Mumbai: Zee News is delighted to announce the appointment of Pradeep Bhandari as Consulting Editor and the host of three prime-time news shows – Aap ka Sawal. Taal Thok Ke and 24 Ki Sarkaar. With an impressive career spanning prestigious media platforms such as Republic Bharat, Republic TV, and India News, Bhandari has solidified his reputation as a seasoned journalist and a prominent voice in Indian media. His insightful reporting and incisive analysis have earned him widespread acclaim and a dedicated following.
A veteran journalist with a distinguished career, Pradeep Bhandari brings a wealth of experience and expertise to his new role at Zee News. As consulting editor, he will anchor three pivotal news shows, each offering unique perspectives on pressing issues facing society.
At 5 pm, viewers can tune in to ‘Taal Thok Ke’, a dynamic news debate show featuring Bhandari’s sharp commentary and spirited debates on current affairs and social issues. Following at 8 pm is ‘Aap ka Sawal’, a primetime news program engaging viewers in meaningful discussions on pertinent issues impacting society. Finally, ‘24 Ki Sarkaar’, Zee News’ flagship news show airing at 10 pm, will provide in-depth analysis and insights into political developments and governance issues.
Bhandari’s contributions to Indian journalism extend beyond television. Notably, he led the coverage on Justice for Sushant Singh Rajput, captivating the nation’s attention and driving public discourse. Throughout his career, Bhandari has conducted high-profile interviews with key newsmakers, earning accolades for his insightful questioning and in-depth analysis. His influential presence on social media has further solidified his position as one of the most impactful personalities in the digital space, engaging audiences and shaping conversations on critical issues.
Expressing his enthusiasm about joining Zee News, Pradeep Bhandari stated, “At Zee News, I’m energized to elevate diverse voices, foster genuine discourse, and equip our audience with the essential insights to navigate today’s intricate world. In an era plagued by rampant misinformation, the call for credible, impartial journalism resonates louder than ever. I’m honoured to join a team steadfast in upholding the highest standards of integrity and professionalism, striving to deliver news coverage that not only informs but also serves the greater good.”
Zee Media Corporation Ltd CEO Abhay Ojha further highlighted “Pradeep Bhandari’s joining Zee News marks an exciting chapter in our journey to deliver news that resonates with our audience and contributes to informed public discourse. We are excited to leverage his insights and expertise to further enhance our commitment to journalistic excellence.”
Pradeep Bhandari’s appointment as consulting editor and host of three prime-time news shows underscores Zee News’ commitment to providing viewers with insightful and comprehensive news coverage.
Mumbai: News18 Bangla recently hosted the second edition of the Leadership Conclave in Kolkata on 11 March 2024. The event aimed at recognizing and celebrating the individuals and institutions who have made remarkable contributions to the growth of West Bengal. News18 Bangla honoured these individuals and institutions for creating new opportunities and strengthening the infrastructure.
News18 Bangla Leadership Conclave was organized in association with the Rotary Club of Calcutta Inner City, which helped to shortlist the awardees by forming a jury board. The members of the jury were Mr. Pradeep Gooptu, the former editor of Business Standard; Mr. Anindya Palchowdhury, Founder and CEO of Welta Family Office; Mr. Krishna Kumar Modi, Founder Director of Phoenix Machines Pvt Ltd; Mr. Nabarun Sen, President of Century Ply Board; and Ritesh Kapoor, Director of KK Craft & Engineer Consultant Pvt Ltd
Apart from the celebrations the ceremony also featured five panel discussions, where eminent personalities, experts, and stalwarts explored the many challenges faced by the state and the potential solutions for these hurdles. Distinguished guests who have participated in panel discussions include Mr. Bidyut Majumder, General Manager, Business Development, JIS Group; Dr. Cs Mamta Binani, President, MSME Development Forum, West Bengal; Mr. Anindya Palchowdhury, Founder and CEO Welta Family Officer; Mr. Krishna Kumar Modi, Founder & Director, Phoenix Machines Pvt Ltd; Dr. Sujata Dutta Hazarika, Senior Regional Director, IGNOU, Kolkata Regional Centre and Mr. Subir Khasnabis, Retired, CEO, Arcelor Mittal Design and Engineering. Mr. Biswa Majumdar, Editor of East at Network18, highlighted the rapid changes happening in the global landscape.
