ITV

Tag: Bollywood

  • Karans back with hot Koffee

    Karans back with hot Koffee

    MUMBAI: Those who missed their weekly fix of caffeine for the past two years, fret not! A certain brand of ‘Koffee’, served hot with dollops of sugar, spice and all things Bollywood, is about to return to a television screen near you.

     

    Starting 1 December, a brand new season of Koffee with Karan will air on Star World India every Sunday at 9.00pm.

     

    Hosted by filmmaker Karan Johar (KJo), the chat show, made popular by a slew of Bollywood celebrities, not to mention all the inside gossip and drama apart from standard KJo-isms, debuted on the channel back in 2004, with the third season ending in 2011.

     

    Season 4 promises to be bigger, better and juicier, what with a tagline that reads: ‘Behind the Scenes, Beneath the Sheets’. While the makers have retained the basic format along with popular elements like ‘Rapid Fire’ and ‘Koffee Hamper’, the guest list includes the likes of Salman ‘Dabangg’ Khan, who will appear in the first episode for the first time ever.

     

    Other invitees include Kareena Kapoor Khan and Ranbir Kapoor, Juhi Chawla and Madhuri Dixit, Deepika Padukone and Priyanka Chopra, the three leads of Student of the Year (Alia Bhatt, Varun Dhawan and Siddharth Malhotra) and Zaheer Khan and Arjun Kapoor.

     

    Johar sums it up when he says: “The new season is going to be the most exciting yet, with a host of new guests, a fantastic set and some great conversations.”

     

    Asked for details, Star India, English Channels, vice president marketing Pallavi Tibrewal simply says: “The basic format of the show is the same, but we are not divulging too much. I urge you guys to come and see the first episode, and I am sure it will leave you breathless. I am confident, with the kind of concept; the show will shape up quite well.”

     

    Exults Star India English Channels general manager Kevin Vaz: “Koffee with Karan is the only show where Bollywood’s biggest celebrities are willing to give viewers an insight into their lives. As he returns with his fourth season to Star World, Karan has taken it up a notch higher and he will be seen talking to several new faces on the show. Karan is an extremely engaging host and his show has proven to be one of the most entertaining ones on television till date.”

     

    But why didn’t the show return earlier? “It went through a lot of consultation with Karan Johar. Plus, Bollywood has also changed so we thought this is the right time to have juicy and full of entertainment content available for the episodes,” says Tibrewal.

     

    About the saucy new tagline she says: “As you know, it’s a Bollywood thing; celebrities will share their own views about what they think about behind the scenes. So that is what it came from and it has always been a nice, chatty and exciting show. Thus, we wanted to keep the tagline also interesting and related to the concept.”
    His show has proven to be one of the most entertaining ones on television till date, says Kevin Vaz

     

    Season 4 will air for nearly four to five months and three to four episodes have already been canned. With Star World India aired on both Standard Definition (SD) and High Definition (HD) mediums, there are separate sponsors on board.

     

    On SD, Idea is the show’s presenting sponsors and it is powered by Sensodyne whereas on SD, Forest Essentials is the presenting sponsor and the show is powered by both Sensodyne and Idea.

     

    Coming to marketing of the show, most of you may already have seen Johar’s moves in the special Broadway-style promo that went on air earlier this month. The promo was made public on YouTube as well and got over 1.9 lakh views in less than a week. It will be telecast on all English channels and the entire Star Network.

     

    Elaborates Tibrewal: “It’s a very exciting promo we shot with Karan. For the first time, he danced and that has got us very good interest levels; it has really built up the show because Karan has never danced like this. It is very true to the kind of promo. And that is what we have really focused on and that has built up the show really very well.”

     

    She goes on to add: “We have quite an exciting marketing plan, but as you know Koffee with Karan does not need much awareness, people already know about it, they are just waiting for the show.”

     

    On the digital front, Star World India is churning out web exclusives, images and lots of innovations on Twitter. While there is no official page for the show, the channel is promoting it on its official page on Facebook. “Our Facebook pages have a lot of koffee information. Koffee with Karan does not need any introduction or building up with the celebrities or anyone. That is the reason we have not launched any official page,” reasons Tibrewal.

     

    Interestingly, on Twitter, hashtags such as #KWKRapidFire and #KWKFirstGuest trended nationally on 24 November; #KWKcrossword trended nationally on 25 November; #KWKUnscramble trended in Mumbai on 26 November; #KWKMovieQuote trended in Mumbai on 27 November and #KWKTranslate trended number two in India on 28 November plus #KWKFirstGuest trended again in Mumbai and other cities.

