ITV

Tag: Farhan Akhtar

  • Askme Bazaar ropes in Farhan Akhtar as brand ambassador

    Askme Bazaar ropes in Farhan Akhtar as brand ambassador

    MUMBAI: India’s consumer internet company Askme has roped in Bollywood star Farhan Akhtar as brand ambassador for its online marketplace Askmebazaar.com.

    As per the terms of the contract, Akhtar will endorse the company’s products and services through advertising campaigns.

    As the brand ambassador, Akhtar will be featured in a new integrated 360-degree campaign for Askmebazaar.com, which will run across TV, print and online channels from August 2015.

    Askme Group CMO Manav Sethi said, “We are delighted to have multi-talented Farhan Akhtar on board as this association will help build a strong connect between the brand and consumers. Farhan Akhtar who wears different caps of a singer, lyricist, actor and director, truly exemplifies our brand philosophy which is defined by simplicity, great design and ease of use with contemporary Indian features.”

    Akhtar added, “It’s a great feeling to be associated with Askme as the brand resonates fashion, style, and attitude and guarantees every purchase with its unique trust seal.”

  • Times Network goes full throttle with launches & revamps

    Times Network goes full throttle with launches & revamps

    MUMBAI: There has been a lot of action going on at the broadcast arm of Vineet Jain helmed Bennett, Coleman and Company Limited (BCCL).

     

    Ever since its revamp in April this year, the Times Television Network (TTN) has gone full throttle with major revamps of its existing channels as well as new channel launches. 

     

    TTN revamped its Bollywood and lifestyle channel Zoom, which was followed by the launch of a new movie channel MN+. What’s more, a new niche channel called Property Now is also slated to launch soon.

     

    With digital being the future, the network is notably also stressing on strengthening its digital presence.

     

    Revamp of Times Television Network

     

    With an aim to become more inclusive, the network decided to drop the ‘television’ from its name and rechristened as Times Network with a new tagline—‘Now or Nothing.’

     

    At the time of the revamp, Times Network CEO and managing director M K Anand had said, “We have strong branches but the trunk needs to be strengthened and the revamp is to ensure that. Moreover, we don’t want to restrict ourselves as a television network only. Hence we decided to break a few boundaries and expand.”

     

    Realising the growing importance of digital, Times Network is now targeting the medium. Be it with launching the Times Now app or with the increasing focus on digital with the recent revamp of Zoom.  

     

    “There is a serious attempt from our side to establish ourselves on the digital platform,” Anand had said on the sidelines of the network’s plans to launch an app for Times Now. The app which is now live, has close to 10,000 downloads on Android.  

     

    Zoom’s programming ‘Turn On’

     

    On 26 June this year, Times Network revamped its 10 year old Bollywood and lifestyle brand Zoom with a new tagline ‘Turn On.’

     

    The channel now plans to change itself drastically. “The customers are evolving and so we too had to,” said Zoom as VP and product head Sunder Venkatraman.

     

    According to Venkatraman, the research by the team shows that consumers today want fast, short and quick content, especially for a channel like Zoom. “We already have a digital platform to support us and so with the revamp, we have decided to stress on TV, digital and short programming, which is smarter,” he added.  

     

    As part of the revamp, five new properties have been added to the channel. These include Kangana Ranaut’s My Life and Style, On the Road with Farhan Akhtar, Man Up with Randeep Hooda, Funtanatan with Sugandha and Ishqwala Love with Miss Malini. “All these are five to 10 minute short shows,” informed Venkatraman. 

     

    The channel currently has only one long form (half an hour) show called Planet Bollywood. This will go up to two, with the launch of a food and lifestyle show Thank God It’s Fryday, this August. “These shows will be used for appointment viewing,” he said.   

     

    In order to market the revamped channel, Zoom has readied a four week long marketing plan, which kickstarted on 26 June. “The whole of BCCL is behind us and we have a strong asset supporting us,” Venkatraman informed. The channel has taken 200 hoardings in about 15 cities to promote the new look. That apart, a lot of promotion will be done across digital platforms. 

     

    Additionally Zoom has set up an entire branded content team, which is looking at a large number of brand association shows. The first of this will go on air in August with Philips Air Fryer Thank God It’s Fryday.

