ITV

Category: Production House

  • The Big Bull makers to appoint Covid2019 watchdogs on set

    The Big Bull makers to appoint Covid2019 watchdogs on set

    MUMBAI: The makers of The Big Bull are set to start work on the final schedule from mid-October. To ensure the health and safety of cast and crew, producer Anand Pandit has decided to appoint Covid2019 watchdogs on the set. The Big Bull directed by Kookie Gulati stars Abhishek Bachchan and Ileana D'Cruz in the main lead.

    "The industry has to get back on its feet, but we cannot afford even a minor slip when it comes to guarding ourselves against the virus. At no point will the safety of my unit take a backseat during the shoot. Abhishek has fully recovered from the virus and is fighting fit," reveals a MidDay report. The producer further added that a group of medical experts will be present throughout the shoot, monitoring the sets to ensure that all safety norms are being implemented.

    Read more news on Covid2019 precautions taken by production sets

    The Big Bull is a financial crime drama is inspired by the life of stockbroker Harshad Mehta. The set will also have sanitisation tunnels, fumigating machines. Entire filming will be conducted in strict adherence with the government regulations.

  • Banijay Rights launches new website & catalogue

    Banijay Rights launches new website & catalogue

    MUMBAI: Banijay Rights has unveiled its brand-new catalogue and refreshed website following the integration of Banijay Rights and Endemol Shine International.

    In keeping with Banijay’s latest re-brand, the company has a catalogue of 90,000 hours of finished programming and an extensive formats catalogue. The modern and engaging site, which taps into the Banijay, connects buyers with standout mutli-genre programming, company news and is supplemented with an app for on-the-go access. Designed and created by Rawnet, the website also gives users an enhanced screening experience, with the ability to create or receive programme playlists.

    Included in the new drama slate is 6 x 30’ dark comedy, Two Weeks To Live, starring Emmy award-nominee Maisie Williams (Game of Thrones) produced by Kudos for Sky One and Now TV; Adult Material, a 4×60’ title produced by Fifty Fathoms for Channel 4, telling the story of leading British pornstar, Jolene Dollar, played by Hayley Squires, juggling on-set glamour and motherhood at home; five-part drama from Tiger Aspect for ITV, Viewpoint, a contemporary surveillance thriller starring Harry Bradbeer (Killing Eve), explores whether it is ever possible to observe the lives of others with true objectivity and zero effect; and from Yellow Bird, comes six part Swedish true crime, The Hunt For A Killer, for SVT.

    Unscripted new releases include 4 x 60’ series, Michael Palin: Travels of a Lifetime; one-off documentary, Leigh-Anne: Colourism and Race, from Dragonfly Film and Television for BBC Three; and Idris Elba’s Fight School  (4 x 60’ for BBC Two), a timely and important series from Workerbee, which won’t pull any punches.  

    Elsewhere, entertainment format, I Got You Babe, is a hilarious singing competition, which sees six celebrities team up with a puppet each to become the country’s best singing duet; in Fame Maker, contestants can be seen but not heard, as they sing under a soundproofed glass dome; and new dating experiment, Alone Together,  leaves two strangers spend days in complete isolation on a stunning Swedish island to give love the chance to blossom.

    The announcement follows Banijay Rights’ recent unveiling of its newly-formed sales team, led by chief executive officer, Cathy Payne.

  • Eros International unveils new identity for Eros STX Global Corp

    Eros International unveils new identity for Eros STX Global Corp

    KOLKATA: Eros International Plc has changed its corporate name to Eros STX Global Corp. Along with the change in the corporate name, the brand has come with a new logo, a new website, and a new stock ticker ESGC for New York stock exchange.

    Eros Intl Media CEO Pradeep Dwivedi shared the new identity for Eros STX Global Corp on his social media account.

     

     

    The name change follows the completion of company’s merger-of-equals transaction with STX Entertainment on 30 July. The corporate name change does not affect the company’s share structure or the rights of the company’s shareholders, and no action is required of the company’s existing shareholders in connection with the corporate name change.

    Read more news on Eros & STX Global merger 

    As described in the new website, the merged entity has six divisions Eros Now, Eros Motion Pictures, Eros STX International, STX films, STX television, STX alternative. The merger which was announced earlier this year brings two major forces of Bollywood and Hollywood together.

    In a recent interaction Dwivedi delved deeper into the merger of the two entities and shared his belief that the merged entity should be able to build the first compelling Indian studio that will capture worldwide attention both in terms of theatrical and streaming business.

  • SWA announces nominees for TV Shows category of SWA awards 2020

    SWA announces nominees for TV Shows category of SWA awards 2020

    MUMBAI: Screenwriters Association (SWA), the Indian guild of screenwriters and lyricists, announced the nominees for the TV Shows category of SWA Awards 2020. A jury comprising of eminent screenwriters selected nominees separately for story, screenplay and dialogue under two sub-categories: TV Comedy and TV Drama. Together, the nominations are divided among 13 Hindi language TV shows telecast in 2019.

    Nominees for TV Comedy – Best Story are:

    1.            Lakshmi Jayakumar and Shakti Sagar Chopra for Aladdin NaamTohSunaHoga

    2.            Sanjay Kohli, Shashank Bali and Manoj Santoshi for BhabijiGhar Par Hain!

    3.            RaghuvirShekhawat for JijajiChhatPer Hain

    4.            Nitin Keswani for Tarak Mehta KaOoltahChashma

    Nominees for TV Comedy – Best Screenplay are:

    1.            Aanchal Aggarwal for Aladdin Naam Toh Suna Hoga

    2.            Bhavna Vyas for Baavle Utaavle

    3.            Sanjay Kohli, Shashank Bali and Manoj Santoshi for BhabijiGhar Par Hain!

    4.            Aatish Kapadia for Bhakharwadi

    5.            RaghuvirShekhawat, Shashank Bali and Sanjay Kohli for JijajiChhatPer Hain

    Nominees for TV Comedy – Best Dialogue are:

