Tag: Sonam Kapoor

Brands innovate I-Day campaigns

MUMBAI: Freedom is raining offers. As India enters its 70th year of independence, brands have rolled out campaigns and offers to celebrate patriotism. Brands from different sectors have innovative ways of celebrating the hard-earned freedom.

The multiplex INOX and Women in Films and Television (WIFT) are scheduled to unveil a campaign ‘Raise Your Voice’ on the eve of the Independence Day to address the gender violence issues that plague our nation. This is an exclusive tie-up wherein six short films will be screened across all INOX multiplexes in the country. With strong voices like Shabana Azmi, Priyanka Chopra, Sonam Kapoor, Diya Mirza, Shriya Saran and Rituparna Sengupta behind each campaign, WIFT also celebrates women who are strong, determined and confident. The campaign will highlight issues like dowry, sexual harassment, female foeticide, ‘teach a girl child’, child marriage and domestic violence.

Turtle Limited, the men’s wear fashion destination, has come up with a painting which is nine feet in length and five feet in height, made out of khadi thread which runs almost 20 km in length and with almost 6000 nails attached to it. The brand claims that khadi has always been close to Turtle since they are the only one who manufacture and retail the same. On this day, the brand will showcase khadi and how this journey was started by Gandhiji. Turtle intended to highlight the fabric which even the prime minister Narendra Modi is promoting along with ‘Make in India’ initiative.

Twitter India, the microblog social media platform, is adding on to the celebrations with the launch of a new tri-colour emoji featuring the map of India. The emoji would go live on a day prior to the Independence Day, at 6:30 pm IST till 6:30 am, 17 August, 2016. Indians across the world can be a part of the Independence Day conversations by using the hashtags #India #इंडिया #IndiaAt69 #भारत #IndiaIndependenceDay when composing a tweet. Twitter believes that emojis are a delightful way to bring together people to celebrate cultural moments. The emoji will give users a fun way to tweet, share and celebrate the historic day and express love for their country with live conversations. This is the second Independence Day emoji launched by Twitter. Earlier, Twitter launched the first Indian flag emoji to mark the country’s 69th Independence Day.

Canon India has partnered with SOS Children’s Village to launch ‘Support a Life’ Campaign. The brand claims to support the education and overall development of children in these villages. Canon initiated the campaign on August 12 by celebrating with the children. As part of ‘Support a Life’ initiative, Canon employees have adopted 187 children across SOS Children’s Village in the country to take responsibility of their well being.

Paytm, the mobile wallet and e-commerce website, has launched an emotional campaign themed on corruption. The ad discourages cash transactions abiding to their tagline, ‘Cash nahi Paytm karo’. The ad narrates three scenarios which seemingly look like the traditional situations where cash/bribes would ‘exchange hands’ but, in a pleasant refreshing twist, the obvious ‘exchange’ is not of cash but of warm emotions. The ad was released on YouTube on August 10.

Snapdeal, the online marketplace, has partnered for ‘India says thank you’ campaign, an initiative by 21 Fools – an organization that makes plantable paper products for a better world. Supported by Snapdeal Sunshine, the CSR initiative enables and empowers well-wishers to send a ‘happiness box’ to soldiers in the Indian Army and the Indian Navy. The boxes are sent to various site locations advised by forces and are distributed among the soldiers. These boxes contain a gratitude letter, with the sender’s name, a thank you seed paper card, a rakhi and an ‘I love India’ luggage tag. What is unique about the card is that it is infused with seeds during the pulping process and when planted can grow into herbs and plants of different varieties.

Snapdeal users have the choice to send these boxes for 10 to 100 soldiers. The brand claims more than 6000 boxes have been contributed from multiple locations in India all in less than 48 hours since the launch. Snapdeal is also building a social campaign, where people would be able to post ‘thank you’ messages for the soldiers with the hashtag- #IndiaSaysThankYou across Snapdeal’s digital platforms including Twitter and Facebook. A selection of these messages will also be sent to several soldiers along with the ‘happiness boxes’.

LINK- http://www.snapdeal.com/offers/indiasaysthankyou

Apart from the campaigns, e-commerce websites are offering special Independence Day discounts during this week. The online fashion retailer Myntra is offering between 30 and 80 per cent discount from August 13 to 15. Jabong.com is offering 20 to 70 percent discount under the Tricolor store. Shopclues is offering up to 80 percent discount on general utilities from August 9 to 15. The travel website Cleartrip.com is offering various deals on Indigo, GoAir and Air India among other airlines.

