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Tag: Abhishek Bachchan

  • Sons of the Soil: Jaipur Pink Panthers drops on Amazon Prime Video

    Sons of the Soil: Jaipur Pink Panthers drops on Amazon Prime Video

    KOLKATA: The highly anticipated docu-series Sons of the Soil: Jaipur Pink Panthers has finally debuted on Amazon Prime Video. The five-episode series, directed by British director Alex Gale, stars the players from Pro Kabaddi League’s Jaipur Pink Panthers team, alongside Abhishek Bachchan, the team owner.

    Produced by BBC Studios India, Sons Of The Soil: Jaipur Pink Panthers traces the team's journey through season 7 of the tournament and captures their highs and lows. Character-driven and illuminating in many ways, it is sure to resonate with fans of the contact sport who are starved of live kabaddi action.

    This is Amazon Prime Video’s first Indian original sports docu-series about kabaddi. This unscripted show explores professional kabaddi and its players, with the help of honest and unfiltered documentation of everything – from the making of a kabaddi team, to the sacrifices that go into sustaining the team, making it an emotional journey you can’t help but feel invested in.

    Since its inception seven years ago, the PKL’s popularity has only grown – as have the stakes in the competition. After riding high as the first ever PKL champions in 2014, the much-celebrated Jaipur Pink Panthers, arguably with the most popular team owners, failed to repeat the feat. This year, they decided to take a different route to reclaim their lost glory.

    “Kabaddi is one sport that cannot be played well without teamwork, and that is the ethos of our Jaipur Pink Panthers family,” team owner Abhishek Bachchan said earlier. “I had made my digital debut with Amazon Original Series, Breathe: Into the Shadows so sharing the unfiltered story of my team, Jaipur Pink Panthers, through this global service made absolute sense. I believe we have created a show that will engage and inspire the audience.”

  • Amazon Prime Video unveils trailer for ‘Sons of the Soil: Jaipur Pink Panthers’

    Amazon Prime Video unveils trailer for ‘Sons of the Soil: Jaipur Pink Panthers’

    KOLKATA: Amazon Prime Video and Abhishek Bachchan have unveiled the trailer for the all-new original series Sons of the Soil: Jaipur Pink Panthers. Produced by BBC Studios India, the show follows the inspiring journey and dedication of the team during the seventh season of Pro Kabaddi League, as they strive to win the championship for the second time, after their win in the maiden edition of the league.

    The series provides a never–before-seen locker-room view of the team including interactions with team owner Abhishek Bachchan. Prime members in India and in more than 200 countries and territories can stream all episodes starting 4 December. Viewers will get to experience the struggles, determination, courage, hard work and passion of the team as well as their families, coaches and everyone associated with the Jaipur Pink Panther family. The series is directed by British Director Alex Gale, a double BAFTA Scotland-winning executive producer and director. Gales's films Glasgow 1967: The Lisbon Lions and Scotland 78: A Love Story won the best documentary award from BAFTA Scotland in successive years in 2017 and 2018.

    “Amazon Prime Video has always endeavoured to bring diverse and gripping stories to our audiences. From gangland dramas to musicals – we have developed and produced authentic stories rooted in our soil. And with Sons of the Soil: Jaipur Pink Panthers, we are extremely proud to diversify our repertoire and bring our first-ever sports docu-series in India to our viewers,” Amazon Prime Video India originals head Aparna Purohit said.

    “Kabaddi is one of the oldest and much loved indigenous sports in India and this series follows the incredible journey of Jaipur Pink Panthers Kabaddi team. The series will provide a window into players’ steadfast persistence, rigorous preparation and hard-work leading up-to the 40 minute matches that audiences enjoy. The show will take viewers on an emotional journey as they follow the team not just on the mat but also get an inside look into the lives of the players – where they come from and what drives them,” she added.

     “Kabaddi is one sport that cannot be played well without teamwork, and that is the ethos of our Jaipur Pink Panthers family,” said team owner Abhishek Bachchan. “I had made my digital debut with Amazon Original Series, Breathe: Into the Shadows so sharing the unfiltered story of my team, Jaipur Pink Panthers, through this global service made absolute sense. I believe we have created a show that will engage and inspire the audience.”

