ITV

Tag: Raj Nayak

  • AAAI & TAC to award ‘Best Clients’: Goafest 2017

    AAAI & TAC to award ‘Best Clients’: Goafest 2017

    MUMBAI: Conceived and curated by the Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI) and The Advertising Club, the awards will recognise and honor Six Champions of Excellence at the Goafest 2017.

    “It is for the first time ever that the industry has an award dedicated to acknowledge and salute visionary advertisers who have taken the leap of faith and invested resources, ensuring that “Great ideas transform into Great advertising.”

    Speaking about instituting the new awards, The Advertising Club president Raj Nayak said, “We believe that this initiative will plug a very important white space in the process of celebrating excellence in advertising. The advertiser’s product or service is the raison d’etre for advertising and their role in inspiring good advertising is imperative and must be celebrated.”

    AAAI Nakul president Chopra added that “these awards celebrate clients who motivate and encourage their agencies to push the creative envelope and create winning campaigns. They also acknowledge clients who invest in meaningful relationships with their agencies.”

    “The presentation of this award at GoaFest makes our festival more complete and comprehensive. Now we have all the people playing an instrumental role in bringing alive the magic we call advertising, assembled and recognized in one place,” said Goafest chairman Ashish Bhasin.

    Nominations for the awards are invited from Agencies for Champions of Excellence, and will be judged by senior members of the Awards Governing Council of the Abby awards. The entry should mention the name of a senior member of the advertiser team who could be considered for this high honor. It should include a note of not more than 500 words explaining why the individual was deserving of this award. The entry should be signed by the NCD or CEO of the Agency and sent to the AAAI (Please mention email id) before 31 January 2017.

    Multiple entries are permitted. There is no entry fee.

  • TV storytelling needs same passion as films, says Sooraj Barjatya; to launch four shows in ’17

    TV storytelling needs same passion as films, says Sooraj Barjatya; to launch four shows in ’17

    MUMBAI: After a year, Rajshri Production is venturing again into television but this time not just with a single show. Rajshri plans to produce four shows in 2017 for Hindi general entertainment channels (GECs). Celebrating the courage and pride of a strong willed mother with which she empowers her daughter, Sooraj Barjatya recently launched its new offering with Colors, Ek Shringaar.. Swabhimaan.

    Speaking to Indiantelevision.com, Barjatya said, “I firmly believe that television needs the same passion as film-making. It is just that we all were busy with Prem Ratan Dhan Payo. So now, we are back to storytelling on television.”

    He further added, “This show on Colors is one of ours most progressive shows, in which we are trying to show the part of the society which all parents face. This is a story of a middle-class Indian mother, who wants to prove through her daughters, who are IIM and IIT toppers, that today’s girls can be chairmen of companies and also run their household with equal pride and prowess. It’s time we encouraged them.”

    The story of the finite show has been written by Sushil and Shilpa Choubey, the screenplay is by Nishikant and Pranjal and dialogues are Manu Sharma’s. The music has been directed by Udbhav and Dony while lyrics have been penned by Raghvendra Singh.

    Produced by Rajshri, the show will start from 19 December at 9.30pm time slot from Monday to Friday. The show is replacing Rashmi Sharma Telefilms’ Swaragini which was launched in March 2015.

    The show highlights a mother’s determination in not only providing the best education for her daughters, but also in finding a suitable match for them in a family that values upbringing over materialistic pleasures. A household that will allow her daughters’ careers to flourish rather than tie them down to domesticity. Swabhimaan traces the story of two sisters as they pledge to fulfill their mother’s dream of becoming self-reliant and society’s expectations of being married at an acceptable age.

    According to a source, the estimated per episode production cost of the show is in the range of Rs 9 -10 lakh. On the ad rates, Swabhimaan commands Rs 1 lakh for a 10-second slot, the source said.