Mentioned below are the individuals and institutions who were felicitated at the conclave – Mr. Sanjib Kr Patwari, Director, Rashmi Group – ‘Most Reliable Leader In Construction & Building Materials’; Mr. Satyam Roychowdhury, Co-Founder & Managing Director, Techno India Group & Chancellor, Sister Nivedita University – ‘Iconic Leader & Philanthropist In Eastern India’; Dr. Debashish Bhattacharya, Founder Chairman, Disha Eye Hospitals – ‘Visionary Leader In Eye Care’; Mr. Atanu Sarkar, Founder & CEO, Webskitters – IT Development & Academics – ‘Most Promising Leader in IT Development & Academics’; Dr Pooja Shaw, Executive Director, Narayan Memorial Hospital – ‘Most Promising Women Leader In Healthcare Industry’; Mr. Supriyo Ghosh, Managing Partner, Girish Chandra Ghosh & GGS – ‘Leadership Legacy In Multidisciplinary Business Establishments’; Sardar Simarpreet Singh, Director, JIS Group – ‘Most Trusted Leader In Education’; Mrs. Bipasha Samanta, Director, Smiles Per Miles – ‘Most Promising Women Leader in Travel & Tourism Industry’; Mr. Debasish Bhattacharjee, CEO, Samata Co Operative Development Bank – ‘Leader In Fecilitating Women Empowerment’; Dr. Somnath Chatterjee, Director, Suraksha Diagnostic Pvt Ltd – ‘Most Trusted Name In Diagnosis’; Sardar Taranjit Singh, Managing Director, JIS Group – ‘Most Inspirational Business Leader In Eastern India’; Mr. Hirak Bhattacharjee, Director, Shalimar Chemical Works – ‘Most Prolific Young Leader in FMCG Sector In Eastern India’; Mr. Chitta Dipan Biswas, Managing Director, Dipan Herbal Pharmacy LLP – ‘Leader In Alternative Medicines’; Mr Maminul Akanda, Founder, Global Institute Of Management Studies – ‘Youngest Leader In Hotel & Hospitality Education’; Mr. Sudipta Banerjee, Director, Bevel – ‘Most Versatile Leader In Diversified Ventures’; Mr. Tapabrata Mukherjee. Director, Meghbela Cable & Broadband Services (P) Ltd – ‘Dynamic Leader in Broadband Services & Entertainment’; Mr. Chiranjib Ghosh, Proprietor, Eureka Enterprise –‘Most Encouraging Leader Promoting Entrepreneurship’; Mr. Prithiijit Das, Director, Das Style Private Limited – ‘Emerging Young Entrepreneur’; Mr. Manab Paul, Founder & CEO, Sree Balaji – ‘Most Innovative Leader In Real Estate’; Dr. Jahidul Sarkar, Director, Mr Group of Colleges & Hospitals – ‘Emerging Leader In Education & Health’; Mr. Amiyo Dey (Shankar Da), Managing Director, Vivekananda Ashramik Coaching Centre (Shankar Da R Coaching) – ‘Most Consistent Leader In Competitive Studies’; Mr. Sukantilal Saha, Founder, Master Weaver & Designer, Saha Textiles – ‘Most Inspiring Leader In Textile Research & Development Of Rural Weavers’; Prof. Samit Ray, Chairman – Rice Group & Chancellor – Adamas University, Rice Group – ‘Most Celebrated Leader In Education In Eastern India’ and Balaram Mullik & Radharaman Mullik – ‘Excellence In Sweet And Confectionary’
The second edition of the News18 Bangla Leadership Conclave was successfully concluded, honouring brilliant minds from various sectors.
Mumbai: In India, where music plays a huge role in the daily lives of the people, influencer marketing has emerged as a game-changer, offering artists a powerful tool to amplify their voices and reach new heights of fame and success. From Bollywood superstars to emerging indie musicians, artists of all genres and backgrounds are harnessing the reach and engagement of influencers to connect with fans, break down cultural barriers, and expand their audience reach.
