Category: Hindi

  • PVR INOX brings UNMISSABLE HITS Film Festival

    PVR INOX brings UNMISSABLE HITS Film Festival

    Mumbai: PVR INOX Ltd, India’s largest multiplex chain, is set to kick off the new year with a cinematic treat for movie enthusiasts by bringing a unique and exciting Film Festival –  UNMISSABLE HITS. The Film Festival will showcase an impressive line-up of blockbuster films, which ruled the hearts of the movie lovers in the year 2023, including Pathaan, Jawan, Tiger 3, and Gadar 2. Scheduled to take place from 5 to 11 January 2024, the Film Festival will captivate audiences in 60 cinemas across Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Pune, Goa, Bengaluru, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Indore, Jaipur, Lucknow and 20 other cities of India.

    The ticket pricing for this cinematic extravaganza will start from Rs. 150 onwards, making it accessible to a wide range of movie enthusiasts. Patrons can conveniently book their tickets through the PVR INOX app or website. The screenings will be exclusively available in mainstream cinema formats, offering audiences a chance to relive the magic of these blockbuster films on the big screen.

    PVR INOX Ltd co-CEO Gautam Dutta expressed his excitement about the Film Festival, stating, “The year 2023 was made special due to the sheer buzz and frenzy created by movies like Pathaan, Gadar 2, Tiger 3 and Pathaan. With this Film Festival, we are looking to extend this fervour of 2023 in the new year as well, and let the audiences enjoy the content in the manner which is most loved, that is on the giant cinema screens. This film festival is poised to be a celebration of cinematic excellence and entertainment, featuring a thoughtfully curated selection of movies that represents the pinnacle of the Indian film industry’s achievements in the past year. Our content innovation journey is adding a new chapter with this Film Festival and we are upbeat about it.”

    PVR INOX has consistently set industry standards by introducing innovative content experiences to enhance the movie-watching journey. The re-release of these blockbuster films aims to make the audiences enjoy the cinematic blockbusters all over again and celebrate the magnificence of the content offered in the year 2023.

  • Chrome Pictures has continued to push boundaries of storytelling through its film production

    Chrome Pictures has continued to push boundaries of storytelling through its film production

    Mumbai: As the year draws to a close, Chrome Pictures production house with cutting-edge advertisements and films, takes a moment to reflect on a year supposed to have creativity, innovation and success.

    In the ever-evolving landscape of the entertainment industry, Chrome Pictures has continued to push boundaries of storytelling through its approach to film production. With a commitment to quality, originality and diverse narratives, the production house positioned itself as a trailblazer in the world of cinema. Led by a dynamic team of founders and directors, Amit Sharma, Aleya Sen, Hemant Bhandari, and a talented in-house roster, Chrome Pictures has nurtured filmmakers who have grown to become influential figures in the ad industry.

    After making a mark of its feature film debut, the national award-winning & ‘Badhaai Ho’, Chrome Pictures ventured into Original Web Films for OTT platforms. ‘’Trial Period’’ released on 21 July 2023, directed by Aleya Sen, starring Genelia Deshmukh and Manav Kaul, presented yet another unique concept of ‘Father on rent’ that struck a chord with the audience. The reviews ranged from ’Being an ode to familyhood’ to being “an unavoidable, feel good film”. Likewise, ‘’Lust Stories 2 (Tilchatta)’’, Directed by Amit Sharma left a lasting impact. His much talked about film, “Maidaan”, starring Ajay Devgn is awaited.

    Both releases received esteemed awards – Genelia Deshmukh received a Talentrack award for Best Actor in a Comic Role (Female) for ‘Trial Period’ and Amit Sharma received the Top 10 most popular Indian movies (Streaming) of 2023 IMDb award for Lust Stories 2.