August 13, 2016
Box Office: ‘Neerja’ flies with Rs 21 crore in opening weekend

MUMBAI: Neerja started slow on its opening Friday but the film’s appreciation helped it catch momentum on the very first day during the later shows. Akin to Airlift, despite being a dry film, it managed to invoke patriotic and humane sentiments among viewers.

The film grew as the day progressed and grew by about 80 per cent on day two. And more than double its Friday figures on Sunday. That is a sort of miracle for a heroine oriented film, especially since the heroine in this case, Sonam Kapoor, enjoys limited draw. So, though almost 30 years old incident, people have identified with the story as they did with Airlift. The film has ended its first weekend with a total of Rs 21.2 crore.

Loveshuda is poor, registering a little over Rs 2 crore for the weekend.

The other two films, Instant Ishq and Ishq Forever, are very poor.

Sanam Re has managed to rake in Rs 24.6 crore in its first week, which does not seem enough for the distributor to recover, who needs much more to recoup.

Fitoor collects Rs 17.15 crore for its first week, which is way short of recovery.

Ghayal Once Again is beyond salvaging point. The film adds a meagre Rs 1.85 crore in its second week to take its two week total to Rs 34.95 crore.

Sanam Teri Kasam collects Rs 45 lakh in its second week to take its two week tally to Rs 7.7 crore.

Saala Khadoos collects Rs 30 lakh in its third week taking its three week total to Rs 10.4 crore.

February 22, 2016
Box Office: ‘Neerja’ flies with Rs 21 crore in opening weekend

MUMBAI: Neerja started slow on its opening Friday but the film’s appreciation helped it catch momentum on the very first day during the later shows. Akin to Airlift, despite being a dry film, it managed to invoke patriotic and humane sentiments among viewers.

The film grew as the day progressed and grew by about 80 per cent on day two. And more than double its Friday figures on Sunday. That is a sort of miracle for a heroine oriented film, especially since the heroine in this case, Sonam Kapoor, enjoys limited draw. So, though almost 30 years old incident, people have identified with the story as they did with Airlift. The film has ended its first weekend with a total of Rs 21.2 crore.

Loveshuda is poor, registering a little over Rs 2 crore for the weekend.

The other two films, Instant Ishq and Ishq Forever, are very poor.

Sanam Re has managed to rake in Rs 24.6 crore in its first week, which does not seem enough for the distributor to recover, who needs much more to recoup.

Fitoor collects Rs 17.15 crore for its first week, which is way short of recovery.

Ghayal Once Again is beyond salvaging point. The film adds a meagre Rs 1.85 crore in its second week to take its two week total to Rs 34.95 crore.

Sanam Teri Kasam collects Rs 45 lakh in its second week to take its two week tally to Rs 7.7 crore.

Saala Khadoos collects Rs 30 lakh in its third week taking its three week total to Rs 10.4 crore.

February 22, 2016
‘Neerja:’ The heroine of the hijack!

Neerja, the film, is a biographical account of the PanAm air hostess, Neerja Bhanot. However, the disclaimer at the beginning of the film says it is not exactly so. To make this film would be a tricky challenge since Neerja’s image has become larger than life and her acts of valour have become part of legend.

Neerja sacrificed her life to save hundreds of other in the course of duty and she has since been decorated posthumously by India’s highest gallantry award, the Ashok Chakra, besides the Philatelic Department issuing a postage stamp in her honour. Neerja was also awarded by the Pakistan government and the US Justice Department.

Neerja, played by Sonam Kapoor, was a daughter of the Bhanots, Harish and Rama, desperately wanted despite already having two sons. Her parents always imbibed the virtues of courage in their daughter, pampered equally by the parents as well as brothers.

Neerja is married off in an arranged match and moves with her husband to the Gulf. However, the teachings did not help Neerja in this personal battle when her husband started ill-treating and taunting her for not brining dowry and also for her modelling. The marriage failed and she returned to be with her parents in Mumbai.

Neerja then applied for a job with the American airliner, PanAm and was selected and later trained at Miami. She now has overcome the setback in her marriage, has a job, modelling assignments as well as a friend, Shekhar Ravjiani, who is keen to marry her.

