• Over 1,000 titles in library, Kamal Hassan launches First Title at State’s largest ever home video foray
• Launch in Puducherry, (earlier Pondicherry) to follow suit with the CM gracing the event

Chennai, Jan 10 2007: Moser Baer, India's largest and world’s second largest optical storage manufacturer today announced its launch of a new initiative in content distribution in Chennai, which would mark the extension of the company's maiden foray into the entertainment industry through the Indian home video market. It may be recalled that the Moser Baer Home Entertainment division was announced in December 2006 to an appreciative market.

The division based out of Mumbai, with presence across the country in all major metros as well as in smaller towns through an active and well-organized three-tiered channel, this move will take advantage of the established Moser Baer production capability and a well developed distribution network. The company will release video content on DVD and Video CD formats using its proprietary and patented technology which enhances quality and significantly reduces cost. This will enable Moser Baer to revolutionize the quality-price parity and offer unprecedented value for the consumers.

The launch in Chennai is full-fledged with living legend, “Ulaga Nayagan” Kamal Hassan launching the first title of the over 101 Tamil titles at the event. These titles come from a library of over 1,000 titles, both from catalogue and also some new films. This is the first time that a launch of such an unprecedented scale of titles is happening in Tamil Nadu. While all the titles are being introduced in VCD format, 12 key titles are introduced in DVD format. On this occasion, the company is also launching a new hit Tamil film – Ullam Ketkume in both VCD and DVD format.

Kamal Hassan will be releasing the first title and will also unveil the entire catalogue range display shelf, which will be installed at key retail outlets by Moser Baer.

The launch in Tamil Nadu will be followed by Moser Baer opening its first Franchise outlet at Puducherry on 11th January 2007, where the Chief Minister of Puducherry, Hon’ble Rangasamy will grace the occasion to inaugurate the shop and commence the billing.

The distribution of the titles will be intended to reach almost every movie enthusiast in the state and to this end the company has already lined up 41 distributors in Tamil Nadu and stocks shall be available immediately in around 7,000 outlets to begin with. This number is stated to keep increasing as the company increases its reach in the state. In order to make the people aware of this tremendous and unique opportunity, the company will be advertising the concept of low cost, original VCDs and DVDs in local TV channels and press starting from Pongal festival.

Moser Baer's new division is in final negotiations to acquire copyrights/exclusive license of more than 7000 titles in all major Indian languages which comprises a third of all movies produced till date in India. 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 hitherto fore not been seen in India.

Speaking on the occasion, Ratul Puri, Director, Moser Baer India, said, This initiative is poised to bring a paradigm change in the home video market in Chennai. We clearly recognize the tremendous opportunity here and the place of the Tamil cinema in not only the Indian but the global arena is a widely accepted and applauded fact. We believe this will lead to much higher consumption of content on home video, and encourage people to build libraries. We have planned distribution to reach virtually every town where there is a movie loving family. Our rich library, world-class packaging and production, and unbeatable value propositions for customers will surely propel Moser Baer and this new venture into the top end of the market in a very short time.

According to, Harish Dayani, CEO, Entertainment Business, “This initiative represent an excellent opportunity to leverage our optical media strengths in patented and proprietary technology, capacity and costs enabling us to offering high quality titles at very attractive price points between Rs 28 – Rs 34 for VCD/DVD. I believe that at these price points, we will redefine the home video market in India.”

The Indian home video market has not grown at the pace that it should have considering the fact that India is the world's largest producer and consumer of films. Rampant piracy and high fragmentation in this business have unfortunately impacted the industry.

According to research, India has over 26 million DVD/ VCD users, growing at a healthy clip of over 25%, and comprising about a fourth of all TV ownership in the country. Despite the huge potential market, home video accounts for a mere 7% of the total film revenues of Rs. 7,900 crore. The US home video market is almost the same revenue size as that of the theatrical market.

The new initiative will release titles in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, Bhojpuri, Marathi, Bengali, Gujarati and Punjabi languages. With 18 CFAs, 400 distributors and a dedicated sales force, this division will also set up owned and branded outlets at about 300 locations in addition to its alliances with large format stores.

About Moser Baer India
Moser Baer, headquartered in New Delhi, India, was established in 1983. The Company has successfully developed cutting edge technologies for recordable optical media, constantly innovating and introducing new products and process. . The company currently has over 5,000 full-time employees and has multiple manufacturing facilities in the suburbs of New Delhi, The company services it's customers through 6 marketing offices and subsidiaries/affiliates in India, the US, Europe and Japan. An emphasis on high quality products and services has enabled Moser Baer to emerge as one of India's leading technology companies, with more than 16.5% share of the global recordable optical media market and new initiatives in technology-lead sectors such as Solar Photovoltaic energy and Home Entertainment.