ITV

Tag: Aligarh

  • Vinod Bhanushali & Parag Sanghvi invest in Hansal Mehta’s & Sahil Saigal’s True Story Films

    Vinod Bhanushali & Parag Sanghvi invest in Hansal Mehta’s & Sahil Saigal’s True Story Films

    MUMBAI: Vinod Bhanushali has got a great catch in his bag. The former T-series executive now turned producer has invested along with film producer and former managing director of K Sera Sera Parag Sanghvi in film maker Hansal Mehta and Sahil Saigal’s production house True Story Films.  No details of the amount of investment being pumped in by the two were provided but estimates are that Sanghvi and Bhanushali have committed to bring in at least Rs 75 crore in funds into the company to start with. Company officials were not available to confirm or deny the amount. 

    Hansal is known for films and series such as  Shahid, Citylights, Aligarh, Scam 1992, and Scoop, while Sahil is known for Faraaz and The Buckingham Murders. 

    True Story Films aims to deliver high-quality content across cinema and streaming platforms, with Mehta taking on the dual role of producer and director, with  Saigal handling  business operations.

    The production house plans to develop a diverse slate of projects, including feature films and digital originals, spanning genres like dramas, thrillers, romances, comedies, and inspiring real-life stories. With a commitment to innovation and collaboration, the company intends to work with both seasoned filmmakers and emerging creative talent. True Story Films has set an ambitious production target of projects worth approximately Rs 500 crores, with the first releases expected in early 2026.
     

    “True Story Films is not just a production house; it’s the realisation of a dream to craft meaningful narratives that challenge norms and resonate deeply with audiences,” said Hansal.  “With Sahil Saigal’s expertise and shared vision, we are committed to creating stories that provoke thought, entertain, and leave a lasting impact.”

    Bhanushali expressed his enthusiasm: “Partnering with Hansal Mehta is a step towards pushing creative boundaries and delivering unforgettable cinematic experiences. His visionary storytelling aligns perfectly with our passion for impactful narratives.”

    Parag Sanghvi added: “Hansal’s ability to create socially relevant and engaging stories is unparalleled. Supporting True Story Films is an opportunity to contribute to meaningful and groundbreaking content for audiences globally.”

  • Eros International signs television license deal with Zee Network

    Eros International signs television license deal with Zee Network

    MUMBAI: Eros International Media Ltd has announced a television syndication deal for their new and catalogue films with Zee Network. The films comprise a number of catalogue films from Eros’ vast library and also pre-sales for a few forthcoming films.

    Movies that will be showcased exclusively on Zee Network include Riteish Deshmukh and Nargis Fakhri starrer Banjo, slated for a theatrical release on September 23, the much acclaimed family drama Nil Battey Sannata, and the widely appreciated Aligarh starring Manoj Bajpayee and Rajkummar Rao.

    Apart from the recent releases, the license deal will give the channel access to Eros’ blockbuster catalogue films like Housefull, Heyy Babyy, Cocktail, Vicky Donor, Omkara among others.

    Eros International Media Ltd. managing director Sunil Lulla said, “This deal signifies yet another step towards cementing our long association with Zee Network. We continue to exploit our significant library and the content licensing deal with Zee is consistent with our pre-sales strategy. These tailor made packages from our broad film repertoire will suit audiences across networks and maximize the potential from the television broadcast.

  • Eros International signs television license deal with Zee Network

    Eros International signs television license deal with Zee Network

    MUMBAI: Eros International Media Ltd has announced a television syndication deal for their new and catalogue films with Zee Network. The films comprise a number of catalogue films from Eros’ vast library and also pre-sales for a few forthcoming films.

    Movies that will be showcased exclusively on Zee Network include Riteish Deshmukh and Nargis Fakhri starrer Banjo, slated for a theatrical release on September 23, the much acclaimed family drama Nil Battey Sannata, and the widely appreciated Aligarh starring Manoj Bajpayee and Rajkummar Rao.

    Apart from the recent releases, the license deal will give the channel access to Eros’ blockbuster catalogue films like Housefull, Heyy Babyy, Cocktail, Vicky Donor, Omkara among others.

    Eros International Media Ltd. managing director Sunil Lulla said, “This deal signifies yet another step towards cementing our long association with Zee Network. We continue to exploit our significant library and the content licensing deal with Zee is consistent with our pre-sales strategy. These tailor made packages from our broad film repertoire will suit audiences across networks and maximize the potential from the television broadcast.

  • Kapoor & Sons has steady opening, Neerja continues to bring in money in 4th week

    Kapoor & Sons has steady opening, Neerja continues to bring in money in 4th week

    MUMBAI: Kapoor & Sons, which opened to a weak response, maintained steady collections on Saturday despite the India Pakistan T20 match. Having found appreciation with a certain section of the audience, the film took a huge leap in collections on Sunday of little less than double its Friday figures.

