ITV

Tag: Deepak Dhar

  • Temptation Island India on JioCinema: Love, drama, and temptations!

    Temptation Island India on JioCinema: Love, drama, and temptations!

    Mumbai: JioCinema, India’s biggest entertainment destination, is all set to elevate the entertainment quotient for its viewers with the launch of the Indian adaptation of one of the world’s biggest reality formats, Temptation Island. Starting 3 November at 8 pm, the show will have two of the most seasoned personalities of Indian television, the stunning Mouni Roy play The Queen of Hearts and the relationship expert, and the charismatic Karan Kundrra takes charge as the host. In this ultimate Pyaar Ki Pariksha, Mouni will be guiding the contestants in their journey of self-discovery, while Karan will test the strength of the relationships. Social media’s most sensational stars, Elvish Yadav and Abhishek Malhan (Fukra Insaan) will also be seen together in the show, who will help the contestants explore connections in the villa. Temptation Island is an original format owned by the Banijay Group and is produced in India by Banijay Asia.

    Shot at an exotic tropical island, this unique social experiment will see couples tempted to sever old ties and explore new romances as they willfully separate in the Girls Villa and the Boys Villa and immerse themselves in an environment filled with irresistible allure. Surrounded by charming singles, they will grapple with their feelings, confront unfamiliar temptations, and delve into their deepest desires. Through the course of the show, the boys and the girls will explore new bonds through romantic dates, interesting activities, and theme parties that will help them understand each other better. The special bonfire segments as part of the special weekend episodes with Mouni Roy and Karan Kundrra will unfold all the drama and emotions as they will get a glimpse of the evolving dynamics of their respective partners in the villas.

    Presented by Too Yumm, Powered by Paytm, and along with Skore as the Digital Partner, Temptation Island India will span across 42 episodes, with an extended version called Temptation Channel streaming on the platform all day. The show will also introduce an array of interactive features, enhancing the viewer experience like never before, ensuring non-stop entertainment on the platform. Leaked Chats will give viewers a sneak peek into their most intimate conversations including photos, videos, voice notes, and text messages. The platform will feature Ask Love Guru for relationship advice from an expert, Horizontal Hype Trivia for quick facts and info about contestants. With Jeeto Dhan Dhana Dhan viewers will be in for a rewarding experience where they’ll win daily prizes by answering simple questions as they watch the Temptation Channel. Not to miss the very engaging JioCinema Super Squad, giving viewers a chance to make their own team and win big rewards. Temptation Awards will let viewers vote for their favorites, while Hype Chats and Stickers will provide real-time engagement.

    Speaking on the launch of the reality series, a spokesperson at JioCinema said, “At JioCinema, we are deeply invested in our audience while continuing to expand our portfolio with genre defining content that set new benchmarks. Reality is a key part of our overall content strategy and Temptation Island India will truly be a game changer for this category. As we bring the iconic global IP to India, we are sure to redefine the ‘unscripted’ entertainment making it the new reality phenomenon for the nation.”

    Commenting on the launch, Banijay Asia & Endemol Shine India founder & Group CEO Deepak Dhar said, “Temptation Island has left an indelible mark on the global reality TV landscape, with its immense success spanning over 20 countries. We are thrilled to now bring this iconic show to India. Given the show’s unique concept, JioCinema’s wide reach, and an interesting mix of participants, Temptation Island India is all set to redefine the way Indian audiences experience reality television.”

    Speaking on the partnership, a spokesperson at Too Yumm said, “Too Yumm! always seeks to find interesting and disruptive ways to engage with its consumers and form deeper connections with them. As we launch one of the most disruptive tasting snack for our consumers TooYumm! Twisties, we felt it needed an equally disruptive launch medium. What could have been better than one of the most successful reality shows in the world Temptation Island, as it debuts in India through JioCinema. We are sure, together, we will be creating lots of twisti-es and masaledaar experiences for our consumers.”

    Too Yumm presents Temptation Island India, powered by Paytm and digital partner Skore, starts 3 November at 8 pm on JioCinema.