    BBC Studios India business head Sameer Gogate said: “India is a sports hungry nation and we are delighted to collaborate with Amazon Prime Video to bring to their audience the first-ever sports docu-series on a truly indigenous sport like kabaddi. It was a pleasure to work with Amazon Prime Video, Abhishek Bachchan and the entire Jaipur Pink Panthers team, who opened up their world and hearts to us. Prime Video in India, through Amazon Originals, has presented some exciting stories for entertainment lovers and with Sons of the Soil: Jaipur Pink Panthers, fans can really look forward to an engrossing tale of a team’s dedication and passion to win.”

  • The Big Bull makers to appoint Covid2019 watchdogs on set

    The Big Bull makers to appoint Covid2019 watchdogs on set

    MUMBAI: The makers of The Big Bull are set to start work on the final schedule from mid-October. To ensure the health and safety of cast and crew, producer Anand Pandit has decided to appoint Covid2019 watchdogs on the set. The Big Bull directed by Kookie Gulati stars Abhishek Bachchan and Ileana D'Cruz in the main lead.

    "The industry has to get back on its feet, but we cannot afford even a minor slip when it comes to guarding ourselves against the virus. At no point will the safety of my unit take a backseat during the shoot. Abhishek has fully recovered from the virus and is fighting fit," reveals a MidDay report. The producer further added that a group of medical experts will be present throughout the shoot, monitoring the sets to ensure that all safety norms are being implemented.

    Read more news on Covid2019 precautions taken by production sets

    The Big Bull is a financial crime drama is inspired by the life of stockbroker Harshad Mehta. The set will also have sanitisation tunnels, fumigating machines. Entire filming will be conducted in strict adherence with the government regulations.

  • Amazon Prime Video announces ‘Breathe’ S2

    Amazon Prime Video announces ‘Breathe’ S2

    MUMBAI: Amazon Prime Video today announced that it has commenced the production of an all-new season of the Prime Original Series, Breathe. Created by Abundantia Entertainment, the second season of the show also marks the digital streaming on-screen debut of Bollywood star Abhishek Bachchan. The show will continue to be directed by Mayank Sharma while Bhavani Iyer, Vikram Tuli and Arshad Syed are writers of the show. Actor Amit Sadh returns in his award-winning role as Kabir Sawant.

    In its first season, the gritty psychological thriller won the hearts of Prime viewers across multiple geographies with a gripping storyline, bold narrative, and impactful performances by the cast led by superstar R Madhavan and Sadh. Now, the second season of the show has gone into production.

    Amazon Prime Video director and head of content Vijay Subramaniam said, “We received a phenomenal response from customers for the first season of Breathe. It was a disruptive, genre-defining show and our audiences loved it! We are now excited to commence work on the second season of the show and have secured Abhishek Bachchan as a lead cast who has effortlessly portrayed diverse & complex roles through his career and will be a great addition to the show. Our customers can expect another exciting face-off between the two leads as season two brings back the thrill and edge-of-the- seat drama.”

    Breathe executive producer and Abundantia Entertainment CEO Vikram Malhotra said, “Season one of Breathe pushed the boundaries of conventional story-telling and created a compelling Indian show that connected with the world. We are humbled by the success of the show and I’m very excited that Abhishek has joined the series in a lead role. With Amit continuing in his award-winning role, and an engaging new narrative, I am confident that season two will raise the bar even higher.”

    Actor Abhishek Bachchan said, “I am very excited to be a part of Breathe. As an artist, I have always liked to challenge myself through portraying unique characters and by being a part of genre-breaking stories. Content streaming and original digital series are the way of the future and I could not resist being a part of this new wave. I had seen season one of Breathe and when Mayank shared where the story progresses to in season two, I knew I had to do this! I look forward to this new dimension in my career.”