     

     “It is already an established property. Through promotions, we are just building excitement once again among the people and getting it there. We have exciting things coming up on digital exclusively,” Tibrewal signs off.

  • Ajay Devgn to promote indie films with a US production house

    Ajay Devgn to promote indie films with a US production house

    MUMBAI: Usually made on a shoestring budget and with limited resources, independent films have to grapple a lot to find their place among the right audience. But it seems there’s some help at hand for the indie filmmakers now.

     

    Bollywood actor Ajay Devgn and Brillstein Entertainment Partners (BEP) have announced a partnership to form LA-based Shivalaya Entertainment. The development and financing outfit will focus on independent films that will aim for broad appeal.

     

    Shivalaya has given a go ahead to its first film, Parched, that is centered on the bitter-sweet journey of women in the parched rural landscape of India. It was written and is to be directed by Leena Yadav who has directed Teen Patti, starring Amitabh Bachchan and Ben Kingsley.

     

    “At one end, traditional films continue to entertain and make business sense. At the other, there is a resounding presence of some new forms and voices making a mark in this ever expanding medium. I am keen to be a part of that growth, that change,” said Devgn in a release.

     

    “I am coming forth to support the independent film process where we can share important stories that need to be told — global stories that will resonate with international audiences. Our collaboration with Brillstein is an important step in that direction, to ensure we have the best resources from the west to engage a wider audience,” he added.

     

    BEP executive Jai Khanna said that the production house has projects in the pipeline targeted for an international appeal. “We will also be looking at working on projects with a diversity of talent, American or otherwise, with an aim to reach out to wider audiences,” he said Khanna in a release.

     

    “The stories could be from any culture but with a universal appeal. We at Brillstein are perfectly positioned to bring these kinds of films to the table while packaging the appropriate talent that such stories merit.”

  • Indian short film Kush in Oscar race

    Indian short film Kush in Oscar race

    MUMBAI: It’s always a proud moment for the Bollywood industry when any movie enters the race to the Oscars. Walking on those lines, Indian director Shubhashish Bhutiani’s short film Kush has been short-listed by the Academy for 10 live-action shorts that will advance in the Oscar race.

     

    Three or five films out of these 10 films will be selected for Oscar nomination by the Short Films and Feature Animation Branch members.

     

    Kush, a 25 minute film, stars Sonika Chopra, Shayaan Sameer and Anil Sharma. It has been produced by Shubhashish’s father Sanjay Bhutiani through their Red Carpet Moving Pictures banner.

     

    Bhutiani made the film, inspired by a true story, for his graduation project at New York’s School of Visual Arts.

     

    The film’s story takes place during the riots that followed the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1984. The story revolves around a school picnic where a teacher is trying to protect Kush, the only Sikh child in the group from the violence raging around them.

     

    To top it all, Kush won the Orizzonti Award for Best Short Film at the 70th Venice International Film Festival 2013 and jury prize at Hamptons International Film Festival.

     

    The other nine short listed films include ‘Aquel No Era Yo’ (That Wasn’t Me) by director Esteban Crespo, ‘Avant Que De Tout Perdre’ (Just before Losing Everything) by director Xavier Legrand, ‘Dva’ (Two) by Mickey Nedimovic, ‘Helium’ by director Anders Walter, ‘Throat Song’ by director Miranda de Pencier, ‘Tiger Boy’ by Gabriele Mainetti, ‘The Voorman Problem’ by Mark Gill, ‘Pitaako Mun Kaikki Hoitaa?’ (Do I Have to Take Care of Everything?) by Selma Vilhunen and ‘Record/Play’ by Jesse Atlas.

     

    The Short Films and Feature Animation Branch Reviewing Committee viewed all the eligible entries for the preliminary round of voting at screenings held in Los Angeles. Branch screenings will be held in Los Angeles, New York and San Francisco in December.

     

    The 86th Academy Awards nominations will be announced on 16 January while the Oscar ceremony will take place on 2 March, 2014 at the Dolby Theatre at Hollywood and Highland Center.

  • Old Spice celebrates International Men’s Day

    Old Spice celebrates International Men’s Day

    MUMBAI: It was a mantastic day when supermodel, ace marathon runner and India Face of Old Spice, Milind Soman and Bollywood heartthrobs — Vidyut Jamwal, Rana Daggubati and Sonu Sood — came together to  inspire Indian men on International Men’s Day.

