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Tag: Manmohan Shetty

  • KIFF to celebrate Rajesh Khanna’s cinematic journey

    KIFF to celebrate Rajesh Khanna’s cinematic journey

    Mumbai: The Khajuraho International Film Festival (KIFF), organised by Prayaas Production in collaboration with the government of Madhya Pradesh, is an Indian film festival at a UNESCO World Heritage site. After nine successful editions, it is set for its tenth edition from 5 to 11 December 2024. KIFF offers a diverse lineup of films, showcasing fan favorites and innovative releases.

    This year’s festival will honor the lifetime achievements of the late Padma Bhushan Rajesh Khanna, featuring a special showcase of his iconic films.

    “Rajesh Khanna’s impact on Indian cinema is immeasurable, and as we mark the 10th edition of KIFF, it is only fitting that we honour his legacy with this special tribute,” shared KIFF founding member Sushmita Mukherjee.

    Alongside this tribute, KIFF will screen a mix of international, regional, and parallel cinema, providing a vibrant experience for attendees. The governing council includes Boney Kapoor, Manmohan Shetty, Ramesh Sippy, and Prahlad Kakkar. The festival will celebrate Khanna’s legacy through screenings of his famous dialogues like ‘Babumoshai, Zindagi badi honi chahiye, lambi nahin’ and ‘Pushpa, I hate tears,’ along with panel discussions and musical performances.

    Actor and KIFF founder & chairperson Raja Bundela said, “We look forward to bringing an immersive cinematic experience to our audience this year. We are extremely excited about the lineup of regional, national, and international films that will be screened this year.”

    The festival expects 8,000 to 10,000 attendees daily, totaling around 75,000 over seven days. Aspiring filmmakers and actors will also participate in masterclasses and workshops. KIFF showcases Indian and international cinema while highlighting regional and folk talent. This edition will feature personalities like Anurag Anand, Laura Weissbecker, Mustafa Ozgun, Rajat Bedi, and Wilma Elles.

    KIFF promises a blend of nostalgia and fresh cinematic experiences, making it a must-attend for film enthusiasts. Get ready for seven days packed with Anand in Rajesh Khanna’s Andaaz!

  • Steps to encourage ease of doing film business under way

    NEW DELHI: Information and broadcasting secretary Ajay Mittal has said the Ministry has initiated a series of measures to promote ease of doing business and reiterated government’s commitment to work closely with the film industry.

    Mittal was speaking at a function where megastar Amitabh Bachchan inaugurated the new office premise of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) in Mumbai yesterday.

    A number for film personalities including former CBFC Chairman Anupam Kher, Ramesh Sippy, Raveena Tandon, Sonu Sood, Pritish Nandy, Manmohan Shetty, Gajendra Chauhan, Kiran Shantaram, Mukesh Sharma were among those present.

    CBFC, which had been functioning from the Bharat Bhavan in the White House Complex on Walkeshwar Road since 1950s, was facing severe space constraint against drastic increase in work load.

    Mumbai, being the centre of the Hindi, Marathi, Bhojpuri and Punjabi film industry, accounts for nearly 60% of all certification work of CBFC. During 2015-16, it certified over 11,000 films of various duration including 787 Indian feature films and 690 foreign films for theatrical release in India.

    Faced with an acute space constraint, lack of parking facility for visitors, CBFC moved a proposal for allocation of space in the Films Division Complex for a modern, digitally enabled office. It may be recalled that the online film certification system of CBFC was launched by Information & Broadcasting Minister M Venkaiah Naidu in New Delhi last week.

    Ramesh Sippy welcomed the online film certification system saying it would facilitate quicker certification of films.

    The Civil Construction Wing of Prasar Bharati has refurbished the new office, which houses the chambers of the Chairman, CEO as well as the Mumbai Regional Office. CBFC, besides its own preview facilities, can now utilize additional preview theatres of Films Division as well to quicken the process of film certification.

    The Films Division Complex now houses the offices of Films Division, Children’s Film Society of India, CBFC and also the upcoming National Museum of Indian Cinema, which is expected to promote synergy among different institutions of the I &B Ministry.

  • Hotstar ropes in iRock’s Siddhartha Jain as creative director – original content

    Hotstar ropes in iRock’s Siddhartha Jain as creative director – original content

    MUMBAI: Star India’s video on demand platform Hotstar has leapfrogged towards original content creation by appointing iRock Production’s Siddhartha Jain as creative director – original content.

     

    Jain will report to Star India digital head Ajit Mohan.

     

    A source close to the development tells Indiantelevision.com, “Hotstar is aggressively marching forward towards original content and the appointment is a testimony of that.”

     

    Jain, is a serial entrepreneur and film producer. He headed iRock Films India and produced the horror film Ragini MMS.

    Prior to starting iRock with former Adlabs Films chairman Manmohan Shetty, Jain worked at Adlabs for two years. He also produced Marigold – the Salman Khan and Ali Larter starrer US-India film, directed by Willard Carroll, with Hyperion Studio (USA).

  • Adlabs Entertainment takes IPO route to repay partial debt

    Adlabs Entertainment takes IPO route to repay partial debt

    MUMBAI: Adlabs Entertainment, the company that owns and operates Imagica-The Theme Park has proposed to open a public issue of up to 20,326,227 equity shares of face value of Rs 10 including a share premium per equity share on 10 March. 

     

    The company has fixed the price band from Rs 221-230 per equity share. The issue comprises a fresh issue of 18,326,227 equity shares and an offer of sale of 2,000,000 equity shares by Thrill Park Limited. The bid/issue will close on 12 March. The minimum bid lot is 65 equity shares and in multiples of 65 equity shares thereafter.

     

    The issue constitutes 25.44 per cent of the post-issue paid-up equity share capital of the company. Adlabs Entertainment, in consultation with the Global Co-ordinators and Lead Managers, will offer a discount of Rs 12 on the issue price to retail individual bidders. 

     

    The issue is being made through the Book Building process wherein at least 75 per cent of the issue shall be allotted on a proportionate basis to Qualified Institutional Buyers (QIB), provided that the company and the selling shareholder may allocate up to 60 per cent of the QIB Potion to Anchor Investors on a discretionary basis. Anchor investors can bid on Anchor Investor Bidding Date, that is 9 March. 

     

    The money raised through the Initial Public Offering (IPO) will be used for partial repayment/pre-payment of loans. As per the company, it currently is under a debt of Rs 1100 crore, and hopes to repay close to Rs 330-350 crore through the IPO.

     

    Talking about further plans, Adlabs Entertainment chairman and managing director Manmohan Shetty said, “While the money raised through the IPO will be used for repayment of partial debt. We plan to increase our employee strength from the current 1500 to 2000 by this year end. Not only this, we are planning to open another Imagica in South or North. But, the money raised right now will not be used forfuture plans.”

     

    For the six months ended 30 September 2014, the company’s total income and loss after tax was Rs 73.325 crore and Rs 53.529 crore respectively. Adlab’s revenue from sale of admission tickets, from the F&B operations and retail and merchandise operations for six months ended 30 September, 2014 was Rs 55.382 crore, Rs 11.980 crore and 3.886 crore respectively. 

     

    The company will soon be launching its hotel chain as well. The first phase of the proposed 287 key hotel, to be called Novotel Imagica Khopoli, comprising 116 keys, is expected to be completed by March, 2015.

  • AQUAMAGICA, a new water party destination is all set to open its gates soon

    AQUAMAGICA, a new water party destination is all set to open its gates soon

    MUMBAI: If you enjoy thrilling water park experiences, a great day party vibe, variety of food and awesome music…you are going to love the new youth hangout water destination – Aquamagica! The soon to be launched water park is located next to the theme park Adlabs Imagica.     

     

    The water nation invites visitors to experience thrilling water slides, a wave pool and a range of exciting eating options. Water lovers can experience exciting rides by taking a 72-feet plunge in water, dare to drop from exhilarating slides, laze around in the pool and much more. 

     

    Mr. Manmohan Shetty, Chairman, Adlabs Entertainment said, “With the launch of Aquamagica, we are one step closer to creating one of the biggest entertainment destinations in India. We want every Indian to be able to enjoy & have an international standard experience without the need to travel overseas. All environmentally conscious efforts including water conservation have been undertaken in the development of this project.”

     

    A rain water harvesting reservoir within the project premises caters to the entire requirement of the water park. The reservoir stores approximately 260 million litres of rain water per year. This reservoir supplies water to Aquamagica for its daily usage and also recharges ground water which improve water levels under ground.

