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Tag: Abhishek Bachchan

  • Colors to pull all stops to make Stardust Awards bigger & better

    Colors to pull all stops to make Stardust Awards bigger & better

    MUMBAI: Colors is gearing up to pull all stops to make the 13th edition of the Sansui Colors Stardust Awards bigger and better this year.

     

    The awards, which will be held on 21 December in Mumbai at the Reliance Jio Gardens in BKC, will see more investment being pumped in for a larger stage and bigger performing acts.

     

    A source close to the development informed Indiantelevision.com, “The production cost of last year’s Stardust Awards was approximately Rs 12 crore, which has gone up by 30 per cent this year to approximately Rs 15.6 crore.”

     

    Commenting on this year’s awards, Colors CEO Raj Nayak said, “Last year we partnered with the biggest names in the consumer electronics and publishing business namely Sansui and Stardust to launch The Sansui Colors Stardust Awards. This partnership of three leaders went on to make the Sansui Colors Awards the No. 1 Awards show on Indian television. This year, based on feedback from all stakeholders in the industry, we have re-looked at the categories to make it more credible and robust. Our aim is to make the event exceedingly significant, entertaining and colossal this year.”

     

    Talking about the association with Stardust, Sansui COO Amitabh Tiwari said, “At Sansui, it is our goal to make entertainment synonymous to the brand, and through our continued association with Stardust and Colors, we feel more connected to this vision. Last year, Stardust Awards was rated as the best award show and this year we are all geared up to raise the bar of entertainment to the next level. We aim to bestow upon our audience the best of entertainment and are all set to enthral them. We have had a wonderful kick start with Stardust and are confident that the relationship will strengthen with each passing year.”

     

    Magna Publishing chairman Nari Hira added, “If last year’s scale and grandeur was top-notch, we are all set to surpass all benchmarks and make this new edition an even bigger entertainment extravaganza. 2015 has been an outstanding year for Indian cinema and we are looking forward to paying homage to the stalwarts whose showmanship has added to the industry’s success not only in India but also internationally.”

     

    The evening will be hosted by Abhishek Bachchan and Riteish Deshmukh along with co-host Farah Khan.

     

    Given their expertise in putting together large scale shows, Cineyug has been roped in as the events partner for the affair. The sets have been designed by Omung Kumar.  

      

    “The award show is planned on a very grand scale this year. Last year we brought Stardust Award from Sony Max to Colors. This year we have a grand star cast with some amazing performances. We also have we have the Dilwale team performing on the award night. Apart from that we have a great line up of actors performing including Ranveer Singh, Alia Bhatt, Shahid Kapoor and Jacqueline Fernandez. This year, we are performing acts on the new grand ground Jio Garden,” said Cineyug Entertainment director Mohammad Morani.  

     

    Magna Publishing marketing head Shivendra Parihar added, “This year the focus will be making award night bigger and better than last year. Last year, we were the number one rated award show on Indian television.  This year the focus will be taking it a notch higher and having great viewership across the world for which we have made award content and performances engaging.”

  • Akshay Kumar supports the Global Goals campaign

    Akshay Kumar supports the Global Goals campaign

    MUMBAI: Actor Akshay Kumar is the first Indian personality to get behind the #dizzygoals challenge in support of a campaign to make the new Global Goals for Sustainable Development famous. 

     

    Global Goals, which will be launching its campaign on 26 September, are a series of ambitious targets to end extreme poverty, fight inequalities and tackle climate change for everyone by 2030 which will be agreed at the United Nations General Assembly by 193 world leaders. 

     

    Using the connection of ‘goals’, the dizzy goals challenge invites personalities and the public to run around a ball until they’re dizzy and then to try score a goal.  

     

    The #dizzygoals for The Global Goals campaign is already breaking the internet as some of the world’s leading footballers were challenged to shoot a dizzy penalty. Real Madrid FC and Wales national football team’s Midfielder Gareth Bale took the first dizzy penalty challenge for The Global Goals. He was followed by former footballer Gary Lineker OBE, former England striker Alan Shearer OBE and Liverpool Football Club players Jordon Ibe and Joe Gomez. 

     

    In India, Abhishek Bachchan’s Indian Super League (ISL) team Chennaiyin FC also took the dizzy goals challenge. 

     

     

    This was the second time Kumar took the hilarious challenge, this time in Dorset, UK whilst shooting for Housefull 3. The #dizzygoals challenge left India’s undisputed action hero no less than dizzy. In the video Jacqueline Fernandez is also seen cheering him along.  

