Hyundai i20 launched in India

After the grand success of Hyundai i10, today the company has launched the most awaited model of the year 2008 from Hyundai Motors India Limited, Hyundai i20.The Hyundai i20 possesses a 1.2 litre, Kappa, DOHC petrol engine with a max power of 80bhp@5200rpm and a peak torque of 11.4kgm@4000rpm. The i20 is meant to compete with the 1.3 litre Maruti Suzuki Swift Petrol. The i20 has active and passive safety equipment like anti-lock brakes (ABS) with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) and comes fitted with six airbags. The i20’s engine is similar to that of i10’s 1.2l engine. It is a premium hatchback model from the company that is priced between Rs. 4.80 lakh and Rs. 5.82 lakhs (Ex- Showroom price of Delhi). The company calls it “Uber Cool” car that is available in three variants and sports a fuel-efficient Kappa engine.

Designed to meet the high quality standards, the five-door i20 offers a large interior cabin and stylish exteriors. Featuring Hyundai's distinctive design motifs – a body coloured radiator grille flanked by piercing teardrop headlamps at the front and a striking rear light clusters – the i20's modern lines are further strengthened by neat detailing, including colour-co-ordinated bumpers, sills and wing mirror.

The i20's well-packaged interior boasts of generous levels of standard equipment. All the i20 models have AC/heating, tilt & telescopic steering, 60:40 split folding rear seats, dual tone beige interiors, 2 DIN CD + MP3 Music System, front & rear power windows, refrigerated glove box, a multi information display (which includes trip distance, engine running time, calendar, clock, temperature and audio display) and tachometer, as standard equipment. While the top-end model of the i20 comes with features like fully automatic A/C, leather wrapped steering wheel and TGS knob, steering mounted audio control (a first for this segment), foldable key with keyless entry function, alloy wheels, height-adjustable driver seat, electrically foldable and adjustable outside mirrors and the category first six airbags.However the model is presently launched in petrol variant only and diesel variant is not yet offered from the company but its being speculated that diesel variant will also be launched by early next year. The new model is designed specifically for the international customers and is available in seven colors – crystal white, black diamond, sleek silver, silky beige, sparkle blue, berry red and dark grey metallic.

The car will be manufactured at company’s Chennai plant and it will use the Chennai port for exporting the model to the countries across the world and meet its international demand. Hyundai is India’s largest car exporter and second largest car manufacturer that plans to occupy a larger market share in India and expand its product portfolio.

Last month only we saw the launch of Maruti Suzuki's A-Star in compact segment and in the coming year we will again see many automobile giants to launch there new products like Fiat is planning to launch its mid-sized FIAT Linea similarly Mahindra & Mahindra are also planning to launch there much awaited model Mahindra XYLO. Along that in compact segment, Suzuki is planning to launch its SPLASH model whereas FIAT will again try to capture the compact segment my launching FIAT Punto.

So in the year 2009 many new car models will come across the Indian consumers, and i hope that this new launches will bring back the lost smile in Indian Automobile Industry since they are facing a tough time after the global recession from September 2008.

(NOTE: Images may vary from original model of i20 of India, since this images are of i20 available in the european market)

Compiled By: Saurav Chakraborty

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Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi: Biggest hit of 2008?

In what is being termed as the biggest hit of 2008, based on its first week box office collection, then Shah Rukh Khan starrer Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi has managed to collect about Rs 90 crores in its first 7 days, of which nearly half has come from the overseas markets. The movie has broken all records in terms of collection till now for any bollywood movie and which makes it the biggest blockbuster of the year 2008.

This exceeds earlier successful box office collections for the first 7 days, for films like Singh is Kinng (about Rs 48 crores), Race and Jodhaa Akbar (about Rs 45 crores each) released earlier this year. With Rab Ne, the Yash Raj banner has tasted success after a stint of commercially unsuccessful films like Tashan and Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic that were released earlier this year.

The total collections for Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi in India in its first week are around Rs. 42 crores net (i.e. gross collections of Rs. 70 crores). The total gross collections from overseas markets are over $4 Million (i.e. around Rs. 20 crores).

In the Middle East, Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi has broken all previous records for first week collections, grossing just under $1.3 million. The previous highest grossing film in the Middle East was Dhoom: 2, which grossed approximately $1.86 million across its entire run. Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi is on course to break this all-time record going into its second week. Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi has also had a grand opening week across all overseas markets, including the UK, USA, Australia, Europe, Africa, and Asia, and features in the list of the highest grossers for the opening week in most of these territories.

But as per the latest reports from Yash Raj Banners, it is said that the movie has collected a whopping 120 crores worldwide till its running second week and which makes this movie the biggest hit of year 2008 till now. However, the film got a mixed reponse from both audience and critics but still managed to made huge profits in terms of finance.With the long Christmas and New Year weekends ahead, the collections are expected to get a major boost.

However this friday release Ghajini has also started very well in terms of collection and it is being speculated that this movie would break all records of bollywood in terms of collection in coming days and even the movie has already became the highest grosser in paid previews collection.It is being expected after the start, that movie will be able to manage a collection of Rs 70 crores in its first four days only. If its happens then really Ghajini will set new records in bollywood.

So we have to wait and watch whether the Shah Rukh Khan starrer Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi able to attract viewers towards theaters in this Christmas and New Year weekends and able to remain the biggest hit of the year 2008 along the blockbuster of all time or it loses its crown to Aamir Khan starrer Ghajini in coming days.

Compiled By: Saurav Chakraborty

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Moserbaer also acquired "Tahaan" & "Dil Kabaddi"

Latest happening in Home Video division is that Moserbaer has also acquired the home video rights of the movies "Tahaan" and "Dil Kabbaddi" along the 25 UTV movies. However much detail is not available right now about this films deals.So dont get shocked when you will see this two movies on Moserbaer Home Video within January along the six latest films DVD from UTV productions....