    Chrome Pictures filled the advertisement space this year with campaigns for “Mahindra Automotives”, “VI #BeSomeonesWe”, “Astral Pipes” #AccessToCleanWater, “Colgate” #ToothlessGranny, “TATA IPL”, “Lever Ayush” and “Titan Raga” directed by Amit R. Sharma, “Piramal Finance” – Hum Kaagaz Se Zyaada, Neeyat Dekhte Hain, “Glow & Lovely” #KaamyabiKeRangDikhao and “Limca” – Sab Nichord Le #MatThak by Hemant Bhandari, “Asian Paints” #MeraWalaMood in collaboration with Ogilvy aired during the festive season, “HDFC” #ZindagiKeLiyeSIP and “Flite” – #SarUthaKadamBadha by Advait Chandan. The other talented directors of Chrome Pictures kicked off campaigns throughout the year.

    Among them are the “Epigamia” and “Britannia Bourbon” Ads and the recent “IndusInd Bank” Ads directed by Roopali Singhal which was aired during the recent ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup. Much talked about “Astral Pipes” #BharosaChuno, “Digital India ka TATA IPL” and “Cadbury Celebrations” #BrothersWhoCare was directed by Rai.

    “Lipton” Darjeeling Green Tea directed by Debanjolie Bhattacharjee and “MTR” Badam Milk directed by Mithun Shaw. Throughout the year, Chrome has successfully delivered a diverse range of projects that have captivated audiences globally. Amongst the many accolades that Chrome Pictures has won this year, some of their best ads won multiple awards, mainly –

    1. ‘Dove #StopTheBeautyTest’ | Directed by Amit Sharma – Cannes Lion Award, D’& D Award, LIA Award, Kyoorius creative award, TheAbbys, INDIAA awards.

    2. Truecaller | Buri Nazar Waale Tera Call Laal | Directed by Amit Sharma -Spikes Asia award, TheAbbys, Kyoorius Creative Award, INDIAA awards,

    3. Mutual Funds #ZindagiKeLiyeSIP |Directed by Advait Chandan- INDIAA awards

    4. Epigamia | Directed by Roopali Singhal – New Director Lotus – AdFest Award.

    Speaking of expansion, Director Aleya Sen talked about their latest launch CRIMSEN TALES, a Creative Lab. “It’s an initiative of bridging gaps between Industry stalwarts and young talents. There is untapped young talent in abundance today, Crimsen is a stepping stone in finding the best of talents in various fields and providing opportunities”. Their first workshop at Soho house with top women producers of Industry made noise and was well received.

    On the other hand, Chrome’s digital wing, Minikin DG Works, has continued to ardently focus on delivering and catering specifically to the ever-growing modern demands of the virtual market. It is one of the most progressive and cost-effective ways of communication.

    Looking forward to the coming year, Chrome Pictures is poised for achievements. With a slate of projects in the pipeline and a continued commitment to pushing boundaries, the team is set to make a mark in the world of entertainment.

    As we bid farewell to 2023, Chrome Pictures expresses gratitude to its dedicated team, partners and the audience for their unwavering support. The production house looks forward to continuing its journey of innovation, storytelling and excellence in the years to come!

    Film Links –

    1. Trial Period – Official Trailer | Genelia Deshmukh | Manav Kaul | Streaming Free 21 July | JioCinema

    2. VI #BeSomeonesWe -#BeSomeonesVi | VI | CHROME PICTURES Director: Amit Sharma,

    #BeSomeonesWe | VI | CHROME PICTURES Director: Amit Sharma

    BeSomeonesWe | VI | CHROME PICTURES Director: Amit Sharma

    #BeSomeonesWe | VI | CHROME PICTURES Director: Amit Sharma

    3. Astral Pipes #AccessToWater – https://youtu.be/Ru48Xrx12qI? Feature=shared

    4. The Toothless Granny | Colgate Strong Teeth | CHROME PICTURES Director: Amit Sharma

    5. Digital India Ka TATA IPL | JioCinema | CHROME PICTURES Director: Rai

    6. Not Aaaahh! | Lever Ayush | CHROME PICTURES Director: Amit Sharma

    7. #LoveYourselfBoldly | Titan Raga | CHROME PICTURES Director: Amit Sharma

    8. Hum Kaagaz Se Zyaada, Neeyat Dekhte Hain | Piramal Finance| CHROME PICTURES Director: Hemant Bhandari

    9. #KaamyabiKeRangDikhao | Glow & Lovely | CHROME PICTURES Director: Hemant Bhandari

