ITV

Category: Press Release

  • Comedy Ka Badsshah, Hasegaa India starting 23rd February, 9 pm On Sony TV

    MUMBAI: After a much needed break of a month, Rakhi Sawant is back again on Sony Entertainment Television with the first comedy of its kind, Comedy Ka Badshah, haseega India. A real laugh riot starting February 23rd, 2007 at 9 pm, every Friday.The king of comedy, Raju Srivastav is going to host this brand new comedy show, with Rakhi as judge to the comedians and young talent particpating in this show.A popular fellow comedian will join Raju in an entertaining tete a tete.

     

    And that’s not All, the show will showcase a special segment called, ‘Hamari Bahu Rakhi Sawant’ where Rakhi plays herself in a role of a modern, sexy, flirtatious and extrovert daughter-in-law of Khirmani family.Also you will watch Abhishek Awasthi playing Rakhi’s devoted husband. A combination of spoofs, gags and stand-up comedy show with Rakhi’s hilarious nakhras is bound to set you on a laughing hysteria. To add some more excitement to the funny proceedings will be a glamorous guest from the world of showbiz each week that will just not be mannequin on display but be part of the comic caper. There’s more to this funny business. Every week two new comic talents will be pitted against each other to vie for the crown of the ‘king of comedy’. Raju along with the Rakhi Sawant and a celebrity judge will judge the winner who will be the roll-over contestant in the next episode to be pitted against the next new comic talent the following week.

    According to Sandiip Sikcand, “At SET, it has been our constant endeavor to offer content that is relatable, fresh and entertainment across all age groups. We have been presenting a great mix of variety entertainment…There is reality, drama, thriller. With the launch of Comedy Ka badsshah, hasegaa India, we bring to our viewers the much awaited flavour-Comedy.”

  • Care Bears II – a new generation only on POGO

    MUMBAI: POGO presents the second series of the original Care Bear Movie trilogy – Care Bears II – A New Generation. The Care Bear Family goes on their first Caring Mission–to stop the evil doings of a demon villain, named Dark Heart, from taking over a summer camp while making the Bears and Cousins vanish forever.

     

    Will the care bear family succeed? To find out watch the bears on a mission in the gripping movie – Care Bear II – A New Generation, only on India’s favourite kids’ channel, POGO!

    Airdate: February 26, Sunday at 2:00 p.m.

  • CNN-IBN and IBN 7 celebrate Valentine’s Day

    MUMBAI: CNN-IBN and IBN 7 celebrate Valentine’s Day

    Mumbai: CNN-IBN and IBN 7 will present a line up of special programming for Valentine’s Day.

    The season finale of Minus 30 will also be a Valentine’s special. The show will feature host Paras Tomar probing people both famous and ordinary trying to answer that multi million-dollar question – What is love?

    IBN 7 on the other hand has come up with a programme series especially for the occasion called ‘Kambhakt Ishq’, which involves short, realistic and highly dramatic stories surrounding different couples. The series’ grand finale on February 14th at 7 pm will bring together these narratives in a half hour episode to create that ultimate Valentine’s special!

    “Valentine’s is a special occasion for most. Programmes on both CNN-IBN and IBN 7 have been designed to reflect this sentiment and help our viewers celebrate the festival of love”, says CNN IBN and IBN 7 editor in chief Rajdeep Sardesai.

    “I have no doubt that ‘Kambakht Ishq’ will be a runaway success, especially with our young audience,” says, IBN 7 managing editor IBN 7 managing editor Ashutosh.

  • Pakistan foreign minister Khursheed Kasuri talk to Arnab Goswmai only on TIMES NOW

    MUMBAI: Pakistan foreign minister Khursheed Kasuri has rejected news reports of a possible Pakistan link to the Samjhauta blasts, saying that in South Asia investigations cannot always be taken at face value, because investigators often present facts keeping political factors in mind.

     

    Taking to TIMES NOW, Mr Kasuri was categorical in dismissing all initial leads and accusations, on who could be responsible for the tragedy.

