New Delhi, December 25, 2012: Indian Actor-Director Kamal Haasan has broken the mould again – premiering his latest film Vishwaroopam on a direct to home satellite television pay channel, half a day ahead of its theatrical release.
Airtel digital TV, the DTH service from the leading telecom operator Bharti Airtel , says the premier of Kamal Haasan’s forthcoming thriller in Tamil & Telugu and Hindi Vishwaroop will be available in on its Pay Per View (PPV) platform. The initiative, the first of its kind in India will enable customers of Airtel DTH to view the movie on MPEG4 DVB-S2 technology in the privacy of their homes 12 hours in advance before its theatrical release.

While the movie would release in theatres on January 11, 2013, it will be premiered on Airtel DTH’s Pay Per View (PPV) at 9:30pm on January 10, 2013 in Tamil, Telugu & Hindi. To book the movie, customers have to SMS VISHWA from their Registered Telephone Number (RTN) to 54325 and an Airtel DTH customer care representative will call back to complete the advance booking.The Tamil movie can be booked for a charge of Rs 1,200 and the Telugu & Hindi version for Rs 500. Pre-bookings of the Tamil version will be available until January 8, 2013 for a charge of Rs 1,000.
Says Kamal Haasan: "I'm proud to be associated with Airtel DTH in this pioneering venture, which takes the combination of entertainment and technology to even greater heights. I'm very happy with the thought that many more viewers will be able to enjoy Vishwaroop/Vishwaroopam in the comfort of their homes."  

Hindu Businessline writes today: The Tamil Nadu Theatre Owners Federation and Distributors Association is protesting this initiative saying it will affect theatre revenues. Commenting on this development, Abirami Ramanathan, President of the Tamil Nadu Theatre Owners Federation, told　Business Line that the two bodies will meet in Coimbatore on December 26 to discuss these developments, which will followed by another meeting in Chennai on December 28 to take a final call on this.