ITV

Tag: Esha Deol

  • Big FM’s purpose-driven initiative Big Green Ganesha marks 17 years of sustainable festivities!

    Big FM’s purpose-driven initiative Big Green Ganesha marks 17 years of sustainable festivities!

    Mumbai: As the entire nation celebrates the auspicious occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi, BIG FM, one of India’s leading radio networks, marks the 17th edition of its highly acclaimed initiative – BIG Green Ganesha. Launched in 2008, this purpose-driven campaign has been continuously evolving, promoting environmental awareness and encouraging communities to celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi responsibly. This year, BIG FM, in association with the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) and powered by Re Sustainability and Recycling Private Limited, is making eco-friendly and plastic-free celebrations even more accessible, further solidifying its role in driving sustainable festivities for a cleaner, greener tomorrow.

    The radio network will be unveiling a special BIG Green Ganesha song performed by the renowned singer Akriti Kakar, adding a festive and musical touch that inspires listeners to embrace sustainable practices. Celebrities like Rajkummar Rao, Patralekha, Sunny Leone, Esha Deol and Palak Muchhal amongst others are supporting the cause, promoting sustainable and eco-friendly celebrations nationwide.

    A key highlight of this year’s campaign has been the recognition of ‘Green Heroes,’ individuals who are taking significant steps to adopt and promote eco-friendly practices during Ganesh Chaturthi. Over 10 days, BIG FM’s RJ Rani has been spotlighting these champions by visiting them at their homes, presenting each with an eco-friendly Ganesha idol and a green certificate to honour their commitment to sustainability. These Green Heroes have also been sharing their inspiring stories on air, motivating others to follow in their footsteps.

    BIG FM COO Sunil Kumaran shared, “Even though awareness about environmental conservation has been growing, many people still overlook eco-friendly practices when selecting idols and decorations for Ganesh Chaturthi. With BIG Green Ganesha, we have consistently aimed to create sustainable changes in how this beloved festival is celebrated. Each year, we introduce new ways for listeners to engage in eco-friendly practice and we believe that by making sustainability more accessible and encouraging community participation, we can create a lasting, positive impact. This campaign is about fostering a culture of responsibility and care, ensuring that our celebrations respect both tradition and the environment.”

    In addition to Mumbai, the BIG Green Ganesha initiative is being celebrated across Hyderabad, Gujarat, Bangalore, Pune, the Rest of Maharashtra and Goa. In these markets, the campaign is highlighting and promoting sustainable Ganesha celebrations through various on-ground activities. BIG FM’s on-air promotions, RJ advocacy and digital contests are instrumental in spreading the message. Listeners are tuning in to exclusive RJ interviews with celebrities and Eco Bhakts, who are sharing their personal stories and inspiring others to join the eco-friendly movement.

  • AI superstar Naina launches India’s first AI podcast titled ‘The nAIna Show’

    AI superstar Naina launches India’s first AI podcast titled ‘The nAIna Show’

    Mumbai: India is set to witness a revolutionary moment in the digital entertainment space with the launch of ‘The nAIna Show’, a unique and groundbreaking series hosted by Naina, India’s first AI superstar. This podcast marks a significant milestone as the country’s first AI-driven podcast series, featuring in-depth and insightful interviews with some of the most celebrated personalities in the entertainment industry.  

    The guest list includes Sobhita Dhulipala, Sanya Malhotra, Richa Chadha, Saiyami Kher, Esha Deol, Hansika Motwani, Ridhima Pathak, Nargis Fakhri, Kritika Kamra and many more.

    Naina, known for her remarkable AI capabilities blended with a uniquely Indian perspective,  will engage with celebrities from various fields, including Bollywood, sports, music, etc. This platform offers an unprecedented opportunity for fans to experience their favorite stars through the lens of advanced artificial intelligence.

    The podcast series aims to delve deep into the lives, careers, and personal stories of these celebrities, providing listeners with a rare and intimate experience. Naina’s ability to analyse and ask thought-provoking questions promises to bring out the most candid and engaging responses from her guests.

    Listeners can expect a blend of insights, emotion, and humor in each episode, making ‘The nAIna Show’, not just an entertainment venture but an enlightening journey into the minds of India’s most influential figures.

