Thanks to all of you who helped me get started with my first order from India Weekly. I have a few more questions for you:

1) I received Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam from India Weekly. I loved the film but I have since read about a 2 disc platinum edition. The version I have was from Video Sound. I found a different jacket pictured here. I have no idea if this is the better version or not, although it does say it is anamorphic. No one else seems to have this version listed, is it even still in print??

2) Does the 2-disc edition have the "squishing" effect I've heard about with certain DEI titles?

3) Is it just me or did Moulin Rouge "borrow" heavily from this film??

4) Is there another retailer that tends to carry the better versions of DVDs, even if I have to pay a little more? Indiaweekly is wonderful but they don't seem to have the best versions. For example, I just got Fiza from them but it is the Videosound version, not the Spark. I emailed them requesting the Spark version, but they sent me the Videosound. I assume that they can't get the Spark version.

Thanks!

Jeff

Yes much better quality, mastered by DEI. But rights conflict with Video Sound meant that DEI cannot sell this in the USA. Check p/reviews here;

Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam Comparison
Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (DEI 2 set review)
Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (DEI screen shots)
Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (Michel Hafner review)
Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (Video Sound review)



Sadly, yes.



Try http://www.cdguru.com/ or http://www.indiancdstore.com/ - pre-request the DEI authored discs I'm sure they'll be able to find them.

Ali

Ali, is right, I know filmibuff dude, was able to get from CDGURU and IW both!!! give it a try, call Afzal at IW first, for both HDDCS..2 disc and Fiza(spark/DEI), both absolute must dvd titles for hindi dvd lovers, who have to live with shit most of the time otherwise!

You think calling would help? I assumed since it's not on their site meant that they didn't carry it. I will call anyway, but I can't imagine why they would stock something that couldn't be ordered except over the telephone.

I'm a little worried about the "squishing" on HDDCS but I'm willing to try it simply because the subtitles on the Videosound release are terribly out of sync and it was difficult to figure out who was saying what. Plus, I believe the DEI has subtitles during the songs.

Thanks for all the help,
Jeff

Jeff, I'm sorry you had to get that hideous Video Sound version. The DEI one is somewhat out of stock at some non-US online vendors as well, unfortunately. I am not a huge fan of HDDCS though I do think Aishwarya is the bomb. The problem with India Weekly is that they sometimes even package opened and returned items as 'new' and then sell them off. Nehaflix is a little better, but since you are in the US, I would also recommend that you check out indiaplaza.com as they have free shipping on all DVDs right now.

The problem with the VS version of HDDCS is that its so badly proportioned that when you watch the DEI version its like seeing a completely different movie. In the former everyone looks a bit fat and bloated. In the latter, its so much better.

There are a few DVDs out there that are of great quality and I think everyone should try to get:

1) Kandukondain Kandukondain - Released by Ayngaran, the picture and sound quality here is outstanding. Pity the subtitles are so unintentionally hilarious.

2) Kannathil Muthamittal - A new tamil film with 5.1 surround sound. This is easily the best Indian film I have seen all year.

3) Dil Se - Everyone hated it, but the imagery and music are great. The DVD could be better, but it works just fine the way it is.

4) Roja - The new version out now is simply amazing - the best Mani Ratnam on DVD at the moment other than KM.

Thats it for now. I hear the DVD for 'Shree 420' is supposed to be excellent but i havent had a chance to see it yet.......

yeah i ordered my version of hddcs from cdguru UK site(thanks to arsh bhai).. it cost around 15 GBP... I had spoken to Afzal from indiaweekly and he initially told me it was out of stock... buit the very next day they sent me a mail stating they had shipped the DEI version... I am awaiting the dvd's .. since the indiaweekly prices are much cheaper i might return the cd guru one or exchange it for a Fiza(spark/dei) which they have in stock...

