ITV

Category: Television

  • NDTV revamps its branded content unit as NDTV Brand Studio

    NDTV revamps its branded content unit as NDTV Brand Studio

    Mumbai: As part of its vision for growth, NDTV has rebranded and revamped its branded content unit as NDTV Brand Studio.

    NDTV Brand Studio will deliver a comprehensive suite of customised content solutions for brands across various sectors, covering every aspect of the value chain – from content ideation and production to amplification. The studio’s approach is to deliver very focused IPs with complete content solution specially designed to address or solve for a particular market need.

    “As brands navigate an increasingly dynamic, digital-first world, they need partners who can help craft narratives that reach and engage audiences in a meaningful, differentiated way,” said NDTV Brand Studio revenue head Gaurav Dewani “With NDTV Brand Studio, we’re thrilled to provide a creative hub where brands can create decisive messaging through NDTV’s journalistic excellence and deliver impactful branded content experiences”.

    The studio is powered by a team of branded content specialists and seasoned journalists with deep roots in NDTV’s legacy of social campaign and high-impact initiatives.

    In the last one year alone this team has added over 12 new IPs, and delivered over 300 hours of tailored content for clients across industries through IPs ranging from Banega Swasth India, Samarth by Hyundai, Usha Kushalta Ke Kadam, Protinex Protien Abhiyaan to NDTV Indian of the year, India Sustainability Mission, NDTV Infrashakti Awards, and the NDTV World Summit.

  • “Bun Tikki” to premiere at Palm Springs 2025, celebrating family & resilience

    “Bun Tikki” to premiere at Palm Springs 2025, celebrating family & resilience

    Mumbai: Jio Studios and Manish Malhotra’s Stage5 Production proudly announced the world premiere of “Bun Tikki” at the prestigious 36th Palm Springs International Film Festival (PSIFF) on 5 January 2025. Directed by debutant feature filmmaker Faraz Arif Ansari, the poignant coming-of-age drama stars Shabana Azmi, Zeenat Aman, Abhay Deol, Nushrratt Bharuccha, and Rohaan Singh.

    Set against the backdrop of societal challenges, “Bun Tikki” explores the tender relationship between seven-year-old Shanu and his single father, Sidhant. The narrative beautifully captures their journey through self-discovery, grief, and resilience. This emotional tale of love and identity promises to resonate with audiences globally, bringing universal themes of parenthood and empathy to the forefront.

    Speaking about the premiere, Ansari shared, “It’s an absolute dream to have “Bun Tikki” debut at Palm Springs. This film is my love letter to the world—to every child, every parent, and everyone who believes in the transformative power of love, empathy, and kindness. I hope it sparks conversations that break barriers and bridge differences. My heartfelt thanks to Jio Studios and Manish Malhotra for believing in me and giving this story the platform it deserves.”

    Produced by Jyoti Deshpande, Dinesh Malhotra, Marijke deSouza, and Manish Malhotra, “Bun Tikki” marks the second international outing for the Jio Studios-Stage5 Production collaboration, following the success of Saali Mohabbat at IFFI 2024. Reflecting their commitment to creating impactful cinema, the partnership continues to push boundaries with authentic storytelling that resonates across borders.

    Stage5 Production founder, Manish Malhotra expressed his pride: “Seeing “Bun Tikki” premiere at Palm Springs is a truly special moment. This film challenges conventions and connects on a universal scale. I am incredibly proud of Faraz for bringing this vision to life and eagerly anticipate the world’s response to this heartfelt story.”

    Reliance Industries president of media and entertainment, Jyoti Deshpande added, “ “Bun Tikki” is a testament to the power of storytelling to foster empathy and understanding. Supporting this film reflects our commitment to amplifying diverse voices and sharing narratives that challenge and inspire.”

    The film stars legendary actors Shabana Azmi and Zeenat Aman, alongside Abhay Deol, Nushrratt Bharuccha, and Rohaan Singh. Ansari, known for their award-winning films Sisak and Sheer Qorma, brings their distinctive voice to this feature directorial debut. “Bun Tikki” continues their legacy of inclusive storytelling, offering a heartfelt portrayal of familial love and resilience.

  • Jagran Film Festival returns to Delhi with 12th edition celebrating cinema

    Jagran Film Festival returns to Delhi with 12th edition celebrating cinema

    Mumbai: The 12th edition of the Jagran Film Festival (JFF), the world’s largest travelling film festival, is set to begin in Delhi from 5-8 December at Siri Fort Auditorium. Organised by the Jagran Prakashan Group and inaugurated by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India, this year’s festival promises an unparalleled celebration of cinematic excellence, cultural diversity, and storytelling.

