Category: TV Channels

REPRESENT 2023 Wrapped: 11 billion+ streams and countless pop culture defining moments
Mumbai: REPRESENT, one of India’s premiere music management agencies recognised as one of India’s top music startups to look out for, concludes an exceptional year as it proudly recaps its remarkable achievements and milestones in 2023. Offering an umbrella of services, from talent management to music consulting and investments, REPRESENT boasts an impressive artist roster consisting of over 20 artists including Ananya Birla, Armaan Malik, Anuv Jain, DJ Chetas, Lost Stories, KSHMR, MC Stan, Zaeden, among others.

A LOOK BACK AT 2023
1. The year witnessed significant expansions within their artist roster, welcoming six outstanding talents: Saahel, Kamakshi Khanna, Kayan, Lisa Mishra, Kanishk Seth, and Shashwat Sachdev, each adding a unique flair and diversity to their formidable lineup
2. The talent powerhouse also entered into a strategic partnership for distribution with Universal Music Group India to facilitate the growth and reach of their artists worldwide, thereby empowering them to stay independent while making the most of UMG’s resources and expertise
3. REPRESENT’s strategic campaigns have garnered substantial attention, this year’s Spotify Wrapped witnessed the company garner an astounding 2.2 billion overall streams by over 247 million+ listeners for over 110 million hours, a testament to their widespread influence and musical prowess
4. They conducted more than 500 live shows this year which include the curation of tours for their artists Anuv Jain (Guldasta Tour), DJ Chetas, Kayan (Kayan Vision Tour), MC Stan (Basti Ka Hasti Tour) and Zaeden (Revelation Tour) through their company’s live entertainment bookings agency, RE:PLAY, solidifying their position as a premier talent management company
5. The company also secured prominent film syncs, notably featuring Hanita Bhambri’s ‘Chehra’ and Anuv Jain’s ‘Mazaak’ in the movie ‘Thank You For Coming’, and Zaeden’s ‘Socha Na Tha’ in the Netflix film ‘Friday Night Plan’
6. Several tracks from the roster including ‘Baarishein’, ‘Haath Varthi’, ‘Basti Ka Hasti’, ‘Ek Din Pyaar’, ‘Aa Mil’ and ‘Dhundhala’, secured coveted spots in Spotify’s Top 50 charts, affirming the resonance and popularity of REPRESENT’s exclusive talents
7. Through meticulous curation, the agency successfully sealed over 250+ brand deals for its artists including esteemed brands like Maybelline, Crocs, Aldo, Samsung, Chanel, Fastrack, L’Oréal, among others
8. REPRESENT curated the launch of their artist KSHMR’s highly successful hip-hop album ‘KARAM’, marking a significant milestone in their journey and giving a platform for the Desi Hip-hop community to unite in a one-of-its-kind event.
9. Their artists OAFF and Savera went on to be recognised for their excellence by winning the ‘Best Upcoming Music Composers’ Award at the prominent Mirchi Music Awards and being nominated for the same at the esteemed IIFA Awards.
10. Artists also achieved global recognition with features on the eminent Times Square billboard, including MC Stan and KSHMR for ‘Haath Varthi’, Lisa Mishra for Spotify’s Equal playlist and Kamakshi Khanna as part of Spotify’s RADAR artists, further solidifying their position as international talents.
Sharing his delightment about how this year has farred for the company, REPRESENT CEO & founder Aayushman Sinha said, “In 2023, we delved deeper into our artists’ music and strengthened fan engagement. For 2024, our aim is international; we are initiating major changes and investments to promote our artists’ music on a global scale and to create new opportunities abroad. Additionally, we plan to intensify our investments in Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) and artist-led businesses, recognising their significant long-term potential. Concurrently, we will continue to expand and foster our existing business.”

The agency expanded its horizons by investing in Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) brands, including the launch of SOL (a fragrance brand alongside Zaeden), Comet (a homegrown sneaker brand) and House of X (a creator-led incubator). They also expanded their portfolio by initiating ‘CREW’, a new venture focusing on creator management by onboarding incredible talents such as Aashna Hegde and Raj Shamani, thereby enhancing their diverse range of services and offerings.