    The show-stoppers indulged in many manly acts to celebrate the day which in this year’s edition focuses on good health and equality while highlighting positive male.

    The Mantastic Brigade also marked the grand culmination of the Smell Mantastic Campaign by unveiling the commandments that a manly man should follow — Smell Good; Be Yourself; Stay Active, Stay Fit and Respect for All.

    “Mantastic videos” that are an ode to the bolder and masculine self that every man wants to be were also showcased as part of event. Featuring Milind Soman, India’s Mantastic Man, donning different avatars of an Indian manly man across geographies, the videos have already garnered over five million views in the social media space.

    “Celebration of International Men’s Day gives perfect opportunity to an increasing number of Indian men who are unleashing their masculine self! In fact, this reflects in today’s society as well, with showbiz icons, Vidyut, Sonu and Rana perfectly embodying the trend. I am happy to be the face of this irreverent campaign that will change the prevalent mindset and inspire men across India to take pride in unleashing their manlier versions,” remarked India Face of Old Spice Milind Soman.

    Rana Daggubati exclaimed, “Young men are now imitating their new icons and graduating from metrosexuals to a new Manly Man era! Through our Mantastic messages, I hope Indian men take a cue and unleash a manlier avatar of themselves.”

    Old Spice Country Marketing Manager Nikhil Ramesh said, “International Men’s Day is the perfect occasion to celebrate ‘Smell Mantastic’ Campaign.  Old Spice’s ‘Smell Mantastic’ campaign is designed to inspire Indian men to express themselves and help unleash the manlier version of them. The Mantastic Brigade – Milind Soman, Vidyut Jamwal, Rana Daggubati and Sonu Sood – have done an amazing job of bringing alive the Old Spice campaign and its raw masculinity.”

    With its new campaign, Old Spice also launched a cool range of manly scented deodorants with captivating, refreshing, and long lasting scents, all cooked up in the Old Spice scent kitchen.

  • 9XO and Sony Music to present ‘Teach 1D to dance Bollywood style

    9XO and Sony Music to present ‘Teach 1D to dance Bollywood style

    MUMBAI: 9XO, the international music channel from 9X Media is providing One Direction fans in India, an opportunity never to be missed.  The channel in association with Sony Music is the official partner celebrating the 1 D Day in India. 9XO has launched a contest titled ‘Teach 1D to dance Bollywood style,’ offering the viewers an opportunity to teach some cool Bollywood style dancing to this popular English-Irish pop boy band.

     

    1D Day which will be held on 23 November is a global event providing an exclusive insight into the lives of ‘One Direction’ band members consisting of Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, Liam Payne, Harry Styles and Louis Tomlinson. Being the official partner of 1 D Day, 9XO will also premiere their latest song Story of My Life exclusively in India. The channel has also created the ‘Teach 1D to dance Bollywood style’ contest for the fans to showcase their love for One Direction.

     

    9XO channel head Luke Kenny said “Our exclusive partnership with Sony Music, will give our viewers the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to associate with One Direction. Every country has planned a unique challenge for the boys and with Indian cinema going global; we were keen on the band members experiencing the vibrant flavor of Bollywood through the ‘Teach 1D to dance Bollywood style,’ contest. One Direction is a rage amongst the youth across the globe and this is our treat to their fans across India. So, bring it on all you One Direction fans and let’s teach them some super cool Bollywood moves!”

     

    ‘Teach 1D to dance Bollywood style’ contest by 9XO will provide the hardcore fans a chance to teach the Boys their most favourite Bollywood moves. The best video selected will be played on 1 D Day on 23 November for the band.

    The ‘Teach 1D to dance Bollywood style’ contest will be promoted on air and across all the digital platforms.  Fans can also log on to Twitter.com/9XOIndia for the latest updates. Last date for participating in the #1DDayIndia challenge is 19 November.

  • IFFI to pay tribute to Pran

    IFFI to pay tribute to Pran

    MUMBAI: The 44th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) to be held in Goa from 20-30 November will pay tribute to the veteran actor Pran. The legendary Bollywood villain passed away in July this year. The festival will witness the screening of three of his most popular films – Jis Desh Main Ganga Behti Hai, Madhumati and Zanjeer.

     

    A true legend of Indian cinema, Pran defined the villain in Hindi cinema for over a decade and more in the 1960s and set the benchmark for the on-screen baddie, before carving out an equally glorious career as a character/supporting actor. As a film villain, such was the terror he infused in the hearts of film-goers that the apocryphal story goes that for over twenty years, when he ruled the world of cinema as a villain, no family in north India named a child ‘Pran’.

