ITV

Tag: Shah Rukh Khan

  • ‘2 States’ leads IIFA 2015 nominations

    ‘2 States’ leads IIFA 2015 nominations

    MUMBAI: The 16th edition of the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Awards has announced the list of nominations in the popular category. The Videocon d2h IIFA Weekend & Awards will take place at Stadium Putra in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from 5-7 June, 2015.

     
    Leading the polls is 2 States with nine nominations followed closely by Vishal Bhardwaj’s hard-hitting Haider, which garnered eight nominations. Rajkumar Hirani’sPK achieved six nominations and the naively stirring Kangana Ranaut starrer Queenreceived five nominations. Some of the other noteworthy mentions this year are Imtiaz Ali’s Highway and Ek Villain.

     

    Wizcraft International Entertainment director Andre Timmins said, “It is amazing how Indian cinema is growing strength by strength every year. It has been a spectacular year for Indian cinema across genres of films and a multitude of talent on and off screen. Some of the biggest films are contending for awards this year and the nominations reflect the talent and achievements of our Indian film industry.”

     

    Contenders for the Leading Role Male this year are Shah Rukh Khan (Happy New Year), Aamir Khan (PK), Hrithik Roshan (Bang Bang), Arjun Kapoor (2 States), Shahid Kapoor (Haider) and Randeep Hooda (Highway). The Leading Role Female category will see Deepika Padukone (Happy New Year), Priyanka Chopra (Mary Kom), Rani Mukherji (Mardaani), Anushka Sharma (PK), Kangana Ranaut (Queen) and Alia Bhatt (2 States) vying for the award this year.

     

    The best director category sees a host of nominees like Vikas Bahl (Queen), Vishal Bhardwaj (Haider), Rajkumar Hirani (PK), Abhishek Varman (2 States) and Imtiaz Ali’s (Highway).

  • DTH operators gear up to woo new customers during IPL

    DTH operators gear up to woo new customers during IPL

    MUMBAI: Will Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) continue its winning streak from last year or will there be another team that will be crowned as this year’s champions in the Indian Premier League (IPL). While a billion people mull over what the final outcome of the cricket tourney will be, Indian direct to home (DTH) operators are not far behind from milking the multibillion dollar sports property.

     

    When quizzed about how the IPL was aiding operators in getting subscriptions, Tata Sky CEO Harit Nagpal says, “Any activity or event like the IPL generates viewer interest. This viewer interest is important and critical in adding subscriptions. But our pricing and such events are independent of each other. People are likely to follow the event and therefore make a purchase.”

     

    Agreeing with him, Sun Direct CEO Mahesh Kumar reasons, “IPL is a fantastic form of cricket that is full of entertainment. Given that we are at the forefront in providing entertainment, the IPL fits in well.”

     

    Kumar is of the opinion that customers coming back from the exam season will definitely be keen to latch on to new connections from Sun Direct as they are providing IPL on Sony Six free to new customers as an incentive. The operator will also provide the IPL add-on free for customers, who recharge beyond six months.

     

    “We see the IPL as a good tool to win back customers and improve our recharges substantially. We also have an add-on for Rs 44, which allows customers to watch the T20 matches for the entire duration of the tournament, apart from the a la carte of Sony Six and Set Max,” he adds.

     

    Dish TV came on board as the official partner for Shah Rukh Khan’s KKR for a fourth time now. The association is a good brand fix as Khan is also the brand ambassador for the DTH operator. The logo of Dish TV will be prominently featured on the non-lead arm of KKR players’ jersey.

     

    “SRK believes in enthralling his audience with quality and consistent entertainment, which is the same philosophy that we at Dish TV believe in. Kolkata has always been a very important market for us and over the years we have been working with the eastern region for trade and consumer engagement activities,” opines Dish TV COO Salil Kapoor.

     

    Kapoor is hopeful that the IPL will bring in added subscriptions. According to him, with cricket fans across the globe, TV sales are likely to see a jump, which in turn will generate a demand for HD channels. “Shah Rukh’s connect and the fact that Dish TV has a strong bouquet of 41 HD channels will help in increasing brand equity, which in turn will result in good sales for us during this IPL,” Kapoor adds.

