{{Short description|Indian entertainment company}} {{Use dmy dates|date=October 2017}} {{Use Indian English|date=October 2017}} {{Infobox company | name = AB Corp | logo = | type = Private | parent = | owner = Amitabh Bachchan<br> Deepak Gulwani | founded = 1995 (as ABCL)<ref name=pm>{{cite web | url=https://www.patrika.com/bollywood-news/amitabh-bachchan-formed-a-production-company-by-the-name-of-abcl-6270543/%3Famp%3D1&ved=2ahUKEwj_4LTh65v6AhW-SGwGHVmCAL04ChAWegQICBAB&usg=AOvVaw1Q_o_uo8D5F7G2bS6nJzHC | title=Hindi News: हिंदी समाचार, Latest News in Hindi, Live Breaking News | Patrika | date=15 July 2020 }}</ref> <br />2003 (as AB Corp) | hq_location_city = Mumbai | hq_location_country = India | key_people = Amitabh Bachchan<br /> Jaya Bachchan<br /> Abhishek Bachchan | industry = Entertainment | revenue = | website = }}
'''AB Corp''', formerly known as '''Amitabh Bachchan Corporation Limited''', is an Indian entertainment company. Founded by actor Amitabh Bachchan<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=Amitabh Bachchan Corp Ltd {{!}} Transparent Capital |url=https://transparentcapital.co.in/Unlisted%20Shares/amitabh_bachchan.html |access-date=2024-10-29 |website=transparentcapital.co.in}}</ref> and formally launched in January 1995,<ref name="3:5"/> the first film it produced was ''Tere Mere Sapne'' in 1996.<ref name="2:1"/> After declaring bankruptcy in 1999,<ref name=":5"/> ABCL was renamed AB Corp in 2001. In 2009, the company again began producing major films,<ref name=":2"/> such as ''Paa'' (2009),<ref name="3:3"/> ''Bbuddah... Hoga Terra Baap'' (2011),<ref name="3:9"/> ''Sarkar 3'' (2017), and ''Ghoomer'' (2023).<ref name="0:13"/>
==History== === Founding of ABCL (1994-1997)=== Formally launched in January 1995,<ref name="3:5"/> Amitabh Bachchan Corporation (ABCL) was founded as an Indian entertainment company by actor Amitabh Bachchan<ref name=":3"/> in 1994.<ref name=":7">{{cite news |last1=|first1= |date=9 October 2023 |title=Big B's ABCL: Despite failed experiment, it became bedrock of present day B'wood |website=India Times |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/big-bs-abcl-despite-failed-experiment-it-became-bedrock-of-present-day-bwood/articleshow/94740256.cms|access-date=15 July 2025}}</ref> Previously, in 1992, Bachchan had announced his semi retirement from the film industry, and with the exception of the delayed 1994 release of ''Insaniyat'' (1994), did not appear in any films for five years.<ref name="SRK">{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficeindia.com/report-details.php?articleid=7570|title=Shahrukh Khan PASSES Where Amitabh Bachchan And Dilip Kumar Did Not|date=15 February 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=When Amitabh Bachchan Quit Acting And Wasn't Sure About Returning To Films |url=https://www.news18.com/news/movies/when-amitabh-bachchan-quit-acting-and-wasnt-sure-about-returning-to-films-6439315.html |work=News18 |date=22 November 2022 |access-date=22 January 2025}}</ref> He turned producer during his temporary retirement period, setting up ABCL,<ref name="1:1"/> which became involved in event management, film production, and distribution,<ref name=":5"/> specializing in film production and event management.<ref name=":6"/> Among other early productions, ''Dekh Bhai Dekh'' was a Hindi sitcom produced via ABCL<ref name=":7" /> from 1993 to 1994 by actress Jaya Bachchan,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Singh|first1=Nisha |date=12 December 2019 |title=Throwback Thursday: Dekh Bhai Dekh, the TV show that made India keep up with Diwans |website=indiatoday.in |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/television/soaps/story/throwback-thursday-dekh-bhai-dekh-the-tv-show-that-made-india-keep-up-with-diwans-1627663-2019-12-12|access-date=20 September 2025}}</ref> Amitabh Bachchan's wife<ref name="3:5"/> and an ABCL board-member.<ref name="3:5"/>