The essence of Hindi cinema music intertwines harmoniously with the vibrant rhythms of regional folk melodies, creating a symphony of sound that echoes across the Indian subcontinent. Music industry is undergoing a profound transformation, driven by the rising tide of digital influence and the power of social media. At the heart of this revolution lies influencer marketing, a phenomenon that has redefined the way artists connect with their audience and promote their music.
In this article, Indiantelevision.com caught up with Everest Entertainment CEO Sanjay Chhabria, where he explained the profound impact of influencer marketing on the Indian music industry, examining how it has transformed the way artists promote their music, engage with their audience, and navigate the landscape of digital media.
Edited excerpts
On influencer marketing shaping the music industry
Nowadays the trends have changed. Early days we used to just launch a song on YouTube and then the song used to perform if you have a certain number of subscribers. It used to perform on its own depending on the merit and demerit of the song. Things have changed now. Now it’s very important that music should have a hook step. It should have some sort of portion in the lyrics which has the potential to go viral. So it’s completely changed the way we started curating music.When we are trying to compose a curator song from a movie, we make sure we try our level best because it has to fit with the film. If you find some sort of a Way in which you can achieve both then great. So what we do is then you have that hook step, we get influencers on board like micro influencers, macro influencers etc. We deal with them sometimes paid, sometimes free. We get these hook steps recorded, reels made by them and then you have to plan it out at the end of the day. Before releasing a song, you need to have 40-50 reels ready and release those reels simultaneously so that the song catches everybody’s attention. That’s the way we try and create awareness so then it reaches the maximum number of people. That’s one way, doing the reels, having the hook step. Many times our songs don’t have a hook step. What we do is from a song, we give it to our choreographers maybe connected to the film or not connected to the film. We ask them to create a hook step out of it. So basically the idea and objective is to try and make the song as viral as possible on social media platforms, the upper platforms, the more urban platforms being Instagram and other ones like Moj, Chingari, Josh which caters to tier three audiences. It’s not easy now to just launch a song unless you have big names.
On your music label and YouTube channel
We have a music label Everest. We have a good library of about six seven hundred songs. These comprise film music and independent music. 25 per cent of my library is independent music. The rest is film music. We will touch about four million followers now on our YouTube channel Everest Marathi which is one of the leading platforms today. We have the best quality content on this thing. We may not have the numbers, but our focus has always been quality over quantity.
On the type of content consumers look for
New trends are set with new innovations. Music has evolved over a period of time. You don’t know what works today. You have to keep on reinventing yourself, innovating yourself. It’s a constant process. But usually I’ve seen in the marathi space songs, which are connected to a little bit of folk. It helps a lot. The bigger numbers come from the smaller towns. The more grassrooted your music is, the more it penetrates into a larger number of audiences. I had released a film last year called Boys 4 that had a song, which was Gaav Sutana. It basically means a man is remembering his village life. That song was a slow starter but it has now crossed millions and it is growing steadily. It’s a song which every guy who’s come from the village resonates to. So if you have these kinds of themes then it will immediately strike a chord with the audiences. We do a lot of film music and you need to find that song in film music or you create independent songs around these popular themes. The music has to be good at the end of the day, just the thought alone is not enough. You need the music to be good enough as well.
On content and music degradation been witnessed in recent times due to influencers
Them being influencers, they manufacture all these reels. They have a very close-knit community. They support each other a lot. Like if you’re releasing a song I’ll create a reel of it and vice-versa. So the songs get that initial push, but I think what will happen is eventually it will become a case of too much. It will reach a saturation point. People eventually will get bored of it. Today look at Instagram reels. Everybody’s filming something or the other, everybody is not getting used to being earlier. It was bound to happen. Now it will become worse with AI tomorrow, with the kind of tools which will be available to people, they will shoot more songs. So you know this trend is going to become bigger. The question at the end of the day is you need good music. Your music needs to have a soul at the end of the day.
