Eros International, the leading company in the Indian media and entertainment sector, announces its next global release, Drona, the first film of its kind, combining state-of-the-art special effects with an engaging magical adventure, which will indulge audiences with a rollercoaster ride of entertainment never experienced before in Indian cinema.
Releasing on 2nd October 2008, Drona has managed to capture the attention of the audience by generating maximum awareness through an all out 360 degree marketing campaign which has translated into tremendous advance bookings across cities in India. Every multiplex chain has reported higher advance ticket sales for Drona over any other film this week. The hype is tremendous complimenting the festive season of Eid. Here are some preliminary figures which are continuing to grow:
Drona is a “real world meets fantasy action adventure film” sure to thrill audiences, both youngsters and adults alike. The film sets a new benchmark for Indian cinema and will present to international audiences a fascinating Indian hybrid of Harry Potter and Indiana Jones.
Directed by Goldie Behl and co-produced by Sunil Lulla, President of Eros International and Shristi Arya of Rose Movies, Drona features Indian film superstars Abhishek Bachchan, Priyanka Chopra, Kay Kay Menon and Jaya Bachchan as they have never before been seen on screen. With a dramatic departure from the personas they have portrayed in any of their previous films, Drona recreates the stars in a ‘look’ that cinemagoers will be seeing for the first time in Indian cinema. The film also sets a precedent with regard to breathtaking location filming, leading Indian cinema into new territories as far afield as Namibia, Czech Republic and Prague.
Inspired by the rich tapestry of Indian mythology and translated to the modern day, Drona is a compelling tale of one man’s spectacular journey through the labyrinth of mystic myths and legendary legacies. The lead protagonist, ‘Drona’ (Abhishek Bachchan), takes a voyage that forces him to confront his fears and to become the hero he was destined to be. The forces of good and evil clash in this breathtaking fantasy adventure that will beckon audiences into a universe where mythic heroes challenge the powers of darkness.
Drona also celebrates India’s advance into the celluloid realm of visual effects and the first collaboration between two respective heavyweights in the global film industry: Eros International – the leading integrated company within the India media and entertainment sector; and Charles Darby – the international pioneer of cinematic special effects, whose credits include ‘Titanic’, ‘The Matrix’, ‘Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon’, ‘The Fifth Element’ and ‘Minority Report’, who together formed EYEQUBE Studios, India’s first company that is built from the ground-up for film effects supported by world-class training from renowned international experts in the field. EyeQube studios is the leading house for Drona and has handled these 300 most complex special effects shots, which are also most complex ever to come from Indian cinema industry.
Drona is released and distributed worldwide by Eros International, committed to giving Indian cinema a global platform with commercial distribution and marketing muscle. Commenting on the release of Drona, Sunil Lulla, President of Eros International, India says, “Eros International is immensely proud to release a film of Drona’s calibre to a worldwide audience and one that has given Eros the opportunity to further push the filmic boundaries of Indian cinema and explore new territories with our unparalleled collective imagination. Drona is one of the biggest budget films to emerge from India. With this film, we have once again taken the decision to plunge into ever deeper creative depths and to treat our audiences to innovative and original film content.”
Drona releases worldwide on 2nd October 2008. Advance UK Previews on the festive occasion of Eid on 1st Oct 2008.