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Category: Movies

  • Dilraj Singh Nandha on the unsettling legacy of the rapper’s Moose Wala changed the music industry of Punjab?

    Dilraj Singh Nandha on the unsettling legacy of the rapper’s Moose Wala changed the music industry of Punjab?

    Dilraj Nandha, Music Head, Desi Melodies, has seen the industry experience remarkable progress in production quality and growth of distribution network in recent years, as a result, the regressive price system is strengthened. The death of Punjabi musician Sidhu Moosewala has placed a pall over the Punjabi music business. Except for a few Moosewala tribute songs (295,So High, These Days, The Last Ride, etc), film songs, and a few melodies from new artists, not much has been released since the horrific tragedy. While Sidhu’s death is being described as the culmination of an inter-gang feud, it does expose the dark underbelly of one of the country’s largest music industries by bringing to light, once again, its link to the world of gangsters.”

    Moose Wala retained a distinct hip-hop lexicon, from clothing to style, which helped him become an instant global smash. His music was also typically macho at the time, as rap music often is, and swaggered on the verge of violence. He was unapologetically confrontational, singing about his love of guns, bragging about his caste, and detailing a put-down of his opponents. He wrote some striking lyrics that covered the past and contemporary status of Punjab throughout a four-year career. His fondness for firearms and attempts to drive listeners into complicated and often even uncomfortable conversations – such as SYL – earned him a lot of criticism.

    Dilraj says,“The Punjabi music industry is one of India’s fastest-growing, but there is also an allegedly unavoidable contact between artists and gangsters, which frequently leads in similar tragedies. Because of the incident, shooting schedules have been affected. New artists who thought they would become public figures by singing songs and releasing their album will now be considering other career options. Big music labels are no more interested to invest in Punjabi music because of the fear of their security due to the this incidence.

    When an artist writes songs and educates local females. Their tracks have 500-600 million views. They improve their local community. As a result, when such a powerful individual dies, it affects the livelihoods of many people. This industry provides not just entertainment but also a living for thousands of individuals. We forget that an artiste’s job, like that of any other employee, is to create. It is entertainment for the masses, but it is also work for the artists and those in the entertainment industry.“

    Punjabis are a strong community and this situation will come under control soon, now that the matter has come to light.

     

  • ‘Rudra: The Edge of Darkness’ was most watched show in 2022: Ormax Media

    ‘Rudra: The Edge of Darkness’ was most watched show in 2022: Ormax Media

    Mumbai: Ormax Media has recently released a report, “Streaming Originals in India-The 2022 Story.” This report looks at the top original shows and films released in 2022, in Hindi & international languages, in three parameters: viewership, marketing buzz & content strength.

    This report focuses only on original content and does not cover other ‘non-original’ content on streaming, such as theatrical films, catch-up television, sports, etc.

    Most watched

    The category of most-watched Hindi shows is led by Rudra: The Edge of Darkness, which has an estimated viewership of 35.2 million. Disney+ Hotstar takes seven positions in the top 15, followed by Prime Video and MX Player (four shows each).

    In the category of most-watched Hindi films, three films—A Thursday, Cuttputlli, and Govinda Naam Mera—all on Disney+ Hotstar—crossed the 24 million Indian viewership mark in 2022. Disney+ Hotstar (seven films), Prime Video, & Netflix (four films each) share the top 15 spots.

    Franchise shows, including those from the Marvel Cinematic Universe, dominate the international list, taking each of the top eight positions. Most-watched international shows lead by House Of The Dragon with 28.2 million views.

    Most buzzing

    Buzz, a score on a 0–100 scale that measures the per cent of the audience who recalled the show or film unaided when asked to recall upcoming or recently-launched streaming shows or films.

    In the most-buzzing Hindi show, Panchayat season two (on Prime Video) generated the maximum buzz with 34 per cent, followed by Rudra (on Disney+ Hotstar). Franchise shows take nine out of the top 15 positions on the list.

    Most-buzzing Hindi films featuring theatrical stars dominate the list.

    Geheraiyaan was the most-buzzing direct-to-OTT Hindi film of 2022, with 25 per cent, by a wide margin.

