ITV

Tag: Shabana Azmi

  • Delhi Theatre Festival is back with its fifth season

    Delhi Theatre Festival is back with its fifth season

    Mumbai: Alchemist Live is bringing back the Delhi Theatre Festival (DTF) for its fifth season, featuring original live performances, notable casts, and classic stories.

    This year, DTF will take place over three days – 20, 21, and 22 September – across four venues in Delhi NCR: Siri Fort Auditorium, Kamani Auditorium, OP Jindal Auditorium, and Orana Convention in Gurugram.

    American Express returns as the title sponsor for the fifth year, reinforcing their partnership with Alchemist Live to offer audiences in Delhi NCR exceptional live theatre experiences.

    Detailing more about the festival, American Express Banking Corp, India CEO and country manager Sanjay Khanna said, “We are thrilled to sponsor the Delhi Theatre Festival for the fifth consecutive year to bring an extraordinary experience to our Card Members. This collaboration underscores our commitment to offering exclusive and unforgettable cultural experiences. We believe this festival will provide a unique opportunity for our Card Members to immerse themselves in the vibrant world of theatre, creating memories that will last a lifetime.”

    This year’s stellar cast includes legendary performers like Naseeruddin Shah, Ratna Pathak Shah, Shabana Azmi, Lillete Dubey, Vinay Pathak to name a few, who will light up the DTF stage.

    Sharing his delight on the fifth season of the festival, Alchemist Live COO and co-founder Prabhu Tony said, “The energy and anticipation surrounding the Delhi Theatre Festival is truly inspiring. As we embark on our incredible fifth season, Alchemist Live is determined to raise the bar even higher. Within the realm of theatre, we are trying to introduce new formats every year and this year’s festival promises to be a captivating exploration of theatrical diversity. We envision the Delhi Theatre Festival as a global hub for theatre enthusiasts, and we’re honoured to provide a platform where playwrights, actors, and audiences can come together to celebrate the magic of live performance.

    Set to establish new benchmarks in the theatre segment, the 2024 festival will incorporate the following captivating plays:

    1   Old World by Naseeruddin Shah and Ratna Pathak Shah on 20 September at Siri Fort Auditorium (8 pm), 21 September at Siri Fort Auditorium (1 pm & 6 pm), and 22 September at Orana Conventions, Gurugram (7 pm)

    2   Salaam Noni Appa by Lillete Dubey, Yateen Karyekar, Jayati Bhatia, Rishi Khurana, and Gillian Pinto on 21 September at Kamani Auditorium (3:30 pm & 7 pm)

    3   Anything but Love by Mandira Bedi and Samir Soni on 20 September at Kamani Auditorium (8 pm)

    4   Broken Images by Shabana Azmi on 21 September at Orana Convention, Gurugram (7 pm)

    5   One on One Dhamaal by Anu Menon, Ajitesh Gupta, Gagandeep Riar, Rajit Kapur, Shikha Talsania, Sohrab Ardeshir, Sumeet Vyas, and Vrajesh Hirjee on September 21 at OP Jindal Auditorium (7 pm)

    6   Jaya – A Rock Musical of the Mahabharata by Megan Murray, 2Blue, Vikrant Chaturvedi, Asif Ali Beg, Sherrin Varghese, Varun Narayan, and more on 22 September at Siri Fort Auditorium (4:30 pm & 8 pm)

    7   What’s Done is Done by Vinay Pathak, Ranvir Shorey, Waris Ahmed, Chandrachoor Rai, Mantra, Radhika Mehrotra, Mansi Multani, Mallika Singh, Chakori Dwivedi, Munish Bhardwaj & Ravi Kalra on 22 September at OP Jindal Auditorium (7 pm)

    ‘’Delhi Theatre Festival has always held a special place in my heart. Performing for a Delhi audience is always an invigorating experience. Returning to Delhi to perform “Broken Images” after a couple of years fills me both with excitement and anxiety,’’ said Shabana Azmi.

    Resonating with her, Rajat Kapoor added, “This is the third time we are collaborating with Delhi Theatre Festival. We have been there with ‘nothing like Lear’, and this time we are back at the festival with ‘what’s done is done’, which is our adaptation of Shakespeare’s Macbeth. A theatre festival like this is a wonderful idea – to work as a bridge between theatre practitioners and audience. More power to you”

    Lillete Dubey, who’s retuning to festival said, “I’m thrilled to be part of the Delhi Theatre Festival again, especially in my hometown, Delhi, where I first performed over 50 years ago. This time, we’re bringing two unique shows—Salaam Noni Appa and JAYA, a rock musical of the Mahabharata. I’m excited for Delhi audiences to experience these extraordinary performances and kudos to Alchemist Live, and American Express for making this festival a reality!”

