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Tag: Salman Khan

  • Value of Rs 499 plan not limited to Radhe, says Zee5’s Manish Kalra

    Value of Rs 499 plan not limited to Radhe, says Zee5’s Manish Kalra

    KOLKATA: The Covid2019 pandemic has rewritten many rules of the media and entertainment sector. One of the most noticeable trends has been direct-to-digital releases throughout 2020 in India as well as globally. While Salman Khan’s upcoming blockbuster Radhe was supposed to release in theatres only, it has turned out to be the first film in India to take multi-format route. With the moving coming to be showcased on Zee5, the platform has rolled out a new yearly subscription pack at Rs 499, bundling Radhe to boost its subscriber base.

    The OTT has also scored 50+ theatrical releases across languages for the year. Moreover, it will launch 40-50 original shows throughout 2021. Hence, the entertainment value of the new plan is much higher than only one view of Radhe, Zee5 India chief business officer Manish Kalra said.  

    Inquired about the promotion plans for the new subscription plan, it is all about Salman Khan and his equity, Kalra commented. “Obviously Radhe is a big driver. Indian consumers have been starved of good quality content for last few months with such a big blockbuster coming and consumer getting access to it, we want to ensure that we are able to reach out to all the fan of the franchise and give them this high value package. That will happen 360 degrees – that is TV or digital or any medium where the consumers are. We want to ensure we send the message out that with Radhe, they also get access to the entire library,” he noted.

    “The assumption is if you are a fan and you want to buy a good value added package, you will buy the subscription and watch it. The objective remains to leverage the asset to create a win-win situation for all of us. Consumers get to watch content from the comfort of their home, we get to tie-up with new users and it kind of becomes a long-term relation for us,” said Kalra when asked if the plan will increase the subscriber base of the platform.

    Along with a wider library, Zee5 is looking at a deeper language library too. The platform is focusing highly on Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada market and will launch original series, movies, bring theatrical releases. Kalra is of the view that the next round of growth for Zee5 will come from these markets. While Hindi continues to lead, Telugu, Bengali, Tamil are the highest growing languages for the platform in terms of consumption, time spent, number of users coming in.

    To reach the hinterlands of India, the streamer is not only strengthening its content library but looking at financial inclusion. It entered a partnership with retail network Sahaj to get access to more than 76,000 gram panchayats, and over 96,000 tier-3 and tier-4 rural locations. Kalra said more such retail partnerships are in offing.

    “The objective is to reach out to people in a format they are comfortable with. The intent from our perspective is to enable the users, empower them with more and more access whether it is through their internet provider or telecom provider or they directly want to pay and subscribe. The objective remains how we reach more and more users across India,” he noted.

  • ‘Radhe’ rush: Zee5 rolls out new Rs 499 plan to reel in viewers

    ‘Radhe’ rush: Zee5 rolls out new Rs 499 plan to reel in viewers

    KOLKATA: OTT platform Zee5, along with ZeePlex, has rolled out a special Radhe Combo Offer to make Salman Khan’s upcoming Eid release, Radhe: Your Most Wanted Bhai, accessible to the masses. The special one-year offer, available at an attractive price of Rs 499 will give viewers the opportunity to watch the much-awaited film on Zee5 with ZeePlex starting 13 May, in addition to giving audience access to the streaming service’s extensive and diverse premium content library.

    The Rs 499 ‘Radhe Combo Offer’ will allow consumers to watch Radhe: Your Most Wanted Bhai on Zee5 with ZeePlex, along with access to Zee5 originals, movies, TV shows, live TV, ALTBalaji shows, ad-free catch-up TV, Zindagi TV shows, kids content, and much more for one year. This subscription plan will also give consumers access to the new 50+ theatricals across diverse languages and 40+ originals slated for the year.

    Zee5 India chief business officer Manish Kalra said, “Salman Khan’s films are thorough family entertainers which appeal to audiences across demographics. Radhe: Your Most Wanted Bhai is one of the biggest releases of the year and we are proud to launch this on Zee5 in a multi-format model. A Salman Khan film with its mass appeal becomes the perfect choice to launch our specially designed annual value proposition of Rs 499, to unify India and Bharat through our shared love for films.

    He went on to describe the Rs 499 plan as the most attractive value proposition for a user, and that it will also help the OTT platform cast a wider net into the country by tapping into newer audience segments.