    10. Sab Nichord Le #MatThak | Limca | CHROME PICTURES Director: Hemant Bhandari

    11. #ZindagiKeLiyeSIP | HDFC Mutual Fund | CHROME PICTURES Director: Advait Chandan

    12. Sar Utha Kadam Badha- Flite | Relaxo | CHROME PICTURES Director: Advait Chandan

    13. Asian Paints #MeraWalaMood – #MeraWalaMood | Asian Paints | CHROME PICTURES Director: Advait Chandan

    #MeraWalaMood | Asian Paints | CHROME PICTURES Director: Advait Chandan

    #MeraWalaMood | Asian Paints | CHROME PICTURES Director: Advait Chandan

    #MeraWalaMood | Asian Paints | CHROME PICTURES Director: Advait Chandan

    #MeraWalaMood | Asian Paints | CHROME PICTURES Director: Advait Chandan

    #MeraWalaMood | Asian Paints | CHROME PICTURES Director: Advait Chandan

    14. Tell me something new! | EPIGAMIA | CHROME PICTURES Director Roopali Singhal

    15. It’S Chocolate, Chocolate, Chocolate | Britannia | CHROME PICTURES Director: Roopali Singhal

    16. IndusInd Bank presents INDIE | IndusInd Bank | CHROME PICTURES Director: Roopali Singhal

    17. Bharosa chuno | Astral Pipes | CHROME PICTURES Director: Rai

    18. #BrothersWhoCare | Cadbury Celebrations | CHROME PICTURES Director: Rai

    19. Digital India Ka TATA IPL | JioCinema | CHROME PICTURES Director: Rai

    20. “Is a masterpiece!” | Lipton Darjeeling Tea | CHROME PICTURES Director: Debanjolie Bhattacharjee

    21. MTR Badam Milk | MTR Foods | MINIKIN DGWORKS Director: Mithun R Shaw

    22. #StopTheBeautyTest | DOVE | CHROME PICTURES Director: Amit Sharma

    23. Truecaller – Buri Nazar Waale Tera Call Laal | Dir. Amit Sharma

  • Team Fighter introduces #ThankYouFIGHTER: A heartfelt tribute to India’s air warriors

    Team Fighter introduces #ThankYouFIGHTER: A heartfelt tribute to India’s air warriors

    Mumbai: Team Fighter, in a pioneering move launches an innovative initiative, #ThankYouFighter, to pay a sincere tribute to the unsung heroes of our nation – the Indian Air Warriors. This heartfelt campaign aims to express love and appreciation towards the brave souls serving in the Indian Air Force (IAF).

    To facilitate this initiative, Team Fighter has launched a dedicated platform, www.thankyoufighter.com. This platform serves as a digital canvas inviting individuals to share their heartfelt messages in the form of virtual paper planes, a simple yet powerful act to honour the spirit and valour of the Indian Air Force. The website shares a name – personalised badge for each person who shares their message. It’s a unique way to say #ThankYouFighter for those who protect the skies of our country.

    Team Fighter has also collaborated with PVR Inox, placing drop boxes in 10 cities across 30 locations, allowing the masses to drop in their handwritten and warm messages. Additionally, in an effort to engage young minds, Team Fighter has partnered with 300 DAV Schools across 23 states. Viacom18 Studios has sent eco-friendly seed-based papers to these schools, inviting children to write heartfelt messages, forging a connection between the younger generation, nature, and their appreciation for the Real Fighters of the Indian Air Force.

    #ThankYouFighter is a unique endeavor designed to unite citizens from every corner of our country, across generations, in sharing their gratitude towards our Air Warriors, through heartfelt messages, showcasing their admiration and support for the commitment and sacrifices made by the IAF personnel.

    Viacom18 Studios COO and ‘Fighter’ producer Ajit Andhare shared, “With #ThankYouFighter, we aspire to convey our appreciation and respect for our Air Warriors. This initiative is not just about our film, but about honoring those who safeguard our skies and our nation.”