The first film ABCL produced was ''Tere Mere Sapne'' in 1996, which was a box office hit<ref name="2:1">{{cite web |title=Tere Mere Sapne – Movie |url=https://boxofficeindia.com/movie.php?movieid=2732 |website=Box Office India |access-date=3 February 2019}}</ref> and launched the careers of actors like Arshad Warsi and southern film star Simran.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rediff.com/business/1999/apr/26abcl.htm |title=Rediff on the NeT Business News: Businessman Bachchan braves a bad patch as ABCL falls sick |work=Rediff.com |access-date=2 April 2020 |archive-date=15 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200715074014/https://www.rediff.com/business/1999/apr/26abcl.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> ABCL's strategy was to introduce products and services covering an entire cross-section of India's entertainment industry. ABCL's operations were mainstream commercial film production and distribution, audio cassettes and video discs, production and marketing of television software, and celebrity and event management.<ref name="1:1">{{cite web |url=https://www.bemoneyaware.com/blog/amitabh-bachchan-from-bankruptcy-to-crorepati |title=Amitabh Bachchan – from bankruptcy to crorepati |date=10 September 2011 |access-date=21 July 2018 |archive-date=11 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191011234411/https://www.bemoneyaware.com/blog/amitabh-bachchan-from-bankruptcy-to-crorepati |url-status=live }}</ref> Notably, the company organized the Miss World 1996 competition in Bangalore.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Look Back at the First Time Amitabh Bachchan’s ABCL Hosted Miss World in India in 1996 |url=https://www.news18.com/lifestyle/miss-world-2023-look-back-at-the-first-time-amitabh-bachchans-abcl-hosted-miss-world-in-india-in-1996-8038945.html |access-date=2024-10-29 |website=News18 |language=en}}</ref> It was a producer of the 1998 film ''Major Saab''.<ref name="0:13"/>
===Controversy and bankruptcy (1997-2000)=== ABCL was plagued by financial difficulties. The main reason for the bad performance of ABCL was blamed on the gross mismanagement of the company by the, then CEO, Sanjiv Gupta, who went on to become the CEO of Coca-Cola India.<ref name=":6">{{cite web|url=http://www.indiaexpress.com/choice/amitabh.html |title=Amitabh Bachchan |publisher=Indiaexpress.com |access-date=2010-08-02| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100819093614/http://www.indiaexpress.com/choice/amitabh.html| archive-date= 19 August 2010 | url-status= usurped}}</ref><ref>[http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/930459/Amitabh-Bachchan-Corporation-Ltd Amitabh Bachchan Corporation Ltd. (Indian entertainment company) -- Britannica Online Encyclopedia]</ref> The hosting of the Miss World competition in 1996 proved highly controversial within India,<ref name=":7" /> and burst ABCL into the limelight in 1997. The competition was then mired with controversy when the company was not able to pay its dues.<ref>[http://www.filmbug.com/db/25836 Amitabh Bachchan - Filmbug]</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/Aishwarya-Bachchan-Corporation-Limited/Article1-474555.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110705070328/http://www.hindustantimes.com/Aishwarya-Bachchan-Corporation-Limited/Article1-474555.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-date=5 July 2011 |title=Aishwarya Bachchan Corporation Limited? |publisher=Hindustan Times |date=2009-11-09 |access-date=2010-08-02}}</ref>