    JFF 2024 features an extraordinary lineup of 292 films selected from an impressive pool of 4,787 submissions. Representing 111 countries and 78 languages, the festival highlights its commitment to making good cinema for everyone. Over the next 100 days, JFF will travel through 18 cities, including Prayagraj, Varanasi, Raipur, Ranchi, and Mumbai, ensuring that quality cinema reaches diverse audiences across India.

    The Delhi chapter will host renowned personalities like Pankaj Kapur, Manoj Bajpayee, Bhumi Pednekar, Taapsee Pannu, Mukesh Chhabra, and Bhuvan Bam. Directors such as Anil Prakash Joshi and Onir will also attend. The festival will showcase 102 remarkable films, spanning shorts, documentaries, and OTT content from 29 countries. Highlights include Kiran Rao’s Oscar entry “Laapataa Ladies” and Shashi Chandrakant Khandare’s Marathi film “Gypsy”.

    The festival will host 17 premieres, including five world premieres, seven Asia premieres, and five Indian premieres. Classics like Shyam Benegal’s Manthan will feature alongside panel discussions and workshops. Kapur will be honoured with a retrospective, and Bajpayee will discuss his journey in a special session. Aspiring actors can attend Mukesh Chhabra’s session on breaking into cinema, while Rahul Rawail and Sudhir Mishra will lead thought-provoking discussions on modern filmmaking.

    Jagran Prakashan Ltd, SVP, Basant Rathore emphasised JFF’s mission: “The Jagran Film Festival has become a cherished platform for celebrating the transformative power of cinema. This season, we are thrilled to showcase 102 films across 34 languages and 29 countries, ensuring quality cinema reaches Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. JFF remains committed to fostering meaningful conversations about the art of storytelling.”

  • Swati Shetty’s & Grant Kessman’s prodco Bridge7 acquires Slumdog Millionaire sequel rights

    Swati Shetty’s & Grant Kessman’s prodco Bridge7 acquires Slumdog Millionaire sequel rights

    MUMBAI: For those who know Swati Shetty, they will always commend her for her never-say-die spirit. The Los Angeles-based former Netflix director international originals & acquisitions and  producer of Umrika has got together with former CAA agent Grant Kessman to set up a production outfit Birdge7.

    And amongst the first transactions it has done is acquiring the film sequel and television series rights of the Oscar winning, Danny Boyle-directed Celador produced Slumdog Millionaire.

    This is what the duo had to say after striking the deal with Celador: “Some stories stay with us long after the credits roll and ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ is undoubtedly one of them. Its narrative is universal, cutting across cultural and geograpahical lines and it embodies the kind of stories we love — ones that bridge entertainment with profound human experiences. What makes ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ extraordinary is not only its cinematic brilliance — spanning storytelling, music and its remarkable accolades, but also how it brought together talent from across the world to make a global winning team.”

    Celador International chairman Paul Smith expressed his confidence in the duo acquiring the rights and said the studio was looking forward to working with Bridge7. 
     

  • Int’l Emmy Awards 2024 presented on 25 November in NY city

    Int’l Emmy Awards 2024 presented on 25 November in NY city

    NEW YORK: The International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences  awards ceremony on the night of 25 November in New York was hosted by Indian stand up comedian and actor Vir Das but not a single Indian show or artist took home the beautiful statue (We have to try harder and producer better shows, right?)  The gala was attended by television professionals from around the world with the founders Emmy being presented to David E. Kelley, the prolific writer and producer behind iconic shows such as Ally McBeal, L.A. Law and Big Little Lies by Michael Pressman, co-executive producer of Kelley’s shows Picket Fences and Chicago Hope.

    The directorate award was presented to Gaumont CEO Sidonie Dumas by actor & producer Omar Sy, star of hit show Lupin.