Tahaan

Tahaan was one of the critically acclaimed film of the year across many film festivals worldwide and which story revolves around a little kid and his donkey.
Its star cast includes Purav Bhandare, Anupam Kher, Rahul Bose, Rahul Khanna, Sana Shaikh, Sarika , Victor Banerji, Ankush Dubey & Dheirya Sonecha.

SYNOPSIS:

"Tahaan - A boy with a grenade" is a fable-like journey of the eponymous eight-year-old boy, whose life revolves around the pursuit to find real purpose in his little world. Tahaan (Purav Bhandare) lives with his grandfather (Victor Banerjee), his mother Haba (Sarika) and older sister Zoya (Sana Shaikh,) in the serene meadows of Kashmir. They all live in the hope that someday Tahaan's father, who's been missing for over three years, will return. The death of his grandfather leads the local moneylender Lalaji and his manager Kuka (Rahul Khanna) to take away the assets of the family, including their pet donkey Birbal, against repayment of a pending loan. Now, life for Tahaan, his mother and sister takes a turn towards rougher pastures. For Tahaan, bringing his favourite donkey Birbal back home becomes the sole purpose in life. After various efforts at money-making, Tahaan approaches Lalaji with the prospect of regaining his lost asset but is devastated to learn that an old man Subhan Darr (Anupam Kher) has bought Birbal and taken him across the mountains… the same mountains from where Tahaan's father never returned. But Tahaan sums up courage and chases after Subhan. The prophetic old man doesn't befriend Tahaan at first sight but slowly warms up to this energetic and determined soul whose love for Birbal is paramount. But at the end of the journey, Tahaan is further disheartened when Subhan gifts Birbal to his orphaned eight-year-old nephew, and even the long-time helper of Subhan called Zafar (Rahul Bose), cannot be of any assistance to poor Tahaan. On his way back home, Tahaan finally encounters a teenage lad Idrees, who convinces him that his efforts would never be sufficient to get Birbal back. Instead, he promises to get Birbal back for a favour. All Tahaan will have to do is carry a package across the mountains on his next journey. Seeing Tahaan's eagerness, Idrees hands him a grenade. He tells him that when the time is right he will be told what is to be done. Tahaan sets off on his second journey with Subhan and Zafar, the grenade and package tucked away under Birbal's saddle. What is the price that Tahaan will have to pay for Birbal? And how far will he go to save his only meaning in life? Tahaan is now at a crossroad where his ultimate decision would determine his fate… "Will he get Birbal back?"

Dil Kabaddi

Whereas Dil Kabaddi is an adult comedy movie which is from totally different genre as compare to Tahaan. And it mainly revolves around adult jokes that will tickle your bone and its story also revolves around two couples and there marriage along sex life. I have watched this movie in theater with my friends and trust me if your not watching it along your family members than you will really enjoy this film alot.

Its star cast includes Konkona Sen Sharma, Soha Ali Khan, Payal Rohatgi, Rahul Bose, Irfaan Khan and Rahul Khanna.

SYNOPSIS:

Caught in the web of Post-Marital boredom and the irresistible temptation of lurking out if the relationship for some fun, Dil Kabaddi tackles the journey of two modern day couples in urban India, Samit and Mita & Rishi and Simi.
While Samit is indeed proud of his philandering and thoroughly enjoys the adventure and experimentation, Mita is at receiving end of his adulterous ways. His pride along with her suffering defines their relationship. On the other hand, as Rishi tries really hard to walk that extra mile and get rid of his monogamy, Simi struggles to decide whether she is really cut out for something outside of marriage or not. His desperation coupled with her confusion, decide the dynamics of this relationship.
As the four saddle their Way on the marital marathon, they come across Kaya, who spices up the goings-on between Samit and Mita; Raga, who gives Rishi the motivation to take the next step; and Veer who ends up for a short stint with Mita, and becomes the sole reason for Simi’s confusion.
How the quartet handles these complex, sensitive matters of the heart, and how they solve the never ending quests which their hearts put them through, with some ending up with a broken heart, is essentially the crux of the plot of Dil Kabbadi.

Moserbaer will release both the movies on DVDs priced at Rs 99/- and VCDs of Rs 40/-. However this time i want that Moserbaer should include deleted scenes and other special features of this movie in its revised price DVDs. So that along a premium packed DVD at Rs 99/- we can also watch some special features in it.And i hope sooner we can watch such changes in Moserbaer's DVD's also like it did in case of packaging. I have purchased the DVDs of " A Wednesday" and "Mumbai Meri Jaan" and i was really very delighted after getting such premium packaging from Moserbaer, last such packaging was offered by Moserbaer in case of " Air Buddies" which was a Hollywood film.

Even this days Moserbaer is running a WINTER OFFER called as "BUY 4 & GET 1 DVD FREE " for its DVD customers, a person have to collect four coupons from this newly released DVDs at price range of Rs 99/- and on submission of this four coupons he can take home 1 free DVD of any new film included in the offer or say on which this offer is valid. The offer is valid till last week of January or till the company wants. Detailed information about this offer you can get from Moserbaer Home Video web page within few days.

The DVDs of movies on which this offer is valid are: A Wednesday, Mumbai Meri Jaan, Kismat Konnection, Welcome To Sajjanpur, Golmaal Returns, Tahaan, Dil Kabaddi, Fashion and Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye!

Even there are some reports that indicates that Moserbaer has also acquired the Home Video rights of Sushant Singh & Rajat Kapoor starrer Handmade Film's " HULLA". Most probably this movie is also been included in the above mentioned offer.The movie released in India in September 2008. If its true then soon you can bring this film at your also since the movie was critically acclaimed in some media section however due to its low promotion, the movie was a complete disaster at Box- Office.

And even when i get know about this movie release and thought to watch it after seeing its good reviews, the movie was already pulled off from many multiplexes within its first week due to unavailability of audience for the film. So i was really waiting for this film to come on DVDs.

Along this i also want that Moserbaer should acquire the home video rights of "MAHARATHI" & Vinay Pathak starrer " OH, MY GOD".

