That’s the cinema release and has been on the site for ages. The Asoka DVD, should also appear under the Home Entertainment section. Tell you truth more responses I get from First Look, more confusing the situation becomes.

Ali



Edited By ali on Feb. 08 2002 at 01:33

The place where I checked out is also selling the DVD for $37. However, I am a bit skeptical about it, because the packaging looks authentic, however, it doesn't state the special features of the DVD anywhere on the back of the cover.

The situation with the Asoka DVD is very strange. A lot of the non Indian DVD sites which sell DVDs either have this DVD of Asoka on order or they already have it in stock and are renting or selling it. Given what has happened with the Asoka DVD for the USA/Canada it doesn't make any sense for FLP to release there version of Asoka on DVD as FLP will lose alot a money. I wouldn't be surprised of FLP are ones behind the Asoka DVD that is currently being sold. As they haven't taken any action against the Asoka DVDs currently out on the market.

If the sound is as good as Arsh describes it, I'll definitely be getting this dvd. The picture quality is pretty good although worse than the Metrodome release; but this still seems as the best alternative for us R1 customers as I don't have much hope from the "official" FL release.

I think with this RELEASE of ASOKA FIST LOOK's Release is DOOMED!

Well! cover is the same, no specs mentioned, looks authentic..yes! says Dolby SURROUND..actual DD5.1, No chapter inserts..booklet etc! DVD does not have a printed picture on DISC! like UK version, backof the DISC says ASOKA rest is not he;pfull!! BTW!! it has a SKEW NUMBER ON COVER!! IF ALI!! ? wants to campare i can put it down???, MENUES kinda confusing but workable!!
Sound selection give U Dolby stereo and surround options..both not workable..In reality VERY VERY GOOD..pleasing for ALL BELIEVERS and DISBELIEVERS..DD 5.1 sound!!
What else would u like!!?
ORIGINAL? BOOTLEG? COUNTERFEIT? I dont know, but it is a GOOD dvd!!
PRICE!! $37, Surely!! I can FEEL THE PAIN!! OUTRAGEOUS!!



Edited By arsh on Feb. 08 2002 at 18:07

Hey Arsh,

So the subtitles are permanent? Not removable? Only downside I guess ???

hey TORONTO people: where did you see it for $37?

what stores??

ali, can you please put up a preview of this DVD when you receive it from Indiaweekly.

all of you - please provide a final CONFIRMATION, is there anamorphic video, 5.1 sound, English Subs, and some extras??


All of this is resulting in quite a bit of confusion.

Confirmed summary of specs;

Anamorphic 2.35:1 video
proper DD5.1 audio
burnt-in English subtitles only
complete version of the film

..not sure about the extras - it mentions the same two making of Asoka on the menus - but are they on the DVD - arsh? ???

I've not received my copy yet - soon as I do, let you know.

As far as if this is a legit First Look DVD or not - that’s still up for debate. I got a really confusing message from First Look which didn’t really make sense - waiting on a few clarifications - if they don’t respond I'll publish the emails I sent back and forth to them and you can make your own minds up.

Ali



Edited By ali on Feb. 08 2002 at 23:44

OK this is ‘most clear cut’ :rolleyes: answer I’m going to get from First Look, I’m not bothering after this;

“No Asoka DVD's or VHS can be sold until April 23, period.”

What happened is that so called ‘erroneous’ DVDs that were authorized by the producers of Asoka (wrongly put out, making them more a less bootleg) were re-called by First Look – the re-call which was agreed and enforced by producers who originally made this ‘erroneous’ deal.

Now because these DVD were put out wrongly – mostly to specialist Indian DVD stores – they’ve started selling them. First Look Pictures have clearly said if any orders are being fulfilled they may be bootlegs copies. Again no Asoka DVD can be sold until April 23.

To put it the zulm way; according to First Look, Indiaplaza are lying about the genuineness of this Asoka DVD. But also take note of the highlighted words from that text – communication with First Look has never been clear cut – they say it ‘maybe’ a bootleg then again it ‘maybe’ not. They also say, quote: “They are probably not bootlegs since this is our artwork” – so on basis of their real artwork being used they actually don't know. Is this sounding comical?

I’ll copy and paste the whole emails got from First Look tomorrow onto one these threads – make you own minds up.

Balls to this I’m off to sleep :p

Ali



Edited By ali on Feb. 09 2002 at 04:14

Read here for a update on the genuineness of the product;

http://www.zulm.net/cgi-bin/ikonboard.c ... ;f=1;t=717

Ali :sleep:

I'm starting to believe that this indeed is the official First Look release. All my official resources (websites, stores, tv shows, etc.) point to this fact. I think what First Look is trying to express in the email is that although this is their dvd, it was supposed to be released in April. The distributors "erroneously" put out this official dvd before it was supposed to release. Though, I don't understand why if the dvd was made over 2 months in advance. That's what I gather right now, if any one has a better explanation, please share it with the rest of us.

