Religion of Sports Acquires Manish Pandey’s Jiva Maya, Producer of ‘Lucky!’ (EXCLUSIVE)
variety.comLeo Barraclough International Features Editor Religion of Sports, the Emmy Award-winning sports media company founded by director and producer Gotham Chopra, American football legend and Hall of Famer Michael Strahan, and seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady, has acquired Jiva Maya, a U.K.-based production company formed in 2020 by writer and director Manish Pandey (“Senna,” “Grand Prix Driver,” “Lucky!”).
The deal marks the second company that was brought underneath the ROS umbrella, following the acquisition of Main Event Media earlier this year.
The combined company plans to significantly expand its work in global football, cricket, and motorsport, especially Formula 1, for which Pandey is known. “Jiva Maya allows us to plant a flag in Europe for ROS, engaging a new cadre of creators, producers and distribution networks,” said Ameeth Sankaran, CEO of Religion of Sports. “Manish and his team have enabled us to do that in a distinct and unique way that will allow us to grow with the same DNA of ultra premium content which transcends and inspires.” Established in 2020, Jiva Maya team has created a library of sports content, such as “Lucky!,” a TV series about Formula 1, featuring interviews with and narrated by former F1 chief executive officer, Bernie Ecclestone, and created and directed by Pandey.
His work as a writer includes other F1-related work such as “Senna,” based on the life of three-time world champion Ayrton Senna, “Grand Prix Driver” for Amazon, and “Heroes” for The Motorsport Network. “We are incredibly excited to be joining forces with Ameeth, Gotham and the entire team at Religion of Sports,” Pandey said. “Together, our joint company will continue to epitomize best-in-class storytelling, helping
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