    Speaking about this new offering, Colors CEO Raj Nayak said, “We, as a society, often do not give enough credit to the women for the value they add to our lives. Though now we have opened up about educating the girl child, but still, when it comes to marriage, we find people wanting to clip their wings and confine them to a measly role. Our latest offering attempts to change that mindset. The show highlights the importance of being self-reliant and at the same time uphold the tradition and values of our culture. With Sooraj Barjatya’s magical touch and a platform such as Colors, Ek Shringaar…Swabhimaan with its vibrant backdrop is sure to strike a chord with the viewers.”

    Further Colors programming head Manisha Sharma added, “The concept is unique simply because it questions the contrasting principles of our society. We are all about educating our daughters but how many households are actually open to letting their daughter-in-law’s pursue their careers? Here’s a strong willed mother who just has one request to the world – Allow my daughters to work. Don’t let their education go to waste. The show addresses this thought head-on by laying focus on values like self-respect and self-worth which have been inculcated through a mother’s upbringing. The show marks our first collaboration with Rajshri Productions whose penchant for beautiful storytelling and powerful narratives has gripped audience attention on television and in films; we look forward to a long and fruitful partnership.”

    “The show looks promising and the storyline is good but the critical question to get ratings, do they have what it takes? Ratings comes only with certain things or you cut across emotionally with the audience. That connections needs to be there and they might change the track halfway down the line when they realize that something is not working. Also, Colors has struggled a lot between 9- 10pm time slot. They are doing extremely well in 8-9pm and 10-11pm time band,” said a senior media planner on the condition of anonymity.

    On other Hindi GECs, Colors’ new show Swabhimaan at 9.30 pm slot will be pitted against &TV’s Badho Bahu which airs at 9.30 pm from Monday to Friday, Zee TV’s Ek Tha Raja Ek Thi Rani, Star Plus’ one of the longest running show Yeh Rishta Kya Khelta Hai, Life OK’s May I Come in Madam and Sab’s Trideviyaan. On the other hand, Sony Entertainment Television airs its one of its rated show Kuch Rang Pyaar ke Aise Bhi.

  • TV storytelling needs same passion as films, says Sooraj Barjatya; to launch four shows in ’17

    TV storytelling needs same passion as films, says Sooraj Barjatya; to launch four shows in ’17

    MUMBAI: After a year, Rajshri Production is venturing again into television but this time not just with a single show. Rajshri plans to produce four shows in 2017 for Hindi general entertainment channels (GECs). Celebrating the courage and pride of a strong willed mother with which she empowers her daughter, Sooraj Barjatya recently launched its new offering with Colors, Ek Shringaar.. Swabhimaan.

    Speaking to Indiantelevision.com, Barjatya said, “I firmly believe that television needs the same passion as film-making. It is just that we all were busy with Prem Ratan Dhan Payo. So now, we are back to storytelling on television.”

    He further added, “This show on Colors is one of ours most progressive shows, in which we are trying to show the part of the society which all parents face. This is a story of a middle-class Indian mother, who wants to prove through her daughters, who are IIM and IIT toppers, that today’s girls can be chairmen of companies and also run their household with equal pride and prowess. It’s time we encouraged them.”

    The story of the finite show has been written by Sushil and Shilpa Choubey, the screenplay is by Nishikant and Pranjal and dialogues are Manu Sharma’s. The music has been directed by Udbhav and Dony while lyrics have been penned by Raghvendra Singh.

    Produced by Rajshri, the show will start from 19 December at 9.30pm time slot from Monday to Friday. The show is replacing Rashmi Sharma Telefilms’ Swaragini which was launched in March 2015.

    The show highlights a mother’s determination in not only providing the best education for her daughters, but also in finding a suitable match for them in a family that values upbringing over materialistic pleasures. A household that will allow her daughters’ careers to flourish rather than tie them down to domesticity. Swabhimaan traces the story of two sisters as they pledge to fulfill their mother’s dream of becoming self-reliant and society’s expectations of being married at an acceptable age.

    According to a source, the estimated per episode production cost of the show is in the range of Rs 9 -10 lakh. On the ad rates, Swabhimaan commands Rs 1 lakh for a 10-second slot, the source said.