On TV, digital and OTT market
India is a diverse Market. Both these will coexist. Digital of course, is a rising market. More and more people are now consuming content on digital. Be it films, sports or daily soaps. A lot of people are now even watching daily soaps on OTT platforms. So that trend is of course there. But TV will not lose its value. TV is there to stay. There will be a strong market for TV. There will be a strong market for OTT also. In OTT, the challenges are getting money out of people. The subscription model is always a challenge. AVoD is strong for India. The advertising revenues on digital are growing on a year-round basis very fast. So AVod will always remain a good market. SvOD is where the challenges are. That all depends on the content offering of that platform. If the content offerings are compelling enough for people to subscribe they will. Just subscribing once is not enough. Retention is a bigger challenge for the same consumer not to leave the service. So customer acquisition and then customer retention are the challenges which are there and will always remain there. The TV audience is always there. The biggest fastest growing trend now is Fast TV, CTV or fast channels. We are by default habituated. We like to just press that plus button on the minus button on the remote to move channels. So that’s the advantage fast TV has. Most of the news channels are now available on fast TV.
On the future of the influencer marketing
At the end of the day content scores over everything else. Today if you have a bad film you may take the best of influencers and try to publicize it, it’s not going to work. People are going to sample the film and then reject it if your film is bad. It’s always content which rules everything. Influencers, according to me, are good for the advertising industry. In fact, I feel some of them are so overhyped today. People should actually properly do research. If I am taking an influencer, is he matching my profile? Just because he’s got two or five million or ten million followers. That doesn’t mean that profile matches the kind of profile my movie demands at the end of the day. So first, we need to do that exercise.
Mumbai: The Delhi edition of YES BANK and CNBC-TV18’s – The Growth Summit: A Vision to a $10 Trillion Economy, in association with Max Life Insurance, was organised on Wednesday. The summit brought together policymakers, industry leaders, startup founders, and a diverse range of experts to engage in substantive discussions regarding India’s economic growth. The primary focus of the summit centred on the government’s ambitious 25-year plan aimed to position India as the world’s third-largest economy, boasting a GDP of $10 trillion.
A spokesperson from CNBC-TV18 extended a warm welcome to the attendees, moving to the opening remarks by YES Bank CEO & MD Prashant Kumar. “In the last few years, we have witnessed large investments in the infrastructure landscape, taking the country to the next-level. India has come out as a strong force with all the headwinds happening around the world, and to continue that, we need to remain self-insulated and self-reliant. Moving towards becoming the third largest economy is not enough; the ultimate goal should be that every Indian benefits from this growth. It is crucial for all of us to work collaboratively and focus on areas including—inclusivity with growth, manufacturing, boosting exports, supporting MSME and the startup ecosystem and funding innovation. The involvement of the government and private sector together is the key to achieving the $10 trillion economy plan.”
During his address, Mr Kumar announced the launch of ‘Yes Private’ in Delhi, which is the Bank’s newest market offering that aims to partner HNI Business owners and C-Suite executives in their endeavour to leverage the opportunities on the road towards a $10 trillion Indian economy.
The event kicked off with a fireside chat on ‘Leading from the front: How to Live up to your Strategic Vision’ in conversation with Nestle India CMD Suresh Narayanan, he said, I feel fortunate to be a part of a 160-year-old company that values providing experiences to people, not just selling products. Nowadays, digitisation has levelled the playing field for everyone, and e-commerce and AI are helping us plan better. However, with tech being such a driving force presently, we need to utilise it responsibly and remember technology is here to serve mankind and not the other way around. Lastly, trust, empathy and compassion are not just buzzwords and the long-lived companies are going to be those where this five letter ‘TRUST’ is placed in everything they do.” The discussion was moderated by CNBC-TV18 managing editor Shereen Bhan.
The event continued with another interesting thought-provoking discussion on ‘Unveiling Indian Healthcare as a Model of Growth & Excellence’ in conversation with Medanta executive chairman Dr Naresh Trehan, he stated “Every person in India deserves access to decent healthcare. With the introduction of the Ayushman Bharat scheme, the industry has extended a lifeline to over 500 million individuals who were previously left out of the healthcare facility. It’s surprising to admit that healthcare expenses alone are driving 2 to 4% of our population below the poverty line each year. Considering the extent of our nation’s growth, with a population increasing by 25 million annually, the challenge before us is immense, but the steps taken by the current government through Ayushman Bharat have provided immense relief.”
