Hindi

Directors peeved on new Copyright Act

Published

15 years ago

December 28, 2010

MUMBAI: Directors of Film and Television are angered and up in arms against the amended copyright act.

Indian Film and Television Directors‘ Association (IFTDA) with its over 5,000 members have protested against the HRD ministry‘s parliamentary committee that has omitted the word ‘director‘ as the principal author from the list of beneficiaries in the revised Copyright Act.

Throughout the world, the film is considered as a work of art and treated as the director‘s personal vision. The European Union law protects the director‘s work like an original copyright holder. In America, director shares the bounty via residuals through the life of the film.

Comments director Krishna Shah, “American Directors‘ Guild is one of the most powerful trade bodies in Hollywood taking best possible care of its members. Where ever I may be, my copyright benefits from my earlier directorial ventures get passed on to me without fail. It is scary the way directors and their trade body out here get marginalized.”

Prominent film directors and representatives of IFTDA and their over 5000 members of Screen and TV directors and assistants feels insulted and humiliated by some of its associates from the film world misguiding/manipulating the concerned authorities for their ulterior motives.

Says IFTDA CCO and Mumbai-based director Uday Shankar Pani, “Being refused of our very existence as the ‘author‘ of a film is like being convicted, sentenced without a trial. Our records show that time and again, IFTDA has written to ministry, referred by Maharashtra ex- CM Vilasrao Deshmukh and Union Minister Dr Veerappa Moily, pointing out our views and objections.

“Lack of any response and a sudden omission from the list proves a cleverly , manipulated ploy to keep the directors out. Such motives will only divide the film family in times to come and adversely affect the Indian Film Industry! Government should leave it to the film industry to sort out this issue among ourselves and then forward it to them for endorsement!”

Thus even the HRD Ministry that proposes to protect the rights of scriptwriters, lyricists, composers and sound recordists, has left out the film directors. Directors have got their heads together and are acting swiftly before the recommendations get tabled. They are determined to use all their power to keep up their prestige, honour by getting the copyright benefits.

If this is not done, the consequences to come in the future would be very bad. Come what may, director‘s will not leave their copyright and let some producers/actors/writers rule the game?

Grumbles director Mohan Siroya, “Now is not the time for mere seminars and discussions, but action. First thing is IFTDA, or similar bodies, if any, should immediately file a writ petition in the High Court or Supreme Court seeking directives not to pass the proposed amendments.”

Every one in the film industry says the man behind the ruckus is Javed Akhtar. “When it all started the ‘Principal Director‘ did appear on the top of the list of beneficiaries for copyright benefits. In the absence of any representation from Directors , they missed out being considered as ‘author‘ in the amended copyright Act by the parliamentary committee. Producers played a key role in getting the directors getting omitted from the list, ” Akhtar explains.

Hindi

Boney Kapoor acquires remake rights of Tamil political satire Thalaivar Thambi Thalaimaiyil

Strong word-of-mouth turns Pongal satire into remake pick

Published

4 weeks ago

February 9, 2026

indiantelevision.com Team

MUMBAI: A Pongal release, a village satire and a theatre visit in Coimbatore have turned into Boney Kapoor’s latest acquisition. The producer has secured the remake rights to the Tamil political satire Thalaivar Thambi Thalaimaiyil (TTT), a film that has been enjoying a strong theatrical run powered by word-of-mouth and praise for its sharp, rooted writing.

Set in a rural milieu, the story follows a panchayat leader thrown into disarray when a wedding and a funeral land on the same day. What unfolds is a swirl of satire and humour that skewers local politics, power games, bruised egos and family tensions, all anchored in the textures of everyday village life.

Kapoor first encountered the film earlier this year while in Coimbatore for the Celebrity Cricket League. With time to spare, he caught a screening at a local theatre. That viewing proved decisive. According to sources, the narrative style, performances and the film’s balance of political commentary and comedy caught his attention.

Interest quickly turned into intent. Kapoor reached out to the producers soon after to explore a remake. Talks gathered pace over the following weeks and came to a head last Friday at the film’s success party in Chennai, where Kapoor joined the celebrations and continued negotiations with the makers.

By the end of the evening, the deal was sealed, with Kapoor formally acquiring the remake rights.

For an industry constantly mining regional cinema for the next crossover story, the move is telling. A small-town satire with local flavour has found a national backer. And if Kapoor’s instincts hold, a tale born in one village may soon echo far beyond it.

