MUMBAI: Disney and Excel Home Videos kicked off a DVD Film Carnival on 11 December, that will continue through the festive season till 31 December, at select book and DVD stores across the country. The special event opened with the DVD launch of Pirates of the Caribbean - 2.

M.N Kapasi inaugurates the carnival
The Pirates of the Caribbean - 2 was released a week earlier in India as opposed to its worldwide DVD debut. Says, Excel Home Videos managing director MN Kapasi, "The incredible success of the movie has prompted us to raise the number of DVDs by 50 per cent as compared to the prequel. The DVD will also be available at a specially discounted price during the launch period. The Disney DVD Carnival, a first of its kind in India, will also feature a host of Hollywood films of various genres."

The DVD bonanza, a prelude to the festive season, will also feature over 50 movies from various genres at discounts such as three DVDs at the price of two and will include blockbusters like Air-Force One, Bruce Almighty, Pretty Woman, Cold Mountain, Sea Biscuit, Honey- I Shrunk the Kids, Enemy of the State, Mary Poppins, The Rock, Shall We Dance, The Parent Trap, The Horse Whisperer, The Recruit, Dangerous Minds, Crimson Tide, End Of Days, Dick Tracy, Gone In 60 Seconds, National Treasure, among others.

The carnival is underway at stores across the country including Planet M, Crossword, Landmark, Rhythm House and Music World among others, informs an official release.

Events like these showcase the increasing focus of companies on the home entertainment turf in India, which is an evidence of the growing demand and increased hardware penetration in the country. The revenues from home entertainment abroad compete with the theatre earnings there; this scenario may soon be a reality in India, adds the release.