Category: Hindi

NEW DELHI: In a unique technique, the film Halla Bol which is the voice of the inner consciousness is being publicized in each important city with the staging of a street play in which one or the other star of the film – Ajay Devgan, Vidya Balan or Pankaj Kapoor – are present.

Presented and distributed globally by Pyramid Saimira Theatre Ltd., the film Halla Bol was publicized over the weekend in the capital with the presence of Vidya Balan.

A spokesperson for Pyramid Saimira said “regular modes of marketing have been used over and again. Reaching the real viewer through street theatre is direct interactive marketing. We are taking the local issues and awakening the people about them. We are taking these plays to eight cities and in each city one artiste will accompany the theatre group.”

The street plays are organised and conducted by senior theatre personality Om Katare and his artistes. The themes of all the plays are aimed at touching the core story line of the film.

“Basically we are taking issues of common man like the local Municipal Corporation, illegal constructions, hospitals and health, and sexual harassment. These are the most written about but least tackled issues because there is no unity amongst the citizens. I as sutradhaar, will tell them to use their voice together in unison, to go ahead and Halla Bol against injustice. Be together in problems because what is one man‘s agony will become the second persons issue tomorrow. Do not keep quiet,” explains Om Katare about their script and plans.

The producer Abdol Samee Siddiqui adds: “Our street theatre will take the reel to the level of real. We have gone with Om due to his experience and exposure to street plays”.

These plays will also be taken to Chandigarh, Lucknow, Bhopal, Jaipur, Ahemdabad, Kolkotta and will culminate in Mumbai before the release of the film on 11 January.

Earlier during her guest appearance in Amul Star Voice of India – Chotte Ustad, each of the young participants was asked to identify the issue on which he or she would like to speak or Halla bol.

Halla Bol is produced by Abdol Samee Siddiqui and India News under the banner of Sunrise Pictures Pvt Ltd. and directed/scripted by Raj Kumar Santoshi.

Halla Bol is presented and distributed globally by Pyramid Saimira Theatre Ltd. Star cast includes Ajay Devgan, Vidya Balan, Pankaj Kapur and Darshan Zariwala.

Pyramid Saimira Group is one of the Asia‘s largest entertainment groups with business interests in film production, TV content production, theatre (exhibition), food & beverages and more. Its network includes 703 screens across 4 countries. It is currently Asia‘s largest theatre chain company. Halla Bol is their first presentation of a Hindi Film.

MUMBAI: Big Music and Home Entertainment has released the audio of Al Risalah, the blockbuster movie on the times and teachings of the Prophet of Islam.

Moustafa Akkad the director has wanted the story to be told in English, so that people all around the world can enjoy it. He felt he needed to pay a tribute to the Middle East, where it took place.

The English and Arabic versions of the film were shot simultaneously, scene by scene. The English version was released as The Message, while the Arabic version became Al-Risalah.

The movie includes the hit song ‘Marhaba Mustapha‘, composed and sung by A R Rahman and written by Hazrat Khaja Sayed Sha Ameenulla Hussainy R.A.

Although there is only one song in the movie, the audio CD of the film contains additional content including songs, teachings and preaching‘s.

The soundtrack is available in MC and CD format. The music will be available for downloads on all telecom operators. The company is planning the release of the home video by the end of this month.

MUMBAI: In 2007, Universal Pictures set a new box-office record in the nearly 100-year history of the studio with global theatrical grosses totalling $2.133 billion for the year.This worldwide box-office total indicates an increase of 23 per cent over 2006‘s $1.7 billion.

Universal achieved its best-ever year in the US with $1.099 billion, and its best performance since 2001 at the international box office with $1.034 billion.

Combined with best-ever fiscal performances from its domestic home entertainment and international television operations, Universal Pictures achieved its most profitable year of all
time. Universal Pictures chairman Marc Shmuger and co-chairman David Linde said, “2007 was a real turnaround year for Universal. Our studio ended this year at a level of success that exceeds even what we had imagined. What‘s especially fulfilling is this record didn‘t result from one or two home runs that saved the bottom line, but from a diversity of successes, and that‘s emblematic of how Universal works.

