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Tag: Dinesh Vijan

  • UMI strikes the right chord with Maddock Films in global music alliance

    UMI strikes the right chord with Maddock Films in global music alliance

    MUMBAI: The movie business just got a new soundtrack partner and this time, it’s playing to a global beat. Universal Music India (UMI), the Indian arm of Universal Music Group, has inked a strategic tie-up with Maddock Films and its new music label, Mad For Mussic, founded by producer-director Dinesh Vijan. The deal will see UMI serve as Maddock’s worldwide strategic partner for future film soundtracks and allied offerings.

    For UMI, it’s more than just a duet, it’s a full-blown re-entry into India’s most dominant music category: film soundtracks. With UMG’s global network as its amplifier, Maddock’s repertoire will now find international stages, while UMI cements its foothold in a market where movies and music are inseparable.

    Maddock Films, which has carved its niche with hits like Stree, Bhediya, Munjya and the upcoming Thama, has long treated music as central to its storytelling. Its chartbuster “Pardesiya” from Param Sundari is a case in point, having ruled social media and streaming platforms alike. “Our cinema is the cinema of real India,” said Vijan. “Music has always been one of its pillars. With UMG, we’re ready to scale that ambition.”

    Universal, of course, is no stranger to Hindi film soundtracks. Its catalogue has spanned classics from Sholay and Deewar to Devdas and Bombay. But this partnership marks a sharp pivot to contemporary hindi film industry, with an eye on both local dominance and global resonance.

    Calling the deal “a crucial step forward,” UMG’s Adam Granite hailed Vijan as “a first-class storyteller with an unparalleled ear for music.” UMI’s India MD Sanujeet Bhujabal called Maddock’s output “fearless, forward-thinking storytelling,” while India SA chairman & CEO Devraj Sanyal noted that the move comes at “the perfect time” for UMI to re-enter the Indian film music market.

    With Maddock’s track record of genre-defining cinema from horror-comedies to mainstream hits and UMI’s global muscle, the stage is set for Hindi soundtracks to travel farther and louder than ever. Call it a match made in musical heaven, with India’s stories and songs primed for a world tour.

  • Zee5’s ‘Tehran’ races to 100 million minutes in record-breaking debut

    Zee5’s ‘Tehran’ races to 100 million minutes in record-breaking debut

    MUMBAI: The John Abraham-starrer became the fastest Hindi film of 2025 to cross the 100 million streaming minutes mark on Zee5 and it did so in just 72 hours of its Independence Day weekend premiere. By the end of its launch week, the geo-political thriller had clocked up a staggering 200 million minutes, securing its place as the platform’s most-watched Hindi release of the year.

    The film didn’t just win over Indian audiences. Streaming across 190 plus countries, Tehran broke into Zee5’s global Top 5 for 2025, trending in the US, UK, MENA and APAC proof that its tense narrative struck a chord with the diaspora.

    A slick marketing blitz only added to the spectacle. From a visual projection on Mumbai’s Bandra-Worli Sea Link to hoardings across UP, MP and Mumbai, Tehran was unmissable. The promotions even included Zee5’s first-ever exclusive screening at the Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service in Delhi, capped with a candid Q&A session with John Abraham himself.

    Zee5 business head (Hindi), Kaveri Das, credited the success to the film’s “intelligent narrative” and said the response reflects the appetite for “stories that entertain while sparking conversations.”

    Meanwhile, Abraham called the audience’s love “truly overwhelming” and said the film reinforced his belief in pushing boundaries and said, “Geo-political thrillers are a genre I truly believe in, and this proves viewers want stories that go beyond entertainment, bold films that stay with you long after the credits roll.”

    Directed by Dinesh Vijan, the thriller stars John Abraham, Neeru Bajwa, Manushi Chhillar and Madhurima Tuli, and is set against the backdrop of the 2012 magnetic bomb blast near the Israeli Embassy in Delhi. With its blockbuster premiere, Tehran has firmly joined the ranks of Zee5’s most successful titles, reaffirming the streamer’s grip on premium homegrown content.

     

  • Prime Video reels in Maddock Films with blockbuster eight-film deal

    Prime Video reels in Maddock Films with blockbuster eight-film deal

    MUMBAI: When it comes to streaming, Prime Video clearly isn’t afraid of commitment. The platform has just inked a multi-year global licensing deal with Maddock Films, securing exclusive streaming rights to eight upcoming films that will drop on Prime shortly after their theatrical run. The pact makes Prime Video the one-stop home for Maddock’s celebrated horror-comedy universe, including the upcoming Thama and two yet-to-be-titled instalments slated to roll out between 2025 and 2027. The deal follows the monster success of Stree 2, which didn’t just scare up big numbers at the box office but also streamed to blockbuster status on Prime, amassing a global fandom well beyond India.