     

  • 3 Idiots, Chennai Express & Hera Pheri hold maximum franchise potential in Hindi cinema: Ormax’s latest report

    3 Idiots, Chennai Express & Hera Pheri hold maximum franchise potential in Hindi cinema: Ormax’s latest report

    Mumbai: Media consulting firm Ormax Media today announced the launch of its new report titled ‘The Bollywood Franchise Report: 2023’. The report identifies Top 100 Hindi film franchises (current & potential), based on audience equity. The research is the result of a survey conducted amongst 3,000 regular Hindi film-goers across India, in Oct-Nov 2023.

    Films released between Jan 1990 to Sep 2023 were assessed in the report. Ormax Media released select findings, which reveal that 3 Idiots, Chennai Express, Hera Pheri, Jawan, and Drishyam are the top 5 franchises (current/ potential) based on audience equity. Notably, Shah Rukh Khan has four entries in the top 10 – Chennai Express (no. 2), Jawan (no. 4), Chak De! India (no. 8) and Pathaan (no. 10). Drishyam stands out as the only suspense thriller franchise amongst the top 10.

    Commenting on the significance of the report, Ormax Media business development (theatrical head)  Sanket Kulkarni said, “Franchise films have been a dominant force driving the growth and stability for Hollywood over the past two decades. The contribution of franchise films to the Hindi theatrical domestic box office has grown from a mere 17 per cent in 2019 to 45 per cent in 2023. As the theatrical landscape increasingly leans toward event-driven films, choosing the right film to expand or initiate the franchise can go a long way in creating a powerful theatrical product. This report will aid studios, producers & content creators take more informed and audience-centric decisions related to greenlighting, budgeting and marketing franchise-based projects in the Hindi film industry.”

    The detailed report, available upon subscription, has the list of top 100 franchises, and insights related to how franchise equity varies across various demographics, such as age, gender, markets, etc.

     

  • Vicky Kaushal gets candid about his films, life and lot more in Femina’s December 2023 issue

    Vicky Kaushal gets candid about his films, life and lot more in Femina’s December 2023 issue

    Mumbai: Vicky Kaushal’s journey in the world of cinema has been nothing short of remarkable. From his memorable debut in Masaan to his acclaimed roles in films such as ManmarziyaanRaazi, and Uri: The Surgical Strike, Kaushal has always been a standout actor in the industry. Yet, he is one who credits his ability to deliver varied performances over the years to his directors. Putting his heart and faith in director Meghna Gulzar, he took on the role of the legendary Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw in Sam Bahadur, which released earlier this month. In Femina’s December 2023 edition, we delve into the story of his evolution, highlighting his journey to becoming one of the finest actors we know. The cover story celebrates the compelling journey of an actor whose talent and commitment continue to have an enduring impact on the big screen.

     

    Speaking about his approach to acting and his life choices, Kaushal said, “Our job is to fake emotions, but, strangely, it is also about finding the truth in that and being honest at that. I just want people to connect to that honesty and that realness in me… In life, peace of mind really matters more to me than being right or making the right decision. I just say that this is what I’m feeling in my heart and I go by it; I ask God to take care of everything else.”

     

    Talking about his latest release and the character of Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, he added, “I had to not walk or talk like myself; I had to create a different personality altogether. I made my instinct, my impulse, my physicality, and tonality all about his character. It has been a great opportunity, but you have to constantly remember that it is a big responsibility, you can’t take it lightly.”

     

    He also delves into his chosen philosophy for life, his regular self once the camera turns off, and his thoughts regarding karma, among other intriguing aspects.

  • Blink Digital backed ‘Girls Will Be Girls’ to have world premiere at Sundance Film Festival 2024

    Blink Digital backed ‘Girls Will Be Girls’ to have world premiere at Sundance Film Festival 2024

    Mumbai: Blink Digital, a full-service independent digital advertising agency, is thrilled to announce the world premiere of its co-produced film, ‘Girls Will Be Girls,’ at the prestigious Sundance Film Festival 2024, to be held from 18 to 28 January 2024. The film, written and directed by debutant Shuchi Talati, has been selected to participate in the highly anticipated World Cinema Dramatic Competition.

