ITV

Tag: Arvind Kejriwal

  • Subhash Chandra files defamation case against Delhi CM

    Subhash Chandra files defamation case against Delhi CM

    NEW DELHI: Subhash Chandra, Chairman of Essel Group and Zee, has filed a criminal defamation case in a Delhi court last week against Delhi’s Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.

    The plea, filed in Patiala House Court, said that while addressing a press conference on 11 November, 2016 — four days after PM Modi announced demonetisation of Rs 500 and 1000 notes to arrest the rising menace of black money — Kejriwal made “false, fabricated and defamatory allegations” against Chandra alluding that he had amassed black money.

    According to the complaint, the Delhi Chief Minister had “defamed the complainant (Chandra) by making inherently defamatory statements and caused serious harm to his reputation by imputing behaviour incompatible with proper conduct and suggestions of involvement in illegal activity.”

    Kejriwal had been slapped with a similar complaint in Delhi High Court by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley who had said that allegations were made against him without any basis and which amounted to character assassination.“There are many decisions in life that you don’t want to take initially, but you’re left with no other option except that. Personally, I didn’t find any happiness in doing what I have done; in fact it pained me a lot,” in a Facebook post on Sunday Chandra said, adding, “I have had differences of opinion with him (Kejriwal) on numerous occasions but never have I stooped so low and passed any personal remarks on him.”

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    Sometime back Chandra had created a stir in the media with his support to the government-imposed one-day ban on NDTV India news channel for breaching content code related to national security issues that was subsequently withdrawn. He has also openly favoured the government’s move on demonetisation — criticised by many as an ill-thought and badly implemented move that has hobbled a large swathe of Indians — saying in the long run the initiative would benefit the country.

    Pointing out that he had supported the Delhi CM’s various initiatives, including the odd-even number formula to check vehicular pollution in Delhi area when many had ridiculed the move, Chandra said, “I was one amongst the few and the first to have appreciated his move. Not because of any ulterior motive like his, but for the interest of Delhi-ites. Was I having `black money’ even then?”

    “What if I say that the Delhi CM had indulged in malpractices to win the Delhi election and he had taken bribe from the Congress Party to contest against Prime Minister Modi in Varanasi and he had paid and hired people to assault him in public and so on. I know all of this is false and so I will never question his integrity and make such personal and baseless remarks. Similarly, what gives him the right to do so?” quipped Chandra, a Member of Parliament of Rajya Sabha or Upper House.

    He further went on to ask: “Just because I run a news organization with which he (Kejriwal) is not in good terms or because I, like the whole nation, welcomed the Prime Minister’s demonetization masterstroke or because now I’ve been elected to the Rajya Sabha (public servant), gives him the right to hurl personal abuses?

    “And if he or his social media warriors or other AAP (Aam Aadmi Party) cadres, who have always found some pleasure in abusing me, are reading this then I want to humbly tell them that kindly convey it to the Hon’ble Delhi CM who enjoys your support that I never have and never will take any attack on me lightly. It wasn’t an attack just on me but the 10,000 colleagues of mine and the billion hearts and lives that we have touched. Come what may, any further baseless and allegation and remark will be dealt under the provision of law, of which I am a firm believer, unlike the Honourable Chief Minister.”

    Chandra’s parting advise to Kejriwal in Hindustani that translates into English as: People who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones.

     

  • Arnab NOW wants to challenge BBC and CNN International

    Arnab NOW wants to challenge BBC and CNN International

    MUMBAI: “No news is good news. No journalists is even better”, so said Nicolas Clerihew Bentley, British author and illustrator, best known for his humorous cartoon drawings in books and magazines in the 1930s and 1940s. In India Bentley, probably, would have been proved wrong as Indians — at least a large swathe of the population — just cannot do without news and certainly not without Arnab Goswami.

    You can hate him, you can love him, you can call him names or you can even say he’s God’s gift to Indian TV journalism, but you just cannot ignore him. And, why not? That’s a question that the nation wants to knowdespite debating it on social media everyday. From being the quintessential outsider to be the top of the pops as the most watched television news anchor on Indian television, it has been a roller-coaster of a ride.

