Category: Over The Top Services

  • Disney+ Hotstar welcomes the ‘new’ Commando in town – Prem

    Disney+ Hotstar welcomes the ‘new’ Commando in town – Prem

    Mumbai: Tales of valour, patriotism for the country, high-octane action and the journey of our hero, our ‘Commando’. Directed by visionary creator and director Vipul Amrutlal Shah, produced by Vipul Amrutlal Shah and Sunshine Pictures Pvt Ltd. and starring talented debutante Prem in the lead role, Disney+ Hotstar announces its upcoming action-thriller series, Commando, the series also stars the immensely passionate and talented Adah Sharma, Vaibhav Tatwawadi, Shreya Singh Chaudhry, Amit Tigmanshu Dhulia, Sial, Mukesh Chhabra and Ishteyak Khan in pivotal roles.

    Producer, creator and director Vipul Amrutlal Shah said, “Commando is the story of a visionary hero and his journey of bravery, patriotism and brotherhood. A power-packed action and drama , Commando is sure to grip the audiences. Roping in Prem to essay the role of the ultimate Commando was an incredible journey we embarked upon. He is extremely talented and slips into the character with ease. Moreover, collaborating with Disney+ Hotstar once again was a great experience.”

    Witness this power-packed action series – Commando will soon unfold only on Disney+ Hotstar

  • Five titles that stirred conversations around the 75th Emmy Nominations

    Five titles that stirred conversations around the 75th Emmy Nominations

    Mumbai: The Emmy Awards is one of the most sought-after nights on national television. As fans gear up for this star-studded event, there’s one more affair that keeps them on the edge of their seats – the ‘Nominations’. When Yvette Nicole Brown and Frank Scherma took center stage on 12 July to unveil the prestigious nominations for the 75th Emmy Awards, they sure did stir up some piping hot ‘tea’ for netizens and twitterati alike. So as you get ready for this glamorous evening set to stream LIVE exclusively on Lionsgate Play on 19 September, here are the snubs and ‘you go bud’ titles from the 75th Emmy Award Nominations.

    The curious case of Jeffrey Dahmer – controversy always!

    Evan Peter starrer ‘Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story’ earned a whopping 13 nominations this year at the Emmy’s. This has seemingly created a massive stir amongst audiences across. In a statement to The Wrap, Thomas Jacobson – lawyer to the victims said, “By celebrating and rewarding these portrayals, there is a risk of normalising the actions of individuals like Dahmer, potentially desensitising audiences to the real-life consequences of violence.” While some fans believe credit is due, others think profiting off of trauma is unfair. So the question remains – How far is too far?

    Sima Auntie takes the cake! – hmm, still thinking why!

    Indian matchmaking has been the talk of the town ever since its first season in 2020. With Sima from Mumbai having the internet in a chokehold, through countless memes and hilarious tweets the show has landed an Emmy Nomination for the second time. True to her character, Sima Auntie shared a heartfelt message on hearing about the nomination, “The recognition is an answer to all the people who were saying negative things about the show. Negative mein bhi maza hai, at least show hit ho raha hai.” Now it is left to see if India will take this award home.

    Success(ion) Indeed – SO deserving!

    It shouldn’t come as a surprise that Succession dominated the 75th Emmy Nominees this year. Sitting on the throne with 27 nods of acknowledgement its way, the two-time best drama winner ruled with its last season. From outstanding drama series to lead actor, the show has this award season tucked neatly under its thumb. Fans can’t contain their excitement as they wait to see their favorite stars take home the gold.

    No curtsy for the prince and his princess?

    After baring their heart and soul for the tell-all docuseries, ‘Harry & Meghan’, this duo has been royally dismissed. A sureshot to earning at least an nomination at this year’s Emmy Awards, the viewership for this so-called confession from the former prince and princess of Wales simply didn’t make the cut. Royal expert, Ingrid Seward weighed in on the couple’s devastation saying, “Meghan and Harry will concentrate in this and make it a positive, however irritated they might be not to be in the Emmy nominations.” It is left to see whether or not they come back stronger than a 90s trend.