Neerja was on her first flight as a chief purser on a Mumbai-Frankfurt-New York flight. But, the plane makes an unscheduled stop at Karachi. Here, four Libyan terrorists, dressed in Pakistani security uniforms board the plane. Neerja senses trouble immediately and alerts the flying crew of three who escape from an overhead hatch in the cabin. This was so that the terrorists could not compel them to fly wherever they wished.

What followed is what made Neerja a legend and earned her the title of ‘The heroine of the hijack.’ As the senior-most crew member on the flight, she takes charge, pacifies the passengers, communicates with the terrorists and goes on doing all she can to save the situation.

The terrorists want the Pakistani authorities to find replacement pilots to fly out. As the hours pass, they want to set an example and kill passengers one by one. Their anger is on the Americans and ask Neerja and other hostesses to collect the passports of all the American passengers on board to identify and kill them to pressurise the Pakistanis. But, Neerja orders her subordinates not to collect American passports. Instead hide them under the seats or get rid of them through the rubbish chute.

The standoff lasts for over 17 hours when the aircraft battery life ends and the lights go off. The terrorists become frantic and, in desperation, start shooting blindly and chuck grenades in the plane. Neerja acts and opens the door as well as the emergency escape chute. Having done that, she could have been the first one to escape. Having helped all the passengers escape, it is when she is trying to help three unaccompanied children escape, that a terrorist shoots her.

Director Ram Madhvani has done a competent job ably helped by screenplay writer, Saiwyn Quadras, who has done well to merge Neerja’s marital troubles flashbacks with the hijack scenes. Hijack and terrorism scenes may have been seen many times but the human angle here gives the film much credence. The last part where Neerja opens the aircraft door and lowers the chute is the essence of the film and has solid emotional impact.

For Sonam, getting into Neerja’s shoes is a tough task but she manages to get into the skin of the character as the film progresses. Shabana Azmi, Shekhar and Yogendra Tiku have brief parts but are convincing. Terrorists are sinister enough to make an impact.

Neerja has had a varied opening response at the box office but word of mouth is encouraging. It is such a film that needs to work.

Producers: Atul Kasbekar, Shanti Sivaram Maini
Director: Ram Madhvani
Cast: Sonam Kapoor, Shabana Azmi, Shekhar Ravjiani, Yogendra Tiku

‘Direct Ishq:’ Also ran

Benaras has been attracting some filmmakers and writers to weave their stories in this holy city. It is not because of their love for the city or because of any religious leanings. When you want to pit a simple middle class girl against a gun-toting hero juxtaposed with another boy from the same city and similar background having made it big with hard work and honesty, you need a state with a reputation for lawlessness. Therefore it is not surprising that many such films are based in one such Hindi belt locale.

Direct Ishq is a love triangle in the traditional mode where two guys, a good one and a bad one, fall in love with same girl. The boys in this case are Rajneesh Duggal and Arjun Bijlani, while the girl is Nidhi Subbaiah.

Nidhi is a pretty and popular girl for the way she conducts herself, full of pep. But she knows her limits and keeps away from any sort of trouble from boys who try to woo her. Rajeev is a local college boy and the leader of the university students’ body. He believes that power comes from being tough. He is always ready to pick a fight and adds to his muscle by being armed with a gun. He is besotted with Nidhi but when it comes to girls, he is tongue tied. He can never make himself gather enough courage to tell her his feelings.

Rajneesh enters the scene to complete the triangle. He is another Benaras lad who has got his education in Mumbai and now has his own event management company there. Nidhi is an aspiring singer who wants to make a name for herself and make her family proud. In this event, Rajneesh would be the right person to fulfil her aspirations. While helping her cause, he also falls in love with her.

The film provides scope for music as well as Benaras kind of action scenes. While nothing is new here, it being a musical also does not count for much as of innumerable songs, just a couple pass muster. Action is routine.

Direct Ishq is another also ran.

Producers: Pradeep K Sharma
Director: Rajiv S Ruia
Cast: Rajneesh Duggal, Nidhi Subbaiah, Arjun Bijlani

February 19, 2016
‘Neerja:’ The heroine of the hijack!