    Speaking about this new offering, Colors CEO Raj Nayak said, “We, as a society, often do not give enough credit to the women for the value they add to our lives. Though now we have opened up about educating the girl child, but still, when it comes to marriage, we find people wanting to clip their wings and confine them to a measly role. Our latest offering attempts to change that mindset. The show highlights the importance of being self-reliant and at the same time uphold the tradition and values of our culture. With Sooraj Barjatya’s magical touch and a platform such as Colors, Ek Shringaar…Swabhimaan with its vibrant backdrop is sure to strike a chord with the viewers.”

    Further Colors programming head Manisha Sharma added, “The concept is unique simply because it questions the contrasting principles of our society. We are all about educating our daughters but how many households are actually open to letting their daughter-in-law’s pursue their careers? Here’s a strong willed mother who just has one request to the world – Allow my daughters to work. Don’t let their education go to waste. The show addresses this thought head-on by laying focus on values like self-respect and self-worth which have been inculcated through a mother’s upbringing. The show marks our first collaboration with Rajshri Productions whose penchant for beautiful storytelling and powerful narratives has gripped audience attention on television and in films; we look forward to a long and fruitful partnership.”

    “The show looks promising and the storyline is good but the critical question to get ratings, do they have what it takes? Ratings comes only with certain things or you cut across emotionally with the audience. That connections needs to be there and they might change the track halfway down the line when they realize that something is not working. Also, Colors has struggled a lot between 9- 10pm time slot. They are doing extremely well in 8-9pm and 10-11pm time band,” said a senior media planner on the condition of anonymity.

    On other Hindi GECs, Colors’ new show Swabhimaan at 9.30 pm slot will be pitted against &TV’s Badho Bahu which airs at 9.30 pm from Monday to Friday, Zee TV’s Ek Tha Raja Ek Thi Rani, Star Plus’ one of the longest running show Yeh Rishta Kya Khelta Hai, Life OK’s May I Come in Madam and Sab’s Trideviyaan. On the other hand, Sony Entertainment Television airs its one of its rated show Kuch Rang Pyaar ke Aise Bhi.

  • TV industry may lose Rs 500-600 cr due to demonetisation

    TV industry may lose Rs 500-600 cr due to demonetisation

    MUMBAI: The government’s move to not accept Rs 500 and Rs 1000 currency notes as legal tender may affect the TV industry in a big way. 

    A recent media report has estimated that the Indian television industry is to suffer a loss of Rs 500 to Rs 600 crore in advertising revenue as fallout of PM Modi’s decision to demonetise close to 86 per cent of liquid cash in the economy.

    This is because several advertisers are postponing their campaigns scheduled to air in November and December due to a slowdown in consumer spending, a media buyer informed livemint.com. 

    As Colors TV CEO Raj Nayak puts it, “There is disruption in off-take of consumer goods & FMCG (fast moving consumer goods) products.”  According to a press statement shared by Nayak, the situation is also affecting new businesses as most advertisers are “clueless as to how the market will evolve and respond.”

    Dentsu Aegis Network South Asia chairman and CEO Ashish Bhasin feels that the reason for the cut back on the marketing spends could be the impact on sales that the demonetisation has had on the FMCG products.

    Typically, the October-December quarter is the most active quarter accounting for almost 30 to 40 percent of annual billing in terms of advertising spends. With how things are, that is unlikely to be the case this year, a worried Bhasin said.

    ALSO READ:   Demonetisation: Housing, online payment gung-ho; others find solace in India’s larger interest
     

  • TV industry may lose Rs 500-600 cr due to demonetisation

    TV industry may lose Rs 500-600 cr due to demonetisation

    MUMBAI: The government’s move to not accept Rs 500 and Rs 1000 currency notes as legal tender may affect the TV industry in a big way. 