AB Corp declared bankruptcy in 1999, resulting in substantial losses for Amitabh Bachchan.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |date=2020-07-15 |title=कर्ज में डूबे Amitabh Bachchan के साथ जब एक्ट्रेस Dimple Kapadia ने किया था ऐसा काम, जानकर आप भी हो जाएगे हैरान! {{!}} Amitabh Bachchan formed a production company by the name of ABCL |url=https://www.patrika.com/bollywood-news/amitabh-bachchan-formed-a-production-company-by-the-name-of-abcl-6270543/ |access-date=2022-09-17 |website=Patrika News |language=hi-IN}}</ref> With creditors led by Doordarshan and Canara Bank, ABCL approached the Board of Industrial and Financial Reconstruction to seek protection under bankruptcy laws.<ref name=":2"/> According to Bachchan, after the bankruptcy, he and the company faced 55 lawsuits, and the company was Rs 90 crore in debt.<ref name=":1"/> Instead of closing the company over $14 million in debts, however, the company decided to work on clearing debts instead. Bachchan subsequently raised funds from projects such as ''Kaun Banega Crorepati'' (''Who Wants to Be A Millionaire''), where he was a host<ref name="3:5"/> in 2000.<ref name=":2"/> He states he had no film prospects until the romantic film ''Mohabbatein'' (2000) by Yash Chopra.<ref name=":1">{{cite news |date=28 February 2025 |title=When Amitabh Bachchan faced 55 legal cases, Rs 90 crore debt and no film offers |website=rIndia Today |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/celebrities/story/amitabh-bachchan-faced-55-legal-cases-rs-90-crore-debt-no-film-offers-2686923-2025-02-28|access-date=15 July 2025}}</ref>
===AB Corp (2001-2025)=== In 2001, ABCL was renamed AB Corp, headed by CEO Ramesh Pulapaka.<ref name=":2"/> In 2003, Amitabh Bachchan was chairman, while other board directors included Jaya Bachchan and Amar Singh.<ref name="3:5">{{cite news |last1=Lall|first1=Bhuvan |date=6 October 2003 |title=Bollywood megastar arises from bankruptcy |website=Screen Daily |url=https://www.screendaily.com/bollywood-megastar-arises-from-bankruptcy/4015374.article|access-date=9 August 2025}}</ref> In 2004, AB Corp wiped off its accumulated losses, and over the next six years, was profitable each year.<ref name=":11" /> AB Corp worked on films such as ''Viruddh'' (2005) with Mahesh Manjrekar and ''Family'' (2006) with Rajkumar Santoshi.<ref name="3:3">{{cite news |last1=Rege|first1=Manisha |date=21 November 2009 |title=Big B's AB Corp to focus on quality movies |website=Hindustan Times |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/big-b-s-ab-corp-to-focus-on-quality-movies/story-6IJ9Ujx7vmlrlWYVbqdpBM.html|access-date=9 August 2025}}</ref> From 2006 to late 2007, AB Corp had a year sabbatical in production. It then worked with UTV to produce a new film by director Shoojit Sarkar.<ref name="3:7">{{cite news |last1=Singh|first1=Vajir |date=13 November 2007 |title=AB Corp back in business |website=Hindustan Times |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/ab-corp-back-in-business/story-on9HFfdOuk7IO6IuOl9PPJ.html|access-date=9 August 2025}}</ref> In 2008, P Ramesh was CEO of AB Corp.<ref name="3:6">{{cite news |date=26 June 2008 |title=Anil Ambani Signs on Bachchan Family for Entertainment JV |website=Daiji World |url=https://daijiworld.com/news/newsDisplay?newsID=48098|access-date=9 August 2025}}</ref> After AB Corp entered into a contract with Reliance BIG Entertainment for Rs 15 billion in June 2008, by 2009, the deal "fizzled out", and AB Corp had contracted with Studio 18.