    From the point Times NOW was considered a laughing stock soon after it debuted in 2006, to becoming the undisputed leader in the news industry, Arnab’s contributions behind the channel’s success cannot be neglected. Just like a global food brand was born when an experimentation in the kitchen went haywire by accident, it was another such accident — some would say twist of fate — that gave India a TV news anchor who’s loathed as much as he’s revered during his daily news show called Newshour, which actually runs beyond an hour.

    Not only Arnab quit print journalism with the Kolkata-based The Telegraph after just a stint of leas than a year in 1995 to come to India’s capital city, but he also quit Delhi a few years later to migrate to Mumbai, leaving one of India’s famous nursery for news journalism, NDTV, to take up an assignment with the Times of India group’s TV venture. So much so, at one of time, Arnab wanted to quit journalism altogether.

    Yes, you read it right. Arnab wanted to leave journalism. “I wanted to leave journalism 12 years back when I was in Delhi. That is one city that will ruin your courage and leave you with two options — either quit or to be crazy. I chose the latter,” he asserted at the EEMAX Global Conclave & Awards 2016 to gasps from the swooning audience, comprising mostly young people aspiring to be TV journalists.

    But happy accidents do happen.

    Feeling blessed to be capable of reaching out to millions every night, Arnab doesn’t shy away from goof-ups or life’s low points. “I did mess up for the initial six months in Times NOW, “ he admitted frankly, “but, the experiences of taking up people’s stories and making the ordinary person a headline and championing him (or her), fundamentally made me realise that one needs to finally go down to the core.”

    India’s most watched TV news anchor — audience measurement data has proved that time and again — can also afford to be preachy when he asserts for him there’s no shades of grey (forget the 50 shades) but just

    right and wrong. “In everything in life, you have to bring it down to the binary. Don’t tell me about the grey areas. Those people who reside in the grey areas are those who are fooling themselves and won’t stick their necks out. Running down my republic (read country) is wrong and I will stick my neck out (to defend it),” he added, which many critics feel is just being pompous.

    Often accused of ruining neutrality of news or the non-partisan approach that journalists and news anchor should champion as per gospel, for Arnab neutrality in news is baseless. “I have not dumbed down journalism. Each story that I have done runs a personal risk on me. Behind what seems engrossing, is a lot of heart, a lot of feeling, a lot of soul, a lot of idealism and a lot of risk,” he explained, adding, “Oh boy, did we hear some glasses breaking at some homes of people whom Arnab loves to refer as the `Lutyen Delhi’s privileged lot’.”?

    And, true to his on-screen style — where he shouts down panellists who return to his shows despite being shut out at times — Arnab thrashed the English news media in India by accusing it of alienating people. “They used language that is only available in a dictionary, editorial meetings happened in a sacred space where there is no communication with people outside. When analytical programmes are done, there are more people from abroad than from your own country and they speak in a language that nobody understands. That is what English language journalism had done over the years,”he makes his intentions clear, adding with satisfaction, “But the country is seeing a change.”

    There are innumerable anecdotes about Arnab, his style, his posturing on TV and, yes, also his arrogance, but those don’t faze the man who seems to be on a mission.

    Recently, Mukesh Ambani, considered one of the most powerful men in India with diversified interests in many businesses, including media, was asked for his views on noisy TV shows and, predictably, the shows he watched at 9 pm. The Reliance Industries boss said, “I watch Arnab and I like him very much.” So what does Arnab feel about such encomiums about him being an influencer and opinion moulder? “I am happy to know that. There is no responsibility that I have on me. If anyone wants to listen, I don’t bring my ego in the way. I do a story and move on,” he dead-panned.

    There is also an incident that he himself recollected when Delhi’s incumbent chief minister Arvind Kejriwal asked him a reason for not supporting him or his cause to which Ornob (one of the many names by which he’s referred to on social media) had counter-punched that Kejriwal was a marketing genius.

    He has also been questioned about the way he conducted his interview with the Indian prime minister Narendra Modi and how he was very `soft’ and `docile’, unlike the fiery role that he essays on Times NOW. But, Arnab sees no problem with such an approach: “Most people have a problem with that interview. They want me to call the PM as Mr. Narendra Modi, but I am a journalist. When you have eight boxes open on a screen (with panellists), I have to shout to be heard. But, when you are doing a one on one, you don’t have to shout.”