    “In these turbulent times, television is definitely an art form that brings people from around the world together – no matter their culture or language.” said International Academy President & CEO Bruce L. Paisner. “The International Academy is proud to recognize these outstanding programs and performances.”
    In addition to the two special awards, 14 Emmy statues were presented by the International Academy during the evening.

    international emmy awards

    The 14 winning International Emmy programs and performances are: Pianoforte (Arts Programming), Timothy Spall (Best Performance by an Actor), Aokbab-Chutimon Chuengcharoensukying (Best Performance by an Actress), División Palermo (Comedy), Otto Baxter: Not a F***ing Horror Story (Documentary), Les Gouttes de Dieu [Drops of God] (Drama Series), Tabby McTat (Kids: Animation), La Vida Secreta de tu Mente [The secret life of your mind] (Kids: Factual & Entertainment), En af Drengene [One of the Boys] (Kids: Live Action), Brawn: The Impossible Formula 1 Story (Sports Documentary), Restaurant Misverstand – Season 2 [The Restaurant That Makes Mistakes] (Non-Scripted Entertainment), Punt de no Retorn [Point of no Return] (Short-Form Series), La Promesa [The Vow] (Telenovela) and Liebes Kind [Dear Child] (TV Movie/Mini-Series).

    international emmy awards

    The winners list is below: 

    Arts Programming

    Pianoforte
    Telemark / HBO / The Fryderyk Chopin Institute / Ventana / ZDF / Arte / Mazovia Warsaw Film Fund / MX35 / Polish Film Institute
    Poland
    A coming-of-age portrait of young pianists taking part in the International Chopin Piano Competition. A chance of the lifetime portrayed from the backstage. An emotional rollercoaster with Chopin’s music in the background.

    Best Performance by an Actor

    Timothy Spall in The Sixth Commandment
    Wild Mercury Productions / True Vision
    United Kingdom
    A charismatic and inspirational English teacher and author, revered by his pupils. But underneath his public persona, Peter struggled. He felt isolated and unable to reconcile his Anglican faith with his sexuality. Desperate to escape his loneliness, he sought out meaningful connections, his own doubts and internal religious conflicts making him hugely empathetic to guiding those around him through difficult periods of their own lives.

    Best Performance by an Actress

    Aokbab-Chutimon Chuengcharoensukying in Hunger
    Sound Sound Production / Netflix
    Thailand
    A talented young street-food cook pushes herself to the limit after accepting an invitation to train under an infamous and ruthless chef.

    international emmys

    Comedy
    División Palermo
    K&S Films / Netflix
    Argentina
    A ragtag civilian patrol squad created to improve the image of the police force faces an unexpected danger after stumbling on a drug trafficking operation.

    Documentary
    Otto Baxter: Not a F***ing Horror Story
    Story Films / Archface Films / Sky Documentaries
    United Kingdom
    Filmmakers follow their friend Otto who has Down Syndrome, over 5 years as he writes/directs an allegorical horror based on his life. Through the process, Otto discovers a vocabulary to tell his story in his own words for the first time.

    Drama Series
    Les Gouttes de Dieu [Drops of God]
    Legendary Entertainment / Les Productions Dynamic / 22H22 / Adline Entertainment / France Télévisions / Hulu Japan
    France
    Camille inherits her father’s wine collection, but to claim it, she must outshine, Issei, her fathers protegé, in a challenging test. A tale unfolds as she competes for the world’s greatest wine collection, facing a rival for her inheritance.

    international emmys

    Non-Scripted Entertainment
    Restaurant Misverstand – Season 2 [The Restaurant That Makes Mistakes]
    Roses Are Blue / CPL Productions / Motion Content Group / Seven.One Studios International
    Belgium
    In this social experiment, a group of people living with dementia are helping run a restaurant led by a successful chef. It challenges perceptions about dementia, and reveals the impact work has on a person’s sense of identity and purpose.

    Short-Form Series
    Punt de no Retorn [Point of no Return]
    3 Cat TV3 Catalonia
    Spain
    Exploring humanity’s critical juncture, this docuseries captures the world’s transformation through personal stories at a paradigm shift. It highlights how today’s decisions will impact our future, questioning if we’ve reached a point of no return.

    Sports Documentary
    Brawn: The Impossible Formula 1 Story
    North One / Disney+
    United Kingdom
    Keanu Reeves tells one of the greatest sagas in Formula 1 history. From the formation of Brawn GP see their remarkable journey through strategic manoeuvres and financial trials during an exceptionally competitive era in the annals of the sport.

    Telenovela
    La Promesa [The Vow]
    Bambu Producciones, a STUDIOCANAL Company
    Spain
    Set at the beginning of the 20th Century, Jana, a maid for the waning yet ruthless House of Luján, seeks revenge for her mother’s murder. But there is one element she did not anticipate… falling in love with Manuel, son of the Count of Luján.