    Continuing in season two, actor Amit Sadh said, “Breathe has been an amazing ride for me! The love and recognition from fans all over the world has made all my hard work worth it. The new season of Breathe will take the story above and beyond the debut season; I can’t wait to return as Kabir Sawant.”

    Breathe is a gritty psychological, thriller series that follows the lives of ordinary people faced with extraordinary circumstances. How far will you go to save the life of a loved one? Breathe explores this very question. This emotional and psychological series was recently renewed for a second season.

  • Netflix Confirms All-Star Hindi Talent for Original Film Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle

    Netflix Confirms All-Star Hindi Talent for Original Film Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle

    MUMBAI: Bringing together an all-star cast of talent, Netflix announced today Abhishek Bachchan, Madhuri Dixit, Kareena Kapoor, Anil Kapoor and Jackie Shroff as the lead Hindi-language talent for the upcoming Netflix film, Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle.

    The star-studded cast will comprise the following roles from the classic tale:

    ·       Abhishek Bachchan as Bagheera

    ·       Kareena Kapoor as Kaa

    ·       Anil  Kapoor as Baloo

    ·       Madhuri Dixit as Nisha

    ·       Jackie Shroff as Shere Khan

    The actors of the Hindi version of Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle join an equally impressive international cast of Christian Bale (Bagheera), Andy Serkis (Baloo), Benedict Cumberbatch (Shere Khan), Cate Blanchett (Kaa), Rohan Chand (Mowgli), Matthew Rhys (Lockwood) and Freida Pinto (Messua) who also fulfills the role in Hindi.

    Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle premieres globally on Netflix on 7 December, 2018.

  • PKL S6: Bengaluru Bulls expects 50 pc sponsorship rates hike

    PKL S6: Bengaluru Bulls expects 50 pc sponsorship rates hike

    MUMBAI:  Who would have thought few years back that a kabaddi player would be bought in an auction for Rs. 1 crore (Rs 10 million) or above? But it happened this year — and with quite a style. The mark was breached not once or twice, but six times, highlighting that Premier Kabaddi League (PKL) and the sports — considered indigenous with limited following in South Asia — is slowly coming of age with the potential to get bigger as television and Star Sports keep on adding their marketing might behind the league.

    No wonder, the various team owners are as excited as the players. Team management of Bengaluru Bulls, for example, feels sponsorships this year may be more encouraging, especially as the league starts around festival time in India when advertising spend by brands are generally high.

    “The sixth season is happening around Diwali and I’m expecting around 50 per cent hike in sponsorship rates this time round,” Bengaluru Bulls CEO Uday Sinh Wala told Indiantelevision.com, adding the team was open to take on board all types of brands across FMCG, construction, education and banking sectors.

    With a more balanced team this year — “we have a great back-up to our raiders and defenders that was missing in the previous season” according to Sinh Wala — Bengaluru team management is hopeful that the new-look squad would attract more sponsorship backers that could help it to, probably, break even too.

    Bengal Warriors, on the other hand, too predicted an increase in sponsorship rates this year, but of around 20-25 per cent.

    Meanwhile, the other team owners too are looking forward to the new season and predict a great future for the PKL and players. UMumba and Jaipur Pink Panthers owners Ronnie Screwvala and Abhishek Bachchan, respectively, had earlier predicted big player buys before the auction process, saying that several players could breach the Rs. 1 crore mark.

    The big buys of the two-day auction process were led by Monu Goyat, bought by Haryana Steelers for Rs 1.51 crore (Rs.15.1 million). Though by cricketing and IPL standard, the price is chickenfeed, but it has put the 26-year-old Goyat in an elite league of PKL.

    Rahul Chaudhari has been retained by using final bid match by Telugu Titans for Rs 1.29 crore (Rs. 12.9 million). Deepak Nivas Hooda is the third player in the `crorepati’ list with Rs 1.15 crore (Rs. 11.5 million) having being bought by Jaipur Pink Panthers. Nitin Tomar, previous years highest earner, was sold for Rs 1.15 crore (Rs. 11.5 million) to Puneri Paltans followed by Rishank Devadiga, who was snapped up for Rs 1.11 crore (Rs. 11.1 million) by UP Yoddhas.

