Mumbai: APL Apollo structural steel tubes and pipes company, has announced the appointment of the extraordinaire Amitabh “Big B” Bachchan as its brand ambassador. Building on its 30-year legacy and the Make in India mantra, APL Apollo aims to further strengthen and expand its brand identity across the country with this signing.
Amitabh Bachchan’s legendary career and countless achievements, which have established him as a symbol of longevity and trustworthiness, make this association a perfect one. Leveraging the giant superstar’s fan base and global appeal, APL Apollo aims to further boost its current market dominance, besides expanding its brand recognition across the nation. The two-year partnership will see the celebrated Bollywood veteran endorse the brand across all media channels including print, electronic media and outdoor, as well as in-store promotional material.
Reflecting on the announcement, APL Apollo Tubes Ltd chairman & managing director Sanjay Gupta said, “We are incredibly proud to welcome Bachchan as he embodies all the qualities that APL Apollo stands for–excellence, versatility, and timeless quality. We are consistently channelling our efforts to deliver world-class quality, much like Big B and we are confident that this partnership will serve to reinforce our strong presence in the Indian market.”
“Amitabh Bachchan’s iconic face is a forever appeal that strikes a chord with millions of hearts, not just in India, but worldwide. His enduring appeal will go a long way in elevating our brand image everywhere. This strategic move by APL Apollo will pave the way for not just elevated brand recognition but also an enhanced brand experience. By bringing diverse audiences through this ploy, the brand will witness wider connections,” said APL Apollo Tubes Ltd chief brand officer Charu Malhotra.
APL Apollo Tubes Ltd (APL Apollo) BSE: 533758, NSE: APLAPOLLO is India’s leading structural steel tube manufacturer. Founded in 1986 and headquartered in Delhi-NCR, the company operates 11 manufacturing facilities with a total capacity of 3.6 million tons. It has a pan-India presence with units strategically located in Sikandarabad (UP), Hyderabad, Bangalore, Hosur (Tamil Nadu), Raipur (Chhattisgarh), Dujana (UP), Malur (Karnataka) and Murbad (Maharashtra). APL Apollo’s multi-product offerings include over 2,000 varieties for multiple building material structural steel applications such as pre-galvanized tubes, structural steel tubes, galvanized tubes, MS black pipes and hollow sections. With state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities, APL Apollo serves as a ‘one-stop-shop’ for a wide spectrum of products, catering to the domestic market as well as 20 countries worldwide and an array of industry applications such as urban infrastructure and real estate, rural housing, commercial construction, greenhouse structures and engineering applications. The company’s vast three-tier distribution network of over 800 distributors is spread across the country, with a presence in over 300 towns and cities.
Mumbai: The 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou comes close to a thrilling finish after 14 days of exciting performances by the Indian contingent. The aspiration which started with one of the grandest campaigns in the history of Asian Games in India, Sony Sports Network’s campaign – ‘Iss Baar Sau Paar, Phir se, Hum Hongey Kamyab’ has truly become a reality with ‘Iss Baar Sau Paar, Ho Gaya’ after India breached the 100 medals mark for the first time in the history of the games.
‘Iss Baar Sau Paar, Phir se, Hum Hongey Kamyab’ was launched by Sony Sports Network with the clear objective of bringing the nation together and recognising the power of collective ambition, urging the heroes of Indian sports to cross the 100-medal mark, a milestone which has never been achieved by India at the Asian Games. At the beginning of the Asian Games, what seemed to be a rather aspirational target of crossing the 100-medal mark has finally turned into a reality owing to the Indian contingent’s unwavering determination to excel at the prestigious multi-sport event. Sony Sports Network’s war-cry ‘Iss Baar Sau Paar, Phir se, Hum Hongey Kamyab’ aimed to galvanise the whole nation for a singular purpose – a united India, cheering in unison, and inspiring its athletes to unprecedented heights to enable them to transcend past records and push boundaries. And the Indian contingent has gone on to hmake history with their outstanding performance across various disciplines and crossed the dream number at the 19th Asian Games.
Sony Pictures Networks India chief revenue officer – distribution & international business and head – sports business Rajesh Kaul:
“With ‘Iss Baar, Sau Par’, our aim was singular: to inspire our athletes at the year’s biggest sporting event, the Asian Games. The campaign’s resonance, both nationally and internationally, is a testament to their prowess. Filled with pride, we watched our athletes surpass expectations, shattering records and crossing a historic centenary medal haul. This landmark achievement not only underscores their dedication and capabilities but also positions our nation on the path to becoming a sporting powerhouse.”