     

    When asked about the company’s plans during the IPL, Kapoor informs that the ethos behind their brand – i.e. fuelling the passion for entertainment – is to ensure that it goes beyond sports. “This special package is customized to suit the needs of every member of the family. Keeping this in mind, we have introduced the Cricket + package. Our HD channels’ offering is the highest in the industry at present,” he says.

     

    Videocon d2h too has continued its association as the principal sponsor for the Mumbai Indians franchise for the third continuous season of the IPL. The logo of Videocon d2h will feature on the front of the jersey of Mumbai Indians players. Speaking about the same, Videocon d2h CEO Anil Khera says, “We are hopeful of garnering greater visibility for our brand and are looking forward to another eventful year through this partnership.”

     

    Airtel Digital TV has launched various schemes for its customers during this IPL. A company spokesperson informs that for all customers buying Samsung Curve and UHD TV, Airtel Digital TV will offer HD DVR connection at the same cost as that of an HD connection.

     

    “All customers will get discount coupons worth Rs 2650. Customer can enjoy watching the matches on an HD DVR by paying Rs 2350. This box has inbuilt hard disk of 500 GB and customer can enjoy record content up to 750 hours enabling customer to record and watch the matches at a time convenient. Additionally, customers will get free subscription for up to 12 months through a scratch card offer,” informs the spokesperson.

     

    Besides on all other Samsung models, Airtel Digital TV will offer a discount coupon of Rs 660 on its HD+ variant. Additionally customers will get a 8 GB pen drive worth Rs 399 free enabling them to record. Activation charges on Samsung smart direct TVs will be waved off completely.

  • Gionee doubles promotional budget to Rs 250 crore in FY16

    Gionee doubles promotional budget to Rs 250 crore in FY16

    KOLKATA: China-based phone maker Gionee, which has come on board as the principal sponsor of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the eighth season of the Indian Premier League (IPL), is planning to double its promotional budget to Rs 225 – 250 crore in the current fiscal 2015-16 from Rs 132 crore earmarked last fiscal.

     

    Additionally, to support the growth story of its marketing and branding plans, Gionee, which replaced Nokia as the principal sponsor for KKR, hopes to capitalize the team’s huge following in its home state to grow its market share from six per cent currently to 10 per cent in Kolkata by the end of this fiscal year. The firm clinched the three-year deal for approximately Rs 54 crore.

     

    Gionee entered the Indian market in 2013 and currently has a four per cent market share in the Indian mobile phone market. The company is hopeful that the KKR sponsorship will help double its market share to eight per cent in the Indian mobile space.

     

    “Our numbers in Kolkata are already ahead of the national figures, we are expecting that this initiative will take us to a double-digit share in Bengal,” said Gionee India country MD and CEO Arvind Vohra.

     

    On its association with KKR worth Rs 54 crore, Vohra hinted that it will give the company the extra push to achieve the target figures.

     

    When asked about the synergies between the two brands, the official said that Gionee Communication and KKR owner Shah Rukh Khan share a lot of common qualities. “Both Gionee and SRK started at the bottom and have risen to the echelons of their fields,” he said.

     

    Popular for it’s ‘world’s slimmest and sexiest phone,’ Gionee differentiates itself on its unique offering. Vohra plans to keep his customers hooked by constantly innovating the product.

     

    At present, it runs through a joint venture (JV) model with Syntech technologies. The company, which currently works on an outsourcing model, aims to have its own ‘Make in India’ manufacturing unit in year’s time. Gionee is planning to invest Rs 300 crore in building a manufacturing facility in India.  The firm, which sold 40 lakh mobile phones in the country in 2014-15, might go for contract manufacturing in order to kick-start mobile production in the country.

     

    Majority of its 10-12 new phone models that are slated to launch this year, would be manufactured in India. The firm has already appointed E&Y to advise it on setting up manufacturing facility, which might also produce phones for neighbouring countries.