    That is why when Arnab professed his love for a free media and his dream, one naturally has to do a double take. “I dream of an independent media with a capital `I’and the word underlined,” he highlighted and added that he wished to merge the independent media with the digital with an aim to bring the power of TV directly to the people while breaking the clutter at the same time. In his own words: “All this has to be achieved in the next three years. We will challenge BBC and CNN (International), and there should be no reason why we will not be able to do it.”

    Considering Arnab has a view on almost everything and anything — good researchers, notwithstanding — his advice to budding entrepreneurs at a conclave was, in fact, quite simple and straight: “Accept your faults, build partnerships, do not compromise on your ethics and do not have too many plans. Most importantly, do not let your ego come in the middle of your dream.” Touche!

    No wonder such simplicity at times, which may look so unlike most of his Newshour shows, leads his friends and colleagues to support him. Speaking to indiantelevision.com, Partho Dasgupta, a former colleague of Arnab at Times TV Network and now the chief executive of BARC, said, “Am very happy to see him succeed in the news business that is not easy. Beyond our professional lives, I know him more personally and know how good a human being he is.”

    Despite the seeming on-screen pompousness and arrogance, Arnab must be connecting with professionals, friends and audience at some level. At least the data, popularity (his critics call it notoriety) and personal vouching indicate to that.

  • Arnab NOW wants to challenge BBC and CNN International

    Arnab NOW wants to challenge BBC and CNN International

    MUMBAI: “No news is good news. No journalists is even better”, so said Nicolas Clerihew Bentley, British author and illustrator, best known for his humorous cartoon drawings in books and magazines in the 1930s and 1940s. In India Bentley, probably, would have been proved wrong as Indians — at least a large swathe of the population — just cannot do without news and certainly not without Arnab Goswami.

    You can hate him, you can love him, you can call him names or you can even say he’s God’s gift to Indian TV journalism, but you just cannot ignore him. And, why not? That’s a question that the nation wants to knowdespite debating it on social media everyday. From being the quintessential outsider to be the top of the pops as the most watched television news anchor on Indian television, it has been a roller-coaster of a ride.

    From the point Times NOW was considered a laughing stock soon after it debuted in 2006, to becoming the undisputed leader in the news industry, Arnab’s contributions behind the channel’s success cannot be neglected. Just like a global food brand was born when an experimentation in the kitchen went haywire by accident, it was another such accident — some would say twist of fate — that gave India a TV news anchor who’s loathed as much as he’s revered during his daily news show called Newshour, which actually runs beyond an hour.

    Not only Arnab quit print journalism with the Kolkata-based The Telegraph after just a stint of leas than a year in 1995 to come to India’s capital city, but he also quit Delhi a few years later to migrate to Mumbai, leaving one of India’s famous nursery for news journalism, NDTV, to take up an assignment with the Times of India group’s TV venture. So much so, at one of time, Arnab wanted to quit journalism altogether.

    Yes, you read it right. Arnab wanted to leave journalism. “I wanted to leave journalism 12 years back when I was in Delhi. That is one city that will ruin your courage and leave you with two options — either quit or to be crazy. I chose the latter,” he asserted at the EEMAX Global Conclave & Awards 2016 to gasps from the swooning audience, comprising mostly young people aspiring to be TV journalists.

    But happy accidents do happen.

    Feeling blessed to be capable of reaching out to millions every night, Arnab doesn’t shy away from goof-ups or life’s low points. “I did mess up for the initial six months in Times NOW, “ he admitted frankly, “but, the experiences of taking up people’s stories and making the ordinary person a headline and championing him (or her), fundamentally made me realise that one needs to finally go down to the core.”

    India’s most watched TV news anchor — audience measurement data has proved that time and again — can also afford to be preachy when he asserts for him there’s no shades of grey (forget the 50 shades) but just

    right and wrong. “In everything in life, you have to bring it down to the binary. Don’t tell me about the grey areas. Those people who reside in the grey areas are those who are fooling themselves and won’t stick their necks out. Running down my republic (read country) is wrong and I will stick my neck out (to defend it),” he added, which many critics feel is just being pompous.

    Often accused of ruining neutrality of news or the non-partisan approach that journalists and news anchor should champion as per gospel, for Arnab neutrality in news is baseless. “I have not dumbed down journalism. Each story that I have done runs a personal risk on me. Behind what seems engrossing, is a lot of heart, a lot of feeling, a lot of soul, a lot of idealism and a lot of risk,” he explained, adding, “Oh boy, did we hear some glasses breaking at some homes of people whom Arnab loves to refer as the `Lutyen Delhi’s privileged lot’.”?

