Tag: Amitabh Bachchan

‘Astra Force’ screening held; to premiere on Disney today

MUMBAI: A special screening of the much-awaited superhero animated series – “Astra Force” with legendary icon, Amitabh Bachchan was hosted at Sunny Super Studio, Juhu, which was attended by celebrity artistes such as Faisal Khan, Sadhil Kapoor, Arush Rana & Ashnoor Kaur.

The kids were thrilled to watch Bachchan’s new avatar and expressed their immense excitement at the premier. A shout out to all superhero lovers as a must watch series. ‘Astra Force’ will premiere on Disney Channel on 28 November (Monday) at 3.30pm.

A funny and fast-paced, action-adventure series, filled with laughs and thrills, “Astra Force” tells the story of a mythical hero from a distant world, who was stranded on Earth millions of years ago, after an epic space battle. When 8-year old brother and sister twins accidentally awaken the mythical superhero from his long hibernation, they must teach him about the modern world and join Astra to save the universe from a new wave of giant monsters and intergalactic threats. Together they will fight for Truth, for Justice and for Ice cream!

Astra Force features the voice of Bachchan as the powerful new superhero, “Astra” in his first animated kids television series. The 52 part, series will be aired every week from Monday to Thursday at 3:30 p.m.

The new Indian superhero was created by Bachchan and Graphic India co-founder and CEO Sharad Devarajan, who are producing the series in partnership with Disney Channel.

Graphic India is a character entertainment company focused on creating leading characters, comics and stories through mobile and digital platforms. Led by Devarajan, Graphic India is owned by the U.S. comic book Company, Liquid Comics, Start Media LLC and CA Media LP, the Asian investment arm of The Chernin Group, LLC (TCG). Disney Channel is a 24-hour children’s television network that taps into the entertainment needs of 4-14 year olds with storytelling.

November 28, 2016
PM Modi to be tourism mascot; ad agency screening under way

MUMBAI: The leader is the natural ambassador. Why would there be any need to create a brand or national identity from celebrities/socialites? The nationalist is India’s most well-known face.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is all set to be the mascot of the Incredible India campaign with the Tourism Ministry deciding to finally drop plans to bring in any Bollywood stars, including Amitabh Bachchan, for the role which was vacant after ouster of Aamir Khan earlier this year.

Earlier, names of leading stars Amitabh Bachchan and actress Priyanka Chopra were doing rounds for the campaign aimed at promoting India as a favourite tourist destination abroad.

No Bollywood actor will now be engaged for the campaign targeted at attracting foreign travellers. Video footages of Modi during the last two-and-a-half years where he has talked about tourism in India and abroad will be utilised for the campaign, a senior ministry official told PTI.

The ministry is planning to use — for audio and radio release — two types of communications of different durations where Modi had talked about the uniqueness and diversity of the various places in the country, the official said.

The ministry is presently “working on selecting the footages”, the official said, adding that the campaign would be released in the next 40-45 days as the Indian tourism season starts by November-end due to favourable weather as also the Christmas holidays and New Year celebrations.

The official said the process of selecting the agency, which will carry out the task of running the campaign, is also under the process.

Earlier, the tourism minister Mahesh Sharma had endorsed Modi’s persona for the role, saying he is the “best face” to promote the Incredible India campaign. He had asserted that the country has witnessed a jump in the tourists inflow from the countries the prime minister had visited. He had said that the ministry need not have any Bollywood face for the campaign.

Sharma said that the perception about India had changed significantly in the last two years with Prime Minister Modi visiting a host of countries during the period. So, who else could be the better face for Indian tourism than the Prime Minister, he added.

A senior ministry official, supporting Sharma’s remarks, said the tourist inflow from countries such as the Australia, the UK, the US, Germany, Fiji, Brazil, Canada and Myanmar, among other, had witnessed a significant jump after the PM’s visit there.

Though it was believed that Khan was eased out for his remarks on perceived intolerance, the ministry had maintained that he was not hired as the contract with the advertising agency had expired.