<ref name="3:4">{{cite news |last1=Shah|first1=Kunal M. |date=14 January 2009 |title=AB Corp calls off Rs15 billion deal with Reliance |website=Bangalore Mirror |url=https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/ab-corp-calls-off-rs15-billion-deal-with-reliance/articleshow/22243897.cms|access-date=9 August 2025}}</ref> In 2008, its filings with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs showed annual profits of Rs 19.26 crore, driven in part by brand endorsements and Bachchan's media appearances.<ref name=":2"/> In December 2009, the company signed a three-movie contract with Toonz Animation India.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Frater|first1=Patrick |date=3 December 2009 |title=Bachchan signs three-pic Toonz deal |website=The Hollywood Reporter |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/bachchan-signs-three-pic-toonz-91949/|access-date=15 July 2025}}</ref> At the time, Amitabh Bachchan held over 36% of AB Corp's shares. Along with his wife Jaya Bachchan and their son Abhishek Bachchan, the family held near 50% of shares.<ref name=":11">{{cite news |last1=Datta|first1=Aveek |date=1 December 2009 |title=Bachchan shores up holding in AB Corp |website=LiveMint |url=https://www.livemint.com/Home-Page/FbnPqQJpV3Rchn6VnH9mqJ/Bachchan-shores-up-holding-in-AB-Corp.html|access-date=15 July 2025}}</ref>
In 2008, AB Corp became a producer of ''Vihir'',<ref name="1:9"/> its first Marathi film. The film premiered in 2009<ref>{{cite news |last1=Nair |first1=Chitra |date=19 September 2009 |title=ABCL's first Marathi film set for world premiere in S Korea |website=Times of India |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-09-19/pune/28108802_1_marathi-film-umesh-kulkarni-vihir |access-date=20 September 2025 |archive-date=11 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811050459/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-09-19/pune/28108802_1_marathi-film-umesh-kulkarni-vihir |url-status=dead }}</ref> and was more widely released in January 2010.<ref name=":2">{{cite news |last1=Subramanian|first1=Anusha |date=21 February 2010 |title=Goodbye ABCL, hello AB Corp |website=businesstoday.in|url=https://www.businesstoday.in/magazine/cover-story/story/goodbye-abcl-hello-ab-corp-17563-2010-02-02|access-date=15 July 2025}}</ref> Also in 2009, AB Corp was working on the film ''Paa'',<ref name="3:3"/> directed by R Balakrishnan.<ref>{{cite news |date=21 November 2009 |title=Big B's AB Corp to focus on quality movies |website=The Economic Times |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/big-bs-ab-corp-to-focus-on-quality-movies/articleshow/5251155.cms?from=mdr|access-date=9 August 2025}}</ref> The first production by Abhishek Bachchan through AB Corp, ''Paa'' won four National Film Awards in 2010, which Amitabh Bachchan said was a "godsend" for the company. <ref name="3:2">{{cite news |date=18 September 2010 |title=National Award is a godsend for AB Corp: Amitabh Bachchan |website=NDTV |url=https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/national-award-is-a-godsend-for-ab-corp-amitabh-bachchan-596900|access-date=9 August 2025}}</ref> AB Corp and Viacom 18 Motion Pictures produced the film ''Bbuddah Hoga Tera Baap'' in 2011, with Amitabh Bachchan as lead actor.<ref name="3:9">{{cite news |last1=Khan|first1=Rubina A. |date=25 January 2011 |title=Bachchan’s bringing the 70s back! |website=First Post |url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/bachchans-bringing-the-70s-back-17856.html|access-date=9 August 2025}}</ref> AB Corp in 2014 was reported to be planning on bidding on kabaddi players in the Kabaddi Premier League.<ref>{{cite news |date=20 January 2014 |title=Amitabh Bachchan's AB Corp to bid for kabaddi players |website=NDTV|url=https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/amitabh-bachchans-ab-corp-to-bid-for-kabaddi-players-615423|access-date=15 July 2025}}</ref> In 2015, the company produced ''Shamitabh'' under director R. Balki.