In the last 10 years, Junglee Pictures has carved a niche for itself by backing strong yet entertaining films like Dil Dhadakne Do (2015), Talvar (2015), Bareilly Ki Barfi (2017), Raazi (2018), Badhaai Ho (2018), Badhaai Do (2022), Doctor G (2022), etc. 2025 was a memorable year for the production house, thanks to the acclaim garnered by Dileesh Pothan-Roshan Mathew starrer Ronth and Haq, starring Emraan Hashmi and Yami Gautam. In an exclusive interview with Bollywood Hungama, Amrita Pandey, CEO, Junglee Pictures, opened up about an eventful 2025, work strategy and a lot more.
What drove the studio to back two films, Haq and Ronth, that are tonally and thematically different? Also, how was 2025 for Junglee Pictures?
Both Haq and Ronth sit at opposite ends of the tonal spectrum, yet both reflect our core belief: backing compelling stories that stay with you, irrespective of genre or language. With Haq, the conviction in Reshu Nath's writing and its willingness to ask difficult questions drew us in immediately. It offered a narrative that is powerful, bold, necessary, and deeply relevant today, one that demanded empathy and critical reflection from the audience in the Suparn Varma-directed film. Ronth excited us for a different reason. It let us explore a new language and cinematic culture while staying rooted in strong storytelling in the very capable hands of Director Shahi Kabir.
Together, these films captured where Junglee is today: open, curious, and committed to meaningful, writer-driven cinema that resonates and entertains, while staying true to its voice. Both films were also fictionalised stories inspired by true events. The unanimously positive reviews and audience love for both films have been overwhelming, and they make us want to keep raising the bar.
Many wish that Haq should win the National Award. Your thoughts?
We’d be honoured for Haq to be in this prestigious consideration set. For us, the greatest reward is when a film opens conversations — when viewers reflect, debate and carry the story beyond the theatre, which I feel we have managed to do with Haq. It was humbling to see the film receive such positive reviews from critics and audiences. Awards are meaningful, yes, but the true success of a film lies in its ability to endure, to imprint itself on public consciousness and, in some small way, influence change.
Every film of Junglee has a common theme – fearlessness. Is that a conscious attempt?
Absolutely. Fearlessness with entertainment — whether in choosing real-life inspired stories, its tone or its casting — has become something of a hallmark for us. We believe audiences today are ready for cinema that doesn’t play it safe: films that challenge norms and spark conversations. So yes, producing films like Raazi, Talvar, Badhaai Ho, Badhaai Do, Doctor G and now Haq and Ronth allow us to push boundaries. Our attempt is to back narratives that are courageous and credible, balanced with storytelling that drives audience entertainment, retention and reach.
Has there been any change in approach post-pandemic for Junglee Pictures?
Pandemic pushed us to invest our time deeply in development - writing, rewriting, and reassessing the kind of stories we truly wanted to tell. Post-pandemic, we’ve become far more intentional about what we green-light, focusing on films that feel meaningful, sustainable, and aligned with shifting audience sensibilities. We’ve also expanded our pipeline thoughtfully, especially into regional storytelling, where audience appetite has grown significantly. At the same time, our approach to casting and costing has become more disciplined - ensuring the right talent for the right story while keeping the economics healthy. In many ways, the pandemic reinforced our core principles: prioritize the story, respect the craft, and build each film with responsibility and clarity of purpose.
Many filmmakers have spoken about star fees and entourage costs. Your thoughts?
Responsible budgeting, fair pay and value-driven casting are essential for sustainable filmmaking today. The economics of the industry have changed, and it’s important for all stakeholders to work towards a more balanced model - where fees are structured realistically and everyone participates in the film’s success. Ultimately, profitability should be a shared goal. When teams prioritise delivering value on-screen rather than off-screen overheads, it leads to more sustainable productions, better risk management and a more robust ecosystem for future films. When casting an A-list talent, it becomes important to link fees directly to success rather than to have upfront fixed fees, which increases risk to the producer. We are in times when the Day 1 box office and the weekend 1, for that matter, isn’t only talent-driven. It is linked to audience interest in the trailer and in the film as a whole.
What are the challenges you are facing today as a producer post-pandemic?
The biggest challenge for the producer remains bringing a good story in the hands of the right director and casting and mounting the film in a way which allows responsible budgeting and offers something unique for the audience. Audience patterns are changing, shorter theatrical windows, shifting OTT dynamics, budget constraints and a rapidly evolving market. There are no average performers at the box office today; either films fly, or then they end up with low numbers. This increases the risk on many films, and rewards on a few films. It is important to get the timing and the director, writer, and actors aligned with what we want to make.
Ensuring financial prudence while still delivering creatively ambitious films for the big screen isn’t easy. And in this attention economy, securing the right visibility, marketing and distribution has become even more challenging.
How will AI change the future of filmmaking? Would Junglee cast an AI actor like Tilly Norwood?
AI is an exciting frontier that will significantly influence the future of filmmaking. From pre-production, writing and planning, to editing, visual effects and audience insights, AI tools can streamline workflows and unlock new avenues for creative experimentation. For us, the focus is on using AI in ways that support human creativity rather than replace it. Performance, emotion and lived experience are inherently human, and that’s something we value deeply.
More Pages: Haq Box Office Collection , Haq Movie Review
BOLLYWOOD NEWS - LIVE UPDATES
Catch us for latest Bollywood News, New Bollywood Movies update, Box office collection, New Movies Release , Bollywood News Hindi, Entertainment News, Bollywood Live News Today & Upcoming Movies 2026 and stay updated with latest hindi movies only on Bollywood Hungama.