November 7, 2016
PM Modi to be tourism mascot; ad agency screening under way

MUMBAI: The leader is the natural ambassador. Why would there be any need to create a brand or national identity from celebrities/socialites? The nationalist is India’s most well-known face.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is all set to be the mascot of the Incredible India campaign with the Tourism Ministry deciding to finally drop plans to bring in any Bollywood stars, including Amitabh Bachchan, for the role which was vacant after ouster of Aamir Khan earlier this year.

Earlier, names of leading stars Amitabh Bachchan and actress Priyanka Chopra were doing rounds for the campaign aimed at promoting India as a favourite tourist destination abroad.

No Bollywood actor will now be engaged for the campaign targeted at attracting foreign travellers. Video footages of Modi during the last two-and-a-half years where he has talked about tourism in India and abroad will be utilised for the campaign, a senior ministry official told PTI.

The ministry is planning to use — for audio and radio release — two types of communications of different durations where Modi had talked about the uniqueness and diversity of the various places in the country, the official said.

The ministry is presently “working on selecting the footages”, the official said, adding that the campaign would be released in the next 40-45 days as the Indian tourism season starts by November-end due to favourable weather as also the Christmas holidays and New Year celebrations.

The official said the process of selecting the agency, which will carry out the task of running the campaign, is also under the process.

Earlier, the tourism minister Mahesh Sharma had endorsed Modi’s persona for the role, saying he is the “best face” to promote the Incredible India campaign. He had asserted that the country has witnessed a jump in the tourists inflow from the countries the prime minister had visited. He had said that the ministry need not have any Bollywood face for the campaign.

Sharma said that the perception about India had changed significantly in the last two years with Prime Minister Modi visiting a host of countries during the period. So, who else could be the better face for Indian tourism than the Prime Minister, he added.

A senior ministry official, supporting Sharma’s remarks, said the tourist inflow from countries such as the Australia, the UK, the US, Germany, Fiji, Brazil, Canada and Myanmar, among other, had witnessed a significant jump after the PM’s visit there.

Though it was believed that Khan was eased out for his remarks on perceived intolerance, the ministry had maintained that he was not hired as the contract with the advertising agency had expired.

November 7, 2016
Rs 3 crore up for grabs on Colors Marathi KBC 3 from 3 Oct

MUMBAI: Inspiration from the US game show “Who wants to be a Millionnaire” in India 16 years ago has worked wonders for the countrymen and television viewers as well as the broadcasters. “Kaun Banega Crorepati” has got the viewers sticky eyeballs and surely showcased some of life’s most inspiring real-life heroes. The television audience immediately felt a connect with the show and got involved and addicted to a programme that was entertaining, knowledge disseminator as well as potentially held some prizes for the actually winners as well as the viewers and participants.

KBC, launched amid much frenzy and fanfare, changed the course of destiny for the celebrated host Amitabh Bachchan too. Since he was not at the peak of his career, the show brought him closer to his fans and masses. KBC also made fortunes of laymen as their own intelligence and knowledge gained them instant recognition and big fat money.

On 3 July in 2000, KBC was launched in India. Star Plus brought in the format and gave a marquee show to Indian television. It was hosted by the megastar in his inimitable style. The Indian adaptation of the US show immediately caught the viewers’ imagination.

Rights of telecasting the popular were, over the years, acquired by regional channels too. In the Marathi television genre, Colors Marathi has planned bring the show for audience again. Popular Marathi actor Swapnil Joshi plays the younger avataar of Amitabh Bachchan on the show.

Combined with an enhanced jackpot of Rs 3 crore and a unique “group chat” lifeline being pioneered by India, Colors is confident of a freshened new season of “Kon Hoeel Marathi Crorepati.”

Produced by Big Synergy, “Kon Hoeel Marathi Crorepati”, the magnum opus is set to again usher in happy times with a high decibel Season 3, a season that promises another chance at bringing alive their dreams, aspirations and ambitions with an unmatched winning opportunity of a whopping Rs 3 crore.

The show will be aired from 3 October 2016, on Monday to Wednesday in the 9.00 pm time band.

Rin is the presenting sponsor of the show. Jio, Kesari Travels and Saraswat Bank are the associate sponsors.

Speaking about “Kon Hoeel Marathi crorepati”s reach and impact, Colors Marathi head Anuj Poddar said, “In its first two years, “Kon Hoeel Marathi Crorepati” had transformed lives – both in terms of the prize money and as a format adapted for the Marathi-speaking audience. So, this year, we decided to set new standards – that is, the largest-ever prize money in the history of Marathi television.”

