Encouraged by the success of the Hindi version of animation film 'Hanuman', Percept Picture Company will release the English version of the film in theatres across the country this Christmas and also release its VCDs and DVDs on the same day.

The DVDs and VCDs of the film will also be available at the theatres where the film would be screened, a press release issued here today said.

Percept Holdings Joint Managing Director Shailendra Singh said, ''Studio heads in Hollywood are discussing the possibility of releasing DVDs of films on the same day as the theatre release, primarily to fight piracy, and also with the thought of maximising revenues on their products, as DVD sales bring in more money for them than ticket sales at theatres.''

Percept's business head Ashok Ahuja said they released 'Hanuman' in Hindi in October to take advantage of the lull in theatres and the Dussehra and Diwali holidays. He said they have now planned to release the film in English around December 25, again to cash in on the Christmas and winter holidays.

Meanwhile, Mr Singh said 'Hanuman' has belied the myth that there is no market for animation films in India. He said if one has a good product to offer, with a back up of smart and aggressive marketing and distribution strategy, it is bound to work.

''The film has done so well with the audience that the distributors in individual territories have come back asking for additional prints after release, a rarity in today's scenario,'' he claimed.