    1.            Bhavna Vyas for Baavle Utaavle

    2.            Manoj Santoshi for Bhabiji Ghar Par Hain!

    3.            Aatish Kapadia for Bhakharwadi

    4.            Raghuvir Shekhawat for Jijaji Chhat Per Hain

    Nominees for TV Drama – Best Screenplay are:

    1.            Vishal Watwani and Renu Watwani for Choti Sarrdaarni

    2.            Kumar Prabhat  for Ek Mahanayak – Dr B R Ambedkar

    3.            Zama Habib for Ishaaron Ishaaron Mein

    4.            Faizal Akhtar and Pankaj Uniyal for Jhansi ki Rani

    5.            Kartick Sitaraman for Mere Dad ki Dulhan

    Nominees for TV Drama – Best Dialogue are:

    1.            Yogesh Vikrant  for Ek Mahanayak – Dr B R Ambedkar

    2.            Zama Habib for Ishaaron Ishaaron Mein

    3.            Aparajita Sharma and Divy Nidhi Sharma for Kulfi Kumar Bajewala

    4.            PreetiMamgain for Mere Dad ki Dulhan

    5.            Vinod Sharma for Ram Siyake Luv Kush

    SWA general secretary Sunil Salgia said, “TV is purely a writers’ medium. It is not easy writing a 30-60-minute script on a daily basis. It is even more difficult when you are writing as per the so called ‘episode feedback’ based on TRPs, rival channel’s story track, popularity of a character, upcoming festival, availability of cast or location, weather and above all the liking or the mood of the Creative Head. Crossing these check points, if you have been able to write something worth mentioning, you deserve an award.”

    The SWA Awards Committee received 146 entries from writers of Hindi language TV shows telecast across general entertainment channels in 2019. A jury comprising of screenwriters such as Ajai Sinha, AnandMahendroo, Kamlesh Pandey, LiliputFaruqui, Manjul Sinha, PurnenduShekhar and Sanjay Upadhyay watched two consecutive episodes of entries shortlisted by a pre-jury and selected the nominees under each sub-category. The final winners will be announced in an online awards ceremony on 27 September  2020.

    SWA awards spokesperson for television category and screenwriter Satyam Tripathy said, “Overnight an Indian television writer not only weaves the story fabric but also manages to mend a sudden tear and if a thread comes loose then just picks another but continues weaving the magic without disappointing his audience. If that sounds easy then just try writing 100 episodes of a serial and all your notions and misconceptions will fly out the window.”

    SWA is holding the first ever SWA Awards on the occasion of its diamond jubilee year in 2020. Since they are judged by knowledgeable screenwriters and lyricists, these awards promise to become the most coveted validation for writers in India, much like the awards of other prestigious international writers’ guilds and literary organisations.

    The nominees spoke to SWA, reacting to the announcement:

    Lakshmi Jayakumar: The nomination for the SWA Award is a tremendous honour for me as it feels great to be recognised by your contemporaries, colleagues and seniors. A writer’s ultimate glory is appreciation and this being my first award nomination, I feel extremely honoured that it has come from the SWA itself. It is indeed motivating and inspiring. I am looking forward to this countdown although I feel like I have already won by just being nominated.

    Shakti Sagar Chopra: Being recognised for one’s work is always appreciated, but even more so when it comes from your own fraternity. I greatly appreciate SWA for instituting these awards where writers shall be recognised by their peers. I also thank them for nominating Aladdin Naam Toh Suna Hoga in TV Comedy – Best Story category.

    Shashank Bali: Never undermine the importance of the writer.

    Manoj Santoshi: I am very happy that I got a nomination at the SWA Awards and I want to thank the entire team at SWA for this and wish them a bright future.

    RaghuvirShekhawat: I am extremely thrilled for my nomination in all three categories of TV Comedy at the first ever SWA Awards started by SWA. I have been associated with SWA for a long time and these nominations by the jury of eminent writers make it even more special. I congratulate SWA for this wonderful step of honouring the writers and I hope these awards become the most coveted awards for writing in our country.

    Nitin Keswani: SWA Awards are very special to most of the writers because it is from the writing fraternity. So it is a big achievement for me to get nominated on this platform. I feel I am working in the right direction.

    Bhavna Vyas: I feel so happy that I got nominated for my first ever comedy TV show by SWA. Being appreciated by your senior writers and industry members is a matter of honour for any writer. I am really grateful. Also I want to say this is an amazing initiative for motivating writers by SWA.

    Aatish Kapadia: Congratulations SWA for instituting these awards by the writers, of the writers and for the writers.

    Aanchal Aggarwal: A writer is often judged by the TRPs a show garners. But when an eminent jury from your own field sees you worthy of a nomination, it is the day when a writer gets their due. This is really a great motivational moment for me as a writer irrespective of whether I win or not. I am grateful to SWA for this honour and giving every writer like me a push, a pat on the back and reason to keep pushing our envelopes and keep creating better content.

    Yogesh Vikrant: The institution of the SWA Awards is a great step. A writer is the backbone of every screen story. That is why, an awards programme conceived by a writers’ association that keeps the contribution of the writer at its centre is a welcome initiative in the world of storytelling for the screen. I feel very happy to have been nominated for best dialogue for SWA Awards 2020.

    Aparajita Sharma: No job is too small, it’s true. Call me vain, but to me, we have the best job. Writing is pure joy and we are fortunate enough to be able to do the thing we love every day. We have dedicated our lives to writing, and SWA has dedicated itself to writers. This is the perfect partnership. And, this year, with these awards, we celebrate this partnership. Divy and I feel honoured that our fraternity, our people have recognised our work as noteworthy and nominated us for Kullfi Kumarr Bajewaala.

    Divy Nidhi Sharma: SWA Awards are very important to me because they are our own awards. I am proud to have been nominated for this award and I convey my best wishes to all other nominees.