    A recent media report has estimated that the Indian television industry is to suffer a loss of Rs 500 to Rs 600 crore in advertising revenue as fallout of PM Modi’s decision to demonetise close to 86 per cent of liquid cash in the economy.

    This is because several advertisers are postponing their campaigns scheduled to air in November and December due to a slowdown in consumer spending, a media buyer informed livemint.com. 

    As Colors TV CEO Raj Nayak puts it, “There is disruption in off-take of consumer goods & FMCG (fast moving consumer goods) products.”  According to a press statement shared by Nayak, the situation is also affecting new businesses as most advertisers are “clueless as to how the market will evolve and respond.”

    Dentsu Aegis Network South Asia chairman and CEO Ashish Bhasin feels that the reason for the cut back on the marketing spends could be the impact on sales that the demonetisation has had on the FMCG products.

    Typically, the October-December quarter is the most active quarter accounting for almost 30 to 40 percent of annual billing in terms of advertising spends. With how things are, that is unlikely to be the case this year, a worried Bhasin said.

    ALSO READ:   Demonetisation: Housing, online payment gung-ho; others find solace in India’s larger interest
     

  • Colors campaign inspires men to take over Sunday chores

    Colors campaign inspires men to take over Sunday chores

    MUMBAI: Colors has launched a new movement called #SundayIsHerHoliday. The campaign — one Sunday at a time — is inviting every man (and woman) to participate. The goal of the campaign is to inspire and help men take over the Sunday chores of women, so she can get her much needed time off.

    The next step aims at enabling action by offering tips to men and handholding them through some Sunday chores. The final step will be celebration by showcasing what actually happens when women get 24 hours from their own time, every week, off.

    “You might ask why Colors is doing this? We believe that entertainment should, where it can, nudge society forward, in big ways or small. This campaign is an embodiment of that belief. Gender equality is a man’s issue too, and as COLORS, we have always believed in doing our bit in bringing about change in mindsets,” said Viacom18 Hindi Mass Entertainment CEO Raj Nayak.

    While he believes that the network giant can do its bit in giving a little nudge to our men-folk to lend a hand and make a difference, Publicis South Asia CCO Bobby Pawar believes that #SundayIsHerHoliday is an honest attempt at giving women her due. He added, “The insight was simple. All women are working women. Most of them just end up working twice as much, at the office and at home. The realisation that it was unfair that they, unlike most other working people, don’t get a day off, struck us and gave birth to #SundayIsHerHoliday. As Publicis I can say that we are proud to have Raj,COLORSand the entire Viacom18 network on our side to ensure that the message reaches out to a large audience which brings about a genuine difference.”

    A growing number of men are taking on the responsibility of caring for children and taking up household chores as their partner works. But a lot still needs to be done in breaking down traditional gender stereotypes.

    Creative team: Roshni Kavina, Srijan Shukla, Siddharth Joglekar, Abhishek Sawant, Ajinkya Bane.

    Digtal Lead: Sreeraman Thaigarajan

    Production House: Offroad Films

    Director: Abhijit Sudhakar

    Producer: Khalil Bachooali

    Lyrics: Manoj Tapadia

    Colors Team:

    Head, Creative, Marketing and Digital: Sapangeet Rajwant

    Marketing Leads: Tony Pratap, Vishal Desai

    Digital Lead: Saloni Thakker

  • Colors campaign inspires men to take over Sunday chores

    Colors campaign inspires men to take over Sunday chores

    MUMBAI: Colors has launched a new movement called #SundayIsHerHoliday. The campaign — one Sunday at a time — is inviting every man (and woman) to participate. The goal of the campaign is to inspire and help men take over the Sunday chores of women, so she can get her much needed time off.

    The next step aims at enabling action by offering tips to men and handholding them through some Sunday chores. The final step will be celebration by showcasing what actually happens when women get 24 hours from their own time, every week, off.

    “You might ask why Colors is doing this? We believe that entertainment should, where it can, nudge society forward, in big ways or small. This campaign is an embodiment of that belief. Gender equality is a man’s issue too, and as COLORS, we have always believed in doing our bit in bringing about change in mindsets,” said Viacom18 Hindi Mass Entertainment CEO Raj Nayak.

