Monday, March 31, 2008

Pyramid Saimira to open 2,000 movie screens across India by 2010

(Courtesy: Indiantelevision.com)
By Nayanima Basu, Mumbai, March 28: Indian entertainment major Pyramid Saimira Group is planning to open a total of 2,000 movie screens, a mix of multiplex and individual ones, across India by 2010. It has also made a foray into the Chinese entertainment industry, the fastest growing in the world.
The Chennai-based company, which controls about 60-65 percent of the south Indian film market, is planning to increase its presence in the exhibition space mainly in northern India while further consolidating its position in the south."We are planning to open 800 screens across the entire north India, out of which 500 would be multiplexes and 300 individual screens," P.S. Saminathan, managing director of Pyramid Saimira Theatre Ltd, told IANS here."We may also look into buying some and converting them into multiplexes," he said, adding that the company plans to open a total 2,000 screens by 2010."The remaining 1,200 would be in various corners of southern India."For this the company has earmarked about Rs.4-4.5 billion to be invested in phases. It also plans to achieve a turnover of Rs.7-8 billion in the current fiscal year of 2007-08, up from Rs.1 billion in 2006-07."For our multiplexes we will be mostly focusing on tier-II and tier-III cities as there is less competition and more management skills are required," he added.The company forayed into the Chinese entertainment and media industry last week for exhibition, distribution and production businesses."We are probably the only private sector company to operate there. It is the fastest growing entertainment industry in the world. We intend to set up the infrastructure there, create local content and look at other activities," Saminathan said."The China market is an extremely regulated one but is infested with piracy. But there is less of competition for us and we have the government's support so I am sure it will turn out to be a good business proposition."The group also bagged a satellite broadcasting deal with Britain-based Spize TV to venture into the broadcasting sector."With Spize TV agreement coupled with the Chinese foray, we plan to introduce 100 channels in the next one year," he said. Link: http://www.indiantelevision.com/aac/y2k8/aac208.php

Online coverage about Pyramid Group

Pyramid Saimira Theatre Limited brings D-War to India this summer

Mumbai, March 27, 2008: Pyramid Saimira Theatre Limited recently acquired all India rights (except for Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh) for releasing D-War, a Korean film by Director / Writer Hyung-rae Shim. The movie, produced by James B. Kang, is scheduled to release on Friday, 28th March 2008 and is ideal for the young generation.

Pakistani band Mizmaar back to India with D-War music Video “Sitara”. The movie is and action thriller with computer graphics that would take your breath away.
“This movie is not an animated movie and is full visual effects which have been crafted in Shim’s own studio. This movie is targeted to the Y-generation and is an apt movie to watch in these summer vacations.” says Purvi Shah, COO – Western Region, Pyramid Saimira Group.

Pyramid ties up with Spize TV- Press Clippings

Jansatta- Chandighar
Kesari


Pyramid ties up with Spize TV- Economic Times News

Thursday, March 20, 2008

Press Coverage on Pyramid Saimira entering into China

Business Standard
Deccan Chronicle
Economic Times
Hindusthan Times
Mail Today
Online Coverage
www.myiris.com
http://www.myiris.com/newsCentre/newsPopup.php?fileR=20080319130830043&dir=2008/03/19&secID=livenews
www.sify.com
http://sify.com/finance/equity/fullstory.php?id=14626315
www.moneycontrol.com
http://www.moneycontrol.com/india/news/business/china-foray-pyramid-saimira-to-add-350-screens-this-yr/15/40/330965
www.equitybulls.com
http://www.equitybulls.com/admin/news2006/news_det.asp?id=26575
www.newpaisa.com
http://www.newpaisa.com/pyramid-saimira-group-enters-china-market/10135
www.businessofcinema.com
http://www.businessofcinema.com/news.php?newsid=7485
http://www.prnewswire.co.uk/
http://www.prnewswire.co.uk/cgi/news/release?id=222602
Date: 19.03.08
Website: www.business-standard.com
http://www.business-standard.com/common/news_article.php?tab=r&autono=317483&subLeft=1&leftnm=1
biz.yahoo.com
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/080319/ukw024.html?.v=45
news.webindia123.com
http://news.webindia123.com/news/Articles/India/20080319/912795.html
www.domain-b.com
http://www.domain-b.com/industry/Entertainment/20080319_pyramid_saimira.html
www.myiris.com
http://www.myiris.com/newsCentre/newsPopup.php?fileR=20080319130830043&dir=2008/03/19&secID=livenews
www.businessofcinema.com
http://www.businessofcinema.com/news.php?newsid=7485
www.thehindubusinessline.com
http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/businessline/stocks/announcements/137134.html

