Oh shit! I hope we don't get Lulla-fied Tamil DVDs now

http://www.hemscott.com/news/latest-new ... 9528209726

Eros International acquires 51 pct stake in India's Ayngaran for undisclosed sum

MUMBAI (Thomson Financial) - Indian film company Eros International PLC said it has acquired for an undisclosed sum a 51 pct stake in Ayngaran International Ltd, which provides content and distribution of Tamil language films in India.

The transaction will give Eros access to Ayngaran's library of over 600 films, while securing rights to approximately 25 new films already in development, the company said.

Eros, which listed on the London market last summer, added in its statement that it will launch a joint venture with Ayngaran, providing an initial funding of 33 mln usd through internal and external sources to grow the existing business, as well as producing, acquiring and distributing forthcoming Tamil films.

Earlier, Eros and Ayngaran jointly distributed Tamil film 'Sivaji-the Boss', which has had made 25 mln usd at the box office.

Kishore Lulla, chairman and CEO of Eros International, said: 'Ayngaran is the Eros of Tamil films. The business is in the same stage as the Hindi film segment was 10 years ago, poised to expand rapidly.'

What an insult.

There goes quality Tamil DVDs then. I guess it's up to iDream to carry the ball for South releases now.

holly S***

This is the worst news for Tamil cinema,

time to morn! raam naam satya hai!! gayee bro your splendid sivaji paani main.

maybe this will end the Sruthilayam brand from Ayngaran. For the last year or two I haven't been able to rent any Ayngaran DVDs as all stores stock up their intial Sruthilayam brand.

At present Ayngaran continue to run the show in terms of Tamil DVDs. They still retain control over quality and are still committed to the forthcoming HD format - more on that story at the end of this year. Ayngaran sold 51% as they wish to move into film production. They hope to produce and finance some big Tamil films akin to Sivaji. EROS simply wants to sit back and rake in the profits. Hopefully EROS will learn from them on their commitment to output quality products.

Speaking of which...check out the recent release of Pokkiri. The DVD is decent (and the film is entertaining as well!!)

I should also mention that Ayngaran are planning to finance a new Tamil Film channel on the 15th of Aug. At present they want to broadcast their widescreen films in their original aspect ratio, but in 4:3 letterbox. However, I'm trying my best to make them the first 16x9 Indian Broadcast channel... Plans for HD broadcast are also being taken into consideration.

Thanks for all the info, Sunny.

By the way, is the Tamil-dubbed DVD of Guru still on the horizon?

thanks sunny for consolation! So, is Partner, POKKIRI remake?

Pokirri is a light remake of Infernal Affairs. Partner is a remake of Hitch.

The Tamil version of Guru will release under Ayngaran. Release date will be Aug 2007.

No plans to release Sivaji on DVD untll 2008.

Hmm! I thought someone will say it's a remake of Telugu Blockbuster Pokiri (Google it or check out http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pokkiri). Maybe the telugu version has slight resemblance of Internal Affairs . Tamil producer paid huge amount to buy the remake rights from Telugu.

Telugu DVD is made by iDream and is of excellent quality (24fps).

Pokiri sucks, and so does Ayngaran. I dont really care that EROS has a larger share in Ayngaran---maybe, just maybe, this is a good thing. Maybe we will finally start seeing some classics released.

I mean, I appreciate all that Ayngaran has done in the past--and I of course love their isai thendral discs--but I can't see myself buying or even renting a huge majority of their films. I'm more interested in the titles Pyramid has, but dilemmas all across the board--I can't stand Pyramid quality, or lack thereof.