Universal opens Indian office

LONDON -- Universal Pictures Int'l. is opening a theatrical distribution operation in India. The announcement, which was made by UPI prexy David Kosse on Thursday, is a move that plans to capitalize on the country's growing appetite for international cinema. The Mumbai branch will be headed up by managing director Sarabjit Singh, who will report to Duncan Clark, UPI prexy of distribution. Singh spent more than a decade with Paramount Films of India (UIP) as general manager and sales, marketing and distribution exec. He orchestrated the release of 276 films from U and Par, and was instrumental in introducing dubbing of pics in the local languages. He will bring U's 2012 slate to the territory, including tentpole pics such as "Battleship," "Snow White and the Huntsman" and "47 Ronin."The Mumbai office marks UPI's 14th international operating company since it transitioned from its joint venture with Par in 2007. "Establishing operations in India has always been an ambition of UPI, and with 2012 bringing us arguably Universal's best slate in several years, we have high aspirations for the market," said Kosse. According to a report by PricewaterhouseCoopers, there were 75 foreign pics released in India last year, generating more than $81 million, a 33% increase of box office compared with the previous year. Hollywood pics accounted for 4% to total film industry revenues in India in 2010, a number which is expected to increase. Contact Diana Lodderhose at diana.lodderhose@variety.com