    While he believes that the network giant can do its bit in giving a little nudge to our men-folk to lend a hand and make a difference, Publicis South Asia CCO Bobby Pawar believes that #SundayIsHerHoliday is an honest attempt at giving women her due. He added, “The insight was simple. All women are working women. Most of them just end up working twice as much, at the office and at home. The realisation that it was unfair that they, unlike most other working people, don’t get a day off, struck us and gave birth to #SundayIsHerHoliday. As Publicis I can say that we are proud to have Raj,COLORSand the entire Viacom18 network on our side to ensure that the message reaches out to a large audience which brings about a genuine difference.”

    A growing number of men are taking on the responsibility of caring for children and taking up household chores as their partner works. But a lot still needs to be done in breaking down traditional gender stereotypes.

    Creative team: Roshni Kavina, Srijan Shukla, Siddharth Joglekar, Abhishek Sawant, Ajinkya Bane.

    Digtal Lead: Sreeraman Thaigarajan

    Production House: Offroad Films

    Director: Abhijit Sudhakar

    Producer: Khalil Bachooali

    Lyrics: Manoj Tapadia

    Colors Team:

    Head, Creative, Marketing and Digital: Sapangeet Rajwant

    Marketing Leads: Tony Pratap, Vishal Desai

    Digital Lead: Saloni Thakker

  • Colors to actively engage viewers through Israeli singing show ‘Rising Star’ in early 2017

    Colors to actively engage viewers through Israeli singing show ‘Rising Star’ in early 2017

    MUMBAI: Colors launched its first singing reality show Sur Kshetra in 2012, a musical battle between teams of two neighbouring countries Pakistan and India. The show was indeed one of its kind.

    Staying true to its brand value of being at the forefront of innovation and disruptive programming, Colors has joined hands with the world-renowned production and distribution giant Keshet International to bring the Israeli singing reality show Rising Star to India.

    The show is one of the world’s most celebrated singing-based reality shows with live viewer engagement at its core. Rising Star is slated for an early 2017 launch on Colors, and will be produced by Optimystix Entertainment.

    Originally created and produced by Tedy Productions and Keshet Broadcasting, has, since its inception in 2013, enthralled the global audience with the most vivid talent. With more than 250 episodes globally to its credit, the format has been aired across more than 16 countries including Israel, the U.S, Brazil, Portugal, Argentina, China, Cambodia and Indonesia amongst others.

    Commenting on this landmark acquisition, Colors CEO Raj Nayak said, “For the first time, here is a reality show that will not only be Live but will also give the viewers sitting at home an opportunity to engage with the progress and build-up of the show. What is beautiful about the format is that it’s instant & Live. We are delighted to be collaborating with Keshet International to bring Rising Star to India. Our Channel boasts of having one of the biggest consumer engagement platforms in the country and one can assert that a format like Rising Star couldn’t have found a better stage than ours. The show’s USP is that it’s not only high on entertainment quotient but also has the ability to connect and communicate with the viewers directly.”

    With Digital India being the new order of the day, Rising Star is a first-of-its-kind futuristic interactive engagement-led format which puts the power of determining a contestant’s fate in the hands of the viewers. Through its app-based mass talent-led format, the show will welcome budding singers from across the country, bringing them together on a common platform.

    Keshet International head of Asia Gary Pudney said, “We are beyond excited about bringing Rising Star to the Indian audience. India is embracing technology more ferociously than ever before and, in partnership with our brilliant partners at Colors, we will be delivering prime time entertainment that satisfies viewers’ hunger to become more active and engaged viewers of high end content.”

    Apart from Rising Star, the recent adaptations of KIA formats include “Prisoners of War” India which will be aired on Star India’s Hindi general entertainment channel (GECs) Star Plus.

