ITV

Category: Production House

  • Actor Vipin Sharma in Sudhir Mishr’a Daas Dev

    Actor Vipin Sharma in Sudhir Mishr’a Daas Dev

    Actor Vipin Sharma, who made his debut as a strict father to a dyslexic child in ‘Taare Zameen Par’ will be seen as a ruthless yet vulnerable politician in his next called Daas Dev directed by Sudhir Mishra which is a modern day adaptation of Sarat Chandra’s DevDas.

    With actors Rahul Bhat, Richa Chadha and Aditi Rao Hyadri essaying the role of Dev, Paro and Chandni respectively, Vipin’s character “Ramashraya Shukla”  is loosely based on Chunni Lal but with a twist.

    Throwing light on his character, Sharma says “Daas Dev is a highly gripping film and I play an interesting role of a politician who has his own complexed notions and feels it’s absolutely fine to shed blood for the welfare of your people. An intense and a complex character indeed.”

    Set in Uttar Pradesh, with a Political backdrop, the film is about addiction, power and love.

    Contrary to original DevDas the character of Dev in Daas Dev moves from alcohol to power and he discovers that power is a far more lethal addiction.

    Das Dev is slated to releases on 9th March across the country.

  • Sharad Kelkar and Sai Tamhankar’s Marathi film Raakshas to release on 23rd february

    Sharad Kelkar and Sai Tamhankar’s Marathi film Raakshas to release on 23rd february

    – ‘Fandry’ and ‘Half Ticket’ makers collaborate on the upcoming ‘Raakshas’

    – Directed by Dnyanesh Zoting, the film stars Sharad Kelkar and Saie Tamhankar in the lead

    – The film is being touted to be one of the most awaited Marathi films of 2018

    After collaborating on acclaimed films like ‘Shala’ and ‘Fandry’, National award winning producers Vivek Kajaria and Nilesh Navalakha are uniting for this unique film under their banners, Nilesh Navalakha Arts and Holy Basil Productions. Also this time, producer – director Samit Kakkad will be joining the two as a presenter of the film under his label Samit Kakkad Films.

    The highly anticipated feature directed by Dnyanesh Zoting today launched it’s official trailer at a grand event with the entire cast and crew present, including Marathi super stars Saie Tamhankar and Sharad Kelkar. The film is set to release on February 23, sees Zoting’s childhood experiences visiting tribal areas woven into the premise of the film.

    Starring highly acclaimed actors Sai Tamhankar and Sharad Kelkar in the lead, the film also boasts a supporting cast of noted actors Rutuja Deshpande, Dayashankar Pandey, Vijay Maurya, Yakub Saeed, Purnanand Wandekar, Sakshi Vyawahare, Abhijit Zhunzarrao, Somnath Limbarkar among others.

    The story of Raakshas unfolds in a deep forest that is dark and mysterious. It shows Sai Tamhankar in search of something, a little girl who says her ‘Father has been swallowed by a monster in the Forest’.

    The mega feature ‘Raakshas’ is set to release on 23rd February across Maharashtra.

  • ‘Porus’ launched as ‘Digvijaya’ in Sri Lanka

    ‘Porus’ launched as ‘Digvijaya’ in Sri Lanka

    MUMBAI: Siddharth Kumar Tewary’s  gambit to own the IP for the historical drama  Porus which is currently airing on Sony appears to be paying dividends. The show has, according to sources, successfully travelled to Sri Lanka. The buyer for the 260-episode series is Maharaja Television (MTV). Swastik Productions, the production house driving the show, also owns the intellectual property (IP) rights for the series.

    A source close to the development said that Porus has been renamed as Digvijaya in the Sinhala-dubbed version and has been launched on channel Sirasa TV in January 2018. The show was launched with a big screen premiere with industry leaders and advertisers, two days prior to its first telecast on the channel. Through the channel’s online platform, Digvijaya would be also reaching out to the Sinhalese diaspora worldwide. According to another source, Maharaja TV has paid USD 5000 to Swastik Productions for an hour-long episode of Porus.

