ITV

Tag: Gul Panag

  • Zee TV & Gul Panag get people to question bride stereotypes

    Zee TV & Gul Panag get people to question bride stereotypes

    MUMBAI: Zee TV is creating awareness for its upcoming fiction offering Kaleerein, starting 5 February 2018 and will air every Monday to Friday at 7:30 pm. Joining hands with social activist and actor-producer Gul Panag, who believes in living life on her own terms, Zee TV launched the #ChangeHerNot social media experiment through a matrimonial website MySoniKudi.

    Designed by Zee TV’s digital agency, Big Trunk, the website gave grooms the option of choosing from gharelu brides, fair-skinned beauties, cooking champions and many more unfortunate, stereotypical moulds that the society has created over the years. With the objective of highlighting the sheer absurdity of this stark reality and to nudge the audience to question these age-old shackles, the website was introduced on social media by vocal supporter Gul Panag who criticised the portal for commoditising brides. While it was disappointing to see the website receiving thousands of registrations from serious prospective grooms within a matter of hours, the social media experiment was truly a success when an exponentially higher volume of noise erupted on Twitter with people crying out in unison against slotting brides into categories and expecting them to change themselves for the sake of marriage.

    Zee TV deputy business head Deepak Rajadhyaksha said, “MySoniKudi was aimed at eliciting precisely the kind of strong reactions it has evoked. So, while the website isn’t real, the issue is. It is sad that to be marriageable, a woman has to be a certain way. From gharelu to sanskaari, fair-skinned to no western clothes, no-career to a great pay package, there are all kinds of customisations expected, making bride-grooming schools that get young women to fit specific moulds a reality. Our very next fiction offering Kaleerein tackles this subject head-on, showcasing the journey of Meera, a small-town bride who refuses to bow down to the diktats of bride grooming and celebrates her individuality. Through her example, the idea is to help Indian women free themselves from the mould of a stereotypical bride, earning them the right to find a groom who is willing to accept them the way they are.”

    As the true intent of the website and the #ChangeHerNot campaign was revealed, the overwhelming support from all quarters reflects that Indians are no longer willing to adhere to societal shackles but want to rewrite them to take control of their own destinies, thereby extending a strong support to Zee TV’s brand philosophy and content mantra Aaj Likhenge Kal.

    Actor Gul Panag said, “When Zee TV approached me with legit research on the disturbing trend of grooming schools that serve as finishing schools for brides and get them to fit certain pre-conceived moulds, I was more than happy to support them and help create awareness about the issue.”

    Along with the #ChangeHerNot campaign, Zee TV has planned a series of ATL and BTL activations to create awareness about the unfair expectations that one has from a prospective bride, and highlight the concept of Kaleerein amongst the relevant target audiences.

    Kaleerein is the story of Meera, a small-town girl from Punjab, who chooses to assert her individuality against the reality of bride grooming schools that are mushrooming all over Punjab; schools that prescribe a bucket-list of must-have qualities for a bride to land the perfect groom. A free-spirited girl who wants to live life on her own terms, Meera values her uniqueness and is in search of a suitor who will accept her for the person she truly is. 

  • SonyLiv’s content mirroring contemporary trends key differentiator, says Uday Sodhi

    MUMBAI: Lives today are a rigmarole of never-ending deadlines, household chores, family commitments and work life pressures. This cyclical orchestra of mounting pressures and waning pleasures leave an indelible impact on modern day relationships. With its focus on compelling storytelling that mirrors trends in our society, SonyLIV released its two latest short films – ‘Papa We Love You Too’ and ‘The Gift’ and had the celebrities participate in an engaging discussion on the subject – ‘Digital storytelling that mirrors relationship trends in contemporary Indian Society.’

    In its endeavour to present great narratives coupled with exemplary performances and production values, SonyLIV is creating ripples in digital entertainment with the release of its short films. Starring actors Jimmy Shergill, Lekh Tandon, Gul Panag, Mandira Bedi and Kushal Punjabi both films are poised to resonate with the audiences and take them on a reflective entertainment journey.

    The film ‘Papa We Love You Too’ revolves around the protagonist Vikas, portrayed by Jimmy Shergill, who is a 40-year old single parent. A workaholic, his life centers around his professional achievements and materialistic acquisitions, eventually weakening his bond with his 8-year old son. The shadow of this relationship is also reflected in the one that Vikas shares with his father, played by veteran director, writer and actor Lekh Tandon.

    ‘The Gift’, on the other hand, is an edge-of-the-seat thriller which describes the complexities of contemporary relationships, with actors Kushal Punjabi, Gul Panag and Mandira Bedi portraying powerful roles. The stylized narrative lays special emphasis on the visuals while the quick paced editing throws light on how the ruthlessness of modern life and our overarching desires make us commit incomprehensible acts.