  • Colors to actively engage viewers through Israeli singing show ‘Rising Star’ in early 2017

    Colors to actively engage viewers through Israeli singing show ‘Rising Star’ in early 2017

    MUMBAI: Colors launched its first singing reality show Sur Kshetra in 2012, a musical battle between teams of two neighbouring countries Pakistan and India. The show was indeed one of its kind.

    Staying true to its brand value of being at the forefront of innovation and disruptive programming, Colors has joined hands with the world-renowned production and distribution giant Keshet International to bring the Israeli singing reality show Rising Star to India.

    The show is one of the world’s most celebrated singing-based reality shows with live viewer engagement at its core. Rising Star is slated for an early 2017 launch on Colors, and will be produced by Optimystix Entertainment.

    Originally created and produced by Tedy Productions and Keshet Broadcasting, has, since its inception in 2013, enthralled the global audience with the most vivid talent. With more than 250 episodes globally to its credit, the format has been aired across more than 16 countries including Israel, the U.S, Brazil, Portugal, Argentina, China, Cambodia and Indonesia amongst others.

    Commenting on this landmark acquisition, Colors CEO Raj Nayak said, “For the first time, here is a reality show that will not only be Live but will also give the viewers sitting at home an opportunity to engage with the progress and build-up of the show. What is beautiful about the format is that it’s instant & Live. We are delighted to be collaborating with Keshet International to bring Rising Star to India. Our Channel boasts of having one of the biggest consumer engagement platforms in the country and one can assert that a format like Rising Star couldn’t have found a better stage than ours. The show’s USP is that it’s not only high on entertainment quotient but also has the ability to connect and communicate with the viewers directly.”

    With Digital India being the new order of the day, Rising Star is a first-of-its-kind futuristic interactive engagement-led format which puts the power of determining a contestant’s fate in the hands of the viewers. Through its app-based mass talent-led format, the show will welcome budding singers from across the country, bringing them together on a common platform.

    Keshet International head of Asia Gary Pudney said, “We are beyond excited about bringing Rising Star to the Indian audience. India is embracing technology more ferociously than ever before and, in partnership with our brilliant partners at Colors, we will be delivering prime time entertainment that satisfies viewers’ hunger to become more active and engaged viewers of high end content.”

    Apart from Rising Star, the recent adaptations of KIA formats include “Prisoners of War” India which will be aired on Star India’s Hindi general entertainment channel (GECs) Star Plus.

  • Top brands sponsor aam aadmi Bigg Boss’s ‘kahani mein twist’

    Top brands sponsor aam aadmi Bigg Boss’s ‘kahani mein twist’

    MUMBAI: Reputed brands booked their aam aadmi’s Bigg Boss slots well in advance. parle agro appy fizz, Oppo, Maruti Suzuki Swift, UC Browser, Clean and Dry, and Garnier Men Face Wash have hopped on to the bandwagon.

    Till season nine, the audience watched their loved celebrities crying, fighting and dancing in Bigg Boss’s house. One of the most controversial and loved reality shows is all set to hit the television screens from 16 October. The show will be aired at 10.30 Monday to Friday, and on Saturday and Sunday at 9pm.

    For the first time, Bigg Boss has opened doors to the common man. The all-seeing all-knowing authoritarian figure of Bigg Boss who monitors the house mates’ every move, this time is all set to amuse and entertain people from two very different universes.

    On one hand you have the very unassuming ‘common man’, on the other hand, the heady ‘celebrity’ brigade all set to experience 100-plus days under one roof. Superstar Salman Khan will return to manoeuvre this unpredictable and tumultuous journey.