     

     

    The Global Goals campaign, aims to make the Global Goals the most famous Goals on the planet by sharing them with seven billion people in seven days from the moment they are adopted (26 September – 2 October). The more people that know about the Goals, the more people will work to ensure global leaders drive change and the more young people will be inspired to join a new generation of Global Citizens.

  • Box office: ‘Phantom’ fails to impress

    Box office: ‘Phantom’ fails to impress

    MUMBAI: Kabir Khan’s Phantom, starring Saif Ali Khan and Katrina Kaif, has opened with poor response. The first day figures hover around a little over Rs 8 crore. However, the film showed a reasonable jump on day two with collections growing by about 35 per cent this being a solo release with the advantage of Raksha Bandhan holiday. The word of mouth still remained against the film as the Sunday collections failed to match Saturday figures. The film collects Rs 33.2 crore in its opening weekend.

     

    Kaun Kitney Paani Mein fails to make its presence felt at the box office.

     

    Baankke Ki Crazy Baraat flops badly.

     

    All Is Well fails to entertain with Rishi Kapoor and Abhishek Bachchan playing out a poor script and a patchy production. The film had a miserable opening and got worse as the week progresses to end its first week with collection figures of Rs 13.9 crore.

     

    Manji – The Mountain Man matches the appreciation it earned from the critics and turns it to its advantage at the box office. The film collects a handsome Rs 9.45 crore in its first week.

     

    Brothers shrinks to as much as 10 per cent of its first week collections in its second week. The film collects Rs 7.15 crore to take its two week total to Rs 76.7 crore.

     

    Drishyam keeps box office ticking, though on a smaller scale. The film adds Rs 3.45 crore in its fourth week to take its four week total to Rs 79.95 crore.

     

    Bajrangi Bhaijaan begins its countdown on its last rounds collecting Rs 1.3 crore in its sixth week. With this the film’s six week total stands at Rs 317.35 crore.

     

    Bahubali (Hindi-Dubbed) adds Rs 1.4 crore in its seventh week to take its seven week total to Rs 108.6 crore.

  • Box Office: ‘All Is Well’ collects Rs 8.45 crore

    Box Office: ‘All Is Well’ collects Rs 8.45 crore

    MUMBAI: All Is Well was much promoted through its popular song, ‘Baaton ko teri.’ While the song became very popular, the film could not reap the benefits. Director Umesh Shukla’s past record of OMG: Oh My God seemed sort of neutralised as the film’s lead star, Abhishek Bachchan who has not been able to create an audience for himself yet.

     

    To add to the poor start was the film’s content, which was mediocre in all aspects. The film, which had a weak start, managed to rake in Rs 8.45 crore in its opening weekend.

     

    Ketan Mehta’s Manjhi: The Mountain Man, a biopic about a Bihar resident who decides to make life easier for his fellow villagers by carving out a road from a mountain after losing his wife due to delay in getting medical attention, has caught the fancy of the media and some discerning film lovers. The film has a story to tell about a selfless man and his determination. The film had a small volume opening but improved bit by bit to end its opening weekend with a reasonable Rs 5.85 crore.

     

    Brothers, despite limited appeal, managed to sustain through its first week showing no major drop in collection. However, the film still remains within the limits set by Akshay Kumar starrers, not breaking any box office barriers. After a fairly decent opening weekend of Rs 49.7 crore, the film has ended its first week with a total of Rs 69.55 crore.

     

    Gour Hari Dastaan, a biopic about a freedom fighter taking on the system to get recognition for his contribution to the movement, makes it to the on the also ran list. Finding no audience, the film has about Rs 25 lakh to show for its first week run.

     

    Drishyam remained steady in its third week holding on to appreciation found among a section of filmgoers. The film collected Rs 7.75 crore in its third week taking its three week total to Rs 66.50 crore.

     

    Bajrangi Bhaijaan continues to squeeze the box office, mainly on the strength of its repeat audience. The film has added Rs 3.6 crore in its fifth week to take its five week total to Rs 316.1 crore.

     

    Bahubali: The Beginning (Hindi – Dubbed) has collected Rs 3.05 crore in its sixth week, which takes its six week tally to Rs 107.2 crore.

  • ‘All Is Well’: Not really

    ‘All Is Well’: Not really

    MUMBAI: Some films one just goes to watch without expectations. 