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FIAT: A New Start Once Again

We all know that Italian automaker company, FIAT(Fabbrica Italiana Automobili Torino) is one the oldest automobile companies that started its operation and business in India. Its really shocking to hear that the present leaders of car makers in India like Maruti Suzuki and Honda Siel are celebrating there 25th and 10th anniverssary respectively in India but FIAT has already completed its 100 years anniverssary a long time back only.

And even there was a time when the Car of the Indian President use to be FIAT, then what went wrong that this company is struggling now to grab its market share rather we can say its trying for its survival in India. I tried to look on some of the factors and also tried to give some lights on the future plannings that are now been taken by FIAT to grab its market share in India in coming years with a bang.

No doubt that FIAT still had a good market share worldwide and its one of the car makers which is known worldwide for its design and ride quality that it offers to the consumer.But when we talk about India where it started its operation long back around in the year 1905, the story is totally different. FIAT has loosen its market share to its new competitors which entered in late 90s like Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai and Honda Siel. After that time its playing a loosing game in India and even after its various strategies and new launches to grab the market nothing seems to be going in favour of FIAT.

It introduces Palio and it was the first hatchback car for Indians but it also didnt able to create any impact since very sooner its competitors also launched there products which were more economical in terms of mileage and maintainence as compare to FIAT's offering Palio.And even from long time back to till that date FIAT was suffering with its after sale service since it doesnt have good number of service centres across India.However if we see from FIAT's point of view than Palio has done very well job as compare to its predecessors like FIAT Uno, FIAT Sienna and etc. But everything failed from FIAT's side and none of the new model launches able to create any impact in Indian market. The models which FIAT offered to Indian Consumers are: FIAT Palio( in different variants); FIAT Adventure 1.6; FIAT Sienna; FIAT Petra; FIAT Uno and so on.

Now whats the wrong decisions that FIAT has taken that made its current position like a looser in India. The some the factors which if FIAT has taken into account in its early days and worked on this factors then it might have changed the scenario. The factors which i felt responsibel for setback of this company are as follows:

• Costlier cars in every terms that includes purchase price and its maintainence as compare to its competitors offerings;
• Non-availibility of service centres in good numbers in India;
• Very poor after sale services by FIAT dealers;
• Above factors leads to a low resale value for FIAT cars.

Now i think FIAT has understood its mistakes and thats why we saw a Joint Venture between Tata Motors and Fiat last year and after that it has improved its after sale service since with this deal now the FIAT cars will be given after sale services by TATA motors, which had a second number of service centres in India after Maruti Suzuki.So no doubt FIAT solved its one major problem of after sale services in India with this Joint Venture.

And even FIAT knows the Indian market and it doesnt wants to quit from this market, thats why only it started revival of its strategies once again for India and announced a number of new launches for Indian market. With this FIAT has also stopped production of its all old car models in India.

FIAT Palio Stile
It launched Palio Stile petrol variant last year with new exterior looks and with a new fuel efficient F.I.R.E engine of 1.1 litre and also one more variant of 1.6 litre engine which it called as Palio Sports 1.6 so that it can also attract those consumers who loves earlier FIAT Palio for its power.It was the first model launch from FIAT's upcoming launches. With this launch it has attracted consumers since it has solved two problems of mileage and after sale service for FIAT cars.Its pricing has been kept between 3 lacs to 4 lacs ( On Road in Delhi) for Palio Stile 1.1 variants where as Palio Sports comes at a price of 4.5 lacs (On-road in Delhi).But this year we saw a new launch of Palio Stile in diesel segment which comes up with 1.3 litre Multi-Jet Diesel engine and with a new red FIAT logo. With this launch, FIAT has tried to attract daily commuters who needs diesel vehicles at cheaper cost and also offers a good mileage. In this case Diesel Palio offers 26 kmpl ( as per company and its in ideal conditions) and its comes up in between 4 lacs to 5 lacs (On -road price in Delhi).

So now at present FIAT is offering only three models to Indian consumers one is Palio Stile( petrol variant) and another is Palio Stile Multi-Jet (Diesel Variant) but along this two cars FIAT is also offering FIAT 500 to the Indian Consumers which comes up with a hefty price tag of 15 lacs (On-Road in Delhi). However this car is not been manufactured in Indian FIAT factories but it has to be imported from Italy after you book this car. Even according to company FIAT 500 is only launched in India for a special segment of peoples rather than for masses and thats why its not been manufactured in India.FIAT 500
Fiat India has launched the FIAT 500, a two-door lifestyle car come in April 2008 and which will carry a price tag of, hold your breath, Rs 13 lakh (Rs 1.3 million) plus.It is being launched as an image building exercise for FIAT in India after years of struggle in the highly competitive Indian market.

FIAT is riding the New 500 wave across Europe since its July 2007 launch and has also collected the coveted European Car of the Year 2008 award.The car competes with the BMW built Mini, yet another retro designed lifestyle car in Europe. The fight will continue in India as well as BMW is planning to bring the Mini to India too.

Though only 3.55 metres long, the New FIAT 500 is safer than some of the bigger cars and has already received a five star rating in EuroNCAP tests. The car features seven airbags (an industry first for a car in its class) including a knee-bag. All cars feature electronic stability programme - yet another luxury car feature.

The Fiat 500 as well as the Mini will come through the CBU (completely built unit) route, hence the stupendous price tags. The FIAT 500 is currently available in two variants- Lounge and Sports.This car also got a tage name of " BABY FIAT".The FIAT 500 expects celebrities, youth and auto enthusiasts as its target customers. The 500 sports comes with a 4-cylinder, in line engine that delivers 75bhp@4000rpm. The 1248cc Multijet engine is capable of peak torque of 145Nm@1500rpm.

And as per company reports, FIAT has already sold 41 new FIAT 500 after its launch in April 2008.