    Swastik Productions founder Rahul Kumar Tewary confirmed the development. “The content has been dubbed in Tamil and Sinhalese for broadcast in Sri Lanka,” he said. 

    Speaking to Indiantelevision.com, a source revealed that the Tamil version of the show is not yet launched and it will take three to four months for the Tamil dub to go on air. The prime time for Sri Lanka’s market is 7-11 pm. Presently, the channel has only Sinhalese dubbed content telecast during the weekend at 8-9 pm time slots. The broadcaster is combining two episodes thereby giving the show a one-hour slot.

    In its 10-year existence, Swastik has produced over fifteen television shows, which include Mahabharat, Razia Sultan, Agle Janam Mohe Bitiya Hi Kijo, Mata Ki Chowki, Amber Dhara and Begusarai. It recently launched a light-hearted emotional drama on Sony Sab, Shankar Jay Kishan.

    The production house is free to sub-license Porus to a digital or international player, to air the episodes after three hours of original airing on Sony.  Will such deals be viable for Indian producers who have been used to grabbing up front commissioning fees rather than owning the IP in exchange for lower budgets? The jury is out, but observers say it will vary from deal to deal. Broadcasters, sources say are open to discussions about sharing or assigning rights  to producers if they are willing to bear the risk with them, by picking up a part of the production tab. Historically broadcasters have been bearing all the cost.

    The 30-minute show airs  at 8.30 pm from Monday to Friday on Sony, depicts the untold story of the greatest conqueror of the world, Alexander and the most spirited defender of India, Porus. Set in 350 BC, the story traces its roots to a time when India was at its glorious best and Porus resisted the first attack on Indian soil by the Macedonian legend. The chronological narrative will trace the journey from birth to the epic battle between these two warriors born on the same day but raised with completely different upbringings.

    Also Read :

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  • Garbage, A gritty socio-political drama directed by Q,the only Indian film, to premiere at Berlinale 2018

    Garbage, A gritty socio-political drama directed by Q,the only Indian film, to premiere at Berlinale 2018

    A political drama that reflects the times we are living in, Garbage, Q’s new directorial venture will be premiering at Panorama, Berlinale this year.

    Produced by Shaailesh R Singh and Hansal Mehta of Karma Entertainment & Media LLP, and Q of ODDJOINT, the film tells the story of Phanishwar (Tanmay Dhanania), Nanaam (Satarupa Das) and Rami (Trimala Adhikari), who are lost in their own dark worlds, and come together only to inflict damage on each other.

    Phanishwar is a taxi driver in Goa, living with a mysterious girl, Nanaam, who he keeps in chains. When Rami, a medical student, and a victim of revenge porn leaked online by an ex-boyfriend, seeks refuge in Goa, she stumbles into the strange but placid lives of Phanishwar and Nanaam.

    What ensues is an intricate, steely drama between the characters, questioning and confronting the prevalent concepts of gender, freedom and faith, as is in India, today.

     “I see garbage as a strong metaphor of human existence. I am shocked at the level of violent patriarchy and general apathy around me. India has been changing, and sucking itself into an abyss of misunderstanding and delusion, aided strongly by mainstream religious sentiments. There’s an imminent threat of the fragile social fabric imploding and affecting everyone. Garbage is my way of trying to understand the tension’ says Q.

     “I really liked what Q narrated to us and with Garbage being the only Indian film at Panaroma Berlinale, Hansal and I are proud of our association with the film. We hope it will be liked”, says Shaailesh R Singh.

     In the world of independent cinema, Q is well known for his subversive storytelling and controversial cult films that question the established status quo. Q’s experiments with filmmaking started with vivid and potent tales of contemporary Bengali culture, both fictional and non-fictional, back in 2009. Since then his films have explored the fringes of popular culture, collaborating with producers and actors across the globe. Seven years after Gandu, one of his most well known works, Garbage is all set for its world premiere at Panorama, at the Berlin International Film Festival, which seeks out new impulses in the prevailing trends and in cinematic creation, from across the world.

