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Tag: Karan Johar

  • Johar’s first cuppa ups ratings on StarOne

    Johar’s first cuppa ups ratings on StarOne

    MUMBAI: Karan Johar’s candid talk show Koffee with Karan has done the deed for StarOne by clocking more than double the ratings in its second season with 1.6 TVR as opposed to 0.74 TVR in its last season (2004) across five metros Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Hyderabad and Bangalore (Tam TG-CS, 4yrs+, SEC A).

    The launch episode simulcast on StarOne and Star World which featured Johar’s favourite trio Shah Rukh, Kajol and Rani drew in over 5.5 million eyeballs across the country with the reach on Star One being 5.04 million and Star World 0.66 million (TG-All India, CS 4yrs+).

    Tam’s elite panel data has thrown up even more refreshing news for the Star network, as the opening episodes of Koffee with Karan on StarOne received 4.2 TVR (TG-CS 4yrs+, SEC A1, Mumbai and Delhi). The shift to StarOne appears to have been a wise move by the network as the recent numbers that the show has belched up are encouraging.

    Similarly, the simulcast rating on Star World got 1.4 TVR, but this again is specific to the Mumbai and Delhi Elite dominated Elite panel data.

    Commenting on the response that premiere episode of the second season, Star India Entertainment Ltd EVP marketing Ajay Vidyasagar, says, “Koffee with Karan has been one of the most popular talk shows that has just the right mix of fun and excitement coupled with Karan’s own unique style. We are delighted that the launch episode of Koffee with Karan on Star One and Star World has been a smashing hit with the opening episode TRPs having doubled over the last season.”

    In his jovial and witty persona Johar said, “We promised to serve our coffee hot but I am glad to see that the response is steaming!”

  • Catch Mallika Sherawat and Sanjay Leela Bhansali on Koffee with Karan on February 25th at 9 p.m

    MUMBAI: Karan loves to serve his coffee ‘hot’… and the next episode promises to be ‘piping hot’! His first guest is saucy, sexy and sensational… She is the unofficial brand ambassador of the show, having been mentioned in practically each and every episode of the last season! This Sunday, meet the quote-a-minute, bold and brash, Mallika Sherawat.

    Karan’s second guest is one of the finest filmmakers in Bollywood… a man behind many-a-masterpiece and Karan’s favorite director, meet Sanjay Leela Bhansali only on Koffee with Karan. Watch this unusual combination together for the first time, in an exciting and entertaining t?te-?-t?te, this Sunday, February 25th at 9 p.m. on Star One and Star World!

    Sanjay and Mallika hit it off instantaneously, as they meet for the first time on the sets of Koffee with Karan. Mallika talks about how glad she is to be on the show, after being discussed at length, last season! She opens her heart out on the show, discussing several topics varying from her sensational quotes, which make headlines and the various characters she’s enacted… from the sexy and sensuous role in Murder to the girl-next-door in Pyaar Ke Side Effects.

    She admits on the show that she suffers from a major superiority complex! Sanjay talks about how Mallika has proved him right; as he had predicted that she is the most promising newcomer, when he was on the show last season. He talks about his upcoming film Sanwariyan, his love-hate relationship with Aishwarya Rai and the fact that he is envious of his fellow-directors, to the extent of avoiding their films. Watch him give precious advice to Mallika on how to tackle rumours and how to deal with her superiority complex!

    And as always, the eagerly awaited rapid fire round results in some very interesting revelations. So which actors would Mallika like in her harem of hunks and how would she like to be pampered by them? Which older man would she like to seduce? Who does she think has the sexiest butt in Bollywood? Who does Sanjay think is the most over-rated actor and director in Bollywood? Who would he choose between Madhuri, Aishwarya and Rani? Who takes the hamper home? Sanjay or Mallika? Karan definitely has a tough time deciding the winner of the most desired possession on his show – the coffee hamper!

    Excerpts from the interview:

    Karan: Welcome to Koffee with Karan!!!

    Mallika: Thanks!

    Karan: So you are finally on the show. Everyone used to ask me when are you getting Mallika Sherawat on the show?

    Mallika: I’ve provided enough entertainment for Koffee with Karan. I’ve been made fun of… been ridiculed!

    Karan: No! No! That’s not what used to happen!

    Mallika: Of course! That was it! You think I don’t know!

    Karan: (Laughs)

    Mallika: No harm! I’m sitting here and as Robert De Niro said, “You didn’t knock me down! I’m still standing!”

    Karan: You were always the option when we asked the men, who was the sexiest woman they thought.. The answer was always you! You think you were a safe option for them?

    Mallika: I think I am a woman who dared!

    Karan: Oh really?

    Mallika: Yes! Probably that’s why the answer… but I take it as a compliment.. as a big compliment…

    Karan: What else can she ask for and when people say things about her and about her being honest and controversial… What do you have to say about that?

    Sanjay: I think… I just said… She is what she is. She doesn’t pretend herself as someone else. She speaks her mind out and to her I want to say “Kuch to log kahenge… logo ka kaam hai kehna. You just do what you are doing.. be what you are and keep working!”

    Mallika: Very encouraging Sanjay! Thank you so much! You know I must say something. Everyone told me that Sanjay Leela Bhansali is this intense Guru Dutt kind of director. ..don’t joke with him too much. Be very serious and Karan Johar is extremely sensitive… don’t offend him.. Keep your mouth shut!

    Karan: You can offend us! We won’t mind too much!
    Sanjay: We’re used to not feeling like you! And it really doesn’t make a difference!

    Karan: Aren’t you seeking love in your life?

    Mallika: I want to seek love! Lots of love!

    Karan: Love from a man, darling! Not from the masses.

    Mallika: Am talking about love from a man, yes!

    Karan: There’s never a lonely moment, you want to share?

    Mallika: There are lots of lonely moments. I am alone. I live alone in the city. Family is not here. It gets excruciating being lonely. But I have to learn to deal with it. I genuinely haven’t met a man who doesn’t believe that women are superior to men. The day I meet a man…

    Sanjay: But Mallika… Why should a woman be superior to a man?

    Karan: Exactly!

    Mallika: I somehow have a clinical disorder!

    Sanjay: I don’t think you should suffer anymore from it because its important to know that men are women are equal! Men should not say that women are inferior and women should not think so either..

    Mallika: Are both of you’ll ganging up on me?

    Sanjay: No!

    Mallika: Yes! You are ganging up on me!

    So, make sure you book your couch space for this Sunday as Karan catches up with the sizzling Mallika Sherawat and the master-director Sanjay Leela Bhansali, on Koffee with Karan this Sunday, February 25th on Koffee with Karan, on Star One and Star World, at 9 p.m.

  • ‘Koffee with Karan’ to simulcast on Star One, World

    ‘Koffee with Karan’ to simulcast on Star One, World

    MUMBAI: Attempting to aggregate eyeballs, Star is bringing back the second season of filmmaker Karan Johar’s candid talk show Koffee with Karan on two of its upscale channels.

    The show will kick off on 11 February at 9 pm every Sunday and be simulcast on Star World and Star One.

    “Given its huge popularity, the show will for the first time be aired across our two channels Star One and Star World. Koffee with Karan has just the right mix of fun and excitement coupled with Johar’s own unique style. The show became a topic for coffee table discussions for everyone across the nation and we are delighted to have it back,” said Star Entertainment India CEO Sameer Nair.

    Star One is clearly planning to evolve a time band strategy, hoping to navigate eyeballs from Colgate Maxfresh Antakshari at 8 pm to Koffee… that will follow on the Sunday line up. The musical talent hunt show Antakshari will be aired on Friday, Saturday and Sunday on the channel.

    Along with the change in sets and look of the show, another addition is the title sponsorship deal that has been bagged by DTH service provider Tata Sky. Star Group owns 20 per cent in the DTH venture.

    Star has roped in PepsiCo, Colgate, HLL, Candila Healthcare and HDFC as associate sponsors, said Star India executive vice president and head, interactive media Ajay Vidyasagar.

    A SOL production, Johar will kick of the first episode with his three personal favourites Kajol, Rani and Shahrukh. Most of the second season episodes will consist of “celeb combos,” from a mix of entertainment, sport and corporate backgrounds.

    “We will have some rather interesting matches such as Mallika Sherawat and Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Vijay Mallya and Shobha De,” Johar said while addressing the press on Friday.

    The only episode having a single celebrity will be with Hollywood actor Richard Gere. “I have tried to make the show more irreverent, more tongue in cheek, more fun… and I am sure everyone will have fun watching it. The guests on my show will include a lot of my friends from the first season but in unusual combinations and will also feature big names from the corporate and sports world. I am sure that the show will recreate the same magic, as it did in the first season,” said Johar.

  • NDTV gets Karan Johar on board for entertainment channel

    NDTV gets Karan Johar on board for entertainment channel

    MUMBAI: The Prannoy Roy-promoted NDTV Ltd, which last month announced the formation of NDTV Ventures to start a slew of TV channels, including a Hindi general entertainment channel, has begun making its moves on that front.

    As a first step towards launching a Hindi entertainment channel, NDTV today announced its partnership with filmmaker Karan Johar’s production company, Dharma Productions.

    Karan Johar will be on the board of NDTV’s Entertainment company, and Dharma productions will hold an equity stake in it. Queried about the nature of the stake Johar would hold, NDTV’s chief executive for growth and strategy Vikram Chandra said it would be as sweat equity.

    Johar’s role has been defined as helping originate concepts and new programming ideas for the channel. Johar will also function as an ambassador for the NDTV entertainment brand.

    Dharma Productions will produce shows for NDTV’s Entertainment channel, and the channel will have first right of refusal on any programmes that it produces for television.

    Speaking on the new alliance, Johar said, “For me this partnership between NDTV and Dharma Productions is not just a professional association… it’s a family bonding and I believe in the power of the family! What a family can do together no individual can do on his own. This family is going to be at a TV screen near you, creating all the celebration possible. So please watch NDTV emerge as the leading entertainment channel of the country and this is not just a projection … this is a guarantee.”

    The NDTV Entertainment channel is being launched as part of NDTV’s expansion beyond the news.

    Karan Johar and Dharma productions have produced major blockbusters such as Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gum, Kal Ho Na Ho and Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna.

  • VCL adds visual effects for Karan Johar’s latest flick

    VCL adds visual effects for Karan Johar’s latest flick

    MUMBAI: Visual Computing Labs (VCL), a division of Tata Elxsi, provided the Visual Effects (VFX) for Karan Johar’s third directorial venture -Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna (KANK)-.starring Amitabh Bachchan, Shahrukh Khan, Rani Mukerji, Preity Zinta, Abhishek Bachchan and Kiron Kher in pivotal roles.

    The movie was shot over a 90-day stint in the USA and a few on four large sets in Mumbai’s studios.

    “This is VCL’s second project for Dharma Productions, having worked with them earlier on Kal Ho Na Ho. In KANK,VCL has executed more than 45 minutes of effects work” said VCL head K.Chandrashekhar.

    Says Visual Computing Labs, Tata Elxsi Creative Director Pankaj Khandpur, “The most outstanding work in the multi starrer movie was the creation of a Computer Graphic Image (CGI) football stadium and the neighboring city in the aerial views. It is for the first time in India that the creation of thousands of stadium crowds in all the long-shots was all done in computer graphics!”

    “The creation of CGI crowds in the stadium was particularly challenging as we were combining CGI characters in the distance with existing live-action actors in the foreground. Each of the CGI ‘agents’ had to reflect the same level of movement and excitement as the live-action actors, so that both types of ‘actors’ could blend seamlessly in the same shot’s. Even the relative clothing, hair etc. had to be similar! Apart from the blending, the biggest challenge was rendering a crowd of 75,000 people in CG, each in complete 3D, with clothes, caps, shoes, and even tubs of popcorn!” he further added.

    All the environment effects like snow and rain for many of the scenes,
    including depicting the ‘changing’ of seasons in real time were created in CG by VCL An important requirement was to ensure the seamless integration from one scene to the other; this required the creation of ‘matched’ trees, as well as matching the ‘grounds’ of various shots, and the creation of freshly fallen digital ‘snow’ in the Shahrukh shot. This was challenging considering the individual shots had been shot at different locations, and at different times, weeks apart from each other.