Well here are the chain of emails conversations I had with Bill Bromiley, Senior Vice President, First Look Home Entertainment;

[ probably better of reading from bottom to top, I could not be even bothered reformatting the text :0 ]


From: "zulm.net" <zulm_net@yahoo.co.uk> | Block Address | Add to Address Book

Reply-to: zulm.net@zulm.net
Subject: RE: FW: Asoka
To: "Bill Bromiley"

Bill, thanks for the information. I still don’t
understand the situation fully but I think you
explained much as you can and I’m very appreciative of
that.

Final word before I leave it;

- the four stores that I mentioned in the email below
and many others ARE fulfilling orders for the Asoka
DVD. I know because I’ve ordered it from Indiaweekly
and they have shipped the DVD saying it’s a proper
First Look DVD of Asoka. Others have also got the
Asoka DVD from USA/Canada stores.

- customers are being told that Asoka DVD is real
product from First Look as it been verified directly
with First Look (source: Indiaplaza,
http://www.zulm.net/cgi-bin/ikonboard.c ... ;f=1;t=717 )

Thanks again for time and help.

Ali
BTW I hope you don’t mind, I'm going to use the
content of these emails on the zulm.net forums to keep
potential customers informed :p


--- Bill Bromiley >
They are probably not bootlegs since this is our artwork. They must have been recipients of the recalled early shipments, and put them up on their sight to sell. They may be taking orders, but the product cannot be fulfilled until April 23. And if they are fulfilling, they may be bootlegs since there were very few DVD's erroneously shipped. No Asoka DVD's or VHS can be sold until April 23, period.

-----Original Message-----
From: zulm.net [mailto:zulm_net@yahoo.co.uk]
Sent: Thursday, February 07, 2002 5:31 PM
To: Bill Bromiley
Subject: RE: FW: Asoka

I'm getting even more confused now. First you told me First Look release of Asoka DVD was not to release until April 23rd and now you say you would be 'guessing' to whether the Asoka DVD out in the market, is from First Look or not? Sorry but that begs the question - doesn't First Look know themselves what products they are putting out?

Let me point you to few links;

http://www.indiaplaza.com/catalog....lace=US

http://216.122.236.174/datacar....Id=4150

http://www.indianblockbuster.com/DVD/it ... D=DA000177

http://www.superdigitalmedia.com/Templat....erId=67

...these are the four big Indian specialist stores selling the Asoka DVD - so is this DVD from First Look or not?

Also here are few thread from the review site I run;

http://www.zulm.net....1;t=706
(screen shots of this Asoka DVD being sold all over USA & Canada)

http://www.zulm.net....1;t=655
(info when first appeared about this DVD)

Please all I need a simple answer, is this DVD 'bootleg' (the one you refer as put out by the producer) or official release from First Look? If you want you can respond directly on one of the threads.

Ali

--- Bill Bromiley >
wrote: > The producer was told and agreed to recall all the product that was erroneously shipped. We don't know what product is out there, so we would only be guessing as to whether or not it's First Look product.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: zulm.net [mailto:zulm_net@yahoo.co.uk]
> Sent: Thursday, February 07, 2002 2:37 PM
> To: Bill Bromiley
> Subject: Re: FW: Asoka
>
> Hi Bill, a quick response to this would be much
> appreciated.
>
> People are being told the Asoka DVD being sold from
> these Indian specialist stores have been confirmed by
> First Look to be a genuine release. This is contrary
> to
> what you told me in the email below - so what is
> actually going on with this DVD? Is this a First
> Look Pictures DVD or not? It's clearly not been
> recalled, from these stores as there are still
> selling
> it.
>
> Ali
>
> --- Bill Bromiley
> wrote: >
> >
> > Ali-
> > We're sorry about the confusion. Asoka will not be
> > released until April 23.
> > The DVD's you are referring to were erroneously
> put
> > into the marketplace by
> > the producer of the film through a deal he had
> made.
> > They were all recalled.
> > We realize some may still be on the street, but
> > without our permission. We
> > are contemplating changing the artwork to further
> > rectify the problem. Thank
> > you for your interest.
> > Bill Bromiley
> > Senior Vice President, First Look Home
> Entertainment
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: zulm.net [mailto:zulm_net@yahoo.co.uk]
> > Sent: Saturday, February 02, 2002 8:15 AM
> > To: info@firstlookmedia.com
> > Cc: VideoDVD@firstlookmedia.com
> > Subject: Asoka
> >
> >
> > I've emailed a couple of times before, without
> > receiving a response from
> > First Look Pictures. Could please give some info
> on
> > Asoka DVD - some
> > retailers are adverting this as February release
> > while others have it for a
> > March/April release. I ask this because I suspect
> > pirate insiders are taking
> > advantage of the lack of info and are selling the
> > Asoka DVD under the label
> > Sony/Colombia Tristar.
> > So please some official information would be much
> > appreciated.
> > Ali
> >
> > ====
> > --------------
> > Email: ali@zulm.net
> > http://zulm.net
> >

Ali

If First Look DVD is a copy or Metrodome ASOKA (PAL), the DVD making process must be "Film to PAL to NTSC" which has to result in terrible picture although sound will be equal good. I want my ASOKA DVD to be directly from FILM even if it is a shoter version.

Rana