    DTF has become a cornerstone of Indian theatre in Delhi NCR since its inception. Each season has showcased a mesmerising curation of plays, electrifying performances by renowned actors, and a vibrant atmosphere that celebrates the magic of live theatre.

  • Varun Dhawan, Shraddha Kapoor, Karan Johar and many more win big at the prestigious News18 Showsha Reel Awards 2024

    Varun Dhawan, Shraddha Kapoor, Karan Johar and many more win big at the prestigious News18 Showsha Reel Awards 2024

    Mumbai: The glamour of Bollywood and the dynamism of the OTT world came under one glittering roof for the News18 Showsha Reel Awards 2024 at Taj Lands End, Mumbai, on 9 March. Hosted by the charismatic duo Aparshakti Khurana and Neha Dhupia, the special evening celebrated the best of content and talents across films and web series in all its glory. Guided by a panel of esteemed jury members such as Prasoon Joshi, Aanand L Rai, Kabir Bedi, Meenakshi Seshadri, Ramesh S Taurani, Neeraj Ghaywan, and Tavishi Paitanday, the News18 Showsha Reel Awards 2024 made for a grand spectacle to remember for all who cherish the art of storytelling.

    Kicking off the festivities was Threeory Band of Animal fame, who set the stage ablaze with an electrifying performance – boasting chart-topping hits to timeless classics. The star-studded event was graced by the crème de la crème of the entertainment industry, including Karan Johar, Rani Mukherjee, Varun Dhawan, Shraddha Kapoor, Kartik Aaryan, Aditya Roy Kapur, Ananya Panday, Janhvi Kapoor, Shabana Azmi, Manoj Bajpayee, Sharmila Tagore, Richa Chadha, Bobby Deol, Vedang Raina, Wamiqa Gabbi, Vijay Varma, Bhushan Kumar, Raj & DK, R Balki, and Manan Bhardwaj, among many others. As it hailed some of the best performances, movies, and web series released between January 1, 2023, and December 31, 2023, the excitement for the awards ceremony was tangible among the guests, jury, and fraternity members alike.

    The atmosphere was electric as Animal and Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai bagged the coveted Best Film awards under the categories of Popular Choice and Jury Choice, respectively. Cheers also erupted when Dhawan (Bawaal) and Manoj Bajpayee (Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai) were honoured with the Best Actor – Male award under Popular Choice and Jury Choice, respectively. Adding to the fervour, Shraddha Kapoor (Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar) and Sharmila Tagore (Gulmohar) were recognized as Best Actor – Female under Popular Choice and Jury Choice, respectively. The evening also celebrated the brilliance behind the camera, with R. Balki (Ghoomer) and Karan Johar (Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani) winning the Best Director award under Jury Choice and Popular Choice, respectively. In a much-deserved accolade, Rani Mukherjee was titled Star of the Year for her heart-wrenching performance in Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway.

    Moreover, the audience’s anticipation was palpable as the winner of the Best Web Series was announced, with Jubilee emerging victorious to thunderous applause. The frenzy prevailed as Aditya Roy Kapur was honoured with the award for OTT Best Actor – Male for his stellar performance in The Night Manager, while Sonakshi Sinha was recognized with the award for OTT Best Actor – Female for her outstanding role in Dahaad. The euphoria was also real when Kartik Aaryan won the award for Breakthrough Performance – Male for Satyaprem Ki Katha and Ananya Panday for Breakthrough Performance – Female for Kho Gaye Hum Kahan. The News18 Showsha Reel Awards 2024 even paid tribute to the remarkable contributions of Shankar Mahadevan and R Madhavan with the Music Legend award and Reel Icon award, respectively.

    Dedicating the award for Best Actor – Female to her beloved fans, Kapoor remarked, “Throughout my journey to this moment, every milestone I’ve achieved in my career can be traced back to the support of my fans. As I accept this prestigious award, it’s clear that it’s not just a recognition of my work, but proof of the incredible devotion of those who’ve rooted for me along the way. Their belief in me has shaped me into the artist I am today, and for that, I am eternally grateful. I treasure the love and admiration that I’ve been fortunate enough to receive from my fans. This award, therefore, is not mine alone but belongs to every single fan who voted for me. I must also extend my heartfelt thanks to our director, whose vision allowed me to portray such a fascinating character in Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar. Playing Nisha in the film was an experience I cherished deeply.”

