First Ray Films, an independent Mumbai-based production company, was founded by actor-producer-director Anshuman Jha and announced six film slates as it celebrates its 10th anniversary.
The company has produced genre films such as the social media thriller Mona_Darling (2016), the LGBTQ+ road trip film Hum Bhi Akele, Tum Bhi Akele (2020), and the action film Lakadbaggha (2023).
Three films are expected to be released in the theatrical fashion over the next six months. Jha’s directorial debut, The Black Comedy Striller’s “Lord Curzon Ki Haveli,” was followed by Harishvyas’s “Harikaum,” which was completed in production earlier this year, and the sequel, “Rakadobaga 2.”
The company will also begin production in 2026 with three new projects, working with both the established director and the debut director. The Slate depicts the twins an untitled noir thriller in Mumbai, in the cusp of the millennium, including “Award-winning Firebrand Indian Film Maker”, “Bajrangi”, director Perth Saurav (“Pokal Kedune Poir”), “Ovi” from “Ovi” and “Bajrangi” from Deb Feature Jesus.
“Ovi & The Monk” centers around a boy traveling the Himalayas to reunite his dog with his owner after his father died during the pandemic. “Bajrangi” is set in Bihar and examines the themes of service and tradition in modern India.
“I’ve always believed that movies don’t fail, budgets fail,” Jha said. “The fact that we have survived over a decade is a testament to our audience who are willing to embrace fresh, destructive, honest stories, and we are deeply grateful to the investors we carry on.
Jha added: “My hope is to turn it into an ecosystem that survives beyond me. We are not creating projects, but we can work with talent from around the world to stand the test of time.