Upcoming Models
In upcoming models FIAT was planning to launch its mid-sized FIAT Linea by December but after Mumbai Terror attack, company has shifted its launch to January next year.FIAT Linea will compete with Hyundai Verna, TATA Indigo, Maruti Suzuki SX4 and with FORD Fiesta. After Linea, FIAT will launch FIAT Grande Punto in between 2009 which will compete with Maruti Suzuki Swift, Hyundai Getz and latest Skoda Fabia. Followed by Grande Punto launch, company is also planning to launch FIAT Bravo in India by next year 2009 only. And if all this models get good response in market then sooner you will see a number of launches from FIAT since the company has almost 30 models in its bag but just waiting for a appropriate time to launch them in India. Now lets have a brief look on the upcoming three models from FIAT: Linea, Grande Punto and Bravo.

FIAT Linea
A lot has been talked about this car internationally as well. The Fiat Linea has been designed from dot by Fiat Style Center. The main objective was to design a sedan which would appeal to all. So the car had to look uncluttered yet elegant. Sporty even, if possible! Which the Linea manages to look, with aplomb.The Fiat Linea is not just a Grande Punto with a boot. It is a far cry from that! Linea sports smooth lines and there is a perfect harmony between the sharply raked windscreen, A, B and C pillars and it gives the car a uniform look from nose to tail. The front is characterized by large projector type headlamps which have a ‘Bravo-inspired’ look to them. The grille gives a stubbly look and helps the car look intimidating. The neatly integrated fog-lamps also add to the look. The rear is dominated by a simple yet attractive boot and those tail-lamps endows the behind with a luxury-car look. Standing at over 4.5m in length and 1.7m in width, the Linea is 1.5m tall and carries a wheelbase of 2600mm. It looks stunning, specially in profile. A gorgeous machine this.

Fiat has always been known for good ride and handling compromise, so it will be business as usual for Linea as well. Expect comfy ride quality and dynamic handling with accurate steering response and a delightful gearbox. Hope Fiat has gained knowledge from its past experience and will offer the Linea with all the safety and luxury options like ABS, airbags, climate control, leather upholstery etc.The car will also come up with a BLUE & ME Device.An array of engines are there in Fiat’s kitty that it could offer the Linea with. A 1.3-litre multi-jet diesel that already powers the Swift could come in as an entry-level diesel option which will be complemented by a 1.4L diesel and petrol option too. It is our personal wish that the Linea be powered with a 1.6L petrol motor in addition to the 1.9L diesel. Giving another petrol option might be a 1.4-litre, 78bhp engine.

Expected Price: 6 lacs - 8 lacs
Expected Launch: January 2009

FIAT Grande Punto
A car that would appeal to the masses and bring in good numbers. The Grande Punto was just that.It turned around Fiat’s fortune in a way that could be possible only in dreams. The Grande Punto is the third generation of the Punto and was launched globally in 2005. Styled by Giorgetto Giugiaro, the Grande Punto has a beautiful body to exhibit with sloped back headlamps and muscular wheel arches which lends it a mean yet attractive look. The rear section integrates well into the bumper and the large tail lamps give added character to the overall stance of the Grande Punto.The car is likely to offer a choice of three engines. A 1.2L and a 1.4L petrol that pump out 65 and 77 horses respectively will be joined in by a 1.3L multi-jet diesel engine that Fiat is now famed for. This engine is known for its tractable nature and delivers 88PS of power to the front wheels. My speculation speaks that since a 1.6L motor is already on offer in the Palio Stile, something similar might be presented with the Grande Punto as well. The car will be packed with safety features like ABS and EBD, though the same cannot be said about the airbags as of now.

Entering the action-packed B segment, this car will be at war against names like the Maruti Suzuki Swift, Hyundai Getz and Chevrolet UV-A. Skoda will do its bit by making things interesting with the launch of the Fabia in this segment. The Grande Punto will roll out from the Ranjangaon facility of Fiat near Pune. The company revealed that it will have high levels of localization for the car and this should help as far as the pricing is concerned.Expected Price: 4.5 lacs to 6 lacs
Expected Launch: May-June 2009

FIAT Bravo
Fiat Bravo is Fiat's new small family car introduced to the press in January 2007 in Rome, and later at the Geneva Motor Show in 2007. It is the second generation car of the earlier sold FIAT Brava which FIAT sold in International markets. The car was designed by Fiat Style Centre.CAD engineering and computer simulations were used on a very large scale with this model and the design was finished to a very tight schedule.

However much information is not available about Bravo's techinical specification as per as India is concerned because yet no official information is given by FIAT authority regarding this cars engine and pricing.In international market, FIAT is selling this car with 1.4 litre petrol engine and 1.6 Litre , 1.9 Litre and 2 Litre Multi-Jet Diesel Engine. In Australia, the Fiat Bravo will be sold as the Fiat Ritmo, as Mazda Australia owns rights to the "Bravo" name. The Bravo will also be built in Brazil from late 2009 or early 2010, and will be sold there and throughout South America. This cars also come up with FIAT and Microsoft tie up invention device, BLUE & ME.

Expected Price: above 5 lacs
Expected Launch: last quarter of 2009

So with coming years we will know whether FIAT would be able to create any impact in Indian market and build a new position for itself with its new models of Palio Stile and with its upcoming models like FIAT Linea, FIAT Grande Punto and FIAT Bravo.And except the new launches whether its Joint Venture with TATA Motors will help its after sale service and attract customers to buy FIAT cars in coming years in that quantity that it can give a tough fight to its competitors in India as its doing in International Markets.

Compiled By: Saurav Chakraborty

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Moserbaer acquired UTV's home video library now

So finally its officially announced news that Moserbaer has acquired another Home Video company that is UTV. However till now it has only acquired the hindi catalogue of UTV Home Video which consists of 10 movies but UTV also contains many Hollywood titles of studios like Miramax and many World Movie titles which are recently acquired by UTV and are not part of this deal.This deal also doesnt include the rights of UTV's Jodhaa Akbar since this year only UTV has sold it to Big Home Video.

