Did you purchase this DVD? If so, please post a review with screenshots.

Nopes, haven't bought this. Actually, not planning to either; my DVD expenses have gone through the roof lately.

Is this a legitimate Ayngaran release? It doesn’t appear on the Ayngaran site ???

Ali

The DVD comes out friday, but I would wait until the special edition version which will arrive late 2002/early 2003. That version will part of a selection of Tamil films which will release as proper special edtions aimed at the whole DVD market, not just Asian's! Ayngaran are releasing this bare bones edition in a super jewel case to fight off piracy.

I know the special edition will have an exclusive DTS soundtrack. The reason for the far delay on the Sp-Ed DVD's is that Ayngaran are building new DVD/telecine production houses for Tamil films in the UK, which will also house some of the best state of the art machines. All of the forthcoming special edtions will be done on these machines. I will reveal some more info later on in the course of the year with extra details on other forthcoming re-releases.

Will the subtitles be improved on these special edition DVDs to help out non-Tamil speaking people?! It currently takes me about four hours to watch a Tamil film as I have to pause the film to read the subtitles as the dialogue races by! Still it's generally worth it D: !

Hey Sunny,

While this is good news, any chance we could get some info on the titles going to be re-released? I guess I wont be buying any more Tamil DVDs for fear that they will be released as superior editions later on.

Also, any chance of 16 Vayadhinile, Kizhakke Pokum Rail, Kizhakku Cheemayile and other Bharathiraja movies getting released by Ayngaran?

Chaver.

I spoke to ayngaran about which titles they might re-do and they have stated that the special edtions they will do would release one/two years after the bare bones release so the consumer won't feel as cheated. They will also forewarn which ones they will do as special editions on thier website.

The ones they would like to begin with is;

Kandukodian Kandukodian &
Aala Vandhan

They will not do any older movies as special edtions as hard to get supplement material and 'certain' legal/ethical issues would cause hinderences. They will release them with brand new transfers done in the UK, and will be re-subtitled.

Right now the films under the Bharathiraja banner are for sale in terms of DVD rights. Ayngaran are doing there best to secure thoses classics. It seems Bharathiraja is asking a high price since the Tamil DVD market has taken off quite well around the world. Ayngaran is working out a deal for all home formats, and trying to secure his next film in the bargin.

Thanks for the info, Sunny. I sure hope they are able to make a deal with Bharathiraja. His earlier works are some of the best rural-themed Indian movies ever.

Sunny, there are "ethical" issues about supplements on older films?

Imagine if K. Balachandar did a commentary track. That would be a milestone in Indian DVDs. I hope that Ayngaran continues to do special editions, even branching into putting at least one or two supplements on older titles. How about a retrospective documentary or maybe just some interviews? I'd also like to see some original poster art included as a picture supplement or a ROM supplement. I know this is asking for a lot, but it would be nice.

..its on official Ayngaran site now, only with slightly different cover ???

Ali

I have got my version today and it comes in a large jewel DVD case which CT did back in 98. The cover designs are actually quite nice looking, will see the DVD tonight.

I hate most of Ayngaran's covers, including "Aalavandhan." The worst is probably "Thillana Mohanambal." It was just screengrabs from the film itself, not actual photographs. I think they should get someone other than Maras Vision to design their covers. They don't even include a synopsis on the back. Sunny, do you know if Maras Vision also does the subtitling for Ayngaran?