    Preeti Mamgain: Words are my passion, and words are my business, but at this moment I feel speechless. I am immensely grateful to SWA for this nomination. What makes it truly special is that for the first time in India we have an awards function exclusively for screenwriters. To be judged by a jury of my own peers, by respected and eminent screenwriters, makes me feel elated and humbled at the same time. To quote Benjamin Disraeli: "I feel a very unusual feeling, if it's not indigestion, it must be gratitude."

    Vinod Sharma: It is an excellent attempt to cheer up screenwriters as only a writer can evaluate the talent and work of another writer. I am glad that SWA initiated this encouragement. I feel thrilled that the jury nominated me for the first edition of its awards. Thank you, SWA team, Swastik and Siddhartha Kumar Tewary who always encouraged me and made me to write something which is appreciated.

    Vishal Watwani and RenuWatwani: We are glad to be nominated for the award for best screenplay for Choti Sarrdaarni. Recognition from peers is by far the most gratifying feeling. So thank you SWA for bringing about this opportunity to all the ‘wordsmiths’ of Hindi television/OTT/Films. These awards will prove to be a credible milestone in the careers of the writers who are nominees and winners.

    Kumar Prabhat: The writer plays an important role in the success of a film, TV show or web series. But when it comes to praise, all the applause and appreciation is usurped by others while the writers continue writing. But I am glad that in addition to protecting the rights of writers, SWA has also assumed the responsibility of honouring them with awards. These awards are a matter of pride for any writer. I feel fortunate to have been nominated for best screenplay.

    Zama Habib: I am honoured and excited to know that after being nominated under the Best Lyrics category by SWA Awards, I am now nominated for Best Screenplay and best dialogues for Ishaaron Ishaaron Mein. Thanks SWA for the nomination. A win or loss doesn’t matter. I am happy that our writers’ fraternity has begun this new journey. Our own awards! Congratulations to each and every writer and lyricist. Congratulations to SWA awards team.

    Faizal Akhtar: Any association is always like a mother to its associate. And an award coming from SWA feels so genuine. I have been to many award functions and have won many awards, but I have seen writers always being treated in a ‘rushed-up’ manner while giving the awards. It is always the actors who get importance in a medium which is called a ‘writer's medium’. At least now writers will get the necessary importance in their mother’s arms. Thank you so much for nominating me for Jhansi Ki Rani, a show much closer to my heart for the amount of research and crafting that went into it.

    Pankaj Uniyal: I am truly overwhelmed by this great initiative taken by SWA to recognise, encourage and promote screenwriters. I am earnestly grateful for the recognition I have received for being shortlisted as one of the nominees for Jhansi ki Rani. I feel privileged and honoured for this recognition of my endeavour. These awards will definitely prove a milestone in moulding and shaping the future of the entire screenwriting fraternity.

    KartickSitaraman: It is most redeeming to be recognised by one’s peers. It made me pause for a moment. And in that moment, I rediscovered, once again, that the only worthy pursuit in this job, amidst the rejections and frustrations is to be true to oneself, one’s voice. It may not bring accolades or successes immediately but it keeps one alive to try another day. My gratitude to SWA for this step forward, with the hope that it’s a giant leap for writers everywhere in this country.

  • GoQuest Media signs international distribution rights for RATS

    GoQuest Media signs international distribution rights for RATS

    MUMBAI: Global independent content distributor GoQuest Media has partnered with Czech production company Heaven’s Gate to take the international distribution rights for the gripping crime thriller RATS (6 x 55') – a bold, hard-hitting drama about the Czech drug trade.

    Based on true stories and made in collaboration with the national anti-drug centre of the Czech Republic (DEA), RATS was created and written by talented young Czech screenwriter Miro Šifra (Rédl) and directed by multi-award-winning Viktor Tauš (Vodnik, Clownwise, Dom) of Heaven’s Gate and Matěj Chlupáček (Terapie) of Barletta productions in association with Czech TV and MD4. RATS aired in spring 2020, during primetime on Ceska Televize to unprecedented critical acclaim and multi-generational ratings success.

    RATS is set in the evolving world of the Czech-Vietnamese meth syndicates which are led by an immigrant mafia, funded by cryptocurrency and monitored by the DEA, who have to change their traditional tactics in order to adapt to the new order.  But change begets mistakes, which often cost lives and nobody wants to end up as a rat for the DEA, but David (Cyril Dobrý) didn’t have a choice.  After cracking under the interrogation of Major Jan Blažek (Václav Neužil), spilling the secrets of the syndicate and betraying his best friend, becoming an informant might be his best chance to survive.

    Only now he’s being targeted by the police and the mafia, with only the ambitious police analyst Petra Vávrová (Lenka Krobotová) to back him up.  In a world where nobody trusts him and he can trust nobody, David is learning to make up the rules as he goes along.

    Boasting a stellar Czech cast including Cyril Dobrý (Das Boot, Ulice) Lenka Krobotová (Díra u Hanušovic), Václav Neužil (Bába z ledu) and new-comer Miloslav Pechácek, RATS will screen at numerous festivals this autumn including Serial Killer, Odessa and the International Zurich Film Festival (ZFF) where it has been nominated for the Golden Eye for Best International TV Series.

    GoQuest Media Europe and north America head Paula McHarg said, “From the first frame of RATS until its gripping conclusion we were nothing short of transfixed.  Globally launching such an outstanding series from a region that’s currently bubbling over with potential is truly an honor and we have no doubt that the international marketplace will respond with as much enthusiasm as we have.”

    Heaven's Gate CEO Viktor Taus added, “I believe that part of the reason for the global resonance is, paradoxically, the local specificity.  Besides its thrilling content, a crime mini-series in 2020 also has to be an authentic report of the state of the world when the story takes place.  RATS is like that.  This is the world we live in.  I’ve never met with such a deep interest to understand the story, its heroes, and the meaning of the storytelling visuality as with Paula and her team at GoQuest Media.  Through them RATS has been awarded a distributor with the same passion as the team we told the story with.”
     

