MUMBAI: Pyramid Saimira Theatre Ltd has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Moser Baer India to release DVDs and VCDs of its new films within a short period after their theatrical release.

Pyramid Saimira plans to release around 100 films in south India in the near future and Moser Baer will launch these titles in the home video format across the country.

The first in the series will be Pyramid Saimira’s new Tamil film Mozhi, which was released on 23 February 2007. The film stars Prakash Raj, Jothika, Prithviraj, Sornamalya and others and will be launched on VCDs and DVDs shortly.

Moser Baer and Pyramid Saimira will split the profits equally, including revenue generated from ads in VCDs and DVDs, says an official release. Under the MoU, Moser Baer’s range of home video titles will be available at all theatres owned and managed by Pyramid Saimira, enabling the former to reach out to more consumers through the retail chain.

Pyramid Saimira will also release films produced or distributed by Moser Baer in their theatres, adds the release.
 
The deal is expected to bring down the rate of piracy in the Rs 50 billion (Rs 5000 crore) Indian home video market, plagued by piracy, by making copyrighted DVDs easily available at a cheaper price.

Moser Baer CEO entertainment business Harish Dayani said, “This strategic tie up offers an excellent opportunity to increase our retail presence and availability. We are delighted that Pyramid Saimira Theatre is going to offer their new Tamil film content in home video format for the first time within a short period of releasing the film in the theatre.”