United Arab Emirates’ media giant Khaleej Times has joined hands with entertainment platform FilMe to provide an innovative experience to film lovers in the country. The new technology enables users to scan a unique QR code and enjoy a film at the place of their choice.
With its association with FilMe, Khaleej Times has become the first media house in the world to offer first-day, first-show movies. Readers can experience this innovative product from the comfort of their homes through the publication, in physical and digital forms.
By bringing readers the latest movies via a simple scan of a QR code, FilMe is reshaping the entertainment landscape with Khaleej Times. The print and digital channels of the publication will carry the code that can be scanned on a mobile phone. Once scanned, the ‘e- cinema’ experience begins in less than 10 seconds.
FilMe has collaborated with leading Bollywood and regional film studios in south India and producers to showcase latest content. This exclusive partnership will allow FilMe to premier first day first show of Bollywood and south Indian films directly for Khaleej Times readers across the UAE.
Through FilMe’s innovative technology, customers will not require subscriptions, downloads or need to sign-up to watch the latest movies. They will find the QR code on all channels of the publication.
Seamless cinema experience
The entertainment platform works seamlessly on all smartphones and offers a one-of-a-kind “e-cinema” experience.
Speaking about the partnership, Suhail Galadari, co-chairman, Galadari Brothers said: “Khaleej Times has always been a popular stopover for Bollywood stars. Now, I am delighted to announce that we have become the first newspaper/media house in the world to offer a first day, first show of the latest Bollywood movies to our readers from the comfort of their homes through a QR code. This partnership with FilMe has helped us take our love for Bollywood to a whole new level.”
“FilMe’s partnership with Khaleej Times is a unique event as never in history have movies been released through a media house. This association will also be seen as a paradigm shift in the way film distribution business is conducted. We firmly believe FilMe, with its technology and content, alongside Khaleej Times’ 9.5 million unique userbase a month shall ensure massive reach across the region will make this partnership impactful from the word go. We are an easy to use, safe and secure e-cinema.” said Dr Abhishek Shukla, founder and CEO of FilMe.
“The tie-up with Khaleej Times gives us a great distribution strength and with our strategic and customized marketing approach we intent to reach out to maximum number of customers and explain to them about the concept of FilMe and its core benefits. With the help of this association, we intend to mount First Day First Show movies on a much bigger scale than their traditional theatrical release in UAE market” noted Roopesh Jain, head of marketing at FilMe.
Meanwhile, according to Jeetendar Singh Bansal, head of content acquisition at the company, “First, the biggest retailer in West Asia, Lulu and now UAE’s media giant, Khaleej Times, FilMe’s new associations have created an opportunity to distribute content in tech support innovative ways with a fantastic audience pull. People can now watch, first day first show releases in the safety of their home. These associations also provide an unmatched revenue potential to producers. We are curating selected content in multiple languages especially Hindi, Malayalam, Telugu and Tamil.” .
For the uninitiated, FilMe is a market disruptor in the entertainment industry, with its patented new technology that enables viewers to watch content with a QR code and comes in the form of a physical card.
It recently acquired Tamil blockbuster ‘Master’ starring Vijay and Vijay Sethupati within 15 days of its theatrical release.
The company has also acquired critically-acclaimed Malayalam film ‘The Great Indian Kitchen’ and other major announcements are lined up shortly.
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