  • Saregama launches Carvaan Malayalam

    Saregama launches Carvaan Malayalam

    MUMBAI: After weaving in a nostalgic music experience for its Hindi, Tamil, Punjabi, Bengali and Marathi music lovers, Saregama launches Carvaan Malayalam with pre-loaded 5000 evergreen songs classified into artistes, devotional and carnatic.

    Carvaan Mini Malayalam is a treat for all Malayalam and carnatic music lovers. It offers music by legendary artists like Prem Nazir, Yesudas , M.S.Subbulakshmi, Sikkil Sisters, N. Ramani, Dr.M. Balamuralikrishna, Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan amongst many others. One can easily choose between favourite artistes, move to Carnatic music or simply play devotional songs depending on the mood and time of the day. No internet is required to play the songs and there are no ad breaks to interrupt the listening experience.

    Apart from offering 5000 pre-loaded songs, it comes with other features like AM/FM, Bluetooth, AUX, and USB. This all-in-one product innovation offers a long lasting battery of up to 5 hours along with a one year warranty. With its premium retro look, extensive content library and ease-of-use, it’s surely is a best gift for the loved ones. At competitive price of only Rs. 6190, the device the is available on https://www.saregama.com/carvaan/malayalam

  • Pradeep Dwivedi gives further insights into Eros-STX flagoff

    Pradeep Dwivedi gives further insights into Eros-STX flagoff

    The pragmatic and cheerful boss of Eros International’s (Eros STX Global corporation) Indian operation had come on board at a very crucial time. Within a few months after his joining in January 2020, the big merger of Eros International and US-based STX Entertainment was announced. While a corporate merger comes with its own challenges, the SARS COV2 induced crisis has just multiplied it. Despite the obstacles, the efforts are underway for smooth integration. Eros International Media Ltd India CEO Pradeep Dwivedi gleams with the hope of making an Indian studio that will be recognised globally.

    Other than typical profit and loss benefits, Dwivedi believes the merged entity should be able to build the first compelling Indian studio that will capture worldwide attention both in terms of theatrical and streaming business. Starting 23 September Eros International will be known by its new corporate name Eros STX Global Corporation. The brand is launching a new website along with it. Against this backdrop, the media veteran spoke elaborately on the ongoing integration efforts, possible outcomes of the merger, digital business during a virtual fireside chat with Indiantelevision.com founder, CEO and editor-in-chief Anil Wanvari.

    Edited excerpts follow:

    Read more news on Eros International

    Have the companies started working together?

    We are working very closely ever since we started the merger. There is a segmented approach to our business. We have streaming, theatrical, cable and satellite distribution business. We are trying to harmonise these areas to figure out a significant cost synergy to ensure that the combined entity is operating far more efficiently than the two companies were working individually. The logical assumption would be that many companies go for massive headcount reduction. However, the beauty of our merger is that we have very lean and organized teams on both sides. The combined company is of little over 500 people which is not a big number. Moreover, the kind of market focus and talents Eros has is very distinct from the ones that STX brings to the table. The companies are complementing each other. We are working very closely and integration efforts are going on.

    You said you are streamlining your businesses. How are you finding synergies in distribution and syndication in the Chinese market?

    We have been working more on the distribution of Bollywood movies to the Chinese market, STX has been leveraging financing, ideas to create content out of China. I know the tension against China is extremely high currently. There are nationalistic sentiments on accounts of border disputes. In the US, there are nationalistic sentiments around trade disputes. My sense is both are genuinely well-placed concerns. But I think the human spirit will overcome some of these geopolitical issues and we will find a way forward to recommence the business.

    Watch more fireside chats with industry veterans

    How the merger is changing your thought process overall?

    The idea is really that when you combine both there’s a global play that is coming out. The kind of storylines that are emerging and amalgamating across the world can be universally played out. With the rise of OTT, the audience has also become global in a way. Indians are very happily following Turkish, Korean, and Mexican content. In terms of technology, we are making sure the audience who does not understand Hindi slate is able to get subtitles, language conversion which is where our partnership with Microsoft Azure comes into play. We are investing in AI technologies to be able to create consumer access at the most basic level.

    We have 125 million dollars of capital commitment as part of equity capitalization. We are also very choosy about what kind of money we are taking in. As our CEO often says it is not about money, it is about the quality of the money.

    Recently you had to face impairment charges which have led to a negative sentiment overall. Your share price is also going down…

    The movie production side is a long lead side. You invest in talents, directors, stories, and stars. If everything is well, you will have a movie production after nine months. You also have scenarios where producers and directors have gone to such a state that content is not coming out even after three years. Obviously, you have made those advances, there is no way you can monetise half of the content. If you get delayed in content coming out, you take impairment but that does not mean you have taken a cash loss on that. At some point of time, when the content gets produced, when you get the movie out, you can drive back the money as well. The reason for the impairment was taken not due to any losses.

    Over the last year or so, we were very unfairly targeted by short-sellers. They don’t pick a large share but target short-mid cap companies. India does not have this problem as much as the US has. They will also typically target a foreign private issuer because promoters are not based in the US but only listed there for market access. When you start hammering them with all kinds of innuendo, stockholders get distressed and they would possibly try to sell or exit the stock to recover the money they have invested in. Hence, the short sellers would be able to buy it out cheap and would be able to recover huge amounts of money on that. While it is not illegal, it is an orchestrated strategy in the marketplace. We have taken the bulls by the horn. We have filed litigations against all of these short sellers.  Hearings are going on in multiple courts. I can’t share more as it is subjudice now. But I can say, we have been proven right on every single front. When they have challenged our finances, operations, we have been proven correct. Governance is the cornerstone of what we do.