REPRESENT is poised for an even more remarkable 2024, promising an array of groundbreaking releases and collaborations that will further elevate the standards of innovation and creativity in the industry.
November 30, 2023
U Mumba unveils PKL Season 10 Jersey

Mumbai: In a glittering ceremony on Wednesday, U Mumba brought together the power of sport and entertainment on one stage to celebrate and unveil the landmark Pro Kabaddi League Season 10 U Mumba Jersey in the presence of Bollywood star Vicky Kaushal and the squad members at the META India studios in Mumbai.

U Mumba is geared up for an exhilarating season ahead. Designed with careful consideration and attention to details, the new jersey serves as a powerful statement of the team’s commitment to excellence, unity, and capturing the enduring spirit and resilience of Mumbai that U Mumba team stands for.

The new jersey was launched in the presence of Vicky Kaushal in and as Sam Bahadur along with team owner, Ronnie Screwvala, CEO Suhail Chandhok apart from the Season 10 core team members Surinder Singh, Mahender Singh, Rinku, Girish Ernak, Guman Singh and Pranay Rane.

“Interwoven with elements that encapsulate the heart and soul of Mumbai city, the jersey captures the energy, diversity, hustle and indomitable spirit of the melting pot of people that Mumbai represents. Each thread tells a story, echoing the pulse of a city that never sleeps, and the relentless pursuit of excellence that defines U Mumba,” said U Mumba CEO Suhail Chandhok.

One of the key striking features of the jersey is the representation of the ocean, an homage to the original inhabitants of Mumbai, the Koli community and to the element of water that forms the essence of Mumbai, a City of Seven Islands.

“The waves symbolise the ebb and flow of obstacles that our players may encounter throughout the Pro Kabaddi League season and it serves as a reminder to be fluid, like water, adaptable to change, agile, resilient and open to any challenges that lie ahead,” Suhail further added.

U Mumba Captain & Vice-Captains announced the team also took the opportunity to announce the captain and vice-captains for the upcoming season with Surinder Singh set to continue at the helm and Rinku Sharma and Mahender Singh as his deputies.

Meta India director of content and community partnerships Paras Sharma also commented, “We actively foster sports fandom on our platforms, continuously collaborating with teams and the ecosystem to broaden their audience. Collaborating with the U Mumba team enables us to connect creators and public figures, aiming to boost kabaddi’s popularity ahead of the Pro-Kabaddi League and offer creators opportunities to engage with athletes from varied sports.”

The team also announced local (Mumbai) icon player, Girish Ernak as the Spirit of Mumba Captain, who is specially assigned the task to nurture young talents in the side from various parts of the country and ensure the positive spirit of U Mumba is always intact through the ups and downs of the competitive season.

Follow U Mumba’s journey in the Pro Kabaddi League and witness the team wearing their hearts on their sleeves, quite literally, with the unveiling of this exceptional new jersey on our social media handles.

November 30, 2023
BAFTA announces its Breakthrough 2023 cohort across India, UK and USA for the first time

Mumbai: The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) in partnership with Netflix, has unveiled 10 upcoming individuals from the screen industries selected for BAFTA Breakthrough in India. In this historic first, BAFTA simultaneously introduces its UK, USA, and India participants, with 42 talented individuals selected globally.

The ten names for BAFTA Breakthrough India were selected by a distinguished jury of industry experts, including Jury Chair and BAFTA Breakthrough Ambassador Guneet Monga Kapoor, Sikhya Entertainment producer founder & CEO Guneet Monga Kapoor, Lakshya Digital CEO Manvendra Shukul, Monika Shergill (vice president, content – Netflix India), Rajiv Menon (Filmmaker), Naman Ramachandran (Critic & Journalist), Sid Roy Kapur (Founder of Roy Kapur Films & Producer), Shaunak Sen (Filmmaker) and Ratna Pathak Shah (actor, theatre director).

