Pen Studios

What Pen Studios does

Pen Studios is an Indian film production company that operates as a co-producer and capital investor in feature films across multiple Indian languages, including Malayalam, Hindi, and Telugu. The company's portfolio spans established franchise tentpoles (Drishyam 3, a Rs 100 crore investment with Aashirvad Cinemas; Tumbbad 2, the sequel to a 2018 horror-folk cult classic) and original productions (Daayra with Junglee Pictures, Bharat Bhhagya Viddhaata starring Kangana Ranaut, Charak: Fair of Faith). Pen Studios monetizes through a hybrid model combining theatrical box office participation, exclusive OTT licensing deals (notably with Zee 5 for digital streaming rights), and regional remake rights licensing (e.g., Telugu adaptations). The recurring co-production partnerships with established production houses — Aashirvad Cinemas, Sohum Shah Films, Junglee Pictures, and Panorama Studios — and a talent roster spanning Mohanlal, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Kangana Ranaut, Kareena Kapoor, and directors Meghna Gulzar and Jeethu Joseph form the operational backbone of the business.

The company is headquartered in India with a focus on the South Asian film market and pursues both theatrical and digital distribution channels. Its competitive positioning rests on access to proven IP franchises, repeat relationships with A-list talent, and the ability to deploy meaningful capital (single-deal commitments of Rs 100 crore) into mid-to-large budget productions. The 2026 slate is unusually dense, with at least five active projects, signaling a deliberate scaling of investment activity. The firm is privately held, with no disclosed revenue, headcount, or founder/ownership structure, and faces legal exposure from a Telugu remake rights dispute with Rajkumar Theatres in the Madras High Court. Note: the firmographics record (Manchester-based, 1-10 employees, founded 2004 as an interior design practice) is inconsistent with the Indian film production evidence and likely reflects a data-matching error against a similarly named entity.

Name

Pen Studios

Legal name

Pen Studios

Website

https://pen-co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Pen Studios is an Indian film production company that co-produces and invests in multi-language feature films, partnering with established production houses and talent to deliver content across theatrical and OTT platforms including Zee 5.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Manchester

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Production or Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Film Production and Co-production: Pen Studios operates as a film production company, co-producing films with other production houses and talent. Revenue is generated through theatrical releases, streaming platform licensing, and distribution deals.
2. Film Investments: Strategic capital investments in film projects, such as the Rs 100 crore investment in Drishyam 3. Returns are generated through box office collections and distribution rights.
3. Streaming Platform Distribution: Distribution of content through OTT platforms like Zee 5, generating revenue through licensing deals for digital streaming rights.

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Pen Studios is a film production company that co-produces and invests in feature films across multiple Indian languages, partnering with established production houses, directors, and acting talent. The company provides capital investment and production support for film projects spanning horror-folk drama, survival drama, crime thriller, and folklore thriller genres. Its portfolio includes strategic franchise investments (such as Rs 100 crore in Drishyam 3) and sequel productions (such as Tumbbad 2), with content distributed through theatrical release partners and OTT platforms like Zee 5.

Product overview

Pen Studios is a film production company that operates as a co-producer and investor in films across multiple Indian languages. The company provides investment capital and production support to film projects, collaborating with various production houses and filmmakers. Its portfolio spans multiple genres including survival drama, horror-folk, crime-thriller, and folklore thriller. The company has invested Rs 100 crore in major productions like Drishyam 3 and co-produces projects with partners including Aashirvad Cinemas, Sohum Shah Films, and Junglee Pictures.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Drishyam 3 Third installment of the popular Malayalam film franchise starring Mohanlal. Pen Studios invested Rs 100 crore as co-producer and capital partner. Directed by Jeethu Joseph and produced by Antony Perumbavoor under Aashirvad Cinemas, the film received Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) clearance with a U/A 16+ rating.
• Tumbbad 2 Sequel to the 2018 horror-folk film Tumbbad. Produced by Sohum Shah Films in collaboration with Pen Studios, featuring Nawazuddin Siddiqui in a pivotal role. The sequel continues the original's darker, layered story and is targeted for a December 3, 2027 release date.
• Bharat Bhhagya Viddhaata Survival drama starring Kangana Ranaut depicting the heroism of healthcare workers during the 26/11 Mumbai attacks. Set in Mumbai's Cama and Albless Hospital, the film debuted on Zee 5 as an exclusive OTT release timed to Independence Day 2026.
• Daayra Hindi film co-produced by Junglee Pictures and Pen Studios, marking the first collaboration between director Meghna Gulzar and Pen Studios. Starring Kareena Kapoor and exploring themes of crime, punishment, and justice. Scheduled for 2026 release.
• Charak: Fair of Faith Folklore thriller directed by Shieladitya Moulik and produced by Sudipto Sen, with Pen Studios associated with the production. Explores dark aspects of occult rituals and blind faith during a traditional festival in India. Received clearance following Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) censorship review.

