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Tag: Aishwarya Rai Bachchan

  • Essel to back Jazbaa’s robust release with aggressive promotions

    Essel to back Jazbaa’s robust release with aggressive promotions

    MUMBAI: Gone are the days when an all India release of a movie used to make headlines for robust distribution. Gradually Bollywood has emerged as a global affair not only for the Indian diaspora but also for the vernacular audience. 

     

    Essel Vision is leaving no stone unturned to ensure an enhanced reach for its upcoming Hindi movie Jazbaa. With multilingual audio and simulcast release across the globe, Essel has plans of garnishing the movie in an exquisite manner.  

     

    Speaking to Indiantelevision.com, Essel Vision Productions business head Akash Chawla says, “This is the first time an Indian movie will have a simulcast release in the Middle East with an Arabic dub. We are also looking to have a dubbed release for Spanish and English market alongside Hindi release for the Indian diaspora.”

     

    Digital will spearhead the promotional and marketing strategy for the movie. “The promotional strategies will be backed by Zee all through. Zee has a huge bouquet of channels and we will be promoting the movie across all of them in both international and Indian markets,” he adds.

     

    There will be a mega trailer launch on the sets of Dance India Dance, which will reach out to mass. In the US, the producers plan to launch a promotional tour on 17 September, 2015. A series of activities are also on the cards for the premiere of the movie, which is scheduled on 9 October, 2015.

     

    MSM Motion Pictures’ recently produced Piku showed how brand integration can be a substantial source of revenue for producers. When queried if Jazbaa will also have brands integrated in the movie, Chawla says, “There are a few brands that are subtly placed in the movie but we kept the number as low as possible because we did not want interrupt viewers. I don’t think brand integration is yet a substantial source of revenue when it comes to movies.”

     

    Essel Group took the decision of fully entering into film production with Jazbaa after tasting success with Lunchbox and D-Day as co-producers. The movie, which stars Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Irrfan Khan, is directed by Sanjay Gupta. The movie tells the story of an advocate who is stuck between professional life and motherhood.

     

    Chawla is optimistic about the movie’s success globally. “We will have as robust release as possible and rest will depend on audience,” he says.

  • Essel Vision bags distribution rights of Lionsgate’s ‘The Last Witch Hunter’

    Essel Vision bags distribution rights of Lionsgate’s ‘The Last Witch Hunter’

    MUMBAI: Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited’s (Zeel) content studio, Essel Vision Productions has acquired the distribution and marketing rights of Lionsgate’s supernatural thriller The Last Witch Hunter starring Vin Diesel.

     

    Essel Vision recently revealed the first look of the movie to moviegoers in India.

     

    The company will release the film in theatres across India a day prior to its worldwide release on Thursday, 22 October, 2015. The Last Witch Hunter features an ensemble cast led by Diesel, Academy Award-winning Michael Caine and Rose Leslie, widely acclaimed for her role as Ygritte in the blockbuster series Game of Thrones. The film is directed by Breck Eisner.

     

    Essel Vision Studio business head Akash Chawla said, “We’re always looking to collaborate with the most successful content companies in the world as well as to give new filmmakers an opportunity to showcase their work. Following our successful ventures into television, short form content, Bollywood, regional cinema and music, our exclusive deal with global content leader Lionsgate to handle all the marketing and distribution of The Last Witch Hunter in India cements our leadership in handling Hollywood blockbusters as well.”

     

    “Vin Diesel is one of the biggest action heroes on the planet. Following the record-breaking success of Furious 7, his next film is breathlessly anticipated by his fans here in India and around the world. Today’s sneak peek marks the first step in our innovative and aggressive marketing campaign to ensure that the film receives the mammoth reception it deserves,” added Chawla. 

     

    “The Last Witch Hunter showcases action superstar Vin Diesel at his exciting best, and we’re delighted to partner with our friends at Zee Entertainment to bring his latest thriller to Indian moviegoers,” said Lionsgate Motion Picture Group co-chairs Patrick Wachsberger and Rob Friedman.

     

    “The large and fast-growing Indian marketplace offers tremendous opportunities. With their marketing prowess and distribution expertise, Zee Entertainment is the right partner, The Last Witch Hunter is the right film and Vin Diesel is the right superstar to help us conquer the box office there,” they said.

