ITV

Tag: Kick

  • Star Gold’s HD push

    Star Gold’s HD push

    MUMBAI: It’s getting high on High definition (HD). We are referring to the Star network’s Hindi  movie channel Star Gold which has strategically, started premiering movies first on Star Gold HD, then following up with a first airing on its standard definition (SD) service.

    It’s all in the line of giving its viewers a value add.  Explains Star Gold executive VP Hemal Jhaveri: “We are categorically looking at premiering certain content that we have acquired only on Star Gold HD. It’s a very clear vision we have for keeping the FPCs for both the HD and SD feeds very different from one another. If a viewer is going to pay premium prices he deserves something extra, so we figured why not premiere movies, may be a week or even a month in advance, than our SD feeds. We are clearly focused on strengthening our HD portfolio and it does attract and appeal to premium audiences. ”

    Amongst the first films to get this treatment was the Saif Ali Khan starrer Bullett Raja which had its HD premiere on 21 February followed by the SD premier a day later.  Youth centric flick Yaariyan which is to have its SD first run on 21 March at 8 pm premiered on Star Gold HD on 16 March. 

    And Jhaveri is quite buoyed by the viewer feedback that Yaariyan has generated. Says he:  “We have always focused on offering a mix of varied movie genres to our audiences, with entertaining content. Being a youth centric film, Yaariyan has connected very well with the younger generation and with the music being very popular among the audience we are positive of receiving a good response for the premiere.”

    Star India has close to 33 channels in its network. And Jhaveri says it leaves no stone unturned in terms of promoting the big ticket film premieres airing on Star Gold and Star Gold HD on all its channels.  He adds: “We also carry out a 360 degree marketing drive for the movies as well. We treat each movie on its merit, some require heavier push with on-air promotions and some would require a separate campaign. So each movie is treated on its content merit.”

    Jhaveri believes the HD premiere tack will work well on the advertising front. Says he: “We are really sure that more and more brands will want to reach out to premiere customers through our HD feed. It’s been great in terms of qualitative feedback and we are confident of building more traction for our HD portfolio.”

    Meanwhile, he points out that the network is going easy on handing out fat cheques to buy films this year as the market is overheated.  “We have already made enough acquisitions last year but as far as this year is concerned we are going to be really selective and to a certain extent not really acquire any movie,” discloses Jhaveri. “For the first time you will see a lot of unsold movies in the market, so we are just being very stringent in the content we acquire for this year and will do so only if the need arises. ” 

    Star Gold has a movie library of 1,100 titles which it shares with its sister channel Movies OK. In 2012, the network had acquired over 500 films from the Viacom 18 group followed by the deal with superstars Salman Khan and Ajay Devgn in early 2013 for all their films till 2017.  Additionally, the network signed a deal for other exciting movies for its 2014 movies line up. Some of the high profile premieres slated for the year include: Jai Ho, Kick, Bombay Velvet, Bang Bang, Roy, Action Jackson, Singham 2, Hamshakals, Bobby Jasoos and Creature.

    To its credit is the information tidbit that the network has successfully premiered the maximum number of Rs 100 crore Bollywood films, including blockbusters such as Singham, Bodyguard, Ra.One, Housefull 2, Bol Bachchan, Son of Sardaar, Dabangg 2 and Bhaag Milkha Bhaag.

    The telecast of Yaariyan should help nudge its viewership – which saw a slippage last week -up.   Star Gold SD received 164,983 GVTs in week 10 of TAM ratings against 176,596 GVTs in week 9 (-11,613) even as sister channel Movies OK generated 130,606 GVTs in week 10 against 116,767 GVTs (-13,839).

      

  • Star Gold’s high profile movie acquisitions for 2014

    Star Gold’s high profile movie acquisitions for 2014

    MUMBAI: The Star network continues on its path to keep pushing the envelope in terms of providing some of the best content to its viewers.

    Star Gold, the Hindi movie channel, is all set with a smashing blockbuster television premieres line-up for 2014. The network has announced its acquisition of a fresh movie library as part of its extensive plans for 2014 in the Hindi movies genre. The new acquisition comprises of 18 highly anticipated Bollywood films of the year including films of leading superstars such as Salman Khan, Ajay Devgn, Ranbir Kapoor and Hrithik Roshan.

    Announcing the network’s movie acquisition plans for the year, Star Gold and Movies OK EVP Hemal Jhaveri said: “We have consistently received a phenomenal response for the big ticket premieres on our network.  Apart from entertaining the audiences, movie premieres also prove to be an extremely successful platform from the advertisers’ standpoint. Hence, it proves to be a win-win situation for all stakeholders. For 2014, we have targeted a diverse content line up acquiring films across different genres. Our strategy has always been to simply offer our viewers’ content they want to watch, rather than what we want them to watch.”

    Touted to be the first hit of 2014, Yaariyan shall kick start the movie premieres for the year across the network. This shall be followed by Salman Khan’s Jai Ho, the first Rs 100 crore grossing film of the year. The other acquired films of 2014 include Gang of Ghosts, Traffic, Sonali Cable, O Teri, Bhaag Johnny and Hawaa Hawaai. The newly acquired movies are bought for a period of 10 years with exclusive telecast rights.

    In early 2013, Star India had signed an exclusive television broadcast rights deal with superstars Salman Khan and Ajay Devgn for their films till 2017. In addition to this, the network has signed a deal for other exciting movies for its 2014 movies line up. Some of the high profile premieres slated for the year include: Jai Ho, Kick, Bombay Velvet, Bang Bang, Roy, Action Jackson, Singham 2, Hamshakals, Bobby Jasoos and Creature.

    In 2012, the network had acquired over 500 films from the Viacom 18 group followed by the deal with superstars Salman Khan and Ajay Devgn in early 2013. Star India has successfully premiered the maximum number of Rs 100 crore Bollywood films, including blockbusters such as Singham, Bodyguard, Ra.One, Housefull 2, Bol Bachchan, Son of Sardaar, Dabangg 2 and Bhaag Milkha Bhaag.

  • Sajid Nadiadwala’s production unit is like his “extended family”

    Sajid Nadiadwala’s production unit is like his “extended family”

    MUMBAI: Sajid Nadiadwala is busy juggling between outdoor schedules of multiple films, which are being shot all around the world. With such a choc-a-bloc schedule, one cannot help but wonder, how his crew members effortlessly manage to be away from their families for days, sometimes months, at a stretch.

     

    The producer says that the outdoor shooting schedules stretch for more than two to three months on an average. “We end up spending more time with each other than we do with our own families. This would be impossible without their dedication. They are, undoubtedly, my extended family,” says Sajid, who is also getting into direction with Salman Khan starrer Kick.

     

    The films in his bags include: Phantom, an action thriller starring Saif Ali Khan and Katrina Kaif. The film recently finished its schedule in Beirut, Lebanon and has now commenced shooting in the snow-bound valley of Gulmarg in north Kashmir. Coincidentally, Heropanti, the film marking Tiger Shroff’s debut, is also being shot in Kashmir. It’s a ten-day shoot schedule for both, Phantom and Heropanti and they will be shot in different parts of Kashmir.

     

    Alia Bhatt and Arjun Kapoor starrer 2 States was being shot in Delhi, Chennai and Pondicherry. The Salman Khan starrer Kick is being shot in Karjat and the production unit stays there, despite being only a few hours away from Mumbai. Imtiaz Ali’s directorial venture Highway is in the post-production stage. This film has been shot across maximum number of locations, planned for 60 days but finished in 52. 

     
    With extreme hard work and dedication of everyone involved, Nadiadwala Grandsons Entertainment is all set to present five movies spanning genres, this year.

  • Films to lookout for in 2014

    Films to lookout for in 2014

    MUMBAI: As the year 2013 comes to a close, we realise that the year was not really disappointing. We had some really great films that not just did good business but also entertained the audiences. As we usher in the year 2014, we look at the ten films that created the right buzz in 2013 and the chances of them making a blockbuster release looks bright.

     

    Jai Ho
    The year is set to start with a blockbuster. Starring Salman Khan, the film that releases on 24 January is going to be high on drama. The actor started promoting the film on Bigg Boss 7 and also cheekily remarked that “it wasn’t the good way to start the promotion”. But we know promotions or no promotions, if the bhai of Bollywood stars in a film, it’s ought to do well!

     

    Gunday
    Starring Ranveer Singh, Arjun Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra, the film started making noise from the time it was announced. The tongue-in-cheek humour by the two lead actors on the chat show Koffee With Karan has increased the interest around the film even more. A Yash Raj Films venture, the film is directed by Ali Abbas Zafar and is set to release on February 14.

     

    Happy New Year
    The film brings back the trio – Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone and Farah Khan, who together created magic with Om Shaanti Om in 2007. With an interesting cast including actors like Sonu sood, Jackie Shroff, Boman Irani among others, the film is set to release in October, 2014.

     

    Biopic on Mary Kom
    Biopics on sports stars is the new love of the Indian audience, it seems, at least that is what we get from the way Bhaag Milkha Bhaag was embraced. Now, the coming year is set to see another film featuring a sports star – the life of boxer Mary Kom played by Priyanka Chopra. The sportstar has brought many glories to the country. Hope with a film on her, the film industry gains as well.