Along UTV's old hindi catalogue, Moserbaer has also acquired 15 new movies from UTV which consists of six recently released movies and rest 9 upcoming movies of UTV. It should be noted that Moserbaer has only acquired the domestic home video and rental rights of this films and not the international rights, and this rights are sold to Moserbaer for a period of next five years.According to some of the business dailies, the deal has been finally struck between this two companies for Rupees 25 crores for total 25 movies including both old and new movies from UTV. Even in some dailies it was reported that Moserbaer Entertainment has gained 2100 crores net profit* in its entertainment business this year.However it should be that this are all unconfirmed and unofficial news.

Along that UTV has also confirmed that both the companies are looking forward to sign a separate deal by early next year for its World Movie titles that UTV has recently acquired and also for its 30 Hollywood Titles of Miramax Studio like Sin City ,Hamlet Pulp Fiction,etc., whose rights are also with UTV at the moment. Right now Moserbaer is already selling some World Movie titles that it has acquired from Palador Pictures in its premium segment where the titles are priced for Rs 399/- per DVD.

The 10 movies which are now acquired by Moserbaer from UTV Home Video are: Aamir, Race, Dhan Dhana Dhan Goal, Life In A Metro, Hattrick, Blue Umbrella, Khosla Ka Ghosla, Chup Chup Ke, The Namesake (Unconfirmed till now), Main Meri Patni aur Woh and Swades.

The 6 recently released movies which will be now released by Moserbaer in Home Video market are: Kismat Konnection, Mumbai Meri Jaan, A Wednesday, Welcome to Sajjanpur, Fashion and last month release Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye!. The home video of this movies will be released in the market by Moserbaer within Janaury end.The some of the underproduction movies of UTV whose rights are also been acquired by Moserbaer are: Dilli 6, Dev D, Kaminay, Main Aur Mrs Khanna, Yahoo, Kisaan, Johnny Mastana, Arjun,What's Your Rashee? and etc.

After this acquisation there is no doubt that Moserbaer has again increased its content and along that it will made a strong presence in the market by entering into the premium segment.As i already mentioned in my earlier posts that now Moserbaer has increased its DVD prices and now you will have to pay Rs 99/- for this upcoming movies instead of Rs 50/- which was the earlier price.And even there are reports that Golmaal Returns and all new upcoming movies on Moserbaer now onwards will be released in this new price point only.

Now only thing we have to see that whether Moserbaer will be able to main the quantity of sell it was achieving at Rs 50/- price point for DVDs at this new price points and whether it will add special features DVD in premium packs or not. However in its first offering " A Wednesday", its giving a free DVD of movie Shaurya but i worry whether this trick will work to attract the customers since everyone must have a copy of Shaurya due to the following two reasons:
1. Finest and one of the best & critically acclaimed film of this year.
2. Its DVDs are till now available on Moserbaer only at Rs 50/- price tag.


*(Note: Net Profit news was not announced officially from company)

Compiled By: Saurav Chakraborty

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Out on DVD: Kidnap

Movie: KIDNAP
Released Date: 02.October.2008
Genre: Action, Thriller
Presenter: Indian Films
Banner: Shree Asthavinayak Cine Vision
Director: Sanjay Gadhvi
Music: Pritam
Music On: Sony BMG
Star Cast: Sanjay Dutt, Imraan Khan, Minissha Lamba, Vidya Malvade, Raj Zutsi and Rahul Dev.
Home Video Label: Moserbaer Entertainment
Online Shopping: www.moserbaerhomevideo.com
Packaging:
The movie comes in a standard DVD plastic case with single DVD of the film and no special features are available.
Technical Details:
2 Channel Stereo & 5.1 Dolby Digital Sound
16:9 Anamorphic Widescreen
Subtitle: English
Price: Rs 50/-

Synopsis:

When Dr. Mallika asks her daughter Sonia what she wants for her 18th birthday, Sonia tells her she wants her Dad. Mallika divorced Vikrant Raina when Sonia was just 10. The bitter custody battle was settled in Mallika's favor and Sonia has not met her father for eight long years.

Rebellious Sonia is hell-bent on meeting her dad, but Mallika does not want her to have anything to do with him. After a spat between mother and daughter, Sonia walks off in a huff and doesn't return.

Mallika panics when she gets a call from a stranger that he has kidnapped Sonia. The kidnapper, Kabir, has only one demand - that he will negotiate with nobody but Sonia's father - Vikrant Raina.

Reluctantly Mallika brings Vikrant back into their lives to save Sonia. But Vikrant Raina, one of the richest Indians in the world, with a net worth of 51.7 billion dollars, chokes at the thought of taking orders from a criminal.

But Kabir holds the trump card - he holds Sonia and Vikrant knows he has no option but to toe the line.

It's very simple, Kabir tells him. They are going to play a game - just the two of them. Vikrant has to play by the rules set by Kabir and he has to play alone. He has to play to save his daughter. If he even utters the words 'Hello Police', it will be Bye Bye for Sonia!

Because his daughter's life is at stake, a reluctant Vikrant agrees to obey Kabir's orders. Kabir sets him a series of daunting, time bound tasks. As Vikrant completes each task, he receives a clue that will bring him a step closer to finding Sonia.

And so begins a thrilling, cat and mouse game where Vikrant Raina chases elusive clues through impossible terrain, even as a hawk eyed Kabir keeps a watch on every step he takes. The slightest error or delay on his part and Vikrant will never see his daughter again. But why do all the tasks involve Vikrant having to commit crimes in rising intensity?

Although circumstances have forced Vikrant to take orders from this hateful stranger, he's also a master strategist of many board room battles and a man to be pushed around. Thus he succeeds in outwitting Kabir on more than one occasion.

But then a counter-offensive Kabir puts Sonia's life in jeopardy and Vikrant vows that he will stop at nothing to save his daughter... his only child.

But will he stop at committing murder?

Sanjay Gadhvi, the master director of mega, blockbusters like Dhoom and Dhoom: 2, brings you Kidnap - a high-octane, edge-of-the-seat thriller about the power tussle between a father hell bent on rescuing his daughter and a young man thirsting for revenge!