Quantifiable outcome

• Tumbbad (2018) transitioned from sleeper hit to widely acclaimed cult film with successful 2024 re-release

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core, major, minor and secondary.

• Zee 5coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 14 August 2026Zee 5 serves as the exclusive OTT platform for distributing Pen Studios' film 'Bharat Bhhagya Viddhaata' starring Kangana Ranaut, marking the Independence Day 2026 debut on the streaming platform.
• Aashirvad Cinemas / Antony PerumbavoormajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 May 2026Pen Studios invested Rs 100 crore in Drishyam 3, produced by Aashirvad Cinemas under Antony Perumbavoor. The film is part of the successful Malayalam Drishyam franchise starring Mohanlal.
• Sohum Shah FilmscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 March 2026Sohum Shah Films collaborates with Pen Studios as co-producer for Tumbbad 2, the sequel to the acclaimed 2018 horror-folk drama. Actor-producer Sohum Shah returns as lead and producer, with Pen Studios providing production support and investment.
• Junglee PicturescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 December 2025Junglee Pictures co-produces 'Daayra' with Pen Studios, marking the first collaboration between director Meghna Gulzar and Pen Studios. The film stars Kareena Kapoor and is scheduled for 2026 release.
• Panorama StudiosminorOthersPanorama Studios (producer Jeethu Joseph) is involved in Drishyam 3 production. Panorama Studios and Pen Studios are among respondents in Madras High Court litigation regarding Telugu remake rights dispute with Rajkumar Theatres.
• Sohum ShahcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerActor-producer Sohum Shah collaborates with Pen Studios on Tumbbad 2, with plans for a darker, layered story continuing the original's legacy. Nawazuddin Siddiqui joined the cast in March 2026.
• Sudipto SensecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerSudipto Sen produces and directs 'Charak: Fair of Faith,' a folklore thriller approved after censorship review. Pen Studios is associated with the production exploring dark aspects of occult rituals.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Junglee Pictures: Indian film production company and direct co-production partner of Pen Studios on Daayra (2026). Both operate as co-producers of mid-to-large budget Hindi films with established talent, making them directly comparable in business model and project scale.
• Aashirvad Cinemas: Malayalam film production house and Drishyam 3 co-production partner with Pen Studios (Rs 100 crore investment). Both invest capital into regional Indian film franchises and rely on established star-driven IP, making them structurally comparable film financiers.
• Sohum Shah Films: Boutique Indian film production entity that partners with Pen Studios on Tumbbad 2 and serves as co-producer on the Tumbbad franchise. Closely comparable in scale and in operating as a co-production-led, project-based film financier.

Broad incumbents

• Dharma Productions: One of India's largest Hindi film production houses with a deep slate of theatrical releases and OTT titles. A broader incumbent operating at much greater scale but in the same co-production and theatrical distribution space as Pen Studios.
• Yash Raj Films: Established Indian film production and distribution company with marquee franchises and pan-Indian theatrical releases. A broad incumbent that competes for star talent and theatrical release windows that Pen Studios also targets.
• Maddock Films: Indian film production company with a slate spanning theatrical horror (Stree franchise), comedy, and drama, distributed across theatrical and OTT. Operates in similar genres to Pen Studios and represents comparable mid-tier production economics at slightly larger scale.
• Reliance Entertainment: Large Indian film production and distribution conglomerate with pan-Indian and international release capabilities. A broader incumbent in the same theatrical production and distribution value chain as Pen Studios, with substantially more capital and partner leverage.
• Zee Studios: Indian film production and OTT distribution arm of Zee Entertainment, which is also the streaming partner for Pen Studios' Bharat Bhhagya Viddhaata. A vertically integrated incumbent that both produces and distributes content through its own platform, comparable in theatrical/OTT dual-channel reach.
• Eros International: India-rooted global film production and distribution company with a large content library and OTT distribution. A broader incumbent operating across theatrical, digital, and international rights that competes for similar licensing and remake economics.

Emerging players

• RSVP Movies: Indian film production company focused on content-driven mid-budget Hindi theatricals and OTT titles. Comparable in size, slate approach, and reliance on star-driven, director-led projects with cross-platform distribution.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/pen-studios

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Pen Studios