Subsequently, there was another fireside chat on ‘Betting Big One on India: Identifying New Growth Opportunities’,Dixon Technologies chairman Sunil Vachani.
The fireside chat was followed by a special address by Max Life Insurance CEO & MD Prashant Tripathy. He said, “In India’s pursuit of becoming a $10 trillion economy, visionary policy initiatives stand as cornerstones of inclusive growth. From pioneering financial inclusion schemes and the development of robust digital infrastructure to the progress of our vibrant start-up ecosystem- these collective endeavours underscore the remarkable journey we’ve undertaken as an economy in the last decade. As we stride forward, India must prioritize policies that foster innovation, technological advancement, tackle income inequality, and promote sustainable development practices. These critical areas demand our unhindered focus, as we inch towards an economy that unlocks sustained development for one and all.”
The evening continued with an engaging panel discussion on ‘Facilitating the Emerging Stars of Indian Business’ with insights from industry experts Akshay Ghulati (Co-founder & COO, Shiprocket); Mr Anirudh Arun (Co-founder, CEO, BluSmart Fleet) and Ish Babbar (Cofounder & CTO, Insurance Dekho).
The evening continued with an engaging conversation with Former Indian cricketer Virendra Sehwag. Talking about how the Indian team can bring home the World Cup, he said, “We need to play it like a knockout match, be brave and fearless and most importantly, make the right decision on the field. India has never lacked talent; we need to play aggressive cricket and not worry about winning.”
Concluding the summit was a thought-provoking session conducted by Kumaar Bagrodia, leading Neuroscientist & Founder of NeuroLeap, on ‘The Neuroscience of Investing’.
The Delhi edition of ‘The Growth Summit – Vision for a $10 trillion Economy’ underscored India’s trajectory towards economic prosperity as industry leaders and experts converged to chart a path towards a $10 trillion economy. The next edition of the summit will be held in Hyderabad on 15 March,2024.
Mumbai: Sportz Interactive (SI), a leading sports technology and content solutions company and a part of the Sportz Solutions Group, welcomed a new client relationship with Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), the world’s premier mixed martial arts organisation and part of TKO Group Holdings (NYSE: TKO).
UFC’s athlete roster features the world’s best MMA athletes representing more than 80 countries, including India. With this region in mind, Sportz Interactive has been mandated to provide a comprehensive and forward-thinking social media strategy for India that includes regional-specific content creation, localisation, and implementation across UFC’s official social media platforms in India. SI will leverage its expertise in digital content creation and fan engagement strategies to expand Indian fan engagement on UFC’s Instagram, Facebook and YouTube accounts.
The first successful implementation in the partnership was the launch of UFC’s first official Instagram account in India in January 2024. In the first two months, the account added over 210,000 organic followers and featured a collaboration with Bollywood superstar Vidyut Jammwal for UFC 298. Engagement across all UFC India platforms experienced a strong start, with over 250,000 interactions and three plus million views.
Additionally, SI aims to drive viewership of UFC events on UFC’s broadcast partner in the Indian subcontinent, Sony Sports Network India – a partnership that was recently extended through 2028. SI, UFC and Sony Sports Network will collaborate on pre-fight week build-ups and live event coverage, including engaging with celebrities and sports figures, and promoting India’s UFC athletes, Anshul Jubli and Puja Tomar.
Speaking on the relationship, UFC senior vice president and head of Asia Kevin Chang said, “India is becoming a massive UFC market and our efforts to connect with our fan base there is reflective of that. With their proven expertise in the industry, we are pleased to have Sportz Interactive on board to elevate UFC’s digital footprint and we will endeavor to deliver a truly bespoke experience to UFC fans in India.”
Sportz Interactive head of partnerships & client success Raghav Mehta said, “We are excited about this opportunity to collaborate with UFC to enhance their digital presence and engage fans in innovative ways. We look forward to maximising fan affinity and building this globally iconic brand in India and delighting sports fans along the way.”
Mumbai: News18 Network is set to unveil the results of its Mega Opinion Poll, featuring an extensive survey covering 518 Lok Sabha constituencies across 21 major states.
The poll, airing on 13 March and 14 March, features a massive sample size of over 1,18,616 respondents, representing 95 per cent of Lok Sabha constituencies and making it one of the largest surveys in the country.
