ITV

Tag: Four Lions

  • On casual sexism & gender disparity: ‘Ishk Par Zor Nahi’ promises something different

    On casual sexism & gender disparity: ‘Ishk Par Zor Nahi’ promises something different

    MUMBAI: Sony Entertainment Television has strengthened its primetime line-up with the launch of Ishk Par Zor Nahi from 15 March. Ishk Par Zor Nahi, a new-age, young love story of Ahaan and Ishqi – two people who are not just different in personality, but also share polarising viewpoints about marriage. Starring Akshita Mudgal as Ishqi and Param Singh as Ahaan Malhotra, the show is produced by Four Lions Films, and will air Monday to Friday at 9:30pm.

    Sony Entertainment Television & digital business content head Ashish Golwalkar shared that the channel is known for its variety entertainment, unique storylines and lovable characters. His effort is to create a property that can impart knowledge, highlight social and cultural issues prevalent in the society and leave a long-lasting image in the minds of audiences.

    Said he: “We have had a great start to the year, and we are committed to bring forth an eclectic mix of narratives to our viewers. Ishk Par Zor Nahi has a flavour of romance through an accidental couple who are poles apart from each other and nurture different perspectives on marriage, relationships and family. It is a fresh young love story with relatable characters, and we are pleased to partner with Gul Khan and Deepti Kalwani for this show. We are certain the audience will enjoy what the show has to offer.”

    According to Golwalkar, television has a limited scope in terms of creative expression, but what sets Ishk Par Zor Nahi apart is the way the makers have weaved the storyline. He credits Four Lions Films co-founder Gul Khan for coming up with the idea.

    “I’ve been working with SET for the past five years, and we’ve tried to collaborate on a project numerous times but somehow it didn’t work out. Finally, during the lockdown, I approached Khan to create a love drama. From there on, the process of writing, re-writing, casting started,” he detailed.

    The insights of the show are not very sublime or tough it is very simple, the way it is packaged makes it more engaging. It is a simple story of how two contrasting people come closer and eventually fall in love. What differentiates it is the value system, there upbringing, how they respond to societal norms which are deeply embedded within each family, added Golwalkar.

    Khan is looking forward to working with Sony Entertainment Television for the second time. She mentioned that while Four Lions Films is known for making romantic shows, there are many things which remains unsaid; SET has given her the platform to speak her mind and address these underlying issues.

    “In our society, casual sexism has become so common that we have questioning it. In a same household a girl and boy are treated differently, it is engraved in our minds that we have to change once we get married. It changes the way how we grow as an individual and at times bring a full stop to our happiness,” she shared.

    Khan went on to say not to be deceived by the show’s initial impression – it might look like a simple love story, but as the story unravels, audiences will witness intense drama. Normally, it takes three to four months to write the script for a show, but in this case, it took much more time as the makers were trying to strike the right balance. She also revealed that the team at Sony TV was quite demanding, in a positive manner. They were quite precise over what they wanted out of the show. 

    While addressing a virtual conference, Golwalkar clarified that the intention of Ishk Par Zor Nahi is not to influence audiences or instruct them what is right or wrong; rather, it seeks to entertain them and, along the way, subtly raise some thought-provoking questions. He further added, “We didn’t have many launches in the second half of last year but this time we are working on experimental shows, then there is a sitcom genre with Sargam Ki Sadhe Sati, Punyashlok Ahilyabai is doing well for us in the 7.30 pm slot. Our recently launched show, Kyun Utthe Dil Chhod Aaye is also performing well. So, in an all we are trying to bring variety with our fiction shows.”

  • Colors bolsters its primetime with Namak Issk Ka

    Colors bolsters its primetime with Namak Issk Ka

    MUMBAI: She is known to win hearts with her thumkas and flamboyance. Wearing her bright lipstick and sheer exuberance, she sets the stage on fire with her impeccable dance moves. Meet Chamcham, the famous professional dancer or nachaniya.  But should being a nachaniya become a reason to be denied a happy and a fulfilling life?  Can a nachaniya not be accepted as a dulhaniya (bride) or bahu? Questioning this very outlook is Colors’ latest romantic drama, Namak Issk Ka.

    Based in the heartland of Bihar, Namak Issk Ka is the story of Chamcham, who is looked down upon for her profession, but in a twist of fate is married off into a reputable family in Mumbai. But as she tries to fend off prejudice, she sets out on a journey of finding her footing in the new family and eventually love. Produced by Gul Khan and co-produced by Dipti Kalwani, the show stars Shruti Sharma as Chamcham and the famous Bhojpuri actor Aditya Ojha as Yug Pratap Singh.

    Namak Issk Ka will air starting 7 December, Monday to Friday at 9 pm on Colors.