    The film, ‘Girls Will Be Girls’ unfolds within the walls of a boarding school nestled in a small Himalayan hill town in northern India. The narrative revolves around Mira, a 16-year-old girl, whose journey of self-discovery and rebellion is intertwined with her mother’s own unfulfilled coming-of-age experience.

    Acclaimed Malayalam actor Kani Kusruti is playing one of the leads and the film also marks the debut of emerging actors Preeti Panigrahi and Kesav Binoy Kiron who also have lead roles.

    Speaking about the development, actress and producer Richa Chadha said, “Girls Will Be Girls is not just a film; it’s an emotional journey, a poignant narrative that reflects the struggles and triumphs of womanhood. Collaborating with Blink Digital and bringing this story to Sundance is a testament to the power of storytelling and the importance of diverse voices in cinema. We are thrilled to unveil our creation to the world at such a prestigious platform.”

    Sharing his thoughts on the world premiere of Girls Will Be Girls at Sundance Film Festival 2024, Blink Digital co-founder and CEO Dooj Ramchandani said, “At Blink, we have been championing creativity since 2009, be it ad films or interactive narratives. ‘Girls Will Be Girls’ is our first foray in filmmaking and its selection for the Sundance Film Festival is a recognition of the creative spirit that drives us at Blink. We look forward to sharing this cinematic gem with audiences worldwide and supporting creators in the field of advertising, filmmaking and gaming in the years to come.”

    Blink Digital, based in Mumbai, is a cutting-edge independent digital agency known for its creativity, innovation, and an appetite for experimentation. Specializing in 360-degree digital marketing solutions across film & video, strategy, design, communication, technology, and media selling/buying, Blink Digital is at the forefront of redefining the digital landscape. In 2022, Blink Digital was ranked among the top 3 Indian advertising agencies and the only independent agency, by Campaign Brief Asia’s THE WORK.

    ‘Girls Will Be Girls’ is a Indo-French co-production brought to life by India’s Pushing Buttons Studios, founded by esteemed actors Ali Fazal and Richa Chadha, along with co-producers Blink Digital, Cinema Inutile, and Arte Cofinova, with support from the CNC (Aide aux Cinémas du Monde), the Sørfond through Norwegian co-producing partner Hummelfilm, and ARRI. Paris-based sales company Luxbox has secured the rights to represent the film at Berlin’s European Film Market (EFM), adding to the global anticipation surrounding this exceptional cinematic creation.

    The film has already garnered attention and accolades, having been part of the Berlinale Talents Project Market in 2022. The project clinched two awards at the event – the VFF Talent Highlight Award, with a prize fund of €10,000 ($10,765), and the €6,000 ARTEKino International Award, presented by ARTE to recognise outstanding artistic merit from the Berlinale Co Production Market.

    Blink Digital invites audiences and industry enthusiasts alike to witness the world premiere of “Girls Will Be Girls” at Sundance Film Festival, where it promises to captivate hearts and minds with its compelling narrative and exceptional filmmaking.

  • IMDb unveils 2023’s top Indian films and web series

    IMDb unveils 2023’s top Indian films and web series

    Mumbai: IMDb (www.imdb.com), the world’s most popular and authoritative source for information on movies, TV shows, and celebrities, announced the 10 Indian movies released theatrically, the 10 movies that premiered on streaming services, and the 10 web series that were the most popular with IMDb users worldwide in 2023. IMDb year-end lists are based on the actual page views of the more than 200 million monthly visitors to IMDb worldwide, who rely on IMDb to discover and decide what to watch.

    Atlee, director of Jawan, the number one ranking theatrical release of 2023, said, “Jawan is a captivating, emotional, action-entertainer that intricately portrays the profound emotional odyssey of a man who is determined to rectify societal injustices. This film holds a significant place in our hearts. Its reception and love from the audience worldwide is overwhelming. Throughout my formative years, my knowledge and appreciation of world cinema has been greatly enriched by IMDb. Being honored by IMDb is truly a dream come true for me. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Shah Rukh Khan sir, Red Chillies Entertainment, my wife, my team, and the esteemed audience for their invaluable contributions in making this achievement possible. My heartfelt appreciation goes out to each and every one of you.”