This visionary campaign ‘Iss Baar Sau Paar, Phir se, Hum Hongey Kamyab’ brought together influential personalities from various genres of life who echoed the broadcaster’s mission and shared their messages for the participating athletes to reach higher echelons in this edition of the quadrennial extravaganza. In addition, it was the first time in the history of any campaign that alongside Union Minister of Sports, Anurag Thakur, Chief of Defence Staff, Lt Gen Anil Chauhan along with chiefs of tri-services Gen Manoj Pandey, Admiral Radhakrishnan Hari Kumar and Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari were seen putting their might behind the Indian athletes vying for glory at the multi-sport event.
Apart from them, some of the prominent influencers of the country who lent their support included the likes of Amitabh Bachchan, Sudha Murty, Aamir Khan, Hema Malini, Madhuri Dixit, Aditya Roy Kapoor, John Abraham, Abhishek Bachchan, Kapil Sharma Mirabai Chanu, Zaheer Khan, Anju Bobby George, Raja Randhir Singh and many more.
Mumbai: 3BF, one of the leading mainline advertising agencies has launched a dozen films featuring none other than the legendary Amitabh Bachchan for India’s favourite snacking partner Bikaji Foods International Ltd.
In the third series its most loved and successful campaign ‘Amit ji loves Bikaji’, 3BF focuses on making Bikaji the most preferred snacking choice for today’s generation.
With this recent development, Bikaji Foods International Ltd MD Deepak Agarwal stated, “We have a long-standing relationship with 3BF, which has been our go-to agency from day one for Bikaji. Amit ji loves Bikaji has remained a very well-known tagline amongst the audiences. We are sure they will successfully promote our new product range that transcends not just food categories but also international boundaries. The ad films deal with a wide range of diverse products such as special bhujias, sweets, namkeens and frozen foods that can be served garma garam to our audiences. And just like every time, 3BF has delivered the ad films garma garam, leveraging Amit ji’s inimitable style and acting skills.”
3 Brothers & Fils managing partner Sagar Parikh says, “Amit ji has been the most perfect choice for Bikaji ever since the launch of the campaign with Amit ji loves Bikaji being our most cherished campaign. We are honoured to launch the third leg of our ‘Amit ji loves Bikaji’ series and are certain that it will garner loads of love for Bikaji, yet again. It’s always a matter of pride and pleasure to work for our favourite brand with our favourite superstar. Our sole aim was to present every product offering and range in an entertaining manner. I am sure the viewers will love all of them. And this third series will only add to the already built public affinity and equity for Bikaji at a global level.”
Continuing the tradition of Amit ji loves Bikaji, the series of TVCs showcases Amit ji eating and enjoying Bikaji snacks regardless of where he is or who he is with. On seeing Bikaji snacks, sweets and savouries, he gets excited just like a kid refusing to share his snack and sweets with anyone else.
Mumbai: Ahead of the 19th Asian Games Hangzhou 2022, official broadcasters, Sony Sports Network, launched the grandest campaign in the history of the Asian Games in India. In order to ensure that the message ‘Iss Baar Sau Paar, Phir se, Hum Hongey Kamyab’ resonates across every corner of India, Sony Sports Network has garnered support from an impressive line-up of influential and iconic figures such as the Union Minister of Sports, Anurag Thakur, Chief of Defence Staff, Lt General Anil Chauhan along with Chiefs of Tri-Services General Manoj Pande, Admiral Radhakrishnan Hari Kumar and Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari who have put their might behind the Indian athletes vying for top honours at the prestigious multi-sporting event.
Recognising the power of collective ambition, the campaign shines a spotlight on the unsung heroes of Indian sports – those who have relentlessly dedicated themselves to their respective disciplines and are on the precipice of donning the national colours at this esteemed multi-sport event.
This vast consortium unites with a singular purpose: to challenge Indian athletes to transcend past records, push boundaries, and ignite a nationwide fervour for sports. The strategy stands clear: a united India, cheering in unison, can inspire its athletes to unprecedented heights.
