Source: Apun Ka Choice
Agencies, February 13, 2008
Ashutosh Gowarikar 's epic love story Jodhaa Akbar that stars Aishwarya Rai and Hrithik Roshan in the title roles, is to get one of the biggest worldwide releases. UTV Motion Pictures will release 'Jodhaa Akbar' in 26 countries on Friday. Earlier, Sony Pictures' first Indian venture, Saawariya , was one of the biggest releases of 2007. It was released in around 14 countries.
'Jodhaa Akbar' is dubbed in three languages - Hindi, Telugu and Tamil - and subtitled in English, Arabic and Dutch. It will be viewed across 1,500 screens worldwide. In India alone the film is to be released in more than 1,300 screens, of which 500 will be digital and 825 physical prints. In the US, 122 prints will be released, the highest ever for an Indian film.
'The film is one of the most anticipated movies of the decade and in keeping with the unprecedented anticipation among audiences, our distribution strategy will ensure that it can be viewed by the maximum possible audience in the very week of its release,' said Siddharth Roy Kapoor, executive vice-president of marketing and distribution, Syndication UTV Motion Pictures, in a press statement.
The film may also be screened in Pakistan, but at a later date. “We are definitely planning to release the film in Pakistan but it won't be on Feb 15. Most probably we will screen it in March”, Kapoor said.
Set in the 16th century, this epic romance begins as a marriage of alliance between two cultures and religions, for political gain, with King Bharmal of Amer giving his daughter Jodha's hand to Mughal emperor Jalaluddin Akbar. The music by maestro AR Rahman launched UTV's music label and with this film, UTV is also reinventing its distribution in North America. In Canada, it is the first time that a Hindi film is being released simultaneously in six provinces - British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec, Manitoba, Nova Scotia and Alberta.
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Source: Hollywood Reporter
By Nyay Bhushan , February 13, 2008
NEW DELHI -- The $10 million romantic epic "Jodhaa Akbar" will open on more than 1,500 screens worldwide when it bows Feb. 15 in 26 countries, with the U.S. playing host to about 125 prints. Major 2007 release "Om Shanti Om," which screened out of competition at this year's Berlin festival, saw about 120 prints released in the U.S., with a worldwide screen count of roughly 1,500, according to its London-based distributor Eros.
Directed by Ashutosh Gowariker (Academy Award-nominated "Lagaan"), "Jodhaa Akbar" revolves around the story of 16th century Mughal emperor Akbar (Hrithik Roshan) and his Hindu wife Jodhaa Bai (Aishwarya Rai). It was produced by Mumbai-based UTV Motion Pictures, whose parent company UTV listed on the London Stock Exchange's Alternative Investment Market last year.
On Tuesday, UTVMP, which is handling worldwide distribution, said that the film will open on more than 1,300 screens in India including 500 digital screens. In an interview, UTVMP director Siddharth Roy Kapur said that special preview screenings, sponsored by Citibank, will take place Feb. 14 in New York, Chicago, Houston and San Francisco.
UTV also has launched an anti-piracy drive in the U.S., sending legal warning letters in advance of the film's release to 500 retail stores that allegedly stock pirated DVDs. Upcoming UTV projects include M. Night Shyamalan's "The Happening," co-produced with 20th Century Fox.