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Category: Post Production

  • Great stories can fail if not backed with right talent: Irada Entertainment’s Falguni Patel

    Great stories can fail if not backed with right talent: Irada Entertainment’s Falguni Patel

    MUMBAI: Irada Entertainment, an India-based production house is best known for its 2017 national award-winning movie Iraada starring Naseeruddin Shah. The production house has also done a Gujrati movie named Ventilator that featured Jackie Shroff in the main lead. The production house recently produced a series Avrodh with Applause Entertainment.

    It is a brainchild of Falguni Patel, an N.R.I based out of the US who is a film enthusiast at heart and believes that good content strikes a connection with the audiences. She aims to create captivating and engaging content across all genres such as a spine-chilling thriller, high-octave drama, dark-humour, or a heart-rending love story. Patel mentions that impactful stories, coupled with the right talent and technology are the need of the hour.

    Irada Entertainment is based out of Mumbai’s Andheri location and does most of the creative work on a contractual or project basis. However, the team travels to different shooting locations based on the requirements of the script. Patel shares, “We like to be as authentic as possible with our shoot locations to bring in the persuasive approach.” It is currently in the process of hiring a full-time team on board.

    “Our vision of what we want out of a story has always been cast in stone. This has been monumental in giving our team the right direction. Once we commit to any project, there is no turning back. We direct our team to think out of the box in the face of adversities and make things happen even in the worst-case scenarios.”

    As a producer, Patel thinks her biggest investment in terms of time is in the concept of the story which should be able to connect with the audiences. The firm’s significant time and efforts majorly go in shortlisting the right content. “Great stories can fail once they go into production if we do not back them with the right talent. Our approach has always been holistic, it is not only the story but also the team, the medium, and the timing that makes a project successful,” she further adds. 

    Patel highlights that producing a film or web-series comes with its own set of challenges as there is a chance that the content might not be accepted by the audience. She believes there is no formula to create hit content and it all comes with taking a risk and experimenting.

    Irada Entertainment is currently pitching its content to different OTT channels and is in talks with them for creating an OTT original as well. 

  • SWA Awards 2020: Article 15, Soni & Gully Boy win big

    SWA Awards 2020: Article 15, Soni & Gully Boy win big

    MUMBAI: The first ever SWA Awards 2020, organized by the Screenwriters Association, to felicitate screenwriters and lyricists was held yesterday and was a thundering success. Hosted by actors Varun Badola and Rajeshwari Sachdeva, the event focused mainly on the writers – with the jury members who are eminent screenwriters, directors and show creators themselves announcing the winners among almost 90 nominees in 15 categories in feature films, tv shows, web series and lyrics.

    The evening exuded a lot of charm and a celebratory tone with several performers – writer, producer and director aatish kapadia doing a comedy sketch on how the world generally behaves with writers, writer and stand-up comic varun grover taking potshots at the Hindi film and television industry on the bizarre writing inputs and notes that screenwriters often receive; poets and lyricists Shellee and Hussain Haidry doing a lyrical jugalbandi on the hardships and joys of being a writer and mentalist Akshay Laxman weaving his illusionary magic on audience members. The evening concluded with a soulful performance of two songs by singer Rekha Bhardwaj and screenwriter, filmmaker and composer Vishal Bhardwaj.

    The first ever SWA Awards 2020 was held online and the buzz was palpable as the jury panels announced the awards in various categories.

    TV Shows:

    The jury comprising of Anand Mahendroo, Ajai Sinha, Kamlesh Pandey, Liliput Faruqui, Manjul Sinha, Purnendu Shekhar and Sanjay Upadhyay announced the winners in the TV shows categories:

    1. TV Comedy- Best Story: Nitin Keswani for Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah

    2. TV Comedy- Best Dialogues: Bhavna Vyas for Baavle Utaavle

    3. TV Comedy- Best Screenplay: Aatish Kapadia for Bhakharwadi

    4. TV Drama- Best Story: No Award

    5. TV Drama- Best Dialogues: Preeti Mamgain for Mere Dad Ki Dulhan

    6. TV Drama- Best Screenplay: Kartick Sitaraman for Mere Dad Ki Dulhan

    Orginal Series:

    The jury comprising of Ruchi Narain, Suhail Tatari and Weksha Bhagat for original drama; Juhi Shekhar, Reshu Nath & Shiv Subrahmanyam for Original Comedy; and Anuraadha Tewari, Anuya Jakatdar and Ketki Pandit for original series Adaptation announced the winners in the original series categories:

    7. Series- Best Original Drama: Richie Mehta & Sanyuktha Chawla Shaikh for Delhi Crime

    8. Series-Best Original Comedy: Devika Bhagat & Ishita Moitra for Four More Shots Please!

    9. Series- Best Adaptation: Dhruv Narang, Nihit Bhave, Pooja Tolani and Varun Grover for Sacred Games – Season2

    Lyrics:

    The jury comprising of Amit Khanna, Ila Arun, Kausar Munir, Mayur Puri & Panchhi Jalonvi announced the winners in the lyrics categories:

    10. TV/OTT- Best Lyrics: Zama Habib for the song Ek Chup Tum, Ek Chup Main from the show Ishaaron Ishaaron Mein

    11. Feature Films-Best Lyrics: Manoj Muntashir for the song Teri Mitti from the film Kesari

    Feature Films:

    The jury comprising of Apurva Asrani, Ashwiny Iyer TIwari and Leena Yadav announced the winner in the Best Gender Sensitive Script category:

    12. Best Gender Sensitive Script: Ivan Ayr & Kislay for Soni

    The jury comprising of Ashok Mishra, Atul Tiwari, Juhi Chaturvedi, Saket Chaudhary, Urmi Juvekar, Vijay Krishna Acharya and Vinay Shukla announced the winners in the Feature Films categories:

    13. Feature Films- Best Debut Writer: Ivan Ayr & Kislay for Soni

    14. Feature Films- Best Dialogues: Vijay Maurya for Gully Boy

    15. Feature Films- Best Story: Anubhav Sinha & Gaurav Solanki for Article 15

    16. Feature Films- Best Screenplay: Anubhav Sinha & Gaurav Solanki for Article 15

    Several members from the board of Screenwriters Association spoke at the occasion – Robin Bhatt, president; Sunil Salgia, Gen Secretary; and EC members Satyam Tripathy, Shellee, Manisha Korde, Ketki Pandit and Anum Rajabali.

    The event can be viewed on Screenwriters Association’s YouTube Channel at https://youtu.be/A0-EWP4vPSk and on their Facebook Page.

  • 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

  • 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.