    The first ever multi-platform release of its kind, Radhe: Your Most Wanted Bhai will be available on Zee5 with ZeePlex, theatres worldwide keeping the Covid protocols in mind, and across all leading DTH operators – Dish, D2H, Tata Sky and Airtel Digital TV. The film’s trailer has already amassed 65 million+ views across all platforms and the recently released song, Seeti Maar, is topping charts, having accumulated 49 million+ views and counting.

  • Amid Covid fears & theatre slump, what Radhe’s simultaneous release portends

    Amid Covid fears & theatre slump, what Radhe’s simultaneous release portends

    NEW DELHI/KOLKATA: After a number of filmmakers sought the direct-to-digital route to cope with the shock of the Covid2019 pandemic, it was expected that movies will return to theatres once lockdown restrictions eased. But the second wave of the novel Coronavirus has walloped the hopes of the comeback of cinemas. It seemed likely that many of the pending big releases would again be postponed. However, in a first for the Indian film industry, a movie is going to have a hybrid release. Radhe, which features Salman Khan in the lead role, will hit theatres on 13 May, while also simultaneously premiering on Zee5 and Zee Plex under pay-per-view plans. 

    Zee Studio CBO Shariq Patel said that the studio sensed the need to release the film on OTT, as it will give audiences the flexibility and convenience to watch the film online from the comfort of their home. 

    Simultaneous release of a film in theatres and OTT is a completely new trend in India. A few weeks back, Godzilla vs Kong distributed by Warner Bros was released in a similar manner in the United States. This unexpected move turned beneficial for the movie, as it enjoyed decent box-office collections in both domestic and international markets. 

    However, in India, the scenario could be different as most of the single screens and multiplexes are shuttered due to the second wave of the Covid2019 pandemic. A minority of single screens are currently functioning with just 30 per cent occupancy. As Radhe will be released only on a limited number of screens, industry experts are not expecting a box-office storm from this Salman Khan-starrer. 

    "It is completely about OTT. As more than 80 per cent of the theatres are closed, I am not expecting a decent collection from the big screens,” said Elara Capital vice president & research analyst (media & consumer discretionary) Karan Taurani. “I consider the premier of Radhe as a complete OTT release. If the situation persists like this, makers of movies like Sooryavanshi may also seriously consider an OTT or hybrid release. Moreover, the content is also getting old." 

    Despite creating high hopes, direct-to-digital releases have not performed well. But as more people are again being compelled to stay at home, Zee5 might gain from its latest movie rights.

    "It is early to say since we don't know how wide would the film release theatrically, which depends on the pandemic situation in May. In case the situation improves and the film releases wide like any other Salman Khan film, the impact may not be that much as audiences would want to watch the film in theatres,” Ormax Media partner Gautam Jain noted.

    However, in case of a restricted release, it will have a positive impact on the platform, he added. Since this is one of the big tentpole and awaited movies, he said the industry can expect a few announcements of a similar nature from other films.

    “I would imagine that Zee Studios has obviously realised that theatre revenue is going to be subdued for the rest of the year. It is very unlikely that theatre revenue will pick up for the next few months, the situation will remain like this maybe till the end of this year. Therefore, the only alternative left for them is to look at revenue coming from OTT or TV or any other partnership in terms of monetisation,” Kurate Digital’s Uday Sodhi surmised.

    On the other hand, Taurani felt that the pay-per-view model will not work in a country like India, where the concept of the TVoD model is still taking baby steps. 

    "We believe that the TVoD model is still too nascent for a market like India and one cannot expect any big positive surprises. We had already anticipated that certain large films may go direct OTT or TVoD route given the current rush for content coming into cinemas whenever they open up; expect some more small/medium budget films too to hit the direct OTT route as all may not wait for cinemas to open up," he explained. 

    Taurani also noted that one big film that fares well at the box office could lead to shifting of bargaining power in favour of exhibitors. However, theatres in India should start functioning properly to expect such a scenario. 

    Talking about the expected normalcy timeline, Taurani said, "The unlock time with 100 per cent occupancy this time around may be much faster – three months (June) as compared to six months last time when cinemas opened only in October and got 100 per cent occupancy towards February.'' 

    In the meantime, Zee5 will attempt to maximise and exploit whatever opportunity is available. A movie like Radhe will be great for its subscription side as more people are sitting at home and will like to consume more OTT content; and top of that, the film’s star Salman Khan has a loyal and extremely massive fanbase.  Therefore, any big movie release will boost subscription to some extent. While ZeeL’s Zee Plex is available on DTH platforms, it is going to be more interesting for the television side as TV content is in short supply, Sodhi added.