     

    Kick
    Salman Khan may have missed an Eid release in 2013, but for 2014 Eid, he is all set with Kick. There were a few problems in starting this maiden directorial venture of producer Sajid Nadiadwala, but all’s well when Salman’s the hero and when the film’s releasing during Eid.

     

    2 States
    The film is being jointly produced by Karan Johar and Sajid Nadiadwala and is based on Chetan Bhagat’s novel, 2 States: The Story Of My Marriage. Starring Arjun Kapoor and Alia Bhatt, the film has created the right buzz even though not much is known about the film.

     

    PK
    So this film brings together the duo of Aamir Khan and Rajkumar Hirani who created magic with 3 Idiots. While the film doing good business is a known fact keeping in mind the past records, the only question is if it will be bigger and better than 3 Idiots. With only few leaked out posters, the film that would release on 6 June has managed to keep the audience’s curiosity intact.

     

    Bang Bang
    With Krissh 3, Hrithik Roshan has already proven his mettle. Though the production of Bang Bang has been delayed because of multiple reasons, the film would make its way in 2014 with the actor focusing entirely on the project. The film also stars leggy lass Katrina Kaif.

     

    Highway
    The cute-looking Alia Bhatt made everyone take notice of her when she starred in Student of the Year. Now, it’s Imtiaz Ali’s Highway for which she is making news. The film, shot in different parts of India, is being looked forward by many.

     

    Singham 2
    The sequel to the 2012 Devgn blockbuster, Singham, has been postponed a bit because Rohit Shetty got busy with his small screen venture as a host for Fear Factor. However, now everything is in place and the duo are set to create the magic that they created with the Golmaal franchise.

  • Bade Ache Lagte Hai… writer-director voices against rape

    Bade Ache Lagte Hai… writer-director voices against rape

    MUMBAI: Last December, the gruesome act of rape of a 23-year-old physiotherapy intern shook the entire country. People took to streets for days to protest against such crimes against women and to call for stricter laws. However, nothing has changed so far and the nation was shaken again when another innocent victim, a photo journalist from Mumbai, who was on job, also raped.

     

    Like many others who have been vocal about such incidents, Writer-director Mitu Kumar, who is known for her creativity in some of the popular television shows like Kahani Ghar Ghar Kii, Kasamh Se, Saath Phere, Sarrkkar, Yahaan Main Ghar Ghar Kheli and currently Pavitra Rishta & Bade Ache Lagte Hai… has created web series – Dil se…the echo from the hearts of women.

     

    The series will represent the various facets of Indian women and to try to awaken the perpetrators of crime and help women take cognizance about the dangers that lie before them.

     

    “The reason for this series is to create awareness, on gender sensitization. Why   wake up only in the face of the brutality of such gruesome incident … we need to take a step when we are harassed and not wait… or turn a blind eye till it is too late. What is happening is appalling and has literally jolted us. Outraging a woman’s modesty begins across your street, at your bus stop, in the train you travel, in the office/place you work…stop it there…and rape will be history,” said Mitu Kumar.

     

    The series which kick started on YouTube on gender sensitization has covered issues like eve teasing, marital rape, domestic violence, respect women, gender bias, dressing up women, stalking, harassment at workplace, rape victim, child molestation, dowry, and rights of women and gender stereotypes.

  • Delhi to be recreated in Karjat for Kick

    Delhi to be recreated in Karjat for Kick

    Sajid Nadiadwala’s directorial debut Kick has recently been in the news after Salman Khan was unable to complete the shoot in UK. Hence the schedule of shooting was shifted to India which will commence soon. Despite the fact that the action scenes are required to be shot at Connaught Place, Paharganj and Karol Bagh areas and other popular areas of Delhi, the actor will not visit the city.

     

    An expensive set of a whopping Rs 15 crore is supposed to be erected in Karjat, near Mumbai, which will resemble these popular locations. Also, according to Sajid’s statements, the autos, the buses and other local elements will be brought to the set to create an authentic ambience. After this, Salman will fly to London to shoot a major chunk which still remains unfinished because of the visa controversy.

     

    Besides Salman, Kick stars Jacqueline and Randeep Hooda and is scheduled to release in Eid next year.

  • Salman’s UK visa gets rejected, Kick on hold

    Salman’s UK visa gets rejected, Kick on hold

    MUMBAI: While Sajid Nadiadwala’s new film Kick is underway in Glasgow, United Kingdom has rejected Salman Khan’s visa without giving any reason for the denial. Salman was supposed to shoot there last week but was unable to fly to UK because of the cancellation.

    Eleven years after he allegedly killed one person in a hit and run case, Khan was formally charged against homicide not amounting to murder. Khan had appeared in court on 24 July but the final verdict was not taken and the charges and adjourned the case till August 19.

