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Category: eNews

  • Ajay Devgn’s NY VFXWAALA announces international expansion in collaboration with GBK

    Ajay Devgn’s NY VFXWAALA announces international expansion in collaboration with GBK

    Mumbai: Ajay Devgn’s award-winning entrepreneurial initiative, NY VFXWAALA, a renowned Indian Visual Effects Studio, joyfully announced a strategic partnership with the acclaimed Swedish studio, Goodbye Kansas Studio, headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden, through its offshore subsidiary. Goodbye Kansas Studios boasts a remarkable portfolio of services, seamlessly integrated across feature films, TV series, commercials, games, and trailers. Their expertise spans VFX, FX, CG productions, 3D face and body scanning, digital humans, creature and character design, performance capture, animation, and real-time capabilities.

    This significant investment establishes two pivotal relationships:

    •    Secured Major Stake: We have secured a major stake in Goodbye Kansas, through our offshore subsidiary, solidifying our collaboration.
    •    Immediate Joint Venture Studio in India: Simultaneously, we are launching a joint venture studio in India.

    Goodbye, Kansas is a powerhouse in creating cinematic trailers for top triple-A games worldwide and delivering visual effects for live-action productions. Their impressive portfolio includes work on games like Cyberpunk 2077, God of War: Ragnarök, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, the Battlefield franchise, and PUBG Battlegrounds. Beyond gaming, they’ve undertaken fascinating visual effects projects. Their ongoing collaborations with HBO, Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney, Apple TV, Paramount Plus, and others are truly exceptional. Recent shows they’ve contributed to include True Detective Season 4 (HBO), One Piece (Netflix), and Carnival Row (Amazon Prime). Additionally, they’ve lent their expertise to numerous commercials and feature films, including Asteroid City and A Man called Otto (both featuring Tom Hanks). Their outstanding work has garnered prestigious awards, such as the VES (Visual Effects Society) award for “Outstanding Animated Character in a Commercial” for their work on the character “Dex” in the Cyberpunk 2077 E3 trailer, presented at the 18 Annual VES Awards gala in Los Angeles.

    Our shared vision revolves around mutual growth, leveraging our collective creativity and technical prowess. Together, we extend premium services to global clients, inviting talents from India and Asia to collaborate on exciting future projects.

    Our joint efforts will contribute creative and technological expertise, delivering technology-driven visual content to film, TV, and gaming companies across India, Asia, and beyond. By employing global resource planning, we aim to enhance production efficiency and elevate industry standards.

     .  Accelerating Revenue Growth: Our strategy involves scalable capacity expansion and intensified sales efforts within existing business segments (VFX, Animation, Game Trailers, and In-Game). We’ll target new geographical markets and capitalize on the growing trend of outsourcing VFX and gaming content. Additionally, we will adopt a global approach to resource planning and talent acquisition.

    . Global Service Strengthening: Our combined scope of services will strengthen our global service offerings. We’ll strategically exploit opportunities in the Indian Games market and other Asian markets.

     . Expanding Scanning and Motion Capture Studio: Goodbye Kansas’s state-of-the-art scanning and motion capture studio will extend its services to clients in Asia and beyond.

    . Research and Development Collaboration: We’ll establish a collaborative Research and Development (R&D) team between both partners. This team will focus on creating innovative tools and technological advancements.

    Goodbye

    “Our endeavours involve setting new benchmarks with each project. We embrace a continuous process of learning, evolution, and adaptation to the latest technologies. I am delighted to extend our NY family through the Goodbye Kansas partnership. Our unwavering passion for delivering excellence persists, fueled by our core values and dedication. We take pride in associating with a like-minded partner GBK, and look forward to this journey together.” said the founder and chairman of NY VFXWAALA, Ajay Devgn.

    Kansas

    “NY VFXWAALA is an ideal partner for Goodbye Kansas, sharing the same dedication to outstanding talent, cutting-edge technology and engaging narrative. This strategic partnership brings together our strengths in a way that will benefit both our organizations. Together, we’re positioned to create exceptional value for our customers, and open new development opportunities for our talented co-workers.” said Goodbye Kansas’ chairman of the board, Per Anders Warn.

    “I am happy to announce this combined financing solution and strategic partnership, welcoming NY WFXWAALA as a business partner and a strategic investor in Goodbye Kansas. Our partnership will significantly contribute to our mutual growth and provide major opportunities for expanding production resources and capabilities, supporting Goodbye Kansas’ journey towards profitable growth” said CEO Stefan Danieli.

    Goodbye Kansas

    “We are thrilled about partnering with the Goodbye Kansas team. Our joint vision is to raise the quality benchmark, drive global expansion, and deliver exceptional service to clients worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to our goals, we eagerly look forward to expanding our business and welcoming dedicated talent not only in India but globally, to collaborate on an exciting future,” said the creative head and co-founder of NY VFXWAALA, Naveen Paul.

    NY VFXWAALA, India an award-winning studio has worked on approx. 300 Films, has won prestigious awards like 64 National Awards India, 10 Asian Film Award and more, it remains committed to raising the bar through this strategic partnership, ensuring the delivery of premium services to our esteemed clients. We deeply appreciate our existing relationships with clients in India and around the globe. The prospect of offering cutting-edge solutions further fuels our excitement. Our journey, from a modest small studio to an expanding international presence, keeps us grounded yet relentlessly pushing boundaries. Our global growth aims to provide competitive, high-quality services, and we eagerly invite talents from all corners of the world to collaborate with us on this

  • Niharika Bhasin & Vidya Balan team up for “Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3”

    Niharika Bhasin & Vidya Balan team up for “Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3”

    Mumbai: Renowned and award-winning costume designer Niharika Bhasin have teamed up with Bollywood icon Vidya Balan & has been announced as the costume designer for the third edition of the highly anticipated franchise “Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3”.

    As a recipient of the prestigious National Award for Costume Design, Niharika brings unparalleled expertise and a unique artistic vision to every project she has been associated with. Some of the most notable among her repertoire have been Rock On, Band Bajaa Baraat, Delhi Belly, Fitoor, Fan, Bombay Velvet, and many others, including the most recent Mast Mein Rehne Ka where she defined the looks for diverse characters, carving a distinct space for each. Niharika’s unique flavour and vision have birthed looks that everyone loves to reminisce about and take inspiration from even years later.

    Her ability to weave together elements of culture, character and narrative has cemented her reputation as one of the leading visionaries in the world of costume design, and given the memorable characters in the film “Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3”, the outcome is going to be one more defining film under her belt.

    Having already worked together on hit films like Dirty Picture, Shakuntala Devi and now Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, teaming up again with the talented Bollywood actress Vidya Balan adds an extra layer of anticipation to this collaboration.

    Niharika further added, “This project has been an absolute joyride! The ability of costumes to tell a story is so powerful and getting to do what I love with some of the most incredibly talented stars in the industry will be one of my career high points!”

    As anticipation mounts for the release of “Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3”, audiences can look forward to witnessing the magic that unfolds when exceptional talent converges on the big screen. Stay tuned for more updates as production progresses.

  • OML expands global presence with 500 plus shows in 60 cities

    OML expands global presence with 500 plus shows in 60 cities

    Mumbai: Representing a roster of more than 93 comedians, creators, writers, actors and other artists, OML’s artists management business at the Mumbai-headquartered media and entertainment company has announced an amplified international touring schedule for 2024. The company continues to spearhead its global expansion collaborating with an expansive network of over 1,800 creators spanning 24 countries. Since 2002, OML has transformed the Indian live-touring ecosystem, following and have taken their expansive roster to international territories. As leaders in the global touring circuit, OML is now committed to working with a diverse set of comedians and other performing artists to facilitate their international tours.

    Only Much Louder CEO Gunjan Arya said, ” We have been very lucky to be repping hardworking and ambitious talent which has allowed us to take risks and scale up while enabling us to have front-row seats in expanding the global footprint of the Indian comedy ecosystem, by OML partnering with promoters across 60+ cities and programming over 500 shows, just this year. We are very grateful for the overwhelming response and support we’ve received. Our commitment to spotlighting diverse talent on international platforms remains steadfast.”

    The upcoming 2024 international schedule features more than 20 OML-repped comedians going on international tours. After conquering Royal Albert Hall, Zakir Khan sets his eyes on North America with more than 20,000 tickets sold so far and a sold-out performance at Madison Square Garden in March. Abishek Kumar and Nirmal Pillai also take their crowd work show to North America later in August and September. Prashasti Singh heads to Europe performing in Munich, Amsterdam, London, Dublin, Stockholm and Paris in March. On the other hand,  Anirban Dasgupta and Urooj Ashfaq, hot off their recent runs at Soho Theatre in London, making their way to the Melbourne International Comedy Festival where they are taking their solo shows for month-long runs, followed by the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Azeem Banatwalla too will have a month-long run at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. Rahul Subramanian heads to the Middle East for a series of shows before going to Australia where Biswa Kalyan Rath too takes his show on the road.  

    Comedian Prashasti Singh said, “I have always wanted to perform to a wider audience across the world. The idea of doing it is both exciting and nerve-wracking! OML has helped me plan and execute live shows outside India and now I’m thrilled to take my show on the road to Europe for the first time. Looking forward to now being a part of International Festivals too”.

    In 2024’s touring schedule, OML has collaborated with a diversified portfolio of Indian as well as international promoters. Furthermore, they have partnered with the world’s three biggest comedy festivals – the Melbourne International Comedy Festival 2024; Just For Laughs; and the Edinburgh Festival Fringe to showcase their roster’s talent.  

    Comedian Zakir Khan said, “What we have achieved is bigger than what I dreamed, I don’t think I ever thought we’d be able to achieve even 10% of what all we have done just this year and the humbling part is abhi toh yeh sirf shuruaat hai (this is just the beginning),”.

    Over the last few years, OML has expanded its international market share to include shows featuring and headlining Indian comedians in over 60 cities across the USA, Canada, UK, Germany, France, Sweden, Scotland, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Kenya, Spain, Azerbaijan, Saudi Arabia and more. The company has scaled up its presence from local comedy clubs to globally renowned and aspirational venues such as Madison Square Garden in New York; the Royal Albert Hall in London; the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi; the Meridian Hall in Toronto; the Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay in Singapore; and the Sydney Opera House in Australia to name a few. From 13 shows in 2018, OML has amplified its international touring presence to a staggering 500+ shows across the world in 2024.

    Artist management SVP Rishabh Nahar said, “With over 500 shows across 60 cities, we are not just pushing boundaries but also forging new avenues for Indian talent to shine on a global stage. This is just the beginning of an exciting chapter for OML and the exceptional artists we represent. The number of Indian comedians touring in these markets have exponentially increased and the promoters with whom we have developed and scaled markets with are now also trusted partners for comedians who are not repped by OML too, thereby building a lot of inclusivity. OML has the highest market share of revenue, tickets and volume of shows when it comes to international touring of Indian comedians. And more importantly, our artists have been able to create a global impact for the Indian entertainment ecosystem.”

    In fact, OML had programmed a whopping 114 shows at the Fringe in 2023, a feat unrivaled by any other Indian agency so far and in 2024, the number goes up to 150. This year also marks OML programming the highest number of shows at the Soho Theatre in London. These amplified efforts have consequently opened up international opportunities for the Indian comedy industry as a whole, bringing Indian talent to a global stage and audience.

    In 2018, the overall Indian comedy industry pulled off a total of 35-38 international shows, of which OML facilitated 13. OML also helped develop and grow international comedy markets beyond Southeast Asian and Middle Eastern territories such as Singapore, Dubai and Thailand.

  • Screen to Summit: A fusion of insights, from among the finest in entertainment

    Screen to Summit: A fusion of insights, from among the finest in entertainment

    Mumbai: The India Today Conclave, idea fest and intelligence exchange, is set to host renowned personalities from the entertainment industry on the 15 and 16 of March in New Delhi. The 21st edition will witness an exchange of ideas and unique perspectives of celebrities such as Samantha Prabhu, Akshay Kumar, and Tiger Shroff. Internet sensation Orhan Awatramani (Orry) will also contribute to the discussions.

    Samantha Ruth Prabhu: Carving Her Own Niche in Indian Cinema

    The charismatic Samantha Ruth Prabhu, celebrated for her impactful performances, will take centre stage to explore “Cinema | The Pan-India Star | Splendid Miss Samantha: From Pushpa to The Family Man, Carving Her Own Niche.” A journey through her diverse roles, from the blockbuster “Pushpa” to the nuanced portrayal in “The Family Man,” promises to be a captivating exploration of the evolving landscape of Indian cinema.

    Akshay Kumar and Tiger Shroff: The Dynamic Duo of Bollywood Action

    Joining forces, and action powerhouses Akshay Kumar and Tiger Shroff will engage the audience with their insights on “Cinema | Double Impact | Bade Miyan Vs Chote Miyan: Double Dose of an Action Ride.” A thrilling ride through their cinematic journeys, this dynamic duo will share the challenges and triumphs of delivering a double impact in the world of Bollywood action.

    Orhan Awatramani (Orry): Unveiling the Orry Mystique

    Social media influencer Orry, known for his viral content and influential style, will unravel the secrets behind becoming a Bright Young Indian (BYI). In his talk, “FYI the BYIs (Bright Young Indians) | The Orry Mystique: The Rulebook for Becoming Viral, Influential, and Stylish,” Orry promises to provide an engaging exploration of the digital world and its impact on today’s youth.

    The India Today Conclave with its theme of ‘Brand Bharat: An Assertive Nation in an Uncertain World’ will host thought-provoking discussions, exploring how India, with its political stability and unique social vibrancy, can ascend to the forefront of geopolitics and business. The event promises a concise yet impactful debate on India’s role in shaping the global landscape from influential voices converging from various sectors on one platform.

    Speakers- https://www.indiatoday.in/india-today-conclave/2024/speakers

    Programme Agenda- https://www.indiatoday.in/india-today-conclave/2024/programme

    Registration Link – https://specials.intoday.in/specials/conclave/2024/registration.jsp

  • IPRS presents an insightful workshop at On Stage, Kochi

    IPRS presents an insightful workshop at On Stage, Kochi

    Mumbai: The Indian Performing Right Society Ltd. (IPRS), the representative body of authors, composers, and publishers of music dedicated to safeguarding their rights has recently launched a pan India campaign ‘My Music My Rights’ in association with Dolby India, to raise awareness on IP rights in the music industry and educate music creators and independent artists on the critical aspects of the music business and publishing. IPRS is conducting its inaugural workshop in Kochi as part of the My Music My Rights campaign, marking a significant milestone in its mission to support and empower music creators nationwide. The upcoming cities include Kolkata, Mumbai and Pune.

    A recent EY study, ‘The Music Creator Economy: The Rise of Music Publishing in India,’ reveals that India generates 20,000 original songs annually. Despite this, financial challenges are common among creators. Among the 500 respondents surveyed, 87 per cent wished to make a living solely from music, but only 60 per cent achieved it. The majority felt the need to enhance their music production skills and improve monetization, while only 56 per cent had the necessary equipment. India ranks 14th in recorded music revenues but 23rd in publishing revenues due to legal uncertainties and low compliance, highlighting the urgent need for intervention.

    The “My Music, My Rights” campaign aims to address this gap by raising awareness and supporting music creators nationwide. The study notes that 33 per cent of released music is regional, showcasing India’s diverse musical landscape. However, challenges like accessibility, copyright awareness, and publishing rights impede artists’ recognition and compensation. Through workshops, seminars, and other activities, both online and offline, the IPRS endeavours to empower creators to navigate industry intricacies effectively.

    The event will witness engaging conversations with domain experts, networking opportunities with industry insiders and fellow creators, and priceless wisdom from leading artists and panelists featuring, PDL content distribution, CEO Prashant Dongre; Dolby Labs senior director – India, Middle East & Africa Karan Grover; songwriter and composer Arun Alat; independent artist George Peter; artist manager Vinayak Alt+; Music Rights Management India founder Sherley Joseph Singh. The event will showcase insightful sessions covering “The Art of Songwriting,” where Arun Alat will share his valuable tips and creative inputs. Attendees will get to know how to manage their rights and earn royalties to maximise their earnings in the session “Managing Rights and Royalties”. They will get to elevate their music production skills with advanced techniques, focusing on Dolby Atmos technology in the session “Mixing Songs in Atmos”, and engage in a panel discussion moderated by IPRS, featuring insights from an independent artist, distributor, publisher, and festival manager on “Navigating the Music Industry as an Independent Artist.”

    Event Details

    Event:  My Music My Rights | Creators Connect

    Date: 14th March, 2024

    Time: 3 pm IST

    Venue: On Stage, Vysali, Vennala, Ernakulam, Kochi.

  • Josh and DW Hindi’s new season of ‘Vibecheck with DW’ series makes waves in Bharat

    Josh and DW Hindi’s new season of ‘Vibecheck with DW’ series makes waves in Bharat

    Mumbai: Josh, a short video app, in collaboration with DW Hindi, the Hindi-language channel of German international broadcaster Deutsche Welle, has announced the successful conclusion of the second season of ‘Vibecheck with DW’. This collaborative series introduced DW’s ‘Sehat Talk’, a women-centric news series, to a wider audience through short videos on Josh and Dailyhunt.

    The introduction of ‘Sehat Talk’ programme on Josh and Dailyhunt marked a significant milestone in inclusive and women-centric media content for Bharat audiences. The second season, with a total of 45 videos which ran for 15 weeks on Josh and Dailyhunt, focused on an array of engaging and diverse topics including seed cycling, #Women trend awareness, “Whatsappitis,” and the intriguing connection between pain and cravings for sweets, among others.

    With over 300 million video views, 10 million hearts and nearly one million shares and downloads on Josh, the enthusiastic response indicates the show’s remarkable reach and impact. Presented in Hindi and Indian Sign Language, the informative series is hosted by renowned journalist Isha Bhatia Sanan and an interpreter from the Inclusive Divyangjan Entrepreneur Association (IDEA). RedFM and its RJs also supported the series, emphasizing its importance to their listeners.

    Commenting on this campaign, Josh head of creator & content ecosystem Sunder Venketraman said, “Vibecheck with DW’ has been an exceptional and impactful initiative since its inception. Our primary objective was to establish a safe and inclusive environment for women to engage in conversations about their health and related topics in the most inclusive manner possible. Through a comprehensive approach rooted in inclusivity, collaboration, and advocacy, we have not only achieved this goal but surpassed our objectives. Season 2’s success has been made possible by the collective efforts of the Vibecheck team, as well as our valued partners such as RedFM and IDEA.”

    Daniel Schulz and Jaya Oberoi from Deutsche Welle’s Asia distribution team, jointly commented “The success of ‘Vibecheck with DW’ Season 2 reflects our commitment to delivering informative and captivating content to audiences in India. We are thrilled to see the positive reception and intend to continue to empower and educate through our collaboration with Josh and Dailyhunt, whose support has been crucial in amplifying our message and reaching diverse audiences.”

    Season two of ‘Vibecheck with DW’ answers all the health-related “whys” that audiences may have. From understanding why anger fuels in an empty stomach to the intricacies of cancer development and the rationale between ageing and hair loss, the new season unravels the interconnected aspects of health and much more. The ‘Vibecheck with DW’ series can be viewed on DW Hindi’s channels on Josh and Dailyhunt.

  • Crunchyroll brings Demon Slayer world tour to India

    Crunchyroll brings Demon Slayer world tour to India

    Mumbai: Crunchyroll, the ultimate home for anime worldwide, is thrilled to announce the Demon Slayer World Tour making its way to Mumbai, India, on April 20, 2024. This exciting event will be graced by special guests Natsuki Hanae, the voice behind Tanjiro, and Yuma Takahashi, the producer of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba from Aniplex.

    Fans will have the exclusive chance to meet and interact with talented and renowned personalities from the world of anime and the Demon Slayer universe. Following the meet-and-greet, attendees will enjoy a special screening of the recent Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba movie, ‘Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba -To the Hashira Training-.’ The movie revisits the gripping finale of the Swordsmith Village Arc while offering a sneak peek at the highly anticipated Hashira Training Arc. The movie, which is doing exceedingly well in India, promises breathtaking animation, leaving fans on the edge of their seats.

    The excitement for Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba fans doesn’t end there, and the eagerly awaited Hashira Training Arc is slated for release in May 2024.

    Stay tuned for more details on participation and the venue!

  • Most talked about movie, actor, actress: Here’s a low-down of social media conversations around Oscars 2024

    Most talked about movie, actor, actress: Here’s a low-down of social media conversations around Oscars 2024

    Mumbai: The 96 Academy Awards, better known as the 2024 Oscars, created a truly star-studded spectacle at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood. The most prestigious of Hollywood’s film accolades made waves not just for the stellar performances being recognised, but also for several on-stage moments that are already going viral on social media. From Ryan Gosling’s iconic live rendition of the hit, ‘I’m Just Ken’ from the Barbie movie soundtrack to John Cena’s daring onstage outfit (or lack thereof) highlighting the importance of costume design, the Oscars have certainly set the online world abuzz with conversations.

    Using the social listening capabilities of Sprinklr Insights, we’ve compiled a snapshot of the viral online conversations surrounding the 96th Oscars on social media platforms, covering the most talked about actors & films, and the regions they’re most popular in.

    Sprinklr Insights allows businesses and organizations to monitor, track, and analyze social media conversations and mentions related to their brands, products, or topics of interest.

    Most Talked About Films

    The winner of Best Film, Christopher Nolan’s biopic Oppenheimer swept the night, securing seven Oscar wins from its thirteen nominations – including the prestigious awards for Best Film, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor, Best Director, and Best Cinematography. It would also go on to take the crown for the king of online conversations, as the most talked about film on social media during the awards, sparking close to 394,000 conversations globally, with 17,000 coming just from India. Fan favourite Barbie followed in second place, being mentioned in 186,600 conversations globally with around 3,600 coming from India; and Emma Stone’s Poor Things rounded off the top three, with 147,000 online conversations, with 3,600 coming from India.

    Most Talked About Actors

    The evening also recognised some stellar individual performances from actors, with Oppenheimer once again leading the charge. Lead Cillian Murphy became the first Irish-born winner of the Best Actor award for his portrayal of Dr. Robert J. Oppenheimer, and also remained the most talked about actor online, with over 180,000 mentions across social media as fans celebrated his success – over 8,000 of which came from India.

    Oppenheimer co-star Robert Downey Jr. also won his first Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of Lewis Strauss and was a close second in the conversations surrounding the award – being mentioned over 93,000 times online, though ultimately being trumped by Ryan Gosling as the latter’s Ken made a splash with over 225,000 mentions in social media conversations, owing to both his iconic character and his captivating onstage performance.

    Most Talked About Actresses

    Emma Stone secured her second Oscar win for her role as Bella Baxter in the period fantasy comedy Poor Things, in a much talked about category that featured other nominees like Lily Gladstone for Killers of the Flower Moon, and Sandra Hüller for Anatomy of a Fall. The conversations, and accompanying celebrations, extended to the online verse as well, with Stone dominating over 200,000 social media conversations over the Oscars weekend.

    Da’Vine Joy Randolph went on to win the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Mary Lamb in The Holdovers. Her critically acclaimed performance had already won several Supporting Actress awards earlier this year, including the Golden Globe, Bafta, and Critics’ Choice; and made her a favourite among the online audience as well as winning the Oscar – with over 60,000 conversations mentioning her over the Oscars weekend.

  • Neeta Lulla: 40 years in fashion industry hasn’t been a cakewalk, been quite a struggle

    Neeta Lulla: 40 years in fashion industry hasn’t been a cakewalk, been quite a struggle

    Mumbai: Neeta Lulla has recently celebrated a significant milestone – 40 years of relentless dedication to her craft. However, behind the glitz and glamour lies a tale of perseverance, challenges, and remarkable achievements.

    In a candid conversation, Lulla reflected on her journey, acknowledging the hurdles she faced along the way. “40 years in the industry has not been a cakewalk, it has been quite a struggle. Apart from being a fashion designer, I am also a costume designer, a housewife, and a mother. Being able to juggle these roles and seamlessly transition from one role to another was quite a task”.

    The designer, who has worked on over 300 films and has been designing wedding dresses since 1985, said that “ time management and good organisational skills can be an asset.”

    “Luckily for me, my workplace was my home in the beginning, and later on, it was closer to home, so it was a huge advantage, and it helped me manage both my roles at work and home,” added Lulla.

    Check out the video from Neeta Lulla’s 40 years in Fashion celebration party,

     

     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

    A post shared by Neeta Lulla (@neeta_lulla)

     

    The designer, who has been feted with the National Film Award for Best Costume Design in 2009 for ‘Jodhaa Akbar’ and 2012 for the Marathi language film ‘Balgandharva’, talked about being a female designer in the industry.

    Lulla said that “gender inclusivity has always been a norm in our industry.”

    “Back when I started working, we had many stalwarts, who were working in the films and the industry – and they were women. We had a good space in those times, where there were no restrictions to only men. At that point, many women were managing the creative aspect of costume and fashion design, for female actors.”

    For male actors, it was a male designer, said Lulla, who crafted an unforgettable pearl-encrusted lehenga for actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan’s mehendi ceremony.

    “But today, there is a lot more room and inclusivity where male designers design for women and female designers design for men have gotten in the scene and it has always been a common aspect of the industry from that time,” she added.

    Over her 40 years run in the industry as a fashion stylist and a costume designer, Lulla has created the look for leading Bollywood personalities including Late star Sridevi, Juhi Chawla, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Shilpa Shetty, Deepika Padukone, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Rajinikanth, Shah Rukh Khan and Hrithik Roshan.

    How is it working with the Indian film industry?

    “It has been a beautiful journey working with the Indian Film Industry. This year marks my 40th year in the fashion industry and in 2026, it will be my 40th year in films. This journey is filled with many joy rides, speed breakers, and challenges but if I had to do this all over again, I would happily do it,” said the 59-year-old designer.

    She describes the journey as “very fulfilling” and has helped her “evolve as a person and as a creative talent”.

    There’s no stopping her, as Lulla is currently working on five films.

    Without sharing much details, Lulla said: “As of now, my plate is filled with five films, a five-film project that is in the pipeline, and a musical in the works. And also, I am working on the new couture collection, which will be out soon.”

    As Neeta Lulla embarks on the next chapter of her illustrious career, her unwavering dedication to her craft serves as an inspiration to aspiring designers everywhere. With her remarkable talent, resilience, and visionary approach, she continues to leave an indelible mark on the fashion industry, shaping its future with her creative ingenuity and timeless elegance.

  • Pepsi’s fourth FEF India Fashion Awards X WION ends with star-studded gala evening

    Pepsi’s fourth FEF India Fashion Awards X WION ends with star-studded gala evening

    Mumbai: The star-studded evening of the second day at PEPSI Presents 4th edition of FEF India Fashion Awards X WION, was a jubilant celebration of excellence in the fashion and entertainment industry on March 8, 2024, at St. Regis Hotel in Mumbai.

    The event was inaugurated by the Hon’ Shri. Ramesh Bais, Governor of Maharashtra; Mr. Vagish Pathak, Mr. Abhay Ojha, CEO, ZMCL, and actress Dia Mirza. The eminent jury who selected the winners included Smt. Maneka Gandhi, Member of Loksabha, Lubna Adams, Fashion Show Choreographer, Candice Pinto, Model, Leena Singh, Fashion Designer, Rochelle Pinto, Head of Editorial Content, Vogue, Raghavendra Rathore, Fashion Designer, Tarun Khiwal, Photographer and Daman Chaudhary, Member of the advisory panel.

    Boasting an extraordinary assembly of influential figures hailing from diverse sectors, the award ceremony was attended by the likes of Smt. Poonam Mahajan, Rohit Gandhi, Shantanu Nikhil, Rahul Khanna, Michael Cinco, Ananya Birla, Sidharth Malhotra, Karan Johar, Sara Ali Khan, Dia Mirza, Disha Patani, Anaita Shroff Adajania, Manish Malhotra, Orry and many well-known personalities from film and fashion fraternity.

    On the occasion, Shri Vagish Pathak said, “FEF India Fashion Awards, celebrates the diverse talents that drive our thriving fashion industry. By recognizing and honouring the contributions of all individuals, from designers to artisans, we not only elevate their accomplishments but also inspire a new generation of talent to join our ranks. Let us continue to highlight the creativity and innovation that drive our industry forward, creating an environment in which every voice is heard and every talent is recognized.”

    FEF India Fashion Awards the founder Sanjay Nigam encapsulated the joyous spirit surrounding the event. Mr. Nigam said, “The boundless potential of the Indian fashion industry is being realised through the groundbreaking efforts of our contributors, particularly the dynamic young talents who defy conventions and play a pivotal role in shaping the industry’s destiny. Beyond just enhancing the global standing of the Indian fashion landscape, they are emerging as true innovators. In its 4th edition, the FEF India Fashion Awards not only celebrated exceptional accomplishments but also sparked insightful discussions on the pressing issue of sustainability in the ever-evolving world of fashion.”

    With over 30 award categories recognizing excellence across various facets of the fashion industry, the FEF India Fashion Awards remained committed to honouring and celebrating the outstanding contributions of individuals who continued to elevate Indian fashion on the global stage.

    The winners of the evening who took home the coveted awards were Manish Malhotra for Pepsi Designer of the Year, Shantanu & Nikhil for Designer of the Year Couture, Gaurav Gupta for Designer of the Year (International Fame), Gaurang Shah for Designer of the Year (Handloom and Textiles), Tarun Vishwa for Mario Fashion Photographer of the Year, Maheka Sharma for New Wave Model of the Year (Female), Ujjwal Dhir for New Wave Model of the Year (Male), Mitsubhishi Hall of Fame Abu Jani

    Sandeep Khosla and Leena Singh, Khanijo for Mario Fashion Label of the Year, BMW Experience Club New Age Designer of the Year Bloni, Wild Stone Code Fashion Show of the Year Anita Dongre, Kunal Rawal for Designer of the Year (Men’s Wear), Lakme Makeup Artist of the Year Daniel Bauer among other well-deserving awardees.

    Beyond the runway, FEF India Fashion Awards selected some unique artisans across the country and felicitated their work. Under the category Outstanding performance in the field of Arts, Crafts and Textiles, the following artisans were felicitated – Rita Das for water hyacinth Craft, Anil Vangad, Rajeev Pulavar for leather puppet craft, Shailesh Pandit for ceramic work, Tejshi Dhana Marwada and son Hira Marwada for Tang making, and Manish Tripathi for designing Ram Lalla’s outfits in Ayodhya.

    Besides these artisans, the FEF India Fashion Awards also recognised the efforts of Vanita Bhandari, a fashion entrepreneur who is working towards preserving the craft of Parsi Gara’s through her brand Pegara and Abhishek Vishwas for his efforts towards standardisation of sustainable and environment-friendly textiles.  

    Honorary awards were also bestowed upon some noted personalities from Bollywood. Siddharth Malhotra was declared the Fashion Ambassador of the Year, while Sara Ali Khan earned the title of Fashion Trendsetter of the Year. Dia Mirza’s impactful contributions to environmental causes were recognized with the accolade of Environmental Change Maker of the Year. Ananya Birla was honoured as the Fashion Business Personality of the Year, and Orry was acknowledged as the Pepsi Unconventional Trailblazer of the Year.

    After celebrating fashion and the people behind making this industry a huge success for consecutive three years in the national capital, the much-anticipated 4th edition of the prestigious FEF India Fashion Awards founded by Mr. Sanjay Nigam concluded on a high note in Mumbai, promising to come back grander next year.

    Presented by PEPSI, powered by Raj Niwas Silver Elaichi and Wild Stone Code, the 2-day event, co-powered by Mario Foods, Kuber Shoppe and Dromen & Co. Managed by Talent Factory, this fashion celebration is backed by sponsors, including BMW-Navnit Motors, Johnny Walker Refreshing Mixer (non-alcoholic), Baggit, Lakme Salon, Mitsubishi, EbixCash, Epic, 1 Magnolia Lane, Alphabet, and Triper.