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Category: iWorld

  • Revenant Esports signs Punkk for BGMI esports lineup ahead of Rs two crore tournament

    Revenant Esports signs Punkk for BGMI esports lineup ahead of Rs two crore tournament

    Mumbai: Revenant Esports, an esports organisation has announced a new edition to its Battlegrounds Mobile India Esports lineup. Ashutosh “Punkk” Singh, the 21-year-old hailing from Chirawa, Rajasthan, is the newest addition to the team ahead of the anticipated BGMI India Series (BGIS), Krafton’s Rs 2,00,00,000 prize pool esports tournament.

    At Revenant, Punkk joins longtime former allies Sensei and Fierce. Having played with them for nearly two years back from 2020 to 2022, he has an understanding of the team’s playstyle while bringing in experience from his recent stints at Reckoning Esports and Velocity Gaming.

    Furthermore, having played with Sensei, who currently serves as the IGL for Revenant Esports, for such a long time, Punk will be able to naturally assimilate into the team, ahead of the crucial The Grind phase of the BGMI India Series.

    Having previously served as an IGL himself, he will be able to assist Sensei in crucial situations in-game. Punk also brings an aggressive playstyle to the team and his gun-power, for which he is widely renowned, will help the team pick up the finishes which are very important in the new points system for BGMI Esports.

    Commenting on his reunion with former teammates and joining Revenant Esports, Punk remarked, “I am very excited to be a part of Revenant Esports and reunite with my old friends Sensei and Fierce. I think all of us have a deep understanding of our respective play styles in the game. With our collective experience and synergy, combined with the prowess of Aquanox and Blaze, we will be able to leave a strong mark on the tournament.”

    Revenant Esports’ BGMI Esports lineup is one of the most formidable in the country. The team has previously finished second in the Skyesports Championship 5.0 including a fifth place finish at the India-Korea Invitational in Delhi. A trophy, however, has alluded the team which they are looking to change with the addition of Punkk. The new lineup ahead of the BGIS is as follows:

    •    Deepak “Sensei” Negi
    •    Punkk
    •    Harsh “Aquanox” Rao
    •    Hamze “Blaze” Khozema Hyderabadwala
    •    Ritesh “Fierce” Nawandar

    Revenant Esports founder and CEO  Rohit Jagasia added, “We are delighted to welcome Punkk to the Revenant family. His familiarity with our team dynamics and exceptional skills make him an invaluable asset as we gear up for the BGMI India Series.”

    Revenant Esports’ BGMI lineup will be seen in action at The Grind stage of the BGIS 2024. As one of the country’s top esports organisations, the team has received a direct invite into this stage and will be competing for a spot in the BGIS 2024 Main Event. The Grind is being held online and all players will be competing in the tournament from Revenant’s state-of-the-art boot camp in Mumbai, India.

  • Dhoni riding on eCycle video goes viral

    Dhoni riding on eCycle video goes viral

    Mumbai: Cricket legend Mahendra Singh Dhoni has caught fans’ eyes again with his latest ride: An e-cycle. From tractors to bikes, Dhoni’s changing wheels keep us intrigued—or rather, pedalling.

    The internet is buzzing about a video from famous photographer Viral Bhayani, showing Thala riding an electric bicycle. In just one day, the video got one million plus views, sparking lots of talk on social media. Now, Instagram is filled with clips of Mahi on his new e-cycle, and fans are curious to learn more about his new trendy ride.

    This unexpected transition from horsepower to pedal power has ignited a frenzy of curiosity among fans and media alike. The electric cycle has been identified as Doodle V3, a foldable e-cycle, that has a top speed of 25 kmph and is made in India.

    In an era where sustainability holds increasing importance, Dhoni’s embrace of eco-friendly transportation sends a powerful message. With celebrities endorsing e-cycles, this emerging trend not only reflects a shift towards environmentally conscious choices but also serves as a positive reminder for promoting greener alternatives.