  • Shemaroo’s third quarter numbers improve, digital revenue increases

    Shemaroo’s third quarter numbers improve, digital revenue increases

    BENGALURU: Indian integrated media content house Shemaroo Entertainment Ltd (Shemaroo) reported 15.3 percent higher y-o-y consolidated total revenue for the quarter ended 31 December 2017 (Q3 2018, the quarter under review) at Rs 132.85 crore as compared with Rs 115.22 crore in Q3 2017. Revenue from operations increased by 16.8 percent y-o-y to Rs 132.63 crore from Rs 113.54 crore.

    In its investor presentation, Shemaroo says that 22 percent of its revenue came from digital media and 78 percent from digital media in fiscal 2017. Revenue from digital media grew by 40.9 percent y-o-y in Q3 2018 to Rs 33.1 crore (20.7 percent of operating revenue) from Rs 23.5 crore (25 percent of operating revenue). The company caters to all types of revenue models such as pay per transaction, subscription and advertisement supported. Shemaroo says that due to its large library ownership, it has the ability to slice and dice content and package it in different ways that are more suited for the digital media platforms. During the nine-month period of the current financial year, revenue from digital media grew by 41.7 percent to Rs 95.8 crore (25.8 percent of operating revenue) from Rs 67.6 crore (20.8 percent of operating revenue) during the corresponding year ago nine-month period.

    In Q3 2018, the company said that it had crossed 50 lakh (0.5 crore) subscribers on its YouTube channel ShemarooEnt. Shemaroo has agreements with various internet video platforms like YouTube, Hotstar, Reliance Jio, Apple iTunes, Google Play and YuppTV. The company has agreements with major telecom operators, namely Airtel, Vodafone and Idea, for mobile value-added services (MVAS). Shemaroo distributes imagery, videos, full songs and live streaming under MVAS through both operator branded portals as well as its own branded portals

    Although revenue from traditional media grew by 10.6 percent y-o-y during the quarter under review to Rs 99.5 crore from Rs 90 crore, its contribution to operating revenue declined to 75 percent from 79.3 percent. Shemaroo’s traditional media platforms include television syndication, subscription-based services through DTH players and cable operators, home entertainment services and other media like airborne rights for in-flight entertainment, overseas, international film festivals.

    Shemaroo’s consolidated profit after tax, or PAT, for the quarter under review improved by 26.5 percent y-o-y to Rs17.95 crore (13.5 margin) as against Rs 14.19 crore (12.5 percent margin) in the corresponding quarter of the previous year.

    Shemaroo’s EBIDTA, including other income in the quarter under review, at Rs 36.03 crore (27.1 percent margin on total income of operating revenue) increased by 12.8 percent y-o-y from Rs 31.94 crore (27.7 percent margin on total income of operating revenue).

    The company’s total expenditure in Q3 2018 at Rs 105.55 crore (79.3. percent of operating revenue) was 13.6 percent more y-o-y than the Rs 92.66 crore (81.6 percent of operating revenue). Its cost of raw materials consumed declined by 29.2 percent y-o-y in Q3 2018 to Rs 71.98 crore (54.3 percent of operating revenue) as compared with Rs 101.72 crore (89.6 percent of operating revenue).

    Employee benefits expense increased by 26.9 percent y-o-y during the quarter under review to Rs 10.25 crore (7.7 percent of operating revenue) from Rs 8.08 crore (7.1 percent of operating revenue). Other expenses grew by 4.6 percent y-o-y in Q3 2018 to Rs 5.74 crore (4.3 percent of operating revenue) from Rs 5.49 crore (4.8 percent of operating revenue).