     

     Pran’s son Sunil Sikand and daughter Pinky Bhalla will be present for the screening. The film will be screened on the third and fourth day of the festival. Pran’s wife Shukla Sikand is also slated to attend the screening.

     

    IFFI director Shankar Mohan says, “As per the festival’s tradition, IFFI pays tribute to noted film personalities who passed away in the year preceding the festival. IFFI invites their family members, friends and well-wishers to attend the screenings of the artiste’s best works.”

     

    Last year, a special homage was paid to Yash Chopra at the festival.

  • Bollywood stars embrace Shiamaks dance show!

    Bollywood stars embrace Shiamaks dance show!

    MUMBAI: Dance master Shiamak Davar again recreated the magic with his new production, Selcouth. Almost everyone who matters has been talking about Shiamak’s show that has received a great applause from the viewers and the Bollywood fraternity alike.

     

    Present at the recent show were Bollywood actresses known for their dance-ability, Helen and Hema Malini. Both the actors went back stage post the show to congratulate Shiamak. Filmmaker Subhash Ghai, who has worked with Shiamak on hits like Taal, was completely amazed by the new body of work that Shiamak has introduced with this show.

     

    Sushant singh Rajput, the latest heartthrob of Bollywood and a Shiamak’s former student, too gave a standing ovation along with the rest of the audience as a mark of respect for his guru.

     

    Shiamak who has been doing these shows for his students and parents was overwhelmed and humbled by the response of the public. “After I opened the show to public in Octber, the word spread and people said I had to do another show! Unbelievable response, just too humbled by everyone’s support,” he said. “The show had only three to four professional dancers from my dance company, the rest of them were graduates from my one year dance certification program. With the right training and guidance, this is the magic that can be created. There are still a lot of people who want to watch the show, so will do many more Selcouth shows,” added Shiamak.

     

    Others who were present for the show included Prateik Babbar, Hussain Kuwajerwala and wife Tina, Rajneesh Duggal, Kim Sharma, Preeti Jangiani, Parizad Zorabian, Pallavi Joshi, Rashmi Uday Singh, Hasina Jethmalani,  television actors, Gautam and Anas and Marzi Pestonji.

  • Mauritius launches 30 per cent film rebate scheme to attract film industry

    Mauritius launches 30 per cent film rebate scheme to attract film industry

    NEW DELHI: Mauritius has launched a new Film Rebate Scheme allowing for a 30 per cent refund on all the Qualifying Production Expenditures (QPE) incurred by film producers in respect of their projects in Mauritius.

     

    The scheme was officially launched at a gala event by the Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Finance & Economic Development Xavier-Luc Duval in the presence of Minister of Arts and Culture Mookhesswur Choonee and Bollywood actor Jackie Shroff.

     

    Some 250 professionals including directors, producers, filmmakers, artists and representatives of production houses, modelling agencies and training schools attended the launch.

     

    In his address, Duval, the architect of the Rebate Scheme, highlighted the size and importance of the film industry and its business potential for Mauritius. He said the industry is expected to generate some MUR 500 million in 2014 while it is estimated that it will bring about MUR 1 billion annually in foreign exchange.

     

    In its endeavour to develop new sectors of activity within the creative arts industry, the Mauritian Government through the Board of Investment elaborated a framework to attract film shooting and post-production activities in Mauritius. This was implemented in the wake of an announcement in the 2012 National Budget.

     

    The Industry is seen as a serious and viable addition to the economy. This scheme puts Mauritius at-par with other destinations like Malaysia and Abu-Dhabi which offer a 30 per cent rebate.

     

    Duval stated that the Government will intensify the marketing of the scheme through the Board of Investment. The industry is expected to generate employment for SMEs, designers, artists, hoteliers, with significant beneficial spillover effects on other sectors like tourism, trade, travel, transport and retail.

     

    Furthermore, the industry will provide great exposure and visibility to the Mauritian tourism industry in various source markets such as India, China and Europe. The Board of Investment has recorded an increasing number of potential interests from local producers as well as production houses from China, South Africa and India. So far, expressions of interest have been received mostly by Indian producers.

     

    Choonee emphasized the strong relationship and special sense of belonging and brotherhood between India and Mauritius. The country has nurtured this special bond over decades. Minister Choonee stressed the government’s vision to develop the film industry as another pillar of the economy.