The list of BAFTA Breakthrough India participants for 2023 is:

● Abhay Koranne | Writer – Rocket Boys

● Abhinav Tyagi | Editor – An Insignificant Man

● Don Chacko Palathara | Director/Writer – Joyful Mystery

● Kislay| Writer – Soni

● Lipika Singh Darai | Director/Writer – Some Stories Around Witches

● Miriam Chandy Menacherry | Producer – From the Shadows and The Leopard’s Tribe

● Pooja Rajkumar Rathod | Cinematographer – Secrets of the Elephants

● Sanal George | Sound Editor/Mixer/Designer – Gangubai Kathiawadi

● Satya Rai Nagpaul | Cinematographer – Ghoomketu

● Shardul Bhardwaj | Performer – Eeb Allay Ooo!

Over the last two years, the BAFTA Breakthrough programme, in partnership with Netflix, has supported the cohorts in networking with global industry experts, including D.B Weiss (producer, director, writer), Emma Lawson (BBC Comedy Commissioner), Howard Shore (Composer), Phoebe Waller-Bridge (Actress, Producer, Writer), and Vishal Gondal (CEO, GOQii, nCore Games), amongst others.

The initiative has also opened doors for participants, facilitating industry meetings with Chaitanya Hegde (Tulsea), Rob Carlson (United Talent Agent, US), Tarsame Mittal (TM Talent Management), and more. Breakthroughs like Jay Pinak Oza have received one-on-one mentorship from Mira Nair and Shonali Bose with potential collaborations in the works, while Karthikeya Murthy is working on a Hindi feature film, with multiple projects lined up in Hindi, Tamil and English.

BAFTA CEO Jane Millichip said, “BAFTA Breakthrough is a gold standard programme. And the fact that we are celebrating our ten-year anniversary is testament to the dedication of our incredible alumni, industry supporters, juries, and industry advisers. I’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has contributed over the years, and particularly to our partner Netflix. This year’s cohort is really impressive, having already achieved credits in high-end TV drama, debut films, documentaries, hair and make design; and game design. BAFTA Breakthrough is designed to harness that early success and develop the skills for life-long, rewarding careers. Congratulations to this year’s BAFTA Breakthroughs.”

BAFTA Breakthrough India Ambassador and Jury Chair Guneet Monga Kapoor said, “There is no shortage of creative talent in India as demonstrated by the previous two iterations of Breakthrough. We had a tough time choosing ten deserving candidates from an enormous pool of fresh candidates. It will be exciting to see how they harness BAFTA Breakthrough’s opportunities to hone their craft on a global stage.”

Netflix India content VP Monika Shergill said, “India has a wealth of emerging talent and we’re thrilled to be able to work with BAFTA on the BAFTA Breakthrough initiative to provide them an opportunity to be chosen. It’s truly rewarding to be able to empower these emerging creatives to showcase and enhance their skills. This year, we’ve identified an incredible group and we look forward to helping to nurture their talents and make this an enriching and once-in-a-lifetime moment for them.”

During the course of the year-long programme, the BAFTA Breakthroughs will receive professional development, industry meetings and global networking opportunities with the academy’s 12,000- strong global membership, alongside free access to BAFTA events and screenings for 12 months and full BAFTA voting rights on the academy’s world-leading film, games and television awards. Further details are in the notes to editors.

BAFTA’s flagship new talent programme celebrates its tenth anniversary this year. Since 2013, it has supported over 200 rising talents, including Aadip Desai, Arati Kadav, Charu Desodt, Florence Pugh, James LeBrecht, Jay Pinak Oza, Josh O’Connor, Karthikeya Murthy, Letitia Wright, Sumukhi Suresh, Tanya Maniktala, Tom Holland , amongst many others.

The list of BAFTA Breakthrough UK participants for 2023 is as below:

● Adjani Salmon |Writer/Performer/Exec Producer – Dreaming Whilst Black (TV)

● Bella Ramsey |Performer – The Last of Us (TV)

● Cash Carraway |Creator/Writer/Exec Producer – Rain Dogs (TV)

● Charlotte Regan | Writer/Director – Scrapper (Film)

● Cynthia De La Rosa |Hair & Makeup Artist – Everyone Else Burns (TV)

● Ella Glendining | Director – Is There Anybody Out There? (Film)

● Funmi Olutoye | Lead Producer – ‘Black History Makers’ (Good Morning Britain) (TV)

● Georgia Oakley | Writer/Director – Blue Jean (Film)