    However, it is the overarching belief among experts that multi-release format will not work in India like other global markets. "It would be difficult to continue a multi format release in future as exhibitors would want a clean theatrical release window for films, especially the big tentpole event films," Jain noted. Sodhi is also of the same view that these models are born out of crisis but will not continue once the situation stabilises.

  • Salman Khan-starrer Radhe to debut on Zee5, Zee Plex along with theatres

    Salman Khan-starrer Radhe to debut on Zee5, Zee Plex along with theatres

    KOLKATA: As the Covid2019 pandemic once again slams the film exhibition industry with new restrictions, filmmakers and distributors have been in a quandary — whether to postpone movie releases or take the direct to OTT route. Now, taking a cue from foreign production houses like Warner Bros, Salman Khan-starrer Radhe will debut on Zee5 and Zee Plex on the same day as its theatrical release. 

    With this move, Zee Studios has become the first studio in India to adopt a multi-format release worldwide. 

    Zee Studios CBO Shariq Patel shared, “The ongoing pandemic forced us to innovate, and we are proud to be the first to embark upon this new distribution strategy. While we all love to catch the latest movies at the nearest theatres, we realised we’d be doing a disservice to Salman’s fans nationwide if we aren’t able to release theatrically in all Indian states.

    He went on to add that the studio sensed the need for a pay per view solution along with theatres, which gives the consumers flexibility and convenience of viewing the film. Zee Studios is looking to release the film in over 40 countries including theatrical release in major overseas markets. 

    “There cannot be a better film than Radhe to offer the audiences who’ve been waiting for an out and out entertainer for over a year now,” quipped Patel.

    The film will have a theatrical release and will be showcased in all Indian states where cinema halls are operational as per Covid protocols. The international theatrical release will target countries in the Middle East, North America, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Europe. It will also be the first Bollywood film to release theatrically in the UK since the lockdown last year

    Salman Khan Films' spokesperson remarked, “We will support the theatre owners by releasing the film in as many theatres as we can, keeping in line with the rules and protocols laid down by the government. But, considering the guidelines and safety measures, we also need to devise ways to ensure that the film reaches all of our audience. We don't want to deny the audience the choice of entertainment in the comfort of their homes during these times."

    Along with Salman Khan, Radhe also stars Disha Patani, Randeep Hooda and Jackie Shroff in pivotal roles. The movie is presented by Salman Khan Films in association with Zee Studios, produced by Salma Khan, Sohail Khan and Reel Life Production. It is scheduled to release on 13 May 2021 on the occasion of Eid.

  • Second Covid wave chokes India; filmmakers eye OTT route for new releases

    Second Covid wave chokes India; filmmakers eye OTT route for new releases

    MUMBAI: After showing signs of flattening the curve, India is once again struggling to leash the deadly virus that has reared its ugly head in the last few weeks. On 13 April, the country recorded more than 1,61,736 Covid2019 positive cases and over 900 related deaths. As the pandemic rages on, several states including Maharashtra and Karnataka are considering a second lockdown. 

    Like all other sectors, the entertainment industry in India is also facing a setback due to the resurgent virus. Even though the government gave permission to open theatres in November 2020, the footfall in cinema halls was very low, and most screens in Maharashtra witnessed an attendance of just four to five per cent. 

    Covid brings entertainment industry to its knees

    Even though several Bollywood movies including Mumbai Saga hit the big screen, none of these films succeeded in creating an impact at the box-office. Industry experts believe that the only way to revive the exhibition industry is by waiving taxes imposed on cinema halls, and by allowing them to function without restrictions. 

    "If theatres in Maharashtra remain closed due to lockdown, it could affect Hindi movie releases in all other states as well,” pronounced Cinema Owners and Exhibitors Association of India president Nitin Datar. “Theatres are making sure that all hygiene measures are adopted to combat the spread of the Coronavirus. Even though the attendance in theatres is very low, the expenses incurred by theatres which include electricity bills, taxes (including entertainment and property) remains the same. In Maharashtra alone, theatres incurred loss of Rs 800 crore. We request government to waive the taxes which is very much necessary for the exhibition industry to survive.''

    Datar also added that the closure of theatres in Maharashtra could not only affect theatre owners, but will also impact the lives of thousands who are directly or indirectly dependent on cinemas. 