    Most-buzzing international show Stranger Things season four leads the list with a score, recording a higher buzz (26 per cent) than all Hindi series except Panchayat season two and Rudra.

    Ormax power rating

    Ormax Power Rating (OPR), a score on a 0-100 scale that represents how much a show or a film is liked by its viewers.

    In most-liked Hindi shows, Panchayat season two was adored by the audience, with its high OPR of 75 placing it number six on the all-time list, on which The Family Man season two, another Prime Video show, holds the top spot (OPR 85). Sony LIV’s Rocket Boys and Netflix’s Delhi Crime season two take the next two spots.

    In the most-liked Hindi film category, A Thursday was loved by the audience with 66 OPR, while Disney+ Hotstar takes three of the top four spots. Netflix dominates the top ten list, with five out of the six positions from number five to number ten.

    In terms of most-liked international shows, Stranger Things season four is the second most-liked international show to date (since the start of tracking in 2020) after Money Heist (seasons four & five).

    The top 10 list features shows from a variety of genres and languages but is primarily franchise-led.

    In the most-liked international films category, The Gray Man, featuring Dhanush in a key role, was the only international direct-to-OTT film to touch the 70 OPR mark in 2022.

  • Sudhanshu Rai’s next feature film to be a sci-fi thriller

    Sudhanshu Rai’s next feature film to be a sci-fi thriller

    Mumbai: Sudhanshu Rai and Puneet Sharma have once again joined hands to bring a never-seen-before storyline starring some popular faces from Indian cinema in pivotal roles.

    To be directed by Sharma, the film is expected to be a sci-fi thriller, wherein storyteller-actor Sudhanshu Rai will be seen sharing the screen space with Sourabh Raaj Jain, who shot to fame with an unforgettable portrayal of Lord Krishna in the latest edition of the TV show Mahabharat. He is also known for his notable roles in Chandragupta Maurya, Uttaran, and Patiala Babes. Recently appreciated for his role in Jogi and a lot more to his credit, Hiten Tejwani will also be playing a pivotal character in the said film.

    “The most crucial part of our intensive pre-production exercise was to onboard actors who can bring the characters alive and do justice with the script, for the plot of the film thrives strongly on powerful portrayals that weave an off-the-wall story. The movie would undoubtedly be groundbreaking when it comes to contemporary genres of filmmaking,” said Sharma, adding that Rai’s character defines the underlining context of the story while Jain would be seen as a fascinating larger-than-life character bound to leave a lasting impression on the audience.

    The cast also includes Shobhit Sujay and Manisha Sharma, who have earlier portrayed intriguing characters in previous Saints Art Originals. Announcing that the shooting will commence from 27 January near Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh, the director further said that the shoot schedule too had been finalised after much due diligence and deliberation, pointing out that the weather in the region during this period would complement the storyline of the film.

    Sourabh Raaj Jain took to Instagram to share the news with his fans. Posting a picture from the script reading session, the actor said that the New Year 2023 has begun on a ‘good note,’ adding that something interesting is cooking with unique ingredients. His Instagram post read, “New year has started on a good note, something is cooking…..something interesting with unique ingredients……”

     

  • &pictures HD! to air world HD premiere of ‘The Last Color’ starring Neena Gupta

    &pictures HD! to air world HD premiere of ‘The Last Color’ starring Neena Gupta

    Mumbai: &picturesHD is set to bring to audiences the world HD premiere of the award-winning film, The Last Color, on 12 January, 8 p.m.

    Produced by FilmKaravan and directed by Michelin-starred chef Vikas Khanna, The Last Color promises us a gleam of hope and light in today’s fast-paced world. The film is set to pave its way into your hearts and leave you full of emotions and zeal.

    Set in Banaras, the film addresses an age-old taboo surrounding widows in Vrindavan and Varanasi, India. The Last Color traces the journey of a widow, Noor (Neena Gupta), and her bond with a lovely young girl, Chhoti (Aqsa Siddiqui), and brings to light how Chhoti adds a punch of love, joy, and colour to Noor’s life. The supremely versatile and elegant Gupta slips into the role of Noor with ease, power, and a strong screen presence. Known for immersing herself into any character and making it her own, Gupta, fondly known as ‘Neena ji’ is loved by audiences of all age groups. Her relatability, her natural approach to life, and her immense passion for her characters leave us wanting for more.

    Talking about the world HD premiere, Khanna said, “The Last Color is a film that is very close to my heart and my childhood. The film is meant to be savoured like one’s favourite dish and is like an experience that takes you on a journey like never before. To showcase these sorts of emotions and a strong character was indeed challenging, and who better than Neena Gupta to sink into this character and make it her own. She was extremely supportive and helped me with many inputs while we were shooting. Each scene of this film is crafted with great thought and eventually the goal is to nudge the audiences and somewhere unfold the entire experience of a widow through the festival of colors, Holi. It was my heartfelt desire that the film reaches maximum audiences, and I am delighted that my distribution partner FilmKaravan made this happen. Moreover, I am looking forward to the premiere of the film on &pictures HD and hope that audiences love it.”

    “When I heard the script of the film, I was left with a rush of emotions and wanted the world to see this story. I am glad that Khanna has brought such a beautiful vision to the audience, and working with him was indeed a refreshing and creatively satisfying experience. Every sequence was challenging in its own way and helped me explore deeper aspects of my vulnerabilities as an actor. The film was shot on the ghats of Banaras, which was supremely enjoyable. Moreover, at its core, the film showcases a beautiful friendship between my character Noor and a nine-year-old girl, played by Aqsa Siddiqui. I hope audiences enjoy watching the film,” said Gupta.

  • PVR opens 3 new multiplexes in Jaipur, Bengaluru and Gurugram

    PVR opens 3 new multiplexes in Jaipur, Bengaluru and Gurugram

    Mumbai: Multiplex operator PVR Cinemas has reached 900 screens in its 25-year journey across 181 properties in 78 cities. PVR has opened three new multiplexes in Jaipur, Bengaluru, and Gurugram, with a total of 19 screens. The opening of these cinemas is in accordance with the expansion strategy of the company to open over 100 screens in the current financial year.

    Adding a new city to its national circuit, PVR marks its debut in Jaipur with the launch of its eight-screen multiplex, the largest in Rajasthan, unveiling its fourth property while introducing premium screen formats like 4DX and Luxe for the first time in the state. The property located at the Mall of Jaipur has a seating capacity of 944 audiences with recliners and theatrical solutions including SP4K laser projectors, Dolby Atmos audio, and 3D technology.

    Further expanding its footprints across the country, PVR announces the opening of its 13th property in Bengaluru and 17th in the state of Karnataka with a seven-screen multiplex at Bhartiya Mall of Bengaluru at Bhartiya City with a seating capacity of 1343 audiences and premium screen formats, including the fifth 4DX and second P[XL] in Bengaluru.

    PVR enhanced its screen portfolio in Gurugram with the launch of its seventh property in the city and its 12th property in Haryana, Elan Town Centre. This is a four-screen multiplex with a seating capacity of 561 audiences with last row recliners, SP4K laser projectors, Dolby 7.1 audio, and 3D technology.

    PVR chairman and MD Ajay Bijli said, “It is a moment of great pride for us at PVR to reach the 900-screen milestone, which is a result of the support that we have received from our patrons, partners, developers, and our teams over the past 25 years. With the opening of the three new properties in a single day, we have successfully reached 63 screens in our overall commitment of opening 100 screens by FY 2023. As we prepare ourselves for the year ahead, which we believe is the year of cinema entertainment, we are gearing up to enthral our patrons across the country with an out-of-home entertainment experience like never before.”

    PVR added that it pioneered the multiplex revolution in India in 1997 and, over the years, has continued to stay relevant to the evolving preferences of consumers, changing times, and the ever-changing entertainment landscape.

    ‘’It is indeed a momentous day for us as we reached the magical milestone of 900 screens. PVR benchmarks itself with the best in the world and is constantly exploring for invigorating new experiences that are meaningful to audiences. We are now looking forward to the next milestone of 1,000 screens and are fueled with the passion to provide a more delightful cinematic experience to people across geographies and demographics,” said PVR joint MD Sanjeev Kumar Bijli.

  • India can be the post-production hub of the world: I&B minister Anurag Thakur

    India can be the post-production hub of the world: I&B minister Anurag Thakur

    Mumbai: “International Film Festival of India (IFFI) has become a platform for film directors from all over the world to showcase their work. I am sure that India will become a hub for co-production, post-production, film shooting, content, and also for the technology partners,” said the union minister for information & broadcasting and youth affairs & sports Anurag Thakur, during the inauguration ceremony of the 53rd edition of the International Film Festival of India at Panaji, Goa.

    Thakur added that his vision is to make India the most sought-after destination for film shoots and post-production, backed by the talent of our people and the innovation of our industry leaders.

    The minister went on to say that his vision for IFFI isn’t limited to a single event, but rather what IFFI should be when India celebrates its 100th year of independence, when we switch from Amrit Mahotsav to Amrit Kaal. “We aim to make India a powerhouse of content creation, especially regional cinema, by scaling up regional festivals. India can be the post-production hub of the world by leveraging the immense tech talent amongst our skilled youth,” he added.

    “For the first time, gala premieres of Indian, global, and OTT films will be held at IFFI, including the premiere of the fourth season of the globally acclaimed series Fauda, which features some of the biggest Israeli stars in the world today. I would also like to share that the next season of this show will also be launched at IFFI,” Thakur added.

    The minister further congratulated celebrated Spanish filmmaker Carlos Saura for winning the Satyajit Ray Lifetime Achievement Award this year. He also announced that the Indian Film Personality of the Year award will be conferred to South Indian actor Chiranjeevi.

    While sharing the achievements, Thakur pinpointed the importance of the Film Bazaar, which is being organised on the sidelines of IFFI. “For the first time, IFFI has augmented the scope of the ‘Film Bazaar’ by introducing ‘Country Pavilions,’” he added.

  • Jimmy Kimmel to host The Oscar Awards for a third time

    Jimmy Kimmel to host The Oscar Awards for a third time

    Mumbai: Emmy Award-winning late-night talk show host and producer Jimmy Kimmel will return to host the 95th Oscars. This is Hollywood’s most prestigious awards show. The announcements were made by executive producers and showrunners Glenn Weiss and Ricky Kirshner. Kimmel hosted back-to-back broadcasts in 2017 (the 89th Awards) and 2018 (the 90th Awards). Molly McNearney will serve as an executive producer. The 95th Oscars will air live on ABC in the US and in broadcast outlets in over 200 territories worldwide on Sunday, 12 March, 2023. In India, the show will air on Star Movies Live early in the morning on 13 March. It will be held at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood.

    “We’re super thrilled to have Jimmy score his hat trick on this global stage. We know he will be funny and ready for anything!”, said Weiss and Kirshner.

    “Jimmy is the perfect host to help us recognise the incredible artists and films of our 95th Oscars. His love of movies, live TV expertise, and ability to connect with our global audiences will create an unforgettable experience for our millions of viewers worldwide. With Kimmel, Weiss, and Kirshner’s fresh perspective and masterful guidance, the Oscars will celebrate its rich 95-year history, the collaborative nature of moviemaking, and our diverse, dynamic, and deeply creative community of filmmakers,” said Academy CEO Bill Kramer and Academy president Janet Yang.

    “Having Jimmy Kimmel return to host ‘The Oscars’ is a dream come true. As we see every night on his own show, Jimmy can handle anything with both heart and humor, and we know that he will deliver the laughs and celebratory moments that define the Oscars. We love being the home of Hollywood’s biggest night and can’t wait to toast the success of this year’s cinema and storytelling,” said ABC Entertainment, Hulu, and Disney Branded Television Streaming Originals president Craig Erwich.

    “Being invited to host the Oscars for a third time is either a great honour or a trap. Either way, I am grateful to the Academy for asking me so quickly after everyone good said ‘no,’” said Kimmel.

    Kimmel serves as host and executive producer of ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live! and recently signed a three-year contract extension, making him one of the longest-running talk show hosts in American television history.