     

    Talking about other states, Vohra said that Gionee has already achieved double-digit shares in markets like Rajasthan and Gujarat.

     

    When queried about the company’s turnover targets, Vohra said that the company is looking at a 100 per cent growth in the coming fiscal.

  • IPL 8, team franchisees rope in sponsors galore

    IPL 8, team franchisees rope in sponsors galore

    MUMBAI: As the Indian Premier League (IPL) cricketing extravaganza draws closer, multiple brands have come on board to associate with the tournament and various team franchisees. 

     
    Magicbricks.com has come on board as an associate sponsor for the eight season of  IPL. This is one of the big spot associations in the recent past for Magicbricks.com.
     
     
    Magicbricks.com head of marketing Manisha Rana said, “IPL is one of the biggest sports festival and is every advertiser’s delight. The association is an endeavour to reach out to maximum end users across the country using association with IPL this season. The association with IPL is a part of the company’s strategy to connect with our existing as well as prospective target audience on a nationwide juncture. IPL provides a non-stop 45 day connect with the audiences and it allows to build connect with the masses at a continuous pace. We are looking at this platform to maximize visibility and build brand preference. Our new campaign leverages this platform in two strategic ways – the story of our protagonist’s is centered on the viewing of the matches. Secondly, we are launching a campaign with a 15 second ad format only to maximize media presence. Teasers to our campaign are already out and the main campaign goes live in IPL.”
     
     
    That’s not all. Sansui has joined hands for the second consecutive year as the official sponsor of the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). Sansui’s logo will appear on the back of KKR jerseys.

     

     
    Like KKR, the company claims that it is persistent in providing top notch entertainment and quality performance to its customers by delivering state-of-the-art Japanese technology products.
     

     

    Sansui’s product line-up includes LED TVs having cutting edge technologies like Curved, 4K (UHD), Smart, UltraLuminous and Connect. Through its association with KKR for the second year in row, Sansui aims to bring the excitement of IPL to millions of viewers via its premium series of televisions. 
     

     

    The range promises stadium like experience at home through its 4K Ultra High Definition picture quality and crystal clear sound. Through this association, Sansui plans to further reinforce customer satisfaction and position itself as a youth centric brand.
     

     

    Sansui COO Amitabh Tiwari said, “I am delighted to announce our partnership with the champion team of IPL 2014 – Kolkata Knight Riders, for the second consecutive year. Team KKR is a trendsetter and the pioneer of the most iconic sports leagues in the world. Thus, we find great potential in associating with them. Besides, sports is the only genre other than news, which inspite of being time bound has an intense viewership. Our partnership with KKR provides us an ideal platform to not only engage with our discerning customers but also bring the best to our viewers with our premium product range. We wish the team good luck for their journey in IPL 8 and hope that they continue their winning streak.”
     

     

    Additionally, Gionee has come on-board as the team’s principal sponsor till 2017. The Gionee logo will be seen on KKR team’s shirt as well as at the stadiums on advertising signage.
     
     
    It may be recalled that since the inception of IPL in 2008, Nokia has been one of the principal sponsors of Khan’s team. However this year, the brand, which was acquired by Microsoft in 2014, decided not to renew its sponsorship deal with KKR.
     
     
    Gionee India country CEO and MD Arvind.R.Vohra said, “We are super excited to back the defending champions and one of the most popular IPL team, KKR. KKR represents the true spirit of Gionee with its challenger attitude and we are certain our association will witness greater heights.”
     
     
    Kolkata Night Riders CEO Venky Mysore added, “It’s great for KKR to be able partner with an aggressive and restless brand like Gionee. Their growth has been phenomenal and we are confident that through this partnership, brand Gionee will continue to reach new heights.”
     
     
    Meanwhile, ICT giant Huawei India has extend its partnership with Royal Challengers Bangalore for three IPL seasons.
     
     
    The Huawei logo will feature on the front of the RCB jersey as a principal sponsor.
     