    Viacom 18 Hindi mass entertainment and kids TV network head Nina Elavia Jaipuria said, “In these challenging times, we at Colors have strived to keep our audience entertained with variety content and launched several shows across genres including Ishq Mein Marjawan, Pinjara, Bigg Boss and Molkki. To strengthen our prime time line-up further, we are adding another unconventional show to the mix with Namak Issk Ka.”

    Just like any other girl of her age, Chamcham dreams of a happy and reputable life. But she is always met with grimaces and criticism because she is a professional stage dancer, a nachaniya from a small town in Bihar. An orphan, Chamcham is a self-made person who becomes a dancer to make ends meet. Completely filmy, she loves emulating all the Bollywood heroines’ dance moves that translated into her becoming a dancer. If only her struggles were not enough, life throws another curve ball at her and in a twist of fate, she gets married to an affluent businessman Yug Pratap Singh. Even before she realises, Chamcham’s life takes a strange turn as her troubles magnify and a question looms- Kya Aap Ek Nachaniya Ko Karenge Bahu Ke Roop Mein Swikaar (Will you accept a dancing girl as a daughter-in-law)?

    Chief content officer for Hindi mass entertainment at Viacom18 Manisha Sharma said, “Namak Issk Ka is a refreshing and  heartwarming love story that touches upon various aspects. The character of Chamcham, a Nachaniya from Bihar, her journey to find love and respect, and the chemistry between two striking personalities is what sets the tone of the show and makes it stand out. We are excited to associate with Gul Khan who has done some incredible work in the past, and look forward to entertaining our viewers with exceptional storytelling.”

    Four Lions Films producer Gul Khan said, “Namak Issk Ka will give the viewers a glimpse into the life of a glamorous nachaniya (dancing girl) who earns her living by dancing at events and weddings. In a most endearing way, it showcases how under unforeseen circumstances she gets married to an affluent man and she struggles to find her footing in her new family, fight off the labels that people have given her owing to her profession and find love. We are happy to be associated with Colors, a channel that has always presented unique and entertaining concepts, and look forward to a great partnership.”  

    Co-Producer Dipti Kalwani added, “Through Chamcham’s story, we wish to highlight the fact that your individuality does not hinge on your profession. However unconventional it may be, everyone has a right to lead a reputable life and find acceptance in whatever role they take on in life, whether it is of a wife or a daughter-in-law.”

  • Box Office: ‘Bangistan’ bombs; ‘Bajrangi Bhaijaan’ crosses Rs 300 crore

    Box Office: ‘Bangistan’ bombs; ‘Bajrangi Bhaijaan’ crosses Rs 300 crore

    MUMBAI: Coming from a production house, which is known to churn out quality films, Bangistan fails to deliver. Produced by Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani’s Excel Entertainment, the movie was expected to be a commercial entertainer. However, Bangistan, inspired from a British film Four Lions – about four waylaid terrorists, is an utterly senseless film exhibiting total lack of the film medium. The film managed to put together just about Rs 1 crore on its opening Friday and despite expected improvement over Saturday and Sunday, the first weekend collections stand at a measly Rs 3.35 crore.

     

    On the other hand, Jaanisar, was marketed as ‘From the maker of Umrao Jaan’ and to his credit, Muzaffar Ali did make Umrao Jaan and Gaman, two hugely appreciated films. However, his latest lacks the purpose and the human interest story that his previous two films had. This film lacks identification for any kind of audience, as a result of which, meets with a disastrous fate at the box office: no takers.

     

    Ajay Devgn’s experiment with a family thriller sans action, Drishyam, does not quite work despite all three of its previous versions in Malayalam (original), Telugu and Tamil remakes making their mark at the box office as well as with critics. While critics stayed divided over handing out stars in ratings to the film, ticket buyers remained mostly indifferent. Except Devgn, that too not the way his fans like to see him, the rest came as a patch up job.  You make an economical film but admission rates remain the same at the cinema halls and audiences expect their money’s worth. After an opening weekend of Rs 27.6 crore including collections from paid previews on Thursday before regular release, the film ended its first week with Rs 41.3 crore.

     

    Masaan could muster praise from the critics as well as few who paid to watch it but not enough to register at the box office. It added Rs 1.05 crore to its first week figures taking its two-week total to Rs 3.45 crore.

     

    Bajrangi Bhaijaan still holds sway over the audience also getting some repeat footfalls as it collects over Rs 29.4 crore in its third week. This takes the film’s three-week tally to Rs 301.45 crore.

     

    Bahubali: The Beginning (Hindi- Dubbed) continues to do well during its fourth week. The film has added Rs 10.9 crore to take its four-week tally to Rs 98.85 crore.