  • 53rd IFFI: 12 international and 3 India films to compete for Golden Peacock Award

    53rd IFFI: 12 international and 3 India films to compete for Golden Peacock Award

    Mumbai: The 53rd edition of the International Film Festival of India is all set to begin from 20 to 28 November in Goa. During the festival, 15 films will compete for the coveted Golden Peacock at IFFI. The entertainment-packed line-up comprises 12 international and three Indian films that represent emerging trends in the aesthetics and politics of art.

    Since the very first Golden Peacock was awarded in the third edition of IFFI, the prize has been among the most sought-after film awards in Asia.

    The jury tasked with the impossible job of picking a winner this year comprises of Israeli writer and film director Nadav Lapid, American producer Jinko Gotoh, French film editor Pascale Chavance, French documentary filmmaker, film critic, and journalist Javier Angulo Barturen, and India’s very own film director Sudipto Sen.

    The 12 international films include Perfect Number, Red Shoes, A Minor, No End, Mediterranean Fever, When the waves are gone, I have Electric Dreams, Cold as Marble, The Line, Seven Dogs, Maariya: The Ocean Angel, and Nezouh.

    And in the thick of the competition this year, the three Indian movies that are running for this prominent award are The Kashmir Files, The Storyteller, and Kurangu Pedal.

  • NFDC announces Satyajit Ray poster design contest winners

    NFDC announces Satyajit Ray poster design contest winners

    Mumbai: National Film Development Corporation Limited (NFDC) held an online film poster design contest in honour of the legendary filmmaker Satyajit Ray, who will be honoured at the 53rd International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa from 20 to 28 November. The contest’s theme was The One and Only Ray.

    Information & Broadcasting minister Anurag Thakur expressed his appreciation and said, “I extend my congratulations to the three winners whose posters were selected out of hundreds of entries and the 75 top poster designers who meticulously created such imaginative film poster designs for the ‘One & Only Ray’ contest. I further extend my appreciation to the jury for their time and thoughtful selections. This 53rd IFFI is set to bring in a whole new experience for movie lovers from around the world, the excitement is catching on!”

    Artist Sayak Das was the winner of the contest while Varad Godbole was the first runner up and Aniruddha Chatterjee was the second runner up

    NFDC India managing director Ravinder Bhakar informed, “In honour of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav and the 100th anniversary of Ray and 39th birth anniversary, we held this contest for creative professionals with knowledge of art, visual communication, graphic design, and illustrative skills. Everything came together, and we now have our top 75 winners. We hope the general public will praise the film poster designs that will be on display at the 53rd IFFI.”

    The International Film Festival of India (IFFI) aims to provide a common platform for filmmakers from around the world to showcase their talent and the best of cinema from around the world. As the country commemorates the 75th anniversary of its hard-won independence with Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav flags swaying in every state, 75 film poster designs from across the country have been chosen to be displayed for audiences in a unique exhibition of the legendary Satyajit Ray at the 53rd International Film Festival of India 2022.

    The jury, composed of renowned artists from the fields of art, cinema, and painting, selected the 75 best film posters from a total of 635 submissions. The entire process, including the jury and evaluation, was conducted online. The top three winners will receive cash prizes, as well as a souvenir created from the winning film poster designs, which will be presented to dignitaries during the 53rd IFFI.

    Filmmaker Shyam Benegal said, “The One and Only Ray film poster design contest at the 53rd IFFI honours Ray’s legacy both as a filmmaker as well as his considerable work as a typographer, and graphic designer-the last but not the least of the great masters of the Bengal Renaissance.”

    Indian painter & muralist Anjolie Ela Menon said, “I am obliged to be a member of the jury for the ‘One and Only Ray’ contest, the applicants and the innovative work reflected their sharp efforts. It is a proud moment for India; since we have a wealth of talent. I hope that applicants will hone their creative abilities and wish their earnest efforts will all be recognized in future. Adulation for the winners of the contest.”

    Veteran artist and animation film designer  Dhimant Vyas shared his views, “Overwhelmed by the calibre of the applicants, NFDC has done an outstanding job toward its objective of providing a platform for emerging film poster creative artists and designers and paying homage to the renowned Ray. I wish success to everyone who took part, the creatives were remarkable.”