    Read more coverage on Pradeep Dwivedi

    How has the work progressed in the last six months?

    The pandemic has allowed us to do two things very distinctively. Firstly, the mundane stuff including IT system, mail system, technology, digital assets management, reporting standards, IFRS versus US GAAP, all of those are being addressed.  At the content level, where productions have been stopped, there are two subsets of works that are happening. One is of course post-production. The other interesting part is the whole creative part of the work. Just cut to six months before the pandemic did not start. There was a mad rush to put out content. This bit of a pause has given time to writers to think through innovative content. Some of the ideas we are getting now are very interesting, the kind of stories are very compelling. My sense is that once we are moving out of the pandemic, you will see some amazing stories coming out.

    Have your shoots started?

    Our shootings have started but in a very small way. I won’t say it is full-fledged. There are two projects on the floor, and both are outdoors. We are not doing anything in Bombay right now. There is work happening in Himachal, Uttaranchal, and north Karnataka.

    You were supposed to launch Eros Now Prime in June. Have you changed the plan?

    It is still in work for launch. We have readiness because we took Comcast NBC content and there will be content from STX library also. It will have British, American, and southeast Asian content. Eros Now Prime is essentially a premium English service at phase I. There will be some old popular TV shows along with brand new shows. As we move forward, we will put English translation, subtitles.

    You have a fabulous catalogue of music. Has that moved?

    It comes on two levels. One is Eros Music as a label. We are looking at investing more in that label, getting new talents both in film and non-film music. The other is the whole YouTube partnership which is largely to drive the traffic and traction around Eros Now as well. It is a bundled package. We are a strong believer in b2b2c which essentially means we will do partnerships with large players who deal with large consumer ecosystems. We will provide value for them to build stickiness for their own consumption. In return, they will allow us a large consumer base access.

    Where do you see Eros STX in three years?

    As a company, I believe we should be able to build the first compelling Indian studio that has captured worldwide attention both in terms of theatrical outcome and streaming. It's about doing more than business and creating great content & good stories.

  • SWA announces nominees for feature films category of SWA Awards 2020

    SWA announces nominees for feature films category of SWA Awards 2020

    MUMBAI: Screenwriters Association (SWA), the indian guild of screenwriters and lyricists, announced today the nominees for the feature films category of swa awards 2020. A jury comprising of eminent screenwriters selected five feature films under each of the sub-categories: best story, best screenplay, best dialogue and best debut writer. Together, the nominations are divided among ten Hindi language feature films released in 2019.

    Nominees for Best Story are:

    1.            Anubhav Sinha and Gaurav Solanki for Article 15

    2.            Devanshu Singh and Satyanshu Singh for Chintu Ka Birthday

    3.            Reema Kagti and Zoya Akhtar for Gully Boy

    4.            Abhishek Chaubey and Sudip Sharma for Sonchiriya

    5.            Ivan Ayr for Soni

    Nominees for Best Screenplay are:

    1.            Anubhav Sinha and Gaurav Solanki for Article 15

    2.            Niren Bhatt for Bala

    3.            Devanshu Singh and Satyanshu Singh for Chintu Ka Birthday

    4.            Reema Kagti and Zoya Akhtar for Gully Boy

    5.            Vasan Bala for Mard Ko Dard Nahin Hota

    Nominees for Best Dialogue are:

    1.            Anubhav Sinha and Gaurav Solanki for Article 15

    2.            Niren Bhatt for Bala

    3.            Reema Kagti and Zoya Akhtar for Gully Boy

    4.            Ravinder Randhawa and Sumit Saxena for Hamid

    5.            Sudip Sharma for Sonchiriya

    Nominees for Best Debut Writer are:

    1.            Devanshu Singh and Satyanshu Singh for Chintu Ka Birthday

    2.            Sandeep Pandey for Chousar Firangi

    3.            Ravinder Randhawa for Hamid

    4.            Aadish Keluskar for Jaoon Kahan Bata Ae Dil

    5.            Ivan Ayr and Kislay for Soni

    SWA general secretary Sunil Salgia said, “Filmmakers always say, ‘Without script there is no film’ or ‘the Script is King’. They are right. It is time to recognise the persons who lay the foundations of these kingdoms. Let them be centre-stage. They will cherish this award more than anything as it comes from their colleagues, their competitors, their critics and those who envy them yet love them. Writing a movie’s script is the most challenging craft, and the best deserves honours, irrespective of its commercial outcome.”

    For the purpose of selection of nominees, the SWA Awards Committee accessed 167 of 223 Hindi language feature films released in theatres and on OTT platforms in 2019. A jury comprising of screenwriters such as Ashok Mishra, Atul Tiwari, Juhi Chaturvedi, Saket Chaudhary, Urmi Juvekar, Vijay Krishna Acharya and Vinay Shukla watched films shortlisted by SWA’s Film Selection Committee and selected the nominees under each sub-category. The final winners will be announced in an online awards ceremony on 27 September 2020.

    Senior screenwriter, teacher and SWA film awards spokesperson Anjum Rajabali, said, “Victor Hugo’s oft-quoted line says it perfectly: ‘There’s nothing as powerful as an idea whose time has come.’ The time to celebrate the primacy of the script has arrived. The time to honour the writer is here. And what better way than for a writers’ association to do it. There’s no greater pride for a writer than to have her work endorsed by peers who understand writing. SWA is fulfilling its aim to bring the writer centre-stage. Kudos to the SWA Awards Committee led by Sridhar Rangayan, Richa Singh Gautam, Jagriti Thakur and their team for the impeccable transparency of the judging process. Way to go, SWA!”

    SWA is holding the first ever SWA Awards on the occasion of its Diamond Jubilee year in 2020. Since they are judged by knowledgeable screenwriters and lyricists, these awards promise to become the most coveted validation for writers in India, much like the awards of other prestigious international writers’ guilds and literary organisations.