    Out of the 422 players in the auction list, only 181 players were sold in the auction process.

    Also Read :

    Pro Kabaddi League concludes auction for season six

    Pro Kabaddi League makes first ever player auction of Rs 10 mn

  • Pro Kabaddi League makes first ever player auction of Rs 10 mn

    Pro Kabaddi League makes first ever player auction of Rs 10 mn

    MUMBAI: India’s second most watched sporting league –Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) – has entered its sixth season auctions. Riding on the back of five phenomenal seasons, the auctions are taking place on 30 and 31 May 2018 in Mumbai.

    The salary purse of the franchise remains the same as Rs 4 crore per team with a minimum of 18 players mandatory in the squad. The teams are strategising to build their strongest teams.

    A total of 422 players will be drafted into the auction pool of which 58 are overseas players and 87 are players from the Future Kabaddi Heroes Programme (FKH), a nationwide talent scouting programme. The auctions will witness player representation from 14 other countries including Iran, Bangladesh, Japan, Kenya, Republic of Korea, Malaysia and Sri Lanka.

    iQuest CEO Nitin Kukreja came in for the support of Tamil Thalaivvas and said, “Previously there was not enough economic opportunity for people but with the likes of IPL and PKL the opportunities have been unlocked. We are setting up our first local residential academy in which we will provide free education to 70 children with the training which might help them to play for any franchise in PKL.”

    Mashal Sports director Charu Sharma said, “I’m very mesmerised with the response we got in the first five seasons of this league. We have a long way to go and need to be patient to take this revolution forward.”

    Jaipur Pink Panthers owner Abhishek Bachchan pointed out that the viewership goals were surpassed over 10 times till the past season and so have auction rates. “Last season we thought Rs 70 lakh will be the highest bid but it went till Rs 93 lakh. This season there will be 2-3 players crossing the Rs 1 crore mark.”

    Fazel Atrachali the costliest player bought for Rs 1 crore said, “I’m happy to be back in my second home UMumba after two seasons.”

    On day one six players crossed the Rs 1 crore mark out of which five are Indian domestic player.

    The bigs buys of day one from the domestic list is lead by Monu Goyat who was bought by Haryana Steelers for Rs 1.51 crore. The franchise has put Kabaddi in the rich and elite professional sports league with Rs 1.51 crore for the 26-year-old.

    Rahul Chaudhari is retained by using Final Bid Match (FBM) by Telugu Titans at Rs 1.29 crore. Deepak Nivas Hooda is the third player in the crorepati list with Rs 1.15 crore to Jaipur Pink Panthers. Nitin Tomar previous years highest earner was sold for Rs 1.15 crore to Puneri Paltans followed by Rishank Devadiga for Rs 1.11 crore to UP Yoddhas.

    The first player auctioned for season six was Irani defender Abozar Mohajermighani who was sold to Telugu Titans for Rs 76 lakh and the second was Atrachali.

    USports co-founder Ronnie Screwvala also thinks that three to four players will cross the Rs 1 crore mark. UMumba has not retained a single player from its previous squad.

    PKL league commissioner Anupam Goswami said, “It has been a historic day for VIVO Pro Kabaddi and it’s wonderful to see so many talented players who are under the radar, make such a difference to franchisee decisions at VIVO Pro Kabaddi S6 auctions. Kabaddi has proven to be a viable career option for emerging talent and with 6 players crossing the Rs 1 crore mark, it is a defining moment in VIVO Pro Kabaddi history, setting a benchmark for inspiring youngsters who look to make a difference in the game.”

    UMumba CEO Supratik Sen told Indiantelevision.com that they are going to focus on Defender and Raiders after the day 2 lunch. Staying true to what Supratik said, UMumba bought some C category raiders at a higher price. Siddharth Desai went for Rs 36.4 Lakh and Abhishek Singh at Rs 42.8 Lakh to name a few.

