MUMBAI: Sahara India Pariwar has tied up with K Sera Sera and Varma Corp in a Rs 350 million (35 crore) deal.

The deal envisages production of ten movies in a period of two and half years.

The deal includes the substantial stake that Sahara has acquired in K Sera Sera. All the films will be creatively headed by talent powerhouse Ram Gopal Varma and some shall be directed by him as well. The first of these to see the light of day will be Ab Tak Chappan, which is scheduled for a 27 February 2004 release. This, along with several others in the pipeline, herald Saharas venture into what is popularly termed as New Age Cinema.

K Sera Sera Productions Ltd, a company formed by a group of NRIs has embarked into a major drive to enter the television content and movie making business in India.

Commenting on the association, Sushanto Roy, Chief of Sahara Media & Entertainment says, "Three entities with a progressive bent of mind have come together to make good films. Ramujis mastery in his craft has also inspired us to work together for the small screen."

Parag Sanghvi, Managing Director, K Sera Sera says, "Our long term goal is to be among the top three production houses in India in the movies and television business. We strongly believe that our association with Sahara India Mass Communication Ltd. would bring the extra impetus and the drive to reach unmatched heights in the production world, within the Indian Entertainment Industry."

Says Varma, "It gives me great pleasure to be associated with Sahara India Pariwar who have such grand visions of movie making. I imagine that we shall see great cinematic excellence together."

Films produced by K Sera Sera include Darna Mana Hai and Ek Hasina Thi (already released) and Ab Tak Chappan (to be released in February). The movies currently under production are 2 oclock Murder, Naach, Gayab, Darna Zaroori Hai and James.