Category: iWorld

  • Rohan Sippy & Nilesh Sahay collaborate on festival-themed action comedy

    Rohan Sippy & Nilesh Sahay collaborate on festival-themed action comedy

    Mumbai: Director Rohan Sippy and Actor and filmmaker Nilesh Sahay have joined forces to create a highly anticipated holiday action comedy, titled “Iss Diwali.”

    Sippy, who has directed films such as “Nautanki Saala,” “Dum Maaro Dum,” and “Bluffmaster,” will be collaborating with Sahay, who earlier wrote, produced and directed the film “Squad” starring Rinzing Denzongpa. This exciting new venture is a thrilling holiday action comedy that unfolds during the festive season of Diwali, set against the backdrop of political intrigue.

    The film is presented by industry veterans Ramesh Sippy and Zaheeda and is produced by Rohan Sippy, Roopa De Choudhury,  Brajesh Sahaya and Nilesh Sahay. Casting for “Iss Diwali” is currently in progress, with announcements to be made in due course.

    “I’ve loved watching films that feature chemistry between charismatic leads, from Do Aur Do Paanch & Ram Balram to Main Khiladi Tu Anaari & the original Bade Miyaan Chote Miyaan, and later making films like Bluffmaster and Taxi No 9 2 11… so it is very exciting to take Iss Diwali forward which continues this tradition, with the magic & emotion of our most important family festival adding to the genre’s appeal” said Rohan Sippy.

    “There’s nothing better than to celebrate the holidays with an amazing family entertainer and ‘Iss Diwali’ promises just that along with tackling a major issue in today’s society. When I wrote the film I knew Rohan would be the absolute best person to make it, as he has handled edgy light entertainers fantastically. We will bring in action that will be created for all age groups of audiences where they will be thrilled, entertained and engaged. Iss Diwali is gonna be one hell of a ride for cinegoers I promise you that” added Nilesh Sahay

  • ‘Vedaa, Samvidhan Ka Rakshak’ to premiere on Zee5 on 10 Oct

    ‘Vedaa, Samvidhan Ka Rakshak’ to premiere on Zee5 on 10 Oct

    Mumbai: Zee5 has announced the digital premiere of ‘Vedaa, Samvidhan Ka Rakshak’ on 10 October. Directed by Nikkhil Advani and produced by Zee Studios, Emmay Entertainment, and JA Entertainment, this action drama features John Abraham, Sharvari, Abhishek Banerjee, Tamannaah Bhatia, and Ashish Vidyarthi. Inspired by real-life events, ‘Vedaa’ follows the journey of a Dalit girl and addresses caste-based injustices and crimes.

    The story centers on Major Abhimanyu Kanwar (John Abraham), a court-martialed army officer, whose path intersects with Vedaa (Sharvari), a determined Dalit woman seeking justice. Together, they confront societal challenges and oppressive forces, including the village chief (Abhishek Banerjee), who aims to silence them. As they uncover painful truths and fight for redemption, the film presents a narrative of courage and the pursuit of justice.

    Directed by Nikkhil Advani, ‘Vedaa, Samvidhan Ka Rakshak’ masterfully combines intense action with a poignant social message.

    Zee5 India CBO Manish Kalra stated, “At Zee5, we believe that cinema can inspire change and ‘Vedaa,’ embodies this spirit by shedding light on pressing social issues through its powerful narrative and creative storytelling. We are proud to present this film that entertains and sparks meaningful conversations about justice and resilience. The film aligns perfectly with our thought of connecting, collaborating, and communicating with our viewers through impactful and transformative stories. With ‘Vedaa’’, we are strengthening Zee5’s commitment of delivering quality content that not only resonates with diverse audience segments but also drives positive change in society.”

    Zee Studios CBO Umesh Kr Bansal said, “With Vedaa’ now releasing on Zee5, we’re excited that this powerful story of resilience will reach an even wider audience. It reflects our commitment to impactful storytelling, and we believe its compelling narrative and strong performances will deeply resonate with viewers.”

    Emmay Entertainment producer Madhu Bhojwani shared, “We are excited to bring Vedaa, to an even larger audience with its digital premiere.  When we started the journey to make this film, it was driven by the need to tell a story that inspires and empowers, and we can’t wait for more people to join the conversation through its digital release.”