    The eight-film slate packs serious star power. Topping the line-up is Param Sundari, headlined by Sidharth Malhotra and Janhvi Kapoor, premiering in cinemas on 29 August 2025 before making its digital debut on Prime. Franchise fever continues with Shiddat 2 and Badlapur 2, both extending Maddock’s well-loved cinematic worlds. Also in the mix is Ikkis, directed by Sriram Raghavan and starring Agastya Nanda, along with other unannounced titles.

    The partnership is not new Maddock and Prime Video have a track record of shared hits, from theatrical-to-digital blockbusters like Stree, Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya, and Stree 2, to the co-produced Bhool Chuk Maaf, and the Prime Original Jee Karda.

    “From our horror-comedy universe to our most beloved franchises, our endeavour has always been to create worlds that audiences love to revisit,” said Maddock Films CEO & founder Dinesh Vijan adding that the deal marks a natural extension of their shared goal to take Indian stories global.

    Prime Video India director and head of content licensing Manish Menghani echoed the sentiment: “This multi-film slate not only builds on Maddock’s popular franchises but also delivers fresh storytelling that travels across geographies.”

    With streaming rights locked across 240 plus countries and territories, Prime Video is betting big on Maddock’s mix of chills, thrills, and sequels ensuring its members can binge the blockbusters long after the popcorn’s gone cold.

  • Maddock Films snares Sonia Huria in brand, consumer & social communications role

    Maddock Films snares Sonia Huria in brand, consumer & social communications role

    MUMBAI: For long she’s been on the other side and she’s endeared herself to all who she has been associated with. Now the very familiar and affable face in the entertainment industry, Sonia Huria,  has hopped onto Dinesh Vijan’s Maddock Films as head brand, consumer and social communications.

    Maddock Films had a fabulous 2024 with three films raking it in at the box office: Teri Baaton mein Uljha Jiya (Rs 133 crore), Munjya (Rs 132 crore) and the biggest of them all – Stree 2 (Rs 900 crore). It has lined up a slate of films which will figure in the Maddock Horror Comedy Universe , two of which are to be released in 2025: Thama (Diwali) and Shakti Shalini (31 December).

    So it definitely needs all the professional help it can to build up the brands. And Sonia has oodles of it (22 years) with her last position being that of head of communications , Asia Pacific for four years at Prime Video and Amazon MGM studios(October 2020-January 2025), where she handled the launch campaigns of over  100 shows and films in India, Japan and Singapore.

    Prior to that, she was senior vice-president at Viacom18 Media where over nearly 13 years  (April 2008-Octo 2020) she spearheaded the launch of its Hindi general entertainment channel Colors which quickly claimed the No 1 spot, beating back long-standing number one’s in the space. Additionally, she also worked on social impact initiatives with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Finally, two of the initiatives – the #OpenNewWorlds brand promise and the #OneTogether campaign – she championed helped build stability in the organisation.

    Before the two corporate assignments, she was employed with agencies like Weber Shandwick in Mumbai then Genesis Burson Marstellar first in Singapore and then in India for around six years.

    “After an enriching journey in television and streaming, I’m thrilled to embark on this new chapter with a studio that consistently sets benchmarks and redefines success in both theatrical and streaming entertainment,” posted Sonia on Instagram. “Maddock Films has always been known for its ability to craft stories that resonate deeply with audiences. In my new role, I’m eager to bring together the storytelling touch points across social, PR, and consumer communication to create immersive and engaging experiences for viewers. By connecting these threads seamlessly, we can build a dynamic and interconnected audience journey, amplifying the magic of our narratives and ensuring they captivate and delight at every interaction. With an incredible lineup of projects ahead, I look forward to collaborating with Maddock’s visionary creators and talented team to take our stories beyond screens and into the hearts of audiences everywhere.

     

  • Big Cine Expo 2024 to redefine cinema exhibition at NESCO

    Big Cine Expo 2024 to redefine cinema exhibition at NESCO

    Mumbai: The seventh edition of the Big Cine Expo will take place at the Bombay Exhibition Centre (NESCO), India, from 30 September to 1 October 2024.