  • Yeh Family Season 3 Returns Exclusively on Amazon miniTV

    Yeh Family Season 3 Returns Exclusively on Amazon miniTV

    Mumbai: Amazon miniTV – Amazon’s free video streaming service on the Amazon shopping app,  Playstore and Fire TV, today unveiled the endearing trailer for the third season of its family drama – TVF’s Yeh Meri Family. Set in the spring of 1995, the third season promises to take audiences down a heart-warming memory lane with the Awasthi family as they bring to life the story of a typical Indian household. Looking at the world through the eyes of Rishi, (portrayed by Anngad Raaj), an 11-year-old mischievous boy with a heart as big as his dreams, this season will feature Juhi Parmar, Rajesh Kumar and Hetal Gada in pivotal roles.

    As the Awasthi family navigates the intricacies of life, the trailer takes you back in time to the spring of the 90s. It evokes nostalgia for the good old days and unbreakable friendships, with every moment beautifully blending warmth, humour, and nostalgia. When waking up to the loud alarm clocks and winning over a fun banter with your sibling was your biggest flex. The trailer demonstrates how idyllic and simple life was in the era, with a close-knit family unit. It offers a preview of the show’s plot, from the playful banter between Rishi and Ritika to the persistent nagging of their parents. Focusing on realistic scenes and emotions, the trailer of Yeh Meri Family is a heartfelt journey for viewers, brimming with bittersweet memories of “kuch khatti-kuch meethi.”  

    Juhi Parmar, who plays the character of Neerja shared her thoughts on the series, “I believe that people nowadays are looking for relatable storylines and characters, and Yeh Meri Family is one such show that evokes a variety of emotions. Blending a compelling plot with 90s nostalgia, the show is heavy on emotions and circumstances that we have all experienced. Considering the overwhelming support, we received from viewers for the past seasons, we are thrilled to announce the third season. This season’s point of view differs from the previous seasons as it is narrated by the family’s youngest member, a 10-year-old. We hope the audience likes the show as much as we did while creating it.”

    “We are thrilled to announce the highly anticipated return of ‘Yeh Meri Family’ for its third season, capturing the essence of 90s nostalgia once again. Following the tremendous success of YMF 1&2, this season dives into the enchanting world of monsoons, promising our viewers an immersive journey down memory lane. As the 13 TVF show to cross its third season milestone, ‘Yeh Meri Family’ continues to resonate with audiences, reaffirming our commitment to delivering compelling storytelling that stands the test of time,” TVF resident Vijay Koshy.

    The new season of Yeh Meri Family is highly anticipated by the audience and will premiere on 4th April 2024, on Amazon miniTV exclusively for free, accessible with the click of a button on Amazon’s shopping app, Playstore, and Fire TV.

  • JioCinema Brand Spotlight: Illuminating IPL campaigns with unmatched brilliance.

    JioCinema Brand Spotlight: Illuminating IPL campaigns with unmatched brilliance.

    Mumbai: In the fast-paced world of advertising, innovation is key to capturing audience attention and creating memorable brand experiences. This IPL season, JioCinema embarked on a journey with its new initiative – Jio Cinema Brand Spotlight. This initiative aimed to elevate select ad campaigns, offering them exclusive exposure during the crucial first six overs of IPL matches.

    Six prominent brands – Dream 11, Charged by Thums Up, Britannia, Dalmia Cement, Parle Products, and HDFC Bank – captured this unique opportunity to debut their campaigns on JioCinema during the IPL matches. What set these campaigns apart was not just their prime placement but also the narrative behind their creation.

      

    Beyond just securing a prime spot for launching their opening day campaigns, JioCinema’s brand spotlight is offered an opportunity for brands to engage with audiences in a more meaningful way. In an exclusive initiative, brand spotlight facilitated a unique marketer’s moment, where the campaign makers and brand custodians shared exclusive insights and stories behind the creation of their campaigns and brand films featured on JioCinema.

