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Tag: Jyoti Deshpande

  • Tisca Chopra’s Saali Mohabbat finds a home on ZEE5

    Tisca Chopra’s Saali Mohabbat finds a home on ZEE5

    MUMBAI: Tisca Chopra is ready to step behind the camera with her directorial debut feature, Saali Mohabbat, a ZEE5 Original set to premiere later this year. Featuring Radhika Apte, Divyenndu Sharma, and Anurag Kashyap in lead roles, the film is produced by Jio Studios and Manish Malhotra’s Stage5 Production, marking the celebrated designer’s first venture into digital cinema.

    After an acclaimed run at film festivals including IFFI and the Chicago South Asian Film Festival, Saali Mohabbat is all set for its digital debut on ZEE5. Billed as a genre-bending ‘how-dunnit’, the story follows Smita (Radhika Apte), a small-town housewife whose seemingly ordinary life spirals into a dark maze of deceit, desire, and moral conflict. What begins as a domestic drama slowly unfolds into a chilling tale of love, betrayal, and blurred truths.

    Tisca Chopra, known for her powerful on-screen performances, brings a sharp and empathetic gaze to her first feature as director. “With Saali Mohabbat, I wanted to tell a story that’s intimate yet unsettling, one that explores the invisible tensions in relationships and the ways love can morph into something darker,” she said. “Directing this film has been both terrifying and liberating, and I’m deeply grateful to my collaborators for trusting my vision.”

    Producer Manish Malhotra described the project as a deeply personal one. “At Stage5, we back stories that are original in thought and strong in craft. Saali Mohabbat is layered and quietly powerful, exploring silence, choices, and consequence. Every frame reflects the team’s shared commitment to storytelling with purpose and soul,” he said.

    Jio Studios president Jyoti Deshpande added, “We are proud to support bold voices like Tisca’s and to collaborate with creative forces such as Manish Malhotra. Saali Mohabbat is a perfect blend of emotional depth and cinematic finesse, a story that will resonate deeply with audiences.”

    ZEE5 business head Hindi Kaveri Das said, “We’re thrilled to bring Saali Mohabbat to ZEE5 viewers. It’s not just a thriller, but a deeply human story that challenges conventions and keeps you hooked till the very end.”

    With its blend of psychological intrigue, striking performances, and Tisca Chopra’s assured direction, Saali Mohabbat promises to be one of this year’s most compelling digital premieres, a love story that cuts deep and lingers long after the credits roll.
     

  • Doctors premieres 27 December on JioCinema; Trailer out now!

    Doctors premieres 27 December on JioCinema; Trailer out now!

    MUMBAI: In the heart of a bustling hospital, where lives hang by a thread and every second pulses with tension, heroes walk among us—silent, resilient, and often unpraised.

    Doctors, the unsung gods in scrubs, juggle life and death daily, their world a chaotic mix of hope, heartbreak, and unrelenting pressure.

    But what happens when their own lives spiral into turmoil?

    JioCinema is closing the year with a bang, bringing audiences Doctors—an electrifying medical drama packed with love, revenge, and redemption. Directed by Sahir Raza and premiering on 27 December, and with a powerhouse cast led by Sharad Kelkar, Harleen Sethi, Aamir Ali, Viraf Patell, and Vivaan Shah, Doctors promises a rollercoaster of emotions, high-stakes drama, and binge-worthy intensity that’s perfect for the holiday season.

    Prepare to witness life, love, and betrayal play out against the backdrop of life-saving miracles—because sometimes, even gods bleed.

    Produced by Jyoti Deshpande (Jio Studios) and Alchemy Films Pvt Ltd, the story follows Dr Nitiya Vasu (Harleen Sethi), a fiercely determined resident who enters the Elizabeth Blackwell Medical Centre with a hidden agenda. Her mission: retribution against her mentor, Dr Ishaan Ahuja (Sharad Kelkar), a renowned neurosurgeon she believes sabotaged her brother’s career. However, as their worlds collide within the intense pressures of the medical field, Nitiya begins to uncover truths that challenge her motives and awaken unexpected emotions.

    Sharad Kelkar on Dr Ishaan Ahuja, “Playing Dr Ishaan Ahuja has been an incredible journey. He’s a deeply layered character, shaped by his past but unwavering in his dedication to his work. Preparing for this role took me beyond acting workshops—I spent hours shadowing real doctors to grasp their struggles and emotions. Doctors is a story that will resonate with anyone who appreciates resilience and human connection.”

    Harleen Sethi on Dr Nitiya Vasu, “Dr Nitiya Vasu’s character pushed me to explore emotional depths I hadn’t tapped into before. Preparing for her journey wasn’t just about medical jargon—it was about channelling her pain, passion, and purpose. Navigating her dilemmas within the world of medicine was both challenging and rewarding.”

    Aamir Ali on the show’s emotional impact, said, “Doctors opened my eyes to the dedication and humanity that define the medical profession. It’s a powerful show for the holiday season—perfect for family viewing. I can’t wait to hear what the audience thinks about this heartfelt story.”

    Get ready to witness the emotional rollercoaster of Doctors—a story where love and revenge collide—streaming 27 December exclusively on JioCinema.

     

  • Kiran Rao’s directorial ‘Laapataa Ladies’ is India’s official entry for Oscars 2025

    Kiran Rao’s directorial ‘Laapataa Ladies’ is India’s official entry for Oscars 2025

    Mumbai: Presented by Jio Studios, Laapataa Ladies, has generated immense excitement and received a positive reception from both audiences and critics alike. The film continues to earn recognition and has been picked as India’s official entry to the 97th Academy Awards, set to take place next year in March. The rural set drama beat 29 other movies from India to enter the Oscars 2025 race.

    The Film Federation of India (FFI) on Monday confirmed that Kiran Rao-directorial Laapataa Ladies is India’s official entry for Oscars 2025. The film, co-produced by Aamir Khan along with Rao, garnered positive reviews upon its release from audiences and critics due to its different story.

    Overjoyed Kiran Rao the director,  said, “I am deeply honoured and beyond delighted that our film ‘Laapataa Ladies’ has been chosen as India’s official entry to the Academy Awards. This recognition is a testament to the tireless work of my entire team, whose dedication and passion brought this story to life.

    Cinema has always been a powerful medium to connect hearts, transcend boundaries, and ignite meaningful conversations. I hope that this film will resonate with audiences across the world, just as it has in India. I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the selection committee and to everyone who believed in this film. It is indeed a great privilege to be selected from among such amazing Indian films this year – who are equally worthy contenders for this honour. My deepest thanks go to Aamir Khan Productions and Jio Studios for their unwavering support and faith in this vision. It has been a privilege to work alongside such a passionate and talented team of professionals who shared my commitment to telling this story. I also want to extend my heartfelt thanks to the entire cast and crew, whose immense talent, dedication, and hard work made this film possible. This journey has been one of incredible collaboration and growth. To the audience, your love and support mean the world to us, and it is your belief in this film that continues to inspire us as filmmakers to push creative boundaries. Thank you once again for this incredible honour. We look forward to taking this journey ahead with great enthusiasm.”

    RIL president of media and content business Jyoti Deshpande shared “Laapata Ladies being selected as India’s entry for Oscar is a true testimony of our vision and commitment to Make in India and Show the world…this film has got unlimited love from audiences all over the world already and is one of the most watched films globally on OTT after its unusually long and resilient theatrical run…Jio Studios will do everything in our power to make India proud on a global stage and I thank the Film Federation of India for this honour and privilege.”

    The film, a delightful comedy about the misadventures of two young brides who become separated on the same train, is a blend of mistaken identities and laugh-out-loud escapades. Featuring Nitanshi Goel, Pratibha Ranta, Sparsh Shrivastava, and Ravi Kishan, Laapataa Ladies is set to bring its unique charm and humour to a new territory.

    Presented by Jio Studios, Laapataa Ladies is directed by Kiran Rao and produced by Aamir Khan, Kiran Rao and Jyoti Deshpande. The film has been made under the banner of Aamir Khan Productions and Kindling Productions, with the script based on an award-winning story by Biplab Goswami. The screenplay & dialogues are written by Sneha Desai, with additional dialogues penned by Divya Nidhi Sharma.

  • Jio Studios & Maddock Films unveil Stree 2 trailer for Independence Day

    Jio Studios & Maddock Films unveil Stree 2 trailer for Independence Day

    Mumbai: The wait is over! The much-anticipated trailer of the biggest film of the year has finally arrived, promising to deliver an electrifying blend of horror and comedy that fans have been eagerly waiting for. Set to release this Independence Day, the sequel to the beloved franchise brings back the iconic Chanderi gang, along with a spine-chilling new adversary – SARKATA!

    While Stree ended on a cliffhanger, audiences had to wait for a good five years. However, the makers are finally back with another banger of a trailer that ties all the loose ends. It is a visual spectacle offering a glimpse into a world, blending horror and humor, in the most unique way!

    Producer of Maddock Films, Dinesh Vijan said, “The first Stree was a defining film in Maddock’s filmography while Stree 2 will cement the entire universe. It answers all the questions that Stree 1 raised and also shows the connections. It is a landmark film for us, especially in terms of the VFX and the world-building that has happened. It is unique and an upgrade of another kind. This one is funnier, bigger, a visual spectacle and it’s got all our characters and some new special angles. This is the most important film we are putting out there and our biggest.”

    Reliance Industries Ltd president of media & content business Jyoti Deshpande said, “At Jio Studios, we take immense pride in creating clutter-breaking and disruptive cinema and giving wings to content-driven stories. We backed Stree when there was no horror-comedy precedent and following its breakout success, we gave our audiences a whole new genre. Stree2 is undoubtedly one of the most anticipated sequels and is the catalyst for our horror-comedy universe. The laughs and the thrills make for fantastic ‘paisa vasool’ entertainment for all ages. Hope to belt out yet another super-hit with our Maddock partnership”.

    We will see the return of the original cast led by Rajkummar Rao and Shraddha Kapoor, sure to charm the audiences with their impeccable performances. Starring Pankaj Tripathi, Aparshakti Khurana, and Abhishek Banerjee, it promises a return to the spooky yet hilarious world. Get ready to celebrate Independence Day with a double dose of chills and laughter! Stree 2 is set to hit theatres on August 15, 2024.

    Jio Studios and Dinesh Vijan present ‘Stree 2’ releasing this Independence Day, directed by Amar Kaushik, produced by Dinesh Vijan and Jyoti Deshpande, A Maddock Films Production.

  • COLORS becomes the No 1 Hindi GEC; breaks multiple records

    COLORS becomes the No 1 Hindi GEC; breaks multiple records

    Mumbai: With 234GRP, Viacom18 owned COLORS has become the No. 1 Hindi GEC in the 15-50 ABC HSM Urban segment – an audience cohort that advertisers keenly follow.

    In a year that saw Hindi GECs fuel overall television viewership resurgence, COLORS has emerged as the most substantial contributor to this progress having, itself, marked an astounding 85 per cent growth (234GRP in Wk4 2024 from 126GRP in Wk14 2023) since the beginning of this fiscal. Interestingly the channel’s impressive lead of 37 per cent over its closest competitor in megacities and 16 per  cent lead in the 15+ HSM 1Mn+ segments solidify its appeal to advertisers as these markets form the bulk of the consumption territories for a vast majority of brands across industries.

    COLORS’ current market share of 27.9 per cent is the highest the channel has achieved in 12 years. The channel also achieved an overall reach of 52 Mn, extending its lead for the 44th week now, going 16 per cent ahead of its closest competitor. Furthermore, COLORS has also achieved an astounding 114 per cent growth in Prime Time since the beginning of the financial year (HSM Urban 15+, wk3 2024 vs wk14 2023)

    Since July 2023, COLORS has been steadily diversifying its content offering – from top rated mythological saga Shiv Shakti – Tap Tyag Tandav to marquee reality shows like BIGG BOSS and Khatron Ke Khiladi to audience favourite social drama Doree to love stories like Neerja Ek Nayi Pehchaan and Chad Jalne Laga and family dramas like Parineeti, the channel has captivated audiences with compelling storytelling and strong characters. The channel’s success is further enriched by standout shows such as Udaariyaan, Mera Balam Thanedar and Suhaagan, each making substantial contributions to the viewership growth.

    With an impressive lineup of new shows slated to launch later this month, COLORS looks set to keep the forward momentum going strong. From the love story Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak to historical drama Pracchand Ashok to family drama Mangal Laxmi to reality show Dance Deewane, the channel will be launching 4 new shows in a variety of genres within the next 1 month. Buoyed by the emphatic growth of COLORS at 84 per cent, the entire Hindi GEC category has clocked a robust 21 per cent growth which in turn has led to the entire TV viewership growing, a fact recently underlined by IBDF. 

  • Kiran Rao’s ‘Laapataa Ladies’ in cinemas on 1 March 2024

    Kiran Rao’s ‘Laapataa Ladies’ in cinemas on 1 March 2024

    Mumbai: Jio Studios and Aamir Khan Productions are thrilled to announce the release date of the much-anticipated film ‘Laapataa Ladies’, directed by Kiran Rao, on 1 March 2024. The film’s teaser has already given a delightful glimpse into the humoristic world created by Kiran Rao, leaving audiences eagerly anticipating the full experience. The film recently earned international acclaim with a standing ovation at the prestigious Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), leaving an indelible mark globally.

    To pique the audience’s excitement further, the makers have now announced the release date of the comedy entertainer with a new poster, offering a sneak peek into the quirky world of ‘Laapataa Ladies’. Kiran Rao, in her second directorial venture, is set to deliver a cinematic treat that has already won a lot of affection globally. Save the date as the search begins on 1st March 2024.

    An Aamir Khan Productions film, Laapataa Ladies is presented by Jio Studios, directed by Kiran Rao, and produced by Aamir Khan, Kiran Rao and Jyoti Deshpande. Made under the banner of Aamir Khan Productions in association with Kindling Pictures, this script is based on an award-winning story by Biplab Goswami. The screenplay & dialogues are written by Sneha Desai, with additional dialogues penned by Divyanidhi Sharma.

  • Viacom 18’s Jyoti Deshpande appointed as co-chair of FICCI media & entertainment board

    Viacom 18’s Jyoti Deshpande appointed as co-chair of FICCI media & entertainment board

    Mumbai: FICCI on Monday announced the appointment of Viacom 18 Media CEO Jyoti Deshpande as the co-chair of the FICCI media and entertainment board. This is the first time that a woman executive from the media industry has been appointed as one of the office bearers of this very important vertical.  

    Deshpande is an industry veteran with over 29 years of experience across the country’s foremost media and entertainment companies. She pioneered Eros’ early entry into the OTT space (through Eros Now) and established Jio Studios as a key player in the entertainment value chain. She is currently serving as the CEO of Viacom18, making her the first woman to lead a big-four media and entertainment company.

    She has featured among Fortune India as well as Business Today’s 50 Most Powerful Women in Business lists, both of which celebrate the journeys and triumphs of women who not only impact their organisation but are also thought leaders in their industry.

     “FICCI has always been at the forefront of collaborating with various stakeholders across Indian commerce and the government to effect meaningful policy discussions and adoption,” commented FICCI director general Arun Chawla. “Given the very dynamic nature of the media and entertainment industry, this engagement is crucial for the development of the sector and the allied ecosystems. Jyoti’s experience across the value chain of this industry makes her an apt choice to lead the Committee’s holistic advisory agenda. I look forward to working with her.”

    “I feel truly fortunate to be part of an industry that is at the cusp of phenomenal growth, straddling traditional theatres to the metaverse and everything in between like television and OTT,” said Jyoti Deshpande. “I look forward to working with industry captains, custodians of brands that fuel consumption in our economy and the government as we look to leverage the confluence of technology, content and distribution to move the needle rapidly towards the $100 billion industry that we have been aspiring to be for a number of years now.”

    “The M&E industry can very much be a true embodiment of the ‘Make in India and Show the World’ mantra and I thank Sanjiv Mehta and FICCI for offering me this platform to meaningfully collaborate on shaping the future of an industry that I have invested my whole life in and am very passionate about,” she further said.

    FICCI media and entertainment board drives the media and entertainment committee. It counts promoters and CEOs of the media and entertainment industry across verticals like TV and radio broadcast, film production and exhibition, print, animation, visual effects, gaming, comics, AR/VR/MR (AVGC-XR), entertainment events, OOH etc. It remains at the forefront for policy changes towards the growth and development of the media and entertainment industry in India.