Pyramid Saimira Group Enters China

Pyramid Saimira signs Memorandum of Cultural Cooperation with CSMRB, Ministry of Culture, Government of People’s Republic of China and also a Joint Venture Agreement with Longzhe Group - forms a new JV “Jiangsu Pyramid Longzhe Group”Pyramid Saimira Theatre Limited (PSTL) has now entered the Chinese market. The China Society of Music Research Board (CSMRB), Ministry of Culture, Government of People’s Republic of China and India’s Pyramid Saimira Theatre Limited (PSTL) have signed an Arts & Cultural cooperation agreement by which CSMRB and PSTL will take many measures to promote cultural cooperation between India & China. PSTL will bring cultural specialist in the field of Arts, Film, TV, Music & Dance. CSMRB will also offer policy guidelines and business consultations for PSTL’s foray in China’s cultural industry.Further to the agreement above, A new joint venture company Jiangsu Pyramid Longzhe Group supported and approved by China Society Music Research Board (CSMRB), which is under the Ministry of Culture of the People’s Republic of China, has been formed to operate theatres / distribute films and engage in other entertainment / arts & cultural activities in China.The MOU between PSTL and CSMRB was signed at Beijing, in the presence of top delegate from the Chinese government. As part of cultural co relation agreement CSMRB & PSTL successfully presented Ey Aa O, a cultural exchange event between the two countries in Nanjing. As a part of the exchange, PSTL had brought a huge cultural delegation that had performed twice in Nanjing and their 3rd show was in Beijing on 19.3.08 at China Child Art Theatre Hall, Beijing. It is a matter of great pride for PSTL not only to enter China but also to organize for a cultural show in the year that the Olympics would take place.China has a regulated entry on arts / culture / films and hence this entry of Pyramid Saimira group symbolizes the credibility the group enjoys and a dawn of new refigured entertainment industry in mainland china.Mr. P S Saminathan, MD – Pyramid Saimira Group, said “It is a matter of great pride for our company, to sign the agreement with CSMRB. It is a great honor to pyramid Saimira group to get entry into china’s highly regulated growing culture & entertainment industry. Pyramid Saimira always believed in faster growth and expanding in uncharted territories. China has great entertainment potential given the growing affordability of the entire population and the willingness of new generation to avail multi faceted entertainment product & services. We will create a huge theatre chain network/ food courts/ gaming parlors and offer other entertainment services.We will also bring international content to china and will also showcase and market local Chinese content across the world. This entry will strengthen the growing Exhibition & content business of our group and will in a very short time make us the largest exhibitor in the world.“Mr. Venkat COO of the Group’s Chinese venture said “We plan to add one screen a working day in main land china and will also focus on non box office revenues as well. We are extremely glad to partner with the Chinese government as well as the Jiangsu Longzhe Group, Nanjing, P R China in a quest to create a large world class entertainment network in China”. Expressing her happiness after the signing agreement between Jiangsu Pyramid Longzhe Group and CSMRBMs. Li, legal representative, Jiangsu Longzhe Group, said “We aim to provide international quality of entertainment with the support of China Society Music Research Board (CSMRB) to make this cultural exchange a grand success”About Pyramid Saimira Group: Pyramid Saimira Group operates in 5 countries. It is a holistic Indian Multinational Entertainment Company. It is present in film exhibition, film distribution, film production, TV content production, advertisement, Gaming & Animation, media, Food & Beverages and Realty etc. It has around nine group companies namely, Pyramid Saimira Theatre Ltd., Pyramid Saimira Production International Limited, Pyramid Saimira Theatre Chain Malaysia., Sdn Bhd, Pyramid Saimira Entertainment Limited, Singapore, Pyramid Saimira Entertainment America, Inc., Saimira Realty Private Limited, Pyramid Saimira Production Services Limited, Dimples Cine Advertising Private Limited & Aurona Technologies Limited.Its group holding Company, Pyramid Saimira Theatre Limited, is publicly listed in National Stock Exchange (NSE: PSTL) and Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE: 532791). In the exhibition sector, it has over 53 multiplexes with approximately 800 screens across India, Malaysia, Singapore and North America. By 2010, the Group plans to operate 175 multiplexes with 2,000 screens in India alone. By its own estimates, Pyramid Saimira ranks as the world’s third largest cinema operator, based on its number of seats and admissions with nearly 4,36,000 seats as of January 2008.About China Society Music Research Board (CSMRB) CSMRB was founded in October 1987, a parent organization is People’s Republic of China’s Ministry of Culture, and the registration administrative unit is People’s Republic of China’s Bureau of Civil administration. It is also a national level organization for specialized Mass Media. CSMRB is headquartered in Beijing has a branch in Nanjing. CSMRB is a non – profitable organization.CSMRB is an organization that is engaged in development of Arts, Entertainment and Music in Mainland, such as small and big screen entertainment, live shows, cultural exchange, sports, theatre and various other arts and entertainment related areas. About Jiangsu Longzhe groupJiangsu Longzhe Group, (LZ) is a comprehensive body licensed to deal in diversified businesses, services and social activities for the development of China and the people of China. LZ is currently focused on 3 major divisions, i.e education, arts & culture and geoSynthetics. The Central Ministry has named LZ as an Advanced Company for over six years in a row, and LZ offers sizeable share of revenue as contribution to various Social Welfare programs in Mainland China approved by the Central Ministry.

