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Tag: Siddharth Anand

  • Pragati, Maahi, & Arjun to perform at Cannes Film Festival 2024

    Pragati, Maahi, & Arjun to perform at Cannes Film Festival 2024

    Mumbai: In a proud moment for India, music label Saregama’s talented trio – Pragati, Maahi, and Arjun – are set to debut and perform at the Cannes Film Festival 2024. Their performances will be a marque highlight at Cannes this year, showcasing India’s rich musical heritage on an international stage.

    The 77th edition of the Cannes Film Festival, renowned for presenting the best in world cinema, is set to take place from 14 to 25 May in the legendary French Riviera. Amidst a handpicked lineup of critically acclaimed films and glamorously dressed renowned personalities, this year’s festival promises to be an extravaganza of talent and creativity.

    The vibrant Gen Z trio’s performances will begin at the prestigious Bharat Parv event on 16 May, hosted by the Official Indian Delegation from the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) and supported by Kamla Mills. Celebrities, senior officials, and esteemed film guests from the international & Indian Film industry, will be in attendance. Pragati, Maahi, and Arjun will enthral the audience with a set list that blends their originals, released earlier this year, with classic all-time favorites from Saregama’s rich catalogue.

    That’s not all! On 17 May, Saregama Talent will also take center stage with another captivating performance at the Bharat Pavilion, solidifying their global presence. Adding to the star power, the legendary Shaan will grace the stage to introduce the trio and set the scene for a dynamic show that promises to be unforgettable. The event will be filmed and broadcasted on Saregama’s YouTube page, reaching fans worldwide.

    Emphasizing on the importance and grandeur of Bharat Parv, JS (Film) & NFDC MD Prithul Kumar said, “Bharat Parv is a great platform to showcase the myraid creative opportunities and a rich bank of creative talent of India. We are immensely proud to showcase India on the global stage through the performances of Pragati, Maahi, and Arjun at the Cannes Film Festival 2024. This moment embodies our nation’s cultural pride and artistic prowess, resonating with audiences worldwide.”

    Saregama India Ltd’s SVP films and events – Siddharth Anand shared, “Seeing Pragati, Maahi, and Arjun represent India’s vibrant talent at Cannes 2024 fills us with immense pride. As an artist-first company, it’s our unwavering commitment to open doors of opportunities for our talent to shine on the global stage. This is just the beginning of their journey, and we’re excited to witness their continued success.”

    Nidarshana Gowani, wife of real estate visionary Ramesh Gowani & owner of Kamala Mills quipped, “It’s truly exhilarating to witness the vibrant cultural representation at Cannes 2024, spearheaded by Maahi, Arjun, and Pragati. I am eagerly looking forward to the mesmerizing performances and the opportunity to showcase India’s rich musical heritage with of course, a modern Gen Z touch.”

    With their unique blend of Indian roots and Gen Z flair, Pragati, Maahi, and Arjun are ready to shine at Cannes, proving that the future of Indian music is brighter than ever.

  • Flipkart’s ‘SPOYL’ named official style partner for film ‘Fighter’

    Flipkart’s ‘SPOYL’ named official style partner for film ‘Fighter’

    Mumbai: SPOYL, the fashion destination for Gen Z on Flipkart, is the official style partner for the highly anticipated film ‘Fighter’, directed by Siddharth Anand, presented by Viacom18 Studios in association with Marflix Pictures, and starring Deepika Padukone, Hrithik Roshan, and Anil Kapoor. The limited-edition SPOYL X Fighter collection encompasses over 80 plus styles inspired by the movie, ranging from a diverse selection of jackets, t-shirts, tank tops, parachute pants, bags, and sunglasses, starting from Rs 399/-

    Since its launch, SPOYL has experienced an overwhelming surge in popularity among Gen Z fashion enthusiasts. Approximately 60 per cent users on the SPOYL platform today are aged between 16-30 years, and are seeking the latest fashion trends and styles. With many Gen Z shoppers embracing a range of styles, including playsuits, 90s grunge, Y2K, Kpop, cottage-core and gender-neutral styles to name a few, the SPOYL X Fighter collection offers more choices for self-expression through fashion.