    And, true to his on-screen style — where he shouts down panellists who return to his shows despite being shut out at times — Arnab thrashed the English news media in India by accusing it of alienating people. “They used language that is only available in a dictionary, editorial meetings happened in a sacred space where there is no communication with people outside. When analytical programmes are done, there are more people from abroad than from your own country and they speak in a language that nobody understands. That is what English language journalism had done over the years,”he makes his intentions clear, adding with satisfaction, “But the country is seeing a change.”

    There are innumerable anecdotes about Arnab, his style, his posturing on TV and, yes, also his arrogance, but those don’t faze the man who seems to be on a mission.

    Recently, Mukesh Ambani, considered one of the most powerful men in India with diversified interests in many businesses, including media, was asked for his views on noisy TV shows and, predictably, the shows he watched at 9 pm. The Reliance Industries boss said, “I watch Arnab and I like him very much.” So what does Arnab feel about such encomiums about him being an influencer and opinion moulder? “I am happy to know that. There is no responsibility that I have on me. If anyone wants to listen, I don’t bring my ego in the way. I do a story and move on,” he dead-panned.

    There is also an incident that he himself recollected when Delhi’s incumbent chief minister Arvind Kejriwal asked him a reason for not supporting him or his cause to which Ornob (one of the many names by which he’s referred to on social media) had counter-punched that Kejriwal was a marketing genius.

    He has also been questioned about the way he conducted his interview with the Indian prime minister Narendra Modi and how he was very `soft’ and `docile’, unlike the fiery role that he essays on Times NOW. But, Arnab sees no problem with such an approach: “Most people have a problem with that interview. They want me to call the PM as Mr. Narendra Modi, but I am a journalist. When you have eight boxes open on a screen (with panellists), I have to shout to be heard. But, when you are doing a one on one, you don’t have to shout.”

    That is why when Arnab professed his love for a free media and his dream, one naturally has to do a double take. “I dream of an independent media with a capital `I’and the word underlined,” he highlighted and added that he wished to merge the independent media with the digital with an aim to bring the power of TV directly to the people while breaking the clutter at the same time. In his own words: “All this has to be achieved in the next three years. We will challenge BBC and CNN (International), and there should be no reason why we will not be able to do it.”

    Considering Arnab has a view on almost everything and anything — good researchers, notwithstanding — his advice to budding entrepreneurs at a conclave was, in fact, quite simple and straight: “Accept your faults, build partnerships, do not compromise on your ethics and do not have too many plans. Most importantly, do not let your ego come in the middle of your dream.” Touche!

    No wonder such simplicity at times, which may look so unlike most of his Newshour shows, leads his friends and colleagues to support him. Speaking to indiantelevision.com, Partho Dasgupta, a former colleague of Arnab at Times TV Network and now the chief executive of BARC, said, “Am very happy to see him succeed in the news business that is not easy. Beyond our professional lives, I know him more personally and know how good a human being he is.”

    Despite the seeming on-screen pompousness and arrogance, Arnab must be connecting with professionals, friends and audience at some level. At least the data, popularity (his critics call it notoriety) and personal vouching indicate to that.

  • TVF to launch Barely Speaking with Arnub

    TVF to launch Barely Speaking with Arnub

    MUMBAI: After creating quite a buzz during its last season two years ago and reviving the talk show culture in India, TVF is all set to launch Season 2 of the most watched online talk show in India – TVF’s innovative, popular, iconic talk show – Barely Speaking with Arnub – later this month.

    Created as a parody to a TV talk show, the first season of Barely Speaking with Arnubfeatured leading actors and political icons – from Shahrukh Khan, Ranveer Singh and Parineeti Chopra to the current New Delhi Chief Minister, Arvind Kejriwal.

    The popular online show was built on the same ideology and premise on which TVF was initially created, which was to deliver great and awesome content for its audiences.TVF entered the niche market of online talk shows in 2014 with Barely Speaking with Arnub. The talk show became an instant hit with audiences not just in India, but across the world, with each episode clocking over 2 million views!