● Holly Reddaway | Voice and performance director – Baldur’s Gate 3 (Games)

● Joel Beardshaw |Lead Designer – Desta: The Memories Between (Games)

● Kat Morgan |Hair & Makeup Designer – Blue Jean (Film)

● Kathryn Ferguson | Writer/Director – Nothing Compares (Film)

● Kitt (Fiona) Byrne | 2D Artist/Game Designer – Gibbon: Beyond the Trees (Games)

● Michael Anderson | Producer – Desta: The Memories Between (Games)

● Pete Jackson |Writer/Creator – Somewhere Boy (TV)

● Raine Allen-Miller | Director – Rye Lane (Film)

● Rosy McEwan| Performer – Blue Jean (Film)

● Samantha Béart | Performer – The Excavation of Hob’s Barrow (Games)

● Talisha ‘Tee Cee’ Johnson | Writer/Director/Presenter – Too Autistic for Black (TV)

● Vivian Oparah| Performer – Rye Lane (Film)

The list of BAFTA Breakthrough USA participants for 2023 is as below:

● Amanda Kim | Documentary Director – Nam June Paik: Moon Is The Oldest TV (Film) ● Aminah Nieves | Performer – 1923 (TV)

● Apoorva Charan | Producer – Joyland (Film)

● Cheyenne Morrin | Senior Games Writer – Star Wars Jedi: Survivor (Games)

● Edward Buckles Jr.| Documentary Director – Katrina Babies (Film)

● Gary Gunn | Composer – A Thousand and One (Film)

● Jingyi Shao | Writer & Director – Chang Can Dunk (Film)

● Maria Altamirano | Producer – All Dirt Roads Taste of Salt (Film)

● Santiago Gonzalez | Cinematographer – Shortcomings (Film)

● Shelly Yo | Writer & Director – Smoking Tigers (Film)

● Sing J Lee | Writer & Director – The Accidental Getaway Driver (Film)

● Vuk Lungulov-Klotz | Writer & Director – Mutt (Film)

November 30, 2023
Radio City becomes Legends League Cricket’s official radio partner

Mumbai: Radio City is thrilled to announce its partnership with Legends League Cricket (LLC) as the official radio partner for the second consecutive year. This collaboration promises to bring the excitement of LLC’s legendary cricket matches to millions of listeners across India.

As the exclusive radio partner of LLC, Radio City is set to amplify the cricketing experience for its fans. RJ Yuvi, from Delhi, will once again take center stage as he covers the entire tournament live from the venue, providing listeners with real-time updates, exclusive insights, and engaging interactions with cricketing legends. The LLC matches, featuring recently retired international players, is not only a celebration of cricketing prowess but also a nostalgic journey for cricket lovers. This year, the tournament is set to draw interest of audiences on multiple platforms, with matches being telecasted on Star Sports, Disney Hotstar, and Fancode.

To elevate the on-ground experience, Radio City has become the official partner of LLC prominently showcasing its passion for cricket. This partnership extends beyond the airwaves, as the radio network is offering exclusive match tickets in Ranchi, Vizag, and Surat to its loyal listeners. This also presents an exciting opportunity, bringing the fans closer to the cricketing action live from the stadiums. With a strong presence in three of the five cities hosting LLC matches in India, Radio City strategically connects with cricket enthusiasts at the grassroots level.

In commenting on the ongoing collaboration, Radio City CEO Ashit Kukian, expressed unrelenting enthusiasm, affirming, “Our second consecutive partnership with Legends League Cricket signifies the perfect synergy between Radio City’s enthusiasm and LLC’s commitment to cricketing excellence. We’re devoted to delivering an immersive experience for our listeners, transcending both on-air and on-ground realms. Together, we celebrate the indomitable spirit of cricket, uniting enthusiasts in an unparalleled journey of sports and entertainment.”

Legends League Cricket has associated with Radio City for the second time in a row, demonstrating the outstanding value that it continues to provide. Through this collaboration, the legends of the cricketing world will reach millions of cricket fans across the country as they tune in to Radio City,” stated Legends League Cricket CEO Raman Raheja.