     
    Huawei, first associated with RCB in IPL 2014, will also have substantial branding exposure at RCB’s home ground – the Chinnaswamy Stadium, along with in-stadium promotional rights. In addition to this, Huawei and RCB will also launch a series of joint marketing initiatives to engage with their respective consumers and fans across India.
     
     
    Huawei India CEO Cai Liqun said, “We are extremely excited to strengthen this relationship with Royal Challengers Bangalore. As a long-term commitment towards the game and the team we have entered into an association for three years starting 2015. The game of cricket in India cuts across demographic barriers and connects masses. With this association, we aim to create a strong resonance for the brand Huawei as it paves its way to become brand of masses.”
     
     
     
    Huawei India president of consumer business group Allen Wang added, “We warmly welcome this association with Royal Challengers Bangalore and are very enthusiastic about the forthcoming edition of the IPL. We have also recently launched our new e-brand Honor, which is “For the Brave”, for the ones who dare to dream and follow their passion to achieve something, much like the Royal Challengers Bangalore. We wish the Royal Challengers Bangalore all the very best for this year’s IPL.”
     
     
     
    Royal Challengers Bangalore vice president, commercial, operations and Cricket Academy Russell Adams said, “We are pleased about our renewed partnership with Huawei for the next 3 years and we thank them for the support and the faith shown in us.  We look towards a long and fruitful association with Huawei.”
     
    The Royal Challengers will be playing their inaugural match on 11 April, 2015 against Kolkata Knight Rider in Kolkata. This will be the fourth match of the tournament.
  • BCCI Review Committee clears Sunil Narine

    BCCI Review Committee clears Sunil Narine

    MUMBAI: The bowling review committee of the BCCI, comprising S. Venkatraghavan, Javagal Srinath and A.V. Jayaprakash examined the bowling action of Sunil Narine after he had undergone a biomechanical assessment at the ICC-accredited SRMC centre in Chennai.

     

    The committee concluded that Narine, who had remodelled his bowling action, was within the ICC approved limits for all types of deliveries that were assessed and has hence recommended to the BCCI, that his name be removed from the warning list of bowlers with suspect action.

     

    As a result, Narine is now allowed to bowl in all BCCI tournaments.

     

    Narine is part of Shah Rukh Khan’s Kolkata Knight Riders team in the Indian Premier League (IPL), which kick-starts on 8 April.

     

    “I am happy that we will witness Sunil Narine in action in the Pepsi IPL 2015, since he is now cleared by the BCCI committee. We look forward to the opening match between Kolkata Knight Riders and Mumbai Indians on 8 April in Kolkata, which promises to provide an exciting start to the tournament,” said BCCI secretary Anurag Thakur.

  • Dish TV comes on board as official partner for Kolkata Knight Riders

    Dish TV comes on board as official partner for Kolkata Knight Riders

    MUMBAI: Gearing up for the Indian Premier League (IPL), direct to home (DTH) operator Dish TV India has extended its association with Kolkata Knight Riders as an official partner for the fourth time. This year’s tournament will start on 8 April 2015. As part of the association, the logo of Dish TV will be prominently featured on the non lead arm of the jersey of KKR players.

    DishTV COO Salil Kapoor said, “Through this association, we would like to pull entertainment a notch higher for all cricket fans. We look forward to the tournament and hope that Kolkata Knight Riders emerges as a champion in this season of IPL as well.”

     

    Continuing its relationship with Shah Rukh Khan Dish TV expects its association with the KKR co-owner to bring good luck to the team. Through this partnership, there will also be an engagement of player with consumers and trade partners.  Furthermore, this season Dish TV will be reaching out to the consumers through the digital space through interesting contests and engagement opportunities on KKR’s Facebook and Twitter pages.

     

    KKR CEO Venky Mysore stated, “With the fine performance of Team KKR over the last four years, which includes IPL championships in 2012 and  2014, we have been able to generate a lot of interesting content for our fans and supporters. This is where the partnership with Dish TV is a perfect fit. Integration of exclusive KKR content through the extensive reach of Dish TV will give people an inside peak into what makes Team KKR work! “

  • &TV replaces Shah Rukh Khan’s show with two new fiction dailies

    &TV replaces Shah Rukh Khan’s show with two new fiction dailies

    MUMBAI: The newest Hindi general entertainment channel (GEC) from the Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd’s (Zeel) stable &TV has strengthened its fiction line-up with the launch of two new dailies, which will replace the Shah Rukh Khan hosted finite show India Poochega: Sabse Shaana Kaun?