The survey, which goes live at 6 pm on 13 March, will provide valuable insights into the political landscape of India, offering a detailed analysis of voter sentiment and preferences ahead of the upcoming general elections.
The poll findings will also be projected as a vote and seat share for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections with individual projections for all major states and for regions within states.
Utilizing a structured questionnaire translated into 11 regional languages, the survey employed personal face-to-face interviews conducted at homes selected via random sampling. Each Lok Sabha constituency was meticulously covered, with 3 Assembly constituencies and 5 polling booths selected in each, ensuring a representative and unbiased sampling process.
Fieldwork for the survey was carried out by trained investigators from ten different fieldwork agencies, with strict quality control measures in place. Before going into the field, the teams underwent detailed briefing sessions to ensure adherence to the sampling plan and questionnaire. Senior field managers and executives conducted on-the-spot quality checks, and each interview was geo-tagged to verify its authenticity.
The results of the News18 Mega Opinion Poll will be covered extensively across all 20 News18 network channels including News18 India, CNN-News18 and News18 regional channels in 16 languages. The results will also feature on News18’s 16 websites in various languages, ensuring wide-reaching and inclusive coverage of the landmark survey.
The News18 Mega Opinion Poll was conducted by News18 Poll Hub. Detailed responses and methodology of the survey will be made available on News18.com, providing transparency and accountability to the process.
For more information, please visit News18.com or tune in to the special programming, starting at 6 pm on 13 March and 14 March across all News18 channels.
Mumbai: Neeraj Jha, who previously served as the head of content and acquisition (sports) at Warner Bros Discovery, has been promoted to the role of director – head of content and acquisition (sports).
In his prior position, Jha spearheaded the rights and acquisition endeavors for Eurosport and Discovery Plus, successfully negotiating and securing significant content deals. These efforts led to a notable 30 percent expansion of the content library and a marked increase in viewer engagement.
Jha also supervised the production and strategy of branded sales content, collaborating closely with marketing teams to devise campaigns that resulted in a noteworthy 25 percent growth in sponsorships and advertising revenue. Furthermore, he played a key role in developing and executing programming strategies, syndication, and slot-selling initiatives, which culminated in a substantial 40 percent surge in viewership and enhanced market positioning.
His career journey began as an assistant producer at IMG, and he subsequently gained experience across prominent entities such as E-TV Network, Zee News, Ten Sports Network, and Discovery Inc.
Mumbai: News18 Gujarati completes one year as the top Gujarati News Channel in Gujarat. The news channel has been dominating the ratings in Gujarat for the past 30 weeks. For many years, News18 Gujarati has delivered updates and news with utmost authenticity and integrity. The channel’s strong focus on accuracy, reliability, and viewer satisfaction has resulted in remarkable success in attaining the #1 spot across multiple platforms.
According to recognised analytics tools – Crowdtangle, Tubebuddy, and Social Blade, News18 Gujarati has recorded a whopping 63 million views on YouTube and gathered a total of 186 million views on Facebook making it Gujarat’s most-viewed news channel on digital platforms as of January 2024. With the channel’s outstanding popularity on digital platforms, it has now cemented its position as the most popular news platform in Gujarat.
Indian Languages business CEO Mitul Sangani said, “News18 Gujarati’s uninterrupted 52-week leadership underscores our dedication to providing top-quality content that resonates deeply with our statewide audience. With programming that caters to both urban and rural Gujarat, we offer comprehensive coverage to a diverse set of audience. Our expanded digital viewership has propelled News18 Gujarati to the forefront of news platforms in the state. The significant growth in our viewership is inspiring, and we are committed to maintaining and broadening our impact.”
News18 Gujarati’s constant quest for excellence, along with its unmatched coverage of exclusive breaking news, has set new standards in the regional media industry. The channel is known as ‘The Voice of Gujarat’. With a strong lineup of Prime Time shows and news anchors, News18 Gujarat delivers programs that provide unique perspectives and simplify news for its audience.
