CANNES:
Vertically integrated media firm Eros International, began celebrations
of its 30th anniversary at the Cannes Film Festival by unveiling
its special anniversary logo as well as announcing a series
of further content alliances. Having played a pivotal role in
taking Indian cinema to global audiences, Eros International
became the first company within this sector to list on the AIM
London Stock Exchange in July 2006.
Eros
unveiled the first-look of Goldie Behls
Abhishek Bachchan, Priyanka Chopra starrer, Drona which
is Eross first co-production with Rose Movies. Drona,
a major production mounted on a lavish scale, will take audiences
to a land of fantasy with Hollywood style special effects.
The film defines Eross commitment to raising the bar
of Indian cinema.
Another
first-look was Big Screen Entertainments
John Abraham starrer, No Smoking which will be released
globally this summer. Eros acquired 64 per cent of Big Screen
Entertainment last year.
Partner,
a Sohail Khan Production starring Salman Khan and Govinda
which will be released worldwide this summer by Eros, was
also showcased. This film comes through the major output deal
signed by Eros with K Sera Sera last year.
Eros
has also announced an exclusive output deal with Anil Kapoor
Film Company. The first film under this umbrella to be globally
presented and distributed by Eros is Feroz Khans Gandhi
My Father (English and Hindi), a film with genuine crossover
potential to discerning mainstream audiences, scheduled to
release worldwide this August.
Eros
announced a major exclusive output deal with established producer
Sajid Nadiadwala who has produced several hits like Judwaa,
Har Dil Jo Pyar Karega, Mujhse Shaadi Karogi
and Jaaneman. The next film under the deal Heyy
Babyy starring Akshay Kumar, Fardeen Khan and Ritiesh
Deshmukh is slated for a global release this summer.
Finally,
Eros announced a joint venture tie-up with one of the most
distinguished film makers in the Indian film fraternity, Abbas
Mastan. Renowned for his big star cast thrilling blockbusters,
Abbas has given several hits such as Aitraaz, Humraaz,
Ajnabee, Chori Chori Chupke Chupke, Baadshah,
Soldier, Daraar and Baazigar, most of
which already form a part of the Eros library. Abbas will
now exclusively make films through the joint venture company
with Eros.
These
major announcements follow the previously announced tie-ups
with K Sera Sera, Big Screen Entertainment, Rose Movies, Venus
Productions, Soham, Anurag Kashyap, E Nivas, AR Rehman, Manish
Jha, Samir Karnik and Jeeva, sealing Eross firm intention
to lead the consolidation of the highly fragmented but lucrative
Indian film industry. Eros films are likely to dominate the
screens in the summer of 2007 and beyond.
Eros
International chairman and CEO Kishore Lulla says, The
Indian film industry is going through an explosive growth
phase. Our goal is to consolidate content, talent and global
distribution in the first phase so that we can catapult the
business to the next level. By consolidating the fragmented
industry we are looking to give it the scale and muscle it
deserves to be recognised seriously on a global platform.
We are very excited about the possibilities and delighted
to see our strategy taking tangible shape and thank the entire
film fraternity for their continued support and faith in Eros.
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