    Apart from animation for the movie and the film logo, VCL has designed the opening credits of the film, as well as many minutes of ‘hidden’ effects: cosmetic fixes, embellishment, transitions, and day-for-night effects.

    Visual Computing Labs, a division of Tata Elxsi Ltd, is a creative facility offering animation, gaming and special effects for the global entertainment and broadcast industry. Headquartered in Bangalore, Visual Computing Labs is a unique mix of engineering and creative skills, which provides solutions from scripting, pre/post production, character modelling & Animation, VFX and Development services among others.

  • Karan Johar revs it up in Cannes

    Karan Johar revs it up in Cannes

    CANNES: What has Dharma Productions boss Karan Johar been up to? According to sources in Cannes, he has been having meetings with several distributors and directors the world over. He came into the Palais des Festivals for a very short while yesterday. What’s more actor Preity Zinta has been accompanying him to many a premieres and screenings.

    What is really striking is the popularity that Karan Johar has in this part of the world. Sample this, a young girl came up to this scribe on the croisette outside the India pavilion in the International Village, asking where Karan Johar and Preity Zinta were? She said she had watched all his movies. “Mujhe bahoot acchi lagti hain dono,” she said. She had been waiting outside the pavilion for three hours and she said would continue waiting until she met up with the duo.

    This morning Johar made a lighting visit to the India pavilion in the International Village along with producer-director Sunil Darshan and UK-based TipTop Films Sunil Shah. He also spent some time talking with Ian Smith the maker of the film The City of Joy.

  • Film & TV Producers Guild submits draft for proposed Entertainment Export Promotion Council

    Film & TV Producers Guild submits draft for proposed Entertainment Export Promotion Council

    MUMBAI: Standing by its commitment to strive for the welfare of the entertainment industry at large, the Film & Television Producers Guild of India Ltd. recently submitted the draft for the proposed Entertainment Export Promotion Council to the Information & Broadcast Ministry.

    The Guild had received a notification from the Information & Broadcasting Ministry with a request to consider the finer details of forming a Special Export Promotion Council for the entertainment industry as suggested by the ICE (Information, Communication and Entertainment) Committee recently constituted by the Prime Minister’s Office. The Guild had been advised to give its proposals in accordance with the requirements of the Department of Commerce, states an official release.

    Accordingly, the Guild has set up a Sub-Group comprising representatives of eminent members having specialization in exports. At their first meeting, members of the Sub-Group had extensive deliberations on the subject, transpiring in the finalization of the draft.

    This draft was formally presented to the Information & Broadcasting Ministry recently by the Guild president Amit Khanna at a meeting in Delhi. The Ministry urged for some time to scrutinize the draft but readily assured the Guild president that the proposed Entertainment Export Promotion Council would be formed under its auspices.

    This development establishes the strong foothold occupied by the Guild in the eyes of the establishment.

    Established in 1954 by the stalwarts of the Indian film industry, The Film & TV Producers Guild is today the most progressive body in show business. From the studio barons like Yash Chopra and Subhash Ghai to the new diversified media companies like UTV, Nimbus, Zee, Sahara and Adlabs. From the leading TV production houses like Star TV, Sony, TV Today, NDTV, TV Eighteen, BAG Films to the young turks like Ashutosh Gowariker, Karan Johar, Farhan Akhtar, Rohan Sippy are all symbols of the Indian filmed content. Offering genuine stakeholders in the business an opportunity to work for the betterment of the entertainment industry, the Guild is now the cornerstone of Indian entertainment.

  • Hollywood’s perception of Bollywood: Ashok Amritraj

    Hollywood’s perception of Bollywood: Ashok Amritraj

    MUMBAI: More than just a Q& A session, it turned out to be a live session of Koffee with Karan at the Ficci Frames. Except that, this time around there were no Bollywood stars on the show. Karan Johar, one of the most successful Bollywood Producers had his frothy Koffee with Ashok Amritraj, the most successful Indian producer to have made a mark in Hollywood.

    To begin with Johar got Amritraj talking about his initial struggle days in Hollywood. Taking the audience through his early days, this tennis star and now a Hollywood tycoon said, “In the early 1980s, I had gone to the U.S., to play tennis but I had always wanted to make movies. I soon realized that it was a very white world out there, and it wasn’t really multicultural as it is today.”