    SonyLIV EVP Uday Sodhi says: “The key differentiator of SonyLIV versus other digital players is our ability to constantly provide content that mirrors trends in society. In the category of short films alone, we have a library of more than 500 originals. Compelling story telling coupled with superior performances is a winning formula for creating lasting impressions. These films echo our sustained efforts at providing our audiences with original, unique and thought-provoking content that resonates long after its runtime is over.”

  • Festivelle: Gul Panag & Shruti video chronicles women’s thoughts

    Festivelle: Gul Panag & Shruti video chronicles women’s thoughts

    MUMBAI: The power girls of B-town — Gul Panag and Shruti Seth — have come together and curated the first of its kind women-centric event called ‘Festivelle’ organised by women, for women. To promote the event, Festivelle has partnered with Pocket Acesto launch a video- What women mean v.s What they say featuring Gul and Shruti as the protagonists.

    Pocket Aces is one of the fastest growing digital entertainment companies in India which company conceptualizes, creates, and distributes engaging original content for the millennial through its channels — Dice Media and FilterCopy.

    The video is an interesting and honest take on everyday situations that women go through, how as a woman she would want to react but how she eventually deals with that situation. Besides this video, Pocket Aces has also published articles on FilterCopy by the co-creators of ‘Festivelle’ talking about what both personally believe in and stand for.

    On partnering with Pocket Aces, Shruti Seth, Co-creator, Festivelle said, “Our partnership with Pocketaces/filtercopy has been delightful. The content has been kickass and so well executed. Thank you for adding so much value to Festivelle.”

    Festivelle co-creator Gul Panag, commenting on this unique initiative, said, “I love what Filter Copy is doing! Here’s to more such collaborations.” Panag added: “Often, women find it hard to be able to speak their minds and are busy juggling several things together. This video with FilterCopy has made sure that we conveyed the message that it’s okay for women to take a break and that they should always be able to speak their mind. And that’s exactly the message of Festivelle as well.”

    Commenting on the partnership with ‘Festivelle’, Pocket Aces co-founder Aditi Shrivastava said, “Festivelle is a fresh and much-required initiative, and we are glad to be partnering with them. Women constitute over 50% of FilterCopy’s audience – they love content that they can relate to, engage with, and create conversations around. Festivelle’s motto – taking a break – is relatable to every woman, and this is exactly what prompted us to be involved. Seeing Gul and Shruti in every day, accessible situations is what has made the video really work.” Aditi is also a panelist at Festivelle, and will be talking to women about managing their personal finances better.

    With the intent to celebrate womanhood, this event will bring to women music, comedy, spa sessions, fun conversations, food, shopping and much more. Festivelle will give women the opportunity to spend two days amidst revelry and celebration.

  • Festivelle: Gul Panag & Shruti video chronicles women’s thoughts

    Festivelle: Gul Panag & Shruti video chronicles women’s thoughts

    MUMBAI: The power girls of B-town — Gul Panag and Shruti Seth — have come together and curated the first of its kind women-centric event called ‘Festivelle’ organised by women, for women. To promote the event, Festivelle has partnered with Pocket Acesto launch a video- What women mean v.s What they say featuring Gul and Shruti as the protagonists.

    Pocket Aces is one of the fastest growing digital entertainment companies in India which company conceptualizes, creates, and distributes engaging original content for the millennial through its channels — Dice Media and FilterCopy.

    The video is an interesting and honest take on everyday situations that women go through, how as a woman she would want to react but how she eventually deals with that situation. Besides this video, Pocket Aces has also published articles on FilterCopy by the co-creators of ‘Festivelle’ talking about what both personally believe in and stand for.

    On partnering with Pocket Aces, Shruti Seth, Co-creator, Festivelle said, “Our partnership with Pocketaces/filtercopy has been delightful. The content has been kickass and so well executed. Thank you for adding so much value to Festivelle.”

    Festivelle co-creator Gul Panag, commenting on this unique initiative, said, “I love what Filter Copy is doing! Here’s to more such collaborations.” Panag added: “Often, women find it hard to be able to speak their minds and are busy juggling several things together. This video with FilterCopy has made sure that we conveyed the message that it’s okay for women to take a break and that they should always be able to speak their mind. And that’s exactly the message of Festivelle as well.”

    Commenting on the partnership with ‘Festivelle’, Pocket Aces co-founder Aditi Shrivastava said, “Festivelle is a fresh and much-required initiative, and we are glad to be partnering with them. Women constitute over 50% of FilterCopy’s audience – they love content that they can relate to, engage with, and create conversations around. Festivelle’s motto – taking a break – is relatable to every woman, and this is exactly what prompted us to be involved. Seeing Gul and Shruti in every day, accessible situations is what has made the video really work.” Aditi is also a panelist at Festivelle, and will be talking to women about managing their personal finances better.

    With the intent to celebrate womanhood, this event will bring to women music, comedy, spa sessions, fun conversations, food, shopping and much more. Festivelle will give women the opportunity to spend two days amidst revelry and celebration.