As the LLC tournament unfolds, Radio City invites cricket aficionados and their devoted audience to tune in for an extraordinary cricketing spectacle. Stay connected for live updates, behind-the-scenes moments, and a front-row seat to the legendary matchups, as Radio City once again takes the lead as the official radio partner of Legends League Cricket.

November 30, 2023
News18 Bangla Dashobhuja triumphs in honouring the inspirational women of West Bengal

Mumbai: News18 Bangla celebrated the inaugural edition of Dashobhuja on 24 November 2023, at The Oberoi Grand, Kolkata. Dashobhuja is a revolutionary initiative launched by News18 Bangla that highlights the inspiring stories of women who have overcome adversity to make significant contributions to society.

In its first edition, Dashobhuja showcased the real-life stories of 10 extraordinary women from various parts of West Bengal, recognizing and honoring their achievements. The event was attended by a distinguished gathering, including state for health and family welfare minister Chandrima Bhattacharya, Birbaha Hansda, Forests and Self Help – Self Employment Group minister Birbaha Hansda and Women and Child Development and Social Welfare minister Dr. Shashi Panja all from the Government of West Bengal.

Eminent personalities from the entertainment industry, such as Bengali cinema actress Paoli Dam, and singer Lopamudra Mitra, added glitz to the event. The guest list also included Koneenica Banerjee, Indrani Dutta, Raajnandini Paul, Oindrila Sen, Rashmi Group director Sanjib Kr. Patwari and Doctor’s Choice marketing director Gopal Shroff, Zintol Herbal managing director Abdul Sadek Sarkar, JIS Group director Sardar Simarpreet Singh among others.

The event was co-presented by JIS Group and Rashmi Group, and it was co-powered by Dear Lottery, Sunrise, and Reliance Industries Ltd. B N Ganty, Bimal Saree Center, International Institute of Hotel Management, Wild Stone, Zintol Herbal, Supreme Knowledge Foundation Group, and Doctors Choice were among the special partners. Samata Cooperative Development Bank and Super Power Detergent Powder were the associate sponsors.

Dashobhuja exemplifies News18 Bangla’s dedication to recognizing and promoting women’s tenacity and accomplishments, fostering inspiration and empowerment in society.

Tune into News18 Bangla on 2 December 2023 from 9.00 AM to 10:00 AM and 1.00 PM to 2.00 PM to watch Dashobhuja exclusively.

November 30, 2023
Global football heavyweights root for India’s bullish sports market at RCB Innovation Lab’s Leaders Meet India

Mumbai: Global stakeholders from the world of football expressed their optimism regarding the emergence of India as a rising sporting market at the RCB Innovation Lab’s Leaders Meet India on 29 November in Bengaluru.

Nic Coward who is the former general secretary of the Premier League and CEO of UK Athletics is one of the few global football experts at the country’s first-of-its-kind summit promises to offer a panoramic view of the present and future of the sports industry, advocating and providing insights into the transformative elements that are propelling India into a new era of sporting excellence and business innovation.

Talking about the economically burgeoning sporting industry of India, Coward stated, “This (India) is the single greatest sports growth economy story anywhere in the world and will be for a considerable period of time. I think one of the great advantages that (India) has is that a lot of this entrepreneurial spirit can go from an idea through to execution pretty quickly. ISL doing what they did in order to grow and to develop created a compelling entertainment product. As things have progressed, there can now be greater coming together of an entire ecosystem.”

By bringing together titans from the international sporting world, RCB Innovation Lab starting with the Leader’s Meet: India is creating a participative platform where influential dialogues and the exchange of innovative ideas become center stage.

The Premier League enjoys a substantial fan base in India with interest growing especially among the emerging middle class in the country. The average age of an adult Premier League fan in India is 34.5 years while 39% are aged 25-34.

Will Brass the Chief Commercial Officer of the English Premier League citing Bollywood actor Ranveer Singh as a key figure in expanding the popularity of Premier League in India said, “Ranveer Singh has been really critical for us in understanding the market. We have been working with him since 2017. He is an authentic fan of the game, an authentic fan of the league, and has delivered a great deal, growing the India-specific social media audiences that we have via the PLO India, social tags here.”