    "In a theatre, there will be 25 workers. There will be four or five people working in the parking area, and other people working in the canteen area. In the surrounding areas, around the theatres, it will be a market hub depending on people coming to theatres. All the small shops are also dependent on the public who come to see cinemas. Around 1000 or 2000 people used to visit the theatres every day, and these retail shops are running relying these theatre visitors," he pointed out. 

    Exhibitors are ready to cooperate with whatever call the government takes during the pandemic, said Dadar, but at the same time, they expect help to survive.

    Production houses may postpone releases

    If a possible lockdown happens in Maharashtra, release of several movies including Sooryavanshi and Salman Khan's Radhe may get postponed. With a power-packed star cast of Ajay Devgan, Akshay Kumar, and Ranveer Singh, Sooryavanshi is scheduled to release on 30 April, but if theatres remain closed, makers may postpone the theatrical hit, and some day, may even opt for an OTT release. 

    Elara Capital vice president & research analyst (media & consumer discretionary) Karan Taurani hinted that theatres will return to pre-pandemic normalcy only by September 2021, which means several big budget movies may well take the direct to OTT route.

    "In January 2021, industry experts believed that theatres will return to pre-pandemic normalcy by May-June 2021. However, due to the second wave and a lockdown scare, things have turned upside down. I personally believe that the process of returning to normalcy will take some time, and I believe things will return to pre-pandemic atmosphere by September 2021. Makers of films like Sooryavanshi may consider OTT release, as the content is getting old," he said.

    Taurani also added that OTT releases are inevitable in the current scenario. While films like Sooryavanshi are not made to release on video streaming platforms, the current pandemic situation is compelling production houses to release their films online. 

    "If filmmakers have the option to release movies in theatres, they will obviously screen in big screens. And personally I believe that production houses will not opt for simultaneous releases in both OTT platforms and theatres on the same day, a practice which is widely followed in Hollywood," he stated. 14apr-Anx-mailer.html

  • Chingari ropes in Salman Khan as global brand ambassador & investor

    Chingari ropes in Salman Khan as global brand ambassador & investor

    MUMBAI: Homegrown short video format app Chingari has signed popular Bollywood actor Salman Khan as global brand ambassador and investor. 

    The association with the Dabangg star comes as Chingari is looking to augment its position as the market leader in the Made in India short video-sharing space.

    Chingari app co-founder & CEO Sumit Ghosh said, “This is a really significant partnership for Chingari, our ethos is to reach out to every state of Bharat and it’s our pleasure to have Salman Khan on-board as one of our global brand ambassadors and investors. We are confident that our association will power Chingari to scale greater heights in the near future.”

    Co-founder & COO Deepak Salvi remarked that Khan’s mass appeal will attract more users onto the platform. Khan, who is in tune with the pulse of the nation and whose popularity cuts across all genres and geography, was the best choice to be the face of the brand, added co-founder & CSO Aditya Kothari.

    Salman Khan said, “Chingari is amongst the most popular entertainment apps in India, and it has focused on adding value to its consumers and content creators. I like how Chingari has shaped up in such a short span of time, a platform for millions from rural to urban to showcase their unique talents and be seen by another millions in no time.”

    The short video space has been expanding exponentially in India, with millions getting hooked to the content being showcased on these platforms by talented creators. Chingari, which was launched on Google Play Store in November 2018, gained its second wind last year following the ban on TikTok, the then market leader in India. By December 2020, Chingari had already raised well over $1.4 million from its blue-chip backers in India and globally, and has clocked more than 56 million users in the country.

  • Bigg Boss 14 finale to happen next week?

    Bigg Boss 14 finale to happen next week?

    MUMBAI: Twists and turns abound in Bigg Boss and the show is set to introduce yet another shocker in the upcoming episode.

    According to a promo released by the makers of the show, host Salman Khan will be seen informing the housemates that the finale of Bigg Boss 14 will be held in the coming week.

    Making the announcement, "Ab scene paltega", Khan will brief the housemates that the finale will be taking place way sooner than they had imagined, and that only four contestants will make it to the climax.

    Does this mean that the journey of the other housemates will come to a definite end, making the competition even tougher?

    The Weekend ka Vaar episode will also see several guests as a part of an expert panel which will test and advise the housemates. On this panel will be former Bigg Boss contestants Kamya Panjabi and Devoleena Bhattacharjee, Kavita Kaushik's husband Ronnit Biswas, and producer Sanddip Sikchand.