    Speaking about the new launch and much-awaited collection drop, Flipkart Fashion Sr director Abhishek Maloo said “With SPOYL, our objective is to offer unparalleled choice and value on the latest fashion trends to every Gen Z shopper nationwide. In line with this, we are elated to unveil the Fighter collection which has been yet another special collaboration between fashion and entertainment in India. We are excited to continue this ‘Official Style Partner’ journey at SPOYL, where we will remain dedicated to exploring novel entertainment avenues. With this approach, we are unlocking new opportunities to bring the best of fashion to millions of customers across India through our growing network of sellers.”

    Viacom18 Studios COO Ajit Andhare said, “We are thrilled to witness the collaboration between Flipkart’s SPOYL and our cinematic creation. The SPOYL X ‘Fighter’ collection is a testament to the fusion of Bollywood flair and Gen Z fashion, offering over 80 limited-edition styles inspired by the movie. Directed by Siddharth Anand and starring Deepika Padukone, Hrithik Roshan, and Anil Kapoor, this collaboration transcends entertainment and fashion, creating a unique space for self-expression and individuality while taking Indians on this one-of-a-kind style journey. We’re excited to see how this partnership unlocks new avenues for style and resonates with our audience across India.”

    Director Siddharth Anand said “This film is a true combination of heart-thumping action and a patriotic fervor packed with some seriously great styles on Hrithik Roshan and Deepika Padukone. To match their iconic fashion and  energy, we partnered with Flipkart as our Style Partner which only resonates with the film and its storyboard but also inspires young Indians to explore their fashion game.”

    Curated and designed by licensing company Black White Orange, SPOYL aims to transform how young Indians express their individual style, offering an extensive array of contemporary designs and style options that empower them to embrace their distinct fashion preferences. Its unique experience is powered by stunning visuals to enable gender-agnostic browsing for styles that resonate with the values of Gen Z customers.

    Since the launch of SPOYL last year, an increasing number of Gen Z fashion shoppers are looking for influencers and celebrity-inspired styles such as corsets, utility shirts, cargos and freestyle baggy t-shirts. With Fighter clocking in more than one lakh pre-booked ticket sales for its release day, it goes to show the immense anticipation of fans for the movie. The lookbook sported by the cast Deepika Padukone and Hrithik Roshan can also be purchased on Flipkart’s SPOYL.

  • Tata Play Binge celebrates King Khan’s birthday in grand style

    Tata Play Binge celebrates King Khan’s birthday in grand style

    Mumbai: He’s the ‘Badshah of Bollywood,’ the undisputed ‘King of Romance’, and a name that needs no introduction. Shah Rukh Khan, the living legend of Indian cinema, has enthralled us with his magnetic charm, incredible talent, and charismatic persona for decades. As we approach the grand occasion of his birthday on the 2nd of November, there couldn’t be a more fitting time to celebrate his cinematic brilliance. On this special day, Tata Play Binge proudly presents a curated list of his best movies – that’s right, the best of SRK classics that you won’t want to miss.

    Dear Zindagi – Netflix

    Dear Zindagi is a gem that stands out as one of Shah Rukh Khan’s latest finest performances. Directed by Gauri Shinde, this heartwarming and insightful film sheds light on the importance of mental health and explores complexities of life and relationships through the journey of Kaira, played by the talented Alia Bhatt, who seeks guidance from a charming life coach, Dr. Jehangir Khan, portrayed by Shah Rukh Khan. The film’s beautifully nuanced storytelling and ‘woke’ narrative, relatable characters, and SRK and Alia Bhatt’s on-screen camaraderie make it a must-watch for all ages.