Hindi

Fans take centre stage as Zee Cine awards turns the spotlight around

Published

1 month ago

February 7, 2026

indiantelevision.com Team

MUMBAI: When the applause gets louder than the dialogue, you know the fans have taken over. That was the unmistakable mood as Zee formally announced the Zee Cine Awards 2026, flipping the script to celebrate not just cinema’s stars, but the people who cheer them on the loudest.

The 24th edition of the awards marks a fresh chapter in Zee’s long-standing relationship with Hindi cinema, anchored in its fan-first philosophy, Fantertainment. This year’s theme, ‘Yeh Pal Hai Fans Ka’, reinforces a simple idea: cinema’s most powerful moments are shaped as much by audiences as by actors on screen. Presented by Maruti Suzuki, the awards aim to turn fandom into the main event.

The announcement, held in Mumbai, was anything but a routine press conference. Bollywood stars Akshay Kumar, Tamannaah Bhatia, Jacqueline Fernandez, Sonam Bajwa, Aparshakti Khurana, composer Mithoon and singer Palak Muchhal joined fans to kick off the celebrations, turning the launch into a high-voltage, participative spectacle.

Staying true to the theme, fans didn’t just watch the announcement, they drove it. Akshay Kumar took the lead, pulling fellow stars on stage and energising the room, before the unveiling of a live LED Fan Meter. Powered purely by audience cheers, the rising meter culminated in the reveal of the Zee Cine Awards 2026 ground event date, announced in unison with fans, blurring the line between performer and spectator.

The momentum continued as Tamannaah Bhatia, Jacqueline Fernandez, Sonam Bajwa and Aparshakti Khurana recreated iconic hook steps, joined by Mithoon and Palak Muchhal for music-led interactions. Games, spontaneous performances and playful banter kept the focus firmly on shared moments, underscoring the evolving bond between cinema and its audience.

Beyond the launch, the awards will roll out as a multi-platform journey across television, digital, print and fan-led experiences. The aim is sustained engagement from the first announcement to awards night cementing fandom as a cultural force rather than a footnote.

Commenting on the milestone edition Zee head of advertisement revenue, broadcast & digital Laxmi Shetty said the 24th Zee Cine Awards continue to draw strength from the network’s omni-channel ecosystem, reflecting how audiences consume content today across TV, digital and social platforms. She noted that long-standing brand associations, including Maruti Suzuki’s three-year partnership and support from brands such as Hell Energy, underline the platform’s scale, trust and cultural relevance.

As Zee Cine Awards 2026 gathers pace, one thing is clear: this year, the loudest cheers won’t just echo in the auditorium, they’ll shape the show itself.

Hindi

Prime Video to stream Don’t Be Shy, produced by Alia Bhatt

Published

1 month ago

January 30, 2026

indiantelevision.com Team

MUMBAI: Prime Video has found its next feel-good original, and it comes with a healthy dose of heart, humour and youthful chaos. The streaming platform has announced Don’t Be Shy, a coming-of-age romantic comedy produced by Alia Bhatt and Shaheen Bhatt under their banner, Eternal Sunshine Productions.

Written and directed by Sreeti Mukerji, the film follows Shyamili ‘Shy’ Das, a 20-year-old who believes her life is neatly mapped out until it suddenly is not. What follows is a relatable tumble through friendship, love and the awkward art of growing up, when plans unravel and certainty gives way to self-discovery.

The project is co-produced by Grishma Shah and Vikesh Bhutani, with music composed by Ram Sampath, adding to the film’s promise of warmth and energy. Prime Video describes the story as light-hearted yet emotionally grounded, with a strong female-led narrative at its core.

Prime Video India director and head of originals Nikhil Madhok, said the platform was delighted to collaborate with Eternal Sunshine on a story that blends sincerity with humour. He noted that the film’s fresh writing, earnest characters and infectious music make it an easy, engaging watch for audiences well beyond its young adult setting.

For Alia Bhatt, Don’t Be Shy reflects the kind of storytelling Eternal Sunshine set out to champion. She said the film stood out for its honesty, its coming-of-age perspective and Mukerji’s passion, which she felt was deeply woven into the narrative. Bhatt also praised Prime Video for supporting distinctive voices and bold creative choices.

With its breezy tone and familiar emotional beats, Don’t Be Shy aims to charm viewers whether they are rom-com regulars or simply in the mood for a warm, unpretentious story about life refusing to stick to the plan.