    The platform didn’t stop at merely showcasing the ads; it dug deeper into the creative process by providing viewers with insights into the making of these campaigns. This move involved hosting dedicated trays on the sports page of the app for these brands. These trays not only housed the extended edits of the campaigns but also offered an intimate look into the brainstorming sessions, challenges faced, and creative decisions made by the brand custodians and agency heads.

    For the first time in the industry, fans had the opportunity to go beyond the glossy surface of advertisements and gain a deeper understanding of the thought that goes into crafting these spots. By offering behind-the-scenes content alongside the ads, JioCinema transformed passive viewers into engaged participants, creating a more immersive experience for IPL enthusiasts.

    Watch the behind the campaign stories here: 

    Charged by ThumsUp’s campaign: https://go.jc.fm/fRhd/9isgyf5n

    Parle Products’ campaign: https://go.jc.fm/fRhd/vnbiuqs4

    Britannia’s campaign: https://go.jc.fm/fRhd/7k61354u

    HDFC Bank’s campaign: https://go.jc.fm/fRhd/l0x74mae 

    Dalmia Cement’s campaign:  https://go.jc.fm/fRhd/cwatxrte

    Dream11’s Campaign: https://go.jc.fm/fRhd/ay9tmeiw

    Brand Spotlight was an innovation for advertisers around the opening match of TATA IPL season 2024. The packages and offerings have been specifically designed to help select advertisers, no matter what the objective, category, and scale of business. Each proposition from JioCinema has been curated to enhance the brand’s proposition and increase the potential of scale and targeting possibilities they can extract on digital.

  • Crunchyroll acquires ‘That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime’ Season 3

    Crunchyroll acquires ‘That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime’ Season 3

    Mumbai:  Crunchyroll is thrilled to announce the return of one of the most beloved fan-favourite isekai series of all time. That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Season 3 is set to premiere on March 30 at 8:30 pm IST! The latest season of the beloved anime will be available only on Crunchyroll, simulcast directly from Japan, ensuring fans won’t miss a moment of Rimuru’s adventures in the fantastical world they now call home.

    That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime, based on the light novel series written by Fuse and illustrated by Mitz Vah, has captivated audiences worldwide with its unique blend of humour, heart, and high-stakes fantasy. The series follows Satoru Mikami, a corporate worker who is reincarnated in an alternate world as a slime with unique powers, and gradually builds a kingdom where all creatures can live in harmony.

    Season 3 of That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime picks up with Rimuru and their nation of Jura Tempest Federation facing new threats and challenges, as they navigate the complexities of diplomacy, conflict, and growth. With the return of beloved characters and the introduction of new faces, this season promises to be the most legendary instalment yet.

    The animation production continues under the talented team at 8bit, known for their exceptional work on the series’ previous seasons.

    That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Season 3 Official Synopsis:

    Rimuru has officially become a Demon Lord after defeating Clayman. Following Walpurgis, the Demon Lords’ banquet, Rimuru’s domain is expanded to include the entire Great Forest of Jura. Anticipating a flood of representatives from all races showing up to pay their respects, Rimuru decides to throw a festival to commemorate the opening of Tempest, using it as an opportunity to gain new citizens and present Demon Lord Rimuru to the world. Meanwhile, in the Holy Empire of Lubelius, the home base of the monster-hating cult of Luminism, Holy Knight Captain Hinata receives a message from Rimuru. But the message is a fabricated declaration of war sent by some unknown party. Upon learning that Hinata is heading for Tempest, Rimuru makes a decision… Thus begins a new challenge for Rimuru, striving to distinguish friend from foe in pursuit of the ideal nation where humans and monsters can prosper together.

    In addition to the simulcast, Crunchyroll announces the production of dubs in English, Latin American Spanish, French, German, Castilian Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese, making the series accessible to a wider global audience.