    As per the release, it is the world’s second-largest and Asia’s largest international convention and trade show for cinema exhibitors and theatrical distributors, and is expected to be even bigger and more innovative.

    The inauguration will feature industry figures like Maddock Films’ founder Dinesh Vijan, filmmaker Subhash Ghai, and PVR-INOX co-CEO Alok Tandon. A highlight of the expo will be filmmaker Atlee screening exclusive footage of his debut production ‘Baby John’ starring Varun Dhawan on day one.

    Big Cine Expo remains Asia’s largest B2B platform for the multiplex and single-screen sectors. The two-day event will provide local and international stakeholders with opportunities to connect and showcase technologies, products, and services aimed at enhancing the cinema and entertainment sectors. Key partners for Big Cine Expo 2024 include Galalite, IMAX, Qube Cinema, Christie, and Warner Bros. Discovery & Universal. Attendees can expect a packed schedule of product displays, demos, studio presentations, seminars, panel discussions, awards, special screenings, launches, exclusive B2B meetings, and networking opportunities.

    The IMAX Big Cine Awards 2024 will honor leaders and innovators in the cinema exhibition industry, recognizing achievements across various categories. These awards aim to celebrate excellence and creativity in the industry. With a focus on growth and innovation, the expo is expected to attract cinema operators, designers, distributors, studios, equipment manufacturers, project management professionals, and industry decision-makers from around the world.

    “This exceptional event, the second-largest of its kind worldwide, is a gathering of the brightest minds in cinema exhibition,” said Big Cine Expo director Raghav. “Our goal is to offer an exclusive and premier platform for exchanging innovative ideas and industry-leading solutions that will drive the future of cinema.”

    “To be in touch with technology and exhibition, which is the most important aspect for all of us who are making films: there’s so much attention to detail and a tenacious desire to push forward, and I believe the exhibition fraternity is doing just that. I feel greatly humbled to be a part of the show,” said Padma Shri film director, producer, and screenwriter Mani Ratnam.  

    “Domestic as well as international entities unite together, socialise, and share their thoughts. I am really looking forward to attend the event and witness some great work and some innovative concepts. Such initiatives are constructive for entrepreneurs in the cinema industry and ancillary businesses,” said Subhash Ghai.

    “Big Cine Expo has yet again brought the cinema exhibition industry together with its 7th edition of Big Cine Expo. This event has always provided a great platform for networking and collaboration among the key players in our industry. Big Cine Expo has been a symbol of strength and innovation. At PVR INOX, we are proud to be part of this journey and celebrate the progress we’ve made together. Congratulations to the team for organizing another excellent event and for their dedication to the growth and success of our industry,” said PVR INOX Ltd MD Ajay Bijli.

    India has long been a global leader in cinema consumption, and as the market for cinematic experiences grows, Big Cine Expo finds a fitting home in this dynamic country. Mumbai, the center of Indian cinema, has played a key role in shaping the industry, reflecting both its history and innovative approach. As a cultural and creative hub, the city provides the ideal setting for Big Cine Expo 2024, bringing together key industry figures to shape the future of cinema and entertainment in India and globally.

  • Jio Studios & Maddock Films unveil Stree 2 trailer for Independence Day

    Jio Studios & Maddock Films unveil Stree 2 trailer for Independence Day

    Mumbai: The wait is over! The much-anticipated trailer of the biggest film of the year has finally arrived, promising to deliver an electrifying blend of horror and comedy that fans have been eagerly waiting for. Set to release this Independence Day, the sequel to the beloved franchise brings back the iconic Chanderi gang, along with a spine-chilling new adversary – SARKATA!

    While Stree ended on a cliffhanger, audiences had to wait for a good five years. However, the makers are finally back with another banger of a trailer that ties all the loose ends. It is a visual spectacle offering a glimpse into a world, blending horror and humor, in the most unique way!

    Producer of Maddock Films, Dinesh Vijan said, “The first Stree was a defining film in Maddock’s filmography while Stree 2 will cement the entire universe. It answers all the questions that Stree 1 raised and also shows the connections. It is a landmark film for us, especially in terms of the VFX and the world-building that has happened. It is unique and an upgrade of another kind. This one is funnier, bigger, a visual spectacle and it’s got all our characters and some new special angles. This is the most important film we are putting out there and our biggest.”