    Pathaan – Amazon Prime Video

    Latest Bollywood blockbuster to make ₹1CR+ at the box office globally, becoming SRK’s ultimate come-back post pandemic. The film is an exhilarating addition to the YRF Spy Universe, featuring the charismatic Shah Rukh Khan in the lead role as an Indian secret agent brought out of retirement to combat an international terror organization. The film combines thrilling action sequences with witty dialogue, showcasing the actor at his best, exuding charm and humor. Director Siddharth Anand orchestrates a high-octane spy thriller that’s well worth watching for fans of the genre and SRK enthusiasts alike.

    Pardes – ZEE5

    Pardes, directed by Subhash Ghai, is a ‘classic SRK film’ that offers a compelling narrative enriched with Shah Rukh Khan’s outstanding performance. Khan plays the role of Arjun, an NRI who visits India and becomes entangled in a complex web of cultural clashes, love, and family dynamics. His portrayal is a true testament to his versatility as an actor, bringing depth and charm to the character. The film also went on to be nominated for ‘Best Film‘ in the Filmfare Award in 1998.

    Yes Boss – SonyLIV

    Yes Boss is a delightful Bollywood romantic comedy that’s definitely worth watching, especially for Shah Rukh Khan’s charismatic and charming performance. Directed by Aziz Mirza, the film features SRK playing Rahul, an ambitious employee caught between his demanding boss and a job opportunity presented by a wealthy but quirky businesswoman. SRK’s impeccable comic timing and on-screen chemistry with Juhi Chawla make this movie a heartwarming and entertaining experience, as it explores the themes of ambition, love, and ethical dilemmas against the backdrop of a lighthearted and engaging storyline.

    Deewana – Disney+ Hotstar

    Deewana, a 1992 film directed by Raj Kanwar, is Shah Rukh Khan’s first film that also won him his first Filmfare Award as Best Debut (Male). SRK’s electrifying performance as Raja Sahai in his maiden film immediately solidified his status as a rising star. The movie also features Divya Bharti, who brought her own magic to the screen, and Rishi Kapoor in a pivotal role. With its blend of romance, drama, and music, Deewana is a must-watch for any SRK enthusiast, offering a delightful introduction to the world of Indian cinema and the remarkable talent that is Shah Rukh Khan.

    Veer-Zaara – Apple TV+

    Directed by the legendary Yash Chopra, this epic romantic drama weaves a captivating tale of love and sacrifice that transcends borders. Shah Rukh Khan, in one of his most brilliant performances, brings to life the character of Veer, a humble Indian Air Force officer who falls in love with a Pakistani woman named Zaara, played by the enchanting Preity Zinta. SRK’s portrayal of Veer is nothing short of extraordinary, the film not only touched the hearts of millions but also garnered numerous awards and accolades, cementing its status as a classic in romantic Bollywood cinema, with recognition at prestigious events like the Filmfare Awards, National Film Awards, and many more.

    Wondering how to get a subscription of these OTT apps? We have Tata Play Binge for you. Viewers can avail the entire package of 22+ apps (Disney+ Hotstar, ZEE5, SonyLIV, MX Player, Lionsgate Play, Apple TV+, Aha, VROTT, Sun NXT, Hallmark Movies Now, ReelDrama, Chaupal, Namma Flix, Planet Marathi, manoramaMAX, iStream, Tarang Plus, Hungama Play, Eros Now, ShemarooMe, Curiosity Stream, EPIC ON, Travelxp, DocuBay, and ShortsTV) and Games under one subscription, in one app, without having to subscribe or remember the password of every app. Sounds amazing? It is amazing!!

    Please Note: Netflix and Amazon Prime Video plans are available for Tata Play DTH subscribers only.

    Download the Tata Play Binge app to enjoy the best of entertainment across over 22 OTT platforms.

    Join Tata Play Binge as we celebrate the birthday of the King of Romance, Shah Rukh Khan, with a cinematic extravaganza fit for Bollywood royalty!