     

    Essel Vision will also make its foray into Hindi motion pictures in October with the release of Jazbaa, starring Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Irrfan Khan, which is being directed by Sanjay Gupta.

  • Randeep Hooda to play Aishwarya Rai Bachchan’s brother in ‘Sarbjit’

    Randeep Hooda to play Aishwarya Rai Bachchan’s brother in ‘Sarbjit’

    MUMBAI: Omung Kumar’s biopic Sarbjit has been in the news lately for its various speculations on the star cast of the movie. After roping in Aishwariya Rai Bachchan for the role of Sarabjit’s sister Dalbir Kaur, the makers have finally locked down Randeep Hooda for the role of Sarabjit.

     Known for his performances in movies like Kick, Highway and Saheb, Biwi Aur Gangster, Hooda will be essaying the role of the slain Indian prisoner  Sarabjit.

    The movie will narrate the struggle of Dalbir Kaur whose aim of life is to get her brother out of the jail, who has been imprisoned in Pakistan for a mistaken identity of an Indian spy.

    Hooda is all set to play the role Aishwariya Rai Bachachan’s younger brother. The duo will be seen sharing screen space for the very first time in Indian cinema.

     

    Omung Kumar said, “Yes Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Randeep Hooda are going to be apart in my next Biopic Sarbjit.”

     

    The movie will go on floors in October 2015 and will be released in Cannes in May 2016. 

  • Kalyan Jewellers eyes 30% topline growth to Rs 13,000 crore; plans expansion

    Kalyan Jewellers eyes 30% topline growth to Rs 13,000 crore; plans expansion

    MUMBAI: Kalyan Jewellers, which was recently in the eye of the storm with its racist ad featuring brand ambassador Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, has recovered quickly from the controversy and is going full throttle with its expansion plans.

     

    While eyeing a growth of 30 per cent in its topline to Rs 13,000 crore, the company is also looking at enhancing the distribution network by 30 per cent in the year.

     

    The jewellery maker is looking to expand its operations with an investment of Rs 175 crores. As a first step, the company has opened four new outlets across India with its first showroom launch in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, followed by two showrooms in Gurgaon and Noida. With the two new showrooms in Gurgaon and Noida, Kalyan Jewellers will now have a total of five exclusive showrooms in the NCR region and a total of nine showrooms in North India including Jalandhar and Amritsar.

     

    Kalyan Jewellers, which has been present in the UAE since 2013, is also strengthening its presence by adding a new showroom, marking the tenth for the company in the UAE. Continuing on this aggressive expansion drive, Kalyan Jewellers is planning to set up 22 showrooms this fiscal year, of which nine will be in the Gulf region. Plans are also afoot to launch six showrooms in Qatar.

     

    The company, which has a network of 79 exclusive showrooms in India and West Asia, is targeting 100 showrooms by the end of the year.

     

    Kalyan Jewellers is also in the process of converting its 570 customer service centres into mini ‘My Kalyan’ stores, which will focus on selling affordable diamonds to capitalise on the potential of this category.

     

    Kalyan Jewellers chairman and managing director T.S. Kalyanaraman said, “Jewellery consumption in the Indian market is increasing due to positive consumer sentiment and stable prices, and we want to tap into this growth. Funding of the expansion plans will be met through the funds we have received from the private equity investment as well as from internal accruals and bank borrowings. We are targeting 30 per cent growth in topline to Rs 13,000 crore and enhancing the distribution network by 30 per cent in the year. We are also ramping up our manufacturing operations and plan to have India’s biggest production house by 2017.”

     

    The company recently also launched a gold and diamond jewellery collection at its Chennai store with an investment of Rs 200 crores, making it was the single largest investment by any jeweller in a single showroom across the country.

  • Cannes Film Festival stumbles over ‘Flatgate’ controversy

    Cannes Film Festival stumbles over ‘Flatgate’ controversy

    NEW DELHI: A day after actress Salma Hayek appeared on a panel at the 68th Cannes International Film Festival to talk about misogyny in Hollywood, the festival’s organizers banned women from wearing anything other than high heels on the red carpet.

     

    A group of women, who arrived at a screening for Cate Blanchett’s latest film, Carol, were reportedly turned away because of their flat shoes, according to Screen Daily.