    There are speculations that the reasons are the cases against Khan. Who has two cases against him and is still awaiting a verdict.

  • TRAI ad cap: Why news channels want concessions?

    TRAI ad cap: Why news channels want concessions?

    MUMBAI: News channels have been rather miffed with TRAI’s ruling that advertising air time should be restricted to just 12 minutes per hour. And they have been seeking some succor from government. Two weeks ago they got a lifeline when the Telecom Disputes Settlement Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) allowed them to appeal against the TRAI mandate.

     

    And apparently, if sources are to be believed that appeal was filed with the TDSAT today, the hearing for which will be on 19 September.

     

    “In a democracy you have the legal right to approach the court against injustice and that is what we are doing,” says one of the broadcasters who wished to remain unnamed.

     

    Certain issues that news providers are grappling with are high carriage fees, falling advertising revenues, an unfavourable economy and low subscription rates. These have already nearly crippled the broadcast news industry with all of them being forced to cut back ad time per hour to 20 minutes from 1 July.

     

    Those in the know say the News Broadcasters Association (NBA) perspective is that other genres can cope with the ad restriction better because their shows are pre-produced. News-based and news-oriented shows which are live are unpredictable.

     

    “In news, generally there are discussions. What will we do if a discussion ends a minute early or a minute late?” asks the news broadcasting executive. “Sometimes, news channels cover incidents without even a break. In such cases, it puts a lot of strain on news channels as they either violate the rule or fall short of fulfilling it. Also in the case of natural disasters where death has occurred we find it difficult to carry advertising. And this could continue for days. What about the loss of air time then?”

     

    Lowering of advertising air time will work better in a digitised cable TV universe, is the news broadcasters view, as substantial subscription revenues will kick in (most news channels run as free to air services now) and carriage fees will drop to almost zilch. But that is in the future, they say, as digitisation has still some way to go nationally and has happened in only a limited number of cities.

     

    “We had asked TDSAT to phase it out in such a way that it comes into effect at the same time that digitisation takes place in the country,” says another broadcaster.

     

    Sources indicate that TRAI is unlikely to relent on allowing any increases in air time as chairman Rahul Khullar is pretty clear that quality of services is something which is the regulator’s responsibility. But they add that one area where he may give concessions is when round the clock news reportage is forced upon news channels by natural or manmade disasters or events.

     

    “We believe there has been an informal agreement with the TRAI agreeing to the news broadcasters’ demands that if they don’t consume the air time within the day because of live coverage they will be allowed to consume it in the next 24 hours,” says a source.”Now that has to be written into law.”

     

    It’s over to the two Ts – TDSAT and TRAI – now.

  • Nadiadwala’s ‘Kick’ to have ‘Transporter’ style action

    Nadiadwala’s ‘Kick’ to have ‘Transporter’ style action

    MUMBAI: Everyone knows of Salman Khan’s penchant to do larger-than-life action sequences in films such as Wanted and Dabangg.

    The actor is now set to do stunts similar to that of Jason Statham‘s Transporter series in his upcoming film Kick directed by Shirish Kunder. Producer Sajid Nadiadwala has roped in a stunt coordinator who has worked with Statham in his films.

    According to media reports, Philip Guegan – who coordinated the action in the first Transporter film – is believed to have been brought on board as the stunt coordinator for the movie.

    It is learnt that this idea was suggested by Sajid Nadiadwala himself. From the time the producer acquired the rights to remake the south Indian hit Kick in Hindi with Khan, he has been thinking of ways to not only make it differently but also take it to another level as far as the action sequences are concerned.

    The whole idea was to have more realistic, raw and hardcore action so that the viewer can comprehend what the baddies actually feel when Khan kicks or punches them.

  • Salman Khan’s Kick to roll mid-year

    Salman Khan’s Kick to roll mid-year

    MUMBAI: After hobnobbing for a while, Sajid Nadiadwala has announced that his Salman-Khan starrer actioner Kick will roll on time.

    Kick is a remake of the 2009 Telugu film of the same name that starred Ravi Teja and Ileana. Salman Khan would reprise the role of a character who gets a ‘kick’ out of doing things differently and dangerously.

    The film, directed by Shirish Kunder, will start rolling in the latter half of the year as Khan’s date diary is chockfull with projects like Ek Tha Tiger, Dabangg 2 and Sher Khan. Sonakshi Sinha will play the female lead.

    Confirming that Kick will finally roll, Kunder said, ““All rumours about Kick being postponed etc is bullshit. The film is definitely happening in the 2nd half of 2012. Release date will be announced by producer Sajid Nadiadwala.”

    Incidentally, Kunder directed Salman Khan in his first outing, Jaaneman.