  • Banijay Asia forays into live entertainment

    Banijay Asia forays into live entertainment

    Mumbai: Banijay Asia, India’s leading content powerhouse, announced its foray into LIVE Entertainment & Special Events, with an unforgettable pre-match entertainment ceremony at the historic India-Pakistan cricket match. Produced and executed by Banijay Asia, and orchestrated by BCCI, the star-studded event, titled “A Musical Odyssey,” took place at the iconic Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, captivating an audience of over 100,000 cricket enthusiasts.

    The mesmerizing evening, directed by Varun Gupta, comprising an opening and a mid-innings act, and witnessed renowned musical talent including Shankar Mahadevan, Arijit Singh, Sunidhi Chauhan, Neha Kakkar, Darshan Rawal and Sukhvinder Singh, who set the stage on fire with their chart-topping hits and melodious renditions. The atmosphere was electric as the crowd joined in, creating a harmonious blend of cricket and music.

    Commenting on the project, Banijay Asia & Endemol Shine India founder & group CEO Deepak Dhar stated, “We are honoured and humbled to be part of a historic evening, by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), and would like to thank the entire BCCI team for their confidence in us. This event marked the first foray for Banijay Asia into the ‘LIVE Entertainment’ space, an area which, with the support of Banijay Events, it hopes to grow. We believe in creating unique and unforgettable experiences, and this evening was a testament to our commitment to bringing home unforgettable entertainment experiences.”

    The “A Musical Odyssey” event added a new dimension to cricketing extravaganzas by merging the enthusiasm of sports with the magic of music, uniting fans from all walks of life. It showcased Banijay Asia’s expertise in producing and executing grand-scale, entertainment-driven events that leave an indelible mark on the audience.

    The news comes months after the global launch of Banijay Events, and Banijay’s acquisition of live entertainment specialist, Balich Wonder Studio. Banijay Events will look to partner closely with Banijay Asia in the region to expand its efforts in this space. 

  • Dino James lifts the coveted trophy of COLORS’ ‘Khatron Ke Khiladi 13’

    Dino James lifts the coveted trophy of COLORS’ ‘Khatron Ke Khiladi 13’

    Mumbai: Winning the coveted trophy of adventure-based reality show takes guts, spot-on instincts, curiosity, a competitive streak, and much more. Over the last 13 years, COLORS’ ‘Khatron Ke Khiladi’ has solidified its position as a successful franchise that grips viewers by showcasing the journeys of daredevils from different walks of life. Hosted by action maestro Rohit Shetty, the 13 editions of the show presented by Maruti Suzuki along with CERA Sanitaryware as Special Partner has concluded after capturing a rollercoaster ride of emotions, entertainment, and adventures. Fear Factor – Khatron Ke Khiladi is an Endemol (part of Banijay Group) format and is produced and executed in India by Endemol Shine India. For twelve weeks, the contestants spared no effort in earning the title of the ultimate Khiladi and battling their phobia. After a life-altering journey, daredevil contestant, Dino James won the game-changing season whereas Arjit Taneja and Aishwarya Sharma stood as the first and second runners-up respectively, giving the winner a tough fight. The grand finale of the 13th season took the entertainment quotient of television to its zenith with adrenaline-inducing stunts, glamour, games, performances, and hilarious moments.

    Onwards and upwards has been Dino’s motto throughout the season as he navigated his way to victory. By the end of the show, the khiladi performed a total number of 16 stunts and won nine of them. He established himself as a formidable competitor at the outset of the season. He was everyone’s favourite stunt partner because he built credibility as a daredevil, who could pull off stunts impeccably. Apart from performing stunts to perfection, Dino entertained the contestants and the viewers by whipping out spontaneous raps. Host Rohit Shetty appreciated the rapper for being fearless not only while performing stunts, but also as he voiced his opinion when it mattered. His bond with Shiv Thakare and Arjit Taneja inspired friendship goals. From the beginning of the season to the finale, the competition between Arjit Taneja and Dino was neck and neck until the latter’s victory.

    Commenting on the season and the contestant’s victory, Host Rohit Shetty said, “Each year, we harness our creative energies in crafting unprecedented and innovative challenges for our contestants and spiking up the fear factor of the show. In this edition, every participant showed courage in the most unexpected moments. Congratulations to Dino James for not only winning the trophy but also for winning viewers’ hearts. I believe he is the most genuine and fearless contestant we’ve had this season. This edition would not have been a success without our base of ardent fans and viewers. I thank them for their constant love and support.”