  • ‘Dum Laga Ke Haisha’….Missing audience

    ‘Dum Laga Ke Haisha’….Missing audience

    MUMBAI: Dum Laga Ke Haisha is very unlike a Yash Raj Films product. It gives you nothing of that finesse most of their films boast of. What’s more, Bhumi Pednekar, who makes her debut with this film, is not the kind who can become a heartthrob of young men. She is not the traditional slim, stylish, chiffon clad actress Yash Raj women are identified with. Also, unlike most of their films, this one is about a traditional middleclass family based in a small town Haridwar of mid 1990s.

    Ayushmann Khurrana, the only son of Sanjay Mishra, looks after the family tape recording shop but is a zero when it comes to studies and is deficient in English. He is a huge Kumar Sanu fan. He is shy and terrified of his dominating father. His father has decided it is time to get him married and the match is found in Bhumi, a fat chubby girl who loves to dance and never wears clothes that match. However, she is better qualified and ready to become a teacher.

    The marriage is performed notwithstanding Khurrana’s reluctance. The first night draws a blank and Bhumi starts working on attracting Khurrana towards her. Her first stop is a lingerie shop. Let alone loving her, Khurrana is even ashamed of the fact that she is his wife. But Bhumi is determined and not the kind to take taunts and insults as she gives it back to Khurrana’s aunt and also ends up slapping Khurrana when she hears him insult her behind her back. Bhumi has had enough and is ready to return to her parents.

    Producer: Manish Sharma

    Director: Sharat Kataria

    Cast: Ayushmann Khurrana, Bhumi Pednekar, Sanjay Mishra

    The dual continues as both miss no opportunity to make each other conscious of their problems. There is a scene where she plays the tape with a song to provoke Khurrana and he on his part comes out of bathroom with soap all over him to play another song to give it back to her. This turns out to be a medley of old songs. And there are times when Khurrana finds it tough to balance his scooter with Bhumi on the pillion.

    The story may not find identification with today’s audience initially but its simplicity may finally touch them. The director makes sure he keeps it as simple and maintains its old-fashioned native flavour. However, one thing that stands out as an eyesore is Khurrana’s dressing; there is nothing native about it as his costumes are dandy. Anu Malik stages a comeback and with him come some sensible lyrics and soulful tunes in ‘Moh moh ke dhage….’ As Kumar Sanu gives other two songs, ‘Dard karaara…’and ‘Tu’ the ‘90s feeling. The dialogue has subtle humour. The film is 111 minutes long and becomes more lively post interval.

    Khurrana is good in a subdued role. Bhumi is impressive. Sanjay Mishra, as usual, stands out. The rest are good as supporting cast.

    Though watchable, Dum Laga Ke Haisha has not been given due publicity and has opened poorly with very little chance of catching up.

     

    ‘Ab Tak Chhappan 2’.. Ab tak enough!

    Ab Tak Chhappan 2 as the title suggests is a sequel to Ab Tak Chhappan, released 11 years back to the day (27 February, 2004). This also suggests that the sequel has come too late as the theme of specialist police shooters, called encounter specialists, has passed its expiry date and is no more relevant. Also, so many bullets have been fired since by all and sundry (good as well as bad) that a gun-toting cop is no longer exciting.

    Nana Patekar is encounter specialist Sadhu Agashe, is facing court cases for unsanctioned killings of criminals. He is happy whiling away his time fishing, making meals for his teenaged son and playing marbles in his native village somewhere in Goa. The criminals have resurfaced and there is chaos in the city of Mumbai. The ex-commissioner, Mohan Agashe, is summoned by CM Dilip Prabhavalkar and HM Vikram Gokhale, during whose tenure as police chief the encounter specialist team was formed and underworld reined in.

    Agashe suggests Nana be brought back even as two other senior cops, Ashutosh Rana and Govind Namdeo, disagree with the idea. For his part, Nana too is reluctant despite an offer to withdraw all litigation against him. However, his son convinces him finally to go back since he is a cop and not a fisherman.

    Producers: Raju Chadha

    Director: Aejaz Gulab

    Cast: Nana Pateka, Gul Panag, Mohan Agashe, Govind Namdev, Raj Zutshi, Vikram Gokhale, Ashutosh Rana

    So Nana is back heading the force with a very resistant Rana as an enemy within. It is business as usual as Nana goes on a shooting spree, killing a goon first and then telling the viewers about the deceased. They are just dummies. But, the joke is about the two dons who rule over Mumbai underworld; one is a suave, computer-wiz Raj Zutshi, holed up somewhere abroad because he is scared of his rival, a nondescript actor, who may just pass off as a street side gunda, least of all a big time don!

    As has been reported often, these specialists also work on behest of dons and that happens in this story too as it did in the earlier version 11 years back. Nothing is new. Nana’s wife was shot dead in part one, this time his son falls to the villains’ bullets. That is the final push he needs.

    However, there is an effort to salvage the already sunk plot; this is not just another cop story, there is a twist though a very predictable one from reel one. There is a greedy politician pulling strings.