    In the growing age of digital media where branded online content has taken off in a big way, the silver screen has realised the importance of the web. Barely Speaking with Arnub provides a innovative platform not just to films and filmmakers for their pre-release promotions, but, also to celebrities to showcase their human, more natural side to their fans, not just in India, but across the world!

    Arunabh Kumar, CEO and Founder of TVF says, “TV Channels have tried a lot of talks shows and the new millennium has seen several established actors trying their hand at hosting one. This led to all of the talk shows being more or less similar in India. From radio to television to print media, every domain has been tried and tested by celebrities to connect to their audiences, but no medium connects them better than digital. When we wanted to create an online talk show, we knew that no amount of marketing or promotions would help if we don’t create a talk show with a difference. And that’s when we decided to turn the talk show format on its head and conceive it as the ‘toughest host a guest will ever get!’

    In the growing age of digital media, where online content is spreading like wildfire, every popular celebrity has recognised the importance and power of the web. Stars and celebrities want to connect to young viewers and that’s where we have managed to hit the nail with the TVF Brand which everyone loves and deliver a talk show that stands out. And more so, it helps them stand up for something they believe in with a smile. TVF created ‘Barely Speaking with Arnub’ catering to the digital audiences’ taste and helping humanise some of the country’s biggest celebrities. In the scores of interviews that SRK gives for his movie promotions, what audiences remember is ‘Barely Speaking With Arnub’. It is also the most watched online talk show in India. TVF also created history in India by getting a politician on the show and talk to us as one of us. With the 2nd Season of Barely Speaking, we want to help get more celebrities from across the field connect to new age Indians and share what they believe in. And of course the host – Arnub with a U — ensures to keep the viewers and guests smiling!.”

    Biswapati Sarkar, Executive Creative Director, TVF added, “The funny thing about the show is not that we are making fun of celebrities or that we are parodying the existing Indian journalism culture. It is the fact there is a show at all and real life celebrities are appearing in it. This season, we have expanded the Arnub universe featuring new storylines and characters in his life apart from the interviews. I’m having a great time right now working with the writers on the episodes and really excited to play Arnub once again.”

    Catch the Season 2 trailer of Barely Speaking with Arnub here – http://tvfplay.com/257c9a

  • TVF to launch Barely Speaking with Arnub

    TVF to launch Barely Speaking with Arnub

    MUMBAI: After creating quite a buzz during its last season two years ago and reviving the talk show culture in India, TVF is all set to launch Season 2 of the most watched online talk show in India – TVF’s innovative, popular, iconic talk show – Barely Speaking with Arnub – later this month.

    Created as a parody to a TV talk show, the first season of Barely Speaking with Arnubfeatured leading actors and political icons – from Shahrukh Khan, Ranveer Singh and Parineeti Chopra to the current New Delhi Chief Minister, Arvind Kejriwal.

    The popular online show was built on the same ideology and premise on which TVF was initially created, which was to deliver great and awesome content for its audiences.TVF entered the niche market of online talk shows in 2014 with Barely Speaking with Arnub. The talk show became an instant hit with audiences not just in India, but across the world, with each episode clocking over 2 million views!

    In the growing age of digital media where branded online content has taken off in a big way, the silver screen has realised the importance of the web. Barely Speaking with Arnub provides a innovative platform not just to films and filmmakers for their pre-release promotions, but, also to celebrities to showcase their human, more natural side to their fans, not just in India, but across the world!

    Arunabh Kumar, CEO and Founder of TVF says, “TV Channels have tried a lot of talks shows and the new millennium has seen several established actors trying their hand at hosting one. This led to all of the talk shows being more or less similar in India. From radio to television to print media, every domain has been tried and tested by celebrities to connect to their audiences, but no medium connects them better than digital. When we wanted to create an online talk show, we knew that no amount of marketing or promotions would help if we don’t create a talk show with a difference. And that’s when we decided to turn the talk show format on its head and conceive it as the ‘toughest host a guest will ever get!’