Neerja, the film, is a biographical account of the PanAm air hostess, Neerja Bhanot. However, the disclaimer at the beginning of the film says it is not exactly so. To make this film would be a tricky challenge since Neerja’s image has become larger than life and her acts of valour have become part of legend.

Neerja sacrificed her life to save hundreds of other in the course of duty and she has since been decorated posthumously by India’s highest gallantry award, the Ashok Chakra, besides the Philatelic Department issuing a postage stamp in her honour. Neerja was also awarded by the Pakistan government and the US Justice Department.

Neerja, played by Sonam Kapoor, was a daughter of the Bhanots, Harish and Rama, desperately wanted despite already having two sons. Her parents always imbibed the virtues of courage in their daughter, pampered equally by the parents as well as brothers.

Neerja is married off in an arranged match and moves with her husband to the Gulf. However, the teachings did not help Neerja in this personal battle when her husband started ill-treating and taunting her for not brining dowry and also for her modelling. The marriage failed and she returned to be with her parents in Mumbai.

Neerja then applied for a job with the American airliner, PanAm and was selected and later trained at Miami. She now has overcome the setback in her marriage, has a job, modelling assignments as well as a friend, Shekhar Ravjiani, who is keen to marry her.

Neerja was on her first flight as a chief purser on a Mumbai-Frankfurt-New York flight. But, the plane makes an unscheduled stop at Karachi. Here, four Libyan terrorists, dressed in Pakistani security uniforms board the plane. Neerja senses trouble immediately and alerts the flying crew of three who escape from an overhead hatch in the cabin. This was so that the terrorists could not compel them to fly wherever they wished.

What followed is what made Neerja a legend and earned her the title of ‘The heroine of the hijack.’ As the senior-most crew member on the flight, she takes charge, pacifies the passengers, communicates with the terrorists and goes on doing all she can to save the situation.

The terrorists want the Pakistani authorities to find replacement pilots to fly out. As the hours pass, they want to set an example and kill passengers one by one. Their anger is on the Americans and ask Neerja and other hostesses to collect the passports of all the American passengers on board to identify and kill them to pressurise the Pakistanis. But, Neerja orders her subordinates not to collect American passports. Instead hide them under the seats or get rid of them through the rubbish chute.

The standoff lasts for over 17 hours when the aircraft battery life ends and the lights go off. The terrorists become frantic and, in desperation, start shooting blindly and chuck grenades in the plane. Neerja acts and opens the door as well as the emergency escape chute. Having done that, she could have been the first one to escape. Having helped all the passengers escape, it is when she is trying to help three unaccompanied children escape, that a terrorist shoots her.

Director Ram Madhvani has done a competent job ably helped by screenplay writer, Saiwyn Quadras, who has done well to merge Neerja’s marital troubles flashbacks with the hijack scenes. Hijack and terrorism scenes may have been seen many times but the human angle here gives the film much credence. The last part where Neerja opens the aircraft door and lowers the chute is the essence of the film and has solid emotional impact.

For Sonam, getting into Neerja’s shoes is a tough task but she manages to get into the skin of the character as the film progresses. Shabana Azmi, Shekhar and Yogendra Tiku have brief parts but are convincing. Terrorists are sinister enough to make an impact.

Neerja has had a varied opening response at the box office but word of mouth is encouraging. It is such a film that needs to work.

Producers: Atul Kasbekar, Shanti Sivaram Maini
Director: Ram Madhvani
Cast: Sonam Kapoor, Shabana Azmi, Shekhar Ravjiani, Yogendra Tiku

‘Direct Ishq:’ Also ran

Benaras has been attracting some filmmakers and writers to weave their stories in this holy city. It is not because of their love for the city or because of any religious leanings. When you want to pit a simple middle class girl against a gun-toting hero juxtaposed with another boy from the same city and similar background having made it big with hard work and honesty, you need a state with a reputation for lawlessness. Therefore it is not surprising that many such films are based in one such Hindi belt locale.

Direct Ishq is a love triangle in the traditional mode where two guys, a good one and a bad one, fall in love with same girl. The boys in this case are Rajneesh Duggal and Arjun Bijlani, while the girl is Nidhi Subbaiah.

Nidhi is a pretty and popular girl for the way she conducts herself, full of pep. But she knows her limits and keeps away from any sort of trouble from boys who try to woo her. Rajeev is a local college boy and the leader of the university students’ body. He believes that power comes from being tough. He is always ready to pick a fight and adds to his muscle by being armed with a gun. He is besotted with Nidhi but when it comes to girls, he is tongue tied. He can never make himself gather enough courage to tell her his feelings.

