Sony bags 'Kabhi Alvida..' & ZEE 'Humko..

Satellite TV rights of forthcoming unreleased movies are being acquired at record prices with both Sony TV and ZEE Network buying two of this year's hottest Bollywood properties.

Keeping the close tie-up with the Yash Raj banner and Karan Johar movies, Sony TV has reportedly paid Rs 7 crore on the television rights of this year's much awaited movie 'Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna' starring Amitabh Bachchan, Abhishek Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Rani Mukherjee, Preity Zinta and Arjun Rampal. The deal also includes music rights of the film being handed over to Sony Music on a commission basis.

After grabbing the worldwide rights of 'Garam Masala', ZEE Network has bought the rights of Akshay Kumar's next blockbuster 'Humko Deewana Kar Gaye'. The film also sees Katrina Kaif and Bipasha Basu lead the female cast. Bhagyashree and Salman Khan will be seen together on screen after many years. Their last was the blockbuster Rajshri production Maine Pyar Kiya.

'Humko Deewana Kar Gaye' is being released by UTV on 13th April (UK) and 14th April (worldwide) in cinemas.

This latest development sees the relationship of ZEE Network and UTV further strengthen after it emerged that ZEE Network is also on the brink of signing a deal to show this year's huge hit 'Rang De Basanti', another UTV production.

Today, the satellite rights are being sold even before the shooting begins. According to Tarun Katial, former business head, Sony India, it gives the audience a chance to watch a movie if they missed it on cinema halls or if they wish to see it again. "And of course we can't deny the monetary benefits," he explains.