    Sharing his emotions about winning the award for Best Director, Johar shared, “Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani is a special film for me because it released in the 25th year of my directorial existence. It was also a film that I directed after 7 years. So It was imperative that it found love because it would not have been good for my morale if it hadn’t. I must thank everyone associated with the film. I have to take a beat and say how blessed I was to direct Shabana Ji in the film. Jaise kehte hai na koi ‘Baap Actor’ hai set pe – that’s the feeling I got every time Shabana Ji gave a shot. I also need to take a moment to thank Apoorva (Mehta), the CEO of Dharma Productions and my best friend, to the entire cast and crew of the film, and to Rocky and Rani themselves, Ranveer (Singh) and Alia (Bhatt), for essaying the parts with all their heart. Lastly, I dedicate this one to my twins, Yash and Roohi.”

    Mukherjee stated, “Receiving the award for Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway, especially from Karan (Johar), is truly special because he was the first one to see it and give us a (positive) reaction. We were all really worried whether a content-driven film like Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway would work in the theatres. There was a lot of chatter that only big films would do well theatrically, so it was a risk; it was a step we had to take because we believed in this film. I, of course, had conviction because I was in the film, but I would like to thank the producers, who stood by me like a rock and believed in the film. It was a collective decision to release the film theatrically, and I’m so grateful that audiences accepted it with all heart. This award is actually dedicated to the audience because they showed the whole world that content cinema is here to stay – here to stay in theatres. I must also thank the crew of Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway, the actors from Bengal who lent authenticity to the film, my Estonian crew as we shot the film in Tallinn, our DOP, and the production team. Without them, shooting during the COVID-19 pandemic wouldn’t have been possible.”

    Network18 CEO (Digital) & President – Corporate Strategy Puneet Singhvi said, “The News18 Showsha Reel Awards 2024 was a true celebration of the incredible talent and creativity that define our entertainment industry. It offered a unique opportunity to showcase the finest achievements in Hindi films and web series. The awards ceremony was not just about recognising excellence but also about inspiring future generations to push the boundaries of content and entertainment. Congratulations to all the winners and nominees for making the event a memorable one. We are proud to honour these achievements and look forward to another year of setting new standards in entertainment.”

    N18 Eng Editorial and Content executive editor Ameya Bhise said, “The News18 Showsha Reel Awards 2024 served as a distinctive tribute to the extraordinary talent within the film industry. At the awards show, we celebrated the industry’s excellence, uniting numerous artists for one grand event. Congratulations to all the winners and nominees for their remarkable contributions to films and web shows. With each award, we rewarded the remarkable talent and ingenuity that graces our screens, both big and small.”

  • Voot Select to stream original series ‘Halo’ from 24 March

    Voot Select to stream original series ‘Halo’ from 24 March

    Mumbai: OTT service platform Voot Select will be exclusively streaming Paramount+ original series “Halo” from 24 March.

    Based on the popular sci-fi video game series, “Halo” is set in a 26th-century universe dramatising a conflict between humanity and an alien threat known as ‘the covenant.’

    The upcoming nine episodic series features Pablo Schreiber of “Orange is the New Black” fame as the ‘Master Chief,’ alongside Natashca McElhone, Olive Gray, Yerin Ha, Bentley Kalu, Kate Kenndey, Charlie Murphy and Danny Sapani. Also joining the cast as original characters are Ryan McParland, Burn Gorman, and Fiona O’Shaughnessy. Veteran Bollywood actor Shabana Azmi will also appear in a crucial supporting role in the series.

    “Halo defined the beginning of gaming culture in India and has a cult following across the world,” said Viacom18 head – SVOD and international business Ferzad Palia. “With Shabana Azmi helming a key role in the series, the show is even more special for Indian audiences. Having a series based around this legendary title will be looked upon eagerly by not only gamers but also sci-fi fanatics as well. We are delighted to be streaming this series and am certain that the outstanding production scale and enthralling storyline will surpass expectations establishing Halo amongst the best series of 2022.”