    The podcast will be available on Naina’s and Pop Diaries’ YouTube channels, ensuring easy access for audiences worldwide. Its interactive format will also allow listeners to submit their questions and comments, creating an engaging experience.

    Naina’s foray into podcasting is not just a technological marvel but a cultural phenomenon, showcasing the potential of AI in reshaping media and entertainment. This series is a  testament to India’s growing prowess in the field of artificial intelligence and its application in creative industries.

    Stay tuned for the first episode of ‘The nAIna Show’, where Naina, the AI superstar, takes the art of conversation to a new level, redefining the way we engage with media and technology.  The podcast promises to be a trailblazer in the digital era, seamlessly integrating AI innovation with the rich tapestry of Indian culture and celebrity stories.

  • D2C performance wear brand ENGN appoints Esha Deol as brand ambassador

    D2C performance wear brand ENGN appoints Esha Deol as brand ambassador

    Mumbai: Varanium Lifestyle’s D2C performance wear brand ENGN on Tuesday signed Esha Deol as brand ambassador. The brand has rolled out a year-long campaign #OwnYourGame featuring the actress.  

    The campaign is live on Instagram and Facebook. Esha, who is known for narrating a variety of characters through her filmography, will be seen in an athletic avatar donning ENGN apparel.

    Esha, who is a qualified classical dancer, a leading actor, is also an avid sportsperson. In her growing up years, she played as a centre-forward and was the captain of her school football team. She then qualified for the Indian national women’s football team as well. Not only that, but Esha was also a state-level handball player and thus, sports & athletics are second nature to her.

    Speaking about her association with ENGN, Esha Deol said, “For as long as I remember, sports have been an integral part of my life. My wardrobe is dominated by activewear. It was, therefore, serendipitous that ENGN and I came together. It’s a young, energetic Indian brand and I love its collections. I have been living in them whether it’s kickboxing, gym, or martial arts. Also, they are backing some amazing Indian female athletes which I am so proud about. As an artist and a former athlete, I immediately connected with #OwnYourGame. For me, it implies owning your turf – whether it’s the sport overall, the game on the field, your health or your life, at a larger level. The synergy between ENGN and me was instantaneous.”

    ENGN currently represents female athletes including Indian cricketer Veda Krishnamurthy, Olympian swimmer Maana Patel, International track athlete Nithyashree Ananda, National level long jumper Shivani Soam, AIR 1, world rank 65, International Taekwondo athlete Anisha Aswal and International speedskater Anoli Shah.

    ENGN CMO and COO Megha Desai said, “Performance and Purpose are the two pillars on which we built ENGN. Indian sportswomen even today, are heavily under-represented and we knew we wanted to support and back them a hundred per cent. Along with this, we also saw a huge gap in high-quality performance wear that’s also affordable. Thus, our product range is engineered by our athletes to ensure top-notch quality and made accessible for women across markets. Esha, for us, is the perfect combination of someone who comes from a sporting background herself and is a household name. She has aced every role in reel and real life. Her commitment to our collaboration is inspiring not just for our team but our athletes too.”

  • 12 years on, ‘Roadies X2’ continues to enjoy strong audience base

    12 years on, ‘Roadies X2’ continues to enjoy strong audience base

    MUMBAI: It’s been more than a decade but the show still stands strong. While one would think that a reality show that provokes its guests non-stop on national television, would be doomed at the outset, MTV Roadies, even in its 12th year has kept its audience glued to their television sets. 

     

    The show continues to rule the genre, thanks to two factors, one, impressive numbers and two, strong audience base available for the programme. 

     

    Just as any other reality show, this one has its own audience (though not as big as one on a GEC), a digital presence, merchandising units and marketing campaigns.

     

    Even after ruling the small screen in the youth space for 11 years, this year too the show has proved its might. Season X2, which hit the television screens with the audition phase on 24 January has already become the number one youth reality and fiction show. 

     

    It had an impressive opening as it clocked around 175 TVTs compared to other shows like Sadda Haq on Channel V with 165 TVTs, Love By Chance on bindass with 128 TVTs and Dare 2 Date on Channel V with 65 TVTs in the week four of TAM TV ratings. The ratings are in CS 15-24 AB in HSM markets. 