    Only ‘Snubs’ in the Building

    One of the biggest Emmy snubs this year was undoubtedly Selena Gomez and Steven Martin losing out on nominations for the fan-favorite series ‘Only Murders in the Building’. While Martin Short received well-deserved recognition for lead actor in a comedy role, his co-stars were given little to no acknowledgement. So, will the Selenators hold a grudge or is all going to be forgiven?

    Surprise Surprise!

    The 75th Emmy Nominations had some expected wins, a few snubs but also a whole lot of surprises. From Ted Lasso and Jury Duty leading the comedy nominations to Obi-Wan-Kenobi proving that Star Wars is omnipresent, a flurry of wildcards had fans tingling with excitement. Kathryn Hahn and Kumail Nanjiani also made the list for unexpected nominees this year.    

    Watch the rest of the drama unfold only on Lionsgate Play as the 75th Emmy Awards stream LIVE on 19 September in India, Malaysia, Indonesia and Philippines.

  • Kaivalyadhama launches a documentary on the Science behind yoga

    Kaivalyadhama launches a documentary on the Science behind yoga

    Mumbai: Is Yoga a Science? As it approaches its centennial year, Kaivalyadhama announced the launch of a documentary titled, “Yogic Science”. The documentary aims to demystify yoga, by delving into the Science behind Yoga. The film captures the evolution of Yoga over the last 100 years and breaks perceptions and common myths, through scientific experiments and validations. 

    The documentary was released by Rahul Nawrekar, speaker of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly at the NCPA, Mumbai on 21 July 2023. The event was also attended by prominent personalities like Suresh Prabhu, centenary committee chairman, chancellor Rishihood University, and former cabinet minister

    The documentary also captures Kaivalyadhama’s seminal work in the field of Yoga, for almost a century. It narrates the enchanting story of the evolution of this institute, nestled in the Sahyadri mountains, in Lonavala, Maharashtra. Kaivalyadhama holds the distinction of being the world’s first institution to undertake scientific research in Yoga and establish the world’s first yoga college. Throughout its history, Kaivalyadhama has propagated yoga in its purest traditional form, backed by scientific research.

    At the heart of the documentary lies the indomitable spirit of Swami Kuvalayananda, the founder of Kaivalyadhama, affectionately known as the “Yogi Scientist.” It was Swami Kuvalayananda who introduced Yoga therapy to the world, revolutionising the field and bringing its therapeutic benefits to the forefront. Over the years, Kaivalyadhama has been pushing boundaries, with its groundbreaking research, in the application and benefits of Yoga in Cancer care, Gene therapy, dealing with Auto-immune disorders, and beyond.

    Kaivalyadhama CEO Subodh Tiwari said: “This documentary encapsulates our commitment to preserving the authenticity of Yoga while pushing the boundaries of research and education. As we celebrate our centenary milestone, we invite audiences worldwide to join us in this cinematic exploration of our legacy and the profound impact Yoga can have on individuals and society”.

    The documentary takes viewers on a captivating journey, exploring the institute’s rich heritage, its profound contributions to the field of Yoga, and the significant impact it continues to make in transforming lives. Annually, Kaivalyadhama positively impacts the lives of over 10,000 individuals worldwide. Some of the prominent personalities who have been patrons of the institute include Mahatma Gandhi, Babasaheb Ambedkar, and JRD Tata.

  • Amazon miniTV’s ‘Hip Hop India’, in collab with Nissan, breaks Guinness World Record for the largest hip-hop performance

    Amazon miniTV’s ‘Hip Hop India’, in collab with Nissan, breaks Guinness World Record for the largest hip-hop performance

    Mumbai: Amazon miniTV – Amazon’s free video streaming service, in partnership with Nissan, has officially entered the Guinness World Records with the largest on-ground hip-hop dance activity, on the day of the premiere of its dance reality show ‘Hip Hop India’. A total number of 1864 dancers came together to jointly perform hip-hop dance for over five minutes. The grand event was held at Filmcity in Mumbai in the presence of Hip Hop India’s judges Remo D’Souza and Nora Fatehi, alongside Amazon Advertising head Girish Prabhu and Nissan Motors India head of marketing Rajesh Srivastava, who flagged off this event. Special partners for the event, To The Culture and dancing crew Kings United led by Suresh Mukund, brought together the enthusiastic participants and choreographed the performance, culminating into this momentous feat. 

