, is not just about brand collaborations but about celebrating and contributing to the richness of Indian and global cinema. We aspire to do bigger things in the global market and there couldn’t have been a better place to start. ”
