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Tag: MSM Motion Pictures

  • Film & TV exec Vivek Krishnani to head Sony Pictures India

    Film & TV exec Vivek Krishnani to head Sony Pictures India

    MUMBAI: Sony Pictures India (also known as SPE Films India) today announced the appointment of Vivek Krishnani as its managing director, come 1 November. He will be replacing industry veteran Kercy Daruwala who is retiring after a long stint at the studio.

     

    Vivek was most recently Senior Vice President – Revenue and Marketing at MSM Motion Pictures. MSM Motion Pictures is the film production arm of Multi Screen Media,  which is a part of Sony Pictures Entertainment Television Network.

     

    Says Sony Pictures Entertainment senior vice-president, international distribution, Asia, Brett D. Hogg: “I’m very pleased to welcome Vivek to Sony Pictures India. He’s a media veteran with very valuable experience in the unique and dynamic Indian market, in both Hollywood and local-language productions. Under his leadership, we look forward to taking Sony Pictures India to even greater heights.”

     

    Sony Pictures Entertainment produces, acquires, and distributes its films under its various film labels: Columbia Pictures, TriStar Pictures, Screen Gems, Sony Pictures Animation, Sony Pictures Classics, Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions and Sony Pictures International Productions.

     

    Vivek is excited about his new position. Says he: “I have had a great experience being part of the Sony family and I am now looking forward to a new role with Sony Pictures India. With a legacy of over 80 years since the first Columbia Pictures office opened here, Sony Pictures has over the decades continued to entertain Indian and global audiences. We have our own pipeline through which these products get funnelled. We are committed to further strengthening our distribution network in India and overseas for both Hollywood and local films. “

     

    He points out that the studio has a great slate of films lined up which are going to keep him busy just as he takes over. Among the big ones include the Jack Black starrer GooseBumps (in Hindi, English and Tamil) on 30 October, animation flick Hotel Translyvania 2  (on 6 November), the Daniel Craig (Bond) and Ralph Fiennes starrer Spectre (in English, Hindi, Tamil and Telugu). “ I’m excited to hit the ground running,” he says.

     

    Apart from the Hollywood pipeline, he is really looking forward to the MSM Motion Pictures-Balaji Motion Pictures  Azhar which is slated for a March 2016 release and also aims to scale up things a notch through  “third party acquisitions for India and overseas for Indian titles to whom we can provide an effective dependable distribution mechanism. We are committed to local product.”

     

    His  vast experience at 21st Century Fox, Fox Star Studios and prior to that with Turner Entertainment Networks should serve him well. 

  • Essel to back Jazbaa’s robust release with aggressive promotions

    Essel to back Jazbaa’s robust release with aggressive promotions

    MUMBAI: Gone are the days when an all India release of a movie used to make headlines for robust distribution. Gradually Bollywood has emerged as a global affair not only for the Indian diaspora but also for the vernacular audience. 

     

    Essel Vision is leaving no stone unturned to ensure an enhanced reach for its upcoming Hindi movie Jazbaa. With multilingual audio and simulcast release across the globe, Essel has plans of garnishing the movie in an exquisite manner.  

     

    Speaking to Indiantelevision.com, Essel Vision Productions business head Akash Chawla says, “This is the first time an Indian movie will have a simulcast release in the Middle East with an Arabic dub. We are also looking to have a dubbed release for Spanish and English market alongside Hindi release for the Indian diaspora.”

     

    Digital will spearhead the promotional and marketing strategy for the movie. “The promotional strategies will be backed by Zee all through. Zee has a huge bouquet of channels and we will be promoting the movie across all of them in both international and Indian markets,” he adds.

     

    There will be a mega trailer launch on the sets of Dance India Dance, which will reach out to mass. In the US, the producers plan to launch a promotional tour on 17 September, 2015. A series of activities are also on the cards for the premiere of the movie, which is scheduled on 9 October, 2015.

     

    MSM Motion Pictures’ recently produced Piku showed how brand integration can be a substantial source of revenue for producers. When queried if Jazbaa will also have brands integrated in the movie, Chawla says, “There are a few brands that are subtly placed in the movie but we kept the number as low as possible because we did not want interrupt viewers. I don’t think brand integration is yet a substantial source of revenue when it comes to movies.”

     

    Essel Group took the decision of fully entering into film production with Jazbaa after tasting success with Lunchbox and D-Day as co-producers. The movie, which stars Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Irrfan Khan, is directed by Sanjay Gupta. The movie tells the story of an advocate who is stuck between professional life and motherhood.

     

    Chawla is optimistic about the movie’s success globally. “We will have as robust release as possible and rest will depend on audience,” he says.

  • Amitabh, Deepika and Irrfan launch the trailer of ‘Piku’

    Amitabh, Deepika and Irrfan launch the trailer of ‘Piku’

    MUMBAI: The team of Vicky Donor is back with Piku, a quirky slice-of-life film, that takes audiences on a roller coaster ride of a crazy father-daughter relationship essayed by Amitabh Bachchan and Deepika Padukone, along with Irrfan Khan, in a pivotal author backed role. 

     

    The three superstars launched the trailer of the movie on 25 March at a suburban multiplex in Mumbai, amidst a packed house that comprised not just media personnel, but also their parents, in yet another marketing innovation by team Piku. 

     

    One of the most awaited films of 2015, Piku is a family comedy drama. The trailer was every bit a glimpse into the unconventional and quirky story, all told in signature Shoojit Sircar style.

     

    Sircar said, “Piku is a story that will warm your heart and make you smile! We have the best of the talent coming together for a refreshing tale of a father-daughter relationship. I am privileged to direct Bachchan along with Deepika and Irrfan. They are three powerhouse performers and it doesn’t get better than this for me.” 

     

    The movie also marks coming together of Sircar, Ronnie Lahiri and Juhi Chaturvedi, the team behind Vicky Donor. Produced by MSM Motion Pictures, Saraswati Entertainment and Rising Sun Films, the film releases on 8 May and will be distributed worldwide by Yash Raj Films.

  • MSM Motion Pictures & Yash Raj Films come together for ‘Piku’

    MSM Motion Pictures & Yash Raj Films come together for ‘Piku’

    MUMBAI: MSM Motion Pictures has partnered with Yash Raj Films for the worldwide theatrical distribution of their upcoming comedy drama – Piku.

     

    Directed by Shoojit Sircar, the move further strengthens the 20 year association of YRF and MSM. The duo ensures that YRF’s distribution network takes Piku to not just domestic and diaspora audiences but also non-traditional markets globally.

     

    A quirky take on father daughter relationship, the film brings Amitabh Bachchan, Deepika Padukone and Irrfan Khan together for the first time. The film is also Paduokone’s first stand alone title role and has been co-produced by MSM Motion Pictures along with Saraswati Creations and Rising Sun Films.

  • Vivek Krishnani joins MSM Motion Pictures

    Vivek Krishnani joins MSM Motion Pictures

    MUMBAI: An old hand in the industry with experience in several broadcast initiatives, Vivek Krishnani has joined MSM Motion Pictures as senior VP marketing and revenue.

     

    Prior to this, Krishnani was head of distribution, marketing and syndication at Fox Star Studio India for six years. While at Fox, he was instrumental in setting up the India team, creating the national distribution network, managing the P&L for Hollywood releases and domestic revenues for Bollywood releases.

     

    He started off his career with Ammirati Puris Lintas (now Lowe Lintas) and has worked with Radio City, Star India, Turner International India and Turner Entertainment Networks Asia.

     

    Recently, MSM Motion Pictures made several key managerial changes including Sneha Rajani being elevated to deputy president and head of MSM Motion Pictures. Some of the films under its banner include Bajate Raho, Darr @ the Mall, Youngistaan and Mango.

  • MSM Motion Pictures announces their next venture ‘PIKU’

    MSM Motion Pictures announces their next venture ‘PIKU’

    MUMBAI: MSM Motion Pictures in association with Saraswati Entertainment Creations (SECL) and Shoojit Sircar & Ronnie Lahiri’s Rising Sun Films have announced their next feature film ‘Piku’.

     

    In the lead roles, ‘Piku’ will star Amitabh Bachchan along with Deepika Padukone and Irfan Khan. The first schedule of ‘Piku’ will go on the floors in August 2014. The film is slated to release on 30 April 2015.

     

    MSM Motion Pictures dy president & head Sneha Rajani said, “We at MSM Motion Pictures are endeavoring to create content that engages, evokes & entertains.’Piku’ gives us just that opportunity to co-create engaging and high quality content which we believe will entertain our audience the world over. Working with Mr. Amitabh Bachchan yet again in my new role is an absolute honour. As for Shoojit, I have been an admirer of his work since Yahaan and I am really looking forward to working with him and the delightful ensemble cast which includes the very talented Deepika, Irfan and many others. We are very excited to team up with Saraswati Entertainment Creations Ltd and Rising Sun Films for Piku.”

     

    Added Sircar, “The charisma of Mr. Bachchan, seamless acting of Deepika with the versatile flair of Irfan Khan and the evergreen Moushami Chaterjee will make Piku an experience for me. I am looking forward to this fantastic opportunity of working together with such gifted talent from the industry. We are very happy to partner with MSM Motion Pictures and Saraswati Entertainment Creations Ltd. to bring this wonderful film to the audience, early next year.”

  • Disclaimer ends the PepsiCo vs. MSM dispute

    Disclaimer ends the PepsiCo vs. MSM dispute

    MUMBAI: The case filed by cola giant PepsiCo against MSM Motion Pictures and Vashu Bhagnani-owned Pooja Pictures over use of the title ‘Youngistaan’ for their upcoming movie starring Jackky Bhagnani, Neha Sharma, Boman Irani and late Farooq Sheikh, has been dissolved with both parties agreeing to a settlement.

     

    Following a hearing at the Delhi High Court by Justice A K Pathak, it was agreed upon by both parties that a disclaimer will be displayed not only at the beginning of the movie when it releases in theatres on 28 March but also in non-theatrical trailers, the official website of the film, the official twitter account, official facebook account and the official YouTube page. The disclaimer reads: “This movie is not related to or associated with, sponsored or promoted in any manner by Pepsi or Pepsi’s Youngistaan Campaign” and will be effective 15 March onwards.

     

    Apparently, there was talk of the disclaimer even yesterday but PepsiCo finally relented only today. Asked about the same, a spokesperson for Singh & Singh, the law firm representing the cola company, simply said, “The defendants (MSM Motion Pictures and Pooja Pictures) worded the disclaimer the way we wanted it to be. Hence, we agreed to it.”

     

     It was in January this year that Singh & Singh sent legal notice to MSM Motion Pictures and Pooja Pictures, alleging that the title of their upcoming film, Youngistaan, was an infringement of their client’s (PepsiCo’s) registered trademark.  

     

    The objections raised by PepsiCo notwithstanding, MSM Motion Pictures and Pooja Pictures went ahead and announced the launch of their film on 6 February. PepsiCo then moved the Delhi High Court on 12 February, and its plea said, “Restraining them (the producers) from launching their movie under the impugned title ‘Youngistaan’ which is nothing but a blatant imitation of the plaintiff’s (PepsiCo) registered trademark.”

     

    The hearing was earlier slated for 24 February however, it was postponed to 3 March as the judge was on leave. On 3 March, the case was adjourned as MSM Motion Pictures and Pooja Pictures had sought more time.

  • PepsiCo, MSM fail to reach amicable settlement over ‘Youngistaan’

    PepsiCo, MSM fail to reach amicable settlement over ‘Youngistaan’

    MUMBAI: It’s been more than a fortnight since PepsiCo first objected to ‘Youngistaan’ as the title of a film jointly produced by MSM Motion Pictures and Vashu Bhagnani-owned Pooja Pictures.

     

    The upcoming film slotted to release on 28 March has been the cause of the dispute as PepsiCo objected to its registered trademark Youngistaan being violated by the co-producers by choosing to go ahead with Youngistaan as the film’s title.

     

    In today’s hearing, in Justice A K Pathak’s court, the two parties made their own set of proposals (three each). As reported earlier, PepsiCo has sought an order from the court “restraining them (producers) from launching their movie under the impugned title ‘Youngistaan’ which is nothing but a blatant imitation of the plaintiff’s (Pepsi) registered trademark”.

     

    One of the proposals made by MSM Motion Pictures and Pooja Pictures was that they will play a disclaimer/give credit to the cola giant’s 2008 campaign with the same name.

     

    “In today’s hearing, both parties didn’t agree on any settlement and hence, the case will be argued tomorrow,” says a representative from PepsiCo’s law firm Singh&Singh.

     

    The case was first listed on 12 February in Delhi High Court. The hearing on 24 February was postponed as the Judge was on leave and then on 3 March, the case was adjourned as MSM and Pooja Pictures sought more time.

     

    Singh&Singh, the law firm representing PepsiCo, had sent a legal notice to the co-producers of the film in January against the use of Youngistaan as the title of their film.

     

    Notwithstanding the objections raised by PepsiCo, MSM Motion Pictures and Pooja Pictures, on 6 February, announced the launch of their upcoming film ‘Youngistaan’ featuring Jackky Bhagnani, Neha Sharma, Boman Irani and late Farooq Sheikh.