    The nominees spoke to SWA, reacting to the announcement:

    Anubhav Sinha: I am so happy to be nominated by the Screenwriters Association for Article 15 for writing awards, and it is so wonderful that your peers, your seniors think what you wrote was worthy of such a distinction. Thank you so much, jury. Thank you so much, Screenwriters Association.

    Gaurav Solanki: This is a very special nomination. Awards for writers, by writers! I hope through this we keep encouraging each other, educating each other of our shortcomings and pat each other's back when the work is good. We keep working, writing new stories and screenplays and walk on new paths. This is a celebration for that only!

    Devanshu Singh: It's a matter of great joy and pride for us both, that our first script has been nominated in three categories at the first ever edition of the SWA awards. We wrote this script in 2007 without any formal training in screenwriting. For the past 10 years, we kept polishing it as we learnt the craft. Writing is a game of immense patience and hard work and being rewarded for it, means a lot. Thank you, jury, for considering us worthy of the nomination among such brilliant writers. Special thanks to SWA for starting this award. This will definitely encourage budding writers like us.

    Satyanshu Singh: Over the last couple of decades, Screenwriters Association has been the much needed support system we need as writers. It is only just that the SWA has its own awards to honour the work of screenwriters and lyricists. Over the following years, this award will only grow in its stature and legacy. I will always feel honoured and proud to be nominated in the SWA Awards in the very first year. Thank you, SWA, from the bottom of my heart, for this nomination, and every other nomination and award an upcoming writer will receive from you.

    Abhishek Chaubey: It comes as a rare piece of good news in these bleak times that SWA has inaugurated its first ever awards to honour the best writing of the year. That we have been nominated in the Best Story category for Sonchiriya is an icing on the cake. It’s an absolute privilege to be nominated for the first ever edition and I wish this initiative is a huge success. Recent years have seen the standing of film writers in our industry improve remarkably and SWA has a major role in this development. I hope this happy story continues into its new act.

    Sudip Sharma: It’s lovely to hear that SWA is honouring the best works of the year 2019 with SWA Awards for writing. I am even more thrilled that my writing on Sonchiriya has been thought worthy of nomination by a jury of eminent writers. It is always a lovely feeling to be reviewed well by your peers and I thank them for considering my work worthwhile of that privilege.

    Ivan Ayr: I am very grateful to the Screenwriters Association and the 2020 awards committee for this nomination. There is no greater honour than to be recognised by your peers and contemporaries, so this is very special.

    Niren Bhatt: The fact that nominations for this award have been selected by fellow writers makes it super special for me. I am humbled and elated by the nomination. Hope SWA Awards grow bigger every year and it manages to give much required unbiased recognition to writers in the Indian film industry. SWA Awards is certainly a step in the right direction.

    Vasan Bala: Extremely thrilled to be acknowledged with this nomination for the first ever SWA Awards. Thank you and hope the awards keep growing in strength in the years to come.

    Ravinder Randhawa: Nothing could be more significant and heart-warming than being recognised and celebrated by one's fraternity. Therefore, I am extremely happy to be nominated for the first ever SWA Awards. The best part is that the only consideration for these awards seems to be the quality of the script and not the total business of the film. I sincerely hope that these awards will instil faith in good writing and inspire writers to strive for the best. 

    Sumit Saxena: Thanks to Gaurav Sharma, Sidharth, Shoaib and the entire team from SaReGama for this nomination. This one is special! I am not very sure where my SWA Membership card is. I very rarely ever register my scripts and ideas but, I completely understand the importance of this institution. This is the first year of this award ceremony, so it will be special. And I am hoping for more of these glorious ceremonies in times to come.

    Sandeep Pandey: If we look at all the elements of a film, writing, without doubt, is one of the most important components. The Screenwriters Association provides a platform that encourages and safeguards the rights of the upcoming and professional writers. It is a matter of privilege for me that the SWA and the jury nominated "Chousar Firangi" written and directed by me in the best debut writer category. I am very thankful to them. And I also hope that SWA continues to encourage us writers.

    Adish Keluskar: Writing is art and art is subjective. Awards in an artistic field, for 'Best' this or that, do not reflect the true nature of art unlike sports or other clearly defined fields. However, awards in an artistic field are important because they serve a necessary function – clear recognition. In today’s muddled times of information overload, clear identification, and recognition of an artistic field from other artistic fields is the vision we need. SWA has that vision and SWA Awards for writing is a concrete reflection of that. I thank you for the nomination and wish SWA the best to continue this vision.

    Kislay: I initially joined SWA thinking that it is only an association. Later when I received regular updates about its activities, I realised it does much more. It’s an honour to be chosen by your esteemed fellow writers as one of the contenders for the SWA Awards. In academics, the uniqueness and inventiveness of the academic works is recognised in its peer reviews. SWA Awards is equivalent to that for me in films. I am glad that our peers have seen something of value in what we tried to do in our first film.

  • Rainshine Entertainment and Five Fifty Five partner to produce stories

    Rainshine Entertainment and Five Fifty Five partner to produce stories

    MUMBAI: Rainshine Entertainment and Five Fifty Five announce an exciting strategic joint venture, where the two companies will work together to develop, produce, and distribute extraordinary long and short-form film and TV formats, audio podcasts, and extended reality (XR) content for audiences worldwide.

    Rainshine Entertainment is a leading entertainment company that creates, nurtures, and develops content studios, which create fabulous content for Indian and global audiences, and Five Fifty Five is an award-winning UK based media company committed to content worth creating.

    This joint association brings together two passionate minds from the industry – successful entrepreneur, investor, consultant, and Rainshine Entertainment founder, chairman and CEO Neeraj Bhargava, and an award-winning international filmmaker, actor, and creative director and Five Fifty Five founder and CEO Kate Baxter. Leveraging the expertise and strengths of the two companies, this partnership unites them in their common endeavor to offer consumers a diverse and enthralling range of stories that spans genres and audiences.

