LOS ANGELES (Reuters) –
Director Steven Spielberg's DreamWorks Studios could receive $825 million in film financing to begin producing movies starting this year, an Indian company involved in deal talks said on Wednesday.

Reliance ADA Group, the Indian conglomerate, is in talks with DreamWorks Studios partners Stacey Snider and Spielberg in New York, and the $825 million figure has emerged from those talks as a possible funding slate for DreamWorks Studios.

The deal between the two companies, which announced last year a plan to work together, has not been finalized.

But the ongoing negotiations over financing come after DreamWorks Studios said in February that the Walt Disney Co would distribute its films.

Under the terms of the deal, which could allow DreamWorks to make five to six films a year, Reliance will match whatever financing DreamWorks can get from a syndication of banks.

The $825 million funding slate announced by Reliance would break down as $325 million from the Indian conglomerate, $325 million from the banks and $175 million from Disney.

But the total amount could change if DreamWorks raises more from the banks. That would increase the matching equity investment from Reliance, which has agreed to provide up to $550 million.

With the downturn in the global economy, DreamWorks in recent months had trouble securing financing from banks.

"This venture with Reliance opens a new door to our future," Spielberg said in a statement.

"Their visionary step has given us a new set of dreams to work toward," he said.

Reliance and DreamWorks Studios announced a partnership last year, and the studio has operated out of offices in Los Angeles since November.

The newly created DreamWorks Studios is a production unit separate from listed DreamWorks Animation SKG Inc.

Under the deal being discussed between Reliance and DreamWorks Studios, Disney would market and distribute the studio's films around the world, except in India where Reliance would retain distribution rights, Reliance said.

"We are delighted to partner with such uniquely talented individuals as Steven Spielberg and Stacey Snider," Reliance ADA Group Chairman Anil Dhirubhai Ambani said in a statement.

No date was given for when Reliance and DreamWorks Studios expect to close their deal.

(Reporting by Alex Dobuzinskis; Editing by Matthew Lewis)