MUMBAI: Aamir Khan Productions will be releasing the Oscar nominated film Lagaan on DVD for the first time in the country. The DVD will be released by Excel Home Videos.

Excel Home Videos managing director M N Kapasi says, “Lagaan has been one of the most famous ambassadors of Indian cinema in the recent years. The long wait clubbed with the high quality standards that Mr Khan seeks has created huge curiosity in trade circles ahead of its release in December 2006.”

“Apart from the National Awards, Lagaan has won honours at all major film festivals including Locarno, Bergen, Leeds and European Film Festivals with the tally reaching 44 awards and 19 nominations. The movie is also the first Bollywood production in 30 years to use synchronized sound making the DVD a must buy for connoisseurs of quality cinema,” he added.

Interestingly the movie has foxed the piracy market over the years, with its pirated version almost non-existent and the satellite broadcast deal expired. Lagaan also marks the consolidation of Excel Home Videos in the Bollywood space.

Aamir Khan said, “Excel’s product expertise, innovative marketing, strong and penetrative distribution chain coupled with technological breakthroughs achieved in the home entertainment segment in India, made it a clear choice for Lagaan’s home video debut.”

Excel Home Videos has released Parineeta, Corporate and Banaras among others in the Bollywood space. Nagesh Kukunoor’s Dor will be also be released shortly by the label and will carry bonus features.

Kapasi said, “Corporatisation of Bollywood has affected sharper marketing activities, technological advancement in products, cost effective practices which has in-turn resulted in the entry of players like us with structural expertise in the category. Lagaan will be a collector’s item conforming to international state of the art standards and loads of never before seen features on the DVD. The product will witness a grand launch by producer and actor Aamir Khan in December 2006.”