“Also,” he said, “for the first time in the world, a chat lifeline has been incorporated in the format. The Marathi audience today is brimming with an infectious energy, is contemporary while being culturally disposed and is raring to embrace every opportunity at success and happiness. This year, with KHMC3, we are providing a platform for all our Marathi viewers to embrace this new identity,” Podar said.

The channel has introduced some new elements in the show such as the music therapy where participants can seek music therapy to distress them. Another factor the show has brouhgt in is the live chat box.

Talking about the “Kon Hoeel Marathi Crorepati”s popularity and host, Big Synergy’s Siddhartha Basu said, “This year, with a youthful new host, who is a versatile and much loved star of the big and small screen, the show is skewing younger and is broadening its appeal.” “The host of the show Swapnil”, he said, “is witty, spontaneous, charming and is able to build an electric connect with the contestants and the viewers alike.

September 29, 2016
Rs 3 crore up for grabs on Colors Marathi KBC 3 from 3 Oct

MUMBAI: Inspiration from the US game show “Who wants to be a Millionnaire” in India 16 years ago has worked wonders for the countrymen and television viewers as well as the broadcasters. “Kaun Banega Crorepati” has got the viewers sticky eyeballs and surely showcased some of life’s most inspiring real-life heroes. The television audience immediately felt a connect with the show and got involved and addicted to a programme that was entertaining, knowledge disseminator as well as potentially held some prizes for the actually winners as well as the viewers and participants.

KBC, launched amid much frenzy and fanfare, changed the course of destiny for the celebrated host Amitabh Bachchan too. Since he was not at the peak of his career, the show brought him closer to his fans and masses. KBC also made fortunes of laymen as their own intelligence and knowledge gained them instant recognition and big fat money.

On 3 July in 2000, KBC was launched in India. Star Plus brought in the format and gave a marquee show to Indian television. It was hosted by the megastar in his inimitable style. The Indian adaptation of the US show immediately caught the viewers’ imagination.

Rights of telecasting the popular were, over the years, acquired by regional channels too. In the Marathi television genre, Colors Marathi has planned bring the show for audience again. Popular Marathi actor Swapnil Joshi plays the younger avataar of Amitabh Bachchan on the show.

Combined with an enhanced jackpot of Rs 3 crore and a unique “group chat” lifeline being pioneered by India, Colors is confident of a freshened new season of “Kon Hoeel Marathi Crorepati.”

Produced by Big Synergy, “Kon Hoeel Marathi Crorepati”, the magnum opus is set to again usher in happy times with a high decibel Season 3, a season that promises another chance at bringing alive their dreams, aspirations and ambitions with an unmatched winning opportunity of a whopping Rs 3 crore.

The show will be aired from 3 October 2016, on Monday to Wednesday in the 9.00 pm time band.

Rin is the presenting sponsor of the show. Jio, Kesari Travels and Saraswat Bank are the associate sponsors.

Speaking about “Kon Hoeel Marathi crorepati”s reach and impact, Colors Marathi head Anuj Poddar said, “In its first two years, “Kon Hoeel Marathi Crorepati” had transformed lives – both in terms of the prize money and as a format adapted for the Marathi-speaking audience. So, this year, we decided to set new standards – that is, the largest-ever prize money in the history of Marathi television.”

“Also,” he said, “for the first time in the world, a chat lifeline has been incorporated in the format. The Marathi audience today is brimming with an infectious energy, is contemporary while being culturally disposed and is raring to embrace every opportunity at success and happiness. This year, with KHMC3, we are providing a platform for all our Marathi viewers to embrace this new identity,” Podar said.

The channel has introduced some new elements in the show such as the music therapy where participants can seek music therapy to distress them. Another factor the show has brouhgt in is the live chat box.

Talking about the “Kon Hoeel Marathi Crorepati”s popularity and host, Big Synergy’s Siddhartha Basu said, “This year, with a youthful new host, who is a versatile and much loved star of the big and small screen, the show is skewing younger and is broadening its appeal.” “The host of the show Swapnil”, he said, “is witty, spontaneous, charming and is able to build an electric connect with the contestants and the viewers alike.