    Banijay Asia and Endemol Shine India, founder & group CEO Deepak Dhar said, “What a nail-biting thrill it was to have a season packed with terrifying stunts, adventures, and non-stop action! As we draw the curtain on this phenomenal season, I would like to congratulate Dino James, the well-deserving winner, and the rest of the contestants for their daredevilry. We at Endemol Shine India are proud to have curated an edition that serves as a compelling reminder of why India’s most popular stunt-based reality show continues to dominate the space of non-fiction offerings. We thank COLORS for its support and for providing the show a robust platform which helped us reach a wider audience.”

    Talking about his victory, Dino James said, “Khatron Ke Khiladi 13 came into my life as a blessing and I’m grateful to have had such an amazing time on this iconic show. I value the appreciation I got from Rohit sir and the opportunity to be bigger than my fears. I never imagined I had the capacity to become this evolved version of myself. The friendships I formed on this show were totally unexpected but precious. I dedicate my victory to my fans, who have been super supportive, and I’m touched that their love has come my way in abundance. I want to thank COLORS and the creators of this incredible show that marks the beginning of a whole new chapter in my life.”

    Filled with non-stop entertainment and action, the grand finale of ‘Khatron Ke Khiladi 13’ kicked off with the host of the show bestowing hilarious tags upon the daredevils. The bittersweet note of the season’s conclusion is overshadowed by hysterical moments, such as Anjali Anand mispronouncing words like her movie character Gayatri, Shiv Thakare flirting in his signature style, Soundous Moufakir singing a Marathi song with her Moroccan accent and Archana Gautam breaking her beizzati record Ek Hazaar Teen on the show. The performances during the finale stole the show as the contestants played to their strengths and showcased their talents. Dino performed a rap, Rashmeet Kaur sang her hit song ‘Nadiyon Paar’ and unveiled her latest song ‘Sherni’, Aishwarya Sharma grooved to ‘Drama Queen’ and Shiv Thakare, Arjit Taneja, Soundous Moufakir, and Nyrraa M. Banerji danced to ‘Ole Ole’ and ‘Pyaar Hota Kayi Baar Hain’. With this spectacular culmination, the curtains closed on yet another fantastic season of ‘Khatron Ke Khiladi’ leaving viewers eagerly anticipating the adventures of the next season. 

  • COLORS Kannada to launch the region’s entertainment show Bigg Boss Kannada S10

    COLORS Kannada to launch the region’s entertainment show Bigg Boss Kannada S10

    Mumbai: Keeping up with its promise to bring the biggest and best entertainment to its viewers throughout the year, Colors Kannada today announced the launch of Bigg Boss Season 10.

    Powered by Freedom Refined Oil and Nippon Paint; Special partners Levista Instant Coffee, Cera, Swastiks Masala and India Gate Basmati Rice; Health partner Amrith Noni and Restaurant partner Haldiram’s, and Prize partner Confident Group; BIGG BOSS Kannada Season 10 is set to premiere on Colors Kannada from 8 October at 6 PM and thereafter at 9:30 PM daily. Furthermore, to mark the landmark tenth anniversary season of Bigg Boss Kannada, JioCinema, the OTT platform of Viacom18, will offer exclusive content access for free, with the 24-hour LIVE channel.

    For the first time, BIGG BOSS Kannada will be sporting a theme – Happy BIGG BOSS. The theme aims to underscore the happiness and engagement that this festival of entertainment brings to its viewers, participants, advertisers, social media influencers, and digital natives – uniting Kannadigas across the country!

    This season of BIGG BOSS Kannada will have 16 contestants from different walks of life entering the house as 73 cameras across every corner of the new BIGG BOSS house bring their lives to the viewers. To mark its tenth anniversary season, Colors Kannada has built a new BIGG BOSS house on the outskirts of the city that will have more space and is considered the biggest BIGG BOSS House across all language formats. Spread over a massive 12000 sq. ft., the new BIGG BOSS house will allow for more elaborate games and tasks, ensuring even more drama, emotion and engagement!

    Colors Kannada business head Prashanth Nayak – said, “This season is a landmark moment for 3 reasons. Firstly, it is the tenth anniversary and hence this celebratory feeling underlines all aspects of the show. Secondly, we have introduced a theme for the first time and hence another dimension to the way that participants will play this season. Finally, the new house offers a lot more space – for tasks and for brand integrations. Altogether, this creates an environment for unparalleled drama and engagement while the theme underscores the family appeal of Bigg Boss Kannada.”