    Japanese voice cast and characters:

    1    Miho Okasaki as Rimuru Tempest

    2    Megumi Toyoguchi as Great Sage

    3    Tomoaki Maeno as Veldora

    4    Makoto Furukawa as Benimaru

    5    Sayaka Senbongi as Shuna

    6    M.A.O as Shion

    7    Takuya Eguchi as Sōei

    8    Chikahiro Kobayashi as Ranga

    9    Rina Hidaka as Milim Nava

  • “Family Aaj Kal explores young India’s aspirations through a relatable family setup”: Anushka Shah

    “Family Aaj Kal explores young India’s aspirations through a relatable family setup”: Anushka Shah

    Mumbai: Premiering on 3 April on Sony LIV, a family-centric show – Family Aaj Kal, invites you to embark on a captivating journey through the complexities of modern family life.

    Produced by Civic Studios, a global media company focused on impactful entertainment, this eagerly anticipated show promises to resonate deeply with viewers. Featuring a stellar cast including Apoorva Arora, Sonali Sachdev, and the late Nitesh Pandey, the show is spearheaded by writer Manoj Kalwani, and director Parikshit Joshi, offering a heartfelt exploration of familial bonds against the vibrant backdrop of Delhi.

    Indiantelevision.com in conversation with Civic Studios’ founder Anushka Shah talked about the uniqueness of the show, certain nuances of the show and more…

    Edited Excerpts:

    On the inspiration behind creating Family Aaj Kal and what sets it apart from other family-centric shows

    Family Aaj Kal came about from wanting to explore how some of the problems we see around us in society play out in internal family dynamics. When it comes to choosing a child’s partner, we often see these biases clash with a parent’s desire to want what they see as best for their child. The show is extremely relatable in the way it explores young India’s aspirations through a family setup. It talks about the issue of unemployment in India, the overemphasis on jobs as an identity that often leads to class bias, and finally, the right to choose your own partner.

    On the collaboration between Civic Studios, Manoj Kalwani, and Parikshit Joshi for the production of Family Aaj Kal

    Manoj Kalwani had been a writer we were interested in working with at Civic Studios for a while, and when we conceptualised this project in-house we thought he would be the perfect fit. Parikshit had been a director working at Civic Studios on several of our YouTube comedy sketch videos – we felt his ability to bring a sensitive yet light-hearted approach would be ideal for this show.

    On the message or emotions that you aim to evoke through “Family Aaj Kal”

    The main emotion we want the audience to experience is what happens when we’re forced to challenge our own biases – it often starts with denial but ends in discovery, and that is a tough but beautiful journey to go on. In many ways, that is where change and progress at its most core level in a society happens.

    On choosing Delhi as the setting for “Family Aaj Kal” over other cities and the city’s unique characteristics that contribute to the storytelling and resonate with the audience

    Delhi was chosen as our target audience because the show concentrates on a young Hindi-speaking audience from North India. The family is shown to be urban and middle-class and they see themselves as modern and liberal, while also coming to terms with their own biases. Delhi became a reflective setting for the same, but the story would be relatable to audiences around the world and not just this city.

    On your vision for the future of Civic Studios, and the upcoming projects or initiatives that you’re particularly enthusiastic about

    At Civic Studios we aim to create content that is entertaining, engaging, and empowering. We have over 20 projects on our slate at different stages of production to release across feature films and web series. We recently had our animated feature film Schirkoa premiere at the Rotterdam Film Festival where it won the NETPAC award for Best Asian Film, and next month we start shooting in London on a very fun and exciting Christmas musical with Gurinder Chadha. 

  • MIPTV & ZDF Studios announce finalists for MIPFormats Pitch 2024

    MIPTV & ZDF Studios announce finalists for MIPFormats Pitch 2024

    Mumbai: MIPTV revealed the five finalists of the MIPFORMATS PITCH 2024 staged in partnership with ZDF Studios, each of whom will present their original unscripted entertainment formats in front of a renowned industry jury in Cannes on the second day of MIPFORMATS (6-7 April).

    Finalists were shortlisted based on a potential universal appeal by an international jury of format experts who will also judge the pitches on the day, comprised of Ilan Astrug, VP, Formats Acquisition and Sales, Warner Bros. Int. TV Production; Siobhan Crawford, Content and Founder, GLOW MEDIA; Julien Degroote EVP, Head of Content Development, TF1 Group; Ella Umansky, VP Format Acquisitions, ITV Studios and Ralf Rückauer, VP Unscripted, ZDF Studios.