  • BBC Worldwide India announces partnership with Applause Entertainment

    BBC Worldwide India announces partnership with Applause Entertainment

    MUMBAI:  BBC Worldwide India has announced a partnership with Aditya Birla Group’s Applause Entertainment that will see the two organisations working together to develop and produce Indian versions of iconic BBC formats. 

    Kicking off the partnership, BBC Worldwide and Applause Entertainment will work together to develop Indian versions of acclaimed BBC formats, Criminal Justice and The Office to bring to online audiences throughout India.

    Criminal Justice is a British television drama series produced by the BBC. The original UK version was written by Peter Moffat, with each series following an individual on a gut wrenching journey through the criminal justice system. The series won multiple TV awards including BAFTA, RTS and International Emmys. It was also adapted in the US as The Night Of and starred John Turturro and Riz Ahmed who won an Emmy for his performance in the series.

    BBC Worldwide South East Asia and South Asia SVP and GM Myleeta Aga said: “We are very excited to be working with Applause Entertainment, and are assembling an A-list cast of talent to ensure the highest standards of execution. We see Criminal Justice and The Office as just the first step in a long and fruitful partnership with Applause.  We are confident this partnership will be result in many more incredibly popular and well-loved Indian adaptations of BBC formats.”

    The original UK version of The Office won numerous TV awards and has spawned eight international versions in Europe. The UK version, written by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant is set in a nondescript paper office company in a nondescript industrial town and features narcissistic, childish and egotistical middle manager, David Brent (played by Ricky Gervais) and the psychological car wreck that is his life. The US version which starred Steve Carell in the lead role won numerous Emmys and went on for nine seasons. 

    Applause Entertainment CEO Sameer Nair said, “Applause is looking to create premium content for Indian viewers to watch online, delivered on the back of the big digital highways that have been built through telecom and all other platforms that exist. We feel that BBC Worldwide,with its high quality content library and formidable reputation for making premium content in India, is the ideal partner to work with. Together, we are pulling expertise and resources to adapt popular BBC formats here. We have picked shows that have been global successes and we believe that the Indian adaptations will meet the viewing needs of the Indian market.” 

    This will be the first time both Criminal Justice and The Office formats will be developed in Asia, with India being the first in Asia to launch Indian versions of the shows.

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  • Splash and assemblage entertainment begin production on norm of the north sequel

    Splash and assemblage entertainment begin production on norm of the north sequel

    MUMBAI: Assemblage Entertainment, the feature-film focused CGI animation studio has begun production on the sequel of 2016 theatrical feature film Norm of the North, along with Splash Entertainment, Lionsgate and Dream Factory In many first-of-its times, it is unprecedented that an independent animated feature from India is greenlit for a sequel to be watched by global audiences in 2018.

    Norm of the North, a 2016 animated comedy-adventure film was directed by Trevor Wall, with voices by Rob Schneider, Heather Graham, Ken Jeong and Bill Nighy. It was co-produced by Splash Entertainment, Assemblage Entertainment and Telegael, and distributed by Lionsgate in North America.

    The film released theatrically in North Americaon January 15, 2016 opening in over 2,400 theatres. Norm also was released theatrically in over 70 territories around the world.

    Thissequel brings together, yet again, the longstanding and dynamic partnership between two animation industry leaders, Mike Young and Madmax (AK Madhavan), renowned to have opened the shores of the Indian animation industry with the successful Emmy and BAFTA Award winning show Jakers! The Adventure of Piggley Winks in 2003.

    Mike Young’s Splash Entertainment is a leading independent animation studio and Distribution Company based in Los Angeles, and is an innovator, developer and producer of many original animated television series and movies.

    Assemblage Entertainment, in a short span of time, has delivered two full length feature films, Norm of the North, and Blinky Bill – The Movie distributed by Studio Canal. It is currently delivering its third full length 3D stereoscopic theatrical feature film scheduled for a wide release in 2018 by Open Road Films.