     

     

    At present, there are nine contestants in the Bigg Boss 14 house — Rubina Dilaik, Abhinav Shukla, , Pavitra Punia, Rahul Vaidya, Nikki Tamboli, Jasmin Bhasin, Aly Goni, Eijaz Khan, and Kavita Kaushik.

  • This cricket season, Pepsi toasts Indians’ love for the sport

    This cricket season, Pepsi toasts Indians’ love for the sport

    NEW DELHI: This sporting season, beverage brand Pepsi is joining the celebrations and paying tribute to India’s undying passion for cricket. The brand has unveiled a new digital film in a nod to India’s most loved sport, asking fans to enjoy Pepsi while they watch a game of cricket.

    The film features Bollywood superstar Salman Khan talking about how every Indian will drink Pepsi, with the beverage now being available at Rs 50 for 1.25 litres.

    A PepsiCo India spokesperson said, “Pepsi has always innovated and communicated with consumers through those passion points relevant to them – cricket being one of the key passion points for today’s generation. We are delighted to celebrate India’s love for cricket and the undying spirit of the cricket fan through the new film by asking every fan to drink Pepsi and enjoy the sport with family and friends.”

    The ad film is an extension of the brand’s Har Ghoont Mein Swag campaign, and the introduction of the 1.25 litres pack at Rs 50 ensures moments of togetherness for friends and family during cricket matches and make them more memorable this season.  

     

     
     
     

     
     
     
     
     

     
     

     
     
     

     
     

    A post shared by Pepsi India (@pepsiindia) on

     

  • Endemol Shine gets ready for a different Bigg Boss 14 season

    Endemol Shine gets ready for a different Bigg Boss 14 season

    MUMBAI: The three most popular features of Bigg Boss are- its host Salman Khan, Bigg Boss’ voice and finally the house. These three actually form the backdrop of every image that a viewer has about Bigg Boss throughout a season’s journey. The other bit that a viewer remembers is the participants and the variety of emotions that run amok in the house. 

    On 3 October, the biggest reality show from Colors is all set to make a comeback with its fourteenth season. The 2020 edition will only see celebrities; no commoners like in the previous years. But before the contestants step in, let’s take a quick look at what’s been going on inside the Bigg Boss house, which without any doubt has been a constant participant in every season.

    Production major Endemol Shine India has been producing BiggBoss year-on-year for Colors. Its CEO Abhishek Rege shares that format wise there are no changes with the usual tasks being hurled at the competitors; however, production has been planned differently.Larger shoots and performances and tasks have been planned for the beginning of the season, before contestants enter the house.Other precautions have also been taken. A team of six crew  have been mandated to take or bring food, regular supplies and props into the house. The PPE clad assistants will have no interactions with the outside world,; they will be in complete isolation.

    RubinaDilaik, Abhinav Shukla, Jasmin Bhasin, Aly Goni, Jaan Kumar, Shubhangi Atre, Karan Patel, Nishant Malkani, Gia Manek Eijaz Khan, Rahul Vaidya, Nikki Tamboli, Shagun Pandey, Pavitra Punia, Neha Sharma and Naina Singh among others are strongly being speculated as the participants for this season. Rege refuses to confirm or deny the names but he admits that all the participants are currently under compulsory 14-day quarantine, which will end when shoots begin early next month. Also, they – along with the crew – will undergo regular Covid2019 tests and health and hygiene will be given prime importance. Medical and Covid professionals have visited the house to ensure that all SOPs for productions and more are being followed  – including the presence of an ambulance – and that the sets are Covid-safe.

    Read more news on Bigg Boss

     

     

    The production house has also hired an external Covid2019 compliance company PWC which has been charged with looking after distribution of masks to celebs and crew to sanitisation to fumigation to taking and maintaining regular  temperature checks.

    Endemol Shine India  creatives normally keep track of local trends and developments before building the narrative and ideas for Bigg Boss every season. This year the theme of the house is largely based on things that audiences have missed out during Covid2019. The celebs will get to use a salon and a spa, a movie theatre, and a shopping mall. But these luxuries will have to be earned by them after succeeding in some thrilling and fun-filled tasks. 

    Rege reveals that Salman Khan will be shooting for the promo on 1 October with the contestants on the Bigg Boss set in Mumbai’s Film City.

