Zee Studios Debuts in Gujarati Cinema with Randeria Film

Sujal Parekh, Chief Business Officer at Zee Music Company, described the move as a strategic investment. “Regional cinema is driving the next phase of India’s entertainment story, and Gujarati cinema represents an incredible opportunity with its rich storytelling legacy and growing audience base. Our foray into Gujarati films is a strategic investment in the future of the industry,” he said.

Parekh added that the studio aims to develop a slate of authentic narratives that can appeal to mainstream audiences. “Tom and Cherry is the first step in a larger vision to take Gujarati cinema and music to a wider national and global audience,” he noted.

Siddharth Randeria brings decades of experience in Gujarati entertainment to the project. Known primarily for his work in comedy theatre, he has earned multiple awards as a writer, director and actor. He has been active on the stage since 1970 and holds the record for the highest number of live performances by an actor, having crossed more than 12,000 shows to date.

His popular Gujjubhai stage series began with Gujjubhai E Gaam Gajaavyu in 2002. The subsequent production Lage Raho Gujjubhai completed 800 performances within three years across various locations worldwide, setting a new benchmark for Gujarati theatre.

Randeria made his Gujarati film debut in 2015 with the successful comedy Gujjubhai The Great, later appearing in its sequel GujjuBhai – Most Wanted. He also featured in a cameo role in Wrong Side Raju and took the lead in Natsamrat, a remake of the 2016 Marathi film of the same name. His film Chaal Jeevi Laiye! went on to become the highest-grossing Gujarati film of all time.

By partnering with an established figure of Gujarati stage and screen, Zee Studios is positioning Tom and Cherry as both a commercial and cultural entry point into the language market. The studio’s stated intention to combine local authenticity with wider reach reflects a broader industry trend of mainstream production houses investing more systematically in regional content.

Gujarati cinema has seen steady audience growth in recent years, supported by a loyal domestic base and an expanding diaspora. The involvement of a major studio is expected to bring additional resources in production, marketing and distribution, potentially elevating the scale of future projects.

For Randeria, the film continues a career that has consistently moved between theatre and cinema while remaining rooted in Gujarati storytelling traditions. His track record of sustained audience connection through live performance and box-office success provides a strong foundation for the collaboration.

As Zee Studios begins its Gujarati journey with Tom and Cherry, industry attention will focus on how the project balances cultural specificity with the commercial ambitions outlined by the studio. The announcement underscores the increasing importance of regional languages in the overall growth strategy of large entertainment companies.

Further details on the film’s cast, plot and release timeline are expected to emerge as production progresses. For now, the project stands as a clear signal of intent from Zee Studios to build a sustained presence in Gujarati cinema.