     

    Post the revamp, the channel is investing heavily on content packaging. “A lot of brands in the lifestyle space are already showing a keen interest in joining hands with us to create properties for the channel. All conversations are ongoing,” he informed adding that a lot of shows will be launched by the end of this year.   

     

    MN+ for the English movie enthusiasts

     

    The English movie channel from the Times Network stable went live on 1 July. The new channel MN+ is for niche English movie fans.

     

    “MN+ is an all new English channel experience that will showcase must-watch movies in HD – movies that are universally celebrated and debated. It will offer an experience that will make every moment valuable for the viewer, and thereby give them the Gold Class Experience of Hollywood,” said Times Network senior vice president and head English entertainment cluster Vivek Srivastava.

     

    The MN+ library, which comprises over 1500 movies across genres, will sell ad slots at a premium rate, with just six minutes of advertisement.

    The network, which is currently emphasising on digital, has decided to spend 25 per cent of its marketing budget on digital media.

     

    Launch of Property Now

     

    The network is also gearing up to launch a real estate channel in Property Now. According to sources the channel will launch in September, this year.

    With all the high octane activity up its sleeves, the Times Network will be the one to watch out for in the coming months.

  • Dil Dhadakne Do: Alas, not the box office registers

    Dil Dhadakne Do: Alas, not the box office registers

    MUMBAI: Dil Dhadakne Do is a sort of Page 3 of a high end Delhi group of Punjabi families; just about every family having a bunch of not very glorious secrets. It is kind of Nukkad (a very popular, classic TV serial that captivated the Doordarshan audience between 1986-88). This serial brought together characters from a chawl settlement together at the street corner and told their stories. 

     

    Dil Dhadakne Do brings together a group of some upper-class Delhi Punjabi families together on a cruise ship; only here, even as this friendly group demonstrates bonhomie and love, each one is hiding a dagger behind the back. Bitching and backstabbing is the way of life here. Because, just about every participant in the jamboree represents a dysfunctional family.

     

    Anil Kapoor is a self-made man rolling in millions. His favourite pastime is to tell and retell his success story.  His wife, Shefali Shah, like all such rich men’s wives, has little to do except deck up and meet with the wives of other such rich men. These women thrive in bitching about and badmouthing anyone of them who is not around. Anil has pinned all his hopes on his only son, Ranveer Singh, whom he expects to take over as the next boss of his company. He has married his daughter off to Rahul Bose, a Mumbai businessman. 

     

    The group has internal jealousies and enmities, all hidden behind a mask of smile. All the women know whose husband is having an affair with whom but are never willing to accept stories in their own backyard.

     

    Imagine what can happen when a horde of such couples come together on a cruise for a fortnight with nowhere to escape. 

     

    Despite his ego and posturing, Anil is on the verge of bankruptcy. He can’t repay loans to banks, his products have become substandard. He urgently needs to infuse funds to save his enterprise and, more so, his face in the ‘society.’ However, this does not stop Anil from putting on a show. Though he or Shefali are never seen communicating without rancour, if at all, he decides to celebrate his wedding anniversary on a cruise ship, all expenses paid by him for all his friends.

     

    Anil’s two friends, Parmeet Sethi and Manoj Pahwa, are sworn enemies and the initially discarded Parmeet needs to be added to the list of invitees, feels Shefali. For Parmeet is loaded. His only daughter, Ridhima Sud, has been humiliated when her prospective fiancé failed to attend their engagement ceremony. It was headline news in Delhi Times, it is said (a Times of India subsidiary, Junglee Pictures happens to be the partner in this film venture with Excel Entertainment). Hence, it is tough to find another suitor for her despite Parmeet’s riches. After all, marriage market is not OLX. 

     

    But, Anil has a plan. He counts on a barter with Parmeet: Ranveer as a dulha for Ridhima against 49% stake by Parmeet in to Anil’s sinking company to salvage it. But, in matters of heart, business deals don’t figure. While Ranveer has already fallen in ‘love at first sight’ with Anushka Sharma, a contracted singer/dancer on the cruise ship, Ridhima has found her mate in Parmeet’s sworn enemy, Pahwa’s son, Vikrant Massey.