According to a YouGov survey last year, India enjoys a total of 160 million football enthusiasts. Italy’s 2006 FIFA World Cup champion Alessandro Del Piero who has enthralled the passionate footballing fans of India during his stint at Delhi Dynamos also shared his thoughts on how India can become a football powerhouse at the event.

“In order to become better, you definitely need to start from the grassroots. If you want to create something big and long-term with real value, you need to invest in facilities and the teams and, of course in coaches. Grassroots is the key, to everything because children learn so fast and much better than us. If you build the academies then you can teach them the right things because talent is everywhere, in India and in every country in the world,” said Mr. Alessandro Del Piero.

All India Football Federation president Kalyan Chaubey, who was also part of the RCB Innovation Lab’s Leaders Meet India, on the first day spoke about the growth market of Indian football, “India has opportunity business-wise because we have 1/6 population in this world and also the largest population. I have spoken with FIFA several times and the President of FIFA and myself, are on the same page that India has huge potential to develop.”

RCB Innovation Lab Leaders Meet: India will conclude on 30 November.

November 30, 2023
U.P. Warriorz and global visionaries craft transformative women’s cricket docuseries

Mumbai: Following the overwhelming success of the inaugural Women’s Premier League (WPL) season earlier this year, Capri Sports-owned U.P. Warriorz, is poised to bring forth the narrative of women’s cricket with a novel docuseries that showcases the squad in an up-close and real manner, highlighting the magical moments, triumphs of the season, formidable challenges, breakthroughs, and inspiring journeys from the heart of UP and realities of women’s sports from the heartland of India and internationally.

In an era where women’s sports is on the rise, the U.P. Warriorz franchise seeks to lead the charge in breaking gender barriers, not just in cricket but across the entire spectrum of sports.

This docuseries, co-produced by ART&M and Victory Sports Media, will be a cultural milestone that stands to inspire sportswomen and women in general across all spheres in their ongoing journeys of striving toward social and economic change. Capri Sports envisions an extensive and diverse viewership, encompassing cricket enthusiasts, sports aficionados, aspiring young female cricketers, and anyone eager to delve into the compelling narrative of women in sports.

Award-winning filmmaker Arlene Nelson, ASC DGA, director and executive producer of the series, is a consummate storyteller instrumental in building and showcasing compelling narratives. Represented by United Talent Agency (UTA), she will be directing the U.P. Warriorz docuseries, leveraging her ability to explore the deepest corners of the human psyche, conveying the full power and passion of the world we live in, thus enhancing the impact of this cinematic venture.

“In the current zeitgeist, a global groundswell is propelling female protagonists to the forefront. The docuseries embraces this momentum and allows me to weave a rich narrative where resilient women athletes emerge as trailblazers. I’m honored to be entrusted with the telling of this universal story that I believe is destined to captivate audiences worldwide,” said Arlene Nelson.

ART&M co-founder and producer/showrunner Arnab Chakraborty, expressed the company’s commitment to impactful storytelling, emphasizing the docuseries’ role in taking cricket to a larger global audience and inspiring young girls around the world to take up sports.

Victory Sports Media CEO Jai Khanna, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of sharing the U.P. Warriorz story globally, celebrating achievements, shattering glass ceilings, and inspiring future generations.

With the Women’s Premier League (WPL) currently valued at $150 million and the Capri Sports-owned U.P. Warriorz franchise contributing significantly to this valuation, the docuseries serves not only as a testament to the prowess of women in sports but also as a strategic investment in the burgeoning landscape of women’s cricket.

Scheduled to be shot from November 2023 to April 2024, the docuseries aims to capture the entirety of the team’s journey, from the intense preparation phase to the heart of the tournament. The timing ensures an immersive experience for viewers, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the evolution and dedication of the U.P. Warriorz.

Captain Alyssa Healy, expressing her enthusiasm, stated, “I believe this docuseries marks a revolutionary moment for women’s sports, offering a fresh perspective that could reshape public perception of women’s cricket.” Jinisha Sharma, U.P Warriorz team owner & director – Capri Sports, concluded, “Our docuseries isn’t just capturing the heart of cricket; it’s amplifying the voices of women who are catalysts for change. U.P. Warriorz is proud to showcase not just their athletic prowess but their ability to impact society and business positively—a milestone that reverberates far beyond the field.

