Prasad Group introduces Panavision Cameras to South India

Prasad Group launched the Panavision range of cameras in the presence of a large audience comprising of well known film personalities in an open house on 5th and 6th of September 2009 in Chennai.

Prasad Group one of India's premier providers of film production and post production services have partnered with Panavision, the leading designer and manufacturer of high-precision camera systems, including film and digital cameras, lenses and accessories for the motion picture and television industries. For over 50 years, Panavision has set the standard for technological change within the industry itself and continues to lead the way in innovation, equipment rental and superior customer service. Over the years, Panavision has garnered acclaim for its products from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences with three Oscars®, and 23 other Academy Awards® granted for Scientific and Technical Achievement. Panavision's work with the television industry has been rewarded with five Emmy® statuettes.

Recent blockbusters Love Aaj Kal starring Saif Ali Khan and Deepika Padukone and Kaminey starring Shahid Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra has been shot using Panavision Cameras, provided by Prasad Group. Panavision Cameras have been used for filming Madhur Bhandarkar's Fashion, Jab We Met, Ajay Devgan's U Me Aur Hum and many more. Panavision Cameras are being used by leading productions in India for their feature films including The Falling, Teen Patti, Toonpur Ka Super Hero and Awasthi. In the recent past film makers in India have been opting for the Panavision range of cameras for the superior optical quality and the unmatched technical excellence that can be achieved only by Panavision. Cinematographers who have worked with the Panavision Cameras have been passionate about them and swear by the Panavision range. Founded in 1954, Panavision Inc. is a leading designer and manufacturer of high-precision camera systems, comprising of film and digital cameras, lenses and accessories for the motion picture and television industries. Over the years, Panavision has garnered acclaim for its products from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences with three Oscars®, and 23 other Academy Awards® granted for Scientific and Technical Achievement. Panavision Range of cameras is made available in India exclusively through Prasad Group, a pioneer in providing the best facilities for production and post production.

Panavision is my first preference', says Nataraja Subraminian Cinematographer for Love Aaj Kal. 'Lot of foreign films are shot in Panavision. 10 - 15 years back it was a dream to work in Panavision. You see any great film; it would have been shot in Panavision. Eventually thanks to Prasad Group, Panavision came to India. It is a user friendly camera and every DoP's first and foremost preference goes to Panavision. The camera is very comfortable in terms of usage, strength, lenses and the image quality is really interesting. You can see it in both my films - Jab we Met and Love Aaj Kal, both shot on Panavision Primo Lenses'.

Mahesh Limaye,Cinematographer of 'Fashion' Adds, ' I Really enjoyed working with Panavision cameras on Fashion, my first film on Panavision. The primo lenses are very sharp. The beauty of Panavision cameras lie in their integrated design. The balancing of Panavision on steady cam is so great. The Panavision camera accessories are very well designed. So for me it was a pleasure working with Panavision'.

Keshav Prakash, Cinematographer of 'Zokkoman' shares his experience, "My experience of having used Panavision for Disney's first live action film in India was extremely good, the experience is not limited to the wonderful lenses or cameras that functioned well but it was the availability of accessories and extra magazines, back-up camera, camera check by the rental house etc. that made the difference. It's the first time in India that I received a service that is on par with International standards. Continue to improve this and set a benchmark for others to follow. Wishing you the very best in South India, I am sure the Panavision Camera system will be well received there also."

Aseem Bajaj, Director of Photography, well known for his innovative and unrealistic lighting style, found the best weapon for his expressions in Panavision Cameras. He first used Panavision cameras he worked for Asha Bhonsle & Urmila Matondkar's Music Video and used Panavision Cameras for Ajay Devgan's home production and first directorial feature - U, Me Aur Hum. He recently completed shooting of Amitabh Bachchan starrer "Teen Patti" on Panavision again.

Panavision's benchmark quality program makes their equipment the most desired by Cinematographers worldwide and Prasad Group implements the same stringent procedures in India. The Panavision India line-up includes a full range of Sync sound cameras featuring the Millennium XL, Panaflex Platinum and the all time favorite GII. These Panavision cameras account for the majority of feature films shot by major studios around the world. Panavision focuses on providing the highest quality lenses to support their camera systems and introduced the PRIMO lens series. This family of optics is still the only lens line in the world with prime and zoom optics color matched to provide a cohesive look scene to scene.

The Panavision cameras and lens systems are available in Mumbai, Hyderabad and Chennai through the state of the art facilities of Prasad Group. Prasad Group has established exclusive service and testing infrastructure with professionals trained by Panavision in Australia. Panavision has also dedicated Mr.Edward Sheppard who has global experience on its equipment to provide complete support in India. Panavision equipment worldwide is available only on hire and is never sold. This is keeping in line with their policy of quality and service where every piece of equipment undergoes an elaborate series of testing and calibration procedures after every shoot to ensure the customer get the best every time.

Prasad Group is a 50 year old pioneer and has delivered quality solutions to a host of feature films from around the world. Prasad provides all the services required for film post production and an array of equipment apart from the Panavision range including Arri Cameras, Giraffe Crane, Megamount, Nero Motion Control Rig and a wide range of latest lenses and accessories. Soon Red Cameras are also joining the huge array if equipment at Prasad's Cine Outdoor Services.