  • PepsiCo, MSM attempting out of court settlement over ‘Youngistaan’

    PepsiCo, MSM attempting out of court settlement over ‘Youngistaan’

    MUMBAI: It was in 2008 that PepsiCo India came up with a new campaign around the theme ‘Youngistaan’, the land of youngsters.

     

    The campaign featuring cricketers and film stars was aimed at bringing alive the connect between the cola brand and the youth.

     

    PepsiCo India had then got ‘Youngistaan’ registered as its trademark. The trademark is now a matter of dispute between PepsiCo India and MSM Motion Pictures.

     

    The dispute is over the title of a film co-produced by MSM Motion Pictures and Vashu Bhagnani-owned Pooja Pictures.

     

    Even after having received a notice in January from PepsiCo India against the use of Youngistan as the title of their film, the co-producers went ahead and announced the film with the same name.

     

    PepsiCo alleged that its registered trademark Youngistaan has been violated by the co-producers of the film by choosing to go ahead with Youngistan as the film’s title.

     

    Singh&Singh, a law firm representing PepsiCo, had last month sent a legal notice to the co-producers of the film against the use of Youngistaan as the title of their film.

     

    Notwithstanding the objections raised by PepsiCo, MSM Motion Pictures and Pooja Pictures, on 6 February, announced the launch of their upcoming film ‘Youngistaan’ featuring Jackky Bhagnani, Neha Sharma, Boman Irani and late Farooq Sheikh.

     

    Pepsi then took the matter to the Delhi High Court on 12 February. “Since MSM didn’t comply with the legal notice, we had to take a step and file a case against them for violation of (PepsiCo) trademark,” says a source from the law firm.

     

    Pepsi has pleaded for an order from the high court “restraining them (the co-producers of the film) from launching their movie under the impugned title ‘Youngistaan’ which is nothing but a blatant imitation of the plaintiff’s (Pepsi) registered trademark”.

     

    The next hearing in the matter is scheduled on Monday, 24 February in the court of Justice A K Pathak.

     

    While PepsiCo India continues to pursue the legal course, the two parties have not completely given up hope of an amicable settlement.

     

    PepsiCo India and MSM Motion Pictures are in talks to try an out of court settlement, as per industry sources.

     

    Officials of MSM Motion Pictures were unavailable for a comment.

     

    The dispute is interesting as a corporate is attempting to prevent one of its promotional trademarks from being used as the title of a film.

  • MSM reshuffles senior management

    MSM reshuffles senior management

    MUMBAI: Multi-Screen Media(MSM) today announced that Sneha Rajani, will assume the position of deputy president and head, MSM Motion Pictures. Nachiket Pantvaidya, who has recently joined the network, takes over as senior executive vice president and business head, Sony Entertainment Television (SET). Anooj Kapoor, will assume additional responsibilities as senior executive vice president and business head, SAB, and also a new initiative in the Hindi entertainment space.

     

    Sneha who was formerly business head, Sony Entertainment Television will have end to end responsibility for MSM Motion Pictures and will chart the success and future of that business as a key force in movie production. In this role, Sneha will also continue to handle film acquisitions for the network. Sneha has been associated with MSM for over 15 years and has previously been business head, MAX, which she launched and led for 10 years, before assuming responsibility of the flagship GEC, SET. She has played a key role in MSM’s movie buying strategy and was also instrumental in leading its cricket properties, such as, the ICC World Cup and IPL.

     

    Nachiket, who was the business head of STAR Plus and also held several roles in the STAR TV network, including being the Head of STAR Pravah and MD of FOX Television Studios will now head SET. An IIM Ahmedabad alumnus, Nachiket has had stints with BBC and Disney in the past. He has also held several positions in MSM from 1996 to 2004.

     

     

    With the success of SAB, Anooj has demonstrated capability for building differentiated audiences for the network. Anooj has been with MSM since 2007. Prior to joining MSM, Anooj worked with Colgate Palmolive as product manager, Lowe Lintas as Creative Director and also ran his own production advertising company. He has a Masters in English Literature and a MBA from SP Jain Institute of Management Studies.

     

    Speaking on the occasion, MSM  CEO N. P. Singh said, “I am certain that Sneha, Nachiket and Anooj will revitalize and provide fresh perspective to their respective areas of responsibility. Each brings unique strengths to grow the business & we wish them the best in their new roles. I am confident that 2014 will be a year of innovation and growth for MSM.”