My Conclusion:

The idea was new but i felt that execution was not so good and there are too many flaws in the script. Along that if some one has seen Sanjay Dutt starrer "Zinda" which came few years back then you will also find the script an outdated one. Since here also the story revolves around a person( Imraan Khan) who wants to take revenge from a person( Sanjay Dutt) who has changed his whole life from childhood, for a misunderstanding.When we talk about acting then its only Imraan Khan show you can say and even Sanjay Dutt will disappoint you with his acting because in many scenes you will find Sanjay Dutt looking tooo dull.And even like Sanjay Gadhvi's Dhoom series here you wont find any action scenes that leave you with some impact. And if i can recollect the movie has one train chase action scene and a building climb up scenes that seems too be ok ok action actions.So its not a Dhoom but its just one time watchable flick.Except the song "Mit Jaye" others doesnt leave nay impact on you too.So bad in terms of music score also.

Overall, i didnt like it so much and i was very dissapointed as i was expecting much more from this movie.

My RATING: 2.5/5

DVD Cover Poster:
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Moserbaer releases "A Wednesday" on Home video

In my last post only i have written that in some websites, pre-orders of UTV movies are being taken but i was not sure whether it was acquired by Moserbaer or it was just a mistake by the internet shopping websites. But now after my research its confirmed that atleast Moserbaer has acquired the rights of latest UTV movies which includes the rights of "Kismat Konnection", "A Wednesday", "Fashion", "Mumbai Meri Jaan" and " Welcome to Sajjanpur".But this time Moserbaer has increased the price of its DVDs and now the DVDs of this films will cost you Rs 99/- for each movies.

Out of this five movies, " A Wednesday" is already out in the market and its is out at a price point of Rs 40/- for VCDs and Rs 99/- for its DVD.The DVD of this movie also contains the DVD of the movie "Shaurya" as a free gift inside the pack.A Wednesday was a very short film of around 2 hours and it was also made at a very low budget. The movie was critically acclaimed and its star cast includes Nasseruddin Shah, Anupam Kher, Jimmy Shergill and others.

"A WEDNESDAY" tells the story of certain events that unfold between 2 and 6 pm on a particular Wednesday – events which do not exist in any record but which deeply effects the lives of those involved.

Prakash Rathod, Commissioner of Police, Mumbai (played by Mr Anupam Kher) gets a call demanding the release of four militants in lieu of information on bombs that the man has planted in various parts of the city. At first, Prakash suspects it to be a crank call but his doubts are dispelled once he actually finds a bomb planted in the police station right opposite his Police Headquarters.

Now Prakash Rathod is in a real dilemma. Should he release the militants? Militants who have been caught at the cost of lives of police officers in the first place? Militants who are responsible for unaccountable damage to civilian lives and property? Militants who will cause further damage in the coming years, if let go scott free? Or should he just think of all the innocent people who will die today if he decides not to let them go?

Prakash Rathod is not a man who would give up so easily. He gets a team of his best men together and taps all his resources – he was going to leave no stone unturned in his mission to track down the man. He even hires a 17 year old hacker to help his team trace the calls and hence the location of this man.

Meanwhile, he comes across Naina Roy, a wannabe-something news channel reporter (played by Ms Deepal Shaw) who also has been tipped off by an anonymous caller. Time passes without any concrete results on the identity of the caller. As a backup plan, he puts two of his best men, Arif and Jai (played by Jimmy Sheirgill and Amir Bashir respectively) to hand over the four militants. It is then that events take a bizarre turn.

Suddenly, everything becomes a huge question mark. Who is this man? What is his identity? What are his intentions and what is the motive behind them? The caller (played by Mr Naseeruddin Shah) then reveals his true identity and answers these questions, raising some more in the process...Last releases from Moserbaer was Pahlaj Nihalani's " KHUSHBOO" and Sanjay Gadhvi's " KIDNAP" starring Imraan Khan and Sanjay Dutt.Very Sooner Moserbaer is also going to release the DVDs of Golmaal Returns, Fashion, Kismat Konnection, Welcome to Sajjanpur, Mumbai Meri Jaan and that too in its new price point of Rs 99/- per DVD.May be this DVDs also contain a free movie DVD like "A Wednesday" which is coming with the disc of movie "Shaurya" as a free gift.

Now we have to see whether it can keep its market share and can give fight to pirates as it was doing well till now since the advantage Moserbaer had over other players was its low price strategy but now it seems like Moserbaer is also following others and has increased the prices of its new products. Even it will get clear in coming few days whether Moserbaer also releases them in a price point of Rs 50/- and keep the higher price point for premium segment, but that we can only hope at this stage of time.

Along that another question is whether we will get premium quality product in this price point in terms of packaging and contents like addition of deleted scenes, making of the film, extra songs and posters or the same DVD cases which we were getting at price point of Rs 50/- per film DVD.

So keep watching this space for latest happenings in Indian Home Video Market....

Did Moserbaer acquired UTV home video library?

However am not sure till now but it was shocking when i saw some headlines on internet and along that some online shopping websites like "indiatimes.com" where they are taking pre-orders for Home Video of UTV movies like Kismat Konnection, Fashion, Mumbai Meri Jaan, Welcome to Sajjanpur and as on along that Golmaal Returns also (which rights are already acquired by Moserbaer and its officially announced also) under the banner name Moserbaer and at that same price point of Rs 40/- for VCDs and Rs 50/- for DVDs.

After that i searched whole net but yet i didnt find any official reports from any out of this companies regarding any such deal.So i hope within coming few days there would be some official reports and then i will write on this in detail.

But its also true and official according to a website "businessofcinema.com" that UTV was already in talk with various home video players for a complete sell out of its home video division - UTV Home Video. And the price that the company was seeking for its Hindi and English library is in the range of Rs 100 - 120 million (Rs 10 -12 crores).