Rajneesh enters the scene to complete the triangle. He is another Benaras lad who has got his education in Mumbai and now has his own event management company there. Nidhi is an aspiring singer who wants to make a name for herself and make her family proud. In this event, Rajneesh would be the right person to fulfil her aspirations. While helping her cause, he also falls in love with her.

The film provides scope for music as well as Benaras kind of action scenes. While nothing is new here, it being a musical also does not count for much as of innumerable songs, just a couple pass muster. Action is routine.

Direct Ishq is another also ran.

Producers: Pradeep K Sharma
Director: Rajiv S Ruia
Cast: Rajneesh Duggal, Nidhi Subbaiah, Arjun Bijlani

February 19, 2016
Spuul to premiere bollywood blockbuster ‘Prem Ratan Dhan Payo’

MUMBAI: Spuul, the popular online streaming service for Indian cinema content has added one of 2015’s biggest blockbuster movies, Sooraj Barjatya’s Prem Ratan Dhan Payo, to its premium catalogue of movies for viewing. The movie will be available on the web, mobile (iOS & Android) as well as on TV’s through Spuul’s Samsung, LG & Panasonic Smart TV apps, Airplay & Chromecast.

Keeping in line with Spuul’s strategy of adding fresh content to its library and reducing the gap between satellite and digital premiere, Spuul has brought this Salman Khan starrer to the platform the next day after its satellite premiere.

Prem Ratan Dhan Payo is one of the most successful Bollywood movies for 2015. Starring Salman Khan, Sonam Kapoor and Neil Nitin Mukesh, it is a story about how a stern prince who is recovering from an assassination attempt four days before his coronation, is replaced by a jovial, heartfelt lookalike and the adventure that ensues.

Speaking on this development, Spuul Global CEO Subin Subaiah said, “We are extremely happy to introduce one of the most successful movies of 2015 to our viewers across India, Pakistan, UK, US and Middle East. Besides providing constant tech support, we also will continue adding newer, fresh and indie content this year for our 12 million users.”

Some of the latest additions to Spuul’s catalogue over the past few months are movies like Main Aur Charles, Jazbaa, Titli, Dum Laga Ke Haisha, PK and more.

February 17, 2016
Spuul to premiere bollywood blockbuster ‘Prem Ratan Dhan Payo’

MUMBAI: Spuul, the popular online streaming service for Indian cinema content has added one of 2015’s biggest blockbuster movies, Sooraj Barjatya’s Prem Ratan Dhan Payo, to its premium catalogue of movies for viewing. The movie will be available on the web, mobile (iOS & Android) as well as on TV’s through Spuul’s Samsung, LG & Panasonic Smart TV apps, Airplay & Chromecast.

Keeping in line with Spuul’s strategy of adding fresh content to its library and reducing the gap between satellite and digital premiere, Spuul has brought this Salman Khan starrer to the platform the next day after its satellite premiere.

Prem Ratan Dhan Payo is one of the most successful Bollywood movies for 2015. Starring Salman Khan, Sonam Kapoor and Neil Nitin Mukesh, it is a story about how a stern prince who is recovering from an assassination attempt four days before his coronation, is replaced by a jovial, heartfelt lookalike and the adventure that ensues.

Speaking on this development, Spuul Global CEO Subin Subaiah said, “We are extremely happy to introduce one of the most successful movies of 2015 to our viewers across India, Pakistan, UK, US and Middle East. Besides providing constant tech support, we also will continue adding newer, fresh and indie content this year for our 12 million users.”

Some of the latest additions to Spuul’s catalogue over the past few months are movies like Main Aur Charles, Jazbaa, Titli, Dum Laga Ke Haisha, PK and more.

February 17, 2016
NDTV & L’Oreal partner for Women of Worth 2016 Awards

MUMBAI: NDTV has partnered with L’Oréal Paris for the Women of Worth 2016 awards to recognise and celebrate unsung women from different categories.

The awards felicitates the achievements of ordinary women who have achieved extraordinary success in making a difference to the lives of others through their bravery, convictions and drive.

