Tag: Bollywood

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
Alchemy borrows household name ‘Naagin’ to create ‘Ichhapyaari’ series

MUMBAI: Some get inspired, others hop on to the success bandwagon and there are those who create spoofs. Whether some would want just their foot into the door using a namesake is a moot question.

As an audience, we have seen several supernatural characters on the Indian television. In recent times, from ‘Naagin’ to ‘Makhi’ and ‘Gorilla’ to wolfs, these were among the supernatural characters that trended on the Idiot Box. Among these, ‘Naagin’ ruled the Hindi general entertainment channels scripts for months together.

Though the concept has now grown old, Colors is among the few broadcasters who reignited this trend. After launching Naagin in 2015, broadcasters and production houses had gone gaga over supernatural series of their own.

The image of a snake in stories relayed on the Indian television is stereotypical and symbolises a negative character akin to Shakti Kapoor’s image in Bollywood. But, has one ever thought what is it being to be a snake? Do they always intend to harm human beings?

Using the character of ‘Naagin’ but in a different story line, Alchemy Productions co-founder Siddharth Malhotra, who had co-founded Cinevista, brings the friendly version of snakes in “Ichhapyaari Naagin’ which will be telecast on Sab TV. Starting from 27 September, the show will be aired at 8pm from Monday- Friday.

“The idea struck me after watching ‘Naagin’ and 20 other shows,” Malhotra said. “What would a snake think if it ever watches the show. And, what if a snake appears in front of you and says, “Hey, don’t run away. I am not that bad” are some of the ideas that germinated in our minds,” he added. “And so, we thought somebody needs to change this image. It’s a positive take on snakes!. It’s a story from the snake’s perspective,” informs Malhotra.

The story is about a ‘Ichhapyaari Naagin’, who stays in Naagistan (Naagland) and comes down to earth to change the perspective of people about snakes. According to the information available withIndiantelevision.com, the show’s production cost per episode was between 7-8 lakhs.

The show, written by Raghuvir Shekhawat, has been directed by the creative genius who directed Balaji Telefilms’ ‘Naagin’ — Santram Verma. Bunty Rathore has penned its dialogues and Jitu Verma was the VFX wizard.

Speaking about the comparison, Malhotra said, “Our show is not at all similar to ‘Naagin’ which is a genre of drama, revenge and love. ‘Ichhapyaari Naagin’ is a slice of life, sweet show.”

The channel has been aggressively promoting the show through mass media and campaign. The marketing campaign is to build excitement on basis of its new avatar. Outside the home network, the channel will be focusing on youth music, movies and kids. In print, they will be focusing on leading national and regional dailies. In radio, it is trying to market the show through 30 radio stations across key states.

September 15, 2016
Alchemy borrows household name ‘Naagin’ to create ‘Ichhapyaari’ series

MUMBAI: Some get inspired, others hop on to the success bandwagon and there are those who create spoofs. Whether some would want just their foot into the door using a namesake is a moot question.

As an audience, we have seen several supernatural characters on the Indian television. In recent times, from ‘Naagin’ to ‘Makhi’ and ‘Gorilla’ to wolfs, these were among the supernatural characters that trended on the Idiot Box. Among these, ‘Naagin’ ruled the Hindi general entertainment channels scripts for months together.

Though the concept has now grown old, Colors is among the few broadcasters who reignited this trend. After launching Naagin in 2015, broadcasters and production houses had gone gaga over supernatural series of their own.

The image of a snake in stories relayed on the Indian television is stereotypical and symbolises a negative character akin to Shakti Kapoor’s image in Bollywood. But, has one ever thought what is it being to be a snake? Do they always intend to harm human beings?

Using the character of ‘Naagin’ but in a different story line, Alchemy Productions co-founder Siddharth Malhotra, who had co-founded Cinevista, brings the friendly version of snakes in “Ichhapyaari Naagin’ which will be telecast on Sab TV. Starting from 27 September, the show will be aired at 8pm from Monday- Friday.