Indiantelevision.com in a telephonic conversation with Sony Sports Network, SPN, head, marketing & on-air promotions, Neville Bastawalla, on the thought behind the campaign, the strategy to rope in our armed forces to motivate our athletes and much more……
Edited excerpts
On the Asian Games campaign by Sony Sports Network
I worked on a large multi-sporting campaign for the first time during the 2020 Olympics. Our mission was to galvanise the nation. The questions we asked ourselves were: Who are the heroes of the nation and how do you galvanise the nation? The heroes of the nation go beyond Bollywood stars. Starting with the late General Bipin Rawat who was then the Chief of Defence Staff at that time, Sudha Murty, Parth, and Sajjan Jindal of JSW who do a lot for sports in India and so many more who came on board for the campaign. That’s how we built a massive campaign for the Tokyo Olympics, and that expanded our all-data points. Whether it was revenue, ratings, viewership or digital interaction, we went to the next level. Our campaign for the Olympic Games taught us, that we should not give up “hum honge kamyab” however we would make it relevant to the Asian Games.
India has won 69 medals in 2018, the maximum tally so far in a single edition of this marquee event. We decided that we would give out a war cry “This time we will cross 100 medals’ and galvanise the athletes as well as the nation. When the Indian contingent returned from Tokyo, we met a few of them. And they told us that our campaign and the whole nation really made them feel very supported. Our Honourable Sports Minister, Shri Anurag Thakur along with a couple of parliamentarians with him went outside the parliament during the Olympics, and he gave out the war cry of “hum honge kamyab” with the victory punch. The campaign actually resonated, and the athletes said this was the first time ever they felt the nation was backing them.
Cricket has always been an appointment viewing while multi sports events were never appointment viewing. Now that is no longer the case; people are actually tuning in to watch multi-sporting events like the Olympics and Asian Games. This makes it destination viewing and this is very important for multi-sporting events, which we are doing this time for the Asian Games. Our line is “Iss baar, sau paar, hum phir se honge kamyab” .
We went to the Srinagar forward base and filmed Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari, taking a sortie in one of our latest aircrafts. We filmed General Pande, Chief of Army Staff in Delhi, General Anil Chauhan in the South Block and Admiral R Hari Kumar, Chief of Naval Staff on INS Vishakapatnam. The Navy in fact got us access to shoot with a submarine commander. I personally went inside the submarine and was in the helicopter base. The helicopters were dancing in front of us for the camera crew. That kind of show of support from our armed forces for our athletes is unheard of. Then Aamir Khan came on board as a big supporter of the athletes, especially the women athletes. We now have Amitabh Bachchan, Sudha Murthy, John Abraham, Abhishek Bachchan, Kapil Sharma, Sunny Deol, Madhuri Dikshit, Hema Malini and so many more all on board to support our athletes.
On how the campaign was handled
This is serious perseverance by my team. We also reached out to the Chief Commander of the Indian Armed Forces, The President of India. We reached out to our Honourable President and even got an approval from her office that she is on board. However due to the paucity of time, they could not manage to schedule a shoot with her. Each marketeer should have a mission and the belief to do new things or to do things differently or just do something big, If there is that fire in your chest or in your heart, big things will happen.
With regard to Chief of Defence Staff, Lt General Anil Chauhan along with Chiefs of Tri-Services General Manoj Pande, Admiral Radhakrishnan Hari Kumar and Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari: It took us two or three months to contact them and schedule meetings in Delhi followed by multiple conference calls with multiple officers from each of the Armed Forces, explaining to them the concept & storyboard and how we would execute it. Each of the divisions is extremely professional and the knowledge they have of filmmaking is outstanding.
On what makes Sony Sports Network different
We do some outstanding storytelling and we want to do things differently. Tent poles are tent poles but how you market them is in the hands of the team. “We exist to boldly challenge the status quo” – that has been Sony Pictures Network’s philosophy. This is what makes Sony Sports Network different.
Our ideas require a lot of belief, and it’s not easy. Otherwise, most networks will engage a brand ambassador, pay him or her, and film the campaign. However it doesn’t work like that for our Asian Games campaign: this is a campaign that money can’t buy. Also, we cannot pay the Armed Forces for the campaign.
On the marketing plan for the campaign
The digital numbers are astounding in terms of reach, engagement, and the kind of patriotism we have. Our campaign that has been plastered across our network channels and social media platforms, features the armed forces, Indian film industry icons as well as our CEO, Mr NP Singh and more, has evoked a strong emotional response. Even the sports journalists of India joined our mission. And for the first time in the history of the Asian Games, the Indian cricket teams, both men and women
Once you have such a huge digital presence, all the Armed Forces are putting these creatives on their platforms, and it’s automatically multiplied, and a multiplier effect happens when you have these nations’ influencers on board.