    Ab Tak Chhappan 2 is built on a wrong premise: just about everything about it is misconceived. The script is run of the mill and the direction is copy book; nothing original or inspirational. Camera angles are corny. Thankfully, there are no songs and the background score is okay. Despite a tolerable 105-minute duration, the film gives the feeling of being lengthy; some crisp editing could have brought it down to maybe 90 minutes.

    Dialogue is very tacky. There is no scope for performances and Nana sticks to being Nana. So do Rana and Namdeo, who stick to their routine. Gul Panag, whose character is forced in, is a misfit and miscast. Prabhavalkar has little to make an impact. The only actor who makes his presence felt is Gokhale.

    Ab Tak Chhappan 2 has had a miserable opening and may find it hard to last the week.

     

  • NDTV Good Times turns 7!

    NDTV Good Times turns 7!

    MUMBAI: Redefining its positioning as India’s youngest lifestyle channel, NDTV Good Times, is all set to turn seven on 7 September.

     

    With the reach of approximately 30 million individuals in India, the channel defines its target audience as ‘exploring more than refining their core, more confused than confident, more carefree than responsible, more dreamy than realistic, more impulsive than planned and more daredevil than fun loving’, the channel caters to shows focused mainly on genres like food, fashion and travel.

     

    Excited about completing seven years and satisfied with its positioning in Indian television space, NDTV Good Times channel head Arati Singh says, “It’s been a really good seven years where we feel that we have defined the lifestyle genre in Indian television. We believe in providing an immersive and experiential ‘Good Times’ experience to their consumers.”

     

    “With the reach of approximately 30 million individuals in India on 15+ ABC, the channel is ahead of almost every other English lifestyle channel in the country,” she adds.

     

    Along with its hit flagship properties like Band Baajaa Bride, Highway on My Plate, Kingfisher Supermodels, Making of Kingfisher Calendar Girl, the channel is launching an array of new shows this year including You Got Magic and Kingfisher Blue Mile-Mission Mount Everest. The channel will also be sourcing new international content like Adam Richman’s Best Sandwiches in America and Cutthroat Kitchen as a present to its viewers.

     

    While You Got Magic is a half hour, 13 part travelling series exploring lifestyles, food and people. The host of the show is a young magician, Neel Madhav, who interacts with people everywhere and through them and his magic, brings out the hidden treasures of every city he travels to; Kingfisher Blue Mile-Mission Mount Everest is a nine part realty adventure series with Gul Panag. The show is a hunt for a team of six that will take on the base camp trek for the highest mountain in the world. Each campout will have three to four adventure activities where it judges hundreds of contestants on the basis of climbing skills, water based activities to see balance, rope activities and even scuba diving.

     

    It is also launching new seasons of popular shows like Band Baajaa Bride, which turns five this year and Kingfisher Supermodels.

     

    Talking about the content and shows, Singh says, “We have produced a variety of shows that have become brands and are looking at providing more new and engaging content. We currently have 60 per cent Indian and 40 per cent international content on the channel.”

     

    “Content on our channel is young-at-heart and dynamic that also has an appeal across segments and demographics. Our focus has always been multi-platform content creation, and we will continue to do that as we reach across to our consumers through all platforms,” she adds.

     

    The channel mainly produces in-house except for a few shows that require specialised production which it outsources. Production houses including Red Dot, Face Entertainment, Dreamcatchers and Small Screen have been associated with it since inception.

     

    The revenue for the channel mainly comes from advertising and subscription and its main sponsors besides United Breweries are FMCG, e-commerce brands, jewellery and fashion brands. Band Baajaa Bride has been long associated with sponsors like Lakme, Rado and TBZ. The show has also helped in the growth of sponsors as well as the brand Sabyasachi.

     

    Discussing advertising, the channel head comments, “We firmly believe that content is our greatest advertisement, we will be focusing on digital media, outdoor, on-ground and where the youth is.”

     

    “Advertisers today appreciate the tremendous value that the genre delivers. We have had excellent relationships with advertisers across genres, be it from food and related ancillary industries like modular kitchen brands and processed food brands, for instance, to larger, more broad-based advertisers as well, like consumer electronic,” Singh adds.

     

    NDTV Good Times is the flagship channel of NDTV Lifestyle, a part of the NDTV Group. Being the oldest lifestyle channel in India, it is now innovating its programming to reach out to Generation Y.

     

    With #Liveyoung as its tagline, a fresh youthful look, diverse contents and witty anchors, the channel has become a brand name among the English lifestyle space in India.

     

    And on its seventh anniversary let’s wish them a starry and successful future.

  • Brands engage with Twitter influencers to reach out

    Brands engage with Twitter influencers to reach out

    MUMBAI: According to the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI), as of March 2013, Twitter had 33 million users across the country. An Economic Times report said that Twitter is eyeing India’s over 500 million mobile consumers as potential users, given that its service can be used on feature phones.

     

    With statistics like that, no wonder brands are milking the popularity and reach of the micro-blogging site, albeit through people called ‘influencers’.

