SHAKUNTALA DEVI AND OTHER FILMS HEAD TO AMAZON PRIME

A total of seven films, including Hindi and regional ones, will premiere on ‘Prime Video’

The movies will be available in 200 countries and territories

worldwide

MUMBAI: Vidya Balan-starrer ‘Shakuntala Devi’ biopic is the latest major Bollywood movie to go for a direct digital release on ‘Amazon Prime Video’ after Amitabh Bachchan-ayushmann Khurrana’s ‘Gulabo Sitabo’ amid the Coronavirus pandemic, which has led to the closing of cinema halls.

‘Amazon Prime Video’ recently announced its directto-service line-up spanning five Indian languages, which include Hindi films ‘Gulabo Sitabo’ and ‘Shakuntala Devi’ , Tamil legal drama ‘Ponmagal Vandhal’, Tamil-telugu bilingual movie ‘Penguin’, ‘Sufiyum Sujatayum’ in Malayalam and Kannada features ‘Law’ and ‘French Biryani’ .

The movies will premiere exclusively on ‘Prime Video’ over the next three months and will be available in 200 countries and territories worldwide.

Over the last two years, ‘Prime Video’ has become the destination of choice for the customers to watch new releases, across the languages, within weeks of their theatrical release.

“Now we’re taking this one step further, with seven of India’s most-anticipated films premiering exclusively on Prime Video, bringing the cinematic experience to their doorstep,” Vijay Subramaniam, Director and Head, Content, ‘Amazon Prime Video India’, said in a statement.

Gaurav Gandhi, Director and Country General Manager, ‘Amazon Prime Video India’, added that the digital premiere will give a large global release footprint to these films.

“We feel truly excited about this initiative and are confident of delighting our ‘Prime’ members with this offering,” he said.

‘Shakuntala Devi’ producers and lead star Vidya also announced

that the

biopic on the mathematician will exclusively premiere on the digital platform this June.

Vidya said she is thrilled to be able to entertain the audiences in these unprecedented times.

“We are delighted to announce that people will get to see #Shakuntaladevi very soon on @Primevideoin with their loved ones. We are thrilled that we will be able to entertain you in these unprecedented times. #WorldPremiereonprime #Shakuntaladevionprime,” the actor posted on ‘Twitter’ alongside the poster of the movie.

Written and directed by Anu Menon, the film has been produced by ‘Sony Pictures Networks Productions’ and Vikram Malhotra.

The film also stars Sanya Malhotra, Amit Sadh and Jisshu Sengupta in pivotal roles. The biopic was scheduled to be theatrically released on May 8 but was delayed due to COVID-19.

‘Ponmagal Vandhal’, starring Jyotika in the lead, is set to premiere on the streaming platform on May 29, while Keerthy Suresh’s ‘Penguin’ and Ragini Chandran’s ‘Law’ will release on June 19 and June 26, respectively.

‘French Biryani’ will bow out on July 24 and release date for ‘Sufiyum Sujatayum’ is yet to be announced.

Shoojit Sircar’s ‘Gulabo Sitabo’ recently became the first major Bollywood film to opt for a straight to digital release amid the pandemic. The film will premiere on ‘Amazon Prime Video’ on June 12.