On building a national consensus
I am so excited because this is a campaign that every CMO would dream about, and there are no budgets involved. This is an idea-driven campaign. It’s very easy for someone to go and get a celebrity, pay for that contract, and do it. This is money that can’t buy experience, which is moving the nation. In the Navy Chief’s film, he mentions that the athletes have the prayers of 140 crore Indians. My entire team had tears in their eyes, especially when we were on INS Shikra and the helicopter base in Mumbai.We all thought – We are from a sports network so what are we doing here? We all are very humbled by the support that we received from the Armed Forces, the sports journalists of India, Indian Film Icons, sports heroes and the many more for their support for the Indian Contingent.
Mumbai: PhonePe has just redefined real-time voice payment alerts, with the launch of a first-of-its-kind celebrity voice feature on its SmartSpeakers in collaboration with Indian actor, Amitabh Bachchan. Instead of the automated payment confirmation message while shopping, shoppers and merchants will now hear the treasured voice of Bachchan. Part of PhonePe’s Golden Voice Project, this is an innovation that is set to delight every Indian.
Bringing this idea to life is 82.5 Communications, an advertising agency that is known for its ‘Ingenious Indian Ideas’. The 82.5 team recognized the transformative power of Bachchan’s voice and set out with one goal in mind – to ensure that the iconic intonation, baritone and style of Bachchan reaches every Indian through the SmartSpeaker. To do so, the team delved deep into the charming personality and various nuances of Bachchan. And then worked extensively with the man himself, collaborating with him to deliver the unique messages in his unmistakable style
Commenting on the 82.5 x PhonePe collaboration for the Golden Voice project, PhonePe brand marketing & director Ramesh Srinivasan said, “The intent was to change the way merchants get their payment alerts, reminders and other notifications. We are glad to have 82.5 Communications partner with us on this. They were able to lend their ingenious touch to the existing prompts and turn it into something magical, in a manner that every merchant and customer shall now feel and hear Mr. Bachchan’s presence in every part of the country.”
82.5 Communications COO Mayur Varma said, “PhonePe SmartSpeakers speaking in electronic voices were going to get a massive voice upgrade. Big B was bringing in his baritone, and we got the opportunity to set the tone of voice that was uniquely PhonePe. Henceforth, there will be a clear distinction between PhonePe SmartSpeakers and the ‘rest of them’.”
82.5 Communications – South executive VP & branch head Naveen Sharma said, “This is a cracker of a collaboration. What a lovely way to be present in every nook and corner of the country and interact with the consumer day in and day out, that too through the most celebrated voice in the country. We at 82.5 Communications are thrilled to have partnered with PhonePe in creating this.”
82.5 Communications – South executive creative directors Sangeetha Sampath and Ravikumar Cherussola elaborated on the process, “We wanted every merchant and customer to truly feel Mr. Bachchan’s unique intonation and baritone. Just like every Indian, we are huge Big B fans too. And that is what set the goal for us to bring alive the iconic style of Mr. Bachchan to every Indian through the PhonePe SmartSpeaker.”
Mumbai: Ahead of the 19 Asian Games Hangzhou 2022, official broadcasters, Sony Sports Network, have launched the grandest campaign in the history of the Asian Games in India. In order to ensure that the message ‘Iss Baar Sau Paar, Phir se, Hum Hongey Kamyab’ resonates across every corner of India, Sony Sports Network has garnered support from an impressive line-up of influential and iconic figures such as the union minister of sports, Anurag Thakur, chief of defence staff, Lt Gen Anil Chauhan along with chiefs of tri-services Gen Manoj Pandey, Admiral Radhakrishnan Hari Kumar and air chief marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari who have put their might behind the Indian athletes vying for top honours at the prestigious multi-sporting event.
