Moser Baer to become home video leader

Mumbai, Oct 8 (IANS) One of India's leading developers and manufacturers of removable data storage media, Moser Baer, said here Monday that the it has acquired 800 leading Hindi film titles to emerge as the dominant player in the home video market.

'With this acquisition, we own or have licence for over 2,500 Hindi titles and for over 400 Gujarati titles,' said Harish Dayani, Moser Baer's chief executive, entertainment business.

'The company's new division is close to acquiring copyrights and exclusive licence for more than 9,000 film titles in all major Indian languages, which comprises a third of all movies produced till date in India,' he added.

The company said that it acquired the titles from one of India largest home video firms, Ultra Video, and will be releasing these on digitally formatted VCDs and DVDs at attractive prices.

'We have acquired over 800 Hindi film titles and over 100 Gujarati titles from Ultra Video, the second largest home video firm, which has 2,200 titles. Some of the popular titles in Hindi include blockbusters like 'Sholay', 'Koi Mil Gaya', 'Saagar', 'Hum Apke Hai Kaun', 'Iqbal', 'Maine Pyar Kiya', 'Aradhana' and 'Amar Prem',' said a company statement.

Some of the popular Gujarati titles acquired include 'Desh Re Joya Dada Pardesh Joya', 'Gaam Ma Piyaryu Ne Gaam Ma Sasar', 'Unchi Medi Na Uncha Mol' and 'Moti Verana Chawk Ma'.

'The company will release video content of these titles on DVD and VCD formats using its proprietary and patented technology, which enhances quality and significantly reduces cost,' the statement said.

'This acquisition enables us to offer some latest hit titles to consumers at affordable prices between Rs.28 and Rs.39 for VCDs and DVDs by leveraging our patented and proprietary technology. I believe that at these price points, consumers will finally have a wider choice to 'Own Bollywood',' Dayani added.

Moser Baer has already lined up over 475 distributors across the country and stocks will soon be available in around 100,000 outlets.

'With world class packaging, wide distribution reach and global quality production standards in each product, customers will be given a compelling value proposition, which has not yet been seen in India,' Dayani added.