    Karan Johar, director of  Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, the number three ranking theatrical release of the year, shared, “The team and I are overwhelmed with the love and warmth we have received for Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani. To be on the top 10 list of IMDb is a massive validation of the film’s reception. I am grateful and even more energized as a filmmaker.”

    “How absolutely thrilling to see both the series we released this year being loved so much,” said Farzi and Guns & Gulaabs (ranked the number one and number two web series of 2023) directors Raj & DK. “Both are such distinctly different worlds that we created for Prime Video and for Netflix. It’s quite something to have a win for both popular streaming services. Thank you, IMDb, for being consistently there for all the film lovers.”

    IMDb Top 10 Most Popular Indian Movies of 2023 (Theatrical)

    1    Jawan

    2    Pathaan

    3    Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani

    4    Leo

    5    OMG 2

    6    Jailer

    7    Gadar 2

    9    The Kerala Story

    9    Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar

    10    Bholaa

    *Of all the movies first released theatrically in India between January 1 and November 6, 2023, that have an average IMDb user rating of 5 or higher, these 10 titles were consistently the most popular with IMDb users, as determined by the actual page views of the more than 200 million monthly visitors to IMDb worldwide.

    IMDb top 10 most popular Indian movies of 2023 (streaming)

    1    Lust Stories 2

    2    Jaane Jaan

    3    Mission Majnu

    4    Bawaal

    5    Chor Nikal Ke Bhaga

    6    Bloody Daddy

    7    Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai

    8    Gaslight

    9    Kathal: A Jackfruit Mystery

    10    Mrs Undercover

    *Of all the movies first released direct-to-streaming in India between January 1 and November 6, 2023, that have an average IMDb user rating of 5 or higher, these 10 titles were consistently the most popular with IMDb users, as determined by the actual page views of the more than 200 million monthly visitors to IMDb worldwide.

    IMDb top 10 most popular Indian web series of 2023

    1    Farzi

    2    Guns & Gulaabs

    3    The Night Manager

    4    Kohrra

    5    Asur 2

    6    Rana Naidu

    7    Dahaad

    8    Saas, Bahu Aur Flamingo

    9    Scoop

    10    Jubilee

    *Of all the web series released in India between January 1 and November 6, 2023, that have an average IMDb user rating of 5 or higher, these 10 titles were consistently the most popular with IMDb users, as determined by the actual page views of the more than 200 million monthly visitors to IMDb worldwide.

    Additional information about this year’s lists:

    ●    Shah Rukh Khan returned to the big screen as a leading man after a four-year hiatus with Jawan and Pathaan, which are ranked No. 1 and No. 2 on the Most Popular Indian Movies of 2023 (Theatrical) list. Khan also holds the top spot on the IMDb Most Popular Indian Stars of 2023 list. In 2023, he ranked No. 1 seven times on the weekly IMDb Popular Indian Celebrities feature, available exclusively on the IMDb app.

    ●    Action is the most popular genre on the 10 Most Popular Indian Movies of 2023 (Theatrical) list, capturing six of the 10 spots, followed by two romances and two dramas.

    ●    On the Most Popular Indian Web Series list, crime is the most popular genre, with nine series from this genre charting on this top 10 list.

    ●    The Most Popular Indian Movies of 2023 (Streaming) list has representation from five subscription-based services, with five titles from Netflix, two from Zee5, and one each from Prime Video, JioCinema, and Disney+ Hotstar. The Most Popular Indian Web Series of 2023 list, on the other hand, has four titles from Netflix, three from Prime Video, two from Disney+ Hotstar, and one from JioCinema.

    ●    All of the stars who charted on the recently announced IMDb Top 10 Most Popular Indian Stars of 2023 list also have at least one of the titles they appeared in ranking on IMDb’s year-end top titles lists. View the full list here.