    About the launch, Colors CEO Raj Nayak said, “The common man rules the world. Their choices decide the fate of the nations. Their decisions influence the fate of our shows. It’s time we welcomed them on their favourite show and gave them an experience of a lifetime. Bigg Boss this season will be a like a brand new game altogether. We will see two strikingly contrasting worlds come side by side. While the celebrities will be image conscious, the common man contestants will be uninhibited in their approach. We are excited to tap these unharnessed energies to see what unearths. The meticulous auditions threw up a gamut of people from different walks of life. From a World Bank executive to a stand-up comedian who is also an LGBT activist, from a bus conductor to a security guard, from a self-made millionaire, to people from the UK, the US, Canada, the UAE and the neighbouring countries. After multiple rounds of auditions, we have zeroed in on some unique common man contestants who, when locked away with the choicest celebrities, will raise the bar on entertainment under the watchful eye of our superstar host, Salman Khan.”

    The channels has roped in parle agro appy fizz as presenting sponsor and Oppo Camera phone as ‘powered by’ sponsor, for Bigg Boss. Colors has also roped in Maruti Suzuki Swift as driven by sponsor, UC Browser as trending partner, and Clean and Dry and Garnier Men Face Wash as associate sponsors. The channel has also roped in CP Plus and Ossum Perfumed Body Mist as associate sponsors for its HD Feed.

    Nayak further added, “Amongst the many firsts, this is also the first time when we have sold-out all our sponsorship slots well in advance.”

    Parle Agro joint managing director and CMO Nadia Chauhan said, “parle agro appy fizz is known for its bold, edgy and confident attitude. Bigg Boss echoes this brand persona and its immense popularity amongst the youth coupled with its unique format allowing innovative integration, makes it a perfect platform for strengthening the connect between parle agro appy fizz and its target audience.”

    Oppo India brand director Will Yang said, “Television is one of the most important platforms for Oppo in India to connect with the audience as it has a wide reach amongst the Indian consumers, not just the metro but also expanding to tier 2 and tier 3 cities.”

    Back for the seventh season in a row, superstar host Salman Khan said, “This is my seventh season as host of Bigg Boss. Each season is exceptional in its own way. But, with known faces, you know or at least think you know what to expect. Each time the show has surprises galore. But this time, there is a ‘kahani mein twist’. The presence of the common man promises a most uncommon season. So expect the unexpected.”

    Revealing some intricate details about Bigg Boss, Colors programming head Manisha Sharma said, “We have conducted auditions in every nook and cranny of the country for this edition of Bigg Boss. Be it entries online, in-person or through mail, we have given the common man every opportunity to make their mark on the show. And the response has been phenomenal! After months of deliberation, we have our final roster of contestants who will become the next entertainment sensations. With no preconceived notions and qualms, the common man contestants will remain uninhibited in their approach, thereby challenging the sensibilities of celebrity contestants whose conduct might be more controlled. So anticipate twists with every turn in this edition of Bigg Boss.”

    As the chosen formidable common man contestants prepare to create history as they step foot inside the Bigg Boss house to nudge and coax the celebrities, the next 100+ days of their lives will be peppered with unadulterated and uninhibited entertainment.

    Commenting on the format of the show, Endemol Shine India managing director and CEO Deepak Dhar said, “Bigg Boss this season is going to be explosive by all means! A set of common people who so far have just been viewers of the show are about to experience a life dictated by Bigg Boss for over three months and will emerge as stars by the end of it all. We have gone above and beyond everything that we have explored over the past seasons to make tweaks in the format such that both – the common man contestants and celebrities have a truly unpredictable journey. The varied contestant mix will add value to the franchise and amplify the entertainment avenues unlike ever before.”

    To promote Bigg Boss across various platforms including OOH, radio integrations including a special tie-up with Radio Mirchi in Gujarat for Navratri, association with Durga Puja pandals, and vada pav and tea stalls in Mumbai, an initiative to revamp the Bigg Boss Whopper at Burger King outlets, and unique Bigg Boss branded cab roadshows in New Delhi and Mumbai.

    On the digital front, Colors has collaborated with popular stand-up comedian and co-founder of SnG Comedy, Varun Thakur to create videos that build intrigue and drive conversations around Bigg Boss. Through his specially curated avatar ‘Vicky’, he will be seen giving tips to the general public on how to make it big inside the Bigg Boss house.