    Same is the case with All Is Well despite being directed by Umesh Shukla, who earlier gave us OMG: Oh My God. This is because, if the script does not add up to much and the credits list actors who are not known to carry a film on their own shoulders, no director can work miracles. 

    The film promises to be at least a visual delight as it takes off in Bangkok but that is just a bait. It soon moves rock stock and barrel into the hinterlands of North India, probably Haryana or is it Punjab? Well, the language and the attires seem to be those of Punjabi / Sikh and so is the ambience. Soon, it stops mattering for, if the makers don’t know, how could we?

    Abhishek Bachchan is a writer and composer of music who has been trying to get a break to cut an album in Bangkok. May be, Bangkok is where new talent in Hindi music are launched!?! Tiku Talsania seems to be the man who holds a monopoly in launching new talent. However, he does not invest; an aspirant has to finance his own album. That is where Abhishek falls short for he has no money. 

    Back home, Abhishek has parents, mother Supriya Pathak and father Rishi Kapoor. This is one messed up family suffering from total lack of communication despite being a family of three. Rishi has inherited a bakery from his father, which has a customer base of around four people. He is badly off, has no ambitions and gives vent to his frustration on his son and wife thus estranging Abhishek, who he asks to leave. Abhishek’s passion is his guitar and his music, which Rishi dislikes. 

    Abhishek has to raise money so that Tiku can launch him and that is when he gets a communication from his father’s lawyer that Abhishek needs to come to India and sign an agreement to sell off the bakery premises since his grandfather left it in the joint name with his father. Abhishek wants nothing of it but his friend convinces him that this probably is the money he was looking for his album. 

    Abhishek also has an admirer in Asin who loves him and wants to marry him. She is in a hurry to convince Abhishek because her father has already found a suitor for her back home. Both are on their way to India and end up taking the same flight. They also end up using the same cab (clichés never went out of fashion). Asin is glued to Abhishek, at times by her own devise, at others, by the writer’s plotting. 

    When Abhishek reaches home, he learns that he has been really fooled into coming by a goon, Mohammed Zeeshan Ayub, to whom Rishi owes a lot of money. The goon wants the bakery premises in lieu of his money. Soon, Abhishek also learns that there is not a single person in his town to whom Rishi does not owe money! The bickering between father and son resumes after a ten year break. Supriya has been conveniently put out of scene consigned as an Alzheimer affected patient, who is left to be a mute spectator to father and son’s verbal duals.

    Here on, the makers seem to decide to take it as it comes with no particular sequence of events as father and son play hide and seek with Mohammed and his bunch of buffoons who pass off as his toughies. In between the mess, they realise that they actually love and care for each other. For whatever corny reason, Rishi had divorced Supriya so Abhishek decides to get them married again. Abhishek has also paid up Mohamed’s dues by selling his songs to another singer against his principles and wishes. 

    That done; it is now Rishi and company’s turn to get Abhishek and Asin together. For convenience sake, Asin’s suitor has decided to marry her cousin. 

    All Is Well is a poorly conceived, half-baked script. Substance is at premium here. The director is totally at sea doing a patch up job giving the film a last century B grade feel and the set designs making it only worse. Even regional films or limited budget small films have more finesse. Editing could have been better. The film has various singers giving voice to Abhishek or his none lip-sync number, which sounds rather odd. The only hummable song is Baaton ko teri…composed by Himmesh Reshamiya (the film has four composers besides having borrowed a number from Anand Milind’s score from Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak).

    Performances are generally bad. Even Rishi does not bother to act. Abhishek and Asin both suffer from poorly etched characters. Supriya manages to look blank forgetting to act; Alzheimer makes a patient forget things, you know. 

    Talking of expectations, All Is Well is a let-down even for one with no expectations.

    Producers: Bhushan Kumar, Kishan Kumar, Shyam Bajaj, Varun Bajaj

    Director: Umesh Shukla

    Cast: Rishi Kapoor, Supriya Pathak,  Abhishek Bachchan, Asin, Mohammed Zeeshan Ayub and Sonakshi Sinha in an item number

  • Sony Six hopes for improved NBA viewership with Bhullar’s debut

    Sony Six hopes for improved NBA viewership with Bhullar’s debut

    MUMBAI: Toronto born Indian Gursimran Bhullar (SIM) is all set to make his National Basketball League (NBA) debut with Sacramento Kings. He will be the first player of Indian origin to feature in NBA.