September 29, 2016
Swachh Bharat Week: Sachin, Amitabh lead promotional videos

NEW DELHI: A series of promotional videos promoting the idea of constructing toilets in every household in the country was released by the prime minister Narendra Modi. The government is celebrating the Swachh Bharat Week, from September 25- October 2.

While the movement through promotions is led by the renowned cricketer Sachin Tendulkar, the first message on video has been given by the megastar Amitabh Bachchan. The advertisement campaign has been launched by the ministry of drinking water and sanitation.

The Big B points out that over 70,000 households have already adopted the idea of constructing a toilet in their homes, and thereafter he encourages all villages to follow suit.

There are more than one video with Sachin Tendulkar, and various social workers who are actively involved in this task. In fact, Modi, in a tweet, lauded Tendulkar for his involvement in this task to make India defecation-free and for his ‘wise words’.

Narendra Singh Tomar, minister of rural development, drinking water & sanitation and panchayati raj, said that the ministry has galvanised its BCC (Behaviour Change Communication) and IEC (Information Education Communication) mechanisms to make the advertisements more people-centric. He stressed that it was necessary because IEC/BCC were core interventions for behaviour change and citizen engagement.

Swachh Bharat Mission – Amitabh Bachchan

September 27, 2016
Swachh Bharat Week: Sachin, Amitabh lead promotional videos

NEW DELHI: A series of promotional videos promoting the idea of constructing toilets in every household in the country was released by the prime minister Narendra Modi. The government is celebrating the Swachh Bharat Week, from September 25- October 2.

While the movement through promotions is led by the renowned cricketer Sachin Tendulkar, the first message on video has been given by the megastar Amitabh Bachchan. The advertisement campaign has been launched by the ministry of drinking water and sanitation.

The Big B points out that over 70,000 households have already adopted the idea of constructing a toilet in their homes, and thereafter he encourages all villages to follow suit.

There are more than one video with Sachin Tendulkar, and various social workers who are actively involved in this task. In fact, Modi, in a tweet, lauded Tendulkar for his involvement in this task to make India defecation-free and for his ‘wise words’.

Narendra Singh Tomar, minister of rural development, drinking water & sanitation and panchayati raj, said that the ministry has galvanised its BCC (Behaviour Change Communication) and IEC (Information Education Communication) mechanisms to make the advertisements more people-centric. He stressed that it was necessary because IEC/BCC were core interventions for behaviour change and citizen engagement.

Swachh Bharat Mission – Amitabh Bachchan

September 27, 2016
Big B jingalalas on Tata Sky

MUMBAI: After a successful run of 10 years in India, Tata Sky has rolled out its latest Family Jingalala campaign with its brand ambassador Amitabh Bachchan. Rolling out on 24 September, the campaign features Big B in seven unique avatars. Conceptualized by Ogilvy and Mather and directed by Shoojit Sircar, the campaign intends to highlight Tata Sky’s two key elements — quality content and entertainment for all.

The DTH player has also unveiled its new brand logo as it has tries to reach out to more subscribers outside metros.

Produced by Rising Sun with Sukesh Kumar Nayak as the executive creative director, the campaign is the story of a regular family where each member has vastly different entertainment and content needs. Bachchan explains how these can be met through Tata Sky, highlighting the expansive breadth of the brand’s offerings and its significance in a family’s everyday life.

The campaign sees Bachchan playing the role of a showman in an unconventional bohemian look, (himself) singing the story of a regular family. He reveals how all their needs can be met by subscribing to Tata Sky.

With 85 per cent viewing from outside big towns and 90 per cent consuming general entertainment, the DTH player plans to attract both, urban and rural, markets with this campaign. “We will continue to take our business a notch higher and will continue to focus on the rural markets. Now is the right time for us. With the campaign, we are targeting cable, FTA as well as first time TV users.

“Amitabh Bachchan is our common thread. He has a mass appeal from anyone in the metro to a home which does not have a TV or has not become a subscriber yet. There could have been nobody better than Bachchan to bring this vision to life,” said Tata Sky chief communications officer Malay Dikshit.