    In the sixth week, the show garnered 139 TVTs. 

     

    According to MTV India EVP and business head Aditya Swamy, the franchise has lived happily for 12 seasons and Roadies X2 has ripped the format open. “This season, we went for a complete makeover. From bringing in a new format to new judges to brining in some unexpectedness,” he informs.  

     

    The channel states that the cult show has witnessed a hike of 60 per cent in viewership as compared to the last season. Moreover, its reach increased from 1.1 per cent in episode one to 2.2 per cent.

     

    According to Swamy the major viewership of the show comes from the HSM markets, mostly from Mumbai, Delhi, Punjab, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.

     

    The key highlights for the success of the show, according to Swamy are: Core understanding of its target audience. “We brought in fresh twists to keep the old audience surprised and new audience hooked. We dared to be different by getting in personalities that the youth can easily relate to. From one Bollywood personality to one sportsman and television personality while Rannvijay continues to garner female attention,” he informs. 

     

    Before the launch of the show, the channel continued to build engagement via other mediums as well. It launched a mobile Torrentz app where users can download complete episodes and watch them at their own convenience for free.  

     

    To further up the entertainment quotient for the youth, the channel will be launching Roadies Fantasy League – which for the first time will see a sport-like fantasy team competition for a reality show.

     

    It will also have the Roadies Prediction application – which will have a betting environment where people can bet on outcomes of the show.

     

    MTV will continue doing Audiosodes – Podcasts where people can catch up on what happened in an episode. To top it all, it will come up with a section called Fast Forward on its website which is like a highlights package and has the entire episode crunched in around seven minutes. 

     

    On the digital front, the official Facebook page of Roadies X2 garnered 18,347 likes at the time of filing this report. On Twitter the buzz is strong too with the show’s official page delivering around 64.3 thousand followers. 

     

    This season Hero MotoCorp continues to be the title sponsor and Vivo Smart Phone has come onboard as the associate sponsor along with traditional long term partners like Mountain Dew, Ceat tyres etc. In all, the channel has roped in 12 sponsors this season. 

     

    “The evolution of a show is a big reason for its success. Many thought that Roadies is incomplete without twin hosts Raghu and Rajiv and the new judges won’t be able to pull off the show very well. But the numbers says it all,” says a media planner. 

  • MTV ‘Roadies X2’ takes a different route

    MTV ‘Roadies X2’ takes a different route

    MUMBAI: MTV Roadies has become India’s longest running reality show and this time round, there’s something different in store. “It’s the 12th season and yet it feels like the first,” says MTV India EVP and business head Aditya Swamy about the cult youth reality show.

     

    So what is special this season? For starters, the show has gone for a complete makeover. This year it is breaking the format wide open, thus bringing in the unexpected.

     

    Going the unexpected way…

     

    This season, few changes in the format are the highlight:

     

    1) Sans the bad boys Raghu and Rajiv, it brings on board a whole new legion of gang leaders to join the original roadie Rannvijay Singh. The new gang leaders are actress Esha Deol, Olympic medalist and boxer Vijender Singh and television actor Karan Kundra.

     

    According to Swamy each one of them represents a certain factor. For instance, Vijendra represents the fact that winning is all that matters; Kundra represents that Roadies is just not about being physically tough but also being smart and Deol represents the girl power.

     

    “Each of them brings new packet to the show and along with them they will bring their own fan base that will increase the viewership base for the show itself,” adds Swamy.

     

    2) Having a female personality as a gang leader in Deol itself is a novelty this season.

     

    3) MTV wants to reflect youth power in the show. For the past 11 seasons, judges took over the power to select the contestants. This year, the channel has given the power to the audience as well. “There is the power to the audience and young people believe that they have the power to drive change more than ever,” states Swamy.

     

    4) Another change in the format is the journey itself. Roadies X2 gangs will ride along the scenic route from the holy city of Varanasi to the birthplace of The Ganges in Nepal.

     

    “Like always everyone expected the journey will start from Goa but this time around it is starting from Varanasi and goes all the way to the Himalayas. It is going to be a visual delight in terms of locations and the feel of the show,” Swamy says.