Recognising the power of collective ambition, the campaign shines a spotlight on the unsung heroes of Indian sports – those who have relentlessly dedicated themselves to their respective disciplines and are on the precipice of donning the national colours at this esteemed multi-sport event. Among the prominent influencers of the country who have joined the broadcaster’s mission and shared their messages for the participating athletes to reach higher echelons in this edition of the quadrennial extravaganza are Amitabh Bachchan, Sudha Murty, Aamir Khan, Hema Malini, Madhuri Dixit, Aditya Roy Kapoor, John Abraham, Abhishek Bachchan, Kapil Sharma Mirabai Chanu, Zaheer Khan, Anju Bobby George, Raja Randhir Singh and many more. Also joining the broadcaster, was an all-star lineup of Indian sports journalists who have been covering the journeys of our sporting heroes from Dainik Jagran, Dainik Bhaskar, Rajasthan Patrika, The Telegraph, Deccan Chronicle, Dinakaran, Lokmat, Eenadu, Gujarat Samachar, Sandesh, Asomya Pratidin, Sportskeeda along with RJs from Radio City and Radio One and representatives from leading news channels Aaj Tak and NDTV 24X7.
This vast consortium unites with a singular purpose: to challenge Indian athletes to transcend past records, push boundaries, and ignite a nationwide fervour for sports. The strategy stands clear: a united India, cheering in unison, can inspire its athletes to unprecedented heights.
The hon’ble Anurag Singh Thakur shares a special message for our athletes | Asian Games –
A special message from Gen. Anil Chauhan, chief of defence staff, Indian Armed Forces | Asian Games –
Indian Army chief’s passionate call: Rally behind our athletes at Asian Games 2023 –
Best wishes from the IAF chief marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari | 19 Asian Games | Sony Sports Network –
India’s biggest stars unite for team India at the 19 Asian Games –
Amitabh Bachchan shares a special message for Indian Athletes | Asian Games | Sony Sports Network –
Aamir Khan joins the #GrandestAsianGamesCampaign | Sony Sports Network –
Mirabai Chanu Hai Zidd Par Sawar | 19 Asian Games Hangzhou 2022 | Sony Sports Network –
Journalists across India come together to wish Indian Athletes | 19 Asian Games –
Sony Sports Network’s ‘Iss Baar Sau Paar, Phir se, Hum Hongey Kamyab’ campaign is the grandest campaign ever made in the history of the Asian Games in India. The campaign has attracted a host of sponsors such as Hyundai, JSW, Limca Sportz, Paisabazaar, LIC of India, Ultratech Cement, State Bank of India, and Panasonic amongst others and more brands are expected to be announced by the time the Asian Games begin on 23 September 2023.
Comments:
Sony Pictures Networks India chief revenue officer – distribution & international business and head – sports business Rajesh Kaul:
“The Asian Games is one of the grandest stages in the sporting world of Asia and the Indian contingent is training hard to add to our medal count. It’s a moment of national pride as we have stalwarts from every walk of life joining us for the campaign to rally behind our Indian athletes making this the grandest campaign ever for the Asian Games. Adding to that, we have also received great support from our sponsors who will surely benefit from the strategic partnership with Sony Sports Network for the Asian Games.”
Sony Pictures Networks India head Ad sales, network channels, Sandeep Mehrotra:
“Over the years, multi-sporting events have attracted significant viewer interest and we have done well to tap into the immense potential of non-cricket sports in India. Brands want to associate with content that is not only culturally relevant but also inspirational and evokes national pride. The 19 Asian Games on Sony Sports Network will provide advertisers with the ideal platform to communicate their message to a wide demographic of receptive viewers from across the country through innovative advertising solutions. We are thrilled to witness a tremendous response for the upcoming 19th Asian Games with advertiser interest from across categories like Automobiles, BFSI, Beverage, consumer durables and others.”
Hyundai Motor India Ltd AVP & head of marketingVirat Khullar:
“Hyundai’s partnership with Sony Sports Network for the Asian Games signifies a strategic commitment that extends beyond the world of sports in India. Sport serves as a formidable catalyst, fostering performance, personal growth, teamwork, and discipline among our youth. By investing in events like the Asian Games, Hyundai not only promotes youth participation but also ignites their aspirations, encouraging them to dream big and realize their full potential. This initiative is one of many in Hyundai’s sports portfolio, aligned with our overarching mission of enriching vibrant and healthy communities.
Our strategic alliance with sports nurtures talent and resonates with Hyundai’s global vision of ‘Progress for Humanity.’ In this endeavour, Hyundai goes beyond manufacturing cars; we actively contribute to the construction and promotion of a brighter future for youth through the transformative power of sports.”