Each puppet was worked upon extensively by a specialized team from the Czech Republic to make him or her look like Bachchan.

“There is no other entertainer like Bachchan. And when there are seven of them in never-seen-before roles, telling you a very entertaining story, then it is very tough to miss the point that nothing entertains better than Tata Sky,” added Nayak.

“People want good entertainment in their house. TV forms the most important source of entertainment for the entire family. But, they have got used to the stale and inferior entertainment on offer just because it is cheap or free. The idea is to show what a wide world of entertainment and good quality service awaits them if they subscribe to Tata Sky. O&M presented us with a heart-warming story of a family of seven puppets, each in love with their TV shows,” added Dikshit.

The campaign will also be dubbed in five languages — Marathi, Bengali, Kannada, Telugu and Tamil — by 4 October. It will be
extensively promoted on FTA channels followed by pay-TV channels. The TV campaign will be supported by an integrated marketing campaign including sketches on bus-backs, wall paintings, vernacular print, OOH and cinema halls

September 24, 2016
Big B jingalalas on Tata Sky

MUMBAI: After a successful run of 10 years in India, Tata Sky has rolled out its latest Family Jingalala campaign with its brand ambassador Amitabh Bachchan. Rolling out on 24 September, the campaign features Big B in seven unique avatars. Conceptualized by Ogilvy and Mather and directed by Shoojit Sircar, the campaign intends to highlight Tata Sky’s two key elements — quality content and entertainment for all.

The DTH player has also unveiled its new brand logo as it has tries to reach out to more subscribers outside metros.

Produced by Rising Sun with Sukesh Kumar Nayak as the executive creative director, the campaign is the story of a regular family where each member has vastly different entertainment and content needs. Bachchan explains how these can be met through Tata Sky, highlighting the expansive breadth of the brand’s offerings and its significance in a family’s everyday life.

The campaign sees Bachchan playing the role of a showman in an unconventional bohemian look, (himself) singing the story of a regular family. He reveals how all their needs can be met by subscribing to Tata Sky.

With 85 per cent viewing from outside big towns and 90 per cent consuming general entertainment, the DTH player plans to attract both, urban and rural, markets with this campaign. “We will continue to take our business a notch higher and will continue to focus on the rural markets. Now is the right time for us. With the campaign, we are targeting cable, FTA as well as first time TV users.

“Amitabh Bachchan is our common thread. He has a mass appeal from anyone in the metro to a home which does not have a TV or has not become a subscriber yet. There could have been nobody better than Bachchan to bring this vision to life,” said Tata Sky chief communications officer Malay Dikshit.

Each puppet was worked upon extensively by a specialized team from the Czech Republic to make him or her look like Bachchan.

“There is no other entertainer like Bachchan. And when there are seven of them in never-seen-before roles, telling you a very entertaining story, then it is very tough to miss the point that nothing entertains better than Tata Sky,” added Nayak.

“People want good entertainment in their house. TV forms the most important source of entertainment for the entire family. But, they have got used to the stale and inferior entertainment on offer just because it is cheap or free. The idea is to show what a wide world of entertainment and good quality service awaits them if they subscribe to Tata Sky. O&M presented us with a heart-warming story of a family of seven puppets, each in love with their TV shows,” added Dikshit.

The campaign will also be dubbed in five languages — Marathi, Bengali, Kannada, Telugu and Tamil — by 4 October. It will be
extensively promoted on FTA channels followed by pay-TV channels. The TV campaign will be supported by an integrated marketing campaign including sketches on bus-backs, wall paintings, vernacular print, OOH and cinema halls

September 24, 2016
Sony Max2 initiates Double Trouble film festival

MUMBAI: The Double role formula has wooed the Indian audience ever since and has been a major success in Bollywood. This September Sony Max2 attempts to ride high on this formula by doubling up the entertainment quotient for its viewers with Double Trouble film festival starting from 19 September until 23 at 8 pm.

Max 2’s film festival, will bring some of the most iconic movies of the yesteryears that guarantee to offer double the action, comedy and drama. The movie festival will be showcasing films of some of Bollywood’s favorite superstars like Amitabh Bachchan, Rajesh Khanna, Dilip Kumar, etc.

September 19, 2016