    “We are keeping very stringent measures and SOPs.. Salman will also take the swab test prior to entering the set. And, to further ensure safety on the set, we have hired more people than we normally hire every year,” says he. “However, at any given point we will have very few people on set, everybody else will be there on the backend in their respective rooms and other places in isolation. We are not crowding. Usually when any eviction happens, there are lots of guests and visitors that come in.This time it is a no-no.”

    Weekend KaWaar used to be Bigg Boss’main highlight and it featured  Salman Khan interacting with contestants in front of a  live audience. However, this time the studio is taking the digital route.

    “We have created a huge digital wall where what was earlier the studio audience is connected live from their homes,” says Rege. “We have therefore made an arrangement where Salman can see the wall and audiences can see what is happening at the shoot and interactions can happen. So we have still kept the whole live angle working.”

    Read more news on Colors

    Recently, Salman revealed that he returned to host Bigg Boss 14 only because he knew the scale of production of the show would generate employment. He also agreed to accept a pay cut for this season.

     

     

    Like previous seasons, this time too, previous years’ contestants and winners will come in to add to the thrill. Amongst the names being touted are: Sidharth Shukla, Gauahar Khan, and Hina Khan will also bring a series of surprises for the contestants making this season an epitome of entertainment.The banter, quarrels, and one-upmanship, mental games, the behind the scenes gossip and the formation of groups amongst the inmates of the house are what have helped Bigg Boss build a loyal audience over the years. Another high impact Indian property – the IPL 2020 – has till the time of writing turned out to be a runaway winner, attracting viewers in un-believable numbers. Analysts believe Bigg Boss 14 is on course to beat its previous years’ performance as well just like the cricket league is doing. It’s over to the loyalists, the fans, to make that prediction come true for one of Colors biggest annual bets. 

  • Salman Khan returns as super host of Bigg Boss 14

    Salman Khan returns as super host of Bigg Boss 14

    MUMBAI: Tables will turn as the most challenging year will now be challenged. Bogged down by the lockdown, shackled in chains of monotony and boredom, 2020 has been a year that laid complete waste to our best-made plans! But now it's time to turn the tide and unleash a superstorm of entertainment and celebration in the most spectacular manner! Ab paltega scene kyunki 2020 ko milega jawab with MPL presents Bigg Boss, powered by Dabur Dant Rakshak Ayurvedic Paste & TRESemme. The country’s most beloved superstar Salman Khan will return to your television screens, hosting the most anticipated show of the year and ensuring that the viewers will no longer be starved for entertainment! Living the normalcy will be an all-celeb line-up of housemates who will go through a plethora of emotions and drama in their race to the finish. And right when everyone will feel settled in the first 14 days, there will be a twist that will change the entire game. Produced by Endemol Shine India, the show will premiere on 3 October at 9 pm only on Colors and stream on Voot Select.
     
    Viacom18 Hindi mass entertainment and kids TV network Nina Elavia Jaipuria head said, “Our endeavor at Colors has always been to provide our viewers with uninterrupted entertainment – refreshing and exciting content and Bigg Boss has been a testament to this objective year after year. The last 6 months have been unprecedented and it brought along with it unexpected challenges and changes. With ‘Ab Paltega Scene, Kyunki Bigg Boss Dega 2020 Ko Jawab’ as the theme for this season, our aim is to amp up the excitement and ensure viewers forget their worries and are reminded of their normal lives. Adding to the experience, the Bigg Boss fans will get to watch the episodes before television on our premium video-on-demand service Voot Select along with 24 hours exclusive access into the house. I would also like to thank our partners- presenting sponsor Mobile Premier League, powered by sponsors- Dabur Dant Rakshak Ayurvedic Paste & TRESemmé and associate sponsor- Ching’s for their support and trust in brand Bigg Boss.”
     
    So, what exactly is ‘Ab Paltega Scene’ this year? Laced with uncertainty and ambiguity, 2020 has not been an easy ride, a year that changed the way we led our lives. While most of us have been confined to our homes for more than six months, shopping, movies, and salons have now seemed like a distant dream. So, this year, Bigg Boss 14 will see celebrities from different walks of life come together under one roof and get a chance to live their ‘once upon a time’ normal lives. In a first of its kind addition, Bigg Boss 14 introduces the luxuries of a salon and spa, a movie theatre, and a shopping mall for the contestants along with some thrilling and fun-filled tasks to compete against each other. But all this will not come easy to them, they will have to earn it. Adding to the thrill, some of the most loved ex-contestants- Sidharth Shukla, Gauahar Khan, and Hina Khan will also bring a series of surprises for the contestants making this season an epitome of entertainment. Will they enter the house? How will they impact the life of the housemates? Only time will tell.