     

    Let the game begin…

     

    The auditions were held in four cities – Pune, Kolkata, Delhi and Chandigarh in December. Thousands of hopefuls showed up at each audition venue, some even camping over night to get an early entry into the auditions.

     

    According to Swamy, auditions are an event in themselves. He believes that the confidence is growing in the youth every year. “The views of youth are becoming much broader and liberal today. I see less lack of judgments and much more acceptance happening with young people. To top it all, I also see more and more girls coming in for auditions, which is very positive sign.”

     

    In the game, participants will not just compete against each other to become the ultimate ‘Roadie’ but will compete in gangs too. Each ‘gang leader’ – Rannvijay, Vijender, Kundra and Esha – will pick five participants for their own gangs.

     

    These gangs and their leaders will then compete against each other through a series of tasks to eliminate each other from the show. The gang leader and the gang member that stays through the end, winning the maximum number of tasks will be adjudged as the winner.

     

    Roadies X2 will see participation of 20 contestants (five members in each of the four gangs) and will air for 17 episodes.

     

    Behind the scenes

     

    Swamy shared his thoughts on how tough it is to make a reality show in this country. He reveals that out of 12 months, July is the only month of break for the channel.

     

    The channel starts planning for the show sometime in August followed by audition rounds that takes place in September till November. And the shoot begins in the month of December followed by the edit etc. The show goes live in the month of January with the season ending in the month of June.

     

    “People say that Roadies is the longest running reality show in the country, but what people don’t think that it is tough to make a reality show in this country. It is our labour of love. Every member of the crew has to embody that Roadies spirit because they live in the toughest of conditions, work with really challenging situations. A lot of the tasks are actually done by the crew themselves to check whether it is safe and do-able.”

     

    Swamy says that everybody has a role to play. Nobody is a celebrity and nobody is a worker, all are Roadies. Each one comes back wiser, stronger and more confident every season.

     

    Big pockets

     

    This season Hero MotoCorp continues to be the title sponsor and Vivo Smart Phone has come on board as the associate sponsor along with traditional long term partners like Mountain Dew, Ciat tyres etc. In all, the channel has roped in 12 sponsors this season. Swamy believes it is a big magnet for advertisers as well to connect with the youth.

     

    The show is all set to hit the television screens on 24 January with expected 20 per cent higher advertising revenues in its 12th season. It will be aired on Saturdays at 7 pm.

     

    According to media analysts, the channel expects 15 per cent higher ad-rates for its 10-second slots, while the title sponsor, Hero has spent about 22-25 per cent higher to get the association.

     

    While the channel chose to remain tight-lipped about the financial details, the analyst has also informed that a single 10-second slot on the show is being offered at Rs 25,000 – Rs 30,000.

     

    Along with this, unlike many other successful properties on television, Roadies demands Rs 15,000 – RS 17,000 for a 10-second slot on the repeats of the episodes too, which is close to 50 per cent of the original telecast.

     

    Marketing buzz

     

    The channel has targeted top colleges in the country to promote the event. It has also got on-board few Bollywood celebrities like Amitabh Bachchan, Abhishek Bachchan, John Abraham and Akshay Kumar to talk on how excited they are that the show is coming back on television.

     

    Roadies is also very popular on the online platform and has high viewership. Digital auditions too will help the channel attract eyeballs from the youth.

     

    According to a media planner, even in the 12th season, the show is going to work for the channel. “It’s become a youth icon now. There is no chance of the show seeing a fatigue as it has already made a strong base for itself in the crowd. Every year there will be newer audiences coming in to watch the show. Moreover, on the digital front too, the channel gets good traction. To top it all, it’s fun and popular.”

  • Esha Deol to join ‘MTV Roadies’ as a judge

    Esha Deol to join ‘MTV Roadies’ as a judge

    MUMBAI: Actor Esha Deol had been looking forward to making her debut for a while now but wanted to be a part of a show which was popular with the youth. MTV Roadies is a cult show followed by millions of youngsters across India. The show is about the ultimate fight to find that hero within you and Esha’s no – nonsense persona combined with her ability to disengage herself from emotional entanglements makes her the perfect fit for the show.