And according to that website, the dealing was for UTV's home video catalogue which consist of more than 40 movies including the company's home productions like Race, Aamir,Swades, Khosla Ka Ghosla, Life... In A Metro, Dhan Dhana Dhan Goal etc and also Miramax movies like Pulp Fiction, Sin City, Hamlet etc. Also under negotiation is the future slate of 17 UTV Motion Pictures films from Kismat Konnection onwards, which released in July.

So its true that UTV was looking forward for selling its home video division and they will also give the rights of 14 movies from Kismat Konnection onwards to that company which will acquire its home video division.

But the question which is unsolved till now is that whether the complete acquisation of UTV home video division is done by Moserbaer or just Moserbaer acquired "Fashion", "Kismat Konnection", "Mumbai Meri Jaan" and other new outcomes from UTV or its just following the same pattern of marketing the UTV products on a sharing basis like it did for Sony BMG in past by selling there 14 movies which includes " Jannat" also. Even Moserbaer has tied up with Palador pictures in that pattern for selling of its world movies and currently Moserbaer is offering 50 World Movie title in the market from Palador's World Movie Library in premium segment at Rs 399/- for DVDs.

OR in this case itS just a mistake from online shopping websites.....

So there are many questions and sooner i will give details on this after i get some official knowledge regarding this outcome.

FIRST LOOK & SYNOPSIS: Chandni Chowk to China

Movie: CHANDNI CHOWK TO CHINA
Release Date: 16. January. 2009
Genre: Action & Comedy
Banner: Warner Brothers, RS Entertainment & Orion Pictures
Director: Nikhil Advani
Music: Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy
Lyrics: N.A.
Music On: T-Series
Star Cast: Akshay Kumar, Deepika Padukone, Ranvir Shorey, Mithun Chakraborty & Gordon Liu
Official Website:www.cc2c-thefilm.com
Synopsis:

Chandni Chowk To China, the first ever Bollywood Kungfu comedy takes you on a madcap Journey from the by-lanes of Chandni Chowk in Delhi, to Shanghai, the Great Wall and rural China, marrying in its wake hilarious gags, breathtaking action, spectacular locations, and heart stirring emotions.

Our protagonist Sidhu (Akshay Kumar) is the lowest on the totem pole, cutting vegetables at a roadside food stall in Chandni Chowk in Delhi. He longs to escape his dreary existence and looks for shortcuts- with astrologers, tarot readers and fake fakirs - believing anything except himself, despite his father figure Dada's (Mithun Chakraborty) best efforts. His redeeming moment arrives when two strangers from China claim him as a reincarnation of a war hero in the past and takes him to China. Sidhu now dreams of wine, women, and a princely existence in foreign lands. Thanks to the devious translator, a conman by the name Chopstick (Ranvir Shorey), little does he know that he is being taken to the Promised Land to rid the Chinese village of the vicious smuggler Hojo (Gordon Liu)!

Therefore, Sidhu blissfully sets forth to China with Chopstick who instigates dreams of a delicious future and forgets to reveal the perils, which await him. Along the way, he meets Sakhi (Deepika Padukone), Ms. Tele Shoppers Media (Ms. TSM) who has embarked on a journey to pay homage to the land of her birth and her dead father and twin. Initially, Sidhu through a series of lucky coincidences manages to sidestep being beaten by Hojo's men but finally Hojo catches up with him and exposes him as the country buffoon that he really is. Sidhu has the fire of revenge in his belly and finds the one man who will make him a Kungfu expert and set the village free. Armed with his Sifu (master), faith in himself and the love of the fair Sakhi, Sidhu sets forth to conquer all!

First Look (Poster):Theatrical Trailer:

FIRST LOOK & SYNOPSIS: Luck By Chance

Movie: LUCK BY CHANCE
Release Date: 30. Janaury.2009
Genre: Drama
Banner: Big Pictures & Excel Entertainment
Director: Zoya Akthar
Music: Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy
Lyrics: Javed Akthar
Music On: Big Music
Official Website: N.A.
Star Cast: Hrithik Roshan, Rishi Kapoor, Farhan Akthar, Konkana Sen Sharma, Juhi Chawla, Dimple Kapadia, Isha Sharwani, Sanjay Kapoor & Saurabh Sukla.
Synopsis: N.A.
Poster (First Look):
Theatrical Trailer:

FIRST LOOK & SYNOPSIS: Right Ya Wrong

Movie: RIGHT YA WRONG
Release Date: 2009
Genre: Thriller
Banner: Ikkon Pictures Pvt. Ltd & Mukta Arts Productions
Director: Neeraj Pathak
Music: Monty Sharma
Lyrics: Sameer
Music On: N.A.
Official Website: N.A.
Star Cast: Sunny Deol, Irffan Khan, Konkana Sen Sharma, Isha Koppikar, Aryan Vaid & Kirron Kher
Synopsis:
N.A
Poster (First Look):Theatrical Trailer:

Moserbaer releases Kidnap on Home video

If you remember, in starting of November i have written a post in which i have mentioned that Moserbaer has acquired the home video rights of "KIDNAP" and "GOLMAAL RETURNS". And yesterday only i have seen the ads on television from Moserbaer that it releases "KIDNAP". As its earlier ads, this ad also has some sort of uniqueness that differentiate it from other ads and you will get the look Moserbaer in it, with a tagline of "Hello Happiness". And the ad mainly focusses on Imraan Khan and with some editing, it will show that the movie revolves around four clues that are given by Imraan Khan to Sanjay Dutt for saving her daughter which is played by Minissha Lamba and who is being kidnapped by Imraan Khan.

Kidnap stars Imraan Khan, Sanjay Dutt and Minissha Lamba and it is an outcome from "Dhoom" fame director Sanjay Gadhvi. However at box-office, the result was not so good but still it manages a clear win against its competitor release of same week "Drona". The movie manages to earn around 19 crores in box-office from Indian Circuit only during its first few weeks.

Moserbaer has released the DVDs at a price point of Rs.50/- for single disc and VCDs at a price point of Rs.40/- for 2 disc. Keep watching this blog because sooner i will write the DVD review of this movie. And so now keep waiting for Golmaal Returns has it will too come out on Moserbaer DVDs by December and rather stop piracy and wait for this low price Moserbaer original DVDs.