     

    Mr Kasuri was appearing on the TIMES NOW show “Frankly Speaking” where he was talking to Arnab Goswami. Here’s the relevant excerpt:

     

    Arnab: There is talk of a phone call being made to Pak Occupied Kashmir (POK). Sources have been quoted as saying that there is some Pakistani link to the Samjhauta blast. We would like to know what you think about it?

    Kasuri: I would repeat what I said on the first day. It is totally counter-productive. To say that a Hindu or a Muslim or an Indian or a Pakistani (is responsible) you destroy the entire process of investigation. You know we live in South Asia, we know what our police and security agencies (are), you know the moment the leaders start saying something, you are supposed to produce results in consonance with what the leaders are saying. What I am saying is that lets hold our horses, let us wait for investigations to be completed let those details be shared with Pakistan and only then can we come to a conclusion.

     

    The Pakistan foreign minister also made it clear that whatever the findings of the Indian investigating agencies, they would have to be ratified by Pakistani agencies if his government is to take any action. This comment assumes great significance given India’s refusal to conduct a joint investigation into the Samjhauta blast, a unanimous demand of the National Assembly of Pakistan.

     

    Here’s the relevant excerpt.

     

    Arnab: What if evidence is given, what will you do with it?

    Kasuri: Well if evidence is given to us and our investigators come to the same conclusion then whosoever is involved will be punished.

     

    The Pakistan foreign minister also warned that the peace process will “fail” if it turns into a blame game or if India used it for “propaganda”.

     

    He said that now that India and Pakistan had turned over “a new leaf”the finger pointing must end, hinting at India’s constantly offering different forms of evidence about Pakistan supporting terror groups.

     

    Here’s the relevant excerpt.

     

    Kasuri: Both countries are suffering from terrorism. And let me tell you this (joint terror mechanism) will succeed for the simple reason that both countries have interest in it. And this is bound to fail if this is used for propaganda, for giving different swings, spins and twists.

    Arnab: What propaganda?

    Kasuri: Like ‘I gave you that name, you gave me that name and what have you done?”. Or saying that forty years ago that happened, or twenty years ago this happened. Nothing is going to work this way. You turned a new leaf when the two countries started talking to each other.”

    The interview with Pakistan Foreign Minister Khursheed Kasuri will be telecast on the show “Frankly Speaking with Arnab” at 2.30 pm and 8.30 pm on Sunday

  • AXN celebrates the lunar new year with abundant ratings

    MUMBAI: Chinese New Year celebrations started early for AXN! Kicking off an auspicious start to the Year of the Pig, February proved to be a month of great results for AXN in both Singapore and Malaysia. Starting with a big bang, 1 February 2007 saw the finale of the very first The Amazing Race Asia hitting record ratings in Malaysia. Celebrations continued with the special programming stunt during Chinese New Year and with the premiere of the highly-anticipated brand new season of number one crime series, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.

    Original Production a B!G Hit – AXN was No. 1 Every Week!
    Certainly living up to its claim of being “made in Asia for Asians”, The Amazing Race Asia (TARA), a massive production undertaken by AXN to give Asians the rare opportunity of participating in the Asian version of this four-time Emmy Award-winning reality series, proved to be a huge hit with viewers.

    National pride spurred record ratings for the finale, as countrymen rallied behind their daughters and son as two out of the final three teams were represented by Malaysia. Not to be underestimated, The Amazing Race Asia claimed the title for the most-watched series beating all past 10 seasons of the US version!

    The entire season of TARA attracted a total of 15 million viewers across Asia, and consistently ranked top in its timeslot amongst international cable channels in Singapore and Malaysia throughout the season.

    February B!G Month – AXN Remains Top English Entertainment Channel A line-up of compelling programmes made AXN the leading choice channel during the festive period of Chinese New Year.

    Average ratings for the four days, including the busy night of reunion dinners on New Year’s Eve, put AXN as the number one English entertainment channel amongst all cable viewers and cable PMEB viewers for both prime time and full day.

