MUMBAI: Online community for world cinema Jaman.com, has announced a 30 film distribution deal with India’s National Film Development Corporation (NFDC).

Under the agreement, films made by internationally acclaimed Indian directors will be available for download for the first time ever. Jaman will deliver these feature-length films in hi-def, directly to viewers around the world. The collection includes three films by Satyajit Ray, regarded as one of the most important filmmakers in the history of cinema.

“While excellent films are made all over the world every year, less than one per cent of them get traditional distribution in the US. Our partnership with NFDC makes the work of India’s top directors available to anyone with internet access. These films clearly show that alongside a prolific Bollywood film industry, India has a deep and rich history of cinematic excellence,” says Jaman founder and CEO Gaurav Dhillon.

The long-term Jaman and NFDC deal will kick off with 30 worldwide premieres, including the following titles: Kundan Shah’s Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron; Satyajit Ray’s Agantuk; Shyam Benegal’s Mammo; Sudhir Mishra’s Main Zinda Hoon; Saeed Mirza’s Salim Langde Pe Mat Ro; Mrinal Sen’s Antareen; Ketan Mehta’s Mirch Masala; Murali Nair’s Arimpara; Aparna Sen’s Yugant; Govind Nihalani’s Party; Buddhadev Dasgupta’s Tahadar Katha and Basu Chatterjee’s Tok Jhal Misti.

San Mateo headquartered Jaman.com says it is pioneering social cinema on the internet by delivering hi-def films to a growing online community of fans and filmmakers.