Pyramid Releasing “D-War” (Synopsis & Wall Papers)

Synopsis:
East meets West, and ancient myth meets modernity in this creature feature from Korean director Hyung Rae Shim (REPTILIAN). A TV news reporter (Jason Behr, SKINWALKERS), an antiques dealer (Robert Forster, FIREWALL), and a beautiful young woman (Amanda Brooks) all play a role in an old Korean legend coming to life. A giant snake is slithering its way through the streets of Los Angeles, and the trio must keep it from reuniting with an ancient spirit that will turn it into an evil, even more destructive dragon. DRAGON WARS is a throwback to classic monster movies, but this time around, there are much better special effects than audiences saw in those films from both Japan and the U.S. Though the film is from South Korea, director Shim has recruited faces that will be familiar to American audiences, from ROSWELL favorite Behr to Forster, who turned in a career-reviving performance in Quentin Tarantino’s JACKIE BROWN. But it’s THE OFFICE’s Craig Robinson who’s the most fun here as a womanizing photographer who teams up with Behr’s Ethan. DRAGON WARS is more of a guilty pleasure than fellow Korean import THE HOST, but it features an impressive amount of action and nods to monster movie favorites such as KING KONG and GODZILLA.

Pyramid Saimira tieup with Spize TV

Pyramid Saimira Entertainment Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Pyramid Saimira Theatre Ltd (NSE: PSTL; BSE: 532791), has entered into a strategic partnership with UK-based Spize TV, a Direct-to-home platform. Through the partnership, Pyramid Saimira Entertainment Ltd will facilitate content agglomeration and new channels services, on Spize TV. An associate company of the Pyramid Saimira Group had earlier picked up an equity stake in Spize TV.
Spize TV is a pan-European direct-to-home (DTH) TV platform offering Asian and niche content to viewers in Europe. Spize TV is available on the EuroBird-9 (EB9) satellite, which allows viewers to benefit from the 500+ free-to-air channels on the Hot Bird satellite by a simple dual-LNB upgrade. Spize TV will offer numerous channels in the North Bouquet and South Bouquet categories. The North Bouquet will offer Urdu, Hindi, Punjabi, Bangla, Gujarati and other language channels while the South bouquet will offer Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, Singhalese and Malay channels. Spize TV will also offer Chinese and Spanish bouquets shortly. Spize TV announces the launch of the platform with the complete suite of channels from the ARY Network (ARY Digital, ARY OneWorld, QTV, and The Musik), as well as two channels from the B4U Network (B4U Movies & B4U Music) in its North Bouquet. More channels will be added in due course. While the South Bouquet currently has DAN (Tamil) and TV Lanka (Sinhalese), more channels are being added to the bouquet. The fore-mentioned channels have been available since the soft launch of the channel, while the commercial launch for the viewers will be held in April 2008.

Pyramid Saimira's Sir

Director: Rajeetesh Nair
Actors : Kay Kay Menon, Manisha Koirala,
Ranveer Shourie, Sonali Kulkarni
Praveen Dabas , Rituparna Sen-Gupta
Ankur Khanna , Nauheed Cyrusi
Music : Sohail Sen
Language: Hindi