    “Working on this project has been a dream come true,” said Shabana Azmi. “The show deals in artificial intelligence, which is a completely new genre for me, hence it gave me the opportunity to learn and evolve. I thoroughly enjoyed working on set with stellar actors such as Natascha McElhone, Pablo Schreiber and Jen Taylor. The visuals in the series are stunning and I cannot wait for the release to see how it will be received by audiences across the globe.”

    “Halo” is produced by Showtime in association with 343 Industries, along with Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Television. The series is executive produced by Steven Kane, alongside Steven Spielberg, Darryl Frank and Justin Falvey for Amblin Television in association with 343 Industries, director Otto Bathurst and Toby Leslie for One Big Picture, and Kyle Killen and Scott Pennington for Chapter Eleven. Kiki Wolfkill, Frank O’Connor and Bonnie Ross serve as executive producers for 343 Industries. 

    The series is distributed internationally by Paramount Global Content Distribution.

  • Disney+ Hotstar unveils 2021 slate, Ajay Devgan’s digital debut series on the list

    Disney+ Hotstar unveils 2021 slate, Ajay Devgan’s digital debut series on the list

    New Delhi: Streaming platform Disney+ Hotstar on Tuesday unveiled its latest content line-up for 2021 with engaging original series and movies across genres and featuring several noted actors. 

    The new line-up includes high-magnitude productions like the period-action drama magnum opus series The Empire helmed by Nikkhil Advani and starring Kunal Kapoor, Dino Morea and Shabana Azmi, and crime-drama series Rudra – The Edge of Darkness which marks the digital debut of megastar Ajay Devgn, and Esha Deol.

    Some of the new movies that are set to be available on the OTT platform include: Ajay Devgan starrer war-epic Bhuj: The Pride of India, chaotic comedy Hungama 2 starring Shilpa Shetty Kundra, Crime thriller Collar Bomb starring Jimmy Shergill and horror comedy Bhoot Police starring Saif Ali Khan.

    The platform is also expanding its subscription offering. Starting 1 September, it will add three new subscription plans, namely – Mobile plan for Rs 499 per year (single device, mobile-only plan), Super for Rs 899 per year (access to two devices across mobile, web and living room devices) and Premium for Rs 1499 per year (access to four devices across mobile, web and living room devices).

    Disney+ Hotstar, president and head, Sunil Rayan said the 2021 content slate demonstrates the company’s relentless pursuit of bringing original and locally relevant stories to its consumers. “With our fresh slate of movies and shows, we are proud that India’s top stars and industry stalwarts have chosen to debut with us to present stories that are genre-defining clubbed with high-quality production that makes Har Watch, Top Notch.”

    The platform has also scaled up stories featuring strong characters and women-centric narratives including the second season of Aarya featuring Sushmita Sen, Fear – a supernatural thriller starring Tisca Chopra, and medical drama Human starring Shefali Shah and Kirti Kulhari. The line-up also includes the ‘Special Ops Universe’ where multiple characters, stories and seasons will co-exist within a universe in a multi-series format; starting with Kay Kay Menon-starrer Special Ops 1.5.

    Star India, president and head, Hindi and English entertainment, Gaurav Banerjee said, “At Disney Star, we believe in the power of great storytelling. We have always challenged conventions and been at the forefront of content creation with powerful and category-defining stories ranging from strong women-centric narratives, mythology to history and contemporary tales. We’re thrilled to expand our offering on Disney+ Hotstar by adding an incredible array of blockbuster movies and multilingual original series in Telugu and Tamil.”

    The line-up also includes murder mystery Six Suspects starring Pratik Gandhi and Richa Chadha, the tech-thriller Escaype Live, political dramas City of Dreams (Season 2) and Gharshana, bestselling novel adaptation Those Pricey Thakur Girls, dance reality series Dance+, the third chapter of popular franchise Criminal Justice starring Pankaj Tripathi.

    In addition to these shows and movies, the subscribers will also have access to Disney library titles, Disney+ shows and movies as well as sports content through LIVE streams of the biggest cricket tournaments, including the VIVO IPL 2021 and the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup – all within the next six months (as per current schedule). The platform will also showcase LIVE streams of upcoming Tennis, Football and F1 tournaments.

    Actor Ajay Devgn, who makes his digital debut with crime-drama series Rudra – The Edge of Darkness said, “The quality of entertainment being delivered via digital platforms has opened up avenues for filmmakers to experiment and scale-up. The sheer scale of production of these projects has multiplied significantly in the last few years. My upcoming series Rudra – The Edge of Darkness is bigger than anything I’ve done before.”