Big Home Video releases new Hollywood titles

Big Home Video has recently released Universal Picture's The Incredible Hulk and Paramount's Iron Man on home video in over seven regional languages, including Hindi. Meanwhile, to cater to the premium segment, Big Home Video has tied up with Crossword to promote the release of The Incredible Hulk and with Planet M to promote Iron Man. A Hulk Zone will be created at select outlets of Crossword for on-the-spot contests and a chance to win exciting merchandise. Planet M chain of outlets, as part of a special focus on Iron Man, is organizing a consumer contest at its key stores across the country.

The Incredible Hulk and Iron Man DVDs are priced at Rs 599, the English VCDs are priced at Rs 299 and the Hindi, Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam VCDs are priced at Rs 99.

Along this two hollywood biggies it has also released Indiana Jones series – Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of Crystal Skull on home video. Directed by Steven Spielberg and produced by Frank Marshall, with George Lucas and Kathleen Kennedy as its executive producers, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of Crystal Skull is a thriller packed with sensational spectacles. The film grossed more than $ 780 million at the worldwide box-office.

Big Home Video has chalked out a marketing plan to unleash this adventure on home video. Through a tie-up with the Planet M chain of stores, buyers of the DVD and the VCD have the opportunity of winning attractive early bird prizes and also taking part in a consumer contest to win exclusive Indiana Jones premiums.

Indiana Jones has been released on DVD as a two-disc special collector's edition at Rs. 699 as well as a single disc DVD at Rs. 599. It presents hours of content that offers in-depth coverage of Steven Spielberg and his cast and crew at work, including pre-production and pre-visualization sequences, photo galleries and a tribute to Indy. This VCD had been released in English at Rs. 299 and in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu at Rs. 99 each.

It seems that still the hollywood titles are sold at a very huge prices and i really hope that sooner this prices will come down as it happened in case of bollywood titles after the entry of Moserbaer in the market as a key player.

And due to this price points only, hollywood titles piracy taking place at a larger scale and even its my personal experience that i have too seen the pirated DVDs are available at a price point of Rs 70/- per DVD. And this DVDs are DVD prints only (means copied from an original DVDs), so they have all those features like subtitles and Dolby sound etc., in it. Even along that you can take 6 movies in just Rs 70/- including all the above movies which are available on Big Home Video for Rs 599/- each.

So, why should a common man go for an original dvds when he is getting that same quality along that a combination of movies at a such lower prices. Because fancy packaging and few gifts are not the main intention for a common man.

Now, really i think this home video players should rethink and reduce there prices and come up with some new effective business models if they wanna really fight back with piracy else they are going to play a looser game in future too.

But even in this case Moserbaer has again got some credit has it is launching its new Hollywood titles at maximum price of Rs.149/- for an english DVD whereas for Hindi dubbed version DVD, its available at Rs. 99/- and am really looking forward for "Righteous Kill" to release on Home Video by Moserbaer. And even i have purchased earlier "Air Buddies" from Moserbaer and it also comes up with a fancy packaging like its provided by any other Home video player at a price point of Rs. 599/- for english version DVDs.


Source: businessofcinema.com

FIRST LOOK & SYNOPSIS: Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye!

Movie: OYE LUCKY! LUCKY OYE!
Release Date: 28.November.2008
Genre: Comedy
Banner: UTV Motion Pictures
Director: Dibakar Banerjee
Music: Sneha Kanwalkar
Lyrics:Dibakar Banerjee, Manu Rishi, Kanu Behl, Mange Ram, Manjyot Singh
Music On: T-Series
Official Website: www.oyelucky.com
Star Cast: Abhay Deol, Paresh Rawal, Neetu Chandra and Archana Puran Singh

Synopsis:

What follows may have been true.
From the inner city ghetto of West Delhi, Lucky, a gawky 15-year-old lower middle class Sikh kid, rises to become one of the most wanted master thieves of India with tens of millions worth loot, a glamorous lifestyle, cars, women, and a fan following.
As a kid, there is little at home for Lucky except an alienated family and a dysfunctional relationship with his violent, bullying father. He is a keen observer of the world around him from his immediate surroundings his friends, dropouts, delinquents, petty criminals to the world he aspires to – the nouveau riche - private school kids, shining cars with power windows, and pretty girls from posh neighbourhoods who seem forever inaccessible – they all add to his store of knowledge.
Over his adventures, we see Lucky form his worldview. And that is – if you don’t have it, steal it.
Together with his childhood friend Bangali he graduates to becoming a full-fledged thief and is introduced to a man who will change the course of his life: Gogi Bhai – a flamboyant musical bandleader who’s also a fence for stolen goods. A man who becomes a surrogate father.
Lucky rapidly rises to become Gogi’s star operator. Through him Lucky meets a host of characters who will define who he will become including Dolly, Gogi’s aggressive, hard bitten star dancer and her college going, quiet younger sister Sonal with whom he begins a tentative romance. Lucky’s independent nature, insatiable ambition and hunger for the unreachable accelerate his path in crime and matters are brought to a head by a pivotal act of betrayal that scars Lucky for life and sets him off into a new trajectory of life.
Lucky’s journey develops him into a flamboyant playboy who now wants more than just the riches. Now he needs the respectability, the social standing of a city gentleman. Without sacrificing that reckless freedom he cherishes - the duality of having the freedom to steal.
But this is, perhaps, half the tale.
The other half is about why a wealthy thief who stole tens of millions worth of jewellery, cars, gadgets and other valuables would also steal a greeting card, a teddy bear and a framed photo of a family playing in the snow.

Poster (First Look):
Theatrical Trailer:

FIRST LOOK & SYNOPSIS: The President Is Coming

Movie: THE PRESIDENT IS COMING
Release Date: N.A.
Genre: Comedy
Banner: RS Entertainment
Director: Kunal Roy Kapur
Poster:

Theatrical Trailer: