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Tag: Indian Magic Eye

  • SonyLiv’s & Indian Magic Eye’s Lampan triumphs at IFFI 2024

    SonyLiv’s & Indian Magic Eye’s Lampan triumphs at IFFI 2024

    MUMBAI: There were five of them in contention, but Marathi series Lampan finally bagged the best OTT series award (we at Indiantelevision.com refuse to use the term web series for reasons best known to all) at the International Film Festival of India in Goa on 28 November 2024. Produced by Shrirang Godbole and Hrishikesh Deshpande of Indian Magic Eye, the series airs on SonyLiv.

    The best series award was received by the jubilant team of Lampan including a beaming SonyLiv programming commissioner and head of content Saugata Muherjee, Shrirang Godbole, and its cast and crew.  The award also entails a cash prize of Rs 10 lakh which is to be shared between the producers and SonyLiv.

    A jury consisting of Madhur Bhandarkar, Krishna Hebbale, Harish Shankar and Rupali Ganguly went through a difficult process of adjudicating the winner amongst the five finalists which included: Kotta Factory (TVF, Netflix), Kaala Paani (Posham Pa Pictures, Netflix), Ayali (Estrella Stories, Zee5), Jubliee (Andolan Films with Reliance and Phantom Studios, Amazon Prime Video).

    However, Lampan (set in rural India)  which  explores the emotional and social struggles of a young boy navigating his identity within the complex dynamics of his community came out on top for its remarkable storytelling, high production values, and exceptional performances.

    The series directed by Nipun Avinash Dharmadhikari is  based on stories written by Prakash Narayan Sant. It stars Chandrakant Kulkarni, Geetanjali Kulkarni, Mihir Godbole, Kadambari Kadam, Pushkaraj Chirputkar and  Avani Bhave. The writer of the show is Chinmay Kelkar. 
     

  • SonyLiv launches original Marathi web-series ‘YOLO’

    SonyLiv launches original Marathi web-series ‘YOLO’

    MUMBAI: SonyLiv has announced the launch of  an original regional language web-series. Titled, YOLO – You only live once, the show has been conceptualized and developed by Indian Magic Eye (IMEPL).

    YOLO is a Marathi web-series that is centred around  the coming-of-age story of four young adults – Choko aka Shivraj Waichal, Sarika aka Shivani Rangole, Rochak aka Ruturaj Shinde and Pari aka Shashwati Pimplikar. Sai Tamhankar, Nagesh Bhosale and Anand Ingle who are the well known faces in Marathi Entertainment industry also feature in this web series.

    Directed by Sameer Vidwans, the show is the story of four young adults who unexpectedly go through a series of dramatic events that transforms their perspectves on love, relationships, sex and life in general. The story also involves differences of opinion between two generations on concepts of morality and ethics.

    “The Marathi regional audience is gradually emerging as a large and strong consumer base for original content on the digital medium. To cater to their emerging desire for high-quality entertainment intheir language and with a cultural essence, they can relate to, we at SonyLIV are proud to roll out ‘YOLO’, the country’s first-ever web series in a regional language. This move underlines our commitment to deliver the most appealing original content across the traditional boundaries of genres, languages or geographies. The motive is to delight and entertain, whilst also raising the common issues surrounding the youth,” said Sony Pictures Networks India EVP and head digital business Uday Sodhi.

    The story begins when Choko’s family members are going away for a week. An incident takes place which involves a lot of  drama.They learn to think beyond their own selves and start seeing each other and their own parents in a different light. They evolve as better human beings. This coming of age story will have an extremely humorous yet deep, bold yet not below the belt treatment. It will be relatable to the youth as well as the elderly since it also reflects their experience and mature point of view.

    YOLO not only enhances the entertainment options available to SonyLiv’s Marathi viewers, but also adds great value to their viewing experience by offering original entertainment content that they can relate to and associate with.

    The launch of YOLO is in sync with SonyLic’s uplifted brand ethos of ‘We Liv to Entertain’, which is aimed at providing the most comprehensive entertainment content to meet the varied requirements of its diverse audience base. It is also a strategic move on the part of SonyLiv to augment the traction that it is currently receiving from regional audiences who are actively embracing the digital platform as a primary means of content consumption.

    Link for the Episode: www.sonyliv.com/dplnk?schema=sony://asset/5276724430001

  • SonyLiv launches original Marathi web-series ‘YOLO’

    SonyLiv launches original Marathi web-series ‘YOLO’

    MUMBAI: SonyLiv has announced the launch of  an original regional language web-series. Titled, YOLO – You only live once, the show has been conceptualized and developed by Indian Magic Eye (IMEPL).

    YOLO is a Marathi web-series that is centred around  the coming-of-age story of four young adults – Choko aka Shivraj Waichal, Sarika aka Shivani Rangole, Rochak aka Ruturaj Shinde and Pari aka Shashwati Pimplikar. Sai Tamhankar, Nagesh Bhosale and Anand Ingle who are the well known faces in Marathi Entertainment industry also feature in this web series.

    Directed by Sameer Vidwans, the show is the story of four young adults who unexpectedly go through a series of dramatic events that transforms their perspectves on love, relationships, sex and life in general. The story also involves differences of opinion between two generations on concepts of morality and ethics.

    “The Marathi regional audience is gradually emerging as a large and strong consumer base for original content on the digital medium. To cater to their emerging desire for high-quality entertainment intheir language and with a cultural essence, they can relate to, we at SonyLIV are proud to roll out ‘YOLO’, the country’s first-ever web series in a regional language. This move underlines our commitment to deliver the most appealing original content across the traditional boundaries of genres, languages or geographies. The motive is to delight and entertain, whilst also raising the common issues surrounding the youth,” said Sony Pictures Networks India EVP and head digital business Uday Sodhi.

    The story begins when Choko’s family members are going away for a week. An incident takes place which involves a lot of  drama.They learn to think beyond their own selves and start seeing each other and their own parents in a different light. They evolve as better human beings. This coming of age story will have an extremely humorous yet deep, bold yet not below the belt treatment. It will be relatable to the youth as well as the elderly since it also reflects their experience and mature point of view.

    YOLO not only enhances the entertainment options available to SonyLiv’s Marathi viewers, but also adds great value to their viewing experience by offering original entertainment content that they can relate to and associate with.

    The launch of YOLO is in sync with SonyLic’s uplifted brand ethos of ‘We Liv to Entertain’, which is aimed at providing the most comprehensive entertainment content to meet the varied requirements of its diverse audience base. It is also a strategic move on the part of SonyLiv to augment the traction that it is currently receiving from regional audiences who are actively embracing the digital platform as a primary means of content consumption.

    Link for the Episode: www.sonyliv.com/dplnk?schema=sony://asset/5276724430001

  • Star Pravah invites viewers to its ‘Dhabal’

    Star Pravah invites viewers to its ‘Dhabal’

    MUMBAI: One hour filled with laughter- that’s the promise Star Pravah is making to viewers for its upcoming show Dhabal – Ek Taas Time Pass with Marathi star Swapnil Joshi and his co-stars. Replacing the Supriya Sachin Show, the laughter riot is all set to begin from 12 May on Mondays and Tuesdays at 9:30 pm.

     

    The mega marketing effort is to ensure that viewers get acquainted with the meaning of Dhabal before they watch the show. In Marathi ‘Dhabal’ typically means a katta or a hangout zone. To familiarise people with the concept of ‘Dhabal’, Star Pravah has undertaken a mega on ground event organising real life ‘dhabal’ in various cities and inviting viewers to come and watch it. According to Star Pravah marketing head Mayuresh Wadke, the Kolhapur and Pune auditoriums were houseful while the next two are in Mumbai and Nashik.

     

    Apart from this, the on air campaign consists of asking viewers to nominate two people they know who don’t laugh very easily, to come and watch the show and get entertained. The radio promotion is being done on Red FM 93.5 where Joshi and his cast will be on Malishka’s popular show in the morning as well as on the evening show to talk about Dhabal. “The focus is more on innovating rather than going out and shouting,” says Wadke.