We are delighted to associate with Sony Sports Network for the 19th Asian Games, the biggest stage for sports in the continent. At Paisabazaar, we have always believed in leveraging the power of sports to take our brand to each and every household across towns and cities in India. Our association with the Asian Games is also in line with our commitment towards promoting sports and encouraging athletes across the country. This year’s Asian Games promises to be bigger and better with a record participation by the Indian contingent. We are firm believers in a long-term partnership with our media partners and with Sony Sports Network, Once again, we aim to leverage the power of the broadcaster’s customised solutions for this marquee event. Paisabazaar wishes the entire Indian contingent all the best for the Games.”
The 19 Asian Games will also see a first-ever appearance for the Indian cricket teams at the Asian Games with Ruturaj Gaikwad and Smriti Mandhana headlining the teams. Olympic Gold medallist Neeraj Chopra will be one of India’s top medal hopefuls in the Javelin throw followed by PV Sindhu, HS Prannoy, and the doubles duo of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty who have been in excellent form in recent months and are strong contenders for medals in badminton. In addition to these athletes, the runners, archers, Indian rugby, hockey and football teams, swimmers, bridge, and chess teams, amongst others, will also be competing to add to the medal tally. All these athletes will be giving their best to help India achieve its goal of the 100 medal tally for the 19 edition of the quadrennial event.
Sony Sports Network has launched the grandest campaign ever for the 19th Asian Games which features eminent personalities such as Union Minister of Sports, Shri Anurag Thakur, Chiefs of the tri-services and Defence Staff from the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force along with Bollywood Icons Amitabh Bachchan, Aamir Khan, Hema Malini, Madhuri Dixit, John Abraham along with Sports Icons Mirabai Chanu, Zaheer Khan, Anju Bobby George, Raja Randhir Singh and so many more. Sony Sports Network also announces the great advertiser interest and the brands onboarded for the prestigious multi-sporting event that starts next week.
Watch the 19 Asian Games Hangzhou 2022 – LIVE on Sony Sports Ten 2 & Sony Sports Ten 2 HD, Sony Sports Ten 5 & Sony Sports Ten 5 HD channels from 5:30 pm IST, 23rd September, 2023.
Mumbai: The pen is mightier than the sword. journalist Chitra Subramaniam whose investigation into the $1.3 billion Bofors arms deal brought down the Congress government in 1989, lives by this credo. A new show by News9 Plus, ‘Exposé’, features Subramaniam at her candid best as she recounts what went on behind the scenes of her decade-long probe into the scandal and reveals exclusive details.
One of the most high-profile investigative journalists in the country, she exposed how the Rajiv Gandhi-led government allegedly received kickbacks for the supply of Swedish Howitzers to the Indian Army. It all began when 29-year-old Subramaniam came across a news item on Swedish radio about the armaments company Bofors bribing top Indian officials. The scandal broke in 1987 based on the testimony of a former Bofors employee who turned whistleblower.
“An accountant in Bofors saw these payments in secret Swiss bank accounts where it said, ‘Do not tell the name of the recipient’. And the accountant said if the money is paid legally, why do we have to hide the name of the recipient?” recalled Subramaniam.
‘Exposé’ is yet another example of News9 Plus’ dedication to serving clutter-cutting content, rich in perspective and in-depth analysis. Produced by News9 Plus’ team of seasoned journalists, the show follows Subramaniam’s investigation process.
She narrated how, through meticulous research and a lot of hard work winning the trust of her sources, she got her hands on documents that formed the foundation of the exposé: payment instructions to banks, secret contracts, minutes of meetings, and the diary of Bofors chief Martin Ardbo.
As she followed the money trail and dug deeper to discover a web of corruption, with the then-PM Rajiv Gandhi at the centre, all hell broke loose in India. “Is it possible for a prime minister of a country to tell so many lies?” asks Subramaniam in the News9 Plus story.
Subramaniam, now 65, also spoke to News9 Plus about the role of the Hindujas and alleged middleman Ottavio Quattrocchi in the scandal. Quattrocchi was believed to be close to the Gandhi family and acted as an agent for the deal. “The day I wrote the piece in the Indian Express, Ottavio Quattrocchi fled India that night. How do you flee when the police, CBI, and everybody else is trying to catch you?”
Despite receiving death threats against herself and her children, she continued to work on the Bofors deal scam for about a decade, piecing together the information to present the whole truth to the public. Slashed car tyres and smashed windows could not deter her.