    TV Movie/Mini-Series
    Liebes Kind [Dear Child]
    Constantin Television / Netflix
    Germany
    A mysterious woman’s escape from her harrowing captivity points investigators towards the dark truth behind her unsolved disappearance 13 years ago.

    Kids: Animation
    Tabby McTat
    Magic Light Pictures
    United Kingdom
    Tabby McTat and his busker friend Fred delight crowds with their duets until an unexpected separation tears them apart. Tabby McTat searches for Fred, but instead finds a new family. Can Tabby McTat and Fred reunite and rekindle their friendship?

    Kids: Factual & Entertainment
    La Vida Secreta de tu Mente [The secret life of your mind]
    Warner Bros. Discovery / Pictoline / Mighty Animation
    Mexico
    Do you have a hard time understanding why you think or behave the way you do? Don’t worry, your mind can be a… complicated place. Discover its secrets with Ceri and solve the greatest mystery in the universe: why you are the way you are.

    Kids: Live-Action
    En af Drengene [One of the Boys]
    Apple Tree Productions / Viaplay
    Denmark
    The socially awkward Lau goes on the traditional Man Camp with the town boys to prove that he’s a “real man”. But things get tricky when he develops feelings for another boy. It’s a story about masculinity, bullying, queerness and feeling different.

     

    (Pictures courtesy: International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences)

  • Shemaroo Contentino: Flying in for a perfect landing

    Shemaroo Contentino: Flying in for a perfect landing

    MUMBAI: Shemaroo Contentino managing partner Murtuza Kagalwala often  looks out of his office in Andheri East close to Mumbai’s international airport and sees another plane take off. And it makes him smile. He does this several times a day. The more the flights that take off, the more his business grows. 

    Here are some facts: domestic travel by Indians is expected to  reach 325 million by 2030 and over 35 million Indians now live abroad. As a corollary, demand for Indian content is rapidly increasing. International travel by Indian nationals is expected to skyrocket from 64 million trips in 2023 to 160 million by 2030, with outbound travel spending projected to surge from $42 billion to $144 billion during this period.

    Shemaroo Contentino  – a subsidiary of Shemaroo Entertainment – is expected to be one of the major beneficiaries of this travel surge. It is one of the major providers of inflight entertainment to airlines, and claims to have captured 90 per cent of the premium Indian content space. Its content is available over 130 carriers globally – from Air India, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, Etihad Airways, among others. 

    For airlines serving the Indian diaspora and other international markets, Shemaroo Contentino’s content catalogue makes it an ideal solution for airlines catering to passengers from diverse linguistic backgrounds. It offers over 3,000 movies, more than 25,000 TV episodes, and 1,500 plus music tracks, digital series, in over 15 languages. Some of the most popular recent blockbuster movies in the list include Pathaan, Maharaja, Premalu, Nach Ga Ghuma, Jatt & Juliet 3, Toofan, Jhamkudi, and many more. 

    . “We’re proud to be at the forefront of providing Indian content for inflight entertainment,” said Kagalwala. “Our deep understanding of the global Indian diaspora, coupled with our ability to deliver culturally resonant content, truly sets us apart. As national and international travel among Indians continues to soar, we remain committed to shaping the future of inflight entertainment. Our goal is to make every journey more enjoyable and engaging, transforming long flights into memorable experiences—with the perfect movie or show just a click away.”

    That should help  the company to have an even smoother  take off. 

  • “Sisakti Rooh”: A stirring short film against violence on women premieres

    “Sisakti Rooh”: A stirring short film against violence on women premieres

    Mumbai: On International Day for the elimination of violence against women, Jigsaw Pictures unveiled the teaser of “Sisakti Rooh” (Sobbing Soul), a poignant 3-minute short film inspired by a nazm penned by the legendary Sahir Ludhianvi. The film confronts the harsh realities of violence against women, urging society to adopt empathy and respect.

    Inspired by the tragic assault on a lady doctor at RG Kar Hospital in Kolkata, an incident that shook the nation, Sisakti Rooh seeks to ensure such atrocities are not forgotten. This hard-hitting narrative carries a timeless message aimed at fostering meaningful change.

    “Sisakti Rooh, is the result of that idea. We joined hands with Abdullah Saleem Khan’s concept & his sensitivity towards this subject was the reason that he’s best suited to direct it as well” – Jigsaw Pictures, founder & producer, Rajnish Lall. “We also decided to produce this short film with the support of like-minded young & seasoned actors & technicians at no cost, so that we can offer the cost of production to a women destitute home where it can be used for their well-being.”