    Assemblage recently also worked on DreamWorks’ Trollhunters – a Netflix Original Series by legendary filmmakerGuillermo del Toro.Trollhunters received wide global acclaim and won multiple Emmy and Annie awards.

    Set up in 2013 and headquartered in Mumbai, Assemblage boasts of an award winning team 250 people including technocrats, artists and production professionals with several years of collective experience in creating world-class animation productions with major Hollywood studios and independent production companies.

    Founded by industry veteran AK Madhavan, or Madmax, as he is fondly known, is recognized in the business of media, film and entertainment as the one accredited to opening the doors of Indian animation industry to the global markets. Over the last 17 years, Max has built a strong reputation of credibility and quality in the animation industry.

    Assemblage is currently also developing its own original content in collaboration with various Hollywood content creators and producers.

  • Experience first-hand India’s historic Military Operation in a gripping new documentary

    Experience first-hand India’s historic Military Operation in a gripping new documentary

    MUMBAI: On 18 September 2016, four Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorists attacked an Indian Army Garrison in the town of Uri, Jammu and Kashmir. 19 Indian soldiers were martyred in the Fidayeen attack. Eleven days later, the Indian Army carried out a series of deadly strikes across the Line of Control. This Counter Terrorist Operation is better known as the Surgical Strikes. HISTORY TV18’s ground-breaking documentary brings to life the planning and execution of the daring operation. The special programme tells the true story of the secret operation, with dramatic recreations and first-person accounts of key decision makers in the government, the military top brass and the Special Forces operatives who led the strikes. 

    Special Operations: India ‘Surgical Strikes’, premieres on Indian television, exclusively on HISTORY TV18 on 22 January, 2018 at 9 PM.

    The documentary follows two of the Indian Army’s elite Paratrooper Special Forces Strike Teams on their missions – to carry out precision strikes on Terrorist Launchpads in Pakistan occupied Kashmir. The story is re-lived by those who were directly involved in the military operation. They reveal what actually happened behind the scenes and on the ground. 

    The programme features some of the most respected names in India’s National Security Establishment. Mr. Ajit Doval, National Security Advisor to the Government of India, Mr. Manohar Parrikar, Former Defence Minister and General Dalbir Singh, Former Chief of Army Staff among others, shedding light on how the drama unfolded. Defence analyst and author, Nitin Gokhale also shares his views on the subject.

    Speaking about the programme Network18, Managing Director, A+E Networks| TV18 & President, Avinash Kaul said, “With Surgical Strikes, HISTORY TV18 embarks on the next stage of its content evolution which involves pushing the envelope on pioneering, differentiated content that reflects contemporary history and has had an impact on the nation’s collective consciousness”

    India’s military action was surgical – swift, effective and precise. Its heroes – India’s warriors, who stand ready to answer the call of duty anywhere, anytime to serve and protect the motherland. The special programme salutes the courage and capabilities of the Indian Army, while staying true to the facts of what transpired. 

  • Applause Entertainment to produce series on 2016 surgical strikes

    Applause Entertainment to produce series on 2016 surgical strikes

    MUMBAI: Applause Entertainment is making all the right moves.

    The Kumar Mangalam Birla-led outfit is all set to produce its first series based on the cross-border surgical strikes conducted by the Indian army in 2016, according to a media report.

    The 10-part drama series, which is being produced by Irada Entertainment for Applause Entertainment, is being planned for a 2018 launch.

    The company has acquired the rights of the first chapter of Shiv Aroor and Rahul Singh’s book ‘India’s Most Fearless’ published by Penguin Random House India. Samar Khan, who has several movies to his credit, will direct the series.

    The book covers fourteen true stories of extraordinary courage and fearlessness, providing a glimpse into the kind of heroism our soldiers display in unthinkably hostile conditions and under grave provocation. The first chapter deals with the September 2016 surgical strikes on terror launch pads across the Line of Control (LoC).

    Applause Entertainment CEO Sameer Nair is keen to produce content that’s not just great storytelling but also deeply rooted in history and reality.