    With 89 submissions for the 2024 competition received from a record 29 countries, the finalists are:

    ‘Villa Incognito’, Tuvalu Media (Netherlands)

    ‘25’, LGH Entertainment (Norway)

    ‘A.I Of The Beholder’, David Tobiasz (Canada)

    ‘The Stupid House’, Chulapo Pictures (UK)

    ‘Unknown Champions’, Phillip Sindermann (Germany)

    The popular annual session will be staged in the world-renowned Palais des Festivals on Sunday 7th April at 16:30. One winner will be selected live on stage receiving a financial contribution of €2000 to development, in addition to complementary accreditation to a future MIP Market and access to coaching and mentoring expertise from within the ZDF Studios Group for a year.

    ZDF Studios vice president unscripted Ralf Rückauer said: “There is a tendency in the market to revive existing formats that audiences are familiar with. This makes it all the more interesting to look at fresh, unusual and completely new ideas. We were pleasantly surprised by the number of submissions and their diversity and originality. I look forward to meeting the five finalists of this exciting competition in person in Cannes.”

    Last year’s competition saw the Turkish talent show format ‘The Show Must Go On’, created by Format Workshop triumphing over concepts from Italy, the UK and Ukraine.

    MIPFORMATS will take place within the MIPTV pre-opening weekend (6-7 April), which alongside an extended MIPDOC strand creates ‘the biggest weekend in Unscripted’ in Cannes ahead of the three-day MIPTV exhibition market (8-10 April) set to welcome over 130 exhibitors and delegates from 85 countries.

    The MIPTV conference programme will feature returning renowned elements including keynotes from leading industry players, The MIP SDG Award (in partnership with the United Nations), and MIPLAB summits focusing on the future of the industry. International Series Festival CANNESERIES will run alongside MIPTV from 5-10 April.

  • Netflix lights up the sky with 1,000 drones to reveal ‘Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar’

    Netflix lights up the sky with 1,000 drones to reveal ‘Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar’

    Mumbai: The trending hashtag #HeeramandiKabReleaseHoga (when will Heeramandi release?) has an answer, at last. In a mesmerizing aerial spectacle above Mumbai’s Mahalaxmi Race Course, Netflix and renowned director Sanjay Leela Bhansali announced that Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar premieres on 1 May.

    The media and college students were joined by the heeras of Heeramandi — Manisha Koirala, Sonakshi Sinha, Richa Chadha, Sharmin Segal and Sanjeeda Shaikh — alongside Prerna Singh, CEO, Bhansali Productions and Tanya Bami, Series Head, Netflix India, at the grand reveal. Together, they marvelled as a fleet of 1,000 drones took flight, leaving onlookers spellbound. As the anticipation reached fever pitch, the drones unveiled the series’ launch date, igniting waves of excitement among the gathered crowd.

    On the eve of the date announcement, creator-director Bhansali said, “I am grateful to the entire team for their relentless passion and dedication to bring the world of Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar to Netflix. With the release scheduled for May 1st, we can’t wait for audiences worldwide to watch it and shower us with their love and appreciation.”

    With a lot of excitement, Monika Shergill, Vice-president-Content, Netflix India said, “Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar is undoubtedly India’s biggest cinematic series, and the auteur, Sanjay Leela Bhansali, in his true signature style, has created a mesmerizing world with powerful characters that fight for their fate and that of their country. A one-of-a-kind series, it will offer a visual and visceral experience of a world only he can bring to life with such beauty and boldness. As we gear up for the worldwide premiere on May 1st, we can feel the excitement building up.”

    Amidst the city’s twinkling lights, the drones formed the iconic Netflix ‘N’, followed by elements found in the series: a ghungroo (anklets), jharokha (ornate window), and an adaab (greeting). Gradually crafting the silhouette of a dancer, the drones move in unison to unveil the title logo, symbolising noor, nazaakat aur andaaz (light, refinement and style) before finally unveiling the premiere date.

