ITV

Category: Press Release

  • Zee Classic to air cult favourite ‘Sholay’ for the first time

    Zee Classic to air cult favourite ‘Sholay’ for the first time

    MUMBAI: Even after 40 years of its release, the characters and dialogues of Ramesh Sippy’s Sholay are etched into our memories. Be it Basanti chatting away nines to the dozen but at the end claiming breathlessly, ‘Kyunke mujhe befuzool baat karne ki aadat to hai nahin’ or Gabbar Singh’s booming voice philosophizing, ‘Jo darr gaya samjho margaya’ or the sound of the swing squeaking after the dacoits have inflicted their reign of terror on the household of Thakur Baldev Singh, the movie continues to be a favourite throughout generations. Bringing alive its core proposition – ‘Woh Zamaana, Kare Deewana’ – Zee Classic brings the greatest epic ever told with the finest starcast ever assembled on Saturday, 20 June at 7:30 pm.

     

    The movie starring Amitabh Bachchan, Dharmendra, Hema Malini and Jaya Bachchan in lead roles holds a first-time record of running successfully for five years at Mumbai’s Minerva theatre. Not many know that initially Dharmendra was keen to play the role of Thakur Baldev Singh, which was immortalised by Sanjeev Kumar. He agreed to play Veeru only when the director told him, if he didn’t do it, Sanjeev Kumar would get the part and Basanti, too. Since Sanjeev Kumar had just proposed marriage to Hema Malini, Dharmendra didn’t want him sharing screen space with her let alone romancing her. And as they say rest is history, he quickly took on Veeru’s role.

     

    During the making of Sholay, four of the leads became romantically involved. While Amitabh Bachchan married Jaya Bhaduri four months before filming started, Dharmendra had begun wooing Hema Malini during their earlier film Seeta Aur Geeta and used the location of Sholay to help further his case. During their romantic scenes, he would pay the light boys to spoil the shot, thereby ensuring retakes.

     

    Exalted more than a religious scriptures for characterisation in Bollywood, Sholay tells a story of Amitabh Bachchan (Jai) and Dharmendra (Veeru) the two outlaws hired by a traumatized police officer (Sanjeev Kumar) to avenge the brutal murder of his family by Gabbar Singh (Amjad Khan), the most feared villain in Hindi film.

     

    Everything about Sholay attained classic status and quickly entered the pop culture mainstream: the music by R.D. Burman, the dialogue by Salim-Javed and the characters, who also include garrulous female horse cart driver Basanti (Hema Malini) and the wistful widow Radha (Jaya Bhaduri). 

  • Star World set to air sitcom ‘Modern Family’

    Star World set to air sitcom ‘Modern Family’

    MUMBAI: Star World, India’s preferred English General Entertainment Channel, is bringing the award-winning sitcom ‘Modern Family’ for its Indian viewers this June. This show has the unique distinction of having received 21 wins and 46 nominations from the Primetime Emmy Awards in its six year run. Starting 22 June, Monday to Friday at 8 pm, viewers will get a chance to catch up on the whole comedy series week-on-week.

     

    The ‘mockumentary’ style show is centred on the lives of patriarch Jay Pritchett and his large, dysfunctional family. Constantly appreciated by critics and audiences alike, this show has been especially noted for its writing and acting prowess. The series stars famous actors Ed O’Neill, Sofia Vergara, Ty Burrell and Julie Bowen among several other talented cast.

     

    Modern Family has won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Comedy Series for 5 consecutive years, one for each year since its launch. It has also won the Golden Globe Award for Best Television Series, and a host of other awards.

  • APAC to witness increased satellite usage: CASBAA Satellite Industry Forum 2015

    APAC to witness increased satellite usage: CASBAA Satellite Industry Forum 2015

    MUMBAI: On 1 June, more than 150 industry speakers and delegates gathered at Grand Hyatt Singapore for the Satellite Industry Forum 2015. This year’s CASBAA event included a number of keynotes and panels exploring the question, “Is the satellite game changing?”