“The idea struck me after watching ‘Naagin’ and 20 other shows,” Malhotra said. “What would a snake think if it ever watches the show. And, what if a snake appears in front of you and says, “Hey, don’t run away. I am not that bad” are some of the ideas that germinated in our minds,” he added. “And so, we thought somebody needs to change this image. It’s a positive take on snakes!. It’s a story from the snake’s perspective,” informs Malhotra.

The story is about a ‘Ichhapyaari Naagin’, who stays in Naagistan (Naagland) and comes down to earth to change the perspective of people about snakes. According to the information available withIndiantelevision.com, the show’s production cost per episode was between 7-8 lakhs.

The show, written by Raghuvir Shekhawat, has been directed by the creative genius who directed Balaji Telefilms’ ‘Naagin’ — Santram Verma. Bunty Rathore has penned its dialogues and Jitu Verma was the VFX wizard.

Speaking about the comparison, Malhotra said, “Our show is not at all similar to ‘Naagin’ which is a genre of drama, revenge and love. ‘Ichhapyaari Naagin’ is a slice of life, sweet show.”

The channel has been aggressively promoting the show through mass media and campaign. The marketing campaign is to build excitement on basis of its new avatar. Outside the home network, the channel will be focusing on youth music, movies and kids. In print, they will be focusing on leading national and regional dailies. In radio, it is trying to market the show through 30 radio stations across key states.

September 15, 2016
Viacom18’s MTV Beats now on DD’s Freedish

MUMBAI: Viacom18’s maiden music channel MTV Indies, which recently got replaced by new kid MTV Beats, has been placed on Doordarshan’s Freedish as a free to air (FTA) channel.

MTV Beats has replaced Viacom18’s currently running channel X Zone on the pubcaster’s DTH platform that carries FTA channels and is popular in semi-urban and rural areas of India.

The Hindi music channel will be available on various other DTH platforms and bundled with Viacom18’s offerings as a pay channel.

MTV Beats was conceived and launched recently to replace MTV Indies with an aim to address a mass audience. It will predominantly focus on Bollywood music. MTV Beats is targeted at 15–30-year-olds across urban and rural India.

Viacom18 has also acquired an additional licence to launch MTV Beats HD.

September 12, 2016
Viacom18’s MTV Beats now on DD’s Freedish

MUMBAI: Viacom18’s maiden music channel MTV Indies, which recently got replaced by new kid MTV Beats, has been placed on Doordarshan’s Freedish as a free to air (FTA) channel.

MTV Beats has replaced Viacom18’s currently running channel X Zone on the pubcaster’s DTH platform that carries FTA channels and is popular in semi-urban and rural areas of India.

The Hindi music channel will be available on various other DTH platforms and bundled with Viacom18’s offerings as a pay channel.

MTV Beats was conceived and launched recently to replace MTV Indies with an aim to address a mass audience. It will predominantly focus on Bollywood music. MTV Beats is targeted at 15–30-year-olds across urban and rural India.

Viacom18 has also acquired an additional licence to launch MTV Beats HD.

September 12, 2016
Annual Media Scholarship instituted in name of Big B

NEW DELHI: An annual media scholarship has been instituted in the name of the megastar Amitabh Bachchan for students of cinema and media who will be selected after an exhaustive process.

The scholarship has been instituted by filmmaker Anand Pandit of Anand Pandit Motion Pictures.

As the scholarship was announced, the star handed the Amitabh Bachchan Media Scholarship Trophy, a cheque of Rs 5 lakh as well as a certificate to this year’s winner Shradha Thorat from the Whistling Woods Institute.

‘I hope this scholarship will push students of cinema to strive for excellence. This scholarship is a wonderful gesture by Anand bhai to harness and nurture new talent. Anand bhai is a dear friend and I am humbled by his gesture in instituting this initiative. I hope this scholarship helps talented individuals pursue their love for cinema,’ said Bachchan.

‘I don’t see anyone better than Amit ji to inspire our younger generations. I feel a scholarship is a small ‎contribution to immortalise the biggest icon of Bollywood as well as give an opportunity to those who show true talent,’ said filmmaker Anand Pandit.

The annual scholarship will be awarded to the student who shows promise and creativity. While the scholarship has gone to a student from Whistling Woods, Pandit is not yet decided whether this will be open to students from other institutions in later years.