  • Eros International Plc reports massive bottomline gains for third quarter

    BENGALURU: Eros International Plc (Eros) reported more than a 15 fold (15.4  fold) increase in operating profits for the quarter ended 31 December 2016 (Q3-17, current quarter) as compared to corresponding year ago quarter. Operating profit in the current quarter was $8.2 million as compared to just $0.5 million in Q3-16. The company reported Net Income of $11.5 million as compared to a loss of $2.5 million in the corresponding year ago quarter.

    The company’s topline (revenues) however declined 5.3 percent year-over-year to $57.3 million in the current quarter from $60.5 million. Adjusted EBITDA in Q3-17 increased by 62.9 percent to $14.5 million, compared to $8.9 million in the prior year period.

    Eros explains that the strong increase in margins and profitability vis-à-vis the slight decline in revenues was due to the negative impact of demonetisation on theatrical revenues in the third quarter partially offset by strong high-margin catalogue sales.

    Company speak

    Eros managing director and group CEO Jyoti Deshpande said, “I am very proud of the progress we have made over the past few months on our journey to transform our Company into a leading global digital distribution business supported by the power of our brand, premium content and unparalleled distribution capabilities. The momentum we highlighted in November continues to accelerate with the growing success of Eros Now, our OTT platform which reached 58 million registered users and crossed 2 million paying subscribers in December 2016.

    As we discussed in our Q2 results last November, the rapidly evolving digital media landscape in India including increased competition from Western OTT players for digital rights has underscored the value of digital content in India. It also reinforces our overall strategy to focus on premium content with the widest possible appeal. In the long term the rising value of digital rights will make our existing content library more valuable and increase the demand for our new release digital content across all platforms – including satellite and cable.

    The demonetisation efforts undertaken by the Indian Government in November have clearly had a short-term impact on many aspects of the Indian economy, especially consumer discretionary spending. To that end while the entire media sector in India has been temporarily impacted by these measures, we feel that the underlying push to digitisation will directly and indirectly benefit our company going forward in many ways. We have been working tirelessly to provide consumers with multiple payment options for Eros Now, from telco billing to digital wallets to mobile payment providers. The push to digitisation reinforces our strategy and we feel we are well positioned to capitalize on this opportunity.

    Finally, our strong upcoming production slate of over 50 films has gone through a stringent green-lighting process for several months. The upcoming lineup includes highly promising projects including five films from Trinity, two Indo‐China co‐productions, a Shah Rukh Khan film from Color Yellow, two sequels from our own content stable like Vicky Donor-2, Badlapur-2, Munna Michael starring Tiger Shroff and Chanda Mama Door Ke starring Sushant Singh, amongst others.”

    ErosNow

    The company says that Eros International’s OTT Platform ErosNow has over 20 lakh (2 million) subscribers worldwide, it has 5.8 crore (58 million) registered users worldwide across WAPP, APP and the web. The platform has rights to over 5,000 films, 250,000 audio tracks with 13 music labels providing music content.

    The company says that Eros Now has integration deals around the world with over 20 different telecom operators and nine different OEMs and connected devices. Further, over the past four months Eros Now has digitally premiered more than 15 films from the Eros International new release slate. Eros Now’s original content offering began with the release of ‘Salute Siachen’, India’s first ever celebrity high endurance expedition to the Siachen Glacier. In addition, Eros Now originals such as Flesh by Siddharth Anand, Smoke and Side Hero will be launched in FY-18.

     

  • Trinity Pictures ropes in five directors for films; to start production in FY 2017

    Trinity Pictures ropes in five directors for films; to start production in FY 2017

    MUMBAI: Eros International’s Trinity Pictures is now ready with its first slate of films across new and exciting genres. Also it has roped in five ace directors from the industry to produce films.  In what is said to change the way films are traditionally developed, Trinity’s first slate is all about creating character-driven franchises which will be leveraged across feature films, merchandising, digital and more.