    CONTENT LINE-UP:

    New Shows:

    1.      Historical fiction The Empire starring Kunal Kapoor, Dino Morea, Shabana Azmi and Drashti Dhami,

    2.      Crime drama Rudra: The Edge of Darkness starring Ajay Devgn and Esha Deol, Family crime drama Aarya (Season 2) starring Sushmita Sen

    3.      Medical drama Human starring Shefali Shah and Kirti Kulhari

    4.      Murder mystery Six Suspects starring Pratik Gandhi, Richa Chadha, Ashutosh Rana

    5.      Political drama City of Dreams (Season 2) starring Priya Bapat, Atul Kulkarni, Eijaz Khan, Sachin Pilgaonkar

    6.      Tech-thriller Escaype Live starring Siddharth, Javed Jaffrey, Ritvik Sahore

    7.      Supernatural thriller Fear 1.0 starring Tisca Chopra, Saurabh Shukla and Rajesh Tailang

    8.      Crime drama Gharshana starring Naveen Chandra, Sarath Kumar and Jagapathi Babu

    9.      Family drama My Perfect Husband starring Sathyaraj

    10. Mystery thriller Family Matters starring Murali Sharma, Nandu, Akshara Gowda and Sonia Agarwal

    11. Romantic comedy Those Pricey Thakur Girls starring Akshay Oberoi, Saher Bamba, Raj Babbar and Poonam Dhillon

    12. Live animation series The Legend of Hanuman (Season 2) with voice by Sharad Kelkar

    13. Dance reality series Dance+ with Remo D’souza

    14. Crime-drama series, Criminal Justice (Season 3) starring Pankaj Tripathi

    15. Espionage thriller Special Ops 1.5 starring Kay Kay Menon

  • New initiatives at FICCI Frames 2018

    New initiatives at FICCI Frames 2018

    MUMBAI: The 19th edition of FICCI Frames to be inaugurated by the I&B and Textiles minister Smriti Irani on March 4 is all set to be a grand event.

    There are a lot of interesting sessions lined up with few new initiatives this year.

    The annual media and entertainment global convention will kick-start on the 4th evening with the launch event, which will be followed by the CEOs round-table addressed by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

    The 4-day event that will commence from the 4th and conclude on the 7th will see the who’s who from the media and entertainment industry attend, including the likes of Karan Johar, Shabana Azmi, Siddharth Roy Kapur, Nandita Das among many others.

    One of the major attractions will be the launch of a content market, which is expected to bring over 70 buyers and sellers of content from across the world to this platform.

    FICCI FRAMES CONTENT MARKET – A CONTENT BUYER AND SELLER PARADISE

    The 1st edition of the Content Market is aimed at facilitating the business of Content. Over 70 buyers from across the globe have been invited for the bazaar, including the likes of 102 Distribution, Edko Films, Shoreline Entertainment, Spuul, Top Entertainment, Aurora Global Media Capital, Front Row entertainment, Alpha Violet Sarl and Indian companies like Zee enterprises, Star, Eros Now, Reliance entertainment among others.

    In the first edition of the market, a special screening facility has also been set up to introduce festival programmers and key buyers to a highly curated slate of new Indian films. Festival programmers from International film festivals such as London, Venice, Edinburgh among others will also be in attendance.

    With over 100 sellers and over 70 buyers of content expected to be part of the 1st content market organized by FICCI, this sets the ball rolling for greater content exchange.

    Speaking about the 1st content market Leena Jaisani, FICCI said “This is being organized with the support and advise from the media and entertainment industry professionals. There was a dearth for such a market and with this first step, we hope to move ahead towards filling this void and facilitating more business for content.”

    International Women’s Day Celebrations with Women Leaders at FICCI FRAMES

    On 5th March, few women leader will get together to discuss women empowerment in the digital era, the rise of women movements, and how the community can support the development of more women leaders in the future.

    Led by Maya Hari, Managing Director of Asia Pacific at Twitter, who will be moderating the session, the panel will feature Director of Lipstick under my burkha Alankrita Shrivastava Actor Gul Panag, Author of Face at the window Kiran Manral; Deputy Editor of Rolling Stones India, Nirmika Singh and film producer and founder of IconicBot, Vishakha Singh

    Other Important sessions
    Few of the other important sessions would include discussions on Film Tourism, The future of TV in India, Box Office Collections of films, Biopics made in India, Women Power in Films, Screen density in India, Digital Revolution, Investments in Sports, Fake News, Low budget content heavy films, Regional Films going beyond regions, Films making money internationally, GST in Entertainment sector and Cyber security.

