Eros and Sony go Blu-Ray in India
100 titles to be released this year
By PATRICK FRATER
HONG KONG -- Arguably the maker of the world's most colorful movies, Bollywood will finally be seen in high-definition video.
With the HD standards war settled, Bollywood giant Eros Intl. and Sony Pictures are releasing films this month on Sony's Blu-Ray.
Eros has beaten Sony to market with the release Monday of helmer Sajid Khan's "Heyy Babyy." Extras include a four hour in-depth documentary on making big-budget Bollywood pics.
Eros says it will also release other titles, including the mega-hit "Om Shanti Om."
Sony plans to release 100 titles this year on Blu-Ray, kicking off with the Sanjay Leela Bhansali-helmed "Saawariya," the studio's first Indian production, which will go on sale in the U.S. on March 11.
Supplements for "Saawariya" are slimmer, with both standard and Blu-Ray versions sharing a single TV special, "The Making of the Music."
Quote:
Life, Style & More
Eros International releases ‘Heyy Babyy’ on blu-ray disc
India Infoline News Service / Mumbai Mar 04, 2008 11:04
Eros’ exciting slate of Blu-ray Disc releases will begin with Director Sajid Khan’s ‘Heyy Babyy’ starring Akshay Kumar, Vidya Balan, Ritesh Deshmukh, Fardeen Khan and Boman Irani, followed shortly by superstar Shah Rukh Khan’s Om Shanti Om.
Eros International, the leading company in the Indian media and entertainment sector announced today that in response to strong global consumer demand; it will release smash hit ‘Heyy Babyy’ to Blu-ray high-definition disc format on March 3rd. Eros continues to lead as the pioneer in Indian media and entertainment as this will be the first global release of a Bollywood film on Blu-ray disc format.
Driven by its mission to provide the greatest quality and leading products to their customers, Eros International long ago shared a vision with director Sajid Khan to bring this technology to India as this presents the film as never seen before.
‘Heyy Babyy’ has been mastered directly from the negative digital source under the supervision of Sajid Khan, with upgraded picture and sound. In addition to the film, the disc includes many extra features and a four hour in-depth documentary explaining everything about making a big budget bollywood film.The proven Blu-ray technology has allowed us to take our films to new heights, fully utilizing the larger capacity and interactive capabilities for an incredible all-new consumer experience," commented Sunil Lulla, President of Eros International India.
Blu-ray discs offer next generation menus, 50 gigabyte storage capacity and incredible interactivity as soon as you put the disc in the player. For example, while watching the movie, you can seamlessly go to the pop up menu and navigate special features - pop ups, scenes and interactive director or star commentary.
"We are confident consumers will be astounded by the level of entertainment that can only be achieved by using the maximum capacity of the Blu-ray Disc format. We will soon be releasing “Om Shanti Om†and many of our all time classics that will appeal to the ever growing market of Bollywood and Indian film fans around the globe," commented Marcus Stuart Vannini, EVP of Corporate Development & Eros New Media.
The “Heyy Babyy†Blu-ray discs are on sale and available immediately through http://www.erosentertainment.com and will be available shortly in retail stores throughout India, Canada, United States and United Kingdom.