     

    Earlier this month, a national dairy brand created a Twitter splash with the help of 50 influencers, with the campaign being the most talked about at the time. Similarly, Mahindra has identified an ‘influencer’ for its SuPer Milo in actress Gul Panag, who connects with the brand at many levels and campaigns regularly on Twitter.

     

    So, who are these influencers whom brands are increasingly seeking out in order to grow their consumer base and widen their reach?

     

    Social Wavelength joint CEO Sanjay Mehta says that there are three types of influencers. Firstly, the celebrity kinds, who may generate influence across many different areas and people; secondly, subject matter influencers, who are domain specialists and wield influence in specific categories such as automobiles or gadgets or fashion; and thirdly, peer influencers, who may not fall in the first two categories but have good influence over a sizeable group of tweeple (people on Twitter) who interact with them.

     

    Mehta points out that of late, several brands have been engaging with influencers, in big or small ways; be it getting influencers to talk about their new mobile phone or getting them to initiate a tweetinar (a seminar on Twitter) on a topic of relevance. “At the end of the day of course, it is about getting engagement with the influencers, and through such engagement, managing to get an amplification of the brand via the wider network reach of the said influence,” Mehta explains.

     

    A common perception among social media enthusiasts is that Twitter influencers are those who have a huge follower base. While FoxyMoron co-founder, director – new business Pratik Gupta, is of the view that while this is a crucial criterion and an influencer must have at least 1,500 followers, other factors too need to be taken into consideration. “The brand must select an influencer whose opinion and tone is in sync with the brand philosophy. The content tweeted must be consistently of good quality and at the same time, be memorable and valuable. Also from a brand perspective, it is important to ensure that the chosen influencer has not endorsed a competitor in the past. The final criterion one must look out for is dedication; the influencer must regularly and religiously tweet in order to keep his/her followers intrigued,” says Gupta.

     

    For instance, for Maybelline New York India, Foxymoron identified a core group of influencers and called them the ‘Beauty Brigade’. This was done in order to create better products and a unique identity in a highly competitive market. Members of the brigade were the first to receive product samples and hear about contests. They played a major role in promoting brand awareness and product loyalty.

     

    Gupta says that these days, brands engage with influencers in different ways including product sampling, reviews on blogs and DIY YouTube tutorials. Influencers give their opinions in the form of reviews and connect with their followers on a personal level. So, they tend to gain the trust of their followers apart from adding advocacy to brand campaigns. “They support the brand by enabling it to tap into their own fan base. Every consumer then becomes a potential word-of-mouth marketer, which is one of the biggest benefits to the brand. This becomes a win-win situation for the brand and the consumers”, explains Gupta.

     

    That said, most brands are not very open about engaging with influencers on social media. And still, part of the success of the brand on Twitter campaigns definitely goes to its influencers!

  • Film stars hope to make hay by joining the political fray

    Film stars hope to make hay by joining the political fray

    NEW DELHI: Films like ‘Satta’, ‘Nayak’ and ‘Rajneeti’ in recent years, have shown the Bollywood filmmakers’ interpretation of the way politics works in this country. Not to forget movies like ‘Sarkar’ that exposes the links of the underworld with politicians.

     

    Perhaps this exposure to politics and largely the anti-corruption wave that swept the country in the wake of Anna Hazare’s movement has resulted in probably the largest number of film personalities enter the fray for the 2014 polls.

     

    Although all political parties have not made public their complete list, around 40 actors from across the country are in the election arena – revealing perhaps the largest participation from Bollywood and north India, since the participation of the film industry from south India has already been quite good.

     

    But for the film industry, five constituencies are going to be worth watching as they have actors pitted against each other. Perhaps the most glamorous poll fights is in Chandigarh, which will see actor former Miss India Gul Panag of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) pitted against her senior and very versatile actor Kirron Kher who has taken up cudgels for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Though Panag was born in Sangrur, she has continued to live in Chandigarh, while the Chandigarh-born Kher has come into fray from this city though she lives in Mumbai.

     

    The not-so-‘khamosh’ Shatrughan Sinha is once again representing the BJP from Patna Saheb in Bihar where he will face Bhojpuri actor Kunal Singh of the Congress. Singh has stated that he is prepared to take up the challenge because he does not feel Sinha has done enough for the constituency.

     

    Mumbai North West will see a triple star fight: the verbose Kamal R Khan who often gets into controversies for his utterances is pitted as an independent against equally controversial star Rakhi Sawant who represents the Rashtriya Aam Party, and Mahesh Manjrekar who represents the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS).

    In Birbhum, the fight is between actor Satabdi Roy of the Trinamool Congress and actor Joy Banerjee of the BJP which has generally not done well in West Bengal and hopes star power may help.

     

    Singer Indranil Sen from TMC will take on actor Sidhanth Mahapatra of the Biju Janata Dal from Behrampur.

