ITV

Tag: Tamannaah Bhatia

  • Actress Tamannaah Bhatia at Ideas of India Summit 3.0: “Bahubali was a game changer for me”

    Actress Tamannaah Bhatia at Ideas of India Summit 3.0: “Bahubali was a game changer for me”

    Mumbai: “Bahubali was a game changer for me not only from audience perspective but also from the perspective of being an actor and performer. Bahubali gave me a character for which I could not pick a reference from anywhere,” star Bollywood actress Tamannaah Bhatia, shared her evolution as an actor in the session, “So Many Cinemas” at the ‘Ideas of India’ Summit 3.0.

    Acknowledging filmmaker Rajamouli for the opportunity, she remarked, “It showed that sometimes it is someone else’s eye for you to discover your strengths”

    Appreciating the movie industry in the South, Tamannaah Bhatia, remarked “The South film industry has consistently maintained that they tell more rooted stories and capture the very basic emotions in a much nuanced way”

    Sharing a glimpse about herself, Tamannaah said, “I am a realist but I am also a mushy at heart Romantic You get what you are, so I started becoming my idea of true love. I am a very people’s person. I don’t have any problem with people approaching me”

    Sharing her views about OTT versus the big cinema, Tamanaah said, “OTT is a shift of medium. It is a great strength. Today you don’t feel restricted if you want to watch a movie”

    “Nepotism is in every industry. But if you have talent and if you understand people management in an organization you can make it anywhere,” Tamannah expressed, speaking about nepotism.

    Later she added her perspective about feminism, “Feminism is for both genders. It is great when women who don’t have that power are empowered. As individual human beings we are not copy of each other; we are unique. We need not imitate others who are doing something or going a certain way. Settling down is an independent journey. When we talk about feminism, it should not be a necessity for women to choose a partner; she should be free to choose a life partner that she wants to choose. We should break the notion that women need a life partner for settling down.”

    Responding to a question on something that she would want to change about herself, Tamanaah said, “I never had any time to prepare. If I had an opportunity to prepare and not always perform, I would have preferred that. I watch my movies a little later so that I can view it more objectively. My family is very brutal reviewing my movies, and I appreciate their honest opinions.”

    The ABP Network’s ‘Ideas of India’ Summit 3.0 spotlighting the ‘The People’s Agenda’ brought a confluence of ideas and ideators to a common platform celebrating the country’s people and its plurality. The two-day summit hosted policymakers, cultural ambassadors, industry experts, celebrities, business leaders, economists, and leading luminaries to delve into the fundamental ideas of liberty, justice, equality, and diversity that define India, its society, culture, and politics. The meaningful deliberations on diverse topics had the brightest minds across sectors providing insights about the nation’s trajectory and its journey to become Viksit Bharat.

  • Diataal ropes in Tamannaah Bhatia for #MyHeartlovesDiataalD campaign

    Diataal ropes in Tamannaah Bhatia for #MyHeartlovesDiataalD campaign

    Mumbai: Diataal D, the rising multivitamin brand, has joined forces with Tamannaah Bhatia in its newly launched campaign #MyHeartLovesDiataalD. Diataal D stands out as a highly effective and unique multivitamin that supports a healthy heart. Diataal D is marketed by USV consumers, which also markets the Sebamed range of personal care and baby