    Superstar Kiccha Sudeep, the host of the show said, “I started my Bigg Boss Kannada with Season 1 and it’s already a decade. This is not just a show for me, but rather my Happy home! I always enjoy meeting new personalities and the flavours of the characters that they bring to the show. With the biggest Bigg Boss house, a first-ever theme and some surprises along the way – Bigg Boss Season 10 promises to be the most engaging entertainment project for me as well.”

    Commenting on the occasion, Banijay Asia & Endemol Shine India founder and group CEO Deepak Dhar said, “We are thrilled to mark the 10th anniversary of Bigg Boss Kannada, a testament to its enduring popularity and the immense joy it brings to viewers. Bigg Boss is a global phenomenon, and its success in India, under Endemol Shine India production, continues to be a source of pride for us. We look forward to another new season of drama, emotions, and engagement with its Kannadiga audience”.

    To amplify the Bigg Boss Kannada 10th season anniversary experience, JioCinema will bring some exciting additions to ensure non-stop entertainment on the platform for free. Coupled with some exclusive and unseen content, exciting segments such as Bigg News, Unseen Kathegalu, JioCinema Fun Fryday, Deep Agi Nodi will keep the viewers hooked with the trending and hyper-current happenings of the house. Live Shorts will add to the drama and provide snacky content from the 24-hour LIVE channel that will fuel the excitement for the show. Additionally, fans of Bigg Boss Kannada will be in for a treat with interactive offerings such as Watch & Win, Meme the Moment, Hype Chat and Video Vichaar that will give viewers a chance to stay connected through fun contests, chats on the live feed and engage on the platform by creating memes. For the first time, users can watch the show on television and answer questions on JioCinema to win exciting prizes each day. These power-packed interactivity features will enhance user experience and give them the power to take over and influence key decisions inside the house, as well as vote to save the nominated contestant.

    Get ready to watch Kannada entertainment’s biggest visual spectacle Bigg Boss Kannada Season 10 from October 8 at 6 PM, thereafter at 9.30 PM daily on Colors Kannada, and non-stop with the 24-hour LIVE channel on JioCinema.

     

  • ‘The Kapil Sharma Show’ returns with ‘Naya Avtaar’ & with a ‘Naya Parivaar’

    ‘The Kapil Sharma Show’ returns with ‘Naya Avtaar’ & with a ‘Naya Parivaar’

    Mumbai: Comedian Kapil Sharma is back with The Kapil Sharma Show with a ‘Naya avatar’ and ‘Naya parivaar.’ 

    The brand-new season of The Kapil Sharma Show on Sony Entertainment Television will premiere on 10 September and air every Saturday and Sunday at 9:30 p.m.

    Sony Entertainment Television (SET) programming (non-fiction) head Sonal Yadav said, “The Kapil Sharma Show over the years has witnessed a great amount of adulation from the entire nation owing to its infectious humour quotient and as a great stress buster. It’s one of our most valuable properties that continues to bring families together. Presenting an exciting new season set against an interesting theme, Kapil Sharma along with his new comedy brigade and fresh gags promises to offer wholesome entertainment. We are glad to be collaborating with Banijay Asia and SKTV once again to bring this laughter riot.” 

    The program, which is once again produced by Banijay Asia and SKTV (Salman Khan Television), invites families to gather together for a weekend of laughter, glamour, and glamour. 

    Banijay Asia founder & CEO Deepak Dhar said, “Right from the start, The Kapil Sharma Show has created a special place with the hearts of the audience owing to years of top-notch comedy legacy behind it. The show has created its loyal set of fan base which only continues to grow season after season. The light humour, Kapil’s relatability, each character’s spontaneity, and the guests is what makes it the perfect wholesome family entertainer. And, this is one of the reasons why The Kapil Sharma Show has successfully become the nation’s favourite.” 

    He further added, “Our effort is to preserve and represent classic TV content that is universally appealing and can be watched by everyone in the family, together. That’s why we’re always adding so much diversity to the show. This time, we have new characters, new stories, a new set-up, new talent. It’s the same ‘The Kapil Sharma Show’ but with a fresh take and double the fun. It’s always a pleasure partnering with Sony Entertainment Television and SKTV, and with each collaboration, the relationship only strengthens. We’re really looking forward to this season.” 