SIRF...is a movie about four couples from different strata of life .It is about how each couple feels that the other couple's life is better than theirs. It tries to portray the lifestyle of people in metro. The movie comes under the banner of Seven Eagles productions. It is produced by Sanjay Kotadia, Ghanshyam Patel, Kanu Patel. After working with Rajkumar Santoshi as an Assistant Director for CHINA GATE, PUKAR and LAJJA, Rajaatesh Nayar is looking forward for his directorial debut SIRF to be released on April 4, 2008.After a long break from Bollywood Manisha Koirala will be seen playing a prominent role in the movie. The movie revolves around four couples starring Manisha Koirala, Ranvir Shourey, Kay Kay Menon, Sonali Kulkarni, Praveen Dabbas, Rituparna Sengupta in the main lead. The Synopsis :Mumbai, the commercial capital of India, is a city that never sleeps. Rapidly changing at a feverish pace with every passing second, it is always on the move and so are the people living in it. In this story, we take an insight into the lives of the people living in this city and how the pace of the city affects their relationships and how they deal with it. No matter what happens life has to go on.

This is also a story of four couples and their lives in a metropolitan city. They belong to different social and financial strata and every one has got its own problems to deal with. What one couple has, the other doesn't? Each couple looks at the other couple and wishes that if only they had what the other couple does, their life would be a bed of roses, be it on a monetary level or on moral terms. What seems to be a major and almost insoluble problem for the first couple is just a petty issue for the second. Similarly, second couple's serious problem is not looked upon as a problem at all by the first and likewise so, with the other two couples. In a pursuit to achieve what they lack and in a desperate search of that one thing that would solve all their problems, they find themselves lost in the ever moving crowd, where no one has time for themselves, leave aside the cares of the world. In due course of time, all four couples come together with a distant vision of that one event which would end all their problems and set them free. Is it reality or just a figment of their vivid imagination?

Character sketch :
Ankur Khanna and Nauheed Cyrusi as Rahul and Shalu Rahul and Shalu belong to the lower middle income group. For them, the biggest and most difficult task on earth is getting married and starting a new life together. What good is love without money? Kay Kay Menon and Manisha Koirla as Gaurav and Devika Gaurav and Devika belong to the cream of high society. They have everything one could wish for. Still they are not happy as their relationship lacks something, which even they fail to figure out. What good is money without love? Parvin Dabbas and Rituparna Sengupta as Amit and Suchita Amit and Suchita are an upper middle class couple with no financial problems. Amit is at a good position in an advertising agency while Suchita is a housewife. They are a loving couple. But what good is love without faith? Ranvir Shorey and Sonali Kulkarni as Akash and Namita Akash and Namita live in a suburb at a distance from their offices. They love each other and but are not willing to understand each other’s limitations. What good is love without understanding?