     

    The new shows are Dilli Wali Thakur Gurls and Badii Devrani, which will go on air from 30 March. While Dilli Wali Thakur Gurls will be aired from Monday to Friday at 9 pm, Badii Devrani will air at 10 pm.

     

    &TV business head Rajesh Iyer said, “Within three weeks, India Poochega: Sabse Shaana Kaun? has reached out to 32 million viewers in the slot. Being a familiar primetime slot, our endeavor was to offer something equally entertaining and engaging to sustain the interest. Both the shows – Dilli Wali Thakur Gurls at 9 pm and Badii Devrani at 9.30 pm promise viewers two versatile family dramas that are a reflection of today’s modern day society and how relationships stand the test of time.”

     

    Dilli Wali Thakur Gurls produced by Cinevistas is based on Anuja Chauhan’s novel Those Pricey Thakur Girls. Set in Delhi, the show presents the story of the Thakurs – Justice LN Thakur, his wife – Mamta and their five eccentric daughters – Anji, Binny, Dabbu, Chandu and Eshu.

     

    On the other hand, Badii Devrani is produced by Shashi Sumeet Productions and has original concept and storyline by Beyond Dreams Entertainment. The show is set against the backdrop of Kolkata is the story of an unusual arranged marriage between an older woman (Reeti) and a younger boy (Vibhor).

  • &TV to commission locally produced content for UK audience

    &TV to commission locally produced content for UK audience

    MUMBAI: Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited’s (Zeel) new Hindi general entertainment channel (GEC), which is slated to launch in the UK on 6 April, 2015, will be looking at airing locally produced content.

     

    The channel said that it plans to commission locally produced content, which is relevant for its audience base in the UK.

     

    Zee TV, which completed 20 years in Europe, saw actor Shah Rukh Khan along with the channel’s executives launching &TV in the UK at a special gala.

     

    The celebration was attended by Zeel MD and CEO Punit Goenka and &TV business head Rajesh Iyer.

     

    Talking about his long lasting relationship with Zee, Khan said that he was thrilled to officially launch the new channel along with Goenka.

     

    Commenting on the 20 years celebration, Goenka said, “We are proud to be a medium through, which Indians living abroad have stayed connected to their roots back home all these years and we will continue to entertain and engage audiences with a unique blend of high-quality and innovative programming.”

     

    Speaking about &TV’s launch in the UK, Goenka said, “&TV will offer a more substantial viewing experience to an audience that is always seeking fresh and relevant content. We are certain that with the launch of &TV, we will capitalize on further such opportunities to build a robust entertainment bouquet and march ahead towards achieving the global ambitions set for the company. Finally, we are so proud to be working with Shah Rukh Khan on our flagship show India Poochega – Sabse Shaana Kaun. Mr Khan has poured his heart and soul into the show and we know it will bring great joy to our European audiences.”

     

    Zee Europe CEO Neeraj Dhingra added, “Zee TV has been a pioneer in bringing great Asian entertainment to the UK and fostering the cultural ties with India. We are certain that with the launch of the contemporary channel &TV, these ties will strengthen. The channel promises multi-dimensional content and a strong line-up of entertainment and reality shows, and we are beyond excited to have Khan as the host of our flagship entertainment programme. We are certain that the audience will enjoy seeing a different side of their superstar.”

     

    &TV unveiled a range of its weekday programming at the event namely Razia Sultan, Begusarai, Gangaa, Bhabi Ji Ghar Par Hai and Bhaghyalakshmi. The channel’s weekend shows include Killer Karaoke – Atka Toh Latkah and Tujhse Naaraz Nahi Zindagi.

