MUMBAI: HBO has lined up a bagful of explosive movies and innovative programme bands this Diwali.

The action kicks off in high gear with Steven Spielberg's World War II classic Saving Private Ryan. It deals with the invasion of Normandy when Oscar winner Tom Hanks with, a small platoon of soldiers is ordered to go behind enemy lines. They have to rescue Ryan who has lost his three brothers in the war. The film airs 5 October at 9:30 pm.

Up next is Oscar winner Robert De Niro, a mafia Don trying an alternative way to release tension than his usual style of pumping someone full of bullets in the comedy Analyse This on 12 October at 9:30 pm which also stars Billy Crystal and Lisa Kudrow (of Friends fame).

An unusual Grand Prix Championship features Sylvester Stallone in Driven on 19 October at 9:30 pm. Viewers can also catch a homicide detective and a fire marshal, Robert De Niro back in the action packed thriller 15 Minutes on 26 October at 9:30 pm.

Keeping in mind its female audience, HBO has also announced the introduction of the programing band Hollywood Beauties every Wednesday at 9:30 pm. The films star Drew Barrymore, Sharon Stone, Winona Ryder, Michelle Pfeiffer, Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock. For the sports buff, the channel is showcasing films on baseball in the band Ballgame every Monday at 9:30 pm. With movies like For Love Of The Game starring Kevin Costner, Mr. Baseball,, The Babe which chronicles the life and times of one of the greatest legends of American Baseball, Babe Ruth, and the funny, gross-out comedy Baseketball .

HBO South Asia MD James Marturano, says, "HBO has emerged as the most sought after English movie channel in just two years of its existence. We will continue to work towards creating and delivering even more value to all our viewers and partners. The Networks strong programming from the best Hollywood blockbuster movies to innovative original programmes is at the core of its continuing growth."