AboutOne production group, with roots in Mumbai and a home in London.

Oddball / On set

The company

The story began in Mumbai in 2016. After a decade in Hindi cinema — on films including Ek Villain, Azhar, Ragini MMS and the Kya Kool Hain Hum series — Nitin Upadhyaya founded Oddball Motion Pictures Private Limited to develop and produce its own material.

Today, Nishant Upadhyaya leads the Indian company as director. In April 2021 Nitin relocated to London to establish Oddball Motion Pictures (UK) Limited. He brings more than fifteen years of production experience to the UK operation.

The years in frame

2016 / Mumbai

Oddball Motion Pictures Private Limited begins developing and producing films, television and digital work.

2021 / London

Oddball Motion Pictures (UK) Limited is established to deliver production services in the UK and Europe.

Working across two countries

Two offices, one connected production process. Mumbai develops and produces for the Indian market; London delivers shoots in Britain and Europe. Each draws on the group's crew relationships, production management and post-production capability in both countries.

An Indian production coming to the UK can prepare scripts and schedules in Mumbai, then move into locations, permits, crew and facilities in London with the same group. UK and European productions have a direct line to production infrastructure in India.

Behind the scenes

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01 / The approach

Frame philosophy

The script, the location and the people in the frame shape each production. Our teams plan the details before the camera rolls.

How we make films

It starts on the page. Every script passes three rounds of review with department heads, directors and the head of production before it is shortlisted. From there, the casting team researches the right performers in depth. Directors, producers and department heads build the production blueprint together, settling recces, locations, props and secondary casting well before the shoot.

Showcase

View showcase

Trailers and footage from the productions we have made and serviced in India, the United Kingdom and Europe.

Our films

Behen Hogi Teri

Oddball's first production was Behen Hogi Teri, starring National Award winner Rajkummar Rao and Shruti Haasan, directed by debutant Ajay K Pannalal. After success in Punjabi films and music, Ajay wrote a slice-of-life script drawn from his sister and brother-in-law, who faced problems getting married. Its realistic storytelling and grounded characters persuaded Nitin Upadhyaya to back it.

The film is set in the old city of Lucknow, where the central characters, Gattu and Binny, live in the same neighbourhood. The production team and the director of photography recced the old city in full, as Nitin believed the real locations would become a character in their own right. Principal photography in Lucknow ran for 24 days, often drawing crowds, as cast members including Gulshan Grover and Ranjeet are hugely popular in the Hindi heartland. It was the first film to shoot on the Lucknow Metro.

Nitin brought in leading technicians, among them National Award winner Avinash Sonawane of Sairat. The background score was given to Punjabi music veteran Jaidev Kumar, to carry the sound of the heartland.

The first look was launched with the song "Jai Maa", a reworking of "Kala Chashma". The trailer, released on 1 May 2017, became the number one trending video on YouTube within 24 hours and trended at number five on Twitter. The soundtrack marked the return of Rishi Rich and Juggy D alongside rapper Raftaar, and "Jaanu Meri Jaan" and an Arijit Singh track were radio and JioSaavn favourites. Oddball's marketing team created the #Behenzoned campaign, which trended on Twitter and featured on The Kapil Sharma Show.

On its satellite premiere, BARC data showed the film debuting with over 4 million impressions, taking &pictures to the top of the Hindi movie category that week. After release, the film was granted a subsidy by the Government of Uttar Pradesh for its quality and wholesome entertainment.

Footfairy

Footfairy, a crime thriller shot in Hindi and Marathi, stars Gulshan Devaiah, Sagarika Ghatge and Kunal Roy Kapoor. The director, Kanishk Varma, drew on the neo-noir of David Fincher and on the work of former FBI profiler John E. Douglas, and wrote the lead role of a CBI officer with Gulshan Devaiah in mind; Gulshan agreed at the first narration. Nitin Upadhyaya planned the film in both languages from the start, and it was shot in Hindi and Marathi in 30 days against a 34-day schedule.

Director of photography Pratik Deora built the film's look from a detailed mood board that guided colour, camera, lighting and the final grade. The background score is by award-winning composer Mangesh Dhakde.

Footfairy premiered directly on television on &pictures, and reviews in outlets including Rediff, IANS, Hindustan Times and The Hindu praised its script, direction, cinematography and performances. Its television premiere drew more than 10 million viewers, and the film reached number two on Netflix.

Ridicoolas

Ridicoolas stars Rajshri Deshpande, of Sacred Games, and Nishan Nanaiah, and is directed by Geetika Sood, whose credits include Shaadi Ke Side Effects, Main Tera Hero and Azhar. It premiered on ZEE5 and was well received by critics and audiences for its hard-hitting narrative and performances.

Line production

Alongside its own films, Oddball provides line production and production services for other producers. The group has filmed across India — in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Kerala, Maharashtra, Gujarat, West Bengal, Delhi, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh — and in the United Kingdom, where Oddball Motion Pictures (UK) Limited has delivered productions since 2021 in London, Edinburgh and across the country for producers including Ajay Devgn Films, Jio Studios, Vishesh Films, Baweja Studios, Sony LIV and ARY Films. Services include location scouting, budgeting, casting, permits, travel and accommodation, crew hiring and post-production.

India production services Line production credits

The people who bring the work together.

Meet the team