“We made hits from a mix of established action franchises, original comedies and challenging dramas; we succeeded with filmmakers with whom we have long histories and new talents with whom we are just starting relationships; we created movies that captivated audiences around the world and ones that represented the best in artistic quality — and in some cases, did both of those at once.”

Five Universal films that crossed more than $100 million in the US were Knocked Up, Evan Almighty, I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry, The Bourne Ultimatum and American Gangster. 2007‘s annual tally represents a significant uptick from 2006, when the studio‘s domestic gross was $799 million.

Abroad Universal Pictures International (UPI) was officially launched in January 2007, as an independent distribution entity and enjoyed a successful first year, crossing the $1 billion threshold earlier than ever before (when it was part of the joint venture UIP) and reaching a year-end international gross of more than $1.034 billion, its best in six years.

UPI‘s buoyant year at the box office was galvanised by global blockbusters like The Bourne Ultimatum, which earned more than $213 million at the international box office, and international successes like Mr. Bean‘s Holiday ($192 million), Hot Fuzz ($56.8 million) and The Holiday.

Focus Features also had a strong year with Atonement becoming one of the most critically acclaimed films of the year. Other critically acclaimed films were Eastern Promises, which releases this weekend in India, and Lust, Caution.

Universal‘s home video division generated nearly $2.7 billion in consumer spend in the US alone. The success was fuelled in large part by the performances of The Bourne Ultimatum and Knocked Up which were the two highest-selling DVDs of the year.

Universal adds that its slate for this year continues to represent a diverse blend of genres, star vehicles, franchise event fims, comedies and stories of personal empowerment, including Leatherheads, directed by George Clooney and starring Clooney, Renee Zellweger and John Krasinski; producer Judd Apatow‘s romantic disaster comedy Forgetting Sarah Marshall; Marvel Studios‘ The Incredible Hulk, starring Edward Norton, Liv Tyler and William Hurt; director Timur Bekmambetov‘s thriller Wanted starring James McAvoy, Morgan Freeman and Angelina Jolie; Mamma Mia!, the film adaptation of the stage musical starring Meryl Streep, Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth and Amanda Seyfried; director Clint Eastwood‘s thriller Changeling, produced by Brian Grazer and starring Angelina Jolie.

MUMBAI: The Aneez Bazmee-directed comic caper Welcome has grossed more than $4.5 million (Rs 180 million) at the international box-office in just two weeks and is going strong in its third week as well. Welcome was promoted, marketed and distributed overseas by the international arm of Indian Films-Studio 18.

The movie has recorded pathbreaking collections internationally, emerging as the no. 1 film of Christmas 2007. With no comparable tent-pole release in the weeks to come, Welcome is poised to create even bigger milestones in film history.

Of the total international two-week gross, $3.5 million has been mopped up from the three key markets alone – the US, UK/Ireland & the UAE, and the remaining from other European and Asia-Pacific markets.

In the US, Welcome crossed $1 million on 63 prints at the end of its second week, much the same as the Gulf, where collections touched $1 million on 29 prints at the end of the second week and have held strong over the weekdays as well. Welcome is reported to have beaten some of the biggest Hindi blockbusters in the UAE, including Namaste London, Heyy Babyy and Bhool Bhulaiyaa, making it the highest grossing film ever for Akshay Kumar in this territory.

In the UK/Ireland, Welcome grossed $1.5 million on 51 prints at the end of its second week, making it the highest fortnight gross for an Akshay Kumar title in this market. It was alongisde Hollywood biggies at no. 8 in the coveted “UK Top 10” in its opening weekend and bagged the second highest opening in 2007 after Om Shanti Om. The box-office of Welcome in two weeks in the UK/Ireland has overtaken that of films like Guru, Chak De! India, Ta Ra Rum Pum, Heyy Babyy and Bhool Bhulaiyaa.

