Embracing Co-Production: Expanding Global Reach and Enhancing Cultural Representation

By Pickle October 18, 2024

As we become more open to developing content for a wider audience, co-production opportunities will also spring, benefiting the industry and enhancing cultural representation on a global scale

Sunita Uchil, Founder & CEO of Karman Unlimited, shares her vision of creating premium content with Indian roots that resonates globally, focusing on quality over quantity.

Sunita Uchil, Founder and CEO of Karman Unlimited, is a dynamic leader and visionary with over 30 years of media expertise. Her last position was Chief Business Officer and Head of International Co-productions at Zee Plus, Zee Entertainment Enterprises’ co-production arm. Uchil has pioneered content creation, format development, licensing, advertising, and brand activities in television, radio, and print.

Uchil loves new challenges and finding new income streams in the ever-changing media industry. Her achievement has come from cooperation and trust.

Recognized globally, Uchil is one of The Hollywood Reporter’s Most Powerful Women in Global Television (2016), FRAPA’s advisory board member, and a jury member for the International Emmys and World Trailer Awards. Her groundbreaking films The Lion’s Last Roar and The Life of Earth from Space have earned worldwide notice, cementing her name as a content creator and co-producer.

In this interview with Pickle, Sunita Uchil discusses Karman Unlimited, MIPCOM 2024, and India’s expanding content dominance.

Congratulations on your new role leading Karman Unlimited. What does “unlimited” mean?

It’s a reminder for ourselves to never lose the ability to dream—to know that we can do anything and do it really well. Besides that, our vision is to serve as a consultant to our clients, not limiting ourselves to our expertise, but always available to assist them in connecting the gaps.

What is the focus of Karman Unlimited?

We produce premium content with Indian roots that resonates with global audiences. Besides this, we also consult on all related activities corresponding to the development, production, and promotion of content.

M&E has grown rapidly across all media verticals during the past 30 years. The previous 15 years have seen us lead the world in content development, formats, licensing, and co-productions. As the global content hub, where are we going?

Yes, it has been a fantastic journey. I have had the privilege of witnessing the significant transformations in the print, radio, and television industries. We truly are an incredible country making huge strides in filmmaking, adapting various forms of story-telling, and constantly improving the tech so that all of these can reach audiences across the world. We have a large captive audience at home, and we produce content that addresses the needs and reflects the mood of this audience.

India differs significantly from the rest of the world in factors that influence content development, such as culture, traditions, festivals, way of life, values, and overall outlook. Most of our home networks have a huge footprint internationally, in no small part thanks to the wonderful 35 million+ diaspora around the globe. As we continue to grow economically and expand our horizons socially, the fabulous content we make at home will find more audiences around the world, steadily growing the appetite within mainstream international audiences.

Instead of competing to be the “content hub of the world,” I’d rather be on the list of the best content in any genre. That would be a fine testament to the work we are doing here.

We have been observing your participation at MIPCOM for over a decade. It is familiar territory to you. What are your objectives for MIPCOM 2024?

Yes, I have been at MIPCOM for many years, experiencing many great moments and, in the process, making many good friends and associates. This year holds great significance as it marks the first time I am here on my own, representing my company, Karman Unlimited. This year at MIPCOM, my team and I arrive with a fresh perspective, eager to collaborate and work with the finest. Our expertise and work have revolved around co-productions across genres, be it drama series or factual content in the lifestyle, wildlife, travel, food, and science spaces. We would also like to help develop more stories that feature India and, at the same time, resonate universally.

FRAPA has inducted you into its advisory board. How important is that role?

With the wings that content development has now adorned in India, the number of creatives entering this field is larger than ever before. FRAPA is an industry-recognised association dedicated to the recognition and protection of entertainment formats. By registering our formats with FRAPA, we not only acknowledge our ownership but also actively promote and protect the intellectual property. A mechanism such as FRAPA promotes good business practices and fosters a culture of trust and friendship among all those involved in the international trade of formats. As we continue to integrate ourselves more into the international community and reassert our creative disposition, being a part of FRAPA will be instrumental in paving the way to success for an ethically focused global community.

India offers $3.6 million in incentives for live TV, film, and documentary production and 16 co-production treaties. Your research and practice on Indian content have increased India’s global presence in numerous areas. How do you see content development, co-production, and Indian storytelling from India to the world?

As I mentioned earlier, we have a wealth of talent in India, be it creative or technical. We have an unparalleled thirst for knowledge and self-development. That also applies to the media and entertainment industries. These incentives and treaties will create a more favourable environment for foreign companies to consider India for their production requirements. As we become more open to developing content for a wider audience, co-production opportunities will also spring, benefiting the industry and enhancing cultural representation on a global scale.