     

    More skeletons come out of the closet as Priyanka declares she could never come to love her husband, Bose. In fact, she still has the hots for Farhan Khan whom her father sent to US to study to keep him away from her. Anil’s business tours were all about his womanising. Farhan is the son of Anil’s manager and not quite a match for Priyanka in Anil’s society. But, to add to the drama, he arrives on the cruise too to grace the occasion and add some life to it.

     

    The young ones prove to be smarter than their elders as they make a pact. Ridhima spends her nights in Vikrant’s cabin while Ranveer spends his with Anushka but Ridhima and Ranveer agree to pretend to be in love. The deal almost materialises as Ranveer’s engagement will be announced with Ridhima against Parmeet’s buying of 49% stake in Anil’s company. To use the social media phrase, ‘it’s complicated’!

     

    Come out of the mess they all do, I mean writers and director with an easy solution that all such films adopt: everybody sees sense suddenly and it is QED!

     

    Dil Dhadakne Do risks filling the screen with numerous characters but you never figure out who is what, especially to Anil and his family or in the story; in a while you stop caring. Except for a concerned few of them, none of the character is defined or explained. The script is loose and the director takes a 1970s art film approach like filming inconsequential scenes endlessly. Also, in an unsuccessful attempt to justify the horde of characters, limelight jumps from one character to another abruptly. 

     

    What kind of script have you worked on where a lot of the story is in verbal narration and, not funnily, told by Anil’s family dog (voice of Aamir Khan)! The first half looks warped in a balloon; even if the film moves a bit in the second half, it is partly and haphazardly towards the end. Dialogue is mundane.The editing needs a second go. Music as in songs are no help. Background fails to pace up the proceedings. Visually, the film is good. 

     

    Nobody really has a role to make an impact. However, Ranveer and Priyanka emerge the best triers. Anushka’s romantic pairing with Ranveer is a miscast and against public perception. Anil Kapoor’s character is sketched as an illogical one… with his throwing a lavish cruise party while facing bankruptcy to his shouting spree at his grown up children don’t make sense. Shefali is convincing. Farhan is good and so is Vikrant. Rest fill the bill.

     

    Dil Dhadakne Do is an expensive project by all standards with a cast not known to justify such a cost besides being limited in content. Its theatrical take home will be limited to a great extent.

     

    Producers: Ritesh Sidhwani, Farhan Akhtar with Junglee Pictures

     

    Director: Zoya Akhtar

     

    Cast: Anil  Kapoor, Priyanka Chopra, Ranveer Singh, Anushka Sharma, Shefali Shah, Farhan Akhtar, Rahul Bose, Ridhima Sud, Parmeet Sethi,Zarina Wahab, Vikrant Massey, Mohan Pahwa, Aamir Khan (as Pluto’s voice)

  • IIFA set to dazzle KL; to screen ‘Dil Dhadakne Do’ on 6 June

    IIFA set to dazzle KL; to screen ‘Dil Dhadakne Do’ on 6 June

    MUMBAI: The 16th edition of the International Film Academy (IIFA) Awards is all set to startle Bollywood. The Videocon d2h IIFA Weekend will take place at Stadium Putra in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from 5-7 June 2015.

     

    IIFA will be screening Zoya Akhtar’s upcoming film Dil Dhadakne Do on 6 June. The film is a comedy drama about a family that takes a trip, which changes them forever. It stars Anil Kapoor, Shefali Shah, Farhan Akhtar, Priyanka Chopra, Ranveer Singh, Anushka Sharma and Rahul Bose amongst others.

     

    This year, IIFA will witness an exclusive night dedicated to fashion, which will be hosted by Neha Dhupia. A host of performances by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, Mika, Anikt Tiwari and others will be seen at IIFA Rocks, the exclusive music extravaganza. Some of the other stars, who will take centre stage at IIFA Rocks are Jacqueline Fernandes, Aditi Rao Hydari, Lisa Hayden and Lauren Gotlieb.

     

    Wizcraft International Entertainment director Andre Timmins said, “We have some incredible performances all set for the IIFA stage this year including some of the biggest stars of Bollywood in film as well as music. Huge preparations are on to manage the backend, airlines, hotels, different venues and other logistics and we are happy that the Malaysian Government is laying the red carpet to make this a spectacular event.”