     

    Multi Screen Media’s (MSM) sports channel Sony Six is the official broadcaster of NBA in India and the Indian’s debut in NBA will boost viewership for Sony too. Talking about Bhullar’s debut, Sony Six business head Prasana Krishnan said, “Sim is now a part of Sacramento Kings and would hopefully play on Monday as speculated. It would be a historic event and would hopefully be a big boost for Basketball and NBA in India.”

     

    In various schools and colleges across India we see kids playing cricket on basketball court with dreams to become Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly or Mahendra Singh Dhoni. While, India has a many idols to follow when it comes to cricket, there is serious crisis when it comes to other sports and especially basketball. Micheal Jordan, Kobe Bryant were inspiration for hardcore basketball fans but lack of local connect always played the spoil sport. Bhullar’s NBA debut will certainly lay foundation in bridging the local connect gap.

     

    NBA India in association with Sony Six has already started many initiatives to popularise the sport at the grassroots level. A few among them being, school and college basketball leagues, roping in Bollywood actor Abhishek Bachchan as the brand ambassador of the sport and his participation in the NBA-All star game. The activities have so far been able to rejuvenate the sport in India.

     

    When asked about the historical debut of Bhullar and its impact on Indian NBA growth, NBA India managing director Yannik Colaco told indiantelevision.com, “I think Sim’s NBA debut is one of the few points that may ignite the growth of the sport in India. We have been making a lot of efforts to popularise the sport at a grassroots level by providing advanced facilities to the aspirants. NBA now is an established venture amongst Indian sports and is growing thick and fast. Sim’s debut is a great moment for Indian history and we should have more Indians playing at the top level.”

     

    After going undrafted in the 2014 NBA draft, Bhullar joined the Sacramento Kings for the 2014 NBA Summer League. On 14 August 2014, he signed with the Kings, becoming the first player of Indian descent to sign with an NBA team. However, he was later waived by the Kings on 19 October 2014. On 2 November 2014, he was acquired by the Reno Bighorns as an affiliate player.  Bhullar made his D-League debut on 6 December with 4 points, 8 rebounds and 6 blocks in Reno’s 141–140 loss to the Los Angeles D-Fenders. On 22 February 2015, he recorded his first career triple-double with 26 points, 17 rebounds and 11 blocked shots against the D-Fenders.  On 2 April 2015, Bhullar signed a 10-day contract with the Sacramento Kings.

     

    “It’s a big moment in the history of the NBA and the history of my country in India. I know my family’s going to be proud of me and everybody’s going to be proud of me and cheer me on the court,” Bhullar had earlier told the Associated Press.

  • Research imperative to exploit big sports leagues

    Research imperative to exploit big sports leagues

    MUMBAI: The year 2014 witnessed the emergence of sports as it rekindled the nation’s hope and sports channels played a huge role in creating buzz in the arena of sports.

     

    The successful league models in Kabaddi, Cricket, Hockey, Football, Badminton and Tennis paved the way to create viable career options for young Indians. However, the key to success remains in monetization and return of investment for stakeholders and the sustainability of their business models.

     

    In a session of FICCI Frames moderated by Group M national director sports and entertainment Vinit Karnik, which had Percept joint MD Shailendra Singh, DOIT media founder Radha Kapoor, KKR CEO Venky Mysore and various sports franchise owner Abhishek Bachchan, panelists spoke on the issues relating to a national policy on sports.

     

    Infrastructure status to build stadiums and facilities, challenges before rights holders to monetise sports content, franchisees business models and a national curriculum on sports were some of the topics that were touched upon.

     

    The panel spoke aggressively against federation becoming a regulatory body and intruding into business strategies of a privately owned entity. Speaking on the same Singh said, “The growth is determined by demand and supply, you can make money of something you go for it. India has a large youth population desperately waiting for an opportunity to make a career out of sports but what’s stopping them is poor infrastructure and that is where Narendra Modi is going wrong. The federations are unwanted obstacles headed by corrupts. They make things difficult and people walk off from doing a business. I organised a similar tournament like IPL in 1999 but Dalmiya called it Masala and asked me to stop it immediately. Today BCCI cherishes the IPL.”

     

    While Venky Mysore, who closely works with the BCCI being the CEO of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), emphasised on the commercial sector saying, “While it’s easier to work with the BCCI considering the fact that one has to deal with less number of people compared to the sports ministry, their intrusion in the business and strategic affairs of the franchisee is a bit irrational. KKR has made money out of IPL and we are a debt free franchisee – a fact that I am proud of. For any brand to work in India you need fans and the ratings show that KKR matches always bag the pole position. So every new sport has room but it should not be rushed as the loss is immense.”