    With a focus on creating fresh concepts in new spaces, Trinity is also one of the first Bollywood studio in India that has a dedicated in-house team of writers in the ‘Trinity Writers’ Room’ who have created over ten original franchises since the Division’s inception, out of which at least four films will go into production in fiscal year 2017.

    Trinity’s initial lineup includes a range of character-driven franchises across budgets, genres and languages – from a live action elephant film, to a kid’s action film and an Indo-China project to name a few. These will be helmed by acclaimed directors from across the country including Kabir Khan, Siddharth Anand, Amole Gupte, Telugu director Krish and popular Tamil director Prabhu Solomon.

    The first feature to roll out under Trinity Pictures will be director Amole Gupte’ s favourite genre but with a difference – a kids action film, a big scale action film with a child secret agent at the centre of the story that will go on floor in the summer vacation.

    With Trinity’s launch, the studio is looking at expanding new film markets which includes opening of one of the biggest markets in the world – China. Two projects will be co-produced with a Chinese studio, based on stories organically weaving the socio-cultural worlds of India and China.

    Additionally, the films will be shot in both languages. The first Indo-China co-production to roll will be directed by Kabir Khan with A-lister cast from India and China,  a human drama exploring the central character’s journey from India to China. Other projects in the pipeline include a film by Siddharth Anand which will explore a fresh take on the spy genre in India. This genre is a global favourite with franchise potential.

    Multiple award winning Tamil director, Prabhu Solomon’s bilingual project will be an inspiration from the quintessential super hit animal film—Haathi Mere Saathi. The shooting will take place during the monsoons across India and abroad and will be mounted on a scale with never-seen-before visual effects in this genre.

    Ace director Krish’s buddy cop film will be shot in Hindi and Tamil simultaneously, featuring popular lead actors from both the South and Bollywood. This film has been co-written by Shridhar Raghavan (mentor to Trinity writers), Dheeraj Rattan and K. Subhash.

    Commenting on Trinity plans, Eros International group CEO Jyoti Deshpande said, “With Trinity, we continue our endeavour to raise the bar in revolutionizing Indian cinema. As a leading film studio, we have peaked with three out of the top four and seven out of top fifteen films in Bollywood in 2015 being Eros films. Trinity strategy is all about conceiving breakthrough big content ideas and unlocking value from that intellectual property across various distribution platforms for a very long time. We are excited about the slate under development and hope we will have a few top ten films from Trinity”.

    Trinity Pictures  CEO Ajit Thakur added, “With Trinity, there is an effort to create something absolutely new for the Indian market, an effort in investing in creating characters that open a world of possibilities – films, digital games, comics, merchandise. We have writers for the first time creating characters first and then building scripts and projects around these characters. We are the first studio to have tied up with China for co-productions and will be creating new markets with films shot in multiple languages.  There are many firsts to Trinity and only Eros could have seen the merit in a franchise set up as this and taken the risk of making Trinity Pictures happen. We are very excited that the characters and franchises we are creating will hopefully entertain Indian audiences across platforms and well beyond the first Friday”.Tamil director Prabhu Solomon.

  • Trinity Pictures ropes in five directors for films; to start production in FY 2017

    Trinity Pictures ropes in five directors for films; to start production in FY 2017

    MUMBAI: Eros International’s Trinity Pictures is now ready with its first slate of films across new and exciting genres. Also it has roped in five ace directors from the industry to produce films.  In what is said to change the way films are traditionally developed, Trinity’s first slate is all about creating character-driven franchises which will be leveraged across feature films, merchandising, digital and more.

    With a focus on creating fresh concepts in new spaces, Trinity is also one of the first Bollywood studio in India that has a dedicated in-house team of writers in the ‘Trinity Writers’ Room’ who have created over ten original franchises since the Division’s inception, out of which at least four films will go into production in fiscal year 2017.