    Together, the companies hope to provide a platform for communities globally to tell their own unique stories, with a focus on the marginalized, the misunderstood, the overlooked, and the unheard. All this with a strong belief in consumerism being best driven by sustainability.

    Working closely with creative director Kate Baxter and her team from Five Fifty Five, this partnership will be supported by two other key members of the Rainshine team emerging business SVP Kiran Nithyanand and senior product manager Harleen Chadha,

    Setting the wheels in motion, the initial set of IP franchises to be launched through this partnership include an untitled project, directed by Marine Corps Veteran and GLAAD-award-nominated filmmaker Elegance Bratton; an untitled Raoni Metuktire project, directed by Kate Baxter, about the first environmentalist and 2020 Nobel Peace Prize nominee, Raoni Metuktire, and edited by award-winning Eduardo Serrano; and The Dark Lady, based on the bestselling research and book ‘Shakespeare’s Dark Lady’ by Dr. John Hudson. Rainshine Entertainment and Five Fifty Five will also join hands to create a wide range of podcasts, led by Jack Bowman, an award-winning audio fiction writer, director and producer, and Sandra Labady, well-known audio and digital content producer.

    Baxter said, “Working alongside my colleague and friend, Neeraj Bhargava, I am thrilled to see opportunities for Five Fifty Five’s international content to be produced and distributed to a global audience. Our partnership provides a wider platform for Five Fifty Five’s development incubator which includes 50+ creatives across five continents, speaking 30+ languages. Never in history has there been a more urgent and opportune moment for the unheard voices we develop and support to be spread through traditional channels.”

    “We are a team of passionate storytellers with a constant endeavor to offer high quality and engaging content across formats and genres. Staying true to this, we are delighted to partner with Five Fifty Five, a company that echoes what we believe in. This association presents an exciting opportunity to broaden the scope of our offerings and facilitate the global distribution of our combined work to a more diversified audience worldwide,” said Bhargava.

    Here’s a sneak peek into the impressive line-up of content that will be rolled out first as part of this joint venture:

    Untitled project – directed by Marine Corps Veteran and GLAAD-award-nominated filmmaker Elegance Bratton, this is the story of the first African American regiment to fight in WWI, and how they moved the world against all odds on and off the battlefield. The project is a global, music-heavy, action-driven political-commentary that is a highly demanded show in the current social environment.

    Untitled Raoni Metuktire project – Directed by Kate Baxter and edited by award-winning Eduardo Serrano, this is the story of the first environmentalist and 2020 Nobel Peace Prize nominee, Raoni Metuktire, whose village is now in critical danger due to Brazilian president Bolsonaro’s urgency to overtake their land and the Amazon rainforest, for international business deals with the likes of Donald Trump.

    The Dark Lady – Based on the bestselling research and book ‘Shakespeare’s Dark Lady’ by John Hudson, The Dark Lady is a shocking, hard-hitting, truly global true story about the critical thinking of the black Jewess credited with writing much of Shakespeare’s work. Podcasts – Our Fiction and Non-Fiction departments have multiple genre-bending podcasts under development.
     

  • GuneetMonga , opportunities & innovation with OPPO

    GuneetMonga , opportunities & innovation with OPPO

    MUMBAI: Academy award winner and BAFTA nominee, GuneetMonga needs no introduction. An ace producer, she has been assiociated with films like The Lunchbox, Masaan, Gangs of Wasseypur, What Will People Say and Period. End of Sentence. However, her journey to the top has not been that simple. 

    Western Mumbai’s ever bustling suburb, Versova, is home to several production houses, casting companies, and wannabe stars. At the edge of the sea, the borough  commands high rentals  and harbours even higher hopes for wannabes, perfectly epitomising the Mumbai film industry.
     
    On one side of the main road, the place is crowded with luxury high-rises of  actors and filmmakers and on the opposite side are rows of small cottages, shops, offices, and even gourmet restaurants and cafés. Adjoining the array of small cafés is the barely detectable office of Sikhya Entertainment, the company founded by Guneet Monga and the CEO of which she currently is. .

    At 36, Guneet Monga has emerged as one of India’s most recognised producers, who makes strides by refusing to stick to the conventional Bollywood formula. She is currently post-producing two of her projects SooraraiPottru and Pagglait and is looking forward to make a film set in space by next year. 

    Busy as she is, Monga took time to be part of a promotional and marketing campaign with global smart device brand Oppo with the theme of  #GoBeyondBoundaries around the new phone model Reno4Pro. It showcases her journey of going beyond the boundaries and leveraging technology to create a difference through her movie production business.Oppo used her as their icon because it wants consumers to go beyond their comfort zone to find their true calling and achieve true greatness just like Guneet has done and just like the brand has done with its latest device Reno4Pro. The phone maker hopes that users will find a holistic experience with the Reno4Pro which will also allow them to” sense the infinite” possibilities of expressing themselves.

    Indiantelevision.com’s Shikha Singh got into a tete a tete with Guneet  to understand what's driving her these days and her relationship with Oppo.. Excerpts from the interview: 
    ‎
    How have you pushed boundaries in your career to achieve what you have today?

    After working for over a decade making movies, what I have realised is that filmmaking is a long-drawn process which might take over a year or two, hence it is very important for me to show up every day, no matter what. The journey of a film from its inception to release is long and full of challenges, so we must make sure that we put our best foot forward.

    Starting early in my life was testing. But, now in hindsight, I feel very fortunate to have started out young, as it has offered different perspectives and shaped me to make balanced business decisions. 

    Having a humble beginning from Delhi, it has only been my passion and perseverance for telling stories that has brought me this far. I have just started out, so any celebration feels premature, I have many dreams yet to fulfil and we have a long way to go from here. I’m excited for the journey!

    I believe success lies outside the comfort zone. It's a sum total of finding opportunities, as small as they may seem, and stringing them together with a larger vision.