    Blockbuster action movies, including Black Hawk Down and Terminator 3, and the highly anticipated “live” telecast of The Amazing Race: All Stars premiere on the morning of 19 February, the second day of Chinese New Year, glued viewers to their seats. A special two-hour premiere of the latest season of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation on 21 February rounded off the celebrations when it garnered about 22% share of all cable viewers, making AXN the leading international cable channel during its timeslot.

    Mr. Ricky Ow, General Manager of SPE Networks – Asia, is delighted with AXN’s pole position, “The fantastic ratings results we achieved in Singapore and Malaysia show that our efforts to connect with the viewers on-air, off-air, online and on-ground have paid off handsomely.

    “AXN is the distinct leader in the English entertainment category amongst international cable channels, where we enjoy a huge margin in terms of both Prime Time and Full Day average ratings. As fans of AXN will know, they can expect more exciting programme line-up and surprises from us this year… just keep watching this space!”

  • Times Now interview with Bal Thackeray

    MUMBAI: In what can be seen as an open invitation to his politically estranged nephew, Raj Thackeray, Bal Thackeray, speaking to TIMES NOW in his first exclusive TV interview since the Mumbai polls, says he can think of bringing Raj back into the Shiv Sena fold.

    Talking extremely warmly about Raj, whose party failed to have much impact in the Mumbai polls, Balasaheb Thackeray said that “whatever the politics, ours is a blood relation” and that one could not rule out a coming together in the future.

    However, the Shiv Sena supreme hinted that matters would first have to be resolved between Uddhav and Raj Thackeray. When asked whether the coming together of the Thackeray’s under one political umbrella was possible in the future, Bal Thackeray said that “It all depends upon the youngsters today, how they amicably resolve the thing (their differences)”

    But Bal Thackeray also made it clear that it was up to Raj Thackeray to make the first public move of reconciliation. When pointedly asked whether he can think of bringing Raj back, Thackeray said that “I will not try, but if he wishes to, we (The Shiv Sena) will accept him back.

    Thackeray then went on to say that while people like Raj Thackeray were welcome to return to the Sena, he would not take back others who deserted the party like former Maharashtra chief minister Narayan Rane.

    Bal Thackeray also went on to reveal that he and Raj Thackeray are in touch and that they often speak on the phone. When asked if their relationship could return to the warmth of the past, Balasaheb said “Whenever I want I talk to him. And he telephones me. What is wrong in that? Let us not mix up politics with relationships. Keep relations aside and think of politics alone. Definitely, don’t mix it”

    Bal Thackeray’s comments and his open offer to Raj to return to the Sena is extremely significant, especially in the light of the Sena’s resounding success in the prestige Mumbai local elections recently.

     

    The Interview with Bal Thackeray will be featured on “FRANKLY SPEAKING WITH ARNAB” on Sunday 18 February at 2.30 pm and 8.30 pm on Times Now

     

    Excerpts:

    Arnab: You think the party under Uddhav Thackeray is being run well? And can be run well into the future?

    Thackeray: I can’t say. This question there is no answer. There are always uncertainties in life. Now the Congress has completed around 120 years or something. Do you think that same old congress is there? But it is there. The old charm and that’s gone. The new generation will do it. I’m confident about the new generation.

    Arnab: Wherever Raj Thackeray goes he still says that Balasheb is like God for me…

    Thackeray: Maybe because our relationship was like that.

    Arnab: Can that relationship come back, Mr Thackeray?

    Thackeray: Whenever I want I talk to him, he telephones me. What is wrong in that? Let us not mix up politics with relationships. Keep relations aside and think of politics alone. Definitely, don’t mix it.

    Arnab: Do you think there can be a coming together in future? Some people…after these elections people said that don’t be surprised that Narayan Rane, Udhav Thackeray, Raj Thackeray are back where they started.