    ●    Bhuvan Arora and Angira Dhar, who were recipients of the IMDb “Breakout Star” STARmeter Award in 2023, appear in titles on the Most Popular Indian Web Series of 2023 list, with Farzi at No. 1 and Saas, Bahu Aur Flamingo at No. 8.

    To learn more about the IMDb most popular Indian movies of 2023 (theatrical), watch this video and view the full list here.

    To learn more about the IMDb Most Popular Indian Movies of 2023 (streaming), watch this video and view the full list here.

    To learn more about the IMDb Most Popular Indian Web Series of 2023, watch this video and view the full list here. 

    IMDb customers can add any title to their IMDb Watchlist at https://www.imdb.com/watchlist. To help fans keep track of what they want to watch, the IMDb Watchlist feature enables customers to easily create a personalized list of the movies and web series they want to watch. Fans can add this year’s top Indian titles, as well as millions of other popular movies and web series, to their personal Watchlist. They can also sort their Watchlist by IMDb rating, popularity, and more. IMDb also offers Preferred Services, a feature that helps customers identify which movies and web series may be available for viewing at no additional cost, based on the streaming services they subscribe to.

  • “You Better Do A Good Job Because He’s Our Best Man” Indian Army’s advice to Vicky Kaushal ahead of Sam Bahadur

    “You Better Do A Good Job Because He’s Our Best Man” Indian Army’s advice to Vicky Kaushal ahead of Sam Bahadur

    Mumbai: Vicky Kaushal made his debut over eight years ago in the Neeraj Ghaywan directorial Masaan. Since then, he has established himself as one of the prominent actors in the country with notable performances across films including Raazi, Sanju, and Lust Stories, amongst others. In early stages of his career, Vicky won the National Award for Best Actor for his performance in Uri: The Surgical Strike. He will next be seen in the upcoming biographical war drama film Sam Bahadur which has been directed by Meghna Gulzar. Ahead of its release, Vicky appeared on the IMDb exclusive segment ‘Essential Guide to Vicky Kaushal’ where he spoke about his journey so far in Bollywood while sharing personal anecdotes of his upcoming film.

    Find out more below:

    Sharing his experience of shooting for Sam Bahadur, Kaushal mentioned, “Every time I would interact with the Indian Army, every time they would be like, ‘we are very happy you’re getting to play this role, but you better do a good job because he’s our best man and you’re playing our best man’. Most of the dialogues in the film, which sound like these filmy dialogues, are actually said by him, quote, unquote. And I’m just praying that when the film comes out, people feel the tribute that we wish to give to the man, to the legend.”

    Revealing the moment he knew he wanted to be an actor, Kaushal said, “During my engineering college days, we were taken to a multinational company. They showed us the work culture post completion of college. That day I knew what I didn’t want to do in life. So, I started asking myself what’s going to make me happy. That’s where I got the answer that once I finish graduation, I am going to become an actor.”

    Speaking of Masaan, the first film where he played a protagonist, Kaushal said, “I didn’t know that it was going to affect me so much. We shot in Banaras where there was magical magnetic energy, which just pulled me in. With this movie, I saw myself for the first time on the big screen at the Cannes Film Festival. One year prior to that, I was looking for opportunities, for a job, knocking doors.”

    Speaking of when he assisted Anurag Kashyap on Gangs of Wasseypur, Kaushal said,  “I consider it to be my film school  where I got the opportunity to assist Anurag Kashyap on Gangs of Wasseypur. It was a bunch of fantastic actors coming together to do this film. And it was also a film made with very limited resources. It did not have the vanity of a big-scale Bollywood film. I still carry those learnings with me, it still helps me when I’m performing.”

    Sharing his experience of working on Sanju, Kaushal said, “I got the opportunity to work with one of the best directors in the country, Rajkumar Hirani. Kamli was a beautiful character I got to play with some beautiful writing done for the film. I got to work with Ranbir. I had heard other actors say that it is a great feeling to be called by your character’s name. I got to experience that with Kamli. I got to live that moment with Sanju.”