     

    The New York Magazine in a tweet said this immediately set off a #showmeyourflats hashtag in solidarity.

     

    It noted that actress Emily Blunt put it best, “Everyone should wear flats to be honest. We should not be wearing high heels anyways. That is my point of view. I just prefer wearing Converse sneakers.”

     

    Actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan had also stressed on gender equality with Hayek at the discussion organized by UN Women. Aishwarya also did a shoot for L’Oréal Paris with Eva Longoria, Natasha Poly and Li Bingbing for L’Oreal.

     

    The Cannes film festival began on 13 May and will conclude on 24 May.

     

    Indian contingent at Cannes

     

    Meanwhile, the red carpet for Gurvinder Singh’s Punjabi film Chauthi Koot and Neeraj Ghaywan’s debut feature Masaan, which are the Indian films in the official UnCertain Regard, was graced by Indian ambassadors of L’Oreal Paris — Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Sonam Kapoor and Katrina Kaif. Nandita Das was also present.

     

    Film and theater veteran Shabana Azmi noted on how fashion was taking away the attention from cinema at the 68th Cannes International Film Festival. She said a film festival should be treated seriously and not as a fashion parade ground.

     

    Azmi used her Twitter handle on 15 May to remind her fans and followers about the main motive behind holding a film festival. “2day Cannes seems to b a clothes parade! It’s a serious film festival guys not a fashion event. Hw abt focusing on films n filmakers (sic),”

  • Kalyan Jewellers to withdraw ‘racist’ ad featuring Aishwarya Rai Bachchan

    Kalyan Jewellers to withdraw ‘racist’ ad featuring Aishwarya Rai Bachchan

    MUMBAI: Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is in the line of fire over a print advertisement for Kalyan Jewellers featuring her.

     

    Aishwarya faced the fury of activists for the “offensive” advertisement that shows a dark child carrying an umbrella over her head. However the actress has said that the actual image was changed by the brand.

     

    As a result of this, Kalyan Jewellers is in the process of withdrawing this creative from its campaign. In an official statement, the jewellery brand said, “This creative was intended to present royalty, timeless beauty and elegance. If we have, inadvertently, hurt the sentiments of any individual or organization, we deeply regret the same.”

     

    A group comprising a feminist activist, a former chairperson of National Commission for Protection of Child Rights among others wrote an open letter to slam the actress’ print ad, which they felt also promoted child labour.

     

    “We wish to convey our dismay at the concept of this advertisement, and that you have, perhaps unthinkingly, associated with such a regressive portrayal of a child to sell a product,” read the open letter.

     

    “As an influential member of the Indian film industry and a popular star with a large fan following, we trust that you wish to use your image in a manner that promotes progressive thought and action, and would not knowingly promote regressive images that are racist and go against child rights,” it further read.

     

    Replying to the open letter, Aishwarya issued a statement saying, “On the onset we would like to thank you on drawing our attention to the observation of the perception of the advertisement. Here is an attachment of the shot taken by somebody during the shoot. The final layout of the ad is entirely the prerogative of the creative team for a brand. However, shall forward your article as a viewpoint that can be taken into consideration by the creative team of professional working on the brand visual communication. Thank you once again.”

     

    It may be recalled that Aishwarya along with her father-in-law Amitabh Bachchan endorses Kalyan Jewellers and the two were recently in Chennai to inaugurate the brand’s new store. 

  • Kalyan Jewellers launches in Chennai; unveils star-studded campaign

    Kalyan Jewellers launches in Chennai; unveils star-studded campaign

    MUMBAI: Kalyan Jewellers has launched a new multimedia campaign to announce the inauguration of its flagship showroom in Chennai later in the month. 

     

    The campaign focuses on Kalyan Jewellers bringing the world’s largest jewellery collection to Chennai. It features the company’s national brand ambassadors Amitabh Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan as also regional ambassadors Prabhu Ganesan, Akkineni Nagarjuna, Shivaraj Kumar and Manju Warrier. Prabhu’s son Vikram is also part of the campaign.