     

    Intelsat CEO Stephen Spengler gave an opening keynote outlining the wave of changes currently affecting the satellite sector. Technological progress is increasing competition and generating  shifts  in  consumption  patterns,  and  he  emphasized  the  ever-growing  need  to innovate in order to keep up. “To compete, we need to improve performance, economics, and accessibility,” he said.

     

    Top executives then shared their insights on incoming industry trends during the Asia Pacific Satellite Leadership Round Table. The panel members were optimistic about opportunities for increased satellite usage in the Asia Pacific region, but also saw regulatory challenges ahead for efforts to consolidate. ABS co-founder & CEO Thomas Choi commented, “As long as regulations don’t change, consolidation will not happen.”

     

    In the next panel, Game Changers?, several officials executing “left field” satellite projects spoke on how these developments will impact the industry. Each panelist described their business ventures and their relevance to the Asia Pacific.

     

    With the advancement of technology also comes new forms of content distribution such as OTT and IPTV. The third panel, Staring the Future of TV in the Face – A Watershed for the Satellite Industry?, discussed the distinct preferences of millennia’s and how these consumers could be captured in the satellite industry, as well as debated the importance of on-demand vs. linear television.

     

    Eutelsat Chairman  &  CEO Michel  de  Rosen delivered  an  emphatic  speech  to  engage delegates with the issue of protection of C-band for exclusive satellite industry use at the upcoming World Radio communication Conference 2015 (WRC ’15). In the face of the pending legislative change, which would transfer more spectrum to mobile service providers, he asserted the need for a unified front to protect the industry. “It’s a collective challenge as an industry,” he said. “If we don’t fight it today, they will only be back for more tomorrow.”

     

    The following panel discussed in more detail the steps to be taken before the WRC ‘15. “We must convince the government of the important usage of C-band,” said Ali Ebadi, SVP, Space Systems Development, MEASAT.

     

    Regulations  aren’t  the  only  obstacle  satellite  service  providers  face;  at  the  same  time, customers are also raising their expectations.  Another set of panelists discussed cost-effective provision of service in Reducing Costs for Consumers: Are High Throughput Satellites the Answer? “Customers will expect more and more without expecting to pay more,” commented Viasat programme manager Erwin Hudson,

     

    The discussion was followed by an interview with Myanmar’s ICT Deputy Minister for U Thaung Tin. He described the current state of satellite in Myanmar, as well as national goals to develop the domestic industry and institutional challenges that must be met.

     

    To close the forum, the final panel answered questions about the next 10-15 years for the satellite industry, expressing optimism for the development of new technology and the continued robustness of satellite in the Asia-Pacific market.

     

  • LifeCell emerges as the Regional Award Winner of Google SME Heroes Challenge 2015

    LifeCell emerges as the Regional Award Winner of Google SME Heroes Challenge 2015

    MUMBAI: LifeCell, India’s largest private umbilical cord stem cell bank won the regional award at the Google SME Heroes Challenge 2015 for innovative use of internet to expand its business. LifeCell was also among the top 5 national finalists, shortlisted from 25 SMEs from different regions.

     

    LifeCell is the first company in the industry to have taken early strides in the digital medium to take the concept of umbilical cord banking across expectant parents in the country. Over the years the company has established significant presence in digital advertising to create awareness around the concept, educate the customer, generate interest and help them to actively consider umbilical cord stem cell banking as a wise investment for their children.

     

    LifeCell’s digital innovations and initiatives include content marketing campaigns, product discovery & purchase journey enabled by a robust technology platform that integrates its web properties, customer contact center and mobile applications to create a delightful experience for customers. LifeCell’s digitally driven content marketing innovations such as pregnancy properties, events, offers from its brand partners in the lifestyle and mother & baby sectors are hugely popular among expectant couples.

     

    LifeCell received the award in Delhi at a grand finale organized by Google, presided over Amitabh Kant, Secretary, Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion (DIPP) – Ministry of Commerce & Industry.

     

    Speaking at the event, LifeCell’ chief marketing officer V.Ravi Shankar said “LifeCell was established in 2004. Until 2008, the service was largely a prescribed one by medical practitioners to expectant parents. We found that our audience of expectant parents was turning to digital media and especially Google to get information on pregnancy best practices including nutrition, fitness, do’s and don’ts. This was a big opportunity for LifeCell to reach out to pregnant couples across the country. We have been hand holding our audience in their journey towards parenthood by providing engaging content and online & offline infotainment programs. Digital media began our innings by providing a gateway to reach out to our audience directly. Today digital media serves as the one of the significant channel for expectant parents to reach out to us, catapulting the growth of our business and brand.”

     

    Earlier in November 2014, at a grand event organized by Google in Chennai, LifeCell was selected as one of the five finalists from Chennai to compete at the national level against leading SMEs across the country.

  • Zee Classic to air ‘Deewaar’

    Zee Classic to air ‘Deewaar’

    MUMBAI: Zee Classic that believes in ‘Woh Zamaana Kare Deewana’ is all set to quench the audiences thirst for classic cinema. The channel brings the ultimate family drama ‘Deewaar’ starring Amitabh Bachchan, Sashi Kapoor, Parveen Babi, Neetu Singh and Nirupa Roy this Sunday, 7 June at 2 pm.

     

    Written by Salim- Javed and directed by veteran filmmaker Yash Chopra’s ‘Deewaar’ received unprecedented success. The film in totality ran for over 100 weeks and was one of the only 13 films that grossed over Rs one crore mark in every territory across India between 1970s-1980s. Considered among the top 10 money-spinners of the industry, ‘Deewaar’ was a trend setter in true sense. Starting from iconic dialogues such as ‘Mere Paaas Maa Hai’ to ‘Main aaj bhi phenke huye paise nahi uthatha’ the film turned out to be the plinth for Amitabh Bachchan’s thriving stardom.

     

    Vijay (Amitabh Bachchan) and Ravi (Shashi Kapoor) are two brothers who were raised in poor conditions by their formidable mother (Nirupa Roy).  However dire social circumstances lead both brothers to follow different life choices and career paths. Where, Vijay turns out to be a shrewd criminal, Ravi chooses to be a police inspector assigned to locate lawbreakers. Vijay burnt with anger for the social injustice caused by the society on his family especially his mother wants to provide her with all the luxuries of life. And thus begins a fundamental battle of the righteous ideologies.

     

    Who will win? Will Ravi bring Vijay to justice?

  • &pictures presents action packed Fridays with back to back ‘Bond Nights’!

    &pictures presents action packed Fridays with back to back ‘Bond Nights’!

    MUMBAI: The dashing Pierce Brosnan and the equally cosmopolite Roger Moore are set to grace the Indian television screens with their films, The World is Not Enough and The Spy Who Loved Me back to back on Friday, 5th June, 8 PM onwards. &pictures – India’s premium mass Hindi Movie channel that prides itself in bringing world class movie-viewing experience to the audiences, has handpicked the best amalgamation of recent and classic James Bond series. Taking action to a higher level, ‘Bond Nights’ will feature British secret service’s rouge assassin James Bond fighting the nuclear meltdown in The World is Not Enough followed by The Spy Who Loved Me where Bond saves the world from a reclusive megalomaniac who wants to create a new civilisation under the sea.

     

    In The World is Not Enough, oil tycoon Sir Robert King and Bond’s friend (David Calder) is assassinated after recovering $3 million British pounds from a Swiss Bank in Spain. James Bond (Pierce Brosnan) feels responsible for his death and takes the position as bodyguard to his daughter (Sophie Marceau) while trying to catch his killer. Soon, Bond learns that an evil terrorist known as Renard was responsible for the assassination of Sir Robert and with the help of nuclear scientist Dr. Christmas Jones (Denise Richards) and former enemy, Ex KGB agent Valentin Zukovsky (Robbie Coltrane), Bond sets out to foil Renard’s plan to wipe out Europe with a nuclear bomb. As Agent 007 tries to protect Elektra while trying to save an entire continent, he is challenged with the worst obstacle of it all – defeating a villain who can feel no pain at all. What will James do to protect the lives of millions of people while he has only just begun to question Elektra’s motives?

     

    In The Spy Who Loved me, a globe-trotting assignment sees Bond skiing off the edges of cliffs and driving a car deep underwater. The British super-spy James Bond (Roger Moore) unites with sexy Russian agent Anya Amasova (Barbara Bach) to defeat megalomaniac shipping magnate Karl Stromberg (Curt Jurgens), who is threatening to destroy New York City with nuclear weapons. Bond’s most deadly adversary on the case is Stromberg’s henchman, Jaws (Richard Kiel), a seven-foot giant with terrifying steel teeth. Will Bond be able to defeat Karl Stromberg? Will Karl Stromberg destroy New York City?

     

    Tune- in to Pierce Brosnan`s -The World is not enough and Roger Moore’s ‘The Spy Who loved me’ on &pictures this Friday, 5th June 2015 from 8 PM onwards!

  • Live Viacom18 brings second season of Comedy Central Chuckle Festival

    Live Viacom18 brings second season of Comedy Central Chuckle Festival

    MUMBAI: This monsoon season, Live Viacom18 will ensure that Indian audiences cackle, chortle and hoot with laughter as it brings to India the bright & funny and one of the finest names in international comedy, Russell Brand. Organized as part of the second season of the biggest international comedy festival ‘Comedy Central Chuckle Festival’ Brand who is also a renowned presenter, author and actor will entertain audiences with his famous one-liners and side-splitting stories. While this will be Brand’s first performance in India scheduled to be held across Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore on June 26th, 27th and 28th respectively this will be his third visit to India.

     

    Best known for his satire, whimsy and observational humour along with his comical acts in movies such as Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Get Him to the Greek, and the voice of Dr. Nefario in Despicable Me 1 & 2. A livewire comedian, he has brought the house down in most of his performances with his unique brand of humour. Far from being a traditional stand-up comic, Brand’s audiences engage not only with the lines he delivers on stage but also with the quirky persona he has created. All in all, these three nights are expected to be filled with fun, excitement and rip roaring laughter.

     

    Confirming the news Integrated Network Solution SVP Jaideep Singh said, “Live Viacom18 is in the business of bringing alive unique experiences in all genres of entertainment. We today have IP’s in all genres with the focus on experience and cutting edge programming. We believe in the power of comedy and our first edition of the ‘Comedy Central Chuckle Festival’ met with stupendous success. Having partnerships with artists around the globe has continually ensured that Live Viacom 18 continues to present vibrant world-class performances to a huge range of audiences in India. We can now deliver a landmark event to local audiences’ top- lining some of the most brilliant comedic artists working today. This time around who better than Russell Brand – a true heavyweight from the world of comedy to lead the show”

     

    Live Viacom18′ Chuckle Festival made a big bang entry into the Indian comedy scene in 2013 and has been a destination venue for world-class comedy since then presenting some of the best international comedy talent that the world has to offer. The festival reflects its growing profile in presenting the world’s best comedians to Indian audiences and recent performances include renowned names – from Gabriel ‘Fluffy’ Iglesias to Eddie Ifft, Paul Varghese and now Russell Brand.

  • HBO Defined to premier True detective Season 2 in India

    HBO Defined to premier True detective Season 2 in India

    MUMBAI: Season 2 of True Detective is all set to premiere simultaneously with its U.S. premiere on Monday, June 22nd at 6:30 a.m. with a repeat telecast on the same day at 10:00 p.m. – exclusively, 100% ad-free onHBO Premium Channel, HBO Defined.