It was her love for the country and love for her work that kept her going. “I could not stop even after Rajiv Gandhi’s government fell. He had destroyed every institution, the judiciary, the parliament, the executive, even the Army,” she told News9 Plus.
She further revealed that somebody in the Central Bureau of Investigation wanted to frame Amitabh Bachchan in the Bofors case. “You cannot imagine the pressure on me by the VP Singh government to blame Amitabh Bachchan because my word was sacrosanct.”
Subramaniam pointed out that there are still loose ends. “There are documents lying with the CBI. These boxes haven’t been opened yet. Mr Modi, open the boxes, please.”
‘Exposé’ is a must-watch for anyone interested in the groundbreaking investigation that became a classic example of good old hard-hitting journalism. News9 Plus’ best-in-class storytelling and superior production values take you beyond the history-making headlines by Subramaniam. Watch ‘Exposé’, now streaming on News9 Plus.
Mumbai: Rekindle your friendships once again as &pictures presents the premiere of ‘Uunchai’, an inspiring story of three friends and their thrilling yet meaningful journey. Starring legends of Bollywood like Amitabh Bachchan, Anupam Kher, Boman Irani, Neena Gupta, Sarika Thakur, and the talented Parineeti Chopra, this movie enjoys a spectacular cast. Stemming from the legendary tree of Rajshri Productions and directed by Sooraj Barjatya, this film celebrates its 75th year of family-friendly content, reuniting you by stitching your family together for this heart-warming story. While showcasing top-tier friendship and deep bonds, this story revolves around the trio and their thrilling experience of going on an adventure trek to Mount Everest despite their aging bodies, breaking all odds, and showcasing top-notch friendship. With its perfect blend of emotions, entertainment, and determination, this film fighting all odds is the right fit for your Sunday brunch on 27 August at 11.30 a.m. only on &pictures.
Perfecting the wholesome experience, this adventure drama follows a track called Keti Ko by Amit Trivedi that brings back Bollywood’s true essence of friendship and love which turned out to be a fan favourite with over 30 million views. The track has truly elevated the narrative of the trio trekking to the top of Mount Everest. Join us on &pictures to know if our trio will reach the top as this adventurous trek turns into a life-changing journey teaching us the true meaning of friendship.
While addressing the & Pictures premiere, Barjatya said “Uunchai will forever remain my most prized possessions. With this film, I reintroduced myself and the cinema I love, to the audiences once again and I must say it felt great to be back. Celebrating love, friendship, and family is what we do here at Rajshri, and being able to tribute this film to the 75th year of Rajshri’s history of films, brings me a lot of joy. Adding to the excitement, is the & Pictures 10th birthday as well, I deeply wish them all the best for their success.”
Mumbai: Balaji Telefilms announced its financial results for the second quarter and six months ended 30 September 2022. Balaji’s consolidated six-month revenue was Rs 283 crore versus Rs 142 crore in the same period in the previous fiscal. The group’s Ebitda loss was Rs 35 crore versus Rs 69 crore in the first half of the previous fiscal.
During the three months of this quarter, it had a pipeline of eight shows on air across four leading broadcasters. In Q2 FY23, the TV business produced 275 hours of content, up from 189 hours in Q2 FY22. Two new shows across varied genres have been lined up and are currently under production. The business contributed to extremely healthy margins during H1 FY23 and will continue to be volume-led. The current quarter’s realisation of Rs 30.37 lakh per hour is nine per cent higher than the previous quarter’s. Balaji said that its shows have often been regarded as channel drivers for broadcasters as they have been consistently well received by audiences.
AltBalaji’s direct subscription revenue stood at five crore rupees in Q2 FY23, and the business is expected to retain the momentum as per current run rates for the balance of the year considering a strong content library in place with 93 shows and 18 movies, which include multiple seasons of shows. Apharan 2 and Code M S2 were launched in Q1 and Q2 respectively and both shows have been well received. The company sold 6.1 lakh subscriptions (including 3.2 lakh renewals) during the six months ending 30 September 2022. This excludes subscribers on partner apps where the content continues to do well. The current engagement time is 53+ minutes, with a watch time of 16.4 billion minutes. Video views stand at 1.4 billion cumulatively to date.