     

    Ms. Pooja Shetty Deora from Adlabs Entertainment Limited said, “The youth in India have very limited entertainment options. Aquamagica aims to fill that void by offering a day party vibe at a world class water park. The brand philosophy & the product both have youth at its heart. The park will have rides and attractions like no other park in the country, with safety at the core.  To keep hygiene levels at its best, we have deployed a state- of –the -art water filtration system.”

     

    Aiming to be the must-experience destination for the youth, Aquamagica will introduce music performances over the weekend by celebrated DJ’s and artists under its banner of its #gowiththeflow weekender. Aquamagica will be a youth hangout water destination for the party goers, Bollywood and electronic dance music lovers making it the hottest destination in town.

     

    Get into your aqua wears and be ready to experience the first international standard water park in India, Adlabs Aquamagica. Strike a pose, hold your breath, face the adrenaline and chase the waves at Aquamagica. Located conveniently off the Mumbai-Pune Express Highway, Aquamagica is just a happy drive away from Mumbai and Pune. It’s 20 minutes before Lonavala while driving from Mumbai. You can also reach Aquamagica by bus from Mumbai and Pune.  There are local trains from Mumbai to Khopoli, and free shuttle services from Khopoli to the park every day at 10am. To book tickets, log on to www.aquamagica.com or call (022) 4213 0405.

  • Today, entertainment is finally about business: Manmohan Shetty

    Today, entertainment is finally about business: Manmohan Shetty

    MUMBAI: Even as the Indian Merchants Chamber (IMC) gears up for the third edition of its ‘IMC FUSION’ under the auspices of its Entertainment Committee, for the first time, the committee will be chaired by film producer-entrepreneur Manmohan Shetty.

     

    Apparently, Shetty was egged on by good friend and construction magnate Niranjan Hiranandani to accept the position. In a candid chat with indiantelevision.com, he spoke of what the conference would be all about this time…

     

    Congratulations on your appointment as chair of IMS FUSION 2014. What will be your prime focus as far as the entertainment industry is concerned?

     

    This time, we are focusing on two aspects of the entertainment industry. One being the business aspect and the other one being the technology used in entertainment. We have invited Tamil superstar Rajinikanth’s daughter, Soundarya and Dr Murali, who will talk about the technology deployed in creating stunning visuals in their upcoming film Kochadaiiyaan.

     

    Please elaborate on the business aspect the conference will be touching upon. Who will be talking about the business of entertainment at the conference?

     

    Today, entertainment is finally about business. Big stars are turning producers because they are not only inclined creatively but also want to ensure their movie does good business. I would say the business aspect is more important than the creative aspect. Even students graduating out of film schools like Whistling Woods and others are ultimately looking to make money and do good business.

     

    Answering the second part of your question, we have invited Mukesh Bhatt to expound on the business aspect of entertainment. He will deliberate on how it is possible to make a small-budget film and still reap profits from it. After the success of Vishesh Films’ Aashiqui 2, I think he is the best person to speak on this subject (smiles).

     

    This time, IMS FUSION has tied up with IES Management College and Research Centre. What do you intend to achieve through this collaboration?

     

    The intention is to have a greater interaction with students. We have also invited students of cinema and media. To interact with them, we have invited captains of industry who will share their experiences and insights with them. We believe this will be fruitful for those who want to make a career in the entertainment industry.

     

    Last but not the least, what is the one thing you intend to achieve as chair this year?

     

    I feel people are rather private and personal in this industry. For every production company churning out films through the year, there are many which are unable to produce the same number of movies. So, what kind of talent goes into making commercially viable or financially viable films or any other financially viable projects? I want this information to be disseminated which can happen either by reading or listening to people who’ve already been there, done that… I will be happy if such information is passed on by people who have the knowledge and experience to rank newcomers who will be soon entering the industry. If that happens through IMC FUSION, I will be happy.

  • Ramesh Sippy re-elected as Film and TV Producers Guild president

    Ramesh Sippy re-elected as Film and TV Producers Guild president

    cThe first meeting of the newly elected Guild Council of Management, which was held immediately after the 57th Annual General Meeting on 29 September in Mumbai, also elected filmmakers Mukesh Bhatt, Vipul Shah and Ashutosh Gowariker and television producer Dheeraj Kumar as vice presidents.


    Manish Goswami and Ashim Samanta (son of Shakti Samanta) were elected
    treasurers.