  • “Women must develop a thick skin in order to survive in the media:” Barkha Dutt

    “Women must develop a thick skin in order to survive in the media:” Barkha Dutt

    MUMBAI: Veteran journalist Barkha Dutt, who recently stepped down from her post as NDTV group editor to start her own business venture, said that in order to survive in the media business, women should develop a thick skin.

     

    Speaking at the launch of FICCI Women in Media Forum, Dutt specifically addressed women journalists and said, “There are two key things that you should keep in mind. One is that you have to perform better than the men and secondly, be prepared to be scrutinised or even being deconstructed in the media room. Develop a thick skin in order to survive.”

     

    Dutt spoke on the role of women in the Indian news room space and shared some key insights from her own experience. She began her keynote about the role and depiction of women 20 years ago in the industry. “I want to talk about my mother’s generation working in the media. Today, we are not the norms but the exception. When my mother was 19 years old and walked into Hindustan Times asking for a job, the then editor told her that there was no space for her in the media room. After persisting, she was told that she would get to cover a flower display show in Delhi. She later went on to head the news bureau,” Dutt said.

     

    Sharing an interesting anecdote, Dutt, who is synonymous for her coverage of the Kargil War, said that it was her mother who should be given due credit. “During India’s war with Pakistan in 1965, my mother took a few days off and went to cover the war at the war front in Punjab. She did this after she was not allowed to cover the war by the newspaper. In Punjab, my mother sent dispatches back to the news paper desk, which got featured prominently,” Dutt shared.

     

    Moving on to her own experience, Dutt said that in 1999, the army was uncomfortable with a woman at the war front. “They were not comfortable protecting a woman. I told them that if soldiers were going to go behind a rock and use it as a loo, so will I. Today, we women journalists want to be judged for our work as journalists,” she stated.

     

    Dutt also mentioned that while today there were many women journalists, she could not even name 10 women editors or CEOs in the news room space. She shared insights of a UN survey, which analysed profitable film industries world over. “One third of the screen space or less was given to women in speaking roles in Bollywood. However, India did well in sexualising women.”

     

    She highlighted how disparity in wages existed in Bollywood. “Why didn’t Kangana Ranaut get the same profits that her male contemporaries do even after performing well with a film like Queen? Why is Anoushka Sharma questioned if she has got a lip-job done, while the male actors are not asked if they have resorted to botox?” the popular TV anchor reasoned.

     

    In conclusion Dutt said, “I sit here as a 43 year old and with 20 years of journalism experience and I look at it in dismay. There is a certain kind of glamorising of journalism that is taking place in the studio today. How is it that the three Khans of Bollywood are going strong enough at 50 years but not a single actress over 40?” she implored.

     

  • ‘Happy New Year’ reaches Gulf & Latin American audience via iTunes

    ‘Happy New Year’ reaches Gulf & Latin American audience via iTunes

    MUMBAI: After reaching out to millions of fans across the globe, Red Chillies Entertainments’ (RCE) film Happy New Year (HNY) has added another feather to its cap. The film has got the widest release ever on iTunes, which is a first for any Indian film. Directed by Farah Khan, HNY has become the first Bollywood film to premiere in iTunes Gulf region and in 16 Latin American countries.

     

    RCE chief revenue officer Gaurav Verma said, “Technology has always helped in overcoming barriers, sometimes they are economical and sometime language. Riding on the reach of iTunes, we have been able to cater to audience in over 100 countries with regional subtitles who can now consume our movies on a swipe at their convenience. Theatrically, we reach out to 50-55 countries for a big film and digital platforms help us in expanding our reach as was the case with our earlier initiative Direct-To-Fan, which made the film available to a global audience.” 

     

    An action-packed musical heist, HNY was worldwide distributed by Yash Raj Films and stars Deepika Padukone, Shah Rukh Khan, Abhishek Bachchan, Boman Irani, Sonu Sood and Vivaan Shah. HNY was released in India on 24 October, 2014 and has been released theatrically, on D2F and on home video in many traditional and non-traditional markets since then. HNY also got the biggest release in China on their New Year weekend recently and will be available in German from 20 March on home video as well.