     

    Actor Anil Kapoor added, “Through time, IIFA has grown from a mega awards ceremony into an iconic global platform for Indian films and culture while showcasing to the world the best that Indian cinema has to offer. I am looking forward to the film media briefing of Dil Dhadakne Do, which will be a part of the Weekend this year and I am delighted to see IIFA return to Malaysia, this time to the vivacious city of Kuala Lumpur.”

     

    Speaking about the association, Videocon d2h executive chairman Saurabh Dhoot said, “Videocon d2h has had an extremely successful innings with IIFA and we are pleased to continue this association with them for the fourth year. The common link of wholesome entertainment brings IIFA and Videocon d2h together. Our recent listing on the Nasdaq stock exchange, bears testimony to our global outlook and tremendous growth. Videocon d2h will continue to bring unique content, new mediums of delivery and innovative services to our consumers.”

     

    This year, Viacom18’s Colors and not Star Plus has the broadcast rights for the event.

     

    Colors CEO Raj Nayak said, “IIFA is the world’s biggest global Indian event, where the entire industry comes together to showcase Bollywood and India. We at Colors are proud to be associated with IIFA and we promise our viewers, in true Colors style Bollywood entertainment like never before.”

     

    Malaysia Major Events GM Tony Nagamaiah said, “As excitement heightens, we are proud to host the 16th IIFA Celebrations 2015 and welcome its entire contingent to Malaysia. Being host city, Kuala Lumpur anticipates the weekend’s buzz as it shall be among our biggest showcases for the year in conjunction with the Malaysia Year of Festivals (MyFest) 2015. The city’s dazzling setting will imprint the Bollywood family and fans with spectacular experiences in a truly diverse environment.”

     

    Malaysia Airlines regional SVP South Asia & Middle East Azahar Hamid asserts, “It is an honour for Malaysia Airlines to be a part of this glamorous event and flying in some of the best Bollywood stars to our home ground, Kuala Lumpur. The airline’s extensive network and world-class service makes it a desirable partnership with IIFA. It is our commitment to provide the best service and we look forward to welcoming the celebrities from the Indian film industry and fans of the IIFA awards on-board Malaysia Airlines.”

  • Prachi Desai to star in ‘Rock On’ sequel

    Prachi Desai to star in ‘Rock On’ sequel

    MUMBAI: Actress Prachi Desai, who made her Bollywood debut with the Farhan Akhtar-starrer, Rock On in 2008, is now all set to feature in its sequel Rock On!! 2.

     

    Desai said, “It is going to be a special project for me and Farhan as it was our first film together.”

     

    As she gears up for her upcoming projects, the actress explains why she has stayed away from the big screen. “It wasn’t a conscious move. There are a couple of films, which I was supposed to do, but didn’t happen for various reasons,” she said.

     

    Apart from Rock On!! 2, Desai will feature in cricketer Mohammad Azharuddin’s biopic starring Emraan Hashmi, where she will essay the role of Azharuddin’s first wife Naureen. “We know about Azharuddin’s life on field, but not much about Naureen. I’m getting to know a lot more about her from our director and writers,” said Desai.

  • Farhan Akhtar, Priyanka Chopra croon ‘Dil Dhadakne Do’ title track

    Farhan Akhtar, Priyanka Chopra croon ‘Dil Dhadakne Do’ title track

    MUMBAI: Priyanka Chopra and Farhan Akhtar have teamed up to lend their voice to the title track of Zoya Akhtar’s upcoming film Dil Dhadakne Do.

     

    Written by Javed Akhtar, the track will be available for download on iTunes from 24 April, 2015 and the video for the track is available digitally on YouTube.

     

    While Farhan has sung songs in movies like Rock On, Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara and Shaadi Ke Side Effects, Chopra has lent her voice for Mary Kom. However, this is the first time that the two will sing together.

     

    The video features Anil Kapoor, Shefali Shah, PriyankaChopra, Ranveer Singh, Anushka Sharma and Farhan Akhtar. 

     

    Chopra has also made a mark in her international singing career by collaborating with the likes of Will.i.am for In My City as well as Pitbull for her second single Exotic. Her third single I Can’t Make You Love Me released recently. 