L’Oréal Paris brand ambassador Sonam Kapoor graced the occasion and unveiled the award trophy. Jury members across the eight different categories as well as the four nominees in each of the categories were unveiled.

Introduced by L’Oréal Paris India in 2012, the awards also epitomise the brand’s tagline ‘Because You’re Worth It.’

The jury for this year’s award includes personalities like Rajya Sabha member Anu Aga, Indian Angel Network and NASSCOM co-founder Saurabh Srivastava, Supreme Court senior advocate Dr. Pinky Anand, Wildlife Conservationsit Belinda Wright, Kathak danseuse Shovana Narayan, Centre for Social Research Dr. Ranjana Kumari and L’Oréal India VP marketing Manashi Guha.

The different categories are from an array of fields like sports, business and enterpreneuralship, literature, artistic, social impact, education, science and inventions.

L’Oréal Paris India VP marketing Manashi Guha said, “Women of Worth Awards is philanthropically a huge initiative undertaken by the brand to strongly support the extraordinary contribution made by Indian women in their respective fields. These awards are our small way to distinguish the achievements of such women who embody the spirit and values of the L’Oréal Paris brand. It is the ideal platform for us to salute them and a matter of pride for us to associate with NDTV, who also believes in empowering women.”

The campaign will end in March 2016 through a public voting system in conjunction with jury inputs. A transparent and well-structured voting system for the public will be set up to ensure that the most deserving nominees win. The nominees will be awarded the Women of Worth titles in Mumbai on 28 March, 2016.

Extending her support to the awards, L’Oréal Paris brand ambassador Sonam Kapoor said, “It’s an honor to be a part of this amazing campaign and the Women of Worth awards that is the brainchild of L’Oréal Paris. The brand has always celebrated the strong spirit of women, and these awards are a perfect way to admire and thank these accomplished women who represent the changing face of modern India. With their unwavering passion, determination, selfless contribution and ability to pursue their dreams, they are a true inspiration and I’m extremely happy to be in the presence of such great Women of Worth.”

The nominees have been shortlisted after an extensive research process while identifying each one’s key contribution in their respective fields. It took the panelists roughly three hours to decide on the nominees for each category.

NDTV CEO Vikram Chandra added, “Women empowerment is a cause NDTV has firmly believed in. NDTV has passionately felt about women and their issues from the time we have started. The number of issues taken up by us has been increasing. I think it’s a part of our DNA. We have a high packed jury consisting of some of the prominent names from the field. The Women of Worth initiative to honor real women from different walks of life is an excellent platform to discuss the issues faced by them and find solutions for the same. Extraordinary women are emerging as the real she-roes with their grit and determination. We really hope that through this association, NDTV & L’Oréal become the voice to encourage more women to make a significant difference in our society.”

On International Women’s Day, 8 March, 2016, a conclave with opinion leaders, Women of Worth 2016 jury members, spokespersons from L’Oréal Paris and NDTV will be organised to discuss a range of subjects impacting the evolving role of women in India and issues impacting society.

February 8, 2016
NDTV & L’Oreal partner for Women of Worth 2016 Awards

MUMBAI: NDTV has partnered with L’Oréal Paris for the Women of Worth 2016 awards to recognise and celebrate unsung women from different categories.

The awards felicitates the achievements of ordinary women who have achieved extraordinary success in making a difference to the lives of others through their bravery, convictions and drive.

L’Oréal Paris brand ambassador Sonam Kapoor graced the occasion and unveiled the award trophy. Jury members across the eight different categories as well as the four nominees in each of the categories were unveiled.

Introduced by L’Oréal Paris India in 2012, the awards also epitomise the brand’s tagline ‘Because You’re Worth It.’

The jury for this year’s award includes personalities like Rajya Sabha member Anu Aga, Indian Angel Network and NASSCOM co-founder Saurabh Srivastava, Supreme Court senior advocate Dr. Pinky Anand, Wildlife Conservationsit Belinda Wright, Kathak danseuse Shovana Narayan, Centre for Social Research Dr. Ranjana Kumari and L’Oréal India VP marketing Manashi Guha.

The different categories are from an array of fields like sports, business and enterpreneuralship, literature, artistic, social impact, education, science and inventions.