    Some of the other members of the newly elected Council of Management of Guild are Yash Chopra, Manmohan Shetty, Kamal Kumar Barjatya, Amit Khanna, Rakesh Roshan, Bobby Bedi, Subhash Ghai, Karan Johar, Vishal Bharadwaj and Farhan Akhtar.
     

  • Prakash Jha to launch news channel

    Prakash Jha to launch news channel

    MUMBAI: Filmmaker Prakash Jha is all set to launch his news and current affairs channel, Maurya TV, in Bihar.

    To be based in Patna, the 24-hour, free-to-air channel will air in Bihari language. “This will be an infotainment channel and will cover everything related to Bollywood, politics, news and society,” reveals Jha.

    According to Jha, the team for the setup is already in place and the process of chosing an individual to head day-to-day operations for the channel is currently in the final stages.

    Manmohan Shetty will be an investor in Jha’s project.

    The clearance of the channel was secured from the I&B Ministry a year ago and the channel in all probablity will start functioning two months from now, adds Jha.

  • Red FM presents ‘live’ music preview of Nishabd

    Red FM presents ‘live’ music preview of Nishabd

    MUMBAI: Red FM promises constant innovative programming to its listeners. Keeping in line with this, the station presented a ‘live preview’ of Ram Gopal Varma’s soon to be released film, Nishabd at a press conference on 17 February.

    Director RGV along with Vishal Bharadwaj, Manmohan Shetty, Amar Mohile, Bhushan Kumar and the star cast Amitabh Bacchan and Jiah Khan were present at this unique preview which was aired across all its FM stations live. Recreating a radio studio right on the stage , RJ Malishka presented the show chatting with the director, music director and stars of the movie.

    Commenting on this unique initiative Red FM COO Abraham Thomas said, “This is first for any radio station in India. With this event we have raised the bar in terms of providing excellent content and innovative programming for our listeners. This association helps Red FM further strengthen its commitment towards bringing the best of Bollywood for its listeners!”

    Speaking about the music launch, director Ram Gopal Varma said, “Nishabd is a beautiful movie with a very sensitive subject and needs to be promoted with extreme maturity. Red FM has done an excellent job of showcasing the music of the film and we are extremely pleased with the kind of reach the movie has received with this first ever live music premiere on Red FM.”

  • Anil Ambani plans foray into TV channel business

    Anil Ambani plans foray into TV channel business

    MUMBAI: Anil Ambani is planning to make an entry into the broadcasting business, the final piece in the media chain where he had so far stayed out.

    On his radar is the launch of an entertainment business channel through Adlabs Films, the listed company where he acquired a majority stake in mid-2005.
    “We are considering it and have given the proposal for the launch of an entertainment business channel. But the board has to approve of it,” Adlabs chairman and managing director Manmohan Shetty tells Indiantelevision.com.

    The idea is to capitalise on the contacts that Shetty has with the film industry and synergise content with Adlabs’ film production business. The channel would also provide information on the gross earnings from box office collections and other financial data.

    Shetty, however, did not wish to talk on the content front, saying “it was too early to talk about anything” till the go-ahead signal was given for launching the channel.

    Adlabs already has a presence in film processing, production and distribution business. The company is also stepping into TV content production and has bought out majority stake in Siddharth and Anita Basu’s production house Synergy Communications Pvt Ltd. Ambani has ventured into the FM radio sector with aggressive bids for stations.

    “The acquisition process is not completed yet. We would be pumping money into the content business after that. We will be making content for other TV channels through this company,” says Shetty. Synergy has produced popular shows like Kaun Banega Crorepati or KBC (an Indian version of the popular western game show Who Wants To Be A Millionaire) for Star and Jhalak Dikhla Jaa (a local adaption of Dancing With The Stars) for Sony.

    Adlabs has ambitious plans for animation. In the pipeline is a 3D feature film, Superstar, with Southern actor Rajnikanth’s Ochre Studios which is slated for release in April 2008. The second animation project is a feature based on the characters Gini & Jony, who represent one of the top brands in children apparel in India.

    “The first film will cost Rs 310 million and we will have a worldwide release. We haven’t finalised the budget for the second film as we are not ready with the script yet,” says Shetty.

    Rounding up the media cycle will be the foray into the broadcasting space. Ambani has already announced his plans for IPTV and a direct-to-home (DTH) service.