    There will also be a masterclass with Director Anand L Rai, a case study on web series Breathe along with a workshop on Facebook.

    Annual Media and Entertainment reports to be launched

    The annual media and entertainment report on figures related to entertainment industry and an Economic Contribution Report (ECR) for 2018 will also be launched.

  • 1700 films received on ending violence against women film contest

    1700 films received on ending violence against women film contest

    NEW DELHI: Around 1700 entries from over 600 colleges have come in response to a campaign launchged earlier this year for two-minute films on generating debate and promote positive change in cultural and social norms around the value of women in India.

    The campaign ‘#BasAbBahutHogaya – Enough is enough’ was launched by actor Farhan Akhtar along with Population Foundation of India, Farhan Akhtar’s MARD and noted director Feroz Abbas Khan with a pledge to end violence against women and girls.

    The shortlisted films will be judged by a high profile jury comprising Padma Shree Dr. Kiran Karnik, director Shekhar Kapur, actor Shabana Azmi and Feroz Abbas Khan.

    “When we announced the film-making contest, we feared that the students will speak only of the issues which are covered by the mainline media. However, there are many more aspects to the issue of violence against women and girls. The students surprised us with their take on even the minutest and not-spoken-of issues. The varied topics covered by all the participants are a proof of the fact that they realize what is happening around them and are willing to change it for the better”, said Population Foundation of India ED Poonam Muttreja.

    Noted director Feroz Abbas Khan said, “We have received an overwhelming response from students across the country. With almost 1700 entries and an unending zeal, the younger generation just proves that they are ready to turn the patriarchal system of India upside down with their new-age take on this issue.”

    The film-making contest is a part of Bas Ab Bahut Ho Gaya- Enough is Enough, a campaign that aims at generating debate and promote positive change in cultural and social norms around the value of women in India.

    National celebrities have joined this campaign to relay messages that motivate young girls to stand up against violence, and show boys that masculinity is not connected with violence. Apart from the films, there will be several activities including panel discussions and a series of films about violence against women. The campaign will culminate in a concert in Mumbai.

  • Sartaaj & Azmi film ‘Black Prince’s India & global release on 21 July

    MUMBAI: As India and the UK celebrates 70 years of partnership, the film The Black Prince, produced by Brillstein Entertainment (Academy Award winning film 12 Years A Slave) is set to tell the poignant life story of the last King of Punjab – Maharajah Duleep Singh – also known as The Black Prince.

    The film is a historical biopic, based on the fascinating true story and legacy of Maharajah Duleep Singh and his relationship with Queen Victoria, Godmother to his children, set for international release on 21 July 2017.

    *The film is poised to create a wave of intrigue in India and the UK as the story touches upon the historically significant and priceless Kohinoor diamond, which was purportedly gifted by a young 13-year-old Maharajah Duleep Singh to Queen Victoria in a ceremony held in 1850, at Buckingham Palace, London.*

    The film stars acclaimed Sufi singer Satinder Sartaaj who plays the role of Maharajah Duleep Singh, and the legendary screen actress Shabana Azmi (City of Joy) as Rani Jindan, the exiled King’s mother. They are joined by a respected cast including Jason Flemyng (X-Men: First Class, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button), David Essex, and Amanda Root (Their Finest).

    • The Black Prince is a period drama, filmed widely across the UK and India
    • As the last King of Punjab, The Black Prince chronicles Maharajah Duleep Singh’s lifelong struggle and daring journey of self-discovery in order to reclaim his identity, his faith, and the Kingdom that was rightfully his.
    • This ultimately leads him to meeting his mother after 13 years of her being in exile. The Black Prince spotlights Queen Victoria’s cordial relationship with Maharajah Duleep Singh, as he begins adjusting and embracing the English culture he was drawn to at the age of 15.
    • He had a fragile relationship with Queen Victoria, who was Godmother to his children
    • The film also sheds light into his upbringing as an aristocrat in the UK who converts to Christianity under the influence of his foster parents, but later longs to return to his Kingdom, mother and roots.
    • His character, as it evolves is torn between two contrasting cultures – his royal ancestry from the Kingdom of Punjab as its last King, set against his upbringing in the UK as he embarks in a new journey of exile, away from his mother.

