ITV

Tag: Priyanka Chopra

  • Star World, Star World HD and Star World Premiere will bring back new episodes of Quantico

    Star World, Star World HD and Star World Premiere will bring back new episodes of Quantico

    MUMBAI: Star World, Star World HD and Star World Premiere, are all set to bring back the drama series Quantico in which  Priyanka Chopra will return as Alex Parrish with brand new episodes of Quantico Season 1 from 12  March onward. Quantico also stars Josh Hopkins as Liam O’Connor, Jake McLaughlin as Ryan Booth, Aunjanue Ellis as Miranda Shaw, Johanna Braddy as Shelby Wyatt, Tate Ellington as Simon Asher, Graham Rogers as Caleb Haas and Yasmine Al Massri as Nimah Amin.

    “I’m elated by the amazing response that Quantico has received from audiences across the globe and especially in India. With all new episodes starting on March 12th, we got some crazy new plot twists and new characters that will continue to keep you guessing! You will see manipulation, deception, attraction, action while trying to figure out the real traitor amongst us,” said actor Priyanka Chopra 

    Speaking on the show’s return, an official Star India spokesperson said, “Quantico has helped Star to set yet another benchmark in the English entertainment category. The show has performed phenomenally well and is a testament to our commitment of bringing the best and latest international content to Indian viewers. We are certain the new episodes will garner just as much, if not more, excitement from audiences.”

    “Quantico is one of the most exciting shows in ABC Studio’s portfolio and we are happy for the show to be back on Star’s network. Priyanka has been fabulous in the show and here’s wishing her a remarkable second innings” said Disney Studios India vice president and head – marketing and distribution Amrita pandey.

  • Star World, Star World HD and Star World Premiere will bring back new episodes of Quantico

    Star World, Star World HD and Star World Premiere will bring back new episodes of Quantico

    MUMBAI: Star World, Star World HD and Star World Premiere, are all set to bring back the drama series Quantico in which  Priyanka Chopra will return as Alex Parrish with brand new episodes of Quantico Season 1 from 12  March onward. Quantico also stars Josh Hopkins as Liam O’Connor, Jake McLaughlin as Ryan Booth, Aunjanue Ellis as Miranda Shaw, Johanna Braddy as Shelby Wyatt, Tate Ellington as Simon Asher, Graham Rogers as Caleb Haas and Yasmine Al Massri as Nimah Amin.

    “I’m elated by the amazing response that Quantico has received from audiences across the globe and especially in India. With all new episodes starting on March 12th, we got some crazy new plot twists and new characters that will continue to keep you guessing! You will see manipulation, deception, attraction, action while trying to figure out the real traitor amongst us,” said actor Priyanka Chopra 

    Speaking on the show’s return, an official Star India spokesperson said, “Quantico has helped Star to set yet another benchmark in the English entertainment category. The show has performed phenomenally well and is a testament to our commitment of bringing the best and latest international content to Indian viewers. We are certain the new episodes will garner just as much, if not more, excitement from audiences.”

    “Quantico is one of the most exciting shows in ABC Studio’s portfolio and we are happy for the show to be back on Star’s network. Priyanka has been fabulous in the show and here’s wishing her a remarkable second innings” said Disney Studios India vice president and head – marketing and distribution Amrita pandey.

  • Jai Gangaajal….Drab and routine

    Jai Gangaajal….Drab and routine

    Jai Gangaajal, as the title suggests is the sequel to Prakash Jha’s 2003 film, Gangaajal. Unlike its precursor, this film has a female protagonist playing the crusading cop. As is Jha’s wont, the film has a Bihar background and pits an honest police person with a corrupt local politician and his goons.

    The police force in the town of Lakhisarai is corrupt and at the beck and call of the politicians, especially the local MLA, ManavKaul. Manav has been winning elections for the last four terms as no one daresstand against him. His strategy is simple, fear. Anyone who dares to raise his voice against him is killed. The police is by his side with Prakash Jha, who takes to acting with this film, is his eyes and ears in the force.

    Manav is into land grabbing, having already presold plots which belong to farmers and local bazaar traders. The land is needed for an ambitious power plant which is the dream project of the chief minister and Manav. Both stand to make crores through the deal.The victims, led by Rahul Bhat, are agitating but not with much success. The police frame whoever protests in some or the other case. 