    In the growing age of digital media, where online content is spreading like wildfire, every popular celebrity has recognised the importance and power of the web. Stars and celebrities want to connect to young viewers and that’s where we have managed to hit the nail with the TVF Brand which everyone loves and deliver a talk show that stands out. And more so, it helps them stand up for something they believe in with a smile. TVF created ‘Barely Speaking with Arnub’ catering to the digital audiences’ taste and helping humanise some of the country’s biggest celebrities. In the scores of interviews that SRK gives for his movie promotions, what audiences remember is ‘Barely Speaking With Arnub’. It is also the most watched online talk show in India. TVF also created history in India by getting a politician on the show and talk to us as one of us. With the 2nd Season of Barely Speaking, we want to help get more celebrities from across the field connect to new age Indians and share what they believe in. And of course the host – Arnub with a U — ensures to keep the viewers and guests smiling!.”

    Biswapati Sarkar, Executive Creative Director, TVF added, “The funny thing about the show is not that we are making fun of celebrities or that we are parodying the existing Indian journalism culture. It is the fact there is a show at all and real life celebrities are appearing in it. This season, we have expanded the Arnub universe featuring new storylines and characters in his life apart from the interviews. I’m having a great time right now working with the writers on the episodes and really excited to play Arnub once again.”

    Catch the Season 2 trailer of Barely Speaking with Arnub here – http://tvfplay.com/257c9a

  • ShopClues unveils new TVC to celebrate fourth anniversary

    ShopClues unveils new TVC to celebrate fourth anniversary

    MUMBAI: To mark its fourth anniversary, ShopClues has launched a new TV ad campaign that promotes the special ShopClues sale, “4th pe 1/4th rate pe” with its tagline “Sab kuch 1/4th rate pe” (Everything at 1/4th the price!).

     

    Conceptualised and created by Enormous Brands, the TVC aptly illustrates how ShopClues is offering an enviable selection of the most coveted products at unmatched and almost unbelievable price points!

     

    The ad film opens with a man carrying a TV like he would hold a mobile phone. The voice over explains, “Mobile ke daam pe tha, le liya, le liya” (It was priced like a mobile phone, so I bought it!). Similarly, it shows a woman rolling out chapattis with a barbell instead of a rolling pin since home gym equipment has now become so affordable. In the most interesting twist, we see an impersonation of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal wearing a cap in lieu of his characteristic muffler. The idea is that everyone has been able to upgrade to something fancier and better thanks to the reduced price points on ShopClues.

     

    Through the TV ad film, ShopClues wants to invite its consumers to participate in its fourth anniversary celebrations and make the best of this celebratory sale.

     

    Speaking on the TVC, ShopClues co-founder and chief business officer Radhika Aggarwal said, “On the occasion of our fourth anniversary, we have put together a sale that seeks to reward and gratify our loyal customers. This is a huge milestone for us and through the TVC we want to communicate all the unbelievable product offers that we have curated for our shoppers. The idea is to raise awareness on what’s awaiting customers on ShopClues!”

     

    Enormous Brands managing partner Ashish Khazanchi added, “ShopClues has organised a one-of-its-kind sale to generate excitement around its fourth anniversary. Through the TVC, we have tried to lucidly and simply showcase the amazing proposition on offer. We want customers to understand that the ‘4th pe, 1/4th rate pe’ sale isn’t mere lip service and you can actually grab stuff which seemed out of reach so far within your pre-determined budget.”

  • ShopClues unveils new TVC to celebrate fourth anniversary

    ShopClues unveils new TVC to celebrate fourth anniversary

    MUMBAI: To mark its fourth anniversary, ShopClues has launched a new TV ad campaign that promotes the special ShopClues sale, “4th pe 1/4th rate pe” with its tagline “Sab kuch 1/4th rate pe” (Everything at 1/4th the price!).

     

    Conceptualised and created by Enormous Brands, the TVC aptly illustrates how ShopClues is offering an enviable selection of the most coveted products at unmatched and almost unbelievable price points!

     

    The ad film opens with a man carrying a TV like he would hold a mobile phone. The voice over explains, “Mobile ke daam pe tha, le liya, le liya” (It was priced like a mobile phone, so I bought it!). Similarly, it shows a woman rolling out chapattis with a barbell instead of a rolling pin since home gym equipment has now become so affordable. In the most interesting twist, we see an impersonation of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal wearing a cap in lieu of his characteristic muffler. The idea is that everyone has been able to upgrade to something fancier and better thanks to the reduced price points on ShopClues.

     

    Through the TV ad film, ShopClues wants to invite its consumers to participate in its fourth anniversary celebrations and make the best of this celebratory sale.