    The cast includes:

    • Acclaimed singer-poet Satinder Sartaaj marks his acting debut in The Black Prince, essaying the character of Maharajah Duleep Singh
    • Jason Flemyng (Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, Snatch) as Dr. Login, the foster parent for the Maharajah
    • English stage, screen actress Amanda Root (The Iron Lady), who portrays the bold role of Queen Victoria
    • veteran actress Shabana Azmi (City of Joy) as Rani Jindan, the exiled King’s mother.
    • The film also features Keith Duffy, David Essex OBE, Canadian actor Rup Magon in supporting roles.

  • B’wood supports Times’ ‘Remonetise India’

    B’wood supports Times’ ‘Remonetise India’

    MUMBAI: The demonetisation drive has taken the nation by storm and Bollywood is not less impacted. In an act of solidarity, B-town celebrities such as — Anil Kapoor, R Madhavan, Shilpa Shetty, Kabir Bedi, Javed Akhtar, Shabana Azmi and Manoj Bajpayee have come together to be the agents of change to help bring India’s economy back on track.

    Today, when our economy needs us more than ever, ‘Remonetise India – A Citizen’s Pledge’, Times Network’s nationwide campaign, is a call to rise and protect the world’s fastest growing economy. In a pledge to spend more in order to revive demand, aid the needy and help farmers sell their produce, the celebrities promote going cashless to make it available for those in need.

    The celebrities pledge as the soldiers of the economy to help the economy grow, to help fellow citizens participate in our new economy and to teach and educate people about digitization.

    Also participating in this nationwide movement are actors Sonam Kapoor, Sonu Sood, Raveen Tandon, Manoj Bajpayee, Neha Dhupia, Tisca Chopra, and Sonali Bendre along with socialite Shaina NC, ace photographer Atul Kasbekar and Bollywood’s favourite designer Manish Malhotra.

  • B’wood supports Times’ ‘Remonetise India’

    B’wood supports Times’ ‘Remonetise India’

    MUMBAI: The demonetisation drive has taken the nation by storm and Bollywood is not less impacted. In an act of solidarity, B-town celebrities such as — Anil Kapoor, R Madhavan, Shilpa Shetty, Kabir Bedi, Javed Akhtar, Shabana Azmi and Manoj Bajpayee have come together to be the agents of change to help bring India’s economy back on track.

    Today, when our economy needs us more than ever, ‘Remonetise India – A Citizen’s Pledge’, Times Network’s nationwide campaign, is a call to rise and protect the world’s fastest growing economy. In a pledge to spend more in order to revive demand, aid the needy and help farmers sell their produce, the celebrities promote going cashless to make it available for those in need.

    The celebrities pledge as the soldiers of the economy to help the economy grow, to help fellow citizens participate in our new economy and to teach and educate people about digitization.

    Also participating in this nationwide movement are actors Sonam Kapoor, Sonu Sood, Raveen Tandon, Manoj Bajpayee, Neha Dhupia, Tisca Chopra, and Sonali Bendre along with socialite Shaina NC, ace photographer Atul Kasbekar and Bollywood’s favourite designer Manish Malhotra.

  • Sony Max 2 to telecast story of woman’s search for her identity – ‘Arth’

    Sony Max 2 to telecast story of woman’s search for her identity – ‘Arth’

    MUMBAI: It seemed to be a reflection of the times to come. Sony Max 2 is set to telecast Arth. The movie, which familiarised the nation with the free-spirited and independent woman of Indian cinema, will be broadcast on 19 November at 7pm.

    Directed by Mahesh Bhatt, the movie was made and released way ahead of its time and garnered appreciation for the director’s out-of-the-box thinking, which revolves around the life of a married man involved in extramarital affairs and its related complexities.

    The movie stars Shabana Azmi, the late Smita Patil and Kulbhushan Kharbanda in pivotal roles. It revolves around Pooja played by Azmi, who is financially and emotionally dependent on her husband, Inder Malhotra enacted by Kharbanda. Inder has an affair with a successful actress Kavita Sanyal played by Patil.

    The movie is a complex characterisation of these three principal characters. Besides the modern storyline, the movie boasts of beautiful ballads like “Tum itna jo muskura rahe ho” and “Jhuki jhuki si nazar” sung by Jagjit Singh.