MUMBAI: AXN has acquired exclusive television rights of the blockbuster action comedy movie Kung Fu Hustle.

Set in Canton, China in the 1940s, Kung Fu Hustle revolves around a hapless wannabe gangster, Sing (Stephen Chow), who aspires to become a member of the notorious "Axe Gang". When the “Axe Gang” sets out to take control of the village where Sing and his buddy are creating trouble impersonating members of the “Axe Gang”, residents of the seemingly ordinary and laid back village turn out to be Kung-Fu masters in disguise and exhibit extraordinary powers to defend their turf. Sing, forced to take sides in the ensuing battle, discovers his own Kung-Fu talents.

Kung Fu Hustle is touted to be a new kind of comedy and Chow is undoubtedly one of cinema’s funniest men, whose brand of comedy that includes slapstick, absurdity and action provides a breath of fresh air for Asian viewers. His talents and innovative film-making instincts are finally recognised by the global audience in this much anticipated action comedy.

Kung Fu Hustle has been a major box-office hit in the US, winning accolades in numerous categories, including Best Picture, Best Action Choreography, Best Visual and Sound Effects, at the recently concluded 2004 Hong Kong Film Awards.

The film broke all previous box office records in Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and China, achieving the numero uno position for 2004 in all the countries except Malaysia, where the movie ranked second only after Spider-Man 2.

Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) Networks Asia general manager Ricky Ow said, "We have no doubts that Kung Fu Hustle will wow the Indian viewers. The long list of credentials it has achieved - which includes winning multiple prestigious awards, breaking box office records all across Asia and an outstanding performance in the USA - speaks volume for itself. In typical Stephen Chow style, with a brilliant combination of action and comedy, Kung Fu Hustle will touch the hearts of the Indian viewers like it has done all around the world. In fact, cinema goers across Asia couldn't get enough of the movie that they made repeated visits to the cinema just to enjoy it over and over again. With a class act like this, once is never good enough."

"We are very excited about Kung Fu Hustle making its TV premiere exclusively on AXN. We have big plans to create a huge buzz around it. We will be adopting Stephen Chow's style in all our promotion and communication and we believe that this will make a strong impact," he added.