     

    Speaking on the TVC, ShopClues co-founder and chief business officer Radhika Aggarwal said, “On the occasion of our fourth anniversary, we have put together a sale that seeks to reward and gratify our loyal customers. This is a huge milestone for us and through the TVC we want to communicate all the unbelievable product offers that we have curated for our shoppers. The idea is to raise awareness on what’s awaiting customers on ShopClues!”

     

    Enormous Brands managing partner Ashish Khazanchi added, “ShopClues has organised a one-of-its-kind sale to generate excitement around its fourth anniversary. Through the TVC, we have tried to lucidly and simply showcase the amazing proposition on offer. We want customers to understand that the ‘4th pe, 1/4th rate pe’ sale isn’t mere lip service and you can actually grab stuff which seemed out of reach so far within your pre-determined budget.”

  • YouTube Rewind: What India watched in 2015

    YouTube Rewind: What India watched in 2015

    MUMBAI: 2015 has been an exciting year on YouTube in India. One saw more and more people consuming content on digital platforms, with YouTube leading the pack. YouTube has garnered a huge fan following not only in terms of the audience but also amongst original content creators in India. While YouTubers like All India Bakchod (AIB) and The Viral Fever (TVF) rose to superstardom, an array of new players also joined in to professionally create videos for YouTube. Even big screen celebrities were seen more open to experimenting with artists online.

     

    As per YouTube Rewind, the top trending YouTube video in India in 2015 was AIB: ‘Every Bollywood Party Song feat. Irrfan,’ followed by ‘Chhota Bheem – aur – Krishna Jodi No. #1.’

     

    In spite of the huge surge in original digital content from YouTubers, it is mainstream media, which still commands YouTube viewership. As per the data, six out of 10 in the list of top most trending videos on YouTube  belong to mainstream media, including television and film.

     

    The data also sheds light on the fact that in 2015, comedy ruled in India. This is evident as five out of top 10 most viewed videos on YouTube were of the comedy genre. 

     

    Grabbing the first spot is the amusing comic music video by AIB: ‘Every Bollywood Party Song feat. Irrfan,’ which redefined comedy and gave the video a very refreshing twist. AIB’s ‘Honest Indian Weddings (Part 1),’ ‘PK movie Spoof,’ TVF’s ‘Barely Speaking with Arnub | Arvind Kejriwal’ are amongst the other top trending comedy videos, which were placed in the list of top 10.

     

    2015 was also a good year for music with Honey Singh’s ‘Dheere Dheere Se Meri Zindagi video song (OFFICIAL),’ ‘Chittiyaan Kalaiyaan Video Song’ and ‘Badshah – DJ Waley Babu’ being the top most trending music video locally.

  • Delhi govt approves online entertainment tax application for ticketed events

    Delhi govt approves online entertainment tax application for ticketed events

    MUMBAI: The Delhi Govt approved the first online application for Entertainment Tax on 23 September, 2015 based on a post-event settlement, which is a major breakthrough for the events and entertainment industry.

     

    The approval was done online in a record time of two hours, where previously the same could take several months.

     

    In August this year, The Event and Entertainment Management Association (EEMA) in collaboration with the Govt. of Delhi and the Police department of Delhi took several steps to simplify licensing for events and eliminate red tape and touts. A process was put into place whereby EEMA member companies can do ticketed events in the national capital without paying entertainment tax before the event. The first achievement in this direction is the online approval for the soon-to-be-held Zubin Mehta concert in Delhi.

     

    The development entails a single-window approval system, which is online for all non-ticketed events. Large ticketed events are likely to make their way back to the capital as the partnership between EEMA and the Delhi government has led to an online approval system for ticketed events too with elimination of pre-payment of tax, pre-event stamping of tickets and blockage of funds for tax payments.

     

    EEMA president and Wizcraft International founder director Sabbas Joseph said, “We are delighted to see our enduring efforts come to life and turn into reality. This is just one door open and still a major step ahead. Alongside the path breaking steps by the Delhi government, the Maharashtra Chief Minister Mr Devendra Fadnavis too has announced that venues would have pre-approved licenses and a single–window clearance system would be implemented shortly. We hope that the efforts of the CMs  from Delhi and Maharashtra pave the way for similar moves across the country.”

     

    The first ticketed show under this new licensing regime would be a concert by maestro Zubin Mehta performing live in Delhi after 15 years. The approvals were given online in less than two hours on 23 September, 2015.