    And, with time Amritraj managed to break into the Hollywood circuit and has produced more than 80 films in the past 20 years. Currently, he is the chairman and CEO of Hyde Park entertainment and some of his best known films are Bandits, Bringing down the House and Raising Helen.

    Talking of how Hollywood perceives Bollwood, the film tycoon said, “There is a lot of hype being generated in the US about India as the country is slowly being recognized as a global economy. Also, there is a lot of curiosity about our culture and tradition, but, somehow that does not mean that Indian films are getting more eyeballs in America.”

    The discussion got more interesting as Johar queried Amritraj on how Indian film makers can penetrate the global markets and on the making of crossover films. “I think the European market is now more receptive to Indian movies, especially countries like Germany and France, but films like Parineeta , Kuch Kuch Hota could have been distributed better globally.” said Amritraj. “But, somehow for Hollywood, Bollywood films still don’t really exist. Americans are still not able to understand the ethos, emotions and drama which is the core of our movies.”

    On whether filmmakers need to make different kind of films for the international audience, Amritraj said, “”There is always a risk of losing out on the audiences back home. So, it is a clear choice which filmmakers have to make. One of solutions was maybe Indian producers need to have co-production treaties with the international studios for better distribution of Indian films globally.”

    The discussion turned to be not just informative, but, also brought home lessons for Indian filmmakers wanting to carve a niche in the international market.

  • Frames debates the merits of the studio versus the independent filmmaker

    MUMBAI: The relationship between studios and independent filmmakers was a subject discussed at an afternoon session of Frames, the convention for the business of entertainment. The speakers were Sahara One CEO Shantonu Aditya, filmmakers Mahesh Bhatt,Govind Nihalani and Bobby Bedi and Adlabs Films chairman Manmohan Shetty.

    Nihalani pointed out that studios and independent filmmakers have their strengths and both parties should look to work with each other. “Artistically released commercially successful films can be made.
    Corporates should realize that creativity is equity. The independents should realize that money is as important as creativity. Studios should know that sometimes small risks pay off big time. That is because audiences like to be surprised.

    “A studio basically operates on calculated budgets and big stars to secure an ROI. Scripts are chosen if a star is attached. This ensures a long run. An independent filmmaker, on the other hand, feels that an idea and a directors treatment of that idea is what creates value. Lavish sets, big stars add value. However, they do not create value. There is a way to bridge the two and both should realize that they need each other.”

    This point was echoed by Shetty who noted that in the West independent filmmakers go the studio route to release their films. In India, there are studios like Yash Raj Films. However, important directors like Karan Johar still call the shots and studios chase them for the rights to distribute their films. “Reliance buying Adlabs means that more films will be made. Fortunately we have not suffered any losses till now.”

    Bhatt spoke on the benefits and challenges of being an independent filmmaker. “Movies that do not have personal supervision of an idea are doomed to fail. One does not only make movies. You need passion and religious fervour. There is talk of delivery systems but you need to invest in ideas. Otherwise these systems will be parched of good content. It is important for a filmmaker to keep himself lean and thin. A studio executive unfortunately only understands a Shah Rukh Khan. He does not understand the value of an idea. I would argue that studios are victims of hype. An independent filmmaker, though, has to pay off any debts incurred. He cannot hide behind abstractions.”

    Bedi said that indepdents are better incubators of ideas. “In the West studios do not incubate ideas as it is too expensive. An independent filmmaker approaches a studio with an idea. The studio then works that idea to a maturity level where one is able to confidently approach exhibitors.”

    Aditya says that Sahara One has had success as it concentrates on its strengths of marketing and distribution. “We have made 14 films as projects. There have been start dates and finish dates. We have also spent quite a bit on marketing. We have worked in different genres. We picked up Page Three when nobody wanted to touch that film. At the same time, it is difficult to know which idea will work. We get 70 ideas a week. Of course, each presenter of the idea is confident in it. Once an idea is given the go ahead, we do not interfere with the creative process other than keeping a check on how the work is progressing. The writer is given freedom.”