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Tag: Sajid Nadiadwala

  • Sajid Nadiadwala passes the baton after 13 years at Indian film producers’ association’s helm

    Sajid Nadiadwala passes the baton after 13 years at Indian film producers’ association’s helm

    MUMBAI: After 13 years steering India’s film and television producers’ council, Sajid Nadiadwala has stepped aside. His successor? Ratan Jain, a three-decade veteran of Bollywood who previously ran the organisation from 2010 to 2012.

    The handover came at the Indian Film & TV Producers Council’s 34th annual general meeting yesterday. Nadiadwala, in his farewell address, spoke of the need for fresh leadership and proposed Jain as his replacement—a nomination the members backed unanimously.

    The outgoing president received the usual tributes: a bouquet from NR Pachisia and a memento from Jamnadas Majethia. Members applauded his tenure, though the council offered few specifics about his achievements.

    Jain brings serious credentials. As head of Venus Group, he has produced box-office successes including Khiladi, Baazigar, Dhadkan, Humraaz and Garam Masala. His return marks a homecoming of sorts after his earlier stint at the top.

    The newly elected board for 2025-26 includes Majethia as chairman (TV & web), alongside directors NR Pachisia, Madhu Mantenna, Kumar Mangat Pathak, Rajat Rawail, Shyamashis Bhattacharya, Nitin Vaidya and Abhimanyu Singh. Ramesh Taurani will serve as honorary adviser.

    The council now awaits Jain’s vision for an industry navigating streaming disruption and changing audience habits.

  • Sajid Nadiadwala re-elected as IFTPC president

    Sajid Nadiadwala re-elected as IFTPC president

    Mumbai: The Indian Film & TV Producers Council (IFTPC), the leading organisation representing producers in the Indian film, television, and digital media sectors, held its 33rd Annual General Meeting (AGM) on 10 September 2024 at the IFTPC Studio under the leadership of Sajid Nadiadwala, who was re-elected as president. In his address, Nadiadwala detailed the Council’s achievements and progress over the past year. He observed that “the central government as well as the State CM are receptive to the Film Industry,” and expressed hope that the recent box-office successes of certain films will help reinvigorate the industry, highlighting his satisfaction with the success of content-driven films that do not rely on star power.

    JD Majethia, re-elected as TV and Web Wing chairman, recalled the recent farewell event for Sony Network CEO and MD N.P. Singh noted that Singh was “surprised at the pleasant and warm farewell given to him.” Majethia assured that the IFTPC will continue to honour many more distinguished figures from the industry in the future and expressed his optimism that “within 2-3 years, the Indian TV and Web will definitely reach the pinnacle of glory.”

    The reconstituted board of directors for 2023-24 includes Sajid Nadiadwala as president, JD Majethia as chairman of the TV/Web Wing, along with Ratan Jain, NR Pachisia, Madhu Mantena, Shyamashish Bhattacharya, Kumar Mangat, Rajat Rawail, Nitin Vaidya, and Abhimanyu Singh. Ramesh Taurani has once again been requested to continue serving as an honorary advisor.

  • Nadiadwala Grandson & Banijay Asia team up for series and films

    Nadiadwala Grandson & Banijay Asia team up for series and films

    Mumbai: In a major development for the Indian entertainment industry, Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment (NGE), led by the visionary filmmaker Sajid Nadiadwala, and Banijay Asia (part of Banijay Entertainment), the production powerhouse led by Deepak Dhar, have created a strategic collaboration to create original series and films as well as adaptations of popular international hits, to usher in a new era of premium content for Indian audiences.

    Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment founder Sajid Nadiadwala expressed his excitement saying, “At NGE, we have` always strived to deliver top-notch entertainment to the Indian audiences and partnering with Banijay Asia to create cutting edge content across genres and formats is a thrilling venture for us. Our vision has always been to push the boundaries of entertainment, and this partnership is a significant step towards achieving that goal. This is just the beginning of a long and fruitful partnership with Banijay Asia, and we look forward to this creative synergy”.”

    Banijay Asia & EndemolShine India founder & Group CEO Deepak Dhar commented: “We are excited to partner with Sajid Nadiadwala, a visionary whose contributions to Indian cinema are unparalleled. He has given audiences hit franchises like Housefull, Baaghi, and Kick, as well as content-driven films like Chhichhore and Super 30. His dedication to filmmaking and his ability to connect with the Indian & global audiences makes this partnership an interesting one. This collaboration further reinforces our commitment to produce high-quality content that resonates with audiences across the globe. With Sajid’s creative vision and our expertise in content creation, we are poised to set new benchmarks in the world of entertainment”.”

    Banijay Asia & EndemolShine India group chief development officer Mrinalini Jain said, “Partnering with Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment offers a unique opportunity to blend our strengths in content development with Sajid Nadiadwala’s cinematic vision. His unparalleled expertise and creative vision are invaluable assets in this collaboration which represents a shared commitment to creativity, innovation, and storytelling excellence. Together, we aim to push the boundaries of entertainment by delivering compelling originals and adaptations that captivate audiences in India and worldwide”.” 

  • Prime Video announces the global premiere of ‘Chandu Champion

    Prime Video announces the global premiere of ‘Chandu Champion

    Mumbai: Prime Video, an entertainment destination, announced the global streaming premiere of the biographical sports drama, Chandu Champion. Directed by Kabir Khan, Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment and Kabir Khan Films produced the critically acclaimed film. Chandu Champion features a powerhouse performance by Kartik Aaryan as Murlikant Petkar, India’s first Paralympics gold medalist, along with Vijay Raaz, Bhuvan Arora, Yashpal Sharma, Rajpal Yadav, Aniruddh Dave, and Shreyas Talpade in key roles. The film is available to stream in India and over 240 countries and territories worldwide, starting today, August 9. Chandu Champion marks the latest addition to the Prime membership. Prime members in India enjoy savings, convenience, and entertainment, all in a single membership for just Rs 1499/year.

    Chandu Champion chronicles the extraordinary true story of Murlikant Petkar, who served as a soldier in the 1965 Indo-Pak War and sustained injuries that left him physically impaired. But in the face of formidable challenges, Petkar became a champion sportsman across several disciplines, winning India’s first Paralympic gold medal in 1972. Through his inspiring journey, the film highlights themes of perseverance, resilience, and the indomitable human spirit, making it a compelling watch for audiences worldwide.

    “Chandu Champion has won hearts with its powerful storytelling and Kartik Aaryan’s remarkable performance,” said Prime Video India director of Content Licensing Manish Menghani. “We are excited to bring this inspiring film to our service, showcasing Murlikant Petkar’s incredible journey. At Prime Video, we aim to offer impactful and entertaining stories, and Chandu Champion is a perfect addition to our repertoire of films. We believe it will resonate with audiences globally, inspiring and entertaining them alike.”

    “Certain stories must be shared with the world and Chandu Champion is one such story, crafted with sheer dedication and passion. I feel incredibly fortunate to bring this inspiring tale to life along with this fabulous team “said producer Sajid Nadiadwala. “Kabir and the entire team have tirelessly worked towards excellence. Our association with Prime Video previously has been fantastic and we are confident that upon its release today on the service, it will make a significant impact on audiences globally.”

    “From concept to final edits, this film has been a labour of love. Sometimes stories choose us, and I’m fortunate this one did. It’s a compelling underdog story of a man who refused to give up. We wanted to celebrate him and reach as many people as possible. With Prime Video’s expansive reach, we’re excited to share Chandu Champion with audiences worldwide,” shared director Kabir Khan.

    Actor Kartik Aaryan shared “Playing Murlikant Petkar has been an absolute honour and a transformative journey for me. It took me one and a half years of intense preparation to truly get into his skin. I had to completely cut out sugar and follow a strict diet during this period. His incredibly inspiring story resonated deeply with me, and I will forever be grateful to Kabir sir and Sajid sir for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. This has been the most challenging film of my career, featuring an eight-minute one-take war sequence, wrestling, swimming, and much more. I’m humbled and overwhelmed by the phenomenal response so far – with people calling it my career’s best performance and the best film – that truly makes this film very special for me. Now I’m thrilled for Prime Video audiences to experience the power and heart of Chandu Champion. I hope viewers worldwide draw inspiration from his unshakeable spirit,”

     

     

     

     

  • NueGo partners with “Chandu Champion”

    NueGo partners with “Chandu Champion”

    Mumbai: GreenCell Mobility’s NueGo, India’s top electric intercity bus brand, is excited to announce its partnership with the eagerly awaited Bollywood movie “Chandu Champion”, featuring the talented Kartik Aaryan. Directed by Kabir Khan and produced by Sajid Nadiadwala under Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment and Kabir Khan Films, “Chandu Champion” promises an inspiring narrative. Kartik Aaryan as Murlikant Petkar, this is an unbelievable tale of a man who faced one adversary after another with an undying spirit. His unwavering zeal and never-give-up attitude led to create history. This is the story of Chandu Champion! This collaboration highlights NueGo’s dedication to sustainability and inclusivity, echoing both production houses’s commitment to eco-responsibility.

    To celebrate this partnership, NueGo is offering an exclusive 10% discount on all routes. One can avail this offer by simply using the code “CHAMPION” when booking through the NueGo app and website (www.nuego.in). This limited-time offer, valid until 30 June 2024, provides eco-conscious travellers with a fantastic opportunity to enjoy eco-friendly intercity travel at a discounted rate.

    GreenCell Mobility CEO & MD Devndra Chawla said, “Our partnership with “Chandu Champion” is special, merging our sustainable travel efforts with an inspiring tale of overcoming challenges. NueGo also believes in pushing limits and making a difference. Our electric buses transform travel by promoting inclusivity and environmental care. We champion the idea of never giving up and envisioning a future where every trip embodies progress and hope. Join us in our mission for a greener, better future.”

    NueGo’s extensive reach spans over 100 cities nationwide, offering a travel experience prioritising safety and sustainability. With a seamless booking process and premium amenities, NueGo ensures passengers not only reach their destination but also enjoy peace of mind throughout their journey. As a symbol of modern travel, NueGo stands out, providing a beacon of reliability and comfort to travellers across the country.

  • Indian Film & TV Producers Council re-elects Sajid Nadiadwala as its president

    Indian Film & TV Producers Council re-elects Sajid Nadiadwala as its president

    Mumbai: Indian Film & TV Producers Council (IFTPC) has once again re-elected Sajid Nadiadwala as president at the 31st annual general meeting (AGM). This is the 11th year in a row that Nadiadwala has been president. Jamnadas Majethia was also elected again as chairman of the TV and web wing of the IFTPC.

    The AGM saw the induction of two new directors and the new board composition as follows: Ratan Jain, NR Pachisia, Madhu Matena, Shyam Bajaj, Kumar Mangat Pathak, Rajat Rawail, Shyamashis Bhattacharya, Dinesh Vijan, Nitin Vaidya, Abhimanyu Singh, and Ramesh Taurani.

    Nadiadwala expressed satisfaction that the pandemic has ebbed and that box office business is once again flourishing. He added that he would soon lead a delegation to the Maharashtra chief minister Eknath Shinde to discuss concerns pertaining to the sector.

    Jamnadas agreed with Nadiadwala and stated that while the TV business is developing well, there are some difficulties related to the film city that need to be addressed. He expressed hope that the meeting with the CM will help to address these concerns.

    He lamented the need to lower the extremely high electricity prices. He added that the contractual agreement with art directors is cause for serious concern because some art directors fail to pay their employees’ salaries on time, which causes unease and tension among the employees.

    The meeting paid tribute to all the departed souls during the year including Lata Mangeshkar and IFTPC former director Vijay Galani.

  • Amazon Prime Video signs multi-year licensing agreement with Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment

    Amazon Prime Video signs multi-year licensing agreement with Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment

    Mumbai: Amazon Prime Video on Monday announced a worldwide-exclusive, multi-film licensing collaboration with Sajid Nadiadwala’s Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment (NGE). This collaboration will bring the biggest and best of Bollywood movies to audiences across the length and breadth of the country and to fans in over 240+ countries and territories.

    As part of the association, the streaming service will be the worldwide home to NGE’s upcoming slate of movies, soon after their theatrical launch. NGE’s movie slate includes many much-anticipated titles such as “Bawaal”, “Sanki”, “Baaghi 4”, Kartik Aaryan’s untitled project, among others and promises to bring Sajid Nadiadwala’s trade-mark larger-than-life, immersive cinema to viewers across the globe, on a screen of their choice.

    The films, post their theatrical release, will be available on Amazon Prime Video for all Prime members. Additionally, the films will also be available ‘to-rent’ on Amazon Prime Video for all Amazon customers (Prime or otherwise) in the ‘Early Access Rental’ window.

    These films will feature some of Bollywood’s most popular, as well as, versatile talent, including Varun Dhawan, Tiger Shroff, Kartik Aaryan, Ahan Shetty and many more. The slate also brings together some of the most respected, powerhouse national award-winning directors including Nitesh Tiwari (“Chhichhore”), Ravi Udyawar (“Mom”), Sameer Vidwans (“Anandi Gopal”), Saket Chaudhry (“Hindi Medium”) and many more.

    Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment managing director, producer & director Sajid Nadiadwala said, “We have been entertaining the audience for the last 70 years with our movies, contributing to the Indian culture and today it’s a new era in entertainment with OTT becoming such an integral part of our lives. Amazon Prime Video has been instrumental in breaking all barriers in entertainment – geographical, linguistic, or otherwise. In Prime Video, we believe we have found a partner that not only shares our vision of offering immersive cinematic experiences but also provides global distribution to the best stories from the Indian entertainment ecosystem. This collaboration marks NGE’s first-ever, worldwide exclusive, multi-film, multi-year deal with Prime Video – we are confident that this partnership of inclusive cinema will enable our upcoming titles to travel beyond geographies and add further value to Prime Video’s stellar content selection. As the world of storytelling evolves across genres, I believe this association will pave the way for more collaborations between the two brands to follow.”

    Amazon Prime Video India director of content licensing, Manish Menghani said, “We are excited to venture into this milestone collaboration with Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment, which is known to create films that connect instantly with audiences. By inking this partnership, we will bring some of the most entertaining narratives and stories soon after their theatrical releases exclusively to our viewers’ screens worldwide.”

    He added, “At Amazon, we start with the customer and work backwards and this collaboration is another step towards fulfilling that promise. Prime Video has played a key role in significantly enhancing the audience base for Indian films, across languages, both within the country and internationally. I am certain that this slate of much-anticipated movies will prove to be an absolute delight for our consumers.”

    The titles will join the thousands of Indian and international TV shows and movies in the Amazon Prime Video catalogue. These include Indian-produced Amazon Original series The Family Man, Mirzapur Season 1 & 2, Comicstaan Semma Comedy Pa, Breathe: Into The Shadows, Bandish Bandits, Paatal Lok, The Forgotten Army – Azaadi Ke Liye, Sons of the Soil: Jaipur Pink Panthers, Four More Shots Please, The Family Man – New season, Made In Heaven and Inside Edge season 1 and season 2.

    Indian movies such as “Sherni”, “Coolie No. 1”, “Hello Charlie”, “Gulabo Sitabo”, “Durgamati”, “Chhalaang”, “Shakuntala Devi”, “Toofaan”, “Ponmagal Vandhal”, “French Biriyani”, “Law”, “Sufiyum Sujatayum”, “Penguin”, “Nishabdham”, “Maara”, “V”, “CU Soon”, “Soorarai Pottru”, “Bheema Sena Nala Maharaja”, “Drishyam 2”, “Halal Love Story”, “Middle Class Melodies”, “Putham Pudhu Kaalai”, “Unpaused” among others and the award-winning and critically acclaimed global Amazon Originals like The “Tomorrow War”, “Borat Subsequent Moviefilm”, “Coming 2 America”, “Without Remorse”, “Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan”, “The Boys”, “Hunters”, “Fleabag”, and “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”.

    All this is available at no extra cost for Amazon Prime members. The service includes titles in Hindi, Marathi, Gujarati, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Punjabi and Bengali.

  • IFTPC reelects Sajid Nadiadwala as president for 2020-21

    IFTPC reelects Sajid Nadiadwala as president for 2020-21

    MUMBAI: Indian Film & TV Producers Council (IFTPC) today held its twenty-ninth AGM and re-elected  Sajid Nadiadwala as president for the year 2020 2021. Nitin Vaidya is the new incumbent. 

    Nadiadwala addressed IFTPC team for restarting the shooting by engaging the government in continuous dialogue. He also praised the media and entertainment industry for generously helping cine workers and labourers. The new president complimented the IFTPC Team for working relentlessly in providing monetary aid and supplying food items to the industry workers. Nadiawala appreciated the effort for standing as a united body in times of difficulty to help the industry.  He mourned the sad demise of many industry stalwarts such as Rishi Kapoor, Irfan Khan and P.Balsubramanium.

    IFTPC chairman TV wing JD Majethia in his address complimented the Maharashtra government for acting fast to restart the industry. He congratulated TV Producers for conducting the shoots very smoothly without any major mishaps. Majethia also mentioned the first-ever death Insurance of Rs 25 lakh provided to the workers had raised their confidence to attend their duties. He also said that when pessimism prevailed in the industry it was IFTPC that was confident and worked relentlessly to restart the industry.

    Bollywood producer Ramesh Taurani, David Dhavan, indiantelevision.com group founder CEO & editor in chief Anil Wanwari, producer Rajan Shahi, Lalit Sharma, Bobby Arora, Sandeep Jain and Goldie Behl also attended the Indian Film & TV Producers meeting among others.

  • Judwaa 2….Rides on long weekend

    Judwaa 2….Rides on long weekend

    Ideas are in short-supply. Shortcuts are the norm. And, as a producer of repute, if you are getting a package deal to make some quick money, why not?

    Producer Sajid Nadiadwala digs into his own archives and comes up with a remake of his own film ‘Judwaa.’ Since remakes are an accepted norm, David Dhawan, the director of the original Judwaa, comes as a package deal with his son, Varun, in the lead.

    Judwaa, Sajid and David’s 1997 film was a comic laugh riot. Salman Khan was in his element playing a dual role and David was known to be an economical director who, trained at FTII as an editor, was known to pre-edit his films.

    Judwaa 2 continues the age-old formula where twins are separated at birth for whatever reason. The character of Sachin Khedekar and his wife, Prachi Shah, have twin boys, Varun Dhawan in dual role. One of them is kidnapped. The upbringing of the two is poles apart.

    Prem grows up in London in the lap of luxury in a protected life. Raja is raised by a fisherwoman in Mumbai. Raja grows up to become an extrovert and confident one, Prem is a softy who takes to music.

    How the two brothers eventually come together and the pieces fall into their respective slots and the villains tackled is the obvious plot.

    Romantic angles have to be drawn. Prem has been paired with the character Taapsee Pannu while Raja meets his match, played by Jacqueline Fernandez, on a flight.

    The best part of the film, which makes it tick, is that these are reflexive twins in that whatever one does, other follows or, whatever one undergoes, the other sufferers it too. So, even while both are away from each other unaware of their existence, this provides for some fun.

    Since this is the remake of the 1997 Judwaa starring Salman Khan, the comparisons are inevitable, especially since the film is still fresh in mind of the moviegoer. While lacking in originality, Judwaa 2 also can’t find new or contemporary gags.

    Varun Dhawan tries his best and comes across convincingly as the ‘tapori’ while, as the simpleton, he finds the going tough. Fernandez and Pannu have nothing much to do except during songs and to add glamour.

    As for direction, Dhawan adheres mostly to the original, also his own work. The length here, 150 minutes, looks stretched, especially in the second half and needs some trimming. Music benefits with the use of two songs from the original Judwaa, composed by Anu Malik.

    Judwaa 2 is a light entertainer which is what the moviegoer prefers. The film gets a long weekend as Saturday is a Dussehra holiday followed by Sunday, and Gandhi Jayanti holiday on Monday.

    Producer: Sajid Nadiadwala.

    Director: David Dhawan.

    Cast: Varun Dhawan, Jacqueline Fernandez, Taapsee Pannu, Anupam Kher, Pavan Malhotra, Rajpal Yadav, Sachin Khedekar and Prachi Shah.

  • Prime Focus proud to partner with the 100 crores grosser Housefull 3.

    Prime Focus proud to partner with the 100 crores grosser Housefull 3.

    MUMBAI: After stupendous success of Housefull and Housefull 2, Sajid Nadiadwala is back with the latest installment in the Housefull series – Houseful 3 and Prime Focus is proud to have delivered for the third consecutive time a full suite of VFX, DI & wide range of shooting kit for the movie.

    Of the many VFX shots delivered for Housefull 3, Prime Focus predominantly worked on restructuring the entire architecture of the house, adding crucial extensions and backgrounds.

    Mahesh Baria, VFX Supervisor explains, “The complexity came in making the castle look bigger which we were able to achieve with the help of CGI. We replaced the original building with a much larger structure and at the same time ensured that the lighting conditions matched the original live footage.”

    Additionally, CGI was used to create a colony of ants for what might be one of the most hilarious sequences in the film. The greatest challenged faced by the CG team at Prime Focus was to capture the randomness of the ants’ movement on an uneven surface. The animation team went through huge amounts of reference footage of ants’ movements, which they developed into a behavioral pattern so that the ants in the film reacted realistically to their environment.

    In addition to providing VFX, Prime Focus also provided a flawless DI service and supplied a wide range of shooting equipment and technical support to the production. Colorist Aashirwad Hadkar, who also graded Housefull 2, set the overall look and colour palette of the film.

    Speaking on Prime Focus’ contribution to Housefull 3, Sajid-Farhad said, “Having already worked on the first two films in the series, the VFX and DI teams at Prime Focus were the perfect partners for us on Housefull 3. We were more than impressed by the creative services and the camera rental services that they delivered for the film.”

    Housefull 3 released on 3rd June 2016 and emerged as the highest opening weekend grosser of 2016.