    Reliance Industries Ltd president of media & content business Jyoti Deshpande said, “At Jio Studios, we take immense pride in creating clutter-breaking and disruptive cinema and giving wings to content-driven stories. We backed Stree when there was no horror-comedy precedent and following its breakout success, we gave our audiences a whole new genre. Stree2 is undoubtedly one of the most anticipated sequels and is the catalyst for our horror-comedy universe. The laughs and the thrills make for fantastic ‘paisa vasool’ entertainment for all ages. Hope to belt out yet another super-hit with our Maddock partnership”.

    We will see the return of the original cast led by Rajkummar Rao and Shraddha Kapoor, sure to charm the audiences with their impeccable performances. Starring Pankaj Tripathi, Aparshakti Khurana, and Abhishek Banerjee, it promises a return to the spooky yet hilarious world. Get ready to celebrate Independence Day with a double dose of chills and laughter! Stree 2 is set to hit theatres on August 15, 2024.

    Jio Studios and Dinesh Vijan present ‘Stree 2’ releasing this Independence Day, directed by Amar Kaushik, produced by Dinesh Vijan and Jyoti Deshpande, A Maddock Films Production.

  • Sony Music Entertainment India and Maddock Films announce strategic partnership

    Sony Music Entertainment India and Maddock Films announce strategic partnership

    Mumbai – Sony Music Entertainment India and Maddock Films have announced a new and broad strategic collaboration in India’s entertainment industry. This partnership unites the two companies with the goal of producing music projects, encompassing film soundtracks and independent pop projects featuring A-list Indian talent.

    Several high-profile projects anchor this alliance, including soundtracks for the upcoming Hindi film “Chhava” starring Vicky Kaushal and Rashmika Mandanna with music by A.R. Rahman, the drama “Diler” featuring Ibrahim Ali Khan, and “Ikkis” starring Agastya Nanda with music by Sachin-Jigar. In addition, the soundtracks for “Luka Chhupi 2,” “Sector 36” starring Vikrant Massey, “Sarvagunn Sampan” featuring Vaani Kapoor, and “Rumi Ki Sharafat” starring Radhika Madan will be part of this collaboration.

    Sony Music Entertainment India managing director Vinit Thakkar said, “This collaboration embodies our vision of creating innovative avenues for our artists to connect with audiences. Film and music are powerful storytelling mediums, and by combining our musical expertise with Maddock Films’ cinematic vision, we are confident in delivering impactful and unforgettable experiences.”
    Maddock Films founder Dinesh Vijan echoed the sentiment, adding, “Both Sony Music Entertainment India and Maddock Films have a proven track record of creating chart-topping hits, making this our most significant music collaboration to date. Over the next two years, we are committed to building the industry’s most dynamic and successful music partnership.

  • Shraddha Kapoor surprises fans with Stree 2 teaser and first look

    Shraddha Kapoor surprises fans with Stree 2 teaser and first look

    Mumbai: Jio Studios and Dinesh Vijan set the internet ablaze with the exciting announcement that the much-anticipated sequel, Stree 2, will be hitting theatres on Independence Day, 15 August 2024.

     

     

    But the excitement didn’t stop there. In a thrilling turn of events, Stree star Shraddha Kapoor took the anticipation to an entirely new level. She made a surprise appearance at the screening of Munjya at Chitra Cinemas in Mumbai’s Dadar, where she unveiled the official first poster of Stree 2 and launched the teaser, along with producer Dinesh Vijan and director Amar Kaushik, much to the delight of the unsuspecting audience.

    Fans were ecstatic about the surprise visit and the announcement, as it’s been a long wait since Stree first captivated audiences in 2018. With the new poster and teaser, the excitement has skyrocketed.

    The teaser, now available to watch exclusively in cinemas along with Munjya, has already sparked a wave of speculation about the plot twists and turns that await. Fans are eagerly marking their calendars for 15 August 2024, when Stree 2 will finally grace the big screens.

    Stree 2, a Maddock Films production in theatres this Independence Day.

  • Dinesh Vijan’s Angrezi Medium starring Irrfan, Kareen Kapoor Khan and Radhika Madan shakes hands with India’s most trusted University Admissions Brand, Leverage Edu

    Dinesh Vijan’s Angrezi Medium starring Irrfan, Kareen Kapoor Khan and Radhika Madan shakes hands with India’s most trusted University Admissions Brand, Leverage Edu

    MUMBAI: After a scintillating performance at the box office with comedy-drama – Hindi Medium, Dinesh Vijan is back with the much-awaited sequel to the movie that is set to release on 13th March this year. With its former counterpart ringing the bells of the Filmfare Awards bagging awards for both Best Film and Best Actor for Irrfan, Angrezi Medium definitely has a huge fan base to dazzle.