  • Viacom18 appoints Jyoti Deshpande as CEO

    Viacom18 appoints Jyoti Deshpande as CEO

    Mumbai: Viacom18 on Thursday appointed Jyoti Deshpande as chief executive officer with immediate effect. She serves on the boards of Network18 and investee companies Balaji Telefilms and Saavn Media.

    In her new assignment, Deshpande will help bring synergies across all of Reliance’s media interests and investments and further equip the company to drive significant growth opportunities as the industry embraces digital transformation, said the statement.

    “Viacom18 is poised to grow as a truly integrated media company across broadcast, OTT and content studio business spanning general entertainment, movies and sports across languages,” said Network18 chairman Adil Zainulbhai. “Given Jyoti’s rich experience in the media sector around content, distribution and monetisation across traditional and emerging platforms, we believe she is best placed to lead the company and its operations.” 

    Deshpande brings over 27 years of experience in the media and entertainment business. Prior to this, she joined Reliance Industries in 2018 as president – media platform and content, after having successfully built a leading media company and pioneered its early disruptive entry into the OTT space. As a business leader in Reliance, Deshpande in the last three years, has leveraged her industry relationships to establish Jio Studios as a key player in the media value chain.

  • Jyoti Deshpande appointed RIL’s president of the chairman’s office for media

    Jyoti Deshpande appointed RIL’s president of the chairman’s office for media

    MUMBAI: Jyoti Despande has been appointed as the president of the chairman’s office for the media and entertainment business at Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL). 

    With this appointment, Deshpande has stepped down from her current position of executive director at Eros International Media (Eros) but will continue as non-executive non-independent director at the company.

    Kishore Lulla will continue to hold his position of group chairman and CEO of Eros.

    In her new role at RIL, Deshhpande will lead the company’s initiatives in media and entertainment to organically build and grow businesses, such as broadcasting, films, sports, music, digital, gaming and animation, around the content ecosystem as well as integrate RIL’s existing media investments such as Viacom18 and Balaji Telefilms with a view to build, scale and consolidate the fragmented USD 20 billion Indian M&E sector.

    Earlier this year, RIL acquired 5 per cent stake through its subsidiary, in Eros with a view of producing and acquiring digital originals and Indian movies across all languages. 

  • Balaji Telefilms appoints Jyoti Deshpande as non-executive additional director

    Balaji Telefilms appoints Jyoti Deshpande as non-executive additional director

    MUMBAI: Balaji Telefilms has appointed Jyoti Deshpande as the non-executive additional director. The appointment, which was approved following a circular resolution by its board on 22 March, is in compliance with share subscription agreement entered into between Balaji and Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) on 22 July 2017.

    Deshpande was the head media entertainment (M&E) business as president of the chairman’s office at RIL. The company said Deshpande is not liable for retirement by rotation and accordingly suitable proposal for her continuation will be put up for the approval of the shareholders at the ensuing annual general meeting.

    On Thursday, the company had announced that Jyotindra Thacker, non-executive additional director of the company, has tendered his resignation with effect from 22 March due to his other pre-occupations.

    In her new role at RIL, Deshpande will lead the company’s initiatives in M&E to organically build and grow businesses around the content ecosystem such as broadcasting, films, sports, music, digital, gaming, animation as well as integrate RIL’s existing media investments such as Viacom18 and Balaji Telefilms with a view to build, scale and consolidate the fragmented $20 billion Indian M&E sector.

    Deshpande has over 25 years of experience in media and entertainment across advertising, media consulting, television and film. She has been part of the leadership team of Eros International Plc since 2001 and as Group CEO & MD has spearheaded Eros’ growth as a global leader in Indian filmed entertainment.

    Prior to joining Eros in 2001, Deshpande has worked for five years in the field of advertising, media consulting and television with companies such as J Walter Thompson India, Mindshare, Zee TV and B4U. She has a bachelor’s degree in commerce and economics from Mumbai University and a master’s degree in business administration from SPJIMR, Mumbai University.

    Shares of Balaji Telefilms were last trading at the Bombay Stock Exchange at Rs 129.05 as compared to the previous close of Rs 127.5. The total number of shares traded during the day was 38934 in over 304 trades.