     

    The show will be produced by Showtime Events. “I could not have imagined this speed of action in my wildest dreams! It seems the Commissioner means business and is determined to change the face of entertainment in Delhi,” said Showtime Events managing director Michael Menezes. 

     

    Due to antiquated tax rules and strangulating licensing norms in Delhi, companies were loathe to hold events and shows in the city and instead preferred Gurgaon or Noida as locations for the event staging.

     

    Earlier this year, The Delhi Government was forthcoming and eager to make Delhi India’s event-friendly capital city. Following a detailed EEMA representation and persistent efforts, the Delhi government moved at a rapid pace in streamlining the licensing process in Delhi and yielding promising results for the event industry. The Delhi Govt. also appointed antiquated tax rules and strangulating licensing norms commissioner Sanjay Kumar as the nodal officer for creation of the single-window licensing process, with an eye on ease-of-doing-business.

     

    What’s more, the complimentary ticket scenario has also got a thumbs down. Leading the way, Kejriwal publicly declared that no minister or MLA of his party will ever ask for free tickets to any event or movie.

  • Environment & Wildlife film festival in Delhi to screen 74 films

    Environment & Wildlife film festival in Delhi to screen 74 films

    NEW DELHI: A total of 74 thematic films from 16 states and 11 countries will be screened at the oldest and largest Environment and Wildlife film festival in India, CMS Vatavaran, next month.

     

    The Festival on the theme of ‘Water for Life’ will be celebrating its 8th competitive edition and will be held from 9 to 13 October at the NDMC Convention Centre in New Delhi. 

     

    CMS Vatavaran 2015 will be an amalgamation of celebration and discourse with film screenings, forums on critical water issues, panorama of international film festivals, workshops on filmmaking, exhibitions, green haat and much more.

     

    The theme is ‘Water for Life’ with a special focus on “Conserving our Water Bodies”. It seeks to mark the interconnectedness of water and life and raise concern over the rapidly deteriorating condition of our water bodies. 

     

    Some Bollywood films will be screened, incliuding Kaun Kitne Paani Mein by Nila Madhab Panda; and Aisa Yeh Jahaan by Biswajeet Bora.

     

    Media and filmmaking workshops will also be held.

     

    Guests expected at the closing are Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar, Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu, and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.

     

    There will be a talk on River Rejuvenation by Water Resources Minister Uma Bharati.

     

    A Green Haat has been set up by the Environment Ministry with UNDP and exhibitions are by New Delhi Nature Society, and Anthony Acciavatti.

     

    The fact that India has just four per cent of the world’s fresh water but 16 per cent of the global population is reason enough to begin a serious discussion on proper and effective watermanagement and conservation. CMS Vatavaran with its theme ‘Water for Life’ aims to do just that.

     

    Several interesting endeavors on the theme ‘Water for Life’ apart from film screenings like seminars, workshops, exhibition, cultural performances and award ceremony focusing on the environmental, social and economic aspects of water conservation will be part of the film festival and forum. 

     

    Contemporary issues related to water and conservation will be deliberated upon by eminent conservationists, policy makers, environment journalists and the concerned communities in the forum. 

     

    ‘Water for Life’ being a cross cutting theme necessitates a multi-sectoral and multi-stakeholder participation in discussions to address the issues in a holistic manner.

     

    The American Centre is the Country Partner of the 8th CMS Vatavatan. A special curtain raiser programme will also be organised on the evening of 8 October in the presence of American filmmakers, guests and delegates. Seminars, workshops, book launches and talks will be organised in partnership with The Asia Foundation, GIZ, Arghyam, CSE, CEE, RSTV and WWF to name a few.

     

    “CMS Vatavaran is doing a magnificent job, making people aware by arranging these festivals and taking them to different cities and involving more and more from the younger generation. CMS Vatavaran is a great platform to inform people about issues like wildlife conservation, sustainable technology and climate change,” said veteran filmmaker and actor Amol Palekar, who is head of the award jury.

     

    “In the 8th competitive festival, we are focusing on water and problems in water management systems around the world to show the disturbing effects these choices have on human beings. The theme has been chosen keeping in mind the fact that the way water scarcity issues are addressed, impacts upon the successful achievement of most of the development goals,” added CMS director general P N Vasanti.