    Having collected Rs 24.3 crore for its opening weekend, the film is expected to continue to do well at select outlets as there are no other films in contention till Thursday, March 24, Holi day evening, when Rocky Handsome is slated for release.

    Global Baba fared poorly, failing to even make it to the Rs 10 lakh mark in its first week

    Teraa Surroor has had it tough at the box office. With a below average opening weekend, the film managed to collect just Rs 10.7 crore in its first week.

    Jai Gangaajal managed to collect Rs 7.1 crore in its second week to take its two week tally to Rs 30.9 crore.
    Aligarh collected a symbolic Rs 15 lakh in its third week to take its collections to Rs 2.5 crore.

    Neerja continued its stronghold on the box office. The film has added Rs 5.1 crore in its fourth week to take its four week total to Rs 68.9 crore.

     

  • Kapoor & Sons has steady opening, Neerja continues to bring in money in 4th week

    Kapoor & Sons has steady opening, Neerja continues to bring in money in 4th week

    MUMBAI: Kapoor & Sons, which opened to a weak response, maintained steady collections on Saturday despite the India Pakistan T20 match. Having found appreciation with a certain section of the audience, the film took a huge leap in collections on Sunday of little less than double its Friday figures.

    Having collected Rs 24.3 crore for its opening weekend, the film is expected to continue to do well at select outlets as there are no other films in contention till Thursday, March 24, Holi day evening, when Rocky Handsome is slated for release.

    Global Baba fared poorly, failing to even make it to the Rs 10 lakh mark in its first week

    Teraa Surroor has had it tough at the box office. With a below average opening weekend, the film managed to collect just Rs 10.7 crore in its first week.

    Jai Gangaajal managed to collect Rs 7.1 crore in its second week to take its two week tally to Rs 30.9 crore.
    Aligarh collected a symbolic Rs 15 lakh in its third week to take its collections to Rs 2.5 crore.

    Neerja continued its stronghold on the box office. The film has added Rs 5.1 crore in its fourth week to take its four week total to Rs 68.9 crore.

     

  • Box Office: Gangaajal disappoints, Neerja holds ground in second week

    Box Office: Gangaajal disappoints, Neerja holds ground in second week

    MUMBAI: Prakash Jha trying to cash in on his 2003 film Gangaajal comes a cropper. The film relates in no way to the earlier film, nor does it refer to any jal in its tedious 148 minute narration. Using the face and popularity of Priyanka Chopra as a front, surprisingly, producer-director Prakash Jhahas launched himself as an actor at a rather late stage of his life. So much so that Priyanka is relegated to play second fiddle to Jha’s character. Jha also does not care too much for known faces of the supporting cast, mainly the villains, in his outdated local bahubalistory of Bihar. 

    Expectantly, the film opened to a poor response and unfavourable word of mouth kept its collections restricted on Saturday and Sunday with little improvement. Despite facing no major film in opposition, Gangaajalended its opening weekend collecting a mere Rs15.5 crore.

    Zubaan, another release of the week, just passed unnoticed.

    Aligarhfellprey to its negative theme which amounts to torture at the multiplex admission rates. Acceptance of a film by the audience depends solely on the identification the audience finds with the story. In the case of Aligarh, there is none. The film collected just Rs 2.1 crore for its first week.

    Tere Bin Laden: Dead Or Alive is still born. A total let down compared to its first version, the film managed just Rs2.85 crore in its first week.

    Bollywood Diarieswas poor at just about Rs40 lakh in its first week. 

    Neerja held its ground in its second week. Entertainment Tax exemption in various states along with total positive word of mouth has helped. It is rare for such a heroine oriented biopic to collect about 67 per cent of its opening week figures. The film has added a handsome Rs 20.85 crore in its second week thus taking its two week total to Rs 55.05 crore. This recovery from just the film’s domestic theatrical market is remarkable considering its all-inclusive cost of Rs 21 crore. 

    Sanam Re collected Rs 20 lakh in its third week to take its three week total to Rs28.3 crore.

    Airlift added Rs35 lakh in its fourth week to take its total to Rs 126.05 crore.

  • Box Office: Gangaajal disappoints, Neerja holds ground in second week

    Box Office: Gangaajal disappoints, Neerja holds ground in second week

    MUMBAI: Prakash Jha trying to cash in on his 2003 film Gangaajal comes a cropper. The film relates in no way to the earlier film, nor does it refer to any jal in its tedious 148 minute narration. Using the face and popularity of Priyanka Chopra as a front, surprisingly, producer-director Prakash Jhahas launched himself as an actor at a rather late stage of his life. So much so that Priyanka is relegated to play second fiddle to Jha’s character. Jha also does not care too much for known faces of the supporting cast, mainly the villains, in his outdated local bahubalistory of Bihar. 