    Monu Goyat commentating on being the highest bid player said “I am extremely happy to be the highest paid player this season, there is a huge responsibility to deliver and I am glad to receive this opportunity. I will now focus on increasing the standard of my game and playing the best, I can.

    Rahul Chaudhari speaking on being retained with Telugu Titans said “I am very happy that my team has retained me and I am glad to be back to Telugu Titans. Every year the league witnesses’ massive jumps along with a tremendous growth in fan following and I am extremely happy to be a part of the Pro Kabaddi family. I have started my training and am looking forward to this season. It is a growing period for kabaddi and I think by the time the younger generation will step into the auctions, the bid may start at 6-7 crores. Kabaddi is only going to grow and I urge parents to send their children to play kabaddi.”

    Speaking on the anticipated outcome of the auctions, Patna Pirates owner Rajesh Shah said, “Being three-time champions we are looking forward to building a team that will retain the trophy again this year. We are looking at players who will complement the four retained players and bring in their strengths to build a strong winning team this season. I am very proud to be associated with Patna Pirates and am ecstatic that they won. But most importantly I am happy to be a part of this club of 12 teams owned and managed by people I know and respect. It’s a unique opportunity to be part of this group not only promoting Kabaddi but a great sense of competition in the game as well.

    Also Read :

    VIVO Pro Kabaddi Season 6 gives fans the power to choose their players

    PKL franchises retain 21 elite players for season 6

  • Magic Bus associates with ImpactGuru.com to raise funds for underprivileged children

    Magic Bus associates with ImpactGuru.com to raise funds for underprivileged children

    Mumbai, 17th, April 2018: Magic Bus Foundation, one of India’s largest poverty alleviation programme has associated with ImpactGuru.com, India’s leading crowdfunding platform for NGOs / nonprofits, medical or personal causes, to create awareness and raise funds for underprivileged children in 77 districts across 22 Indian states. 

    #GivingGoals, aims to raise INR 60 Lakhs towards Magic Bus’ programs for underprivileged children. As part of this campaign, 18 Bollywood celebrities from the All-Star Football Club (ASFC) including stars like Abhishek Bachchan, Ranbir Kapoor, Arjun Kapoor, Kartik Aaryan and Dino Morea are playing a celebrity match to support Magic Bus’ goal to enable 2000 underprivileged children.

    Magic Bus is also offering an opportunity to all the fans of Bollywood stars from the All-Star Football Club (AFSC) to join their favorite stars in raising funds for Magic Bus by visiting www.impactguru.com/givinggoals. 36 lucky donors will be selected and get a chance to meet one of their favorite prominent Bollywood celebrities from the ASFC. 

    Speaking on the association, Jayant Rastogi(CEO), Magic Bus India Foundation said, “I am overwhelmed by the support pouring in from some of the well-known celebrities of Indian cinema. Magic Bus Foundation, has been fighting against poverty by ensuring children and young adults have a holistic education. Through this association, we hope to continue developing the skills today’s children require for a secure, stable and bright career’

    On associating with Magic Bus, ImpactGuru.com’s CEO & Co- founder, Piyush Jain, said, “ImpactGuru.com is glad to partner with Magic Bus to change the future of thousands of underprivileged children through crowdfunding. This is, perhaps the first time in India, when so many celebrities are coming together to mobilize their fans from around the world to raise funds for a cause as well as give them a chance to meet their favourite star! We look forward to help achieve #GivingGoals and help change the future of our country through crowdfunding for this cause.”

    Some of our stars also showed their support. Abhishek Bachchan who has been associated with Magic Bus for a long time and is a regular face at the Annual Magic Bus Galas said, “I have met some of the children at the Magic Bus centers and know what a massive change the organisation has made in their lives. I am thrilled to be a part of #GivingGoals. Let’s change the future of our country by empowering our youth. Your contribution counts”

    Arjun Kapoor also urged his fans to donate and said “I am excited for the match, but I’m more thrilled to reach the goal of this fundraiser and then witness the change it brings to the lives of thousands. I will make my contribution and I hope fans from across the world will join me in achieving #GivingGoals.”