November 29, 2023
Manchester United legend Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to make first-ever India tour in December

Mumbai: Football legend Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is all set for his maiden visit to India as the Manchester United fan and founder of Ace of Pubs, Tilak Gaurang Shah will be hosting the exciting three-city tour from 15 December to 17 December.

Solskjaer is a renowned name in the football world and enjoys a huge fanbase in India as well. The former Manchester United manager is also among the leading scorers for the club with 126 goals in 366 appearances for the club. His sensational last-minute winning goal in the 1999 Champions League final against Bayern Munich is still fresh in the memories of football fans across the world.

“I have heard a lot about Manchester United fans in India from Tilak and I simply had to experience the fandom myself. I’m thrilled to join the fans in Bengaluru, Mumbai and Delhi and looking forward to an unforgettable time. This marks my first visit to the beautiful country, and I can’t wait to be here. Best wishes and see you soon!,” Solskjaer expressed his excitement.

Manchester United fans in India will be treated with a life-time opportunity to get live glimpses of their favourite star as Solskjaer will ignite football fervour across the country when he lands in Bengaluru — the first city of his tour, on 15 December.

While Solskjaer’s trip to India was finalised earlier this year, Tilak is confident of successfully hosting this exceptional tour and making it memorable for the Indian fans. He said: “I have been an ardent Manchester United fan for more than two decades now and visit Old Trafford once every quarter for a regular dose of footballing entertainment. After talking to Ole about United’s popularity in India, I knew his network and expertise could act as a catalyst in redefining football back home. Ace of Pubs aspires to infuse the Old Trafford fervour in India. The tour will start from Bengaluru followed by Mumbai and Delhi on December 16 and 17 respectively. This will be a momentous occasion not only for Manchester United supporters but also all football fans in India.”

The football fever that accompanies the visit of the legendary icon Solskjaer will be nothing short of electrifying.

For Manchester United fans, it will be the best opportunity to get up, close and personal with Solskjaer, who will also share his favourite Premier League tales and every fan, attending the event, will receive an authenticated 1999 Champions League final jersey signed by Solskjaer himself.

Ace of Pubs is India’s largest quizzing company which conducts over 200 events per month across India and the UAE, and the bootstrapped startup company specialises in experiential events with a strong football fan network across all major cities in India and in Dubai. Making the moment even more special for the fans, the Platinum Ticket holders will get an opportunity to be part of an exclusive meet and greet with Solskjaer whereas all Platinum and Sapphire Ticket holders will get a chance to click a photo with one of the all-time greats.

During his visit, Solskjaer will hold gala dinners with fans in Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Delhi. Club ITC & ITC Hotels and Johnnie Walker have pledged their support as hospitality and celebration partners respectively. Ace of Trades has come on board as the Corporate engagement partner.

BookMyShow, Paytm Insider and Zomato Live will jointly facilitate ticket sales, and 12th Man Brewing has joined as gameday partners in Mumbai.

Following his playing career, Solskjaer also collaborated with the iconic coach Sir Alex Ferguson, coaching the Manchester United first team strikers in the 2007-08 season. He also transitioned into management as he assumed the role of manager at the Old Trafford in 2019 succeeding Jose Mourinho. Popularly known as the baby-faced assassin, Solskjaer has also played 67 matches for Norway, scoring 23 times for his country.

As per the Business YouGov report of 2022 measuring the popularity of Manchester United in multiple global markets, India boasts a staggering 38% of Manchester United fan base.

November 29, 2023
Republic Media Network elevates Hersh Bhandari as CEO of its broadcast business

Mumbai: Republic Media Network has elevated Hersh Bhandari as CEO of its broadcast business.In his new role, Bhandari will oversee the entire national operations for all existing broadcast channels of the network. He will also lead and strategise all future growth of the network’s including new channels launches with broadcasting business into languages and regions.