    Thackeray: I may think of Raj but Mr Rane comes… he’s not welcome…

    Arnab: You may think of bringing Raj back?

    Thackeray: I will not try but if he wishes to, we will accept him back and not people like Narayan Rane.

    Arnab: What is it about Raj Thackeray that you would welcome him if he wishes to enter the party?

    Thackeray: Whatever it is whatever the politics, ours is a blood relation… You can’t afford to be that cruel actually because of politics. At least it is not my nature. Let us not discuss that problem… it is a family matter.

    Arnab: I understand but it is not something that can be ruled out in the future.

    Thackeray: It all depends upon the youngsters today, how they amicably solve the thing

  • Wipe away your Monday blues with great Peter Sellers movies this February only on PIX

    MUMBAI: PIX, the Premium English Movies channel brings you the Best of Peter Sellers every Monday throughout the month of February, on Perfect 10. Watch out for movies The Pink Panther and its sequel, A Shot in the Dark on 5th and 12th February respectively, The Party, on 19th February and rounding off is What’s New Pussycat? on 26th February.

    Read Below to catch some interesting trivia on these movies soon to come on PIX…

    The Pink Panther

    The role of Inspector Clouseau was originally offered to Peter Ustinov. Despite being relatively unknown internationally, Peter Sellers was offered the part, and was paid 90,000 pounds

    The film was intended to have The Phantom, Sir Charles Lytton’s character as the main character. However, this film and the sequels focused on the Character of Inspector Clouseau as Peter Sellers’ portrayal of the same was extremely loved by the crew and the audience

    An animated Pink Panther was created for the opening credits because writer and director Blake Edwards felt that the credits would benefit from some kind of cartoon character. The Pink Panther character was chosen from over a hundred alternative panther sketches. The Pink Panther introduced in the opening credits became a popular film and television character in his own right.

    A Shot in the Dark

    The movie was completed before The Pink Panther (1963), but shelved because the studio didn’t think it was any good. The success of the first film made the executives decide to release the shelved film. This also explains the short time span between the release of the first film and this one.

    This was the only official Clouseau film not to use the name “Pink Panther” nor use that cartoon character in the opening credits.

    Peter Sellers was the first ever male to appear on the cover of Playboy magazine, in April 1964.

    The Party

    The only Blake Edwards -Peter Sellers collaboration that was not a Pink Panther film.

    During the scene in which Peter Sellers wrecks the upstairs bathroom, the band downstairs can be heard playing “It Had Better Be Tonight,” which was originally written and used both as a vocal and as an instrumental score in the first “Pink Panther” film.

    This was said to be Elvis Presley’s favorite movie.

    What’s New Pussy Cat?

    The scene where Woody Allen’s character celebrates his birthday on the wharf was filmed on December 1, 1964 – Woody’s 29th birthday

    Banned in Norway because of a scene where Peter Sellers tries to commit suicide by burning himself wrapped in a Norwegian flag.

    When Woody Allen turned in his script it did not have a title. It stayed this way until one day he overheard Warren Beatty, talking to one of the hundreds of gorgeous women he was seeing at the time. His usual greeting of “What’s new, pussycat?” was heard by Allen who screamed out “title!”

    Get ready to rediscover Peter Sellers and fall in love with the best collection of his great comedies every Monday night on Perfect 10.

  • Catch the multi faceted Jeff Bridge on Inside the Actors Studio this Sunday at 7:00pm

    MUMBAI: He got cast in a film when he was an infant and has not looked back ever since. He has performed in over 60 films and received several nominations in Academy awards, Golden Satellite, Screen Actor’s Guild, and The Golden Globe. His peers have saluted him with a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame.

     

    But Jeff Bridges is much more than just an actor. He has several talents and pursues them with equal passion. To put it in his words, “I don’t think I ever went down that movie star path. I always enjoy taking a 90-degree turn from the last thing I did.”