     

    “True Detective”, returns for its Eight Episodic Second Season on June 22nd. A bizarre murder brings together three law-enforcement officers and a career criminal, each of whom must navigate a web of conspiracy and betrayal in the scorched landscapes of California. Written and created by Nic Pizzolatto, this series stars Colin Farrell, Vince Vaughn, Rachel McAdams and Taylor Kitsch where the first two episodes are directed by Justin Lin.

     

    “The much anticipated new season of True Detective is HBO’s summer treat to the fans. With the simulcast, the Indian audience gets to watch the show with the U.S. Television truly has gone global. HBO is taking an unprecedented step today in finding a way to avoid spoilers by airing the shows simultaneously  in different countries with different time zones. ”, said  HBO India managing director Moinca Tata

     

    True Detective Season 2 to air in India simultaneously with its U.S. Premiere, on June 22nd at 6:30 a.m. IST with a repeat telecast on the same day at 10 p.m., on HBO Defined, 100 per cent ad-free.

  • Star Gold HD announces ‘Director’s Cut’

    Star Gold HD announces ‘Director’s Cut’

    MUMBAI: Star Gold HD, India’s favorite destination of movies, is all set to entice its viewers by bringing the best of director’s movies starting from 1st June to 14th June, daily at 9pm. The festival will showcase blockbuster movies by renowned directors like Karan Johar, Rakesh Omprakash Mehra, Prakash Jha, Imtiaz Ali, Farah Khan, Zoya Akhtar and many others.

    The festival has curated 14 best films from the library of these renowned directors. The two week-long festival will begin with ‘Rajneeti’, directed by Prakash Jha starring Ranbir Kapoor & Katrina Kaif. Followed by ‘Om Shanti Om’ directed by Farah Khan, ‘Bhaag Milkha Bhaag’ & ‘Rang De Basanti’ by Rakesh Omprakash Mehra, ‘Highway’ and ‘Rockstar’ by Imtiaz Ali, Zoya Akhtar’s ‘Luck By Chance’ and ‘Zindagi Na Milegi Doobara’. Karan Johar’s blockbuster hits like ‘My Name Is Khan’ and ‘Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Ghum’, R Balki’s ‘Cheeni Kum’ and Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s ‘Guzaarish’ are also a part of the movie festival. 

    Experience the biggest hits of your favourite directors in Director’s Cut on Gold HD from 1st June to 14th June at 9.00 pm.

  • Zee Cafe brings a storm of new and old shows this June

    Zee Cafe brings a storm of new and old shows this June

    MUMBAI: The viewers have a lot to look forward to in the month of June. Zee Cafe’s June line-up consists of the best mix of drama, mystery, fiction, action and sitcoms which promise to provide all the home entertainment that one requires.

     

    Zee Cafe is all set to strike you with its 73 Days of Greys and The Big Bang Hour! With the new season of Greys Anatomy starting 2ndJune, the channel will begin with season 9 & 10 along with the all new season 11; and starting 5th June, the channel will have a special hour dedicated to The Big Bang Theory season 1-8.

     

    The Indian discerning viewers will be able to enjoy the popular shows- Pretty Little Liars season 6, starting 12th June and Mistresses season 3 which will be premiering on 28th June; both, to be aired along with the US.

     

    In addition to the innovative presentation of shows, Zee Cafe will be airing the season 8(finale) of Desperate Housewives starting 9th June, Reign season 2 will begin starting 10th June and the season finale of Perception from 21st June.

     

    The Sunday Brunch Special will showcase the young sensation Justin Beiber’s Never Say Never on 28th June, 10:00 am, which beautifully captures the essence of his on-stage mixes with a few of his home videos highlighting the important moments of the singer’s life.

     

    Zee Cafe will continue to entertain its viewers with their favorite ongoing shows – Ground Floor season 2, American Idol season 14 and House of Cards season 3.