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Tag: Baazigar

  • Sajid Nadiadwala passes the baton after 13 years at Indian film producers’ association’s helm

    Sajid Nadiadwala passes the baton after 13 years at Indian film producers’ association’s helm

    MUMBAI: After 13 years steering India’s film and television producers’ council, Sajid Nadiadwala has stepped aside. His successor? Ratan Jain, a three-decade veteran of Bollywood who previously ran the organisation from 2010 to 2012.

    The handover came at the Indian Film & TV Producers Council’s 34th annual general meeting yesterday. Nadiadwala, in his farewell address, spoke of the need for fresh leadership and proposed Jain as his replacement—a nomination the members backed unanimously.

    The outgoing president received the usual tributes: a bouquet from NR Pachisia and a memento from Jamnadas Majethia. Members applauded his tenure, though the council offered few specifics about his achievements.

    Jain brings serious credentials. As head of Venus Group, he has produced box-office successes including Khiladi, Baazigar, Dhadkan, Humraaz and Garam Masala. His return marks a homecoming of sorts after his earlier stint at the top.

    The newly elected board for 2025-26 includes Majethia as chairman (TV & web), alongside directors NR Pachisia, Madhu Mantenna, Kumar Mangat Pathak, Rajat Rawail, Shyamashis Bhattacharya, Nitin Vaidya and Abhimanyu Singh. Ramesh Taurani will serve as honorary adviser.

    The council now awaits Jain’s vision for an industry navigating streaming disruption and changing audience habits.

  • Shah Rukh Khan bestowed with top French civilian Honour

    Shah Rukh Khan bestowed with top French civilian Honour

    MUMBAI: The Baadshah of Bollywood, Shah Rukh Khan has added another feather to his cap. Rightly called the ‘King Khan’, he has now been honoured with Frances’ top civilian award- ‘Knight of the Legion of Honour.’

     

    At a glittering function held on 1 July, the 48-year-old received the honour from the hands of visiting French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius for his contribution in promoting cultural diversity across the globe.

     

    While accepting the top honour Khan said, “I feel very humbled and grateful for this prestigious honour. Today is my mother’s birthday and if she had been alive she would have been happy that I got this prestigious honour. I accept this award not as an individual but on behalf of hundreds of filmmakers. It makes me feel proud to be recognised for the field I am passionate about. This award has motivated me to take Indian cinema to the next level of acceptance, love and glory. I thank the President of France for this honour.”

     

    The French Minister invited the actor known for his romantic roles to shoot a film in France and thereby help promote good relations between the two countries.

     

    The megastar later took to the micro blogging site Twitter where he remembered his mother saying “she would have been very happy and proud at this honour given to her son.”

     

    Apart from Shah Rukh, Bollywood legend Amitabh Bachchan is the other Bollywood personality to have been bestowed by the honour earlier.

     

    Some of his memorable films are Darr, Baazigar, Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge, Dil To Pagal Hai, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, Swades, Chak De! India, Devdas, My Name Is Khan and Chennai Express.

     

    Shah Rukh has also been awarded with Padma Shri in 2005 and the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the government of France in 2007 for his contribution to cinema.

     

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  • Zee to acquire 60% stake in Venus Films and Venus Records & Tapes

    Zee to acquire 60% stake in Venus Films and Venus Records & Tapes

    MUMBAI: Soon after announcing its restructuring plan, Zee Telefilms Limited (ZTL) has swung into action on the acquisition front.

    The company is acquiring 60 per cent stake in Venus Films Pvt. Ltd. and Venus Records & Tapes Pvt.Ltd. for an undisclosed amount. This will give Zee access to Venus’ films and music titles.

    Venus will continue to be handled by the existing management, helping Zee Network in harnessing the opportunities in the Indian film industry. The acquisition is subject to due diligence and final approval from ZTL board.

    Apart from audio and film rights, Venus has state of the art post-production facilities, which will help in enhancing the content value of Zee Network.The acquisition will add to Zee’s existing library of films.

    Commenting on the development, Essel Group senior vice president Ashish Kaul said, “We look at this acquisition as an extension of our existing business, as we are a major consumer of film and music products. This will be in synergy with business of Zee Cinema and Zee Muzic. The audio and film rights will strengthen the programming of these channels.”

    Venus promoters, Ganesh Jain and Ratan Jain, have produced several successful Hindi films, some of which are Josh, Garam Masala, Kyunki and Hulchul. Venus Films has negative rights of 30 blockbuster films like Baazigar, Yes Boss and Akele Hum Akele Tum among others. Venus Records & Tapes has a repertoire of 2500 titles.

    “This association of Venus, one of the largest and most successful production houses with Zee Network, will be mutually beneficial, as Zee will have access to all films of Venus and Venus will have the support of India’s largest television network. Being one of the leading music companies, we will be able to provide a strong support for Zee Cine Awards overseas and to the programming content of Zee Muzic,” says Ganesh Jain.

    Elaborating further, he added, “This acquisition is also being done in line with our plans to aggregate and digitalize content for digital platforms, starting with the content of Zee Network. This acquisition will help us be at the forefront of providing both new and existing content across various consumer gadgets.”