    Speaking of the turning point of his career, Kaushal shared, “Uri: The Surgical Strike has to be my biggest turning point as an actor in terms of the success of the film, in terms of how well this film was received, celebrated. It was a tribute to the Indian army. For four months, there was a proper boot camp training which I had to undergo. I was trained by the Indian army. I got to win the National Award for this film, which is probably one of the happiest days of my life because it’s a huge honour.”

  • Applause Entertainment and Zindagi’s ‘Farar’ takes center stage at DC South Asian Film Festival

    Applause Entertainment and Zindagi’s ‘Farar’ takes center stage at DC South Asian Film Festival

    Mumbai: Following its stellar success at the Chicago South Asian Film Festival, Applause Entertainment and Zindagi’s drama series, “Farar,” directed by the talented Mehreen Jabbar and featuring stellar cast including Sarwat Gilani, Mariam Saleem & Maha Hasan is poised to extend its international journey by gracing the US East Coast at the upcoming DC South Asian Film Festival. Slated for a screening on 3 December, this series, renowned for its compelling narrative and outstanding performances, continues to enthrall audiences on a global scale. To coincide with its release, Director Mehreen Jabbar and actor Maha Hasan will be present at the Festival on Sunday, 3 December, at 2:30 PM, hosted at the American University School of Communication Doyle-Forman Theater.

    Presented by Applause Entertainment, a Zindagi original Farar, a 6-part series, tells the story of three independent women who are navigating the complexities of modern life. The series highlights the universal human experiences of friendship, love, and personal growth, while simultaneously tackling issues such as societal pressures, identity, taboos, and body shaming.

    Mehreen Jabbar, acknowledged as one of Pakistan’s foremost directors, expresses her excitement about the series premiering at the DC Film Festival, a city known for its vibrant South Asian community and a festival championing diverse storytelling. She notes, “The anticipation of our series premiering at the DC Film Festival is truly exciting. This dynamic city not only embraces a vibrant South Asian community but also hosts a festival known for championing diverse storytelling. In a time where divisions persist, it’s uplifting to witness the union of two major South Asian nations in the spirit of storytelling at the DC festival.”

    The DC South Asian Festival stands out as a highly acclaimed cinematic celebration, held annually in the heart of the United States, Washington D.C. This festival, now in its 12th year, takes pride in showcasing and honoring the finest in alternative cinema from India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Tibet, and Sri Lanka. Faraar,’ takes center stage as the only web series to be screened in the drama category, that delves into tangled relationships and individual evolution, promising to be a standout moment at the festival.

    Talking about this noteworthy milestone, Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd. CCO (special projects) Shailja Kejriwal said, “From Farar’s successful Chicago debut to its significant move to DCSAFF, it’s indeed been a remarkable journey. The Zindagi and Applause Entertainment partnership reflects our shared dedication to diverse narratives. We’re excited to witness how the audiences embrace our storytelling heritage.”

  • Tiger 3 and Jawan cast tops IMDb’s popular Indian celebrities list

    Tiger 3 and Jawan cast tops IMDb’s popular Indian celebrities list

    Mumbai: On this week’s list of IMDb’s popular Indian celebrities, Katrina Kaif, the leading lady of Tiger 3, has clinched the top position for her portrayal of Zoya, while Salman Khan, essaying the protagonist in the film, has secured the fourth spot. The cast of Jawan has also made its mark in the top 10, with Nayanthara grabbing the second position, Shah Rukh Khan securing the third spot, and Riddhi Dogra claiming the seventh rank. Riddhi also has a cameo in Tiger 3.

    Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Deepika Padukone, Kareena Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, and Hrithik Roshan are in the fifth, sixth, eighth, ninth, and tenth positions, respectively, on this week’s rankings.

    The popular Indian celebrities feature, available exclusively on the IMDb app for Android and iOS, highlights the top trending Indian entertainers and filmmakers each week. This is based on more than 200 million monthly visits to IMDb worldwide. Entertainment fans can see who is trending every week, follow their favourite entertainers, and discover new breakout talent.