News Corp-owned broadcast network Star India is all set to launch a Bengali movie channel on 16 December.

The channel is named Jalsha Movies and will make its appearance in Bengal three months after Zee Entetainment Enterprises launched Zee Bangla Cinema.

"We are launching a Bengali movie channel next week," says Star India chief executive officer Uday Shankar.

Star has inked an exclusive five-year deal with a leading production house to source latest movies. It has also roped in Vivel as the channel partner for Jalsha Movies.

Jalsha Movies will be a free-to-air channel initially and will eventually go pay. Star is present in Bengal through its regional general entertainment channel, Star Jalsha.

The channel will commence its journey with the World Television Premiere of mega hit, Superstar Jeet starrer Awara. Bengali superstar Dev has been roped in as the brand ambassador of Jalsha Movies.

Star's Bengali movie channel launches at a time when Kolkata is transitioning towards digital cable TV.

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