Hindi

Strike over, Bollywood faces problem of plenty

Published

17 years ago

June 13, 2009

MUMBAI: The Bollywood strike may have ended, but the door has opened for a problem of plenty as producers rush for a release pipeline.

More than 90 films are lined up for release in exactly 30 week’s time before the year ends. That means an average of three releases per week to accommodate a stockpile, spurring producers to work out plans to beat the clutter and avoid internal clashes so as to maximise revenue for all.

“Producers will soon form a committee that will work towards clearing the backlog of films,” a noted film producer tells Indiantelevision.com on request of anonymity.

Beating the logjam will be quite a task as the studios threaten to swing back into action fast. Says Big Cinemas COO Mahesh Ramanathan, “As we had declared earlier, we will be releasing 18 movies in 2009. We are moving according to our plans. We have already had a release on 30 January last when we released Luck By Chance.”

With the strike called off, Big Cinemas will follow its 12 June release of Kal Kisne Dekha with Sikander, Mirch and Chaloo Movie. “A spate of other films will hit the screens post-July,” says Ramanathan.

UTV has played it safe by not scheduling any of its films during IPL and T20 World Cup. “Our first release will come in the form of Agyat that will be released on 24 July and Kaminaay will release in August,” a source in UTV says.

UTV’s slate includes films like Main Aur Mrs Khanna, Agyat, What‘s your Rashee, Wake Up Sid, Hook Ya Crook, Delhi Belly, Jihaad, A Wednesday (remake in Tamil and Telugu), Yahoo, Film City, Arjun, Alibaba & 41 Thieves, Ex-Terminators and Rajniti, Hawai Dada.

In the pipeline also are five films of UTV SpotBoy (Aage Se Right, Pan Singh Tomar, Seasons Greetings, Peter Gaya Kaam Se and Chillar Party), Sanjay Leela Bhansali‘s next with Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai, Anuraag Basu‘s next and a Anees Bazmee directed comedy.

Other films that have been lined up for release in subsequent weeks include Arif Shaikh’s Let’s Dance, Mukta Arts’ Paying Guest ( both 19 June), Yashraj Films‘ New York (26 June), Sajid Nadiadwala‘s Kambakkht Ishq (3 July), Ramgopal Varma‘s Agyat (24 July), Imtiaz Ali directed Love Aajkal (31 July), Y.T Entertainment Ltd & Anjum Rizvi Film Co.’s Fast Forward (10 July), Shree Ashtavinayak Cine Vision Ltd’s Luck (31 July), UTV’s Kaminay and Sujoy Ghosh‘s Aladin (14 August). ASA Productions and Enterprises Pvt Ltd’s Phhir (7 August) Three- Love, Lies and Betrayal ( 3 September), All The Best- Fun Begins (16 October) and Shree Ashtavinayak Cine Vision Ltd’s Blue (16 October).

Would producers have to increase on the marketing spends for their films to beat the clutter? “No, spends would be normal as before. Promotional expenses are going to be the same. Where is the chance of spending extra bucks on promotion. In fact, given less of time between releases, costs are likely to come down by half,“ avers Ramanathan.

Several other producers agree that promotional costs could fall. Says the UTV source, “Promotional costs are going to go down and so will the spending on hoardings and TV promos. In fact, TV channels have seen a considerable drop in their Q1 results because of a drop of commercials. You could attribute this aspect to the downturn. Producers are not taking the six-week promo course anymore.”

Agrees producer Yash Patnaik, who will soon be releasing his film Kaalo: “The days of six-week promotion is a thing of the past. Let’s take the case of YRF’s New York. Given the fact that the film is releasing on 26 June, where do they get time to properly promote their film? No doubt it’s a good banner, but every film needs a promotion. Two to three week’s promotion is what producers are looking at.”

Will a minimum time suffice for a film’s promotion? “Why not! Take for example a film like Kambakkht Ishq that is releasing in the first week of July. They easily have four weeks to promote their film and that is the normal time one gets for promotional purpose,” avers Patnaik.

In the current situation, the exhibition of a film will also take a dip. “I feel that the maximum time that a film will run in theatres would be four weeks beyond which there would be no space. A lot of films would be waiting to see the day on the silver screen,” quips Patnaik.

Ramanathan disagrees: “If a film is doing well, why would it be pulled out of a multiplex. If other films are in line, multiplexes having many number of screens could divide a film’s exhibition by showing it on a screen for a limited number of shows.”

Hindi

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

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

Published

2 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

2 weeks 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

3 weeks 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.