MUMBAI: The Sixth Pune International Film Festival (PIFF), which will kick off on 10 January, will showcase over 170 films.

The weeklong festival will be inaugurated by minister of Information and Broadcasting Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi and the Mayor of Pune Rajlaxmi Bhosle.

The jury has shortlisted 15 international films out of 145 from over 43 countries. Eight Marathi films have also been shortlisted.

PIFF has the distinction of being the only Indian film festival that awards cash prizes in its competition section of world cinema. This year Rs 3.2 million will be given away as cash award.

PIFF director Jabbar Patel said, “Film director Subhash Ghai‘s Whistling Woods International has announced four cash awards for winners in the students‘ film competition section and animated films.”

Sharmila Tagore and Shammi Kapoor will receive the PIFF lifetime achievement awards. Their films will also be screened during the festival.

There will be a Hindi-mainstream section with the six best movies of 2007. The country focus will have 11 films from Germany, three from Italy, five from Hungary and 12 from France.

The Indian panorama will showcase 15 regional language films. Besides, the National Film Archives of India will screen seven of its comic movies.

The retro section of PIFF will have five films directed by Shyam Benegal, seven films from the German director Alexander Kloog and 11 of Pedro Almodóvar of Spain.

MUMBAI: Tangerine Digital Entertainment marks its entry into the motion picture space by acquiring the worldwide rights of Mithya, the latest production from Planman Motion Pictures. It is set for release on 8 February 2008.

Mithya, a comic thriller based on the underworld and directed by noted actor-director Rajat Kapoor, has a star cast that includes Ranvir Shorey, Naseerudin Shah, Vinay Pathak and Saurabh Shukla. Rajat has directed Mixed Doubles, and the last venture that Rajat, Ranvir and Vinay collaborated on was Bheja Fry.

Speaking on the occasion, Planman Motion Pictures CEO Shubho Shekhar Bhattacharjee said, “Planman Motion Pictures has produced a number of quality movies in the recent past. We are happy to partner with Tangerine Digital Entertainment and are quite sure that Mithya will be loved by the audience.”

Tangerine Digital Entertainment MD Puneet Johar further added, “Mithya is a film, wherein the cast and director have lately endeared themselves to the audience. This is our first major film foray into the Hindi film industry, and we are indeed proud to be associated with a film like Mithya and Planman Motion Pictures. With this venture, we complete the convergence story as the company now has interests in media services, digital media, television production and films.”

MUMBAI: Aamir Khan‘s directorial debut Taare Zameen Par (TZP) being distributed by UTV Motion Pictures in the overseas market, has opened to standing ovations and great reviews by critics and audiences worldwide. TZP has collected more than USD 1.45 million alone in the US & Middle East at the end of second weekend, giving TZP a bigger opening than Chak De India in the US market.

In the Gulf, TZP received great accolades and at the end of second week collections having crossed USD 600,000 on just 25 prints. What was highlighted in this market was the way the film‘s collections have held strong over the weekdays as well. In the USA the film has raked in USD 850,000 opening with 71 prints on 66 screens in week 1 and has now expanded to 69 screens on 74 prints in week 2. The word of mouth is extremely strong on this film, which has sustained it during the weekdays showings.

There have also been reports of standing ovations all across North America. “Looking at the response of the film we certain that it will be one of the top 4 Hindi films from India in the US.” quotes Siddharth Roy Kapur, EVP Marketing, Syndicate and Distribution, UTV Motion Picture. “Every once in a while you are taken aback by a movie. It is a rare experience, especially coming from Bollywood. Taare zameen par is a different experience altogether. The movie is one of the best ones to come out of the Bollywood factory.”Quotes Shariq Hamid who runs Funasia, a multiplex chain with 27 screens across 4 cities in the US.”

MUMBAI: Adlabs Films has allotted 1.6 million equity shares to convert Zero Coupon Foreign Currency Convertible Bonds (FCCB) aggregating 1, 62, 50,000 euros (or Rs 881.7 million) in value. The equity shares are of face vale Rs five each at a price Rs 543.42 (including a premium of Rs 538.42) per share.