     

    In fact, the BJP has attracted the largest number of film personalities, particularly from Bollywood and north India. Some other film personalities representing the party are George Baker in Howrah, Nimu Bhowmik in Raiganj, versatile singer Bablu Supriya in Asansol, senior actor Hema Malini in Mathura, Hindi and Bhojpuri actor Manoj Tiwari in North East Delhi, music maestro Bappi Lahiri from Serampore, versatile actor Paresh Rawal from Ahmedabad East, veteran Vinod Khanna from Gurdaspur, and television actress Smiriti Irani from the high-profile constituency Amethi. 

     

    The Congress has roped in Kannada heroine Ramya in Mandya, actor Aparajita Mohanty in Cuttack, veteran Oriya film actor Bijay Mohanty from Bhubaneswar, Hindi and Bhojpuri actor Ravi Kishan from Jaunpur, petite actress Nagma in Meerut, actor Jayasudha in Secunderabad, the high-profile Raj Babbar from Ghaziabad, Union Minister D Napoleon from Perambalur in Tamil Nadu, and actor Vijaya Shanthi from Medak.

     

    The Trinamool Congress is not far behind, with glamorous actor Moon Moon Sen in Bankura, reigning Bengali star Deb in Ghatal, Sandhya Sen in Midnapore, actor Soumitra Roy from Malda North, actor Arpita Ghosh in Balurghat, former Bollywood star Biswajit (Chatterjee) from New Delhi and actor Tapas Paul in Krishnagar.

     

    The AAP has roped in TV actress Rina Rani to contest from Maharajganj and the actor-dancer Javed Jaffery (son of former comedy actor Jagdeep) from Lucknow.

    Actor Innocent will represent the Communist Party of India (Marxist) from Chalakkudy in Kerala, renowned award-winning director will fight for the Janata Dal (United) from West Champaran in Bihar, former actor Jayaprada will be fighting this time on behalf of Rashtriya Lok Dal from Bijnor.

     

    Jayaprada initially represented the Telugu Desam Party, later switching to the Samajwadi Party and then moving to RLD after her friend Amar Singh was forced to leave SP.

     

    Rakhi Sawant says she is contesting the elections on the plank of restoring women’s safety in the metropolis. “I was offered a BJP ticket from Srirampur in West Bengal. But I am from Mumbai and know Hindi and Marathi. I don’t know the local language of West Bengal, so why should I stand from there?” she said while announcing her candidature.

     

    Actor Ramya (Divya Spandana) is the first female star from Karnataka to enter the Lok Sabha. Ramya joined the Youth Congress in 2011 and had campaigned for the party in the assembly elections.

     

    The final list is yet to come out, and so Punjabi pop singer Rabbi Shergil who has joined the AAP is also expected to contest, even as actor Murali Mohan is eyeing the Rajahmundry seat. Pawan Kalyan who formed the Jana Sena is hoping to contest from Kakinada.

     

    Some actors or film personalities who have got elected to Parliament in the past or are presently in the Rajya Sabha as elected or nominated members include Prakash Jha, Amitabh Bachchan, Govinda, Dharmendra, Shekhar Suman, singer Hans Raj Hans, Babu Mohan, Murli Mohan, Krishnam Raju, Nafisa Ali, late Sunil Dutt, Jaya Bachchan, late Rajesh Khanna, late N T Rama Rao, Vyjayanthimala Bali, late Dr Raj Kumar and K Chiranjeevi. The nominated members include Nargis Dutt, Lata Mangeshkar, Shabana Azmi, Rekha, and Javed Akhtar.

     

    Babu Mohan has joined the Telengana Rashtra Samiti to fight the assembly elections, while in Tamil Nadu, Jayalalitha will again represent the AIADMK in the assembly. Actor Jeevitha who joined the BJP is hoping to get an assembly seat, actor Nandamuri Balakrishna is also looking for a seat in Andhra Pradesh, while comedian Ali from the south and actor Ambreesh are not far behind in their quest. Vijay Kanth of the DMDK and U V Krishnamraju from the BIP are others in the fray for state assemblies.

     

    Almost all the film personalities in the fray have some controversy attached to their lives or their present campaign. Kamal Khan who is known to be outspoken had in one of his films added dialogues attacking the MNS announcements about outsiders in Mumbai, while actor Nagma has had to face people who have not just tried to grope her but Congress MLA Gaj Raj Sharma grabbed and kissed her during one of her campaigns. She has even been manhandled.

     

    Kirron Kher was met with black flags when she first came to Chandigarh and had to convince voters that she was indeed from Chandigarh, while actor-dancer Hema Malini has been booed for not daring to step out of her Audi as she moves around Mathura. And if she does peep out of the sun-shade of her car, it is only for a brief glimpse and visits to temples are in the midst of bouncers.

      
    Manoj Tiwari had earlier contested the national elections from the SP ticket in 2009 and is now representing BJP.

     

    Raj Babbar had won from Firozabad for a fourth term by defeating Dimple Yadav, wife of Akhilesh Yadav and daughter-in-law of Mulayam Singh Yadav, but has now been shifted to Ghaziabad.