    The Guinness World Records official adjudicators announced the record-breaking moment, as the stadium went up in a rapturous applause. The previous record for the largest hip-hop performance was achieved in 2014 by 1658 dancers in Alabama, USA. This global record coincided with the launch of the show ‘Hip Hop India’ on Amazon miniTV, which is a huge celebration of hip-hop culture that viewers across India can watch for free! To mark this event, the dancers came together to build a 109 feet wide human formation of ‘Nissan Magnite’, to celebrate the brand’s association with India’s love for music and entertainment. 

    “This is a proud moment for India and Amazon miniTV, as we etch our name in the Guinness Book of World Records. Our endeavor with Hip Hop India has been to celebrate this rich culture of hip-hop which has now become very popular with the youth. Setting the world record was made possible by the passion of these dancers, and this is unquestionably their triumph,” said Amazon Advertising head Girish Prabhu.

    Commenting on the achievement, Nissan Motors India Pvt Ltd (NMIPL) director – marketing, product & customer experience Mohan Wilson said, “The Big, Bold, Beautiful Nissan Magnite has captured hearts making many milestones, the love of it is growing and now it has achieved a remarkable feat of breaking the Guinness World Record. We are immensely proud of this accomplishment which reflects Nissan’s unwavering dedication to Outdo. With ‘Hip Hop India’ and the Magnite, we continue to make history and celebrate India’s incredible talent on the global stage.”

    Ace choreographer and judge on Hip Hop India Remo D’Souza said, “Witnessing these amazing urban dancers from all across the nation in their true form is itself an achievement for me. And being a part of a team that set a world record in the field of hip-hop is an honour not only for me, but for all of us who took part in it. This is an excellent endeavour by Amazon miniTV, and I am thrilled to be a part of Hip-Hop India. I’d like to give a massive shout-out to everyone who has made this happen. Let’s go India.”

    “It’s an indescribable feeling to witness and be a part of such a historic moment. When it comes to dancing, I am always game to try something new and different, but what we accomplished today surpassed my expectations. Setting a global record for the largest hip-hop performance, sends a message to all of India’s street dancers, encouraging them to come out of their shells. I am honoured to be a part of this iconic event and Hip-Hop India.” mentioned actor Nora Fatehi and also a judge on Hip Hop India.

  • Anthony Mackie starrer Twisted Metal premieres on Sony LIV on 28 July

    Anthony Mackie starrer Twisted Metal premieres on Sony LIV on 28 July

    Mumbai: Get ready to embark on an adrenaline-fueled journey with Sony LIV as Twisted Metal makes its global premiere on the 28 July. This American series is destined to provide viewers with an amazing viewing experience since it combines the turmoil of a wrecked planet with belly-laugh-inducing hilarity. Michael Jonathan Smith brings Twisted Metal to life in a total of ten exhilarating episodes.

    Twisted Metal, a half-hour live-action TV series based on the classic PlayStation game series, is a high-octane action comedy, based on an original take by Rhett Reese & Paul Wernick and written by Michael Jonathan Smith, about a motor-mouthed outsider offered a chance at a better life, but only if he can successfully deliver a mysterious package across a post-apocalyptic wasteland. With the help of a badass axe-wielding car thief, he’ll face savage marauders driving vehicles of destruction and other dangers of the open road, including a deranged clown who drives an all too familiar ice cream truck.

    This gripping series boasts an exceptionally talented ensemble cast. Anthony Mackie takes the wheel as John Doe, accompanied by Stephanie Beatriz, Thomas Haden Church, Will Arnett, Richard Cabral, and Samoa Joe, among others. So, mark your calendars and don’t miss out on this nail-biting adventure that will leave you in absolute splits!

  • Sony LIV and Windows Productions join forces to ignite the magic of Bengali cinema

    Sony LIV and Windows Productions join forces to ignite the magic of Bengali cinema

    Mumbai: Sony LIV has teamed up with Windows Productions to present the exclusive digital premieres of three captivating blockbuster Bengali films – Fatafati, Lokkhi Chhele and Haami 2. This collaboration significantly enhances Sony LIV’s regional language catalogue and provides a broader array of content appealing to Bengali-speaking audiences.