     
    Esha Deol will be seen on the show alongside the original Roadie – Rannvijay Singh who will be back for the twelfth season of the show – MTV Roadies X2. But with Raghu-Rajiv not being a part of the show anymore, as announced by Raghu through Twitter, fans of the show are gearing up for the unexpected this time around.  

     
    Raghu-Rajiv to give MTV Roadies a miss this season

     
    Raghu Ram, the man who has been with MTV Roadies right from its inception will no longer be a part of the show. MTV Roadies, the cult reality show, is a nationwide hunt for the ‘roadie’ – the one who has it in him or her to become a hero. The two heavyweights Raghu-Rajiv were known for cutting down contestants to size with their sharp comments and grueling tasks. The MTV Raodies auditions, which hold the distinction of being one of the most difficult audition rounds for any television show, meant only one thing – impressing Raghu and Rajiv.

     
    Now, with Raghu – Rajiv stepping away from the show, as confirmed by Raghu when he tweeted – “Roadies is happening. I’m not gonna do it, though. I’m done with it. Moved on. About time, too.” –  it remains to be seen what MTV is planning for the upcoming MTV Roadies X2, especially with the news of roping in Bollywood actress Esha Deol for the new season. One can only wonder, what other twists and turns are in store for viewers as MTV Raodies X2 gears up for an all new ride without these two!

     

    Olympic medalist Vijender Singh to be a judge on MTV Roadies X2

     

    MTV Roadies X2 – the twelfth season of the cult reality show is set to become the most awesome season until today as Olympic bronze medalist who wowed the world with his powerful punch, boxer Vijender Singh Beniwal is all set to make his small screen debut as a judge on the show. Vijender Singh, the boxing champion has many an accolade to his name including various metals at Commonwealth and Asian Games. Earlier this year, Vijender also tasted success in his maiden venture as  a Bollywood actor with the film Fugly.

     

    On MTV Roadies X2, Vijender will join the original Roadie Rannvijay Singh and Bollywood actress Esha Deol as a judge on the show. Being from an athletic background, his focus on fitness and discipline is sure to come in handy as he takes on this new role. His habit of putting his heart and soul into beating the odds is what the viewers can look forward to as he is sure to bring a lot of passion and true sense of camaraderie into the show.

     

    Sexy vampire Karan Kundra to feature as judge on MTV Roadies X2

     

    Karan Kundra’s stint as a vampire with MTV Fanaah proved to strengthen his follower base to an extent that now he will be seen on MTV Roadies as a judge alongside the original roadie Rannvijay Singh and Bollywood actress Esha Deol. The extremely handsome Karan, known mainly for his Casanova roles and gorgeous looks will make a stylish addition to the MTV Roadies team.

     

    His boyish charm and mischievous smile are sure to set hearts racing across the nation as he mounts his bike to ride off into the world of MTV Roadies X2. His quick wit and smart way of thinking is sure to come to his aid as he takes on this new role. There’s no doubt that this season, MTV Roadies is sure to add a lot more women to its fan base!

     

  • Star India buys world satellite rights to three PNC films

    Star India buys world satellite rights to three PNC films

    MUMBAI: Pritish Nandy Communications Ltd has announced that the world satellite rights to its latest productions, Ankahee, Pyar Ke Side Effects and Bow Barracks Forever have been purchased by Star TV Network. The company didn’t divulge the financial details of the deals.

    Ankahee, directed by Vikram Bhatt, stars Aftab Shivdasani, Esha Deol and Ameesha Patel. Pyar Ke Side Effects, a romantic comedy, is directed by Saket Chowdhury. The movie features Mallika Sherawat and Rahul Bose in the title roles. Anjan Datta’s Bow Barracks Forever, which is also scheduled for release this summer stars the likes of Neha and Lilette Dubey, Victor Banerjee and Moon Moon Sen.

    The india distribution rights for Ankahee is shared between Raj Enterprises (Bombay), Sahyog Films (Nizam) and PVR Pictures (Delhi and Punjab). Inox Leisure has acquired four territories, Mysore, Rajasthan, West Bengal and CI. Venus Tapes & Records have acquired the overseas territory. T Series has already released the film’s music.