    Trinity’s initial lineup includes a range of character-driven franchises across budgets, genres and languages – from a live action elephant film, to a kid’s action film and an Indo-China project to name a few. These will be helmed by acclaimed directors from across the country including Kabir Khan, Siddharth Anand, Amole Gupte, Telugu director Krish and popular Tamil director Prabhu Solomon.

    The first feature to roll out under Trinity Pictures will be director Amole Gupte’ s favourite genre but with a difference – a kids action film, a big scale action film with a child secret agent at the centre of the story that will go on floor in the summer vacation.

    With Trinity’s launch, the studio is looking at expanding new film markets which includes opening of one of the biggest markets in the world – China. Two projects will be co-produced with a Chinese studio, based on stories organically weaving the socio-cultural worlds of India and China.

    Additionally, the films will be shot in both languages. The first Indo-China co-production to roll will be directed by Kabir Khan with A-lister cast from India and China,  a human drama exploring the central character’s journey from India to China. Other projects in the pipeline include a film by Siddharth Anand which will explore a fresh take on the spy genre in India. This genre is a global favourite with franchise potential.

    Multiple award winning Tamil director, Prabhu Solomon’s bilingual project will be an inspiration from the quintessential super hit animal film—Haathi Mere Saathi. The shooting will take place during the monsoons across India and abroad and will be mounted on a scale with never-seen-before visual effects in this genre.

    Ace director Krish’s buddy cop film will be shot in Hindi and Tamil simultaneously, featuring popular lead actors from both the South and Bollywood. This film has been co-written by Shridhar Raghavan (mentor to Trinity writers), Dheeraj Rattan and K. Subhash.

    Commenting on Trinity plans, Eros International group CEO Jyoti Deshpande said, “With Trinity, we continue our endeavour to raise the bar in revolutionizing Indian cinema. As a leading film studio, we have peaked with three out of the top four and seven out of top fifteen films in Bollywood in 2015 being Eros films. Trinity strategy is all about conceiving breakthrough big content ideas and unlocking value from that intellectual property across various distribution platforms for a very long time. We are excited about the slate under development and hope we will have a few top ten films from Trinity”.

    Trinity Pictures  CEO Ajit Thakur added, “With Trinity, there is an effort to create something absolutely new for the Indian market, an effort in investing in creating characters that open a world of possibilities – films, digital games, comics, merchandise. We have writers for the first time creating characters first and then building scripts and projects around these characters. We are the first studio to have tied up with China for co-productions and will be creating new markets with films shot in multiple languages.  There are many firsts to Trinity and only Eros could have seen the merit in a franchise set up as this and taken the risk of making Trinity Pictures happen. We are very excited that the characters and franchises we are creating will hopefully entertain Indian audiences across platforms and well beyond the first Friday”.Tamil director Prabhu Solomon.

  • Saregama accelerates its television business

    Saregama accelerates its television business

    MUMBAI: As part of its growth strategy, the music company and also the entertainment arm of the RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group, Saregama has ramped up its television content management team. It has appointed two senior creative people, namely Rajesh Beri and Siddharth Anand.

     

    Saregama MD Vikram Mehra commented, “Saregama is very serious about creating good quality content for television and with Beri and Anand, two industry veterans, on board we hope to achieve greater highs in the coming time.”

     

    Beri features in the Limca Books of Records for writing the maximum number of episodes of any serial and the only writer in the country to write 1,328 episodes, story, screen play, dialogues and lyrics for one serial solely. He has more than 45 serials to his credit, telecast across all the major national channels like Star Plus, Sony, DD, Zee TV to name a few.

     

    Anand comes on board with a degree in film making from Hampshire College in Massachusetts. With directorial projects like Zinda on Sony, Hello Pratibha on Zee TV, Shastri Sisters on Colors, he has established himself as one of the finest directors in the television world.