    The teaser launches on 25 November, with the full film releasing later this week. Jigsaw Pictures urges individuals, influencers, and policymakers to amplify the film’s message across social media and drive meaningful discussions on ending violence against women.

  • NDTV India launches ‘Samvad’ series with Samvidhan@75 celebration

    NDTV India launches ‘Samvad’ series with Samvidhan@75 celebration

    Mumbai: NDTV India proudly hosted the inaugural edition of its thought-leadership series, ‘NDTV INDIA SAMVAD’, with Samvidhan@75 as its theme. This landmark event commemorated the 75th anniversary of India’s Constitution, bringing together legal luminaries, leaders, and visionaries for a day of engaging dialogues on the cornerstones of India’s democracy.

    The conclave featured chief justice of India, D.Y. Chandrachud,  minister of parliamentary and minority affairs, Kiren Rijiju, former chief justice of India, Uday Umesh Lalit, member of parliament & former law minister, Ravi Shankar Prasad among other distinguished speakers.

    Justice Chandrachud emphasised the significance of the collegium system, calling it “a very good system in the federal structure.” Meanwhile, Rijiju highlighted pivotal moments in constitutional history, stating, “If we follow what is written in the Constitution, India will develop.”

    As part of the event, NDTV honored former attorney general of India, K.K. Venugopal, for his exceptional contributions to safeguarding the Constitution.

    Discussions ranged across critical issues:

    . Justice Chandrachud acknowledged judges’ right to pursue post-retirement opportunities, remarking, “Judges must decide what is appropriate for them to do post-retirement.”

    .  Justice Lalit reinforced the secular fabric of India, stating, “The Constitution does not endorse the government having any religion.”

    .   Former chief election commissioner S.Y. Qureshi emphasised India’s unparalleled diversity, underscoring the foundational role of the Election Commission in preserving democracy.

    NDTV senior managing editor Santosh Kumar shared the broader vision behind NDTV India Samvad, describing it as a platform to tackle critical issues and celebrate key milestones. He added, “Samvidhan@75 is just the beginning of a series that will explore transformative ideas shaping India’s future.”

    Through its insightful dialogues, NDTV India Samvad reaffirmed the enduring relevance of the Indian Constitution, emphasising its core tenets of justice, equality, and the protection of fundamental rights.

  • Amazon veteran Minari Shah moves on

    Amazon veteran Minari Shah moves on

    MUMBAI: Amazon director – international (EU, Apac and Latam), owned content and channels Minari Shah has decided to move on from the multinational firm. She announced her departure today on Linkedin.

    Her post read as follows: “After eight years at Amazon, my longest stint anywhere in my work life, I called it a day here today. It’s been one hell of a ride – lots of learning, lots of adventure, working with some very smart people – both in my team(s) and other partner teams and business colleagues. It’s been a journey full of innovating and doing new things, with always the multiplier of complexity and scale and in the process, I carry so many memories of some most amazing campaigns. I leave Amazon as a sharper, better professional, more measurement and data-driven, with a deeper conviction for how communications can have a business impact and a stronger curiosity for new learning. I also leave with memories of fun and camaraderie, with loads of laughter along the way. I will miss Amazon and hopefully will stay in touch with all the people that I would like to stay in touch with. This has been an important chapter of my life but I am now ready to move on to new things. As many people know, there are key family issues that need my time and there are old dreams to follow regarding writing but I will continue to remain within the communications ambit one way or other!”

    Shah has had a long career in industry having worked with Hindu Business Line and Business India in the nineties. She then decided to shift to communications and had a stint with Sampark Public Relations as vice-president. Following that she worked with Mahindra & Mahindra, L&T Infotech, Dell, HSB,Tata Motors, and then finally Amazon.

  • Warner Bros Pictures appoints Rishi Parekh as director content licensing

    Warner Bros Pictures appoints Rishi Parekh as director content licensing

    MUMBAI: Warner Bros Pictures has roped in Rishi Parekh as director content licensing, India. He has a lot of pedigree behind him and is known for his negotiation skills.  

    An MBA holder from University of Southern Queensland, Parekh’s previous stint was for seven years with Zee Entertainment where he was the chief channels officer English.

    Prior to that he was senior manager commercial at Star India, also for nearly seven years. And before that he was with IOL Netcom for nearly five years.