    To help his cause and control dissentin the region, the chief minister appoints Priyanka Chopra to take control of the Lakhisarai police force. The chief minister has obliged Priyanka’s family a lot, andas such, he expects her to toe his line. He does not want controversies as the elections are due soon.

    As Priyanka takes charge, she realizes that she has to contend not only with Manav and his goons led by his maniacal brother NinadKamat, but also remove the rot which has set into her police force. Almost all officers seem to be working for Manav instead of for the state.

    Priyanka arrests one of Manav’s goons for molesting a girl in broad daylight in a crowded street. When the goon is presented in court, bomb explosions in the court house help the goon escape. As Priyanka chases the goon, Jha shoots him as if to show that he is trying to save Priyanka. Priyanka understands that not only Jha and others work for Manav, but are also working against her. 

    There is, however, one farmer who refuses to sell his land leading to Manav’s deal being stuck. The farmer is lynched, his daughter is raped and found hanging from a tree. The incident changes Jha. He is no more willing to help Manav and proceeds to arrest Kamat. Encouraged, the mob also gets involved.

    The rest of the film is about Priyanka helping her officers regain their confidence and the end of Manav’s empire. In the process,the best scenes are hogged by Jha himself, leaving Priyanka in the shadows. 

    The film offers nothing new when compared to other such UP-Bihar Bahubali films. While the first half is fairly gripping, the script loses steam in the second half. Jha’s direction is passable with no sparks of genius anywhere. The film lacks music and romance and is lengthy at 148 minutes (after deleting 10 minutes) with no major stars to pull it through except Priyanka. Priyanka is good as a determined cop. Jha impresses as a corrupt cop turned kosher. Manav is okay while Kamat andMurli Sharma are good.
    Jai Ganaajal is a dry film with no entertainment value as such. The opening has been discouraging and so are the reports.

    Producer: Prakash Jha.
    Director: Prakash Jha.
    Cast: Priyanka Chopra, ManavKaul, Prakash Jha, NinadKamat.

  • Jai Gangaajal….Drab and routine

    Jai Gangaajal….Drab and routine

    Jai Gangaajal, as the title suggests is the sequel to Prakash Jha’s 2003 film, Gangaajal. Unlike its precursor, this film has a female protagonist playing the crusading cop. As is Jha’s wont, the film has a Bihar background and pits an honest police person with a corrupt local politician and his goons.

    The police force in the town of Lakhisarai is corrupt and at the beck and call of the politicians, especially the local MLA, ManavKaul. Manav has been winning elections for the last four terms as no one daresstand against him. His strategy is simple, fear. Anyone who dares to raise his voice against him is killed. The police is by his side with Prakash Jha, who takes to acting with this film, is his eyes and ears in the force.

    Manav is into land grabbing, having already presold plots which belong to farmers and local bazaar traders. The land is needed for an ambitious power plant which is the dream project of the chief minister and Manav. Both stand to make crores through the deal.The victims, led by Rahul Bhat, are agitating but not with much success. The police frame whoever protests in some or the other case. 

    To help his cause and control dissentin the region, the chief minister appoints Priyanka Chopra to take control of the Lakhisarai police force. The chief minister has obliged Priyanka’s family a lot, andas such, he expects her to toe his line. He does not want controversies as the elections are due soon.

    As Priyanka takes charge, she realizes that she has to contend not only with Manav and his goons led by his maniacal brother NinadKamat, but also remove the rot which has set into her police force. Almost all officers seem to be working for Manav instead of for the state.

    Priyanka arrests one of Manav’s goons for molesting a girl in broad daylight in a crowded street. When the goon is presented in court, bomb explosions in the court house help the goon escape. As Priyanka chases the goon, Jha shoots him as if to show that he is trying to save Priyanka. Priyanka understands that not only Jha and others work for Manav, but are also working against her. 

    There is, however, one farmer who refuses to sell his land leading to Manav’s deal being stuck. The farmer is lynched, his daughter is raped and found hanging from a tree. The incident changes Jha. He is no more willing to help Manav and proceeds to arrest Kamat. Encouraged, the mob also gets involved.

    The rest of the film is about Priyanka helping her officers regain their confidence and the end of Manav’s empire. In the process,the best scenes are hogged by Jha himself, leaving Priyanka in the shadows. 

    The film offers nothing new when compared to other such UP-Bihar Bahubali films. While the first half is fairly gripping, the script loses steam in the second half. Jha’s direction is passable with no sparks of genius anywhere. The film lacks music and romance and is lengthy at 148 minutes (after deleting 10 minutes) with no major stars to pull it through except Priyanka. Priyanka is good as a determined cop. Jha impresses as a corrupt cop turned kosher. Manav is okay while Kamat andMurli Sharma are good.
    Jai Ganaajal is a dry film with no entertainment value as such. The opening has been discouraging and so are the reports.

    Producer: Prakash Jha.
    Director: Prakash Jha.
    Cast: Priyanka Chopra, ManavKaul, Prakash Jha, NinadKamat.

  • Rajnikanth, Ramoji Rao, Priyanka Chopra, Ajay Devgn receive Padma honours

    Rajnikanth, Ramoji Rao, Priyanka Chopra, Ajay Devgn receive Padma honours

    NEW DELHI: Iconic actor Rajnikanth, media and film magnate Ramoji Rao, and renowned classical vocalist Girija Devi have been named for the second highest civilian honour, the Padma Vibhushan, given for is awarded for exceptional and distinguished service.

     

    Interestingly, the Padma Vibhushan awardees also include a posthumous award for the late Dhirubhai Ambani, who founded the Reliance Group and whose life inspired the film Guru starring Abhishek Bachchan with Aishwarya Rai Bachchan.

     

    Veteran actor Anupam Kher and singer Udit Narayan are the only recipients from the entertainment industry apart from Heisnam Kanhaukak of the Padma Bhushan, given for distinguished service of high order. Indu Jain of Bennett Coleman & Co also received the Padma Bhushan.

     

    The Padma Shri awardees for distinguished service from the entertainment field include directors Nila Madhab Panda (I want to be Kalam), S S Rajamouli (of Baahubali fame) and Madhur Bhandarkar; filmmaker Narendra Chandra Lal from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands; actors Ajay Devgn and Priyanka Chopra, ad guru Piyush Pandey; and a posthumous award to the late veteran actor Saeed Jaffrey.

     

    In a statement issued from Bulgaria where he is currently shooting for his film, Shivaay, Devgn said, “I feel deeply humbled yet elated to receive such honour from my own country. The announcement today makes it special for me when I’m filming abroad for my new film Shivaay. I’d like to acknowledge that Padma Samman puts an extra responsibility on me and I promise to serve my country for as long as I can.”

     

    In the field of sports, the Padma Bhushan awards are badminton ace Saina Nehwal, and tennis star Sania Mirza, while those getting Padma Shree are Deepika Kumari for archery from Jharkhand, and sports commentator Sushi Doshi.

     

    In the field of music, the Padma Shree recepients are Pt Tulsidas Borkar of Goa for classical music; Dr Suma Ghosh of Uttar Pradesh for vocal singing; and Bhikhudan Gadhvi of Gujarat, Mamta Chandrakar of Chhatisgarh, and Bhojpuri singer Malini Awasthi of Uttar Pradesh for folk music, and late Prakash Chand Surana (posthumously) of Rajasthan for classical music.

     

    The eminent dancer Yamini Krishnamurthy who has churned thousands of disciples gets the Padma Bhushan, dancer Pratibha Prahlad who founded the Delhi International Arts Festival, and Gulabi Sapera, who is a folk dancer from Rajasthan have been awarded the Padma Shree.

     

    Renowned professor Pushpesh Pant; Kameshwar Brahma of Assam, and Jawaharlal Kaul of Jammu and Kashmir have also been awarded the Padma Shree.

  • Rajnikanth, Ramoji Rao, Priyanka Chopra, Ajay Devgn receive Padma honours

    Rajnikanth, Ramoji Rao, Priyanka Chopra, Ajay Devgn receive Padma honours

    NEW DELHI: Iconic actor Rajnikanth, media and film magnate Ramoji Rao, and renowned classical vocalist Girija Devi have been named for the second highest civilian honour, the Padma Vibhushan, given for is awarded for exceptional and distinguished service.