     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

    A post shared by Netflix India (@netflix_in)

     

  • Skyesports Masters 2024 India Qualifier gets underway

    Skyesports Masters 2024 India Qualifier gets underway

    Mumbai: Skyesports, an esports tournament organiser, is set to host the Skyesports Masters 2024 India Qualifier from 28 to 31 March. Eight of the country’s best teams will be competing for the title and a slot in the Skyesports Masters Main Event. The prestigious main event of the tournament will see teams from Europe and India, competing for a share of the $350,000 prize pool.

    Here’s everything you need to know about the Skyesports Masters India Qualifier.

    Eight teams will be competing in the closed qualifier. Six of these have been directly invited while two have made it through the open qualifier.

     .  2ez Gaming

     .  Carvinal Gaming

     .  Gods Reign

     .  Grayfox Esports

     .  Marcus Gaming

     .  True Rippers

    .   Crescent

     .  Frag Theory

    Coming into the tournament, Gods Reign is one of the favourites to win, having previously won the India Qualifier for the Skyesports Grand Slam. The team also secured an impressive second-place finish at the Skyesports Grand Slam Main Event in Pune earlier this month. However, with a formidable lineup from the other teams, including a newly-signed roster from Carnival Gaming, the India Qualifier is set to feature intense Counter-Strike 2 esports action.

    The eight teams will lock horns in a double-elimination bracket, with the winner advancing to the Skyesports Masters Main Event. All matches will be live-streamed on the Skyespors YouTube and Twitch channels.

    The India champion from the Qualifier will face Aurora Gaming, BIG, ENCE, Ninjas In Pyjamas, OG, Forze Esports, and BetBoom Team in the Skyesports Masters Main Event. Scheduled to take place from April 8 to 14, the eight teams will be fighting for a share of the $350,000 prize pool.

    Skyesports, headquartered in Chennai, has been on an aggressive international expansion strategy. The Skyesports Masters is the second event in Skyesports’ 2024 Counter-Strike 2 esports roadmap which features a total prize pool of $1 million. 

  • NXTDIGITAL Media Group forges strategic alliance with 7Star Group

    NXTDIGITAL Media Group forges strategic alliance with 7Star Group

    Mumbai: ONEOTT Intertainment Ltd (OIL), India’s fourth largest private internet service provider (ISP), and 7Star Group, a leading regional ISP, have announced a strategic alliance – focused on growing the broadband business. OIL, a part of NXTDIGITAL Media Group and a subsidiary of Hinduja Global Solutions Ltd. (HGS), will share infrastructure and technology with 7Star – leveraging both alliance partners inherent strengths in the fast-growing broadband space, for growth.

    This alliance underlines NXTDIGITAL Media Group’s deep commitment to delivering value to its customers and sets another industry benchmark for established industry players coming together to offer customers integrated services backed by excellent support. The much respected 7Star Group has a strong network in Mumbai and Maharashtra and enjoys deep customer relationships. Both partners are looking to focus on growing the broadband business in Maharashtra initially, whilst setting the tone to expand services together in other markets.

    The alliance is also developing plans to offer integrated services to their customers that would extend beyond broadband to other services like OTT, IPTV, WIFI, VoIP/intercom and even bespoke CCTV solutions.

    Speaking on the alliance, HGS whole-time director and OIL MD and CEO Vynsley Fernandes said “The future is all about collaboration and there is no better alliance partner than 7Star who have established a high standard of service to its broadband customer base. We will look to leverage each other’s inherent capabilities in accelerating the broadband uptake.”

    7Star Group founders Nadir Ali Jairaj and M M Devendran echoed his sentiment, adding “We are delighted to form this alliance with OIL, the broadband vertical of the Hinduja Group – easily the most respected brand name in this space. We believe the opportunity of growing broadband and expanding to newer markets is now and we will continue to deliver value to our customers, together”.