    The Pushp Masale and Elois HRC co-presented The Kapil Sharma Show is co-powered by Volkswagen, Priyagold Hunk, Finolex Cables, Chings Schezwan Chutney, Jaquar Lighting, and Chings Schezwan Chutney. Simpolo Ceramics is the Associate Sponsor.

    Seen in a new avatar, this time around, Kapil Sharma will be running a local cable TV channel in a mohallah surrounded by his crazy family and even crazier neighbourhood. 

    “Cuttputlli” cast, which includes Akshay Kumar, Rakul Preet Singh, Sargun Mehta, and Chandrachur Singh, as well as producer Jackky Bhagnani, will be featured in the opening weekend episodes. “The Babli Bouncer” team, which includes Madhur Bhandarkar, Tamannaah Bhatia, Saurabh Shukla, and Supriya Shukla, will follow.

  • Rishi Negi to take over as CEO of Endemol Shine India

    Rishi Negi to take over as CEO of Endemol Shine India

    Mumbai: Banijay Asia chief operating officer Rishi Negi will take over as CEO of Endemol Shine India, highly placed sources have confirmed to Indiantelevision.com.

    Negi takes over from Abhishek Rege whose departure from the production house was announced on Tuesday. His appointment is expected to be announced on Wednesday at noon.  

    Negi took over the role of COO of Banijay Asia in 2018 and reported to Banijay Asia founder and CEO Deepak Dhar.

    He has over 24 years of experience, across entertainment, hospitality and retail sectors. His repertoire of work includes key positions to drive growth strategies across corporate giants like Emerald Asia Media, Fame India Limited, Pizzeria Restaurants and Taj Group of Hotels amongst others.

    Endemol Shine India is the production house behind some of the biggest unscripted reality shows like Bigg Boss, Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi, India’s Next Superstars among others.

  • Netflix drops ‘Ranveer vs Wild with Bear Grylls’ trailer

    Netflix drops ‘Ranveer vs Wild with Bear Grylls’ trailer

    Mumbai: OTT platform Netflix has dropped a new trailer for Ranveer vs Wild with Bear Grylls. This shows the actor facing some tough choices. Should he rappel down a craggy cliff or traverse a mountain line across a nail-biting drop to descend from high ground? What should he do when he meets bears — play dead or dance for them?

    Except that Ranveer Singh is not the one making the decisions in India’s first interactive reality special; the viewers are. Produced by Banijay Asia and The Natural Studios, the special will air on 8 July 2022. 

    At an event today to launch the trailer with fans and media, the indefatigable powerhouse reminded his fans that his fate is literally in their hands, button dabao aur Ranveer ko bachao!  Zip-lining from the sky in true blue Ranveer style, the superstar made his way to the main stage to unveil the trailer and deliver a very special message. “Dil Darega Nahi, Karega”, said Ranveer as he urged his fans to embrace their fears and pursue their ultimate passion.

    Embed Link: https://youtu.be/joH3je2HrxA

    Trading the comforts and fashion of cosmopolitan Mumbai to plunge headlong into the unforgiving forests of Serbia, Ranveer is risking his life all for one thing — a rare flower for the love of his life. From rappelling rocky terrains to facing ravenous wolves, he keeps on forging ahead with adventurer Bear Grylls.

    Long a fan of the man he calls ‘king of the wild’, the actor is over the moon to team up with Bear for this adventure of a lifetime.

    Actor Ranveer Singh said, “This is a fresh offering in the adventure reality genre. Embarking on this great, big challenge was a thrill for me and we feel that the audience will also experience the same adrenaline rush! It’s packed with action, humour, emotion, suspense – just about all the ingredients of a wholesome watch! And the best part is that the audience gets to engage in a truly interactive format, which in many ways is the USP of the show. I am excited to be working with Netflix to bring to you a project that we believe is both novel and thoroughly entertaining!”

    Out in the jungle, Singh does his own stunts for the first time ever, while picking up new survival skills from Grylls the intrepid explorer, who at one point helpfully informs the actor that he’s smeared wolf scat on his forehead.