    On the lines of news of the release promotions, New-Delhi headquartered University Admissions company – Leverage Edu has joined hands with the movie as its Official Education Partner. “This is the very first “Bollywood X LeverageEdu” partnership, and it just couldn’t have happened with a film more in-soul with our DNA than Angrezi Medium. It’s an honest and emotional story of an ambitious student, and her Dad – who go through many challenges, which is where we come in with a trusted brand that delivers transparency and success using easy-to-consume technology and a vast network of personality-matched mentors,” says Akshay Chaturvedi, Founder & CEO, Leverage Edu. He added, “We hope Indian families are motivated to take the leap for their children, and be able to help them become global citizens of tomorrow.”

    The movie’s message aligns with the problem Leverage Edu is trying to solve in India. By providing Indian students with a Career Platform stacked with multiple workshops on Goal Clarity, University Shortlisting, Application Assistance and Education Loans, Leverage Edu aims to ensure that the Taru’s (portrayed by Radhika Madan) of the world have the right resources and mentors to guide them and the Father’s (portrayed by Irrfan) don’t have to knock a thousand doors to provide for their kids what they truly deserve, irrespective of financial or social status.

    About Leverage Edu : Leverage Edu initially began as a higher education mentorship marketplace in Silicon Valley’s Draper University’s 2015 cohort by Akshay Chaturvedi, and formally launched as a company later in January 2017. The company is now a full stack university admissions player, using AI to help students work with best-matched mentors from around the world in personalized career workshops. Leverage Edu has demonstrated industry-leading student outcomes in the last three years, and now also helps students with value-added services like education loan, accommodation options, on-campus/ long-term mentoring, and more. It’s recently launched vertical Univalley.com partners with select universities across vetted courses and programs, to help students with an end-to-end curated discovery-to-dorm room journey across select regions globally.

  • No takers for films sans merit or promotion

    MUMBAI: The drought continues despite a number of new films releasing. The thing is, the films released in last three weeks lacked in face value and promotion. Cinema halls continued with their suicidal approach of sticking to the high admission rates. It does not impact the merit and face value of a film.

    What is happening is that, films have been opening but there are no takers.

    Agreed, a lot of these films have no selling point. But, the worst sufferer was Raabta, a T Series presentation, which was a well promoted film and had a rather high price tag. Sadly, there was no audience at some venue even for its opening show. The film being mediocre or bad comes later when people have seen it and go away with a bad opinion about it.

    Last week saw three more releases in Bank Chor, Phullu, G Kutta Se. While, Phullu, a film on social awareness about women’s issue and, Ge Kutta Se, a gory film about honour killing, were not expected to work commercially, Bank Chor carried some promise, having been released by Yash Raj Films’ alternate banner, Y Films. The problem was, the film had hit the cinema halls out of the blue. It was not afforded even the symbolic promotion to create awareness. Probably because, Y Films was only releasing the film and was not its producer. The outcome has proved to be disastrous.

    *Bank Chor, an attempted comedy fell flat lacking in comedy, face value and promotion. The film had a poor opening with Rs 1.44 crore on day one, could not add much on Saturday collecting Rs 1.66 crore but registered a drop on Sunday with TV channels offering live Badminton, hockey and cricket tournaments where in all three events Indian teams had a lot at stake. The film collected Rs 4.34 crore for its opening weekend.

    *G Kutta Se, a film on honour killing and Phullu, a film about woman’s problem remain also ran.

    *Raabta, a T Series and Dinesh Vijan joint venture, has a poor first week despite good pre-release promotion. Counting on just three characters to carry a poorly written film through, it managed to collect Rs 20.5 crore in its first week.

    *Behen Hogi Teri ended its first week with Rs 2.05 crore.

    *Sachin: A Billion Dreams just about comes to the end of its run as the film adds a mere Rs 1.05 crore in its third week taking its three week tally to Rs 40.9 crore.

    *Hindi Medium continues to hold its own against all odds to add Rs 5.8 crore in its fourth week to take its four week total to Rs 0.6 billion.

    *Baahubali: The Conclusion (Dubbed) has collected about Rs 2.4 crore in its seventh week taking its seven week total to Rs 4.992.