Hindi

Digital technology facilitates filmmaking

Published

13 years ago

November 29, 2012

NEW DELHI: Students of different film schools feel digital technology has made their work easier but agree that the main challenge still remains: finding good content that will move the viewers.

Some of the students who interacted at the Open Forum organised by IDPA and FFSI were also nostalgic about the celluloid and said they would always want to keep at least one print of their film since digital technology.

The students belonged to the Film and Television Institute of India, the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute, The AJK Mass Communication Research Centre of Jamia Millia Islimia, and the MGR Government Film School whose films are being screened in a separate section of Student Films and a section of Fifty Years of FTII.

Ashim Paul whose film ‘Birds of Passage’ is in the non-features of the Indian Panorama said that digital technology did not pose a problem as young people were familiar with it, but celluloid held its own charm. He said one like to feel the product. In any case, it was important to preserve it in celluloid for archival purpose as digital technology could only save a film as a file. A film is tangible material, he said. He said while answering a question that content would not be affected by going digital,

He said cinema was an art form and not a technology driven form and celluloid is a pious form.

Kaushal Oza whose ‘Afterglow’ is also in the Indian Panorama said technology is an enabler and not the be-all and the end-all. The final product will still be in the hands of the creator. He did not agree with the view that digital will drive film out of the theatres, and said it could be viewed in all mediums.

Prince George who was involved as music director of ‘Allah is Great’ which is also in the Panorama said technology was king for him as it had made his job very easy. He said digital technology had given him another advantage – he had been able to compose music for a film made by a filmmaker in Oman without that person coming to India or him having to go there.

Govind Raju whose film ‘Golden Mango’ figures in the FTII package said the shift to digital was not too easy initially and took some time, but it has a lot of advantages. However, it would erroneous to say digital films are easier to make as they take the same effort. He also did not agree that films would disappear from theatres with digitisation.

Kabil Dev M whose film ‘Rajini’ is in the Students Package said he felt very comfortable using digital technology for his films. But he felt that theatrical exhibition may be affected with so many other mediums.

Arun said the movement from celluloid to digital was still in a transitional phase and it may take time for all to accept this new technology. Digital technology he said was pocket friendly but may affect theatrical exhibitions. He was also of the view that a film made on a small camera is fit for the small screen.

Vandana said new media has brought forward a new way for promoting films, and said it was not true that the new media like YouTube did not pay for the content. But she agreed there was a romance in celluloid as one could keep and feel the product one produced.

Suparna said digital technology also required discipline and so the filmmaker was important. She also wondered about problems faced by filmmakers for finance.

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

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

Published

32 minutes 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 days 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 week 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.