    The jury, which included renowned artists from the fields of art, film, and painting, chose the 75 best film posters from 635 submissions. The entire process, including the jury and evaluation, was conducted online. The top three winners will receive monetary prizes, with the winner receiving Rs 1,000,000/-, the first and second runners up receiving Rs 75,000 and Rs 50,000, respectively, as well as a souvenir created from these three winning film poster designs, which will be presented to dignitaries and eminent personalities attending the 53rd IFFI.

    Each jury panelist was given a unique login and password, and a scoring criteria was used to determine the winners: creativity and originality, theme relevance, visual contest, and visual impact.

    Imafoundation.com founder, artist and curator Radha Binod Sharma stated, “I am honoured and privileged to serve and conduct national duty for the NFDC organisation. This is a great initiative which has helped to bring prominence to the present and past cultural riches that exist in India. I come from a rich, and derp culture in the North-East of India, namely Manipur and Tripura and beyond my artistic work I am committed to identifying talented artists in India and worldwide. I appreciated and enjoyed viewing the exceptional works from the varied regions of our culturally diverse country and I was uplifted by how the applicants rose to the challenge of the contest and theme. As a result, I saw a lot of emerging talent with some impressive film poster designs which filled me with immense pride. Vande Mataram.”

    Artist Prakash Bal Joshi told, “Was joyous to be part of the esteemed jury & glad to adjudicate commendable artworks of the film poster designs inspired by Ray. Gratitude to all the efforts from the applicants as well as the team NFDC for this unique contest and ease of evaluation process.”

    Multi-media visual artist and academic Shukla Sawant said, “I had the opportunity to view the artists and creations while reviewing entries for this movie poster design contest, which was an absolutely wonderful experience. I am hoping that the audiences will find them equally appealing during the display. I congratulate the organizers of the 53rd IFFI for their unwavering support to the creative community.”

    The festival promotes understanding of various social and cultural ethos, as well as appreciation for world cinema, by bringing film cultures together. The NFDC received an overwhelming response to the contest, and the applicants’ level of creativity was exceptional, adhering to the contest’s theme. NFDC encourages everyone to be inspired by Ray’s work and legacy. During the 53rd IFFI 2022, the film poster designs will be on display at the Festival Mile.

  • Biopic to be released on Vijay Sankeshwar titled “Vijayanand”

    Biopic to be released on Vijay Sankeshwar titled “Vijayanand”

    Mumbai:  A biopic about Padma Shri awardee, Vijay Sankeshwar, the owner of the commercial vehicles fleet VRL Group of companies, is set to be released.

    The film  ‘Vijayanand’, directed by Rishika Sharma, stars Nihal R, Bharath Bopanna, Anant Nag, Ravi Chandran, Prakash Belawadi, Siri Prahalad, Vinaya Prasad, Archana Kottige and Anish Kuruvilla, among others.

    Sharma previously directed the film Trunk,’ which starred Nihal. The film, which was made on a shoestring budget, performed exceptionally well at the box office, making it one of the most beneficial films of 2018.

    ‘Vijayanand’ will also be VRL Film Productions’ debut production venture, and the Kannada film will have a pan-India release with dubbed versions in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam.

    Sharma said, “Nihal came up with the idea of making a film on Vijay sir’s life and once we started doing our research, we understood it is a huge responsibility to bring out his story for the world. His journey is truly inspiring and we are truly grateful that Anand sir (Anand Sankeshwar) understood our vision and not only gave permission but also is backing the film as a producer.”

    Vijay Sankeshwar began his entrepreneurial journey in Hubli, Karnataka, and now owns the VRL Group of companies. He co-founded the company with his son, Anand Sankeshwar. He is also the owner of the Kannada newspaper Vijaya Vani and the Dighvijaya 24×7 news channel.

    The government of India awarded Vijay Sankeshwar the Padma Shri in 2020.

    Music composer Gopi Sundar, has composed music for Vijayanand. Keertan Poojary did the cinematography and Hemanth did the editing. Sharma created the artwork and costumes herself.