     

    The versatile Aamir Khan has become the national icon of the Election Commission after the last episode of the second edition of Satyamev Jayate. A team from Doordarshan, EC’s official partner was rushed to shoot a video with Aamir Khan. Apart from the video, Khan has shot for an audio spot, urging the people to cast their votes. He says, “Rukey nahin, chookey nahin…vote zaroor daalein.”

     

    Singer Anoop Jalota will campaign for the BJP while Kapil Sharma and Soha Ali Khan will campaign for the Congress.

     

    While Bollywood has generally not been very successful in north India, the southern film industry is rich with examples of film-politicians. Since 1957 when actor S S Rajendran (SSR) entered the fray in Theni during the assembly elections to the then Madras State Legislative Assembly polls, the DMK and its 1972-offshoot AIADMK led by popular hero M G Ramachandran, have in most elections given tickets to stars.

     

    In the post-MGR era, the AIADMK, the DMK and other parties had fielded actors in Parliamentary and assembly elections since 1998, barring the 2004 Lok Sabha polls.

     

    The outgoing 15th Lok Sabha had two actor MPs, D Napoleon and Ritheesh, of the DMK. Now they have switched loyalties to suspended DMK leader M K Alagiri. Napoleon had earlier represented the Villivakkam Assembly constituency during 2001-06 and lost to comedian S V Shekhar in Mylapore in 2006.

     

    This time, the ruling AIADMK and DMK have trusted lawyers, businessmen, doctors and others than trying actors though initially there were speculations that yesteryear heroine Khushboo and Radhika Sarathkumar could fight it out in a constituency in Chennai.

     

    While the connection between Tamil cinema and politics goes back to the 1940s when DMK founder C N Annadurai and its present chief M Karunanidhi were script writers, SSR known as a ‘Latchiya Nadigar’ (Ambitious Actor), was the first screen star to join the fray. He had lost the 1957 election by 6,781 votes to a Congress candidate.

     

    However, in the 1962 assembly polls he created history by winning from Theni on a DMK ticket thus becoming the first actor in the world to enter an elected legislative body. In later years, he was nominated to the Rajya Sabha and also won from the Andipatti Assembly constituency (MGR’s last represented constituency) in 1980 as an AIADMK candidate.

     

    MGR entered electoral politics only in 1967, winning from St Thomas Mount, while chief minister J Jayalalithaa became a Rajya Sabha member in 1984. The same year, the Congress had successfully fielded yesteryear actor Vyjayanthimala from the South Madras Lok Sabha constituency and she sprung as a surprise by defeating veteran politician Era Sezhiyan.

     

    But popular Sivaji Ganesan, one of the greatest actors in the world, had a failed political career though the Congress once made him a Rajya Sabha member. The Thamizhaga Munnetra Munnani, which he launched after MGR’s death, failed to take off and he did not make it big as president of the Janata Dal (Tamil Nadu) unit either.

     

    Actor Sarathkumar was defeated in 1998 from the Tirunelveli Parliamentary constituency on a DMK ticket. Subsequently, he entered the Rajya Sabha and is now a MLA. In contrast, another actor Ramarajan, whose popularity was on the wane, got elected to the Lok Sabha from Tiruchendur as an AIADMK candidate in 1998.

     

    Another yesteryear MGR film heroine Latha lost her deposit when she contested from Dindigul in 1998 Lok Sabha polls on a MGRADMK ticket. The following year, voters of the constituency rejected DMK candidate actor S Chandrasekar.

     

    Similarly, in Periyakulam, villain Mansoor Ali Khan fielded by Puthiya Tamilagam, came third in 1999 but polled over 87,000 votes.

     

    Some of the Tollywood actors who made it to the assembly and Parliament (including Rajya Sabha) are: villain Radharavi (AIADMK), comedian S S Chandran (AIADMK), Vijayakant (DMDK), Arun Pandian (DMDK rebel), versatile film personality T Rajendar (DMK) and comedian Isari Velan (AIADMK).

  • NDTV Car & Bike Awards are back with their 9th edition

    MUMBAI: The coveted NDTV Car & Bike Awards are back with their 9th edition, scheduled to be held at the Taj Palace Hotel, New Delhi on Monday, January 13, 2014. Presented by Mobil1, the Awards will once again honour the best cars and bikes in the country’s vibrant automobile sector and give recognition to the minds and the efforts behind their success.

     

    The NDTV Car & Bike Awards have emerged as the most credible automobile industry awards that have created a niche for themselves in the sector and among automobile aficionados. The 9th edition will felicitate 35 most deserving winners across various categories. A new category has been introduced, the ‘CNB Visioneer Award’ that will acknowledge outstanding contribution to the Indian Automobile Industry.

