Doordarshan has entered into an agreement with France-based Canal France International (CFI) to telecast 26 French films on DD Metro beginning 5 July at 11 pm..

Pointing out that this was another step towards Indo-French cultural cooperation, DD director-general S Y Quraishi told a press conference in Delhi today: "We have entered into an MoU with CFI to telecast French films on DD which will be sub-titled in English and some of them will be dubbed in English too."

According to Quraishi, the dubbing and subtitling will be done by CFI before the films are provided to DD which can also earn some revenue if the Indian pubcaster manages to market the films, which will certainly attract a niche audience, to advertisers.

"The agreement is for two years and after which we will review the status and even go in for revenue sharing with CFI if there is a scope," the DG said.

Asked by indiantelevision.com whether DD can earn some revenue by telecasting French feature films, Quraishi said: "It is too early to comment on that, but we have asked our Mumbai office to look into the aspect of marketing these films so that some revenue can be generated."

Even if revenue is not generated, DD is on a winning wicket as the dubbing and sub-titling are being done by CFI and the films are being provided to DD free of cost.

Speaking on the occasion, French ambassador to India Bernard de Montferrand said: "France has been attempting to see how it can improve the knowledge about the country in India and films are one way of doing it. Moreover, since India produces so many films, some of them which in recent times have been shown in France too (like Lagaan and Monsoon Wedding), we hope through this arrangement with DD, we will benefit."

The present agreement is another step towards strengthening Indo-French commercial ties, what with this year's Cannes Film festival almost awash with the Indian flavour.

Some of the French films which DD will screen beginning 5 July include An Indian in the City by Harve Palud, Fanfan the Tulip by Christian Jaque on 12 July, The Hickers on 26 July and Damned Nuisance by Edouard Molinaro on 14 August.

Meanwhile, DD has also signed an agreement with British broadcaster BBC to air AIDS-related shows on its regional networks.