     

    Kalyan Jewellers executive director, marketing and operations Ramesh Kalyanaraman said, “Chennai is the single largest jewellery market in the country and it was important that the campaign appropriately reflected our strength of size and scale in bringing the largest and finest collection of jewellery to Chennai’s discerning customers. Kalyan Jewellers will bring the finest shopping experience to cater to the distinct demands of jewellery connoisseurs in Chennai.”

     

    The new showroom is spread over 40,000 sq. feet and will display 600 kg of jewellery, offering more than five lakh contemporary and traditional designs.

     

    The three-phased ad campaign is targeted at SEC A, B groups and will initially break on television followed by digital, print and outdoor.

     

    The campaign has been designed by Push Integrated Communications. “The creatives attempt to communicate the proposition of the world’s largest gold and diamond jewellery collection at Kalyan Jewellers, captured in a candid, friendly manner on camera. The teaser films released on leading TV channels has Amitabh Bachchan talking to Prabhu and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan on his desire to learn Tamil in light of his visit to Chennai for the launch of Kalyan Jewellers,” said Push Integrated Communications managing director VA Shrikumar Menon.

  • Essel Vision’s ‘Jazbaa’ starring Aishwarya Rai Bachchan to go on floors on 20 Jan

    Essel Vision’s ‘Jazbaa’ starring Aishwarya Rai Bachchan to go on floors on 20 Jan

    MUMBAI: Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited’s (ZEEL) creative and production studio Essel Vision Productions is gearing up for its much anticipated film – Jazbaa. The movie, which is touted as Aishwarya Rai Bachchan’s comeback film, is slated to go on floors on 20 January.

     

    Essel Vision Productions will be producing the movie in association with Sanjay Gupta’s White Feather Films and Sachiin Joshi’s Viiking Entertainment. The movie also stars Shabana Azmi, Irrfan Khan, Anupam Kher, Chandan Roy Sanyal, Atul Kulkarni, Siddharth Kapoor, Baby Sara Arjun and Priya Banerjee. It will be directed by Gupta.

     

    Speaking on its foray, Essel Vision CEO Nittin Keni said, “Jazbaa is an amazing story intertwined with superlative action, drama and mystery. It is the kind of entertaining and meaningful cinema that we want our audience to associate us with. Supported with keen creative & business acumen we are confident that we deliver compelling, profitable entertaining content to global audiences.”

     

    Jazbaa is a crime thriller and filled with unpredictable twists in the plot hence it was imperative for the actors to be completely in sync with their characters. With the film all set to go on the floors on 20 January, the makers organised a script reading session, which gave an opportunity for the cast and crew to come together to understand and prepare their roles thoroughly.

     

    The script reading session was helmed by Gupta along with scriptwriters Kamlesh Pandey and Robin Bhatt. It opened interesting conversations among the actors about the concept in India for a Bollywood film. This was later followed by a detailed dialogue with the creative team including sound designer Resul Pookutty and cinematographer Sameer Arya.

     

    Commenting on the narration, Gupta said, “The script reading session of Jazbaa with the entire cast and crew went off very well. Internationally, it’s the norm and I think it helps the cast bond with each other before the shooting starts. It’s a better arrangement than having the actors meet each other only when they reach the sets when the shoot begins. Writers sometimes tend to miss out certain elements when they are so close to the script. The inputs I received from the actors were fresh as they have interesting perspectives when they hear the story at one go like this and will only help us make a better film. It was also an ice breaker for the talent on the film since most of my cast are working with each other for the first time.”

     

    Keeping the lead actress’ parenting duties in mind, Gupta, who is also father to a young child, plans to shoot the film only on weekdays.

     

    Shabana and Aishwarya hit if off instantly as they waited for Irrfan to join them. It was not surprising to see Aishwarya go up to and welcome the young child actor, Sara, on board the film by hugging her. Even as Sara smiled and told her that was her huge fan, the actress responded by saying, “Don’t be my fan, you’re my daughter!”

     

  • Ashutosh Gowariker Productions celebrates 10 years

    Ashutosh Gowariker Productions celebrates 10 years

    MUMBAI: Years ago, Ashutosh told his wife Sunita that he wanted to start a production house under which he would direct his films but only on the condition that she holds the reigns of production. On 17 December 2004, their first film Swades released and it was clear that they made a formidable team and Ashutosh Gowariker Productions Pvt. Ltd.  (AGPPL) quickly became a respected production house in the industry.