     

    Read below to catch some interesting Trivia about this American actor…

     

    He is the son of Lloyd Bridges, the brother of Beau Bridges and the uncle of Jordan Bridges, who are all successful actors

     

    Although he and his father Lloyd Bridges appeared in six different productions together, they never played father and son

     

    In his off time while on sets, he is known to document the filmmaking process by photographing fellow actors and on-set staff with a panoramic camera. He has published many of these photographs online and in print titled “Pictures”

     

    Bridges is also a cartoonist. Some of his “doodles” have appeared in various films, such as K-PAX and The Door in the Floor.He incorporates his drawings on his web site, notable because it is almost completely hand-written and drawn art—not typed

     

    He loves playing the guitar and indulges in music at every opportunity he gets

     

    He married Susan Geston on June 5, 1977 after meeting her on the sets of Rancho Deluxe in 1975. The couple have 3 daughters, Isabelle , Jessica ,and Hayley

     

    At the age of 17, he was addicted to marijuana. His parents contacted a group called Developing Adolescents Without Narcotics, which put Bridges through an “intervention” to kick his habit

     

    He is a big fan of the Beach Boys and Brian Wilson, former lead singer/song writer for the group.

     

    Before Bridges went to school, he served in the United States Coast Guard.

     

     

    Meet the very talented Jeff Bridges in a discussion with James Lipton on Inside the Actors Studio this Sunday at 7:00 pm on PIX.

  • SBI Mutual Fund is the Mutual Fund of the year at CNBC-TV18 – CRISIL Mutual Fund Awards

    MUMBAI: In a glittering ceremony, CNBC-TV18, India’s leading Business Medium and CRISIL, India’s premier ratings agency announced the most sought after and valued Mutual Fund Award in the country – ‘CNBC-TV18 – CRISIL Mutual Fund of the Year Award’.

     

    Mark Tucker, Chief Executive of Prudential & Ajay Srinivasan, Chief Executive, Fund Management, Prudential Corporation Asia spoke on the performance of mutual funds across the world, emerging trends, investor reactions and expectations setting the tone for the evening. This was followed by a p anel discussion with Mr Ramesh Damani, Mr Jaikumar, Mr Kela and Mr Naganathan moderated by Udayan Mukherjee.

     

    As the most powerful radar to prosperity, the CNBC TV18 and CRISIL Mutual Fund of the Year awards performance and consistency in wealth creation of enterprising fund houses for the year 2006. These Awards, based on CRISIL’s objective and analytically rigorous CRISIL~CPR methodology, are the ultimate test in performance and consistency on one of the most distinguished platform.

     

    These awards are the Investors most definite guide to the best managed fund house in the country. It brings together the world’s most renowned investment experts and shares their ideas, philosophies and predictions.

    The winners in the various categories at the Mutual Fund of the Year were:

    Category
    Winner
    Large Cap Oriented Equity Funds DSP Merrill Lynch Opportunities Fund Sundaram BNP Paribas Select Focus
    Diversified Equity Funds SBI Magnum Global Fund
    SBI Magnum Sector Umbrella – Contra Fund
    Sundaram BNP Paribas Select Midcap
    ELSS SBI Magnum Tax Gain Scheme 1993
    Income Funds Principal Income Fund
    UTI Bond Fund
    Income Short Reliance Short Term Fund
    Balanced Funds HDFC Prudence Fund
    SBI Magnum Balanced Fund
    Liquid Funds HDFC Cash Management Fund – Savings Plan
    UTI Liquid cash plan
    Liquid Funds Institutional Tata Liquid Fund – SHIP
    Liquid Funds Super Institutional UTI Liquid Cash Plan – Institutional Plan
    Gilt Funds Long Reliance Gilt Securities Fund – Long Term Plan
    Templeton India G-Sec Fund – Long Term Plan
    MIP Aggressive HDFC Monthly Income Plan – LTP
    MIP Conservative Prudential ICICI MIP Plan – Cumulative
    Floating Rate Funds (Long term) Principal Floating Rate Fund – Flexible Maturity Plan
    Floating Rate Funds (Short term) HDFC Floating Rate Income Fund – Short Term Plan
    Sectoral –IT SBI Magnum Sector Umbrella – Infotech Fund
    Emerging Fund of the Year (diversified equity) Prudential ICICI Infrastructure Fund
    Mutual Fund of the Year SBI Mutual Fund

    In addition to leaders from various fund houses, luminaries from India’s financial services sector including senior regulators, leading economists and analysts witnessed a host of awards being presented to various mutual funds for their consistent performance over time on the CRISIL~CPR performance rankings framework.