    British adventurer, writer, television presenter and businessman Bear Grylls said, “I am excited to be working with Ranveer. He is a supremely talented actor and a fireball of energy. The best part about him is his insatiable thirst for growth and adventure. Together with Netflix, Ranveer and I are thrilled to bring the ultimate adventure to audiences across the world.”

    “At Netflix, we are constantly pushing our boundaries of storytelling to create truly immersive experiences for our members. Ranveer vs Wild with Bear Grylls puts interactivity at the heart of telling this story with viewers in the driver’s seat and participating in his thrilling adventure from start to finish” said Netflix India VP content Monika Shergill.  

    By placing Ranveer in an environment that is totally out of his comfort zone, viewers will get to see and connect with another side of the city boy. After all, love ke liye kuch bhi karega! 

    On the association with Netflix India, Banijay Asia founder and CEO Deepak Dhar commented, “We have always been committed to creating diverse and varied content. Ranveer Vs Wild with Bear Grylls has given us the opportunity to bring to Indian audiences something that has never been done before. We are delighted to take forward our association with Netflix India and hope to bring more varied content to the country.”

  • Sony Entertainment Television brings back a classic comedy format to TV

    Sony Entertainment Television brings back a classic comedy format to TV

    Mumbai: It’s time to ROFL. Yes, roll on the floor laughing. Sony Entertainment Television (SET) is set to showcase fresh comedic talent on television with its new show called India’s Laughter Champion. Produced by Banijay Asia and Salman Khan TV, the show was conceived as the programming team at SET and producers at Banijay Asia contemplated about what to do after The Kapil Sharma Show went on break.

    India’s Laughter Champion brings back the classic format of The Great Indian Laughter Challenge that aired some 15 years ago.

    The new show will showcase a range of stand-up acts from comedians across the country who are anywhere between 22 to 80 years of age. The viewers will be exposed to a variety of comedy acts from the contestants whose ultimate aim is to win the coveted title of ‘India’s Laughter Champion.’

    Hosted by Rochelle Rao, the comedic acts will be judged by comedic experts Shekhar Suman and Archana Puran Singh. A sneak peak of the show was presented before the media on Tuesday and showcased the hilarious performances of Nitesh Shetty from Mumbai, Radheshyam Bharti from Pragyaraj, Himanshu Bavandar from Ujjain and Bollywood boys Gaurav and Ketan from Mumbai and received hearty applause.

    In the past, Banijay Asia founder & CEO Deepak Dhar has been responsible for producing The Great Indian Laughter Challenge during his stint as MD & CEO of EndemolShine India. He went on to produce another successful comedy show called Chhote Miyan – Jung Nanhe Hasgullon Ki that ran for three seasons.

    “We’ve had a great track record when it comes to comedy,” Dhar told Indiantelevision.com on the sets of the show located in Film City Goregaon. “It is only possible because of the team we’ve assembled. They know their craft.”

    India’s Laughter Champion will have anywhere up to 50-55 contestants who’ll compete in terms of their comedic ability on stage and be judged by Suman and Puran Singh and audiences.

    Dhar underplays the competitive element of the show saying that it is only a layer of the show to engage audiences. He said, “I don’t think the contestants on the show are coming to compete. They want to showcase themselves. Many years back we saw what happened to the careers of Raju Shrivastav, Naveen Prabhakar, Kapil Sharma and Bharti Singh when they appeared on The Great Indian Laughter Challenge. They all became household names. So, the contestants are really here to shine in the spotlight. The idea is to give these contestants a platform so that they can become posters of wit and humour,” elaborated Dhar.

    Apart from skyrocketing the careers of comic talents that Dhar mentioned, The Great Indian Laughter also spawned other show formats such The Kapil Sharma Show and the Comedy Circus.

    “The idea for us is to do something that brings back classic TV content,” noted Dhar. “We want to make the show as universally appealing as possible so everyone can sit and watch it. That’s why we’re adding as much diversity to it so it appeals to as many people as possible. To top it off, we’re bringing two judges who are well-known to understand wit and humour.”

    The judges and producers of India’s Laughter Champion emphasised on putting on a clean show and veering away from the trend of explicit and vulgar comedy content observed on OTT and digital platforms. “We believe in mass clean comedy humour,” stated Dhar. “A show that I can watch with my daughter and my mother when I’m at home. It is important for us to make this show universally appealing so that people can watch it and appreciate it,” said Dhar.