    Director Nikkhil Advani said, “I believe ‘Vedaa,’ not only entertains but also sheds light on important issues. From the very beginning, our aim with this film was to tell a story that sparks meaningful conversations, and we look forward to more viewers experiencing its message now through the film’s release on Zee5”.

    Abraham said, “I’m proud to be part of a film that not only entertains but also empowers. Vedaa, inspires women to embrace their strength and also encourages all of us to support and uplift one another. The film is very important and relevant in today’s day and age which is a powerful reminder that when women thrive, we all thrive. I can’t wait for audiences of Zee5 to experience this transformative message in Vedaa.”

    Sharvari expressed, “I’m excited for the digital release of ‘Vedaa,’ on Zee5! Playing Vedaa Berwa has been an enriching experience for me. She is someone who seeked equality and justice. I felt her fire to stand up and fight for what is right. Its very overwhelming to receive so much love and appreciation for Vedaa, and it means the world to me to be part of a film that makes you think. Through boxing and martial arts training, Vedaa discovers her strength and voice in the film. I can’t wait for audiences to witness her inspiring journey!”

  • Zeenat Aman mesmerises audiences at Carvaan Live’s Yeh Shaam Mastani

    Zeenat Aman mesmerises audiences at Carvaan Live’s Yeh Shaam Mastani

    Mumbai: Zeenat Aman recently took the audience on a nostalgic journey at the first edition of Carvaan Live’s Yeh Shaam Mastani. Held at the Sri Shanmukhananda Chandrasekarendra Saraswathi Auditorium in Sion, the event was a heartfelt tribute to the golden era of Indian cinema, blending music, nostalgia, and stories that have shaped it.

    Saregama Carvaan has expanded its retro music experience to live performances with Carvaan Live. The launch event, Yeh Shaam Mastani, featured the legendary Zeenat Aman, who shared personal stories and timeless melodies.

    From the moment Zeenat Aman took the stage, the audience was captivated by her anecdotes about iconic films like Manoranjan, Don, Satyam Shivam Sundaram, and Qurbani. She discussed the challenges of portraying her characters and shared insights about working with directors like Raj Kapoor and Feroz Khan, identifying herself as a director’s actor. She also revealed candid moments about her chemistry with co-stars Amitabh Bachchan and Dharmendra, along with fun behind-the-scenes stories.

    Zeenat Aman addressed the more challenging aspects of her career, including navigating industry politics while remaining true to herself. The evening was filled with untold stories and the magic that defines her legacy.

    In conversation with RJ Anirudh Chawla, her stories resonated with the audience, who were further entertained by lead singers Pragati Nagpal and Pranav Chandran. The duo performed beloved songs like Chura Liya Hai Tumne and Laila O Laila, supported by a live band. The audience, many of whom grew up with these classics, sang along, making the evening a celebration of Bollywood’s music.

    Speaking about the event, Zeenat Aman shared her heartfelt thoughts, “Being on stage with so much love in the room was truly special. Seeing people connect with songs and stories that have been part of my journey was heartwarming. Thank you to everyone who came out to spend this beautiful evening with me. I hope to connect with more people as the show goes to Delhi & Jaipur later this month.”

    Saregama’s senior VP of films & events Siddharth Anand Kumar added, “Yeh Shaam Mastani is our homage to an era that gave us timeless films and unforgettable music. Carvaan has been a beloved companion in homes with its nostalgic retro music, and now, with Carvaan Live, we’re excited to take that magic off the shelf and onto the stage. We are honored to have Zeenat Aman open this series in Mumbai and the response has been incredible. We’re excited to bring this experience to Delhi and Jaipur.”

    The evening felt like a reunion of generations. Parents and grandparents, who grew up with these timeless classics, relived their youth, while the younger crowd discovered the magic of the golden era. The smiles, laughter, and even a few teary eyes in the audience showed just how deeply these songs and stories still resonate, making it a truly unforgettable family celebration.

    After the overwhelming response in Mumbai, Yeh Shaam Mastani is now set to bring its magic to Delhi on 18 October at Siri Fort Auditorium and Jaipur on 19 October at Deep Smriti Auditorium. Grab your tickets on BookMyShow for a night of nostalgia and music.