    Expectantly, the film opened to a poor response and unfavourable word of mouth kept its collections restricted on Saturday and Sunday with little improvement. Despite facing no major film in opposition, Gangaajalended its opening weekend collecting a mere Rs15.5 crore.

    Zubaan, another release of the week, just passed unnoticed.

    Aligarhfellprey to its negative theme which amounts to torture at the multiplex admission rates. Acceptance of a film by the audience depends solely on the identification the audience finds with the story. In the case of Aligarh, there is none. The film collected just Rs 2.1 crore for its first week.

    Tere Bin Laden: Dead Or Alive is still born. A total let down compared to its first version, the film managed just Rs2.85 crore in its first week.

    Bollywood Diarieswas poor at just about Rs40 lakh in its first week. 

    Neerja held its ground in its second week. Entertainment Tax exemption in various states along with total positive word of mouth has helped. It is rare for such a heroine oriented biopic to collect about 67 per cent of its opening week figures. The film has added a handsome Rs 20.85 crore in its second week thus taking its two week total to Rs 55.05 crore. This recovery from just the film’s domestic theatrical market is remarkable considering its all-inclusive cost of Rs 21 crore. 

    Sanam Re collected Rs 20 lakh in its third week to take its three week total to Rs28.3 crore.

    Airlift added Rs35 lakh in its fourth week to take its total to Rs 126.05 crore.

  • Hansal Mehta’s ‘Aligarh’ to screen at 59th BFI London Film Festival

    Hansal Mehta’s ‘Aligarh’ to screen at 59th BFI London Film Festival

    MUMBAI: Hansal Mehta’s Aligarh is fast becoming a toast of international film festivals. Close on the heels of the announcement of its World Premiere at the Busan International Film Festival comes the news of its selection at the 59th BFI London Film Festival, which is scheduled to take place from 7 to 18 October.

    The film will be screened as part of the Festival’s Debate strand: Riveting films that amplify scrutinise and surprise.

    Mehta brings a sensitive, humane story from small town India with Aligarh. Co-starring Manoj Bajpayee and Rajkummar Rao, the film draws from a real incident that took place in Uttar Pradesh.

     A professor was suspended by his University for being gay after he is caught on camera in a sting operation. A young journalist investigates his first breaking story. Set in the myriad dark lanes of a volatile and decadent society, the two strikes an unlikely friendship that will change them forever.

    The invite from Clare Stewart Director of 59th BFI London Film Festival states, “Our programme team found the film to be daring and strong, telling an incredibly important story that London audience will definitely respond to.”

    Mehta added, “I am touched and very grateful that BFI has positioned Aligarh in such a relevant discussion. I think the recognition that international film festivals are giving us validates our reasons for making this film.”

    Eros International Media managing director Sunil Lulla said, “At Eros, we take pride in producing films like Aligarh that tell a story with a difference. Hansal Mehta has made a relevant and beautiful film and its screenings at the BFI Film Festival & Busan prove that such films will always find an audience.”

  • Delays in decision on power usage by AIR Aligarh led to loss of Rs 1.78 crore

    Delays in decision on power usage by AIR Aligarh led to loss of Rs 1.78 crore

    NEW DELHI: Delays in assessing contracted load of power supply and seeking approval of the competent authority to reduce load resulted in an avoidable payment of 1.78 crore by All India Radio in Aligarh, according to a report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG).

     

    CAG reported the matter to the Information and Broadcasting Ministry (I&B), but failed to get a reply until the presentation of the report to the Lok Sabha.

     

    AIR Aligarh had a contracted load of 3000 KVA with the Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation (UPPCL) for its power supply. Under the agreement with UPPCL, demand charges are levied on actual maximum demand recorded in a month or 75 per cent of the contracted load, whichever is higher, along with charges of actual energy consumed at the rates applicable from time to time.

     

    Audit analysis of electric load revealed (April 2011) that actual consumption during 2008-09,  2009-10  and 2010-11 ranged between 558 KVA and 1116 KVA, 544 KVA and 1008 KVA and 572 KVA and 760 KVA respectively, and showed declining trend over these years.

     

    However, AIR Aligarh made no efforts to re-assess the demand and get its contracted load reduced. Consequently, it continued to pay demand charges for 2250 KVA per month (calculated at 75 per cent of the contracted load of 3000 KVA).

     

    AIR Aligarh while accepting (August 2011) the audit observation, stated that low demand was on account of existing transmitters working on lower capacity and new transmitters expected to be installed. The reduction in load would be taken up with the State Electricity Board after installation of new transmitters.

     

    It subsequently informed (May 2014) that reduction in load to 1250 KVA was approved by the Director General, on 21 April 2014 and the matter has been taken up with UPPCL.