     

    While non-cricketing sports are also emerging in the major sporting league category, making money out of them is difficult for broadcasters, addressing the issue Bachchan said, “When Charu came to me with the Pro Kabaddi concept, I was shocked. But after seeing the ground reality my perception changed. There are more than 1500 Kabaddi clubs in Mumbai desperately looking for an opportunity and a platform to showcase their talent and Star and Pro Kabbadi League opened it up for them. The Indian Super League (ISL) is another example of broadcasters and corporates coming together to put up an exquisite event. Due to the ISL deal that ensures ground level improvement of the sport, more kids are getting the infrastructure they deserve, which will show its relevance 10 years down the line.”

     

    DOIT Media founder served for more women participation and declared new platforms for women in India. “We are launching a new kabaddi league dedicated to women, which will ensure their participation and it’s just the beginning. Every sport in future may have a female version too because the talent exists but gets rusted due to lack of use.”

     

    Every major sport now has two leagues but all of them are not profitable for the broadcaster. Kabbaddi changed rules to rope in more revenue generating opportunities and the federation supported it, cricket also did the same with innovations like strategic time out. While it is very important not to lose the authenticity of the sport, generating revenue is a big necessity in order to ensure longitivity.     

  • ‘Happy New Year’ reaches Gulf & Latin American audience via iTunes

    ‘Happy New Year’ reaches Gulf & Latin American audience via iTunes

    MUMBAI: After reaching out to millions of fans across the globe, Red Chillies Entertainments’ (RCE) film Happy New Year (HNY) has added another feather to its cap. The film has got the widest release ever on iTunes, which is a first for any Indian film. Directed by Farah Khan, HNY has become the first Bollywood film to premiere in iTunes Gulf region and in 16 Latin American countries.

     

    RCE chief revenue officer Gaurav Verma said, “Technology has always helped in overcoming barriers, sometimes they are economical and sometime language. Riding on the reach of iTunes, we have been able to cater to audience in over 100 countries with regional subtitles who can now consume our movies on a swipe at their convenience. Theatrically, we reach out to 50-55 countries for a big film and digital platforms help us in expanding our reach as was the case with our earlier initiative Direct-To-Fan, which made the film available to a global audience.” 

     

    An action-packed musical heist, HNY was worldwide distributed by Yash Raj Films and stars Deepika Padukone, Shah Rukh Khan, Abhishek Bachchan, Boman Irani, Sonu Sood and Vivaan Shah. HNY was released in India on 24 October, 2014 and has been released theatrically, on D2F and on home video in many traditional and non-traditional markets since then. HNY also got the biggest release in China on their New Year weekend recently and will be available in German from 20 March on home video as well.

  • Colors bets big on cookery show with Farah Khan as host

    Colors bets big on cookery show with Farah Khan as host

    MUMBAI:  Food is an important part of general entertainment channel’s (GEC) programming line-up these days and this time round Colors is adding the entertainment quotient to it.

    Colors is all set to bring to the table a variety of dishes with the launch of its new cookery show – Farah Ki Daawat, which will be hosted by filmmaker Farah Khan.

    After her successful stint in the channel’s reality TV show, Bigg Boss Halla Bol, Khan is set to return to the small screen with the new series. Produced by Wizcraft Entertainment, the new programme will see Bollywood and television celebrities showcasing their culinary skills by tossing up some delectable dishes. What’s more, Khan will be seen breathing down their neck and emphasizing on perfection as the judge cum host.

    Talking about the concept of the show, Colors CEO Raj Nayak feels that the new offering will provide viewers with an uninhibited glimpse into the kitchen of their favourite celebrities – a concept which has never been seen on television before.

    Nayak says, “At Colors, it is our constant endeavour to present differentiated content, which adds to our bouquet of offerings while making the channel a one-stop entertainment destination for our viewers.”

    The show will see celebrities from different walks of life sharing their favourite food recipes and memories from their kitchen. The series will also feature challengers who, teamed up with the celebrities, to raise the entertainment quotient while engaging in quirky tasks and activities.

    Nayak is of the opinion that apart from the novel concept, Khan – a multi-faceted personality, who is a closet foodie, will be the cherry on the cake. “The combination of good food and great conversations convinced us that the concept could be a potential attention grabber amongst viewers,” asserts Nayak.

    According to Nayak, currently the plan is to shoot 15 episodes. However, that could change on the basis of viewer feedback towards the episodes. As of now, five-six episodes have already been canned.

