May 24, 2008 12:32:38 PM IST Bollywood Trade News Network

PVR Pictures, the 100% subsidiary of the entertainment conglomerate PVR ltd., post the successful release of TARE ZAMEEN PAR, MITHYA and SHAURYA, has geared up to flex muscle strengthening its focus in the film distribution space. The company is all set to release over 25 films in the next 12 months, which include about 15 Hollywood ventures with varied content across languages.

The company has just entered into an agreement with Shemaroo films for nationwide distribution rights of GHATOTKACH and MERE BAAP PEHLE AAP, a comic caper starring Akshaye Khanna, Om Puri and Paresh Rawal.

This will be followed by the company's own productions JAANE TU YA JAANE NA, MERE KHWABON MEIN JO AAYE and CONTRACT which is being directed by Ram Gopal Verma, apart from the Amitabh, Abhishek and Aishwarya Rai starrer SARKAR RAJ.

Keeping with the approach of making wholesome entertaining films, PVR Pictures CEO Ashish Saksena says, "With the Indian audience taste evolving in the wake some great film releases, they are looking for quality contents like never before". "This year our focus at PVR Pictures will be to cater to this audience by bringing quality films with a variety of subjects ranging from domestic releases to Hollywood flicks to other internationally acclaimed films", he further added.

The story crosses overseas with the acquisition of theatrical rights of WHAT JUST HAPPENED - the closing film at Cannes Film Festival starring Bruce Willis and Robert De Niro. In fact, this year, PVR Pictures will distribute as many as 15 Hollywood ventures - most of which wouldn't make it to Indian theaters if size were the only criteria. The list includes Bharat Nalluri's much talked about MISS PETTIGREW LIVES FOR A DAY, Michel Gondry's Jack Black starrer BE KIND REWIND, the award winning THE OTHER BOLEYN GIRL, THE HUNTING PARTY, BURN AFTER READING amongst others.

Keeping in mind the varied bouquet being offered to movie goers in India, Saksena continues, "Hollywood isn't just about superheroes and sci-fi. In the past too, we have brought in films like PARIS J'ETAIME and AUGUST RUSH, which were considered not so viable for the Indian market, but received great response here. We therefore believe in sticking to this strategy of quality entertainment."