Okay Jeff one word of caution...dont get carried away by the BULSHITTING of a few wankas )you know who you are) here vis-a-vis Indiaweekly. It has happened before and it is happening now ( I wonder when will the wankas @ Indiaplaza learn that it is just not enuff to bulshit your way to win a customer's trust)

So ignore what others have said. Yes Indiaweekly sells replicated DVDs and yeah I endorse that for DEI-EROS & Shemaroo DVDs as they are extinct or not available here. Other than that IW should have (or will procure for you) the DVD you have chosen

And I repeat...never ever buy anything from Indiaplaza.. they are cheaters and goons and rip-offs ! ( and I think I have most folks here @ Zulm to back me on that)

Afzal can be contacted at :-
1-203-699-9105 (old office)
1-203-565-4592 (cell fone)
1-203-565-8419 (their new warehouse)

"So ignore what others have said. Yes Indiaweekly sells replicated DVDs"

Do others agree with Sknath that India weekly they sell pirated dvds?
???

Awaaz, I think you have misunderstood sknath. What he is saying is that IW have been able to meet special customer demands for the now legally extinct but decidedly better and highly sought after versions of EROS-DEI titles and Shemaroo titles. Original right holders should be blamed for this who intentionally release bad quality DVDs.

Rana

I have purchased around 40 dvd’s from IndiaWeekly.com over the period of one year and I never have problems with their dvd’s. All of the dvd’s are new and unopened. And their prices are the best on most of the dvd’s even with the recent price increase on the DEI titles.
And also I brought around 20 DEI/EROS dvd’s from Indiancdstore.com and they have good prices along with good response time.
About Cdguru or Indian plaza I never brought any thing from them, as there are more expensive than these 2 places.
Don’t listen to others, seeing is believing. I am sure you will get the same experience with them. Let us know what you think about your order.

Ganti & Rana I didnt realize you actually replied to some JUVENILE's quips We all know who sells "FACTORY FRESH" DVds (Thank god it isnt Indiaweekly Indiaplaza has that dubious distinction )

And neways I wont blame folks here who wanna take a few jabs @ Indiaweekly. 'Cos afterall they will end up purchasing their DVDs from there

Jeff you better hurry up with ur HDDCS DVD... CDGURU / Indiancdstore should have it .. else the remaining DVDs which you might get will invaraible be replicated versions as DEI has gone down under now



Edited By sknath on July 08 2002 at 09:16

indiancdstore is out of stock on hddcs..... has been for a few weeks now...... however cd guru UK have them and indiaweekly provided me the copy upon request.. i am still waiting for the dvd's.......
i am personally very happy with indiaweekly, their service, prices, shipping etc...

Jeff this one is for you !.. I spoke with Afzal abt this ( and also one of my orders)... He has sent you the DEI version of HDDCS and also sent you a return envelope to return the VS version back to him at no charge

Just one thing to note for the sulking wankas here who love to take potshots @ IW... hope they get a message ( which I am sure they will never as they are the.. Apun-kutte-ka-woh dum- hai- 12 -baras- nali- mein -daal -doh,- nali- taedhi- ho- jayegi- pan -apun- vaise- ka- vaise- hi -rahega type !)

I just received my copy of HDDCS from indiaweekly today. The order reached me here in canada in 4 days which was very fast... and as promised i was sent the authentic DEI version of HDDCS... I am certainly very happy
I have been ordering with IW for a while .. and I have nothing but nice things to say about their service...

Thank you so much! I received not one but two voicemails from IW (one from Ani and one from Afzal) regarding the DEI version of HDDS. Unfortunately, I didn't have my cell phone with me until late tonight so I was unable to call them back. I will call Afzal tomorrow and thank him. I didn't even care about returning the VS version, I just wanted to be able to purchase the DEI version. People can say what they want about IW, but I have never received customer service like this from any etailer! I am impressed!

As for the replicated discs issue, all the ones I have received to date seem legit to me. If I can't tell the difference then I'm satisfied. I'm not going to worry about it. I've received great quality discs at great prices with great customer service. I am very happy!

I think in the future when IW is sold out of a particular title, I will try and obtain it through Afzal instead of picking it up elsewhere.

Jeff