  • Global fusion & cultural exchange take centre stage at Moscow Fashion Week 2024

    Global fusion & cultural exchange take centre stage at Moscow Fashion Week 2024

    Mumbai: Moscow Fashion Week is set to take place in the heart of Russia from  4 to 9 October. This significant event holds great importance for the fashion industries of emerging regions and the global market, as brands from various countries will have a unique opportunity to showcase their collections on a large international stage. Designers from India, Russia, Brazil, Indonesia, China, Costa Rica, the UAE, and South Africa will participate in over 80 shows, all taking place near the iconic walls of the Kremlin.

    Among the standout brands is Nitin Bal Chauhan presented by the Fashion Design Council of India. It’s known for its innovative approach and artistic Indo-Western aesthetic. This isn’t the brand’s first appearance at Moscow Fashion Week, and this year it reinforces its commitment to the Russian market and the BRICS community.

    “I did my first show at Moscow Fashion Week and got a great response that encouraged me to come back again this season. I see the Russian market being very similar to the part of India I come from. They appreciate colour, rich hand embroideries and folklore. It is the best platform to showcase my work in Russia and with the best Media, Influencers and Bloggers attending the show it helped me in increasing the visibility of my brand,” said designer Nitin Bal Chauhan.

    Moscow Fashion Week promises to unveil exciting discoveries in the fashion industries of BRICS countries and its partners. Among the vibrant Russian brands featured will be Measure and MERÉ. The MERÉ collection focuses on the cyclicality of fashion and the durability of trends, utilizing natural fabrics alongside eco-leather to highlight the relevance of both traditional and modern materials. The measure will showcase its new collection, which celebrates its homeland of Dagestan as a contemporary region that cherishes its cultural identity. Earlier this year, MEASURE made a successful debut at Lakmé Fashion Week X FDCI in India.

    Coinciding with Moscow Fashion Week is the BRICS+ Fashion Summit, where the Indian delegation will actively engage in this international forum. This event has emerged as a key platform for cultural and business exchange between the fashion industries of rapidly growing economies.

  • OTT platform Goose launches its freemium plan

    OTT platform Goose launches its freemium plan

    Mumbai: OTT platform Goose has announced the rollout of its latest freemium plan, marking a significant step towards making live TV and VOD streaming accessible to all. With this launch, Goose aims to redefine the industry landscape by offering essential features at no cost, empowering businesses of all sizes.

    The freemium plan offers unparalleled value, providing users with a 100 per cent free option that includes essential features to kickstart their streaming service journey. Designed to facilitate a seamless operation and launch, this plan caters to both newcomers and established players, fostering an inclusive environment for growth and success.

    Freemium simplifies the process of importing television or video content and sharing it with a worldwide audience. Key features of Goose’s freemium plan include:

    ●    No expiration
    ●    50 channels availability
    ●    Access to limited features
    ●    Catchup TV of 10 per cent live channels
    ●    1 TB VOD storage
    ●    Compatibility with Android STB/Phone
    ●    Member site availability
    ●    Goose DRM
    ●    One device connection at a time
    ●    1000 monthly users for free

    Goose created its freemium plan, focusing on enhancing the competitiveness of small businesses and content creators. By eliminating financial barriers, it empowers users to bring their apps to market swiftly and efficiently.

    With its commitment to democratising live TV and video streaming services, Goose OTT invites businesses to experience the power of freemium and unlock new opportunities for growth and innovation.

  • Kunal Bahl joins Shark Tank India season four panel

    Kunal Bahl joins Shark Tank India season four panel

    Mumbai: Shark Tank India returns with its highly anticipated fourth season, promising an exciting lineup of innovative ideas, dynamic entrepreneurs, and game-changing deals. The new season welcomes a new shark, Snapdeal & Titan Capital co-founder and Unicommerce promoter Kunal Bahl.

    A renowned entrepreneur and investor, Bahl has built and scaled various technology businesses and has also invested in more than 250 start-ups. An influential voice in the Indian start-up space, Kunal has received numerous accolades, including the Economic Times Entrepreneur of the Year Award, the Joseph Wharton Award for Young Leadership, Fortune’s 40 Under 40, amongst others.

    Kunal will be joining the panel of: People Group founder and CEO Anupam Mittal, boAt Lifestyle co-founder and CMO Aman Gupta, Emcure Pharmaceuticals executive director Namita Thapar, and OYO founder & group CEO Ritesh Agarwal.

    This season introduces new hosts, Sahiba Bali and Ashish Solanki, bringing their unique energy and flair to the show. 
     

