Category: Hindi

MUMBAI: PVR Pictures plans to release 20 films, both Bollywood and Hollywood, by the end of this year.

The company recently inked a distribution deal with US-based Focus Features for 13 Hollywood films which will be released in Indian theatres this year. Focus Features is the art house films division of NBC Universal‘s Universal Studios.

PVR acquired a good sum of films at Cannes in France this year. Around 12 films have been acquired from Focus Features. One of the deals have been struck with a distribution studio in Sydney, Australia and QED, Los Angeles, US.

PVR successfully distributed Dan In Real Life from Focus Features in May and Blindness opened at Cannes. Some of their forthcoming releases include In Brughes, Miss Pettigrew Lives For A Day, The Other Boleyn Girl, Be Kind Rewind, Burn After Reading, Strangers.

PVR Ltd director Sanjeev Bijli says, “We have acquired a collection of films at Cannes this year which includes big ticket projects.” It also includes a Mel Gibson starrer film. Bijli confirms the acquisition cost at around $350000 to $400000.

PVR has distributed big films like The Aviator, Chicago, Kill Bill, Finding Neverland.

On being asked about whether PVR plans to strike co-production deals with international studios, Bijli says the company doesn‘t feel there is the need for it. “We don’t see ourselves heading in that area. We want to explore the Indian scenario and there is a lot happening here.”

PVR‘s bouquet of Hindi films for distribution include Ghatotkach (released), Mere Baap Pehle Aap and Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na. Contract, Mere Khwabon Main Jo Aaye are co-produced by PVR Pictures; PVR will also distribute them.

The Hindi films to be released this year have been acquired for a sum of Rs 300 million, says Bijli.

Amongst the Hindi lot, PVR has distributed Omkara, Don, Honeymoon Travels, Being Cyrus and Bheja Fry.

MUMBAI: Pyramid Saimira Theatre has posted a consolidated net profit of Rs 1.28 billion for the year ended 31 March, 2008.

During the year, the company’s total income stood at Rs 9.64 billion while net income from operations was at Rs 9.59 billion.

For FY‘08, Pyramid Saimira Theatre operational expense was Rs 8.74 billion with the total expense stood at Rs 7.80 billion.

Pyramid Saimira expanded from being a single company into a multi-company group during the fiscal. “Each of the companies is in an expansion path that required continuous funding arrangements in the form of debt or equity from various markets,” the company said in a release.

NEW DELHI: Mashhoor Amrohi, grandson of the legendary Kamal Amrohi of Pakeeza fame, is venturing into film acting and direction with Hum Sey Hai Jahaan.

MUMBAI: The 62nd Edinburgh Film Festival is set to screen Before the Rains, an English language film directed by Santosh Sivan.

MUMBAI: Film producer and financer Jhamu Sugandh passed away on Monday morning following a massive cardiac arrest.

The 57-year-old producer suffered a brain hemorrhage early Monday morning and was immediately rushed to the Life Criticare Hospital in Juhu, where he passed away at around 11:20 am.

He is survived by a daughter and a son.

Some of the box-office hits that Jhamu Sugandh has financed include Lagan, Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, Bombay, Chachi 420 and Rangeela.

His company Jhamu Sughand Productions also produced some non commercial movies like Buddhadeb Dasgupta‘s Kaalpurush and Deepa Mehta‘s Earth.

MUMBAI: Compact Disc India Ltd (CDI) has transferred the IP rights of animated character `Joker‘ to Singapore-based Golden Games for $1.65 million (Rs 71 million).

The total payment towards the purchase of IP rights will be used for developing and publishing on-line mobile, PC and console games in near future, said a statement issued by CDI.

The Chandigarh-based media and entertainment company expects to generate additional revenue of Rs 200 million by selling IP rights for the games during the 2008-2009 fiscal.

The company is finalising another deal with Eros International for animated character Zampano from movie title Friends Forever, CDI chairman Suresh Kumar tells Indiantelevision.com.

CDI is currently working on 2D and 3D animation outsourcing projects worth $65.8 million. “We are in the production of two animated films,” adds Kumar.

MUMBAI: Shemaroo Entertainment has set up an alternative content division and is kick-starting it with The Osho Talks series.

Shemaroo has signed a multi-year license deal with The Osho International Foundation under its alternate content segment “to bring to today‘s generation Osho discourses” through the home video format of VCDs and DVDs titled Osho Talks on the Shemaroo label.

The Osho Talks VCDs and DVDs are priced at Rs 149 and Rs 299 respectively.

Shemaroo has invested approximately Rs 20 million to tap the lifestyle and alternate market segment.

“Today home video penetration is huge and reaches out to a larger set of audience. Also, with increase in the standard of living along with awareness, the indulgence element is getting diversified. People are not just interested in watching films only. Hence, we decided to launch an alternative content division which will cater to various kinds of audiences ranging from children, philosophy, and literature to fitness and health. We have invested around Rs 20 million in this new division for this year and as we penetrate into this market more, we will pump in more amounts,” said Shemaroo Entertainment joint managing director Atul Maru.