“Pursuant to the allotment, the total paid up share capital of the Company shall be 22,35,84,040 divided into 4,47,16,808 equity shares of Rs five each fully paid up,” says a press release.

However the company has said that further pursuant to the allotment, the net worth of the company shall be Rs 5.78 billion.

The outstanding amount of zero coupon FCCB is now 3,47,65,000 euros in value (or Rs 2012476320).

In December, Adlabs Films had allotted 703,933 equity shares of value Rs five each on conversion of zero coupon FCCB worth Euro 7.05 million (about Rs 382.53 million).

Earlier it had allotted 948,565 equity shares of face value Rs five each for cash at a price of Rs 543.42 (including a premium of Rs 538.42) a share, pursuant to the conversion notices received in respect of conversion of zero coupon FCCB aggregating to Euro 9,500,000 (or Rs 515.4 million) in value.

NEW DELHI: A feature film is to be produced on the freedom struggle centered round the character of legendary freedom fighter Tatya Tope by the government in collaboration with eminent filmmaker Firoze Nadiadwala.

To be named Tatya, the film will be produced at a cost of Rs. 500 million with 50:50 contribution from the Government and the private film production house.

Announcing this, Information and Broadcasting minister Priyaranjan Dasmunsi said the film will be directed by Vinay Shukla and is expected to be ready by next Indepdendence Day( 15 August, 2008).

Earlier, the minister released the official wall as well as desk calendar for the year 2008 brought out by Directorate of Advertising and Visual Publicity. The six sheeter wall calendar titled “India @ 60” is a pictorial depiction of the nation’s progress in the last 60 years. The desk calendar commemorates 150 years of the first war of independence and the country’s freedom struggle. The 12-sheeter desk calendar is a tribute to national heroes of India’s freedom struggle.

The minister also released the annual reference book “India-2008” and “Bharat-2008” in English and Hindi respectively, brought out by the Publications Division. The minister said these publications were popular and sought after even by the private sector.

This is the 52nd edition of the Reference Annual providing comprehensive and authentic information on varied activities, and achievements of various government departments.

India-2008 and Bharat-2008 have been uploaded on the Division‘s official website www.publicationsdivision.nic.in and are available online, free of cost.

Publications Division is among the largest publishing houses in India having published around 8000 titles so far in English, Hindi and other regional languages.

I&B secretary Asha Swarup, DAVP Director-General U. K. Mishra and Publications Division Additional Director-General Veena Jain also spoke on the occasion.

MUMBAI: Jason Spivak has joined Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (SPHE) in the US as senior VP, strategic development. Additionally, Noam Meppen has been promoted to VP, retail promotions and merchandising and Jamie Glinsky to executive director, strategic development.

Spivak will head the strategic group for the division. He will be instrumental in growing SPHE’s revenue at traditional retail channels through creative distribution and space deals, as well as guiding the company’s presence within the expanding home entertainment marketplace. He will report to SPHE US‘s senior executive VP Marshall Forster.

Meppen will manage and develop SPHE’s retail marketing and merchandising departments. He and his respective teams will work with SPHE sales, marketing and operations groups in addition to theatrical marketing, consumer products and third-party partners, to ensure the effective execution of all sales programmes and strategies at retail.

Meppen previously managed the Target account for SPHE where he drove revenues and created successful, large-scale catalogue promotional holiday events that increased SPHE’s share of Target’s home entertainment business.

Glinsky will continue to play an instrumental role in the development of the manufacturing on demand (MOD) business and will work closely with Spivak on the expansion of SPHE’s presence through traditional and emerging home entertainment channels.

SPHE senior executive VP US Marshall Forster says, “With their proven expertise, I am confident Jason, Noam and Jamie will tackle the challenges the marketplace presents and implement smart business practices that will achieve our company’s strategic goals.”