    “We are most excited to be telling this story. A 10-part drama series will bring to life India’s most audacious military action in recent times, taking the battle deep into the enemy camp. I believe that the stories about homeland security and unsung heroes help make us appreciate their sacrifices and sensitize us as an audience to the enemy within and outside. We are looking forward to working with the authors of the book, and Samar Khan who is leading this Project for us,” Nair was quoted as saying.

    Also read:

    Kumar Mangalam Birla charges into content creation, hires  TV vet Sameer Nair

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  • SVF earmarks Rs 100 crore for 25 big-ticket movies

    SVF earmarks Rs 100 crore for 25 big-ticket movies

    MUMBAI: At a glittering ceremony held in West Bengal, the co-founders of SVF Entertainment Shrikant Mohta and Mahendra Soni made an ambitious declaration of producing 25 big-ticket films over the next three years (until 2020), allocating Rs 100 crore for the same–a figure unheard of in Tollywood so far.

    The announcement was made at SVF Stories, which aims at becoming an annual gathering bringing notable personalities from the industry under one roof.

    SVF co-founder & director Shrikant Mohta said, “At SVF, we have always tried to do our bit to raise the bar for Bengali cinema. Our commitment will not only aim at taking Tollywood to the next level but also serve as a platform to harness fresh young talent in the industry. In fact, with the super success of Amazon Obhijaan, we are excited and motivated to make the third part of the franchise even bigger.”

    The three-year journey will also see SVF’s first film with the brilliant filmmaker Mainak Bhowmik titled Generation Aami – a ‘coming of age’ story. Birsa Dasgupta will return with a bang with Crisscross – based on Smaran-jit Chakraborty’s best seller novel as well as Bibhaho Obhijaan– an emotional saga. And Debaloy Bhattacharya will be directing his next with a new take on Byomkesh titled Bidaay Byomkesh.

    SVF co-founder & director Mahendra Soni said “We are coming up with movies with diverse genre and themes for old and young alike. The next three years will also see many firsts – we will be expanding into Bangladesh with the release of the first film starring the Bangladeshi superstar Shakib Khan. Siraj-Ud-Daulah will be the first ever war film of Bengal, will also see the debut of new talents and there is plenty in store for the audience to look forward to.”The first edition saw leading celebrities like National Award winning directors Aparna Sen, Srijit Mukherjee and Bengali superstars like Prosenjit Chatterjee, Dev, Abir Chattopadhyay and others attending the event.

    The exhaustive list of 25 films are as follows:-

    Film (Director)

    AscheAbarShabor  (Arindam Sil)

    Finally Bhalobasha (Anjan Dutt)

    Total Dadgiiri (Pathikrit Basu)

    Generation Ami (Mainak Bhowmick)

    Ami AsboPhire (Anjan Dutt)

    KakababurProtyaborton (Srijit Mukherjee)

    Uma (Srijit Mukherjee)

    Two Untitled movies – starring Ankush

    Untitled starring Shakib Khan &Nusrat Jahan  (Rajib)

    Two Untitled movies – starring Yash

    Byomkesh Gotro (Arindam Sil)

    Siraj – ud – Daulah – (Raj Chakraborty)

    Ek Je Chilo Raja (Srijit Mukherjee)

    Feluda – (Sandip Ray)

    Professor Shonku O El Dorado (Sandip Ray)

    Tong Ling – (Raj Chakraborty)

    Untitled starring Bonny & Rittika (Rajib)

    Bidaye Byomkesh – starring Abir & Sohini – (Debaloy Bhattacharya)

    GuptodhanerSandhane (Dhrubo Banerjee)

    Ghare O Baire -(Aparna Sen)

    Crisscross (Birsa Dasgupta)

    BibahoObhijaan – (Birsa Dasgupta)

    Shankar’s New Adventure – starring Dev – ( Kamaleswar Mukherjee)

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