     

    Dil Dhadakne Do is a comedy-drama set on a cruise ship. The story begins in the sparkling lifestyle of popular Delhi socialite couple Neelam and Kamal Mehra. In celebration of their 30th wedding anniversary, they invite their family and close friends for a 10-day cruise around Turkey.

     

    The film has music by Shankar Ehsaan and Loy. Dil Dhadakne Do, which is presented by Junglee Pictures and Excel Entertainment, is set to release on 5 June, 2015.

  • Dulux launches new ad campaign featuring Farhan Akhtar

    Dulux launches new ad campaign featuring Farhan Akhtar

    MUMBAI: AkzoNobel India’s decorative paints brand Dulux has launched its ‘Fashion Trends for Walls’ campaign for Dulux Velvet Touch. 

     

    The integrated campaign featuring brand ambassador Farhan Akhtar turns the spotlight on the brand’s ability to translate fashion on to walls. Dulux Velvet Touch’s Fashion Trends is an offering of high-end emulsions (decorative paints). 

     

    Explaining the rationale behind the brand campaign, AkzoNobel India Decorative Paints director Rajiv Rajgopal said, “Being an international premium brand with a distinct legacy and lineage, Dulux’s strengths resides in its immense understanding of colours and maintenance of high standards of quality. The new campaign bases its ideology on the brand’s best in class interior solutions that support customers in making their homes stylish.”

     

    “With Dulux Velvet Touch being at the heart of the campaign, its brand ambassador, Farhan Akhtar has been featured who has given life to this television commercial. The TVC is strongly flanked by print and outdoor advertisement, and active engagement through digital touch points and in store solutions. As a brand ambassador, Farhan Akhtar embodies the Dulux Velvet Touch’s core position of self-expression and style,” he added.

     

    Akhtar said, “I am very proud to continue my association with Dulux Velvet Touch, a brand that brings international appeal and offers best in class performance in interior solutions. Like the product, the new TVC of Dulux Velvet Touch is stylish and will appeal to the next generation of customers who are searching for ways to transform their living space into something that they are truly proud of. I personally had lot of fun working with the paint and the finished wall while making of this TVC.”

     

    Taproot Dentsu Communications co-founder and CCO Agnallio Dias said, “The Fashion Trend for Walls campaign of Dulux Velvet Touch caters to an audience that is not afraid of flaunting style. Beyond the colours and vibrancy, there lies a hidden meaning in each colour at the core of Dulux. These colours define a person’s individuality and Dulux provides a medium of expression to these individuals. Just as fashionistas set trends in the world of fashion, Dulux Velvet Touch empowers consumers to discover their style and wearing it on their walls.”

  • Farhan Akhtar & Vishal Dadlani to produce music video for ‘X-Men’ TV premiere

    Farhan Akhtar & Vishal Dadlani to produce music video for ‘X-Men’ TV premiere

    MUMBAI: Star Movies is all set to premiere X-Men: Days of the Future Past on 19 April. However, this is the first time that the channel will be carrying out an innovation around the premiere. Star Movies has joined hands with Farhan Akhtar, Vishal Dadlani and SKRAT to produce a music video around the movie in a bid to essay the core of the film and pay tribute to the power of friendship.

     

    In X-Men: Days of the Future Past, the X-Men come together as one to ward off an indefeatable enemy. This movie showcases the power of camaraderie, brotherhood and above all the fact that the only way to save the future is to stand together. For together, they become an unstoppable force.

     

    Filmmaker, actor and Farout Media co-founder Farhan Akhtar said, “The song Mutant Macha is a collaborative effort between Skrat, Vishal and myself. It’s a song that portrays the ultimate hero – someone who stands for good in the most adverse of times. Our collaboration is keeping in spirit with the kinship that the world needs to create a united force for positivity.”

     

    Farout Media CEO and co-founder Anurag Rao added, “The vision for Farout Media is based on its core principle of ‘Music Innovations’, with a clear focus on artist interests and repertoire monetization. Star Movies – X-Men 2 Premiere partnership is a fantastic way to introduce new music through synchronization and retention of music rights by content creators.” 

     

    A Star Movies spokesperson said, “This association is in sync with our purpose of giving young talent of India a platform making this association a perfect example of camaraderie and friendship just like the movie X-Men: Days of Future Past.”