     

    The casting itself took a long time. It includes Siddharth Chandekar, Viju Khote, Vijay Patwardhan, Mrunmayee Godbole, Suhas Paranjape, Sarthak Ketkar, Atul Todankar, Prajakta Hanamghar, Abhijeet Chavan, Prabhakar More, Rasika Agashe, Anand Patil, Sachin Bhangre and Siddheshwar Zadbuke who will be recurring while some episodes will have guest appearances. The effort is to make each episode different whether topic wise, issue wise or celebrity wise. “We have got an action plan for sustenance of good humour. Apart from me and Srirang Godbole there are 10 writers for the show,” says Star Pravah programming head Jayesh Patil. In production since six months, Dhabal is the product by Indian Magic Eye production house headed by Srirang Godbole who is the chairman and managing director.

     

    As of now, Vicco Vajradanti has been signed as the title sponsor while the hunt for other sponsors and advertisers is still on. The channel is also looking at brand integration inside the show which won’t be overtly loud. Even though four episodes have been completed, certain scenes have been shot on chroma background to keep the possibility of integration open.

     

    Star Pravah nonfiction head Amit Phalke is aware that comparisons will be made to other comedy shows. “With a comedy show there will be a comparison and why should we be shy about it?” he says. Phalke who has been an actor as well as worked with Zee Talkies and ETV Marathi while it launched Kon Hoeel Marathi Crorepati is well aware of working with tight budgets.

     

    Repeats of the show will begin from the second week as the channel does not want to spread the audience so soon. However, those who miss the show on TV will only get to see a short capsule on the digital platform.

  • Star Pravah to launch ‘Dhabal-Ek Taas Time Paas’

    Star Pravah to launch ‘Dhabal-Ek Taas Time Paas’

    MUMBAI: Marathi general entertainment channel, Star Pravah, is gearing up for a new show format which draws upon Marathi folk theatre, where the narrator-cum-actor (sutradhar) speaks to audiences and brings up socio-political issues in a fun way.

    Called Dhabal – Ek Taas Time Paas, the show is set to replace the soon-to-end The Supriya Sachin Show, 12 May onwards. Marathi actor Swapnil Joshi will play host, narrator and actor in the show that will air every Monday and Tuesday at 9:30 pm. ‘Dhabal’ in Marathi means a place for youngsters to hang out. Dhabal – Ek Taas Time Paas will be a situational comedy with elements of fiction and non-fiction, and will discuss contemporary issues in the form of a skit.

    According to Shrirang Godbole, chairman and MD of Indian Magic Eye, which has produced and conceptualised the show, “The root of this show is in the folk theatre format in Maharashtra, in which narrators speak to audiences and bring up political issues.” Godbole is the scriptwriter-producer-director of Dhabal – Ek Taas Time Paas, and has four other writers assisting him.

    Programming head Jayesh Patil of Star Pravah, says, “This is a fresh concept and we are looking at bringing it as a seasonal show. This way, it gives good space to experiment with content and genre.”

    Dhabal – Ek Taas Time Paas will run for 26 episodes, following which, Star Pravah plans to come out with another new show to replace the one-hour slot.

    Shooting is in full swing at Filmcity, Goregaon, Mumbai and nearly four episodes have been canned. A studio equipped with nine HD cameras is used twice a week for the show; two episodes are shot in one day and the second day is used for rehearsals. One hundred and thirty two people are part of the production team working on the show. The set has been designed by freelancer Shyam Bhatia while costumes have been designed by Shrirang’s wife, Deepa Godbole.

    Sources peg the cost of the entire show at around Rs 4 crore, with the set itself costing approximately Rs 35 lakh and cost of producing each episode about Rs 15 lakh.                                  

    On the cards is a big marketing plan that will soon unfold across the state, including contests inviting people to attend a Dhabal organized by Star Pravah in Mumbai, Pune, Nashik and Kolhapur with characters modeled on the show taking up pertinent issues. Winners will get to watch Dhaba- Ek Taas Time Paas live and understand its format. The contests are slated to begin in a couple of days and will be conducted in various auditoria. Presently, the focus is on the digital space, though closer to the launch, radio and print campaigns will be rolled out. 3 May onwards, ads will do the rounds of other Marathi channels.