‘Every year one student who excels will be awarded the scholarship in consultation with Mr Bachchan and Mr Pandit,’ said filmmaker and Whistling Woods founder Subhash Ghai.

September 6, 2016
Annual Media Scholarship instituted in name of Big B

NEW DELHI: An annual media scholarship has been instituted in the name of the megastar Amitabh Bachchan for students of cinema and media who will be selected after an exhaustive process.

The scholarship has been instituted by filmmaker Anand Pandit of Anand Pandit Motion Pictures.

As the scholarship was announced, the star handed the Amitabh Bachchan Media Scholarship Trophy, a cheque of Rs 5 lakh as well as a certificate to this year’s winner Shradha Thorat from the Whistling Woods Institute.

‘I hope this scholarship will push students of cinema to strive for excellence. This scholarship is a wonderful gesture by Anand bhai to harness and nurture new talent. Anand bhai is a dear friend and I am humbled by his gesture in instituting this initiative. I hope this scholarship helps talented individuals pursue their love for cinema,’ said Bachchan.

‘I don’t see anyone better than Amit ji to inspire our younger generations. I feel a scholarship is a small ‎contribution to immortalise the biggest icon of Bollywood as well as give an opportunity to those who show true talent,’ said filmmaker Anand Pandit.

The annual scholarship will be awarded to the student who shows promise and creativity. While the scholarship has gone to a student from Whistling Woods, Pandit is not yet decided whether this will be open to students from other institutions in later years.

‘Every year one student who excels will be awarded the scholarship in consultation with Mr Bachchan and Mr Pandit,’ said filmmaker and Whistling Woods founder Subhash Ghai.

September 6, 2016
Saluting TV technicians, the Beyond Dreams way

MUMBAI: As an audience, whenever we watch a film or a TV show we only know and remember the faces of our heroes and heroines. Even the national anthem videos which play in the multiplexes before a film starts feature the stars – film or TV or musicians or singers.

We promptly forget and hardly acknowledge the professionals who work behind the camera. These are the names that appear in the end of the film or the show in the credits. We simply switch the channel or walk out the theatre, without paying heed to any of them as they roll down.

Breaking the stereotype formula of only highlighting the stars on screen, TV production house Beyond Dreams Entertainment’s Yash Patnaik has featured those behind the scenes in a video of the national anthem, that was released on social media websites such as Facebook, YouTube and Twitter on Independence Day.

TV crew such as make up artists and hair designers, writers, set designers, spot boys, lighting boys, helpers – pop up in the video singing a word or a line of the national anthem.

Says Yash: “Whenever events like Independence Day, Diwali or Holi come, we always zoom in on the on-screen talent or directors or producers, and they are given greater respect. But behind the recognition and success we get are the large crews that work with us and support all our productions. Whenever I visit my set, the affection and love I received from my unit is tremendous. Therefore, we thought of doing the video featuring them and let them feel special on the special day. “

The national anthem video cost Patnaik – who has three shows (Jaana Na Dil Se Door, Naagarjuna and Kuch Rang Pyar Ke Aise Bhi) under his belt currently – Rs 3 to 4 lakh to produce. Thanks to the three units that are working on the three shows, Patnaik had access to the 150 crew to participate in the video. Despite that however he states that it was not that easy to make the film.

“They were not ready to face the camera,” he reveals. “as they are very uncomfortable in front of it. But they came forward after some persuasion and we shot it over four to five days.”

Even good names from Bollywood stepped forward to lend their support to his effort. Bollywood actor Ali Faisal came forward and gave the voice over at the beginning of the video, with lyricist Abhishek Kumar writing the lines and Udbhav Ojha composing the music for the national anthem.

The video was released on Facebook and YouTube and simultaneously a social media push was given. The hashtag #GoBeyond was used to promote it on social networking sites. On Twitter, the hashtag #GoBeyond was at the No 1 spot in India and in the world it was on number 20. The reach was 1.5 million and the video generated 165,000 views. More than that it got a lot of plaudits from fellow and rival producers, industry stalwarts. The video trended at the number three position in Australia

Patnaik says another video has been produced with TV stars paying tribute to the behind the scenes technicians.

Yash says he is quite enthused by digital and short productions and hopes to launch a digital platform by the end of 2016.

“Digital gives you an opportunity to say what you feel and we should all say something which make sense,” says Yash. “You should speak in a voice and that voice should make some difference in the society and we will not shy away from telling the world what we believe in. And this video is first step in that initiative.”

August 19, 2016
Saluting TV technicians, the Beyond Dreams way

MUMBAI: As an audience, whenever we watch a film or a TV show we only know and remember the faces of our heroes and heroines. Even the national anthem videos which play in the multiplexes before a film starts feature the stars – film or TV or musicians or singers.

We promptly forget and hardly acknowledge the professionals who work behind the camera. These are the names that appear in the end of the film or the show in the credits. We simply switch the channel or walk out the theatre, without paying heed to any of them as they roll down.

Breaking the stereotype formula of only highlighting the stars on screen, TV production house Beyond Dreams Entertainment’s Yash Patnaik has featured those behind the scenes in a video of the national anthem, that was released on social media websites such as Facebook, YouTube and Twitter on Independence Day.

TV crew such as make up artists and hair designers, writers, set designers, spot boys, lighting boys, helpers – pop up in the video singing a word or a line of the national anthem.

Says Yash: “Whenever events like Independence Day, Diwali or Holi come, we always zoom in on the on-screen talent or directors or producers, and they are given greater respect. But behind the recognition and success we get are the large crews that work with us and support all our productions. Whenever I visit my set, the affection and love I received from my unit is tremendous. Therefore, we thought of doing the video featuring them and let them feel special on the special day. “

The national anthem video cost Patnaik – who has three shows (Jaana Na Dil Se Door, Naagarjuna and Kuch Rang Pyar Ke Aise Bhi) under his belt currently – Rs 3 to 4 lakh to produce. Thanks to the three units that are working on the three shows, Patnaik had access to the 150 crew to participate in the video. Despite that however he states that it was not that easy to make the film.

“They were not ready to face the camera,” he reveals. “as they are very uncomfortable in front of it. But they came forward after some persuasion and we shot it over four to five days.”

Even good names from Bollywood stepped forward to lend their support to his effort. Bollywood actor Ali Faisal came forward and gave the voice over at the beginning of the video, with lyricist Abhishek Kumar writing the lines and Udbhav Ojha composing the music for the national anthem.

The video was released on Facebook and YouTube and simultaneously a social media push was given. The hashtag #GoBeyond was used to promote it on social networking sites. On Twitter, the hashtag #GoBeyond was at the No 1 spot in India and in the world it was on number 20. The reach was 1.5 million and the video generated 165,000 views. More than that it got a lot of plaudits from fellow and rival producers, industry stalwarts. The video trended at the number three position in Australia

Patnaik says another video has been produced with TV stars paying tribute to the behind the scenes technicians.

Yash says he is quite enthused by digital and short productions and hopes to launch a digital platform by the end of 2016.

“Digital gives you an opportunity to say what you feel and we should all say something which make sense,” says Yash. “You should speak in a voice and that voice should make some difference in the society and we will not shy away from telling the world what we believe in. And this video is first step in that initiative.”

August 19, 2016
Another jewel for the Queen’s crown!

MUMBAI: Bollywood superstar Kangana Ranaut bags the ‘CNN-News18 Indian of the Year, 2015 – Special Achievement’ award.

Bollywood ‘queen’ Kangana Ranaut has done it again. Close on the heels of winning her third National Award, the actress has now bagged the ‘CNN-News18 Indian of the Year, 2015 – Special Achievement’ award.

Kangana was felicitated with the prestigious honour at a ceremony held in Delhi at Hotel Taj Palace on 9 June 2016. The highly-recognized award celebrates Kangana’s contribution not only to the industry as an actor, but also as a face that has helped build Brand India internationally.

With this honour, Kangana’s ever-growing list of achievements just got longer, and the award further cements her standing in the industry as a global icon and a name to reckon with.

June 10, 2016