     

    Celebrating its 10 year anniversary, AGPPL travelled back in time to bring the audiences the epic romance of Jodhaa Akbar. A visual big screen extravaganza with memorable performances from both Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, the film went on to gross over Rs 100 crore at the box office, and became a popular benchmark. 

     

    AGPPL has previously produced films like Swades, Jodhaa Akbar, What’s Your Raashee?, Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey and the recent television production, Everest. Their recent foray into television production began this year with one of the most ambitious projects in Indian television till date. Everest is the unique combination of an emotional story with scale and action.

     

    AGPPL is now focused on what awaits them in the next decade. 2015 begins with the filming of their Hrithik Roshan starrer, Mohenjo Daro. Set during the Indus Valley Civilization, Mohenjo Daro is an epic adventure-drama love story, set in an ancient era but in a modern context. The film brings together award winning international technicians and also introduces new find Pooja Hegde, opposite Hrithik.

  • Essel Vision enters into a multi-film deal with White Feather Films

    Essel Vision enters into a multi-film deal with White Feather Films

    MUMBAI: Essel Vision Productions Ltd (EVPL), the creative and production studio of Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd (ZEEL), has announced a multi-film deal to make its foray into mainstream commercial Hindi films with writer, director and producer, Sanjay Gupta’s White Feather Films.

    The first film to go on floors in January 2015 is directed by Sanjay Gupta. Titled Jazbaa, it is Aishwarya Rai Bachchan’s comeback film as the dynamic lead protagonist and also stars Irrfan Khan, Shabana Azmi and Anupam Kher. Jazbaa will be Aishwarya’s first film after a gap of 5 years.

     Essel Vision has, in a short span of three years, emerged as a full-fledged state-of-the-art-studio that is a one-stop destination for all in film making, promotions, advertising, distribution and revenue generating streams. It has built a dynamic portfolio of regional cinema in Marathi and Bengali, top rated television shows and is now venturing into Hindi cinema. Wholly owned by ZEE, Essel Vision is backed by the conglomerate’s vast network of channels including its music company Zee Music.

     After being a trendsetter in Marathi and Bangla cinema and associations with the biggest names in regional language cinema, this announcement is a first from amongst a slate of films being made by Essel Vision.
     
    Acclaimed filmmaker Nittin Keni is Essel Vision’s CEO and has produced commercial and critical blockbusters like Gadar: Ek Prem Katha and half a dozen other successful films. On this multi-film deal, Nittin Keni says, “We are delighted to associate with Sanjay Gupta. The first offering Jazbaa is a brilliant script that is full of emotional texture and develops beautifully into a human story for global audiences. The partnership is a perfect fit for both companies and I am confident that together we will be in a better position to deliver compelling, profitable entertaining content to global audiences. Besides the films which we have already locked, we are in talks with several prolific content makers and will soon announce other projects in the pipeline.”
     
    Sanjay Gupta is known for his fast-paced action thrillers which include Kaante, Musafir, Zinda, Shootout at Lokhandwala and the recent blockbuster Shootout At Wadala amongst others. Commenting on their association, Sanjay Gupta, Chairman & MD, White Feather Films says, “It’s a pleasure to associate with Essel Vision on their foray into mainstream Hindi film production after the successes they have had in regional cinema. Having the largest Indian television conglomerate ZEEL backing us is a dream come true for any production house. We, at White Feather Films, could not be happier. Also, for me from doing fast paced action, I’m looking forward to Jazbaa as it’s a gripping, touching and terrifying drama. We have a stellar team, and a great dramatic conundrum that audiences should enjoy.”
     
    After creating an unprecedented record at the recently held 45th International Film Fesival of India (IFFI) in Goa, with four films produced by EVPL selected officially to be screened at the festival, the studio identifies and acquires powerful fresh and intellectual property based ideas and matches them with strong filmmakers to turn them into blockbusters. Essel Vision – Business Head, Akash Chawla says, “This is our first announcement and many more announcements can be expected from Essel Vision in the Hindi film space. Zee is here to make quality & commercially viable films and Essel Vision, as the creative and production arm of Zee, will lead the foray. We will be involved in all aspects right from film production, processing, distribution, exhibition and revenue streams of these films.”