    How does the brand Oppo relate to you?

    Oppo, has innovation at its core and has continuously believed in pushing boundaries. I identify with their brand values and have always embodied the same values in my work. With the focus of building a stronger resonance with the consumers Oppo’s latest campaign showcases how the journey to greatness starts by breaking free from the pre-existing notions and stepping out of their comfort zone. Leading the way, Oppo’s #GoBeyondBoundaries campaign further aims to empower and inspire the people of India to push limits and sense the infinite possibilities like India's first Oppo Reno4 Pro. 

    The campaign had a seamless narrative combining the product and the philosophy, which instantly connected with me. The way it celebrates ambition of pushing the boundaries and making a personal connection was very well done. Its message of getting out of your comfort zone and reaching out to people to form a deeper connection is what I would like to tell today’s youth as well — to keep striving and continue to reach out will take you on a road less travelled and help you shape your own unique journey.

    Oppo as a brand has always celebrated innovation and believed in pushing the boundaries. These philosophies are something I deeply apply in my own way of living and working as well. I have strived to break the stereotype in the world of movies, and Oppo is doing the same with their technology. Giving the consumers a world of endless opportunities.

    Sikhya Entertainment has films such as Gangs of Wasseypur, Peddlers, The Lunchbox, Masaan and Zubaan to its credit. What is your next move?

    We have two feature films in post-production stage – Suriya starrer SooraraiPottru and Sanya Malhotra starrer Pagglait. Over the last year, we have expanded across platforms. Apart from features, we have also released podcasts for Audible Suno.  My dream project is to make a film set in space and I aspire to make it next year. This one will be for all the girls who dream!

    Do you think it is a great time for independent cinema? Also, what are the challenges for independent content creators.

    I think it is a great time for content creators- independent, mainstream, digital, you name any medium or scale. Audience base has expanded and so has consumer appetite for different content. With OTT and deeper data/internet penetration, viewers are exposed to an array of content. This generates more avenues for content creators. These times are certainly exciting for independent movie makers as their work is travelling faster and farther. 

    Independent content creators mainly faced challenges due to lack of a strong platform to not just present their work but also market it. With OTT players expanding, that has changed a little. However, the new challenge is to sustain the quality of what they are offering. Audiences have more choices than ever and it is important to be able to get them hooked and sustain their attention. There is always something better waiting to attract the viewer and it is just a click away.

    Please Read More: Indian content creators must find out right stories to reach global audiences

    How OTT has opened new avenues for directors, producers or content creators? How has the opportunity increased by the launch of OTT?

    Yes, absolutely. As we now have high speed internet in most parts of the country, we have seen an explosion in creators and viewers. They are already using various platforms like Youtube, Instagram etc. in much higher numbers now. Platforms have grown more than 500 per cent  + in the past couple of years in India. I do feel It will only further scale higher from here. There is also an incredible growth in OTTs and that leads to a direct need for more content. It's definitely an exciting time for content creators.  A number of production houses today are partnering with each other or with OTT platforms to co-create content, jointly gaining from the expertise that each player brings to the table.

    For weeks now, films have been bearing the brunt of cinema complex/hall closures. As the lights are going out on live events, shoots and movie premiers, the only silver lining amidst all this is the rise of the popularity of OTT. The halting of productions may have dried up the content line, but streaming hasn’t stopped via the OTT platforms across the country. At the same time, ad-spends have gone down significantly due to a knock-on effect of the recessionary impact on financial services, e-commerce and automotive industries.

    You have gone to great extent from raising money to crowd-funding and self-financing to bring the right content on TV screens? It is assumed that producers are always rich, but what about creative producers who are working for the right content.

    To me, stories drive those conversations and convictions that lead to innovative ways to generate revenue.  In the process, the idea is to never lose sight of the story we all set out to tell in the first place. To answer your question & given the current scenario, we would see further democratization of this business, which in turn empowers my approach to film making.

    As a producer, I have always followed my gut. Making a film takes a year or two and one has to continue to feel it will stand the test of time and stay relevant when it does release.

    I am grateful that I have been able to build a solid business with making independent films that have travelled globally. We now have a much wider audience base to cater to. I don’t think anyone can ever say what will work or not, it’s always an intuition that you follow and allow it to grow over a period of time.

    Please Read More: Oscar-winning executive producer Guneet Monga joins MUBI India as content advisor

    Please tell us about your upcoming anthology ZindagiInshort?

    Earlier this year we released Zindagi In Short, an anthology of 7 short films, which was a direct-to-OTT release in collaboration with Flipkart Video. The short films are helmed by TahiraKashyapKhurrana, PunarvasuNaik, Vijayeta Kumar, Rakesh Sain, GautamGovind Sharma, SmrutikaPanigrahi and Vinay Chhawal.

    They are one of the first start-up companies in India and incubated many young engineers and business graduates to work in an e-commerce company and with ZindagiinShort, they are helping a young brigade of talented directors to fly in the film industry.I am extremely excited and thrilled that, as producers, Flipkart and I can provide a platform for the aspiring filmmakers. This was a very inspired and charged space where everyone came in and worked. The upcoming Flipkart Original also stars Deepak Dobriyal, SwaroopSampat, Shishir Sharma, Aisha Ahmed, Rima Kallingal, IshaTalwar and Manjot Singh.

    Being India’s first woman to win an academy award, what would be your advice to the youth of India be, so that they can also go beyond boundaries and achieve more in life?

    I’ve always been very ambitious and have used films as a platform for exchange of ideas and encourage free spirit. In the ten years that I have been a producer I have faced plenty of challenges, from not being taken seriously in an industry. I realised my line of work needs a risk-taking nature and I took some bold steps early on. I believe it’s important to chase and follow your dreams and never give up hope and really see through when you believe in. All I’d tell another young woman starting off as producers is to show up every day and keep working. Keep believing.