    Ranbir Kapoor showed his support by tweeting about Giving Goals and asking fans to donate and support Magic Bus’ cause – Ranbir Kapoor supports #GivingGoals

    About ImpactGuru.com: ImpactGuru.com is India’s largest tech-for-good venture that provides crowdfunding solutions to empower individuals, NGOs, and social enterprises to raise funds for medical emergencies, personal needs, creative projects or any social cause – be it big or small. The company was incubated at Harvard Innovation Lab’s Venture Initiation Program in USA in 2014. 

    About Magic Bus: Magic Bus India Foundation, is one of the largest poverty alleviation programmes in India, working with more than 400,000 children and youth and 9000 volunteer mentors in 22 States and 77 districts of the country. We work with India’s underprivileged children and young people, taking them from a childhood full of challenges to a life with meaningful livelihoods. We equip young people with the skills and knowledge they need to grow up and move out of poverty. 

    About All Stars Football Club (ASFC): The All Stars Football Club is a football club comprising of celebrities from the entertainment & fashion fraternity who come together to play football matches for charity. The main aim of the All Stars Football Club is to collect money for noble causes while using the ever-growing game of football in India as a platform. The club has famous actors like Abhishek Bachchan, Ranbir Kapoor, Arjun Kapoor, Kartik Aaryan and many more associated with it.

  • Muthoot associates with PKL Jaipur Pink Panthers

    MUMBAI: Muthoot Finance, a gold financing company and financial services brand, has partnered with Jaipur Pink Panthers team of the Pro-Kabaddi League as its associate sponsor for the League’s ongoing Season 5 which began on 28 July, 2017.

    Owned by film-star Abhishek Bachchan, Jaipur Pink Panthers was the winner of the Season – 1 of the Pro Kabaddi League and runners up in the last season in 2016. In the current season, of the total 130 matches that will be played, the Jaipur Pink Panthers will play at least 22 matches in 12 cities. The three month-long season – 5 will conclude on 28 October, 2017. As part of the association, tickets of all the matches played by Jaipur Pink Panthers will also be sold at the 4500+ branches of Muthoot.

    Muthoot Finance deputy managing director Alexander George Muthoot said, “Muthoot Finance has always supported sports and celebrated the spirit of sportsmanship. While in the past we have been associated with several other sports like cricket and football, Kabaddi is particularly significant to us owing to its rural appeal, as Muthoot Finance has more than 60 per cent of its branch network in rural and semi urban areas of the country.”

    Jaipur Pink Panthers spokesperson and film star Abhishek Bachchan said, “With its wide network of branches pan-Rajasthan and India, our association with Muthoot Finance will definitely give a fillip to the popularity of brand.”

  • ‘You can save her’ Paperboat in Magic Bus

    ‘You can save her’ Paperboat in Magic Bus

    MUMBAI: Magic Bus launched its first-ever public appeal TVC ‘You can save her’. The video, featuring Abhishek Bachchan, is aimed at the public and attempts to spur involvement in ending poverty.

    The storyboard follows a well-to-do family’s chance encounter with a girl child caught in an exploitative web of child labour, and a life without education. It goes on to show how individuals can take a step to save her from losing her childhood to marriage or exploitative labour.

    Magic Bus will reach out to mainstream media like Star Plus to showcase the ad film. The film will also be launched on Magic Bus’sYouTube channel. The TVC has been created by Paperboat Design Studios.

    Magic Bus India Foundation founder Matthew Spacie said, “Every time we read the newspaper or step out of our homes, we witness children living in worst possible circumstances. This video appeal is our attempt to provide urban, educated people to be directly part of a solution. When you support a child on the Magic Bus programme, you ensure she goes to school, escapes child marriage and has a salaried job when he or she grows up.”

    Bollywood heartthrob Abhishek Bachchan, said, “I have spent time with Magic Bus’ children and youth and what’s wonderful is that their approach works – changing one life at a time for the better.”