L’Oréal Paris India VP marketing Manashi Guha said, “Women of Worth Awards is philanthropically a huge initiative undertaken by the brand to strongly support the extraordinary contribution made by Indian women in their respective fields. These awards are our small way to distinguish the achievements of such women who embody the spirit and values of the L’Oréal Paris brand. It is the ideal platform for us to salute them and a matter of pride for us to associate with NDTV, who also believes in empowering women.”

The campaign will end in March 2016 through a public voting system in conjunction with jury inputs. A transparent and well-structured voting system for the public will be set up to ensure that the most deserving nominees win. The nominees will be awarded the Women of Worth titles in Mumbai on 28 March, 2016.

Extending her support to the awards, L’Oréal Paris brand ambassador Sonam Kapoor said, “It’s an honor to be a part of this amazing campaign and the Women of Worth awards that is the brainchild of L’Oréal Paris. The brand has always celebrated the strong spirit of women, and these awards are a perfect way to admire and thank these accomplished women who represent the changing face of modern India. With their unwavering passion, determination, selfless contribution and ability to pursue their dreams, they are a true inspiration and I’m extremely happy to be in the presence of such great Women of Worth.”

The nominees have been shortlisted after an extensive research process while identifying each one’s key contribution in their respective fields. It took the panelists roughly three hours to decide on the nominees for each category.

NDTV CEO Vikram Chandra added, “Women empowerment is a cause NDTV has firmly believed in. NDTV has passionately felt about women and their issues from the time we have started. The number of issues taken up by us has been increasing. I think it’s a part of our DNA. We have a high packed jury consisting of some of the prominent names from the field. The Women of Worth initiative to honor real women from different walks of life is an excellent platform to discuss the issues faced by them and find solutions for the same. Extraordinary women are emerging as the real she-roes with their grit and determination. We really hope that through this association, NDTV & L’Oréal become the voice to encourage more women to make a significant difference in our society.”

On International Women’s Day, 8 March, 2016, a conclave with opinion leaders, Women of Worth 2016 jury members, spokespersons from L’Oréal Paris and NDTV will be organised to discuss a range of subjects impacting the evolving role of women in India and issues impacting society.

February 8, 2016
Star Gold gears up to premiere Salman Khan’s ‘PRDP’ on 14 February

MUMBAI: Salman Khan has been a fan magnet with people flocking to theatres or for that matter on television, whenever his movie is on. Riding on this wave, Star Gold, which had earlier premiered the star’s previous hits like Kick and Bajrangi Bhaijaan, is now gearing up for the world television premiere of his latest flick – Prem Ratan Dhan Payo (PRDP).

The movie will be premiered on Star Gold and Star Gold HD on 14 February.

According to a source close to the development, Star India acquired the satellite rights of the movie for Rs 50 crore. “Just like Salman’s previous movie’s Bajrangi Bhaijaan’s satellite rights commanded a price tag of Rs 50 crore, Prem Ratan Dhan Payo has also been picked up for the same amount,” the source tells Indiantelevision.com.

In an earlier conversation with Indiantelevision.com, Star India Hindi movie business executive vice president and general manger Hemal Jhaveri has said that in most cases, channels acquire satellite rights for a period of 10 years from the production house for every film.

For big ticket movies, Star Gold concentrates more on high sponsorship value. A senior media planning executive, on condition of anonymity, says, “For a big movie like PRDP, the title sponsor’s package will be close to Rs 1 crore. The channel tries aggressively to have at least one title and one associate sponsor on board. The associate sponsor package is sold at a price of approximately Rs 65 lakh. Major part of the air-time is sold as a part of the package and hence the 10 second ad slots generate minuscule revenue.”

It may be recalled that Star Gold premiered Bajrangi Bhaijaan last year on 11 October and according to Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) India’s all India ratings, Star Gold emerged as the number one movie channel in the Hindi movie genre riding on the back of the movie’s world television premiere.

As reported earlier by this website, 74.5 million people across the country tuned into the television premiere of Bajrangi Bhaijaan on Star Gold, which is close to three times the number of people that watched the movie in theatres.

Whether PRDP will manage to create the same magic, only time will tell.

PRDP saw Khan reuniting with director Sooraj Barjatiya after a span of 16 long years and playing his quintessentially endearing character of Prem. The movie also stars Sonam Kapoor, Anupam Kher, Swara Bhaskar, Armaan Kohli and Deepak Dobriyal.

January 21, 2016