On his elevation, Bhandari said, “At Republic Media Network, we continue our March and strengthen ourselves with speed for the growth that beckons us. I’m energised by the trust reposed in me by the Board, Management, and my colleagues, to help shape and deliver the next phase of growth. We think and move as one. Extremely thankful and my gratitude to the Republic management, my colleagues, special team & Business partners which made this happen with their constant support through this journey.

November 29, 2023
Zee TV’s Kaise Mujhe Tum Mil Gaye – an impossible love story

Mumbai Zee TV, a pioneer in groundbreaking television content, is set to captivate audiences with its latest offering, Kaise Mujhe Tum Mil Gaye. The show, premiering on 27 November at 10 pm, is an impossible love story, weaving the journey of two contrasting characters – Amruta and Virat, portrayed by the immensely popular heartthrobs – Sriti Jha and Arjit Taneja respectively. It unfolds against the vibrant backdrop of Mumbai, where Amruta, a 29-year-old unmarried Marathi Mulgi and worldly-wise Punjabi Munda find their paths crossing in the most unexpected of ways. While she believes in the power of love and the sanctity of a meaningful life partnership that both sides need to constantly work on, he harbors a skeptical view on marriage after having burnt his fingers. He is anti-marriage, having concluded that most women are gold-diggers. Produced by Mukta Dhond, the show has a layered narrative, replete with twists and turns, making for an entertaining viewing experience.

The show delves into the intricacies of today’s love dynamics. This ideological clash sets the stage for an intriguing narrative encapsulated in the show’s one-liner- ‘Ek ka pyaar mein yakeen atoot hai, toh dooja mane ishq hi jhoot hai’. With each episode, viewers can expect to be drawn deeper into the lives of Amruta and Virat, witnessing the evolution of their relationship against the canvas of their differentiated family backgrounds and the inevitable challenges that love must overcome.

Zee TV Business head Aparna Bhosle said, “Kaise Mujhe Tum Mil Gaye presents an interesting take on modern love and relationship dynamics where our lead protagonists not only hail from diverse sociocultural backgrounds but represent diverse outlooks towards the institution of marriage. And when their contrasting worlds collide, viewers are in for a delightful love story.”

Producer Mukta Dhond said “I am excited about our very first association with Zee TV, that too, with some of the finest actors we have on television at the moment. The story tries to depict the two most predominant outlooks the youth seems to have, today, about love and marriage. While half of them seem to be optimistic about finding a suitable match, there’s an equally large and growing number who have begun to question the institution or even view marriage in an unfavourable light. Writing Amruta and Virat, who represent these diverse schools of thought, has been a joy as they’re so culturally different with opposing mindsets, and still have one thing in common – they can go to any lengths for their families. Viewers will relate with both the characters and hopefully, find this unique love story intriguing!”

For the first time, the audience will get to see besties Sriti Jha and Arjit Taneja cast opposite each other. The show also boasts of an ensemble cast with Kishori Shahane Vij who will play the role of Babita Ahuja (Virat’s mother), an elitist Punjabi mother from South Delhi who is very proud of her social status and Hemangi Kavi as Bhavani Chitnis (Amruta’s mother) who is a true blue, middle-class, Maharashtrian woman for whom her family is everything!

Actress Sriti Jha said “Being a part of Kaise Mujhe Tum Mil Gaye is a thrilling experience and Zee TV has been my home for the longest time. Returning to the channel is homecoming and working opposite Arjit, will always be a delightful experience. We are not just co-stars but great friends, and I hope our friendship and chemistry translate onto the screen. I must say that Arjit is an exemplary professional and with our relatable show, we hope to touch the hearts of the audience in a unique and unforgettable way. It’s a journey filled with love, drama, and unexpected twists that will keep everyone hooked.”

Actor Arjit Taneja said, “It feels great to be back on Zee TV with a show as special as Kaise Mujhe Tum Mil Gaye. The added excitement of being cast opposite my best friend is like a cherry on top. When I heard Sriti has been locked for Amruta’s character, I guess that was it, I immediately said yes too. Amruta’s optimism clashes with Virat’s wariness towards marriage and this paves the way for a rollercoaster of emotions. We can’t wait for audiences to see the show!”

Tune in to Kaise Mujhe Tum Mil Gaye starting 27 November, every day at 10 pm, on Zee TV

November 29, 2023