    While the urban stand-up comedy scene has shifted to conversations around millennial and Gen Z experiences, Dhar did not seem concerned that the format of India’s Laughter Champion appealed to a mass audience, including older audiences. He remarked “We’ll wait and watch how people receive it. I feel there’s always a hunger and thirst for clean comedy. That always stands out from the clutter. We saw it many years back and I think we’ll see it again.”

    India’s Laughter Champion will begin airing on 11 June starting at 9.30 pm. SET has roped in Rajdhani Poha as a sponsor for the show.  

  • Banijay Asia to create Indian adaptation of Canadian mini-series ‘Vertige’

    Banijay Asia to create Indian adaptation of Canadian mini-series ‘Vertige’

    Mumbai: Banijay Asia is collaborating with Armoza Formats, part of ITV Studios, to bring the official adaptation of the award-winning Canadian mini-series “Vertige” to the Indian audience.

    The Canadian show, originally broadcast in French, deconstructs the alleged suicide of a young girl, Daphne Roussel. “Vertige” follows her as she miraculously wakes up from a three-month long coma with no memory of the 24 hours prior to her alleged suicide attempt.

    “Our audience is developing a vast appetite for exciting and engaging content, making it increasingly important to bring innovative, catchy titles to screen,” said Banijay Asia CEO and Founder Deepak Dhar. “Armoza Format’s ‘Vertige’ is spellbindingly suspenseful, and the way the story catches you in the thrill-storm of the main character is extraordinary. Our audiences love strong narratives and solid characters, and Vertige is a series that fits the description seamlessly – it’s great to be collaborating to create our own, localised version of the show.”

    “We are thrilled to see more of our scripted titles being adapted in India thanks to our great partners in the Indian market,” said Armoza Formats head of sales Salome Peillon. “Together with our partners at Banijay Asia, we are looking forward to bringing this thrilling drama series, ‘Vertige’, to the Indian viewers who have shown clear appetite for our scripted series.”

    The six-episode thriller, originally produced by Pixcom, received multiple awards at the prestigious Prix Gémeaux in 2012 for categories such as ‘Best Direction,’ ‘Best Writing’ and ‘Best Original Music’ to name a few. Originally directed by Patrice Sauvé, “Vertige” features a stunning cast with Fanny Mallette, Normand Daneau, Marilyn, Castonguay, Noémie Godin-Vigneau, Monique Spaziani and Germain Houde in the pivotal roles.

    Banijay Asia is behind hit shows such as “Call My Agent,” “Hostages,” “Survivor,” “The Voice,” “Into The Wild with Bear Grylls” and “The Big Picture.”

    Armoza Formats is one of the top creators and distributors in the international content market and is known for its popular formats including primetime singing competition “The Four” and entertainment show “I Can Do That!” hit game show “Still Standing” and award-winning scripted drama “Hostages” which recently aired two seasons in India. 

  • Banijay Asia names Rajesh Chadha as EVP & business head of scripted content

    Banijay Asia names Rajesh Chadha as EVP & business head of scripted content

    Mumbai: Banijay Asia has named Rajesh Chadha to head the scripted business as the executive vice president and business head. As part of this role, Chadha will be responsible for developing the scripted slate for the media company.

    A media veteran with a career spanning over 27 years in the M&E industry, Chadha has spearheaded projects at prominent companies like Endemol, BBC Studios and RBNL. Leading the content execution for the award-winning OTT series – “Criminal Justice” and “Out of Love” at BBC Studios, he was also involved in Ajay Devgn’s digital debut “Rudra” and “Guilt & Press” in early 2022.

    “The Indian streaming space is under content revolution and Banijay Asia is leading the shift seamlessly,” said Rajesh Chadha. “Producing premium content, associating with top streaming platforms, and collaborating with national and international studios to churn out newer formats, Banijay Asia is a uniquely positioned production house in the industry. I am looking forward to contributing towards the growth and success of Banijay Asia along with Deepak Dhar.”

    “Innovation and creation are the way forward in the rapidly changing content industry and we are delighted to have Rajesh join the leadership team,” said Banijay Asia CEO and founder Deepak Dhar. “His determination and affluent experience in the space will certainly add immense value to our future endeavours.”