     

    Interestingly, the Padma Vibhushan awardees also include a posthumous award for the late Dhirubhai Ambani, who founded the Reliance Group and whose life inspired the film Guru starring Abhishek Bachchan with Aishwarya Rai Bachchan.

     

    Veteran actor Anupam Kher and singer Udit Narayan are the only recipients from the entertainment industry apart from Heisnam Kanhaukak of the Padma Bhushan, given for distinguished service of high order. Indu Jain of Bennett Coleman & Co also received the Padma Bhushan.

     

    The Padma Shri awardees for distinguished service from the entertainment field include directors Nila Madhab Panda (I want to be Kalam), S S Rajamouli (of Baahubali fame) and Madhur Bhandarkar; filmmaker Narendra Chandra Lal from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands; actors Ajay Devgn and Priyanka Chopra, ad guru Piyush Pandey; and a posthumous award to the late veteran actor Saeed Jaffrey.

     

    In a statement issued from Bulgaria where he is currently shooting for his film, Shivaay, Devgn said, “I feel deeply humbled yet elated to receive such honour from my own country. The announcement today makes it special for me when I’m filming abroad for my new film Shivaay. I’d like to acknowledge that Padma Samman puts an extra responsibility on me and I promise to serve my country for as long as I can.”

     

    In the field of sports, the Padma Bhushan awards are badminton ace Saina Nehwal, and tennis star Sania Mirza, while those getting Padma Shree are Deepika Kumari for archery from Jharkhand, and sports commentator Sushi Doshi.

     

    In the field of music, the Padma Shree recepients are Pt Tulsidas Borkar of Goa for classical music; Dr Suma Ghosh of Uttar Pradesh for vocal singing; and Bhikhudan Gadhvi of Gujarat, Mamta Chandrakar of Chhatisgarh, and Bhojpuri singer Malini Awasthi of Uttar Pradesh for folk music, and late Prakash Chand Surana (posthumously) of Rajasthan for classical music.

     

    The eminent dancer Yamini Krishnamurthy who has churned thousands of disciples gets the Padma Bhushan, dancer Pratibha Prahlad who founded the Delhi International Arts Festival, and Gulabi Sapera, who is a folk dancer from Rajasthan have been awarded the Padma Shree.

     

    Renowned professor Pushpesh Pant; Kameshwar Brahma of Assam, and Jawaharlal Kaul of Jammu and Kashmir have also been awarded the Padma Shree.

  • Amitabh Bachchan & Priyanka Chopra replace Aamir Khan as ‘Incredible India’ brand ambassadors

    Amitabh Bachchan & Priyanka Chopra replace Aamir Khan as ‘Incredible India’ brand ambassadors

    MUMBAI: Bollywood stalwart Amitabh Bachchan and India’s new international face Priyanka Chopra have been named as the brand ambassadors for Government of India’s ‘Incredible India’ campaign, making it the first time that the government has appointed actors.

     

    The endorsement agreement will be for a period of three years and the official announcement is likely to be made after 26 January.

     

    To date, Bachchan has been the face of many social campaigns like Gujarat Tourism, Polio Eradication Drive, Hepatitis B etc. Chopra, on the other hand, has made leaps and bounds in her career in recent years. Apart from being applauded in the roles she portrays in Hindi films, she also made headway in Hollywood by debuting as the lead in ABC’s television series Quantico and is also the first South Asian actor to win the Favourite Actress in a New TV series award at this year’s People’s Choice Awards.

     

    The duo replaces erstwhile brand ambassador Aamir Khan, who had been roped in by the creative agency working on the campaign – McCann Worldwide.

     

    It may be recalled that Khan was in the eye of the storm late last year, over his ‘intolerance’ remarks, which were blown out of proportion as well as quoted out of context in the media. Khan was the face of the ‘Athithi Devo Bhava’ campaign for almost a decade.

     

    Earlier this month, the Ministry of Tourism had denied removing Khan as ‘Incredible India’ brand ambassador in a statement. In response to media reports citing that Khan would no longer be endorsing the campaign in light of the ‘intolerance’ controversy that broke out late last year, the Tourism Ministry clarified that “there is no change in the stand of the ministry in this matter.” 

     

    The Ministry further clarified that at present it had a contractual agreement with creative agency McCann Worldwide to produce social awareness campaign and it was the agency, which had an agreement with Khan.

