GECs
Pyramid Saimira, Moser Baer in deal for home video market
MUMBAI: Cinema chain operator Pyramid Saimira Theatre has entered into a strategic alliance with Moser Baer India for exploiting revenues from the home video market.
Under the arrangement, Moser Baer’s range of home video titles will be available at all the theatres owned or managed by Pyramid Saimira. “The space cost will be taken care by us while Moser Baer will spend on furnishing the shops where the home video products will be sold. They will be able to reach out to more consumers through this retail chain,” says Pyramid Saimira Theatre managing director PS Saminathan.
Pyramid Saimira will also allow its new films for Moser Baer to release in the home video format after a short window period. The plan is to release 100 films in South India across the country. Moser Baer will kick off by releasing Pyramid’s new Tamil film Mozhi (released on 23 February). “The window period will be drastically reduced and our films can be available on Moser Baer’s home video after one month of theatrical release. We believe we can get huge volumes as the DVDs are to be priced at Rs 34,” says Saminathan.
Adds Moser Baer CEO, entertainment business, Harish Dayani, “This strategic tie up offers an excellent opportunity to increase our retail presence and availability. We are delighted that Pyramid Saimira Theatre is going to offer their new Tamil film content in home video format for the first time within a short period of releasing the film in the theatre.”
The profit will be split equally between the two companies. This will include revenue generated from advertisement in VCDs and DVDs. The availability of DVDs at such low prices is aimed at killing the piracy market while also expanding the home video segment.
Pyramid Saimira has also agreed to release films produced or distributed by Moser Baer in its theatres. Currently Pyramid has 255 screens in 225 locations.
“Under the strategic alliance if we manage to generate volumes in the home video segment, we hope to add Rs 500 million to our bottomline every year without any increase in costs. While we take the content risk, they run the expenses for production of DVDs,” says Saminathan.
GECs
Sony PAL to air Sankat Mochan Hanuman from May 4 at 9 PM
Mythological series brings Lord Hanuman’s tale of devotion and courage back to TV
MUMBAI: Sony PAL is set to bring back the timeless mythological series Sankat Mochan Hanuman, with its premiere scheduled for May 4 at 9 PM. The show revisits the legendary journey of Lord Hanuman, offering viewers a chance to reconnect with one of Indian mythology’s most revered figures.
Centred on themes of devotion, courage and righteousness, the series traces Hanuman’s unwavering loyalty to Lord Ram and his fearless stand against evil. With its mix of dramatic storytelling and visually rich sequences, the show aims to deliver both entertainment and spiritual resonance, appealing to audiences across age groups.
The narrative unfolds as a larger-than-life saga, positioning Hanuman as the ultimate protector and a symbol of strength and selfless service. His journey, rooted in faith and duty, continues to strike a chord with viewers, making the series as relevant today as ever.
The cast features Gagan Malik as Lord Ram, Debalina Chatterjee as Sita, Nirbhay Wadhwa in the titular role, and Saurav Gurjar as Raavan. Their performances bring depth and authenticity to characters deeply embedded in Indian cultural memory.
With its return to television, the show is positioned as more than just a rerun. It taps into a renewed appetite for mythological storytelling, blending nostalgia with timeless values.
As audiences increasingly seek content that resonates beyond entertainment, ‘Sankat Mochan Hanuman’ offers a familiar yet powerful narrative, reminding viewers that stories of faith and courage never really go out of style.