    Boasting an impressive 8.1 rating on IMDB and hailed as the summer’s blockbuster hit, Fatafati chronicles the journey of Phullora Bhaduri, a talented tailor who defies societal norms and strives to become a fashion influencer. Directed by Aritra Mukherjee and starring Bengali heartthrobs Ritabhari Chakraborty and Abir Chatterjee, the film challenges body shaming and inspires viewers to embrace their uniqueness.

    Inspired by a true story, Lokkhi Chhele, directed by Kaushik Ganguly, revolves around a newborn baby with four arms. With an impressive 8/10 rating on IMDB, the movie delves into the shackles of human superstition and the profound influence of human beliefs, offering a thought-provoking tale set in rural surroundings with a global appeal. It boasts a stellar performance by Ujaan Ganguly, Aditi Marik, Ritwika Pal, and Purab Seal Acharya in pivotal roles.

    After the phenomenal success of Haami, the makers came up with a fresh story in Haami 2 that follows an extraordinary eight-year-old boy with a remarkable talent for mathematics. As his gift becomes a source of income for his parents, the movie humorously explores the complexities of modern-day parenting. Written and directed by Nandita Roy and Shiboprosad Mukherjee the film stars Gargee Roy Chowdhury, Ritodeep Sengupta, Shreyan Saha, Aritrika Chowdhury, Anjan Dutt, Prosenjit Chatterjee and Shiboprosad Mukherjee among others.

    Sony LIV head of content Saugata Mukherjee:

    We are thrilled to join forces with Windows Productions in bringing forth the much-awaited OTT premieres of Fatafati, Lokkhi Chhele and Haami 2. In keeping with our keen focus on programming in regional Indian languages, this a very special collaboration. Our aim is to celebrate Bangla stories and storytellers, give them a platform to showcase and reach out to audiences from across the globe. 

    Windows Production co-founder Shiboprosad Mukherjee:

    We are thoroughly excited that three of our films, which have been loved and blessed by the audience, will soon start streaming on Sony LIV. For Bengal, it’s an important event that a national player is entering this market and we are proud to associate with Sony LIV. The three films are completely different from each other. While Fatafati is a heart-warming love story that deals with the issue of body positivity, Lokkhi Chhele, I feel, is one of the best films by Kaushik Ganguly till date and also the boldest film of 2022. Haami 2, on the other hand, is a sweet story of Laltu and Mitali Mondal and their sons, one of whom is a child prodigy.

    Stay tuned for the release of Fatafati on 4 August and watch out for updates on the release dates of Lokkhi Chhele and Haami 2.

  • Big Bang Social launches India’s first creator super-app

    Big Bang Social launches India’s first creator super-app

    Mumbai: Collective Artists Networks BigBang.Social, is proud to announce the launch of India’s first creator super-app. Recognising the immense potential of the creator ecosystem, BigBang.Social offers creators a comprehensive and first-of-its-kind platform that enables commerce, brand collaboration, upskilling and a robust peer-to-peer network for building a thriving community. Designed to empower creators and fuel the growth of the creator economy, the BigBang.Social App is set to become the ultimate virtual destination that revolutionises the way creators connect, collaborate, learn and thrive. 

    “With a tech-first approach to the creator economy, our aim is to streamline India’s largely unorganized creator ecosystem, enabling monetization and revenue growth for creator businesses,” said Collective Artists Network founder and Group CEO Vijay Subramaniam. ” The potential of the creator economy in India is vast. As more individuals embrace entrepreneurship and leverage their creativity, there is an opportunity for creators to not only generate income but also influence industries, drive cultural shifts, and shape consumer preferences.”

    The BigBang.Social App is set to be a game-changer for creators, offering a wide range of innovative features and services to fuel their ambition and success. Creators gain access to curated brand collaborations that match their unique talents and aspirations, opening doors to exciting opportunities and high-quality experiences. The platform fosters a vibrant community where creators can connect, collaborate, and learn from one another, creating a supportive ecosystem that fuels creativity and growth.

    In addition to its focus on collaboration and community building, the BigBang.Social App empowers creators with an array of tools and resources. From learning modules and online training to masterclasses led by industry leaders, the app provides creators with the knowledge and skills to excel in their respective fields. Moreover, creators can leverage the app’s advanced features, such as cashback rewards and reward points, to further monetize their endeavours and maximize their earnings.