Mumbai: The glamour of Bollywood and the dynamism of the OTT world came under one glittering roof for the News18 Showsha Reel Awards 2024 at Taj Lands End, Mumbai, on 9 March. Hosted by the charismatic duo Aparshakti Khurana and Neha Dhupia, the special evening celebrated the best of content and talents across films and web series in all its glory. Guided by a panel of esteemed jury members such as Prasoon Joshi, Aanand L Rai, Kabir Bedi, Meenakshi Seshadri, Ramesh S Taurani, Neeraj Ghaywan, and Tavishi Paitanday, the News18 Showsha Reel Awards 2024 made for a grand spectacle to remember for all who cherish the art of storytelling.
Kicking off the festivities was Threeory Band of Animal fame, who set the stage ablaze with an electrifying performance – boasting chart-topping hits to timeless classics. The star-studded event was graced by the crème de la crème of the entertainment industry, including Karan Johar, Rani Mukherjee, Varun Dhawan, Shraddha Kapoor, Kartik Aaryan, Aditya Roy Kapur, Ananya Panday, Janhvi Kapoor, Shabana Azmi, Manoj Bajpayee, Sharmila Tagore, Richa Chadha, Bobby Deol, Vedang Raina, Wamiqa Gabbi, Vijay Varma, Bhushan Kumar, Raj & DK, R Balki, and Manan Bhardwaj, among many others. As it hailed some of the best performances, movies, and web series released between January 1, 2023, and December 31, 2023, the excitement for the awards ceremony was tangible among the guests, jury, and fraternity members alike.
The atmosphere was electric as Animal and Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai bagged the coveted Best Film awards under the categories of Popular Choice and Jury Choice, respectively. Cheers also erupted when Dhawan (Bawaal) and Manoj Bajpayee (Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai) were honoured with the Best Actor – Male award under Popular Choice and Jury Choice, respectively. Adding to the fervour, Shraddha Kapoor (Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar) and Sharmila Tagore (Gulmohar) were recognized as Best Actor – Female under Popular Choice and Jury Choice, respectively. The evening also celebrated the brilliance behind the camera, with R. Balki (Ghoomer) and Karan Johar (Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani) winning the Best Director award under Jury Choice and Popular Choice, respectively. In a much-deserved accolade, Rani Mukherjee was titled Star of the Year for her heart-wrenching performance in Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway.
Moreover, the audience’s anticipation was palpable as the winner of the Best Web Series was announced, with Jubilee emerging victorious to thunderous applause. The frenzy prevailed as Aditya Roy Kapur was honoured with the award for OTT Best Actor – Male for his stellar performance in The Night Manager, while Sonakshi Sinha was recognized with the award for OTT Best Actor – Female for her outstanding role in Dahaad. The euphoria was also real when Kartik Aaryan won the award for Breakthrough Performance – Male for Satyaprem Ki Katha and Ananya Panday for Breakthrough Performance – Female for Kho Gaye Hum Kahan. The News18 Showsha Reel Awards 2024 even paid tribute to the remarkable contributions of Shankar Mahadevan and R Madhavan with the Music Legend award and Reel Icon award, respectively.
Dedicating the award for Best Actor – Female to her beloved fans, Kapoor remarked, “Throughout my journey to this moment, every milestone I’ve achieved in my career can be traced back to the support of my fans. As I accept this prestigious award, it’s clear that it’s not just a recognition of my work, but proof of the incredible devotion of those who’ve rooted for me along the way. Their belief in me has shaped me into the artist I am today, and for that, I am eternally grateful. I treasure the love and admiration that I’ve been fortunate enough to receive from my fans. This award, therefore, is not mine alone but belongs to every single fan who voted for me. I must also extend my heartfelt thanks to our director, whose vision allowed me to portray such a fascinating character in Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar. Playing Nisha in the film was an experience I cherished deeply.”
Sharing his emotions about winning the award for Best Director, Johar shared, “Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani is a special film for me because it released in the 25th year of my directorial existence. It was also a film that I directed after 7 years. So It was imperative that it found love because it would not have been good for my morale if it hadn’t. I must thank everyone associated with the film. I have to take a beat and say how blessed I was to direct Shabana Ji in the film. Jaise kehte hai na koi ‘Baap Actor’ hai set pe – that’s the feeling I got every time Shabana Ji gave a shot. I also need to take a moment to thank Apoorva (Mehta), the CEO of Dharma Productions and my best friend, to the entire cast and crew of the film, and to Rocky and Rani themselves, Ranveer (Singh) and Alia (Bhatt), for essaying the parts with all their heart. Lastly, I dedicate this one to my twins, Yash and Roohi.”