    Viacom18 Hindi mass entertainment CCO Manisha Sharma said, “This is a unique season of Bigg Boss – the pandemic has disrupted our daily lives and with Bigg Boss we attempt to bring back some sense of normalcy into our consumers’ lives, to try and truly cater to “ab scene paltega”. With each season of Bigg Boss, we have introduced new and fresh elements and themes to make it more engaging and entertaining for our audiences and this year is no exception. The Bigg Boss house will reimagine a normal scenario that we all have been missing out on with the inclusion of a salon & spa, movie theatre, and shopping mall facilities for the contestants. We broke all viewership records the previous season. So there’s a lot to look forward to. This year too we plan to take our viewers along on a roller coaster ride and the show will have a big twist in the first 14 days and something super exciting will follow. The thrill will multiply as the lineup of contestants and the different characteristics they bring with them will surely become a great family and friend circle conversation. Salman Khan, who has been the most gracious host is back again and we can’t wait for the excitement to unfold.”

    Read more news on Bigg Boss

    Salman Khan said, “As we get used to the new way of life, I am glad to be back with Bigg Boss to again entertain each and every one of you. A big property like Bigg Boss not only promises non-stop entertainment but also provides job opportunities to hundreds of people- both much needed in the current scenario. While this year we fight together the unprecedented times, we hope to bring some excitement in a rather stressful life. So, don’t leave your homes, sit back and gear up to go on a dhamakedaar journey of action and drama with Bigg Boss.”

    Mobile Premier League (MPL) growth and marketing senior vice president Abhishek Madhavan said, “Over the years, Bigg Boss has established an outstanding connection with the audiences and has earned itself a massive base of dedicated fans. Our association with the property gives us a great opportunity to reach out to those viewers and engage with them through the show. Just like Bigg Boss, our app also caters to a vast audience base which makes it a perfect fit. As one of India’s biggest skill-based gaming applications in India, it’s an honor for MPL to be associated with one of the biggest reality properties, Bigg Boss and we look forward to a great association.”

    Endemol Shine India CEO Abhishek Rege said, “Endemol Shine India has over the years broken multiple records with Bigg Boss! The show has established itself as India’s biggest reality program, one we are extremely proud of. Given the challenges that we have faced this year, we have taken every precaution possible when it comes to the health, safety, and sanitization of the cast and the crew. This season’s contestants will be required to be under quarantine for a period and will be tested before going inside the house. The theme of the show will also reflect in the elements of the house to give the contestants a feeling of normalcy. We look forward to furthering our long partnership with Colors and to yet another exciting new season.”

    Focusing on the campaign of the season – 'Ab paltega scene, kyunki Bigg Boss dega 2020 ko jawab’, the channel plans to go heavy on the digital front. From introducing a microsite featuring a wall of Bigg Boss memes and a UGC music video-based never seen before house reveal, it is going to be a delightful experience for the Bigg Boss fans. Adding to the many firsts will also be Facebook shorts, a new feature by the platform, and Bigg Boss audio tweets which will feature famous Bigg Boss dialogues. Bigg Boss video album will also be launched to capture the journey of the last seasons and take the viewers on a trip down the memory lane. Additionally, voice recognition and contextual ads will be used across different platforms to drive tune-ins. On the marketing front, high-frequency promotion on news, music, and regional channels will also be carried along with a huge burst of high-frequency promos for Bigg Boss not only on the network but across other channels as well. For OOH promotions, branded sanitizer dispensing units will be placed at residential societies in areas across Mumbai & Delhi NCR. Also, the channel will reach out to the larger Colors online fan base and Colors’ Golden Petal Club members through virtual events.

    While abiding by all the safety norms and guidelines issued by the government, the channel and production house are taking extreme care and necessary precautions for the contestants and crew members to promote a healthy work environment.  The contestants will undergo a mandatory 15-day quarantine after which they will be tested before they enter the house. The house and the peripheral area will be duly sanitized and fumigated to maintain safety and sterility. There will be regular temperature checks for the contestants and crew members apart from round the clock medical assistance. The same number of crew members will be retained for the season but they will be working in shifts so there is only the designated number of people on the sets. Special zones are being created for every department to keep direct contact to the minimum. Hand sanitizers will be installed at different points for easy access.