     

    However, a senior bureaucrat Amitabh Kant, who was a key figure in implementing the campaign during his tenure with the Ministry of Tourism, earlier justified the government’s decision to remove the actor from the portfolio.

     

    At that time, Khan, on his part, had said, “Whether I am brand ambassador or not, India will remain Incredible, and that’s the way it should be.”

  • Amitabh Bachchan & Priyanka Chopra replace Aamir Khan as ‘Incredible India’ brand ambassadors

    Amitabh Bachchan & Priyanka Chopra replace Aamir Khan as ‘Incredible India’ brand ambassadors

    MUMBAI: Bollywood stalwart Amitabh Bachchan and India’s new international face Priyanka Chopra have been named as the brand ambassadors for Government of India’s ‘Incredible India’ campaign, making it the first time that the government has appointed actors.

     

    The endorsement agreement will be for a period of three years and the official announcement is likely to be made after 26 January.

     

    To date, Bachchan has been the face of many social campaigns like Gujarat Tourism, Polio Eradication Drive, Hepatitis B etc. Chopra, on the other hand, has made leaps and bounds in her career in recent years. Apart from being applauded in the roles she portrays in Hindi films, she also made headway in Hollywood by debuting as the lead in ABC’s television series Quantico and is also the first South Asian actor to win the Favourite Actress in a New TV series award at this year’s People’s Choice Awards.

     

    The duo replaces erstwhile brand ambassador Aamir Khan, who had been roped in by the creative agency working on the campaign – McCann Worldwide.

     

    It may be recalled that Khan was in the eye of the storm late last year, over his ‘intolerance’ remarks, which were blown out of proportion as well as quoted out of context in the media. Khan was the face of the ‘Athithi Devo Bhava’ campaign for almost a decade.

     

    Earlier this month, the Ministry of Tourism had denied removing Khan as ‘Incredible India’ brand ambassador in a statement. In response to media reports citing that Khan would no longer be endorsing the campaign in light of the ‘intolerance’ controversy that broke out late last year, the Tourism Ministry clarified that “there is no change in the stand of the ministry in this matter.” 

     

    The Ministry further clarified that at present it had a contractual agreement with creative agency McCann Worldwide to produce social awareness campaign and it was the agency, which had an agreement with Khan.

     

    However, a senior bureaucrat Amitabh Kant, who was a key figure in implementing the campaign during his tenure with the Ministry of Tourism, earlier justified the government’s decision to remove the actor from the portfolio.

     

    At that time, Khan, on his part, had said, “Whether I am brand ambassador or not, India will remain Incredible, and that’s the way it should be.”

  • Priyanka Chopra partners nexGTV for digital series ‘It’s My City’

    Priyanka Chopra partners nexGTV for digital series ‘It’s My City’

    MUMBAI: Multi-faceted actor Priyanka Chopra, who made her international television debut with ABC’s espionage thriller Quantico, will soon make her online debut with a digital series called It’s My City.

     

    Chopra has joined hands with nexGTV, Fluence and Endemol-Shine India to create an original 14-part mobi-series about four girls on a journey of life, love and lunacy in the city of Mumbai.

     

    The bi-weekly mobi-series will premiere on nexGTv on 22 January, with new mobisodes every Tuesday and Friday.

     

    It may be recalled that Yash Raj Films had last year released a web series called Man’s World, which had cameos from multiple Bollywood stars like Parineeti Chopra, Kalki Koechlin and Richa Chadda amongst others. On the other hand, ErosNow had also unveiled ambitious plans to release original web series starring actors like Bipasha Basu, Chitrangda Singh, Radhika Apte, Anil Kapoor, Nana Patekar and Ayushmann Khurrana. While these digital series are as yet unreleased, Chopra’s It’s My City will be India’s first celebrity led mobi-series.

     

    It’s My City has been created by Fluence and produced in association with Chopra’s production company, Purple Pebble Pictures and Endemol-Shine India.