<ref name="1:11">{{cite news |date=18 October 2014 |title=I hate producing films: Abhishek Bachchan |website=Press Trust of India |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/i-hate-producing-films-abhishek-bachchan/|access-date=20 September 2025}}</ref> Other recent movies supported by AB Corp include ''Sarkar 3'' (2017) and ''Ghoomer'' (2023).<ref name="0:13">{{cite news |last1=Sonavane|first1=Guarav |date=18 March 2025 |title=Amitabh Bachchan's various sources of income (apart from movies) that contribute to his wealth |website=GQ India|url=https://www.gqindia.com/content/amitabh-bachchans-various-sources-of-income-apart-from-movies-that-contribute-to-his-wealth|access-date=20 September 2025}}</ref> In 2024, Rajesh Yadav was managing director of AB Corp.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sharma|first1=Devansh |date=30 December 2024 |title=Jaya Bachchan smiles as she attends wedding reception with Amitabh Bachchan, Abhishek Bachchan |website=Hindustan Times |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/jaya-bachchan-smiles-attends-wedding-reception-with-amitabh-bachchan-abhishek-bachchan-aishwarya-rai-not-spotted-in-pics-101735537172058.html|access-date=14 October 2025}}</ref>
==Filmography== ===Producer=== {| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 90%;" ! Year !! Film !! Language |- | 1995 || ''Gulabi'' || Telugu |- | rowspan="2"|1996 || ''Tere Mere Sapne'' || Hindi |- | ''Yuvathurki'' ||Malayalam |- | rowspan="2"|1997 || ''Ullaasam'' || Tamil |- | ''Mrityudata'' || Hindi |- |rowspan="3"|1998 ||''Rajahamsa'' ||Telugu |- | ''Saat Rang Ke Sapne'' ||rowspan="4"|Hindi |- | ''Major Saab'' |- | 2001 || ''Aks'' |- | rowspan="2"|2005 || ''Viruddh... Family Comes First'' |- | ''Antarmahal'' || Bengali |- | 2006 || ''Family'' || rowspan="2"|Hindi |- | 2009 || ''Paa'' <ref name="1:11"/> |- | 2010 || ''Vihir'' || Marathi <ref name="1:9">{{cite news |date=19 March 2010 |title=AB Corp happy to produce Marathi films: Big B |website=reuters |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/story/ab-corp-happy-to-produce-marathi-films-big-b-69848-2010-03-18|access-date=15 July 2025}}</ref> |- | 2011 || ''Bbuddah... Hoga Terra Baap''<ref name="3:9"/> || Hindi |- | 2013 || ''Saptapadii'' || Gujarati |- | 2015 || ''Shamitabh''<ref name="1:11"/> ||rowspan="3"| Hindi |- | 2017 || ''Sarkar 3''<ref name="0:13"/> |- | 2023 || ''Ghoomer'' <ref name="0:13"/> |}
===Distributor=== {| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 90%;" ! Year !! Film !! Notes |- | 1995 || ''Bombay'' || Hindi version |- | 1995||''Sazaa-E-Kalapani'' || Hindi version |- |}
==Discography== {| class="wikitable sortable" ! Year ! Film ! Notes |- | rowspan="10"|1996 | ''Bandit Queen'' soundtrack album || |- | ''Manik Baashha'' soundtrack album || Hindi version |- | ''Kaalapani'' soundtrack album || |- | ''Diljale'' soundtrack album || |- | ''Shastra'' soundtrack album || |- | ''Sapoot'' soundtrack album || |- | ''Rakshak'' soundtrack album || |- | ''Tere Mere Sapne'' soundtrack album || |- | ''Naam Kya Hai'' || Unreleased |- | ''Prema Desam'' soundtrack album || |- | rowspan="4"|1997 | ''Mrityudata'' soundtrack album || |- | ''Itihaas'' soundtrack album || |- | ''Saat Rang Ke Sapne'' soundtrack album || |- | ''Yugpurush'' soundtrack album || |- | 1998 | ''Major Saab soundtrack album'' || Album released May 20, 1998 |}
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== * [https://www.imdb.com/company/co0100445/ A.B.C.L. at imdb]
{{Authority control}}
Category:Amitabh Bachchan Category:Hindi cinema Category:Film production companies based in Mumbai