     

    Announcing the 9th edition of the awards, Siddharth Vinayak Patankar, Editor -Auto & Head Automobile Programming, NDTV said, “It has been quite a journey and I am very proud that we have now completed 10 years of CNB on the NDTV Network. The fact that the CNB awards are now recognised as most credible across the automobile industry is a matter of great pride for us at NDTV. We are very happy with the anticipation around this year’s edition, and I too cannot wait to find out who will be going home with the coveted trophies on awards night.”

     

    He further added, “The 9th edition of our own independent and trusted automobile awards will once again establish a set of credible winners – chosen by an eminent jury comprising the best names in the business. I am equally excited as always by the annual Viewers’ Choice category. The hundreds of thousands of votes as always represent our most valued viewers and what they believe are the best products of the year.”

     

    Car and Two Wheeler of the Year awards will take the top honours while the CNB Viewers’ Choice Awards gives viewers the exciting opportunity to vote for their favourite car and bike nominees and stand a chance to take the year’s hottest wheels home. The CNB Viewers’ Choice category has already received over twenty thousand votes through online and mobile messages and the numbers are growing every hour.

     

    To ensure a fool proof and fair selection process, each Jury member assesses and awards each nominee in complete isolation to other jurors. Each car and bike nominated is driven, evaluated and tested by the Jury along with a detailed research on each nominee’s specifications; its market performance and its immediate competition also being provided to them. Tabulators at Ernst and Young monitor the entire process.

     

    An eminent Jury consisting of an expert panel of auto aficionados will select the winners of this year’s awards. These include Adil Jal Darukhanawala, Editor in Chief, Zeegnation; Aditya Patel, one of India’s brightest young racers; Dilip Chhabria, an eminent and internationally acclaimed automobile designer; Dhruv Behl, Founder and Managing Editor of AutoX; Gul Panag, known as much for being an auto enthusiast and biker, as her silver-screen avatar; Jens Meiners, based in Germany and in New York, Jens is one of the foremost international motor journalists; Kamlesh Patel, Former Rallyist and automobile enthusiast; Karun Chandhok, India’s youngest Formula One driver; Kushan Mitra, Managing Editor, Digital and New Projects of The Pioneer newspaper; Dr V Sumantran, currently the Non-Executive Vice Chairman at Ashok Leyland and Siddharth Vinayak Patankar; Editor – Auto & Head Automobile Programming, NDTV.

     

    The Awards also recognise Marketing, Advertising and Communication efforts of the players which contribute to any product’s success, with the CNB-AAA Awards. The categories in this include Best PR & Communications Team, Best Integrated Campaign, Best TV Commercial Two Wheeler & Four Wheeler categories and Brand Ambassador of the Year.

     

    The CNB AAA Awards Jury includes Raj Kamle, Managing Partner, StrawberryFrog, Vinod G Nair, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, Clea PR, Sam Balsara, CMD, Madison Communications, Shruti Verma Singh, Consulting Editor, NDTV and Siddharth Vinayak Patankar; Editor – Auto & Head Automobile Programming, NDTV.

  • Westland Ltd Launched Author Aditi Kumar Mathurs Book Titled Soldier & Spice

    Westland Ltd Launched Author Aditi Kumar Mathurs Book Titled Soldier & Spice

    MUMBAI: Leading publication house, Westland Ltd launched Aditi Kumar Mathur’s debut novel “Soldier & Spice- An Army Wife’s Life” today at Olive Bar & Kitchen, Bandra today.

    In conversation with the author at the launch was actor and activist Gul Panag, who also interacted with the other attendees and media. Much like the protagonist in the book, Aditi regaled her audience with hilarious anecdotes of real life situations that she encountered as a newly-wed army wife.

    Categorized under the Genre of fiction the Release Type is Original, priced at Rs 250, it features a Binding Paperback. Imprinted by Westland Ltd it runs with a Page Extent of 264 pp.
    About The Book- For Pia, regular life is a thing of the past. She is now an Army wife. From ‘just Pia’ to an Aunty, a memsaab and – her favourite words in the whole wide world – Mrs Pia Arjun Mehra. At twenty-six, Pia finds herself having to suddenly be more ‘lady-like’; focus on themed ladies’ meets, high teas and welfare functions; and deal with long (unexpected) separations from her husband, extraordinary challenges, a little heartache, and, well, growing up.

    In the mysterious and grand world of Army wives, Pia learns that walking in high heels is okay as long as you don’t trip on combat boots. She learns that ‘civil’ is also a noun, that JCO and GOC are (very!) different, that snacks are ‘shown’ and WTF is better explained as Whiskey Tango Foxtrot. Yes, it really is a new world!

    Let this quirky, hilarious story of the first year of Pia’s Army-wife life show you that the spice to a soldier’s life is most definitely his better, very strong, bloody extremely elegant, never-cussing, witty, warm and passionate half, his Army wife.

    About The Author- Aditi Mathur Kumar was born on February 14th and since then it has all been awkward for her. A book-hoarder, an ex-advertising girl, a once-upon-a-time blogger, a fanatical Army wife and a real-life social person, Aditi has now decided to write more. So far, so good.