Mukherjee stated, “Receiving the award for Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway, especially from Karan (Johar), is truly special because he was the first one to see it and give us a (positive) reaction. We were all really worried whether a content-driven film like Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway would work in the theatres. There was a lot of chatter that only big films would do well theatrically, so it was a risk; it was a step we had to take because we believed in this film. I, of course, had conviction because I was in the film, but I would like to thank the producers, who stood by me like a rock and believed in the film. It was a collective decision to release the film theatrically, and I’m so grateful that audiences accepted it with all heart. This award is actually dedicated to the audience because they showed the whole world that content cinema is here to stay – here to stay in theatres. I must also thank the crew of Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway, the actors from Bengal who lent authenticity to the film, my Estonian crew as we shot the film in Tallinn, our DOP, and the production team. Without them, shooting during the COVID-19 pandemic wouldn’t have been possible.”
Network18 CEO (Digital) & President – Corporate Strategy Puneet Singhvi said, “The News18 Showsha Reel Awards 2024 was a true celebration of the incredible talent and creativity that define our entertainment industry. It offered a unique opportunity to showcase the finest achievements in Hindi films and web series. The awards ceremony was not just about recognising excellence but also about inspiring future generations to push the boundaries of content and entertainment. Congratulations to all the winners and nominees for making the event a memorable one. We are proud to honour these achievements and look forward to another year of setting new standards in entertainment.”
N18 Eng Editorial and Content executive editor Ameya Bhise said, “The News18 Showsha Reel Awards 2024 served as a distinctive tribute to the extraordinary talent within the film industry. At the awards show, we celebrated the industry’s excellence, uniting numerous artists for one grand event. Congratulations to all the winners and nominees for their remarkable contributions to films and web shows. With each award, we rewarded the remarkable talent and ingenuity that graces our screens, both big and small.”
Mumbai: As the adrenaline-fueled action of CCL 2024 Season 10 hurtles towards its climax, Karnataka Bulldozers, Chennai Rhinos, Mumbai Heroes and Bengal Tigers stand tall, having clinched their berth in the playoffs. The playoffs promise a spectacle of top-tier competition, with the four best teams battling it out for the chance to seize glory. In the heart-pounding first qualifier, Chennai Rhinos and Mumbai Heroes will clash head-on, while the eliminator will see Karnataka Bulldozers and Bengal Tigers duke it out, each fighting tooth and nail for their shot at the ultimate prize. The stage is set in Trivandrum, where the stakes are sky-high and the intensity electrifying.
In the midst of the jubilant celebrations of victory, the Telugu Warriors find themselves grappling with the harsh sting of defeat. Despite emerging triumphant in three electrifying battles and boasting the laurels of CCL Season 9 champions, their fortunes take a sour turn as their once-soaring run rate plummets, ultimately sealing their fate and relegating them from the title race. It’s a testament to the unforgiving nature of the competition, where every run, every wicket, spells the difference between triumph and heartbreak. This season has been a whirlwind journey, spanning from the scorching grounds of Sharjah to the bustling arenas of Hyderabad and Chandigarh, and now culminating in the battleground of Trivandrum. Bhojpuri Dabbangs and Punjab De Sher, despite their initial setback, fought valiantly in their quest for a spot in the finals. Despite putting up a spirited struggle, they fell short in their bid to secure a coveted place in the ultimate showdown.
Amidst the blazing heat of this season’s showdown, Kiccha Sudeep’s Karnataka Bulldozers emerge as the undeniable force, dominating the field with an awe-inspiring string of three consecutive triumphs. But they’re not alone in their quest for glory; Jisshu Sengupta’s Bengal Tigers, Arya’s Chennai Rhinos, and Ritesh Deshmukh’s Mumbai Heroes are among the fierce contenders vying for the final showdown. Please find the qualifying scenarios for the remaining teams:
