Star Studio18
Star Studio18 is an Indian motion-picture production and distribution studio operating under JioStar.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
Star Studio18 is an Indian film production and distribution company that develops, co-produces, acquires, and distributes feature films in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and other South Asian languages. The studio was established in March 2008 as a joint venture involving 20th Century Fox and Star India, originally operating as Fox Star Studios. Its early business model combined rights acquisition with local production and distribution, allowing the company to use the international capabilities of the Fox and Star networks while participating directly in India’s rapidly expanding theatrical film market. The company’s first major distribution acquisition was the rights to My Name Is Khan in 2009. It subsequently expanded into regional-language cinema, entering the Tamil market in 2011 through Engaeyum Eppothum and later releasing Raja Rani in 2013. Its Hindi portfolio grew through relationships with major Indian production houses, including Dharma Productions, Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment, Cape of Good Films, Junglee Pictures, and other creative partners. These arrangements covered a mixture of co-production, distribution, remake-rights acquisition, and theatrical exploitation. Several releases established the studio as a significant participant in mainstream Indian cinema. Neerja won the National Film Award for Best Hindi Feature Film, while M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story became a prominent sports biographical drama. The studio also backed or distributed films such as Kapoor & Sons, Mission Mangal, Chhichhore, Baaghi 3, Brahmāstra: Part One – Shiva, and a range of direct-to-streaming titles. Chhichhore won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi, reinforcing the company’s reputation beyond commercial distribution. The COVID-19 pandemic changed the studio’s release strategy. In 2020, several films originally associated with the company’s theatrical slate were released through Disney+ Hotstar under a direct-to-streaming initiative. This period also generated speculation that Disney might reduce or discontinue new production activity under the label, particularly after the resignation of chief executive Vijay Singh. The company later continued with projects including Tadap, Babli Bouncer, Kaun Pravin Tambe?, Gulmohar, and the acquisition of remake rights for Hridayam in Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu. Following Disney’s acquisition of 21st Century Fox in 2019, the former Fox Star Studios became part of Disney’s Indian film operations. The Fox name was removed in May 2022, when the company adopted the Star Studios name. Beginning with Brahmāstra: Part One – Shiva, Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures handled the studio’s releases in the United States, Canada, and other territories outside India. After the 2024 combination of Viacom18 and Disney Star created JioStar, the studio was announced in August 2025 as Star Studio18, reflecting the post-merger consolidation of film businesses. Its core role remains the development and distribution of Indian-language theatrical and streaming cinema for domestic and international audiences.
History
Star Studio18 originated in March 2008 as a film venture associated with 20th Century Fox and Star India. Its purpose was to participate in India’s film economy through a combination of production, co-production, acquisition, and distribution rather than relying on a single studio-financed production model. The business first attracted attention through its acquisition of distribution rights for My Name Is Khan in 2009. In 2011, the company expanded into Tamil cinema by partnering with A. R. Murugadoss’s production organization on Engaeyum Eppothum. Its Tamil activities continued with Raja Rani in 2013, a film that received four Tamil Nadu State Film Awards. In Hindi cinema, the studio developed relationships with established production companies. A nine-film arrangement with Dharma Productions was announced in 2015, with Kapoor & Sons released in 2016 as the first film under that relationship. The same year, the studio’s in-house production Neerja received the National Film Award for Best Hindi Feature Film. It also released M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story, a biographical sports film centered on the Indian cricket captain. Further partnerships followed. In 2017, the studio entered a three-film arrangement with Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment. In 2018, it announced a multi-film deal with Akshay Kumar’s Cape of Good Films, with Mission Mangal associated with the agreement. The studio co-produced Chhichhore with Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment; the film later won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi. The company’s 2020 slate included Chhapaak, Panga, Shikara, and Baaghi 3. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted theatrical exhibition, and Baaghi 3 completed its theatrical run as one of the year’s highest-grossing Hindi films despite the market shutdowns. In June 2020, Star India moved several remaining titles to Disney+ Hotstar through a direct-to-streaming initiative. The films associated with this release group included Dil Bechara, Lootcase, Sadak 2, and Laxmii. Reports during the period suggested that the studio might stop commissioning new films, particularly following the resignation of chief executive Vijay Singh, but subsequent projects demonstrated that production and acquisition activity continued. Tadap was released in December 2021. In 2022, the company announced Babli Bouncer, co-produced with Junglee Pictures, and Kaun Pravin Tambe? for Disney+ Hotstar. It also began work on Gulmohar, starring Manoj Bajpayee, and joined Dharma Productions in acquiring remake rights to the Malayalam film Hridayam for Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu adaptations. The corporate identity changed several times as ownership evolved. The studio became part of Disney after the March 2019 completion of Disney’s acquisition of 21st Century Fox. On 27 May 2022, Fox Star Studios was renamed Star Studios as Disney removed the Fox name from the acquired studio brands. Its international distribution expanded, with Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures handling Star Studios titles outside India from Brahmāstra: Part One – Shiva onward. After Viacom18 and Disney Star were combined in 2024 to create JioStar, the company was announced in August 2025 as Star Studio18. The new name reflects the integration of film operations within the JioStar structure.
- 2025
Renamed Star Studio18
[1]The studio adopted the Star Studio18 name following the formation of JioStar.
- 2024
JioStar corporate combination
[1]Viacom18 and Disney Star combined to form JioStar, creating the corporate context for the studio’s later renaming.
- 2022
Fox Star Studios becomes Star Studios
[1]The studio dropped the Fox name from its brand identity.
- 2020
Direct-to-streaming release shift
[1]Several planned releases moved to Disney+ Hotstar during the COVID-19 disruption.
- 2019
Disney acquisition
[1]The company became part of Disney following the acquisition of 21st Century Fox.
- 2016
National Film Award for Neerja
[1]The studio’s in-house production Neerja won the National Film Award for Best Hindi Feature Film.
- 2015
Dharma Productions film agreement
[1]Star Studios entered a nine-film co-production and distribution arrangement with Dharma Productions.
- 2011
Entry into Tamil cinema
[1]The company entered the Tamil-language market as a co-producing and distribution partner on Engaeyum Eppothum.
- 2009
First major distribution acquisition
[1]The studio acquired distribution rights for My Name Is Khan, its debut film as a distributor.
- 2008
Studio founded
[1]The film venture was established in March 2008 through an association between 20th Century Fox and Star India.
Products and positioning
A multilingual Indian film studio combining local production partnerships and distribution expertise with the international reach of the Disney and JioStar entertainment groups.
Film production and distribution · 2008
Hindi-language feature films
Hindi cinema has been the studio’s principal operating area. Its activity has included original productions, co-productions, acquired distribution rights, and releases made with leading Indian production companies. Notable titles associated with the business include Neerja, M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story, Kapoor & Sons, Mission Mangal, Chhichhore, Baaghi 3, and Brahmāstra: Part One – Shiva.
Film production and distribution · 2011
Regional-language films
The studio expanded beyond Hindi cinema through projects in Tamil and other South Asian languages. Its Tamil activity began with Engaeyum Eppothum and continued with films such as Raja Rani. The company has also participated in remake-rights arrangements covering Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu versions of successful regional-language films.
Digital film distribution · 2020
Direct-to-streaming films
During the COVID-19 period, several films connected with the studio’s slate were released directly through Disney+ Hotstar instead of receiving conventional theatrical launches. The titles included Dil Bechara, Lootcase, Sadak 2, and Laxmii. Later projects such as Kaun Pravin Tambe? also used the streaming platform.
Brand decisions
2025
Renaming after the JioStar mergerM&ABackground
The combination of Viacom18 and Disney Star created JioStar and consolidated related entertainment operations.
Action taken
The Star Studios business was announced as Star Studio18 in August 2025.
Aftermath
The new identity positioned the studio within the post-merger JioStar organization.
2022
Removal of the Fox brandStrategyBackground
Disney was removing the Fox name from entertainment brands acquired through its 21st Century Fox transaction.
Action taken
Fox Star Studios was renamed Star Studios on 27 May 2022.
Aftermath
The studio continued operating within Disney’s Indian film business under the Star Studios identity.
2020
Shift of part of the slate to streamingStrategyBackground
The COVID-19 pandemic severely disrupted Indian theatrical exhibition and delayed planned film releases.
Action taken
Star India placed several films associated with the studio’s 2020 slate on Disney+ Hotstar through a direct-to-streaming initiative.
Aftermath
The move demonstrated a temporary change from theatrical distribution toward platform-led releases and was followed by continued production and acquisition activity.
Recent events
- 2025
Star Studio18 adopts new name after JioStar formation[1]
M&A · Leadership change
Following the creation of JioStar through the combination of Viacom18 and Disney Star, the studio was announced as Star Studio18, replacing the Star Studios identity.
- 2022
Fox Star Studios renamed Star Studios[1]
Other
The company removed the Fox name from its identity and became Star Studios as part of Disney’s broader post-acquisition branding changes.
- 2022
International distribution arrangement begins with Brahmāstra[1]
Product launch
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures began handling Star Studios films in the United States, Canada, and other markets outside India, starting with Brahmāstra: Part One – Shiva.
- 2020
2020 films move to Disney+ Hotstar[1]
Product launch
During the COVID-19 disruption, Star India selected Disney+ Hotstar for direct digital releases of several films associated with the studio’s planned 2020 slate.
- 2019
Disney acquires the studio’s former parent group[1]
M&A
The studio became part of Disney’s Indian film operations after Disney completed its acquisition of 21st Century Fox.
Sources1 sources
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