“How to Relax with Yourself and Art of Loving are the first two releases from the Osho Talks series. The forthcoming titles that Shemaroo plans to release shortly include How To be Really Alive, The Transforming Power of Sex and Loving and Accepting Yourself,” stated Shemaroo Entertainment director Hiren Gada.

Shemaroo has assigned a budget of around Rs 200000 to 300000 to market the Osho Talks series. “We have tied up with various retail chains like Croma and Planet M where the Osho VCDs and DVDs will be available. We will also be looking at print and below the line advertising to tap our target audience,” said Maru.

NEW DELHI: The Mumbai police arrested four people on 15 May after busting a piracy racket by a film theatre in Gujarat, which was selling pirated DVDs of Tashan (Yash Raj film‘s latest production).

The police raided Shivam theatre at Bilimora in Navsari district of Gujarat and have seized substantial incriminating material, according to information received here.

Yash Raj Films (YRF) last week discovered a pirated DVD copy in the market, and upon analysing it found the security arrows and watermarks, which are put in by UFO Moviez during digitalisation.

YRF raised their concern and UFO in turn quickly found out that the camera print had been generated at Shivam Theatre on 25 April at 2:30 am (few hours before the first show) by placing a high-end camera in front of the screen in an empty cinema hall.

The pirates were unaware of the fact that UFO technology inserts a watermark slate during the playback of the movie, the company source says. This watermark is unique for each theatre and for each movie. Hence once that watermark is found in any pirated copy, UFO technology can detect the date, time and location of the act.

Once that watermark was found in the pirated content, UFO Moviez promptly lodged a formal complaint to the enforcement branch of Mumbai police with proper documentation.

The police involved the Central Forensic Lab at Kalina and attested the findings of UFO. Then, based on the report by the lab, a special team led by inspector Gadekar was dispatched to Bilimora on the evening of 15 May.

Gadekar and his men raided the theatre, and the residence of the manager and the owner, and arrested the culprit Vikram Patel.

Rakesh Maria of UFO Moviez said, “The piracy market in India is worth Rs 20 billion, and it deprives the government of crores of rupees of entertainment tax. According to a report commissioned by USIBC (United States India Business Council) to Ernst & Young, 800,000 people across the world lose their legitimate livelihood every year.”

“Mumbai being the epicentre of the Indian film industry the State Home department has put piracy on top of its agenda and recently extended stringent provisions of Maharashtra Prevention of Dangerous Activities Act to piracy, which is awaiting the Centre‘s approval.” added Maria.

DCP (Enforcement) Sanjay Mohite supervised the overall investigation in this matter.

MUMBAI: The Weinstein Company (TWC) is set to adapt Paulo Coelho‘s best-selling novel The Alchemist into a full length feature film.

The film, to be made at a budget of approximately $60 million, will be directed by actor Laurence Fishburne who will also star in the film as the lead character.

Laurence Fishburne said, “The deal to adapt the Brazilian writer‘s novel is a dream come true for me and I am looking forward to directing it, acting in it, and collaborating with Harvey Weinstein to produce a beautiful film that will do justice to Paulo‘s enormously successful novel.”

The book tells the story of Santiago, a Spanish shepherd who dreams of finding a treasure at the Egyptian pyramids. He embarks on his quest, falls in love and learns life’s lessons along the way.

Coelho said, “I am very happy that my book will be filmed in the way I intended it to be, and I hope the spirit and simplicity of my work will be preserved.”

Bob and Harvey Weinstein, creators of the multi-media company TWC in March 2008, have been associated with many award-winning films including Shakespeare in Love (that won seven Academy Awards in 1999, including best picture), The English Patient, Good Will Hunting and Chicago.

MUMBAI: Manipal Education, in association with Subhash Ghai-promoted Whistling Woods, has introduced a two year MBA degree in media and entertainment. The course begins in July 2008 and admissions are open.

The MBA programme will have specialization in Film, Broadcasting, New and Interactive Media and Event Management. The first year will be conducted in Manipal University campus in Bangalore.

The second year will be a “hands on” training programme which will be conducted at the Whistling Woods premises located at Film City, Mumbai. The MBA degree will be provided by Manipal University on completion of the second year.

Whistling Woods founder Subhash Ghai said, “We have admired the growth of Manipal Education and its contribution to education. We are happy that they are moving into higher technical areas that would support the kind of explosive growth in entertainment that the IT sector has shown in the last few decades. Whistling Woods International, which has partnered with major technology players globally, and enjoys goodwill in the industry, is pleased to offer value to the students through its industry programme while adding value to education offered by Manipal Education. We are looking forward to a meaningful association”.

Manipal Education MD and CEO Anand Sudarshan said, “The new generations of youngsters are looking for education in areas of high growth and opportunity, and Media offers both the scope for creative and managerial growth. We are confident that students would seek this opportunity to further their prospects. We are pleased with the industry tie-up offered through Whistling Woods International which is based in the heart of the Mumbai Film Industry.”