    If industry sources are to be believed, keeping in mind the celebrity quotient on the show, a 10-sec ad slot on Farah Ki Daawat demands anywhere between Rs 1 – 1.2 lakh per episode.

    Apart from the promos on-air, Khan herself has been aggressive about promoting the show on the social media platform – Twitter. From posting pictures while shooting with celebs to inviting people for the ‘dawaat’ on 22 February, she has created a lot of buzz.

    The celebs that have shot with Khan till now are Abhishek Bachchan, Alia Bhatt, Riteish and Genelia Deshmukh, Avinash Gowariker, Manish Paul, Boman Irani, Sonu Sood, Malaika Arora Khan. What’s more Bigg Boss 8 winner Gautam Gulati and housemates like Pritam Singh, Diandra Soares, Sambhavna Seth, Rahul Mahajan, Ajaz Khan and Praneet Bhat will also be seen on the show.

    For Farah Ki Daawat, the channel has already got thumbs up from advertisers. Colors has roped in a volley of sponsors including Videocon as presenting sponsor, Kenstar as associate sponsors and Everest Masala as taste sponsors. The show will be powered by Mahakosh Cooking Oil.

    According to a media planner the cookery chat show will manage to grab some eyeballs with the celebrity quotient factor. “Initially, the show will have a certain audience, but in the end content is king. Let’s see if Farah is able to pull off her host element well and secondly if an hour-long session is entertaining enough.”

    It may be recalled that channels have for long experimented with food based cooking shows. From brief cookery episodes on Surabhi (DD) to Zee TV’s Khana Khazana, which launched Sanjeev Kapoor as a celebrity chef, the small screen has had a lot of shows revolving around producing gastronomic delights, apart from dedicated food channels like Zee Khana Khazana, Food First and Food Food.

    Competition is hotting up in this space too. Post MasterChef India’s (Star Plus) launch in 2010, a plethora of cookery talent hunt shows followed suit, including Kitchen Champion, with celebrity chef Gauti (Colors), Cook It Up with Tarla Dalal (Sony), Zaike Ka Safar (Zee TV), Mirch Masala (Star Plus) and Shipra Khanna Cookery Show (Star Plus), amongst others. What’s more, in a renewed attempt at the segment in 2013, Sony had launched Sanjeev Kapoor Ke Kitchen Khiladi, its first cookery-based competition show. Star Plus too continued its MasterChef series with MasterChef Junior.

    Today’s broadcasters realise that there is a show for every segment of the audience, from kids to grand-parents, from a 10-year old to health conscious corporate executives, house wives, working men and women to a 70-year old grandmother, is discussing food and tuning into food shows on television for recipes and more. It remains to be seen whether Farah Ki Daawat is able to tingle the audiences’ taste buds.

    Farah Ki Daawat will air from 22 February every Sunday at 8 pm and will see competition from shows like Private Investigator on Star Plus, Adaalat on Sony, Peterson Hill on Sab, Neeli Chatri Waale on Zee TV and Savdhaan India on Life OK.

  • Pro Kabaddi League season 2 pushed to July

    Pro Kabaddi League season 2 pushed to July

    MUMBAI: The Pro Kabaddi League was a surprise package last year wherein the sport managed to grab eyeballs on television and heavy presence of audience at the stadiums too.

     

    While the first edition of the league was held from 26 July to 31 August 2014, League promoter Anand Mahindra had said on the day of the finale, “We are very happy with the response for the League and Kabaddi and so will be back as early as March 2015.”

     

    However, now official sources have confirmed to Indiantelevision.com that the second edition of the League will not be kicked off in March but during the same window period as last year, i.e July to August 2015.

     

    The reason for the shift in schedule is being attributed to the evident clash with this year’s biggest sporting spectacle, the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015.

     

    Official broadcaster of the World Cup, Star Sports is also the broadcast partner for the Pro Kabaddi League. With Star Sports having its hands completely tied up with the Cricket World Cup, the League’s second season will now only kick off in the July to August 2015 period.

     

    Pro Kabaddi League was conceptualised by Mahindra and commentator Charu Sharma through their venture Mashal Sports. Sharma, known for his knowledge of the game, will also be seen playing the role of a cricket commentator during this edition of the World Cup.

     

    The last maiden season of the league was won by Abhishek Bachchan owned Jaipur Pink Panthers, which defeated Ronnie Screwvala owned U Mumba. Sources also confirmed that the second edition will not see any additional franchises taking part.