     

    Special guest Jackie Shroff firmly believes that Mauritius should start producing movies. The actor underlined the importance of having a specialised school offering courses on script-writing and editing as well as crash courses on film-making.

     

    He praised Mauritius and said he was overwhelmed by the hospitality of Mauritians. He commended VPM Duval’s initiative for the development and promotion of the new film industry.

  • Zoom in on the Bollywood 100 Crore club

    Zoom in on the Bollywood 100 Crore club

    MUMBAI: Love it or hate it, you can’t ignore it. We are talking about the popular 100-crore club which since last few years has taken away the Bollywood fraternity by storm. Whether they say it or not, almost every filmmaker aims to reach the mark. And looking at the popularity of the club, channel Zoom has come up with a new show, 100 Crore Club that will expose the trade secrets that goes behind making a film a part of the coveted club.

     

    With this show, the channel is taking its viewers closer to Bollywood. The show will go on air from 30 October, every Wednesday at 8 pm.

     

    The half an hour show will feature the great minds behind the Blockbusters’ raging glory in the year 2012. So, how is the show going to benefit the channel? A source from the channel reveals: “The channel’s programming explores every aspect of Bollywood – be it the films, the music, the stars, the film-makers or any other aspect. Films that have crossed the magical Rs 100 crore mark at the c are obviously the ones that have got massive popular appeal and Zoom is going to take its viewers inside the coveted 100 Crore Club to find out what the secret of their success is.”

     

    “The show will not only be an interesting and entertaining treat for young Bollywood fans but also an insightful analysis for anyone who is professionally associated with the film industry,” adds the source.

     

    The first episode of the show will feature the 2012 blockbuster Barfi that not just broke the Box Office records but also came out of the typical masala movie mold and made a space in the 100 crore club. Other blockbuster movies that would feature in the series include Ek Tha Tiger, Dabangg 2, Rowdy Rathore, Agneepath, Jab Tak Hai Jaan, Housefull 2, Son of Sardaar and Bol Bachchan.

     

    The channel has already produced nine episodes for the first season of 100 Crore Club where each episode will focus on one of the above films in detail. It is an in-house production by the channel.

     

    Over the past weeks, the channel has launched and refreshed a number of shows to enhance the weekday prime-time experience for its viewers. The 100 Crore Club is Zoom’s latest launch in this line-up and will strengthen the weeknight’s 8 pm slot. “The weekday prime-time slot has always been a strong slot for Zoom and we have a loyal base of viewers that comes to the channel on weeknights for their daily dose of Bollywood entertainment,” says the source.
    So, Bollywood buffs buckle up and get ready for a masaledaar infotainment and learn the tricks of the film trade from the industry insiders including the director, producer, choreographer, singer and star cast to the PR professionals and marketing geniuses.

  • Saif Ali Khan and Sonakshi Sinha’s impromptu dance for Tamanche Pe Disco

    Saif Ali Khan and Sonakshi Sinha’s impromptu dance for Tamanche Pe Disco

    MUMBAI: The much awaited song Tamanche Pe Disco with our very own nawab of Bollywood Saif Ali Khan and Sonakshi Sinha is finally here!

     

    This track is sung and composed by the UK based band RDB, making the rhythm very catchy and peppy.

     

    In fact we hear that when ace choreographer Ganesh Acharya, who has choreographed the song, made the actors listen to the song, both started grooving spontaneously to its fast and peppy tune.

     

    A source close to the team said, “The song has a very perky tune to it making a person stand up and dance. The same happened with Saif and Sonakshi, making them groove on the spot. Ganesh was very impressed with this unrehearsed and unplanned dancing so he decided to include that impromptu chemistry between Saif and Sonakshi in the song.”

     

    We feel that the definite USP of the song is its rusty look along with the impromptu and spontaneous dancing done by the leading stars of the movie.

     

    Looks like the Bullett Raja is not only good with his shooting skills but also with his dancing skills!

     

    Releasing 29 November, Bullett Raja is premised on fictional mafia based in Uttar Pradesh starring Saif Ali Khan, Sonakshi Sinha, Jimmy Shergill, Vidyut Jamwal, Gulshan Grover, Raj Babbar and Chunky Pandey.

     

    Fox Star Studios presents Bullett Raja produced by Tigmanshu Dhulia, Nitin Tej Ahuja, Rahul Mitra and is a Moving Pictures & BrandSmith Motion Pictures Production.