    “At BigBang.Social, our vision is to redefine the landscape of the creator economy, providing creators with unprecedented opportunities to grow, monetize their assets, and increase revenue streams,” said Big Bang Social CEO Anurag Iyer. “With our creator super-app, we are placing the power firmly in the hands of creators, offering them access to the best deals, tools, learning resources, peer-to-peer communication, cashback rewards, and much more.”

    In addition to its focus on collaboration and community building, the BigBang.Social App empowers creators with an array of tools and resources. From learning modules and online training to masterclasses led by industry leaders, the app provides creators with the knowledge and skills to excel in their respective fields. Moreover, creators can leverage the app’s advanced features, such as cashback rewards and reward points, to further monetise their endeavours and maximize their earnings.

    The creator economy’s total addressable market is estimated to double over the next five years, increasing rapidly from $250 billion to $480 billion by 2027, as per Goldman Sachs research. The launch of the BigBang.Social App marks a significant milestone in the growth of the creator economy in India. Globally, there are over 200 million creators and India is set to have the largest base of social media content creators with the figure crossing 100 million this year, according to a report by influencer marketing firm Zefmo. The report predicts that the “organised influencer marketing” sector is expected to reach Rs 3000 crore by 2024 and the revenue share of micro influencers is set to rise from nine per cent to 14 per cent by 2024.

    As the creator economy continues to flourish, it has the potential to disrupt traditional industries and redefine the way content is created, consumed, and monetised. With the right support, infrastructure, and investment, the creator economy can foster economic empowerment, job creation, and socio-cultural transformations. By providing creators with a virtual destination that celebrates their talents, fosters collaboration, and offers unparalleled opportunities, BigBang.Social is poised to redefine the landscape of digital creativity and entrepreneurship.a

  • Crunchyroll announces further expansion in India at Anime event in Mumbai

    Crunchyroll announces further expansion in India at Anime event in Mumbai

    Mumbai: Crunchyroll, the world’s ultimate home for anime, announced more anime content and more dubs at a fan-filled premiere event in Mumbai this evening. The host of announcements signaled further investment in the India market and ambitions to super-serve anime fans in all parts of the country.

    Crunchyroll president Rahul Purini, travelled to Mumbai to celebrate the screening of the Hindi dub (S1 – E1 and E2) of JUJUTSU KAISEN where he shared some news with a room full of passionate fans. The event was also attended by super anime fans, Tiger Shroff and Rashmika Mandanna, who shared their love for anime with fellow fans at the event. 

    A roundup of the evening’s breaking news during Purini’s remarks:

    •     Expansion of content library: Crunchyroll announced that it would add 40 new series and 200 hours of content by the end of 2023, many of which will be available in Hindi. These series would join fan-favorites Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, Naruto Shippuden, and My Hero Academia  already on the platform.
    •     Hindi dub for Chainsaw Man: Crunchyroll is making Hindi dubs of the popular Chainsaw Man available on 29 July. Chainsaw Man is the hit dark fantasy anime series based on the widely popular and award-winning manga of the same name written and illustrated by Tatsuki Fujimoto (Fire Punch; Look Back; Goodbye, Eri) and serialized in Shueisha’s Weekly Shōnen Jump. The Hindi dub cast list can be found below.
    •     JUJUTSU KAISEN will premiere season one dubbed in both Hindi and Tamil beginning 28 July, with three episodes airing every week. Dubbed episodes of JUJUTSU KAISEN season 2 will begin airing in the fall, but fans can catch new episodes subtitled in English streaming now on Crunchyroll.
    •     Telugu and Tamil Dubs: Finally, Crunchyroll will be introducing dubs in Tamil and Telugu by the end of the year, responding to the diverse linguistic preferences of Indian anime fans

    Over the last year, Crunchyroll has reaffirmed its commitment to India, by reducing subscription fees and making payments available in local currency, adding more library hours and series, making Hindi dubs available (in India and worldwide), attending India Comic Cons and more.

    Crunchyroll president Rahul Purini, “India is a special place for Crunchyroll. It has the second largest anime fandom on the planet and will drive 60 per cent of the global growth in anime interest in the next few years.We see first hand how much love there is for anime here, which is why we have been expanding our content catalog. We now have over 500 titles, 3800 hours of content and 7500 episodes – making us the largest anime catalog in India. AND: We’re adding nearly 40 new series and nearly 200 hours of content by the end of 2023”.

  • Director of ‘Boyka: Undisputed’ opens up about his next action stunner ‘Black Lotus’

    Director of ‘Boyka: Undisputed’ opens up about his next action stunner ‘Black Lotus’

    Mumbai: Can you truly get rid of your past guilt? Lionsgate Play’s Black Lotus takes you on the journey of now-retired Special Ops soldier Matteo Donner and the trauma that made him quit. After five long years, Matteo finally finds his sense of belonging after reconnecting with the family of his dead best friend and partner. But forces intervene and try to hurt John’s family. Can Matteo save his newfound family? Get set for a gripping action-thriller directed by the one and only Todor Chapkanov, the action extraordinaire that has directed the American-Bulgarian fight movie Boyka: Undisputed. So if you love action, guns, and cars, watch Black Lotus on Lionsgate Play on 21 July to see Rico Verhoeven go up against Frank Grillo in a showdown like no other.

    Action director Todor Chapkanov talks about the preparations for the film. “For me, it was crucial to spend plenty of time in prep to discuss relationships and scenes with the main actors, so when the actual filming started, everyone knew each other and knew what I wanted. I deliberately asked for the stunt sequences (fights, car chases, etc.) to be choreographed and designed so that the cast could do their own stunts. It took a lot of training and rehearsing, but the result has made it all worthwhile. We could never have achieved the same level of intensity with ’stunt doubles.”

    Further adding on about shooting in Amsterdam, Chapkanov said, “One of my goals with Black Lotus was to make the city of Amsterdam part of the story. Writer Tad Daggerhart and I biked to all the places I had in mind and I specifically asked him to re-write and add scenes in order to achieve this goal. I tried to tie the protagonist’s relationships and action scenes to specific locations in order to create a visually striking film.”

  • Prime Video’s mega entertainment line-up for Prime Day 2023 receives a blockbuster response globally!

    Prime Video’s mega entertainment line-up for Prime Day 2023 receives a blockbuster response globally!

    Mumbai: Prime Video’s mega entertainment line-up for Prime Day 2023 India, scheduled on 15  & 16 July, has enthralled customers within and outside India. The service launched exciting originals, movies and shows as part of Prime Day 2023 celebrations, and Prime members from 4,490 cities and towns in India streamed these special Prime Day releases. Not just this, Prime Video continued to raise the bar in giving a global platform to Indian stories, and the Indian titles released as a part of this year’s Prime Day line-up were watched by viewers in over 230 countries and territories.  

    Prime Video released 12 movies and shows in the 30 days leading up to Prime Day 2023. Eight of those titles featured in the top ten most watched titles on Prime Video India in that period. All the titles released on Prime Video as a part of the Prime Day line-up saw great customer response across the length and breadth of the country, receiving viewership from 99 per cent of India’s pin codes. Additionally, Prime Video continued to expand access to global entertainment for its customers. Not just the Indian titles, but even the international shows and movies released during Prime Day 2023 were streamed by customers in 97 per cent of India’s pin codes.

    Prime Video’s Prime Day 2023 India line-up included a diverse range of shows and movies, from the original horror series Adhura (Hindi) and final season of the global hit series Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan, to the superhero film Veeran (Tamil) and family entertainer Anni Manchi Sakunamule (Telugu). Customers enjoyed the Tamannaah Bhatia-starrer Jee Karda (Hindi) – an original series that beautifully explores the complexities of love and friendship, and the original movie Tiku Weds Sheru (Hindi) – a dramedy about two eccentric, starry-eyed characters who want to make it big in Bollywood, in addition to the Hindi version of the massive global blockbuster Ponniyin Selvan: II. The celebrations didn’t just end with these titles, as customers were further delighted by Sweet Kaaram Coffee (Tamil) – an original series that beautifully encapsulates an unforgettable journey of three women from different generations rekindling their love for life, and Hostel Days, a Telugu adaptation of the hit Young Adult comedy drama series. This was in addition to the second season of the hit original series The Summer I Turned Pretty, the acclaimed film Babylon, and action thriller Kandahar.