     

    Chopra said, “Digital is the new frontier of content and I’m diving right in! It’s a super exciting world in which I find myself equally fascinated with and immersed in completely. The thought behind It’s My City is progressive… to go where the young audience has moved towards… to connect with them in a style that they can identify with and for me personally, to engage with them in a whole new way. I’m excited to be embarking on this journey with such amazing partners – nexGTV who not only have created a robust platform for mobile entertainment but have also made a firm commitment to creating and delivering quality, original content. I’m thankful to Fluence and Endemol-Shine India for being such a formidable force and co-producers in our maiden digital venture. It’s time to just press ‘PLAY’!!!”

     

    nexGTV COO Abhesh Verma added, “As the first South Asian woman to win the hugely popular People’s Choice Award, Priyanka Chopra is today an undisputed beacon of strength and a role model for countless young women worldwide. As someone who has challenged and redefined the status quo numerous times over the years, she epitomises the young, Indian woman of today and is therefore the perfect match! In associating with Priyanka forIt’s My City mobi-series, we have attempted to channel her own experiences as a young woman wanting to create her own special identity in a city far from home.”

     

    Fluence’s Rishi Negi said, “Fluence is in the business of creating unique and differentiated digital experiences with India’s top talents. Priyanka Chopra is one such amazing and versatile actor who has mesmerised fans across the globe, she is also one of the most influential social media celebrities in India. Creating this series with Priyanka for nexGTv is another step towards our growing focus on digital content development. This collaboration will draw audience subscriptions and views for the show and the platform via social media by engaging Priyanka’s close to 35 million fans and followers in a new and highly compelling way.”

  • Priyanka Chopra partners nexGTV for digital series ‘It’s My City’

    Priyanka Chopra partners nexGTV for digital series ‘It’s My City’

    MUMBAI: Multi-faceted actor Priyanka Chopra, who made her international television debut with ABC’s espionage thriller Quantico, will soon make her online debut with a digital series called It’s My City.

     

    Chopra has joined hands with nexGTV, Fluence and Endemol-Shine India to create an original 14-part mobi-series about four girls on a journey of life, love and lunacy in the city of Mumbai.

     

    The bi-weekly mobi-series will premiere on nexGTv on 22 January, with new mobisodes every Tuesday and Friday.

     

    It may be recalled that Yash Raj Films had last year released a web series called Man’s World, which had cameos from multiple Bollywood stars like Parineeti Chopra, Kalki Koechlin and Richa Chadda amongst others. On the other hand, ErosNow had also unveiled ambitious plans to release original web series starring actors like Bipasha Basu, Chitrangda Singh, Radhika Apte, Anil Kapoor, Nana Patekar and Ayushmann Khurrana. While these digital series are as yet unreleased, Chopra’s It’s My City will be India’s first celebrity led mobi-series.

     

    It’s My City has been created by Fluence and produced in association with Chopra’s production company, Purple Pebble Pictures and Endemol-Shine India.

     

    Chopra said, “Digital is the new frontier of content and I’m diving right in! It’s a super exciting world in which I find myself equally fascinated with and immersed in completely. The thought behind It’s My City is progressive… to go where the young audience has moved towards… to connect with them in a style that they can identify with and for me personally, to engage with them in a whole new way. I’m excited to be embarking on this journey with such amazing partners – nexGTV who not only have created a robust platform for mobile entertainment but have also made a firm commitment to creating and delivering quality, original content. I’m thankful to Fluence and Endemol-Shine India for being such a formidable force and co-producers in our maiden digital venture. It’s time to just press ‘PLAY’!!!”

     

    nexGTV COO Abhesh Verma added, “As the first South Asian woman to win the hugely popular People’s Choice Award, Priyanka Chopra is today an undisputed beacon of strength and a role model for countless young women worldwide. As someone who has challenged and redefined the status quo numerous times over the years, she epitomises the young, Indian woman of today and is therefore the perfect match! In associating with Priyanka forIt’s My City mobi-series, we have attempted to channel her own experiences as a young woman wanting to create her own special identity in a city far from home.”

     

    Fluence’s Rishi Negi said, “Fluence is in the business of creating unique and differentiated digital experiences with India’s top talents. Priyanka Chopra is one such amazing and versatile actor who has mesmerised fans across the globe, she is also one of the most influential social media celebrities in India. Creating this series with Priyanka for nexGTv is another step towards our growing focus on digital content development. This collaboration will draw audience subscriptions and views for the show and the platform via social media by engaging Priyanka’s close to 35 million fans and followers in a new and highly compelling way.”