     

    Commenting on the methodology Rupa Kudva, ED & Chief Rating Officer,CRISIL, said “The fund house of the year award is given to the mutual fund which performs well in CRISIL’s CPR framework, has a good presence across categories, and wins at least 2 category level awards”

     

    Speaking at the occasion, Mr. Haresh Chawla, CEO, TV18 Group said, “The size of the Mutual fund industry is a burgeoning Rs 3,39,662 crore indicating the popularity enjoyed by Mutual funds amongst investors who want to participate in India’s growth story. Increased popularity in Mutual funds as an investment avenue and a spurt in the number of innovative mutual funds calls for a robust, unbiased and objective evaluation of the annual performances of funds. Since its inception, ‘The CNBC-TV18 – CRISIL Mutual Fund of the Year Award’ has established a benchmark for excellence in the Mutual Fund industry and has over the years, assisted investors to make the right choices in their mutual fund investments.”

     

    Speaking on the initiative, Mr. Ashvin Arora, Director, OptiMix, said, “CNBC Mutual Fund awards is a landmark event in the Indian Mutual Fund Industry, which recognizes and rewards the best managed fund houses on the basis of objective performance criteria laid down by Crisil. As India’s first multi-manager, Optimix identifies best of breed mutual funds and blends them together into separate products, so that optimal combinations of expertise and style are available to the investor. The Optimix process helps the investor with superior, consistent wealth creation. All in all, this is a great fit and we are proud to be associated with the CNBC TV-18-Crisil Mutual Fund Awards 2007. My heartiest congratulations to the winners of this prestigious award.”

  • Reebok XI vs Cricket Star XI battle it out on ‘Cricket Star’

    Mumbai: Miditech’s ‘Cricket Star’ is blazing into its 7th week of the 20:20 series. The new finds will face the Reebok XI team on Tuesday, Feb 20th at MIG Club, Bandra. The Reebok XI are no ordinary team. In fact, they include stalwarts like Harbhajan Singh, Ajit Agarkar, Munaf Patel and Robin Uthappa.

    Says Nikhil Alva, C.E.O, Miditech, “At each stage the competition is getting tougher, but this round is the real test for the budding cricketers. It would be a real eye opener and help the ‘aam aadmi’ to decide who India’s first ‘Cricket Star’ should be! “.

    The show has a run of 11 weeks, with tri-weekly episodes on Zee Sports and DD National and a weekly episode on Zee TV. While former captains and cricketing icons Kapil Dev and Saurav Ganguly are judging the players, snazzy Ajay Jadeja is shining as the expert analyst.

    The show has been gaining popularity ever since thousands of aspirants auditioned during the nationwide screening for ‘Cricket Star’. 23 participants made it to the final round and found a place in the Cricket Star Academy, Mumbai. Spread over 10 weeks, the training process has seen an exclusive panel including stalwarts like Robin Singh, Praveen Amre, Abey Kuruvilla and Zubin Bharucha, work on these aspiring cricketers whose life at the Academy is action-packed and includes intense daily training, customized cricketing tests and ‘Master Classes’, conducted by former players as famous as Geoffrey Boycott, Monty Panesar, Mahela Jayawardene, V.V.S. Laxman and Dilip Vengsarkar.

    At the end of an intense and grueling 11 weeks and 33 episodes, India’s first Cricket Star will be selected. The take away? An all expenses paid one-year contract with the reputed Leicestershire County Cricket Club besides other cash prizes.