It had two theatrical releases in Q2 FY23. It said that its first release for the year, Ek Villain Returns starring John Abraham and Arjun Kapoor released on 29 July to positive reviews and garnered a strong box office collection. Its subsequent theatrical release, Dobaaraa starring Taapsee Pannu in August, received widespread critical acclaim on account of its niche concept. It also released Goodbye, starring Amitabh Bachchan and Rashmika Mandanna, in October to positive reviews. It has three more movies lined up for release in FY23, wherein we have pre-locked revenue deals, thereby de-risking the movie business segment significantly. The pipeline includes Freddy, starring the nation’s current heartthrob Kartik Aryan, which has already been blocked for a direct-to-digital release starting 2 December on Disney+ Hotstar and also includes Kathal, starring Sanya Malhotra, which is also headed for a direct to digital release on Netflix.
Balaji Telefilms MD Shobha Kapoor said, “Our TV business continues to perform well in terms of production hours, and we hope to improve this momentum as two new shows are added to our robust pipeline of eight shows that we currently have on air across channels and genres that will enable us to achieve volume growth. As always, we are confident that our content will strike a chord with audiences, as our storytelling is backed by strong creative capabilities, which drive our business growth and allow our brand to flourish in this domain. We are also extremely elated that, after a gap of almost two and a half years, we had our first theatrical release in July this year. Ek Villain Returns, headlined by a strong star cast, received positive audience reviews, which were also reflected in its box office collection.
“Our subsequent theatrical release, Dobaaraa starring Taapsee Pannu garnered a great critical response and was trending at the number one spot on Netflix upon its release on OTT subsequently. It continued to dominate the OTT space by consistently featuring in the top ten category for multiple weeks, which demonstrates our strong content capabilities yet again. Additionally, we have a robust pipeline of three more movies to be released this year and are confident that these will exceed expectations and take our brand a notch higher. We continue to have strong controls on the cash spent while driving overall profitability, including some strong strategic content sharing deals that allow us to further our growth.”
Operational And Financial Highlights:
The TV business remained steady in the third quarter, with 275 hours of production across eight shows and a strong pipeline of two more shows currently in production. The business will continue to be volume-led; ALTBalaji’s total subscriptions sold in H1 FY23 were 6.1 lakh. In Q2 FY23, direct subscription revenues were five crore rupees.
After a gap of more than two and a half years, it had its first theatrical release of the year in July. Ek Villain Returns was released. Dobaaraa, starring Taapsee Pannu and Goodbye starring Amitabh Bachchan and Rashmika Mandanna, were released on 19 August and 7 October respectively, and received widespread critical acclaim by audiences. Dobaaraa trended at the No. 1 spot, subsequently on Netflix, upon its release on OTT.
The current pipeline includes three more projects. This includes Freddy starring Kartik Aryan, which has already been blocked for a direct-to-digital release starting 2 December on Disney+ Hotstar as well as Kathal starring Sanya Malhotra which is also headed for a direct to digital release on Netflix.
Mumbai: Sony Entertainment Television’s long-running show Kaun Banega Crorepati Season 14 has introduced the campaign “Yeh Manch Hi Aisa Hai.” This campaign is advocating how the esteemed platform has been a medium for contestants to put across their stories and proving how this manch is of the people, for the people, and by the people.
The campaign highlights how Kaun Banega Crorepati has always served as an inspiration for those who wish to pursue their dreams and aspirations in the same way that the contestants on the show do, giving hope to those who aspire to pursue success in life. The show’s legendary host, Amitabh Bachchan, serves as the face of the campaign.
KBC distinguishes itself from other reality television shows by promoting knowledge and demonstrating the power of knowledge to viewers. The “Ye Manch Hi Aisa Hai” campaign promotes the contestants as true representations of India’s vibrant, talented, and knowledgeable culture.
KBC 14 has received a lot of attention since it premiered on 7 August , with hot seat contestants like Ayush Garg from Delhi, the first ‘Dhan Amrit’ winner; Rupin Sharma, the heroic DGP of Nagaland; Rishi Rajpoot, the welder from Kanpur; Army Personnel Girish Tandon; and, of course, the first Crorepati of the season, Kavita Chalwa, the sweet homemaker from Kolhapur, Maharashtra; Every Friday, a special segment called “Play Along Shukravaar” has been added to bring more people to the hot seat than the usual contestants, which has only added to the charm of the show, truly being for the people, the loyal viewers of the show. As the season progresses, the show promises to become more in tune with its audience, connecting with them.