     

    X-Men: Days of the Future Past will premiere on 19 April at 1 pm and 9 pm. 

  • Farhan Akhtar to endorse Code by Lifestyle

    Farhan Akhtar to endorse Code by Lifestyle

    MUMBAI: Actor-filmmaker Farhan Akhtar has been appointed as the brand ambassador for menswear brand ‘Code by Lifestyle’.

     

    “I really like the collection Code has. The apparels are both trendy and stylish. It’s great to be representing the brand,” said Akhtar.

     

    “Farhan Akhtar has been chosen as he wholly symbolises the Code Man with his effortless style, confidence and versatility. Farhan’s achievements as a multi-talented star coupled with his inspiring persona make him the ultimate style icon. We are happy to have him as our brand ambassador,” said Lifestyle International Pvt. Ltd managing director Kabir Lumba.

     

    A new campaign for the brand captures Akhtar’s myriad facets in the latest Spring Summer collection of Code, while highlighting the brand’s philosophy ‘Live by your Code.’

     

    The Code formals boasts elegant cuts in a rich palette of blues, pepper greens and coral pinks juxtaposed with neutral khakhis and greys in fabrics such as cottons and linens; and the Code casuals comprises a sunny range of blazers, shirts, trousers and T-shirts in sporty stripes, romantic pastels and stylish prints. Daffodil yellow, indigo and salmon hues in summery fabrics lend character to this range. The clothes are priced between Rs 599 and Rs 4,599.

  • Google India launches #TogetherOnline initiative

    Google India launches #TogetherOnline initiative

    MUMBAI: In its efforts to gather support for more women to get on the Internet, Google India has launched an initiative #TogetherOnline in association with Snapdeal, Axis Bank, HUL and GSK. The new initiative aims to encourage Internet users to step up and help women get on the Internet and understand how she can use the web to get ahead in life.

     

    The nine week along initiative, will see a number of activities across India, starting with a concert with Farhan Akhtar to raise awareness amongst the youth in metro cities. Axis Bank will host special digital literacy workshops for women customers in their branches across India, whereas Snapdeal will run awareness campaigns amongst its shoppers and educate women on the entrepreneurial opportunities on their platform. To take the initiative to interiors of India, Google will also launch 500 custom designed Internet carts that will reach out to 5000 locations to engage women in towns and villages across India.

     

    Google India director marketing Sandeep Menon said, “Internet has completely transformed the way we live our lives. Everyday people are discovering new opportunities and finding newer and better ways of doing things on the web to get ahead in life. We want to encourage all these users to extend this power of the web to women in India. #togetheronline is an effort to empower women in India with the knowledge of Internet and how they can use it to do different things in their daily lives. We along with our partners will host a number of initiatives to play our part and we invite all Internet users to play their part and help get more women online.”

     

    In addition to this, Google has partnered with PopXo to cover easy to know and follow steps for day to day living for various categories. The aim of this partnership is to promote digital literacy amongst women.

     

    Axis Bank group executive and head – retail marketing Rajiv Anand said, “As Axis Bank, progress is a part of our identity, our DNA. And we believe that empowering women is integral to the progress of our society. With the Indian woman today transforming from being a key influencer to a decision maker, it is important for her to be empowered with information. We are proud to be championing this cause in association with Google, to bring knowledge at the click of a button and help get more and more Indian women online.”

     

    GSK Consumer Healthcare India marketing head Prashant Pandey added, “The bond between mothers and daughters has always been a unique and everlasting one. From 1896, Horlicks has been helping mothers make their daughters tall, strong and sharp. Today we are delighted to partner Google for their ‘Helping Women Get Online’ – an initiative that encourages daughters to help their mothers go online to stay aware and connected. This is yet another way of saying #LoveYouMaa like our recent digital film celebrating the universal truth that only mothers can give what they don’t have.”

     

    Google has already introduced a number of initiatives to help get more women online through partnerships with various state governments and outreach efforts in the states of Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and more recently in Andhra Pradesh. Under the helping women get online initiative, Google has imparted basic Internet training across 950 educational institutes training over 45,000 girl students and over 5000 teachers who can continue to educate and inform more girl students across India.