Hey Ruchie,
No, you don't need to be extremely flexible to practice Pilates. My bf, who's 6'3", 230 does my tapes with me (what a sweetie) and is probably the most inflexible person that I know. The workout is designed to allow you to work your way into the positions with frequent practice.
For example, the Pilates for Dummies video shows you different poses with modified versions of those poses for beginners. Windsor Pilates does this also. As you progress, you can breathe and stretch more deeply into the poses.
I find that Pilates is more high energy than yoga, but they are hard to compare on an apples-to-apples basis. They are different creatures, but are somewhat based on the same theories.
Pilates has strengthened and lengthened my muscles, increased my flexibility, allowed for weight loss, aided in digestion, and gave me a general-all-around sense of well-being. I strongly recommend it. It's a great workout.
I have supplemental books that I've picked up along they way, but I'm a have-to-see-it-performed type of learner. I need to see the poses, and have the series of poses laid out for me. You can create your own workout from books, but I find that having a video keeps me in check.
Hope this helps! I'm going to do this tonight, and I'll keep you posted on my progress.
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~jules
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