Video Sound had its beginning in 1982 in the Emirate of Dubai when the home entertainment was experiencing change with the introduction of VCR.
Since inception the company has strived to grow, expand markets and set new standards in the distribution of entertainment products.
In 1985 the company saw an opportunity in “video” distribution and took the first step from a video rental store to supplying pre-recorded videocassettes to stores across the Middle East. The company acquired video distribution rights and developed contacts with Producers and Film Exporters in India.
In 1989 “ Video Sound” USA was established. The once booming theatrical market in USA and Canada had been “ destroyed” by the advent of videocasstees. In keeping with its policy of looking at markets from a different perspective, Video Sound saw an opportunity for “ revival’ of the theatrical business in North America.
In 1990, the release of the acclaimed Bachchan film “ Agneepath” by Video Sound in New Jersey USA with only 1 Cinema print laid the foundation of the big boom in Cinemas across USA and Canada.
From the modest 1 print opening with royalties at US $ 25,000, we set milestones with Judaai, Khamoshi, and Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, Aankhen and many more with English subtitles to 60 Prints and jump in film prices to US $ 500,000!
North American Territory for some selected big budget films has now reached 100 Prints with theatrical grosses of US $ 1.2 Million.
In 1992 Video Sound with Mr. Amitabh Bachchan as Chairman helped create, launch, and operate the first Direct to Home South Asian Satellite Channel-TV Asia- on DirecTV. Today there are over 50 Channels delivering South Asian content!
In 1998 Video Sound saw an opportunity in the DVD format technology and was the first company to introduce DVD’s of Indian films. In fact we released 14 titles before other companies followed with additional releases.
DVD sales from a modest 1000 DVD’s of a title exploded to over 30,000 discs in first print of selected titles till 2006, but unfortunately crested and experienced steep decline in sales from 2007 due to rampant piracy.
Extensive television publicity, innovative poster displays, large banners and cut outs, giveaways of cassettes and compact discs. The introduction of the concept of “ Behind the Scenes of the Making of films’ are some of the concepts promoted by Video Sound is proud of its contribution to changing movie going habits of South Asians and to the phenomenal growth of Indian Films in North America.
Video Sound has released over 250 films in theatres and DVD and created the first National Distribution Network for Video and Cinema Release of Indian Films in USA and Canada in 1990.
In 2001 Video Sound stepped in to Film Production- The First 35 mm Hindi color production’ Kehtaa Hai Dil Baar Baar” filmed entirely in and around New York and New Jersey! The film starred Paresh Rawal, Jimmy Shergill, Kim Sharma, Jhony Lever and others and directed by Rahul Dholkia (debut film) of New Jersey.
In November 2002 the film was released in thatres, DVD and Television all over the world.
Absence of vigilance and strategy in the last few years has seen the once booming market decline except for selected few (5 to 7 films a year) big budget films and the DVD format has collapsed entirely since 2008.
The rapidly increasing piracy and the extremely unrealistic purchase prices of films led Video Sound to step back in 2007 and study the changing market scenario and to rethink strategy and make new plans.
Video Sound remains confident of the Indian film Industry growth and looks forward to playing a significant role.