  • Amazon merges MX Player with miniTV to expand ad supported streaming offering

    Amazon merges MX Player with miniTV to expand ad supported streaming offering

    MUMBAI:  Amazon on Monday announced that it had closed the acquisition of select assets of MX Player, including the MX Player app, to merge with its ad-supported video-on-demand (AVoD) service, Amazon miniTV. It was in June that several media outlets had reported that Amazon was close to acquiring the once Times group owned app.

    Post-acquisition, the app has been renamed as Amazon MX Player. It will continue to provide its library of shows for which it was known to more than 250 million users in India. Among these: Aashram, Dharavi Bank, Campus Diaries, Physicswallah, and Yeh Meri Family. The streamer had also built a fan following for its popular Korean, Mandarin, and Turkish shows dubbed in Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu. Viewers will be able to  access the service through apps on mobile, Amazon.in, Prime Video, Fire TV, and connected TVs.

    “Today we are bringing together the vast reach of MX Player, with the advertising tech that leverages Amazon’s billions of customer signals,” said Amazon India head of advertising Girish Prabhu. “It’s about enabling all brands, not just the ones selling on Amazon, to reach and deliver relevant advertising to a very large and engaged base across India. It’s about directly measuring outcomes from the very top of the funnel to the very bottom.”

    “Amazon and MX Player obsess over customer experience and are both believers in the future of free entertainment,” added Amazon MX Player head Karan Bedi. “Being part of Amazon will let us continue to delight millions of viewers across the country. We will offer high-quality entertainment and streaming experiences faster than we could have done independently, while continuing to keep the service free. This merger will mean great things for our viewers, advertisers and content partners, and will let us bring MX Player to even more people in India.”

  • Zee5 champions design innovation at Kyoorius Designyatra 2024

    Zee5 champions design innovation at Kyoorius Designyatra 2024

    Mumbai: Zee5 returned as the title sponsor of Kyoorius Designyatra 2024, for the second consecutive year. The three-day event, held from 26 to 28 September in Goa, offered a prestigious global platform for design and creative professionals across industries to showcase their work, collaborate, and celebrate artistic innovation.

    At Kyoorius Designyatra 2024, Zee5 organised an immersive experiential zone and workshop on design, UI/UX, product ideation, and creativity led by Vatsal Chaoji, at the event that attracted a large audience. Zee5’s Replay & Reimagine contest, featuring movies ‘Gyaarah Gyaarah’, ‘Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai’ and ‘Gadar 2’, saw three young winners that showcased their immense creative prowess.

    Esteemed names like Studio Lotus’ founding principal Ambrish Arora, Aaquib Wani Design founder & director Aaquib Wani, and Studio Eeksaurus’ director Suresh Eriyat also graced the event with their expertise and vision, with a total of 22 speakers; coveted legends from the international circuit.

    Zee5 India CBO Manish Kalra said, “Designyatra stands as a premier platform, bringing together global representation across industries to celebrate and showcase design excellence. At Zee5, our commitment has always been to elevate the platform experience through various touchpoints, where design plays a crucial role in shaping our product offerings. We extend our gratitude to our partners for uniting the brightest minds in the creative industry, paving the way for a new era of design innovation.”

    Kyoorius founder CEO Rajesh Kejriwal said, “Kyoorius Designyatra in 2024 transformed into an Academy of Play, bringing together an anti-disciplinary speaker roster to inspire the next generation of design in India. The Kyoorius Design Awards 2024 has seen an influx of entries and is a testament to the growth and power of design in India. This is made possible by Zee5’s continued commitment to find India’s design excellence a spot on the global stage and inculcating an immense culture of design within their own practice.”

    Designyatra 2024 gathered global talent to explore the future of design. Zee5 partnered with the event to challenge designers to reimagine posters for iconic films like Gadar and Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai. The focus was on reinterpretation, showcasing creativity through various mediums, including iPads and an iMac, in the Zee5 Hall of Fame. Winners received giveaways and special recognition.

    Zee’s head of product development Vatsal Chaoji introduced a card-based game to enhance designers’ understanding of product ideation from the end-user perspective, boosting Zee5’s tech capabilities.

    The event attracted students, industry veterans, and designers, promoting fresh narratives across graphic, interior, product, industrial, and furniture design.

  • Vi Movies & TV strengthens OTT aggregator portfolio with ‘Super pack’ at Rs 175

    Vi Movies & TV strengthens OTT aggregator portfolio with ‘Super pack’ at Rs 175

    Mumbai: The all-new avatar of Vi Movies & TV, launched in March earlier this year, is a one-stop entertainment destination for all Vi subscribers. Vi Movies & TV provides a vast range of entertainment to its users, with up to 17 OTT apps, 350 live TV channels and complimentary access to several content libraries all under one app through thoughtfully designed packs across post-paid and prepaid. With the latest addition of ‘Super’ pack, Vi prepaid users can access over 15 OTT platforms including SonyLIV, ZEE5, ManoramaMAX, FanCode, PlayFlix, and more, along with 10GB data.

    The over 15 OTT benefits of the Vi Movies & TV Super pack will also be available to all prepaid users recharging with Vi Hero Unlimited Rs 449 or Rs 979 pack at no extra cost. These packs offer unlimited calling and daily data quota, along with unique data benefits like unlimited high-speed data from 12 AM to 6 AM, weekend data rollover & much more.

    A recent report by Ormax media reveals that India’s OTT audience has reached an impressive 547.3 million, with rural regions contributing around 65 per cent of video consumption. The penetration of OTT services has risen to 38per cent of the population, up from 34 per cent last year. Currently, there are 99.6 million active paid subscribers on these platforms. Smartphones continue to be the preferred device for watching videos, with 97 per cent of OTT viewers using them. To cater to the rising demand for entertainment, this new pack includes access to over 15 OTTs in one place and is bundled with Data benefits, exclusively for prepaid customers.

    The Vi Movies & TV App offers four subscription plans for prepaid users: Vi Movies & TV Plus, Vi Movies & TV Lite, Vi Movies & TV Pro with the recent addition – Vi Movies & TV Super at just Rs 175. As the number of OTT platforms are growing, handling multiple subscriptions can be both inconvenient and costly. Vi Movies & TV App guarantees that customers can enjoy their favourite content on a single App with a single subscription, without burning a hole in their pocket.

  • SuperGaming announces official launch date for Indus Battle Royale

    SuperGaming announces official launch date for Indus Battle Royale

    Mumbai: SuperGaming, a game development studio, has officially announced the launch date of its highly anticipated Made-in-India-for-the-world battle royale, Indus. Set to release on October 16th, Indus will be available for download on both Android and iOS platforms, via the Google Play Store and iOS App Store respectively offering players an exciting new battle royale experience.

    After recently entering open beta, mass testing amongst players across the world coupled with their invaluable feedback has been instrumental in shaping the game’s development.  The immensely successful beta phase attracted players into the action-packed world of Indus, building significant momentum ahead of its release. With over 12.5 million pre-registrations on Android alone, Indus is ready to deliver a fresh, thrilling & immersive battle royale experience, setting the stage for one of the biggest game launches out of India this year.

    Speaking on the announcement of the much-anticipated launch, SuperGaming co-founder and CEO Roby John said, “With the launch of Indus, we’re not just introducing a game—we’re presenting a unique take on the battle royale genre to the world. Our vision with Indus has always been to showcase Indian Art and Culture through unique characters, weapons and stories rooted in Indian heritage while also bringing our dual win condition with Cosmium and a never done before “Grudge”  feature to a popular game genre. The overwhelming support from our community during the beta phase has helped us fine-tune key aspects of Indus, and we’re excited for the world to experience Indus and see what the SuperGaming team has built”

    Alongside the release date announcement, SuperGaming has also unveiled an epic cinematic trailer. It offers an exciting look where players engage in high-stakes combat across a vast and dynamic battleground.

    Centred around Adi, the trailer highlights his journey within the world of Virlok. As the leader of his squad, Adi enters Virlok with two goals: to collect the rare resource Cosmium and to settle a personal score with his nemesis, Pokhran. Viewers can witness Adi’s evolution—starting from a novice, training and sharpening his skills, and culminating in an epic showdown where he finally takes down Pokhran, settling his grudge.

    Indus brings a fresh twist to the battle royale genre with its dual victory condition. Players can win by either being the last person standing or by strategically collecting Cosmium which spawns in the last circle of Nirvana, adding a new layer of complexity and depth to traditional gameplay.

    The trailer also offers a sneak peek into the dynamics of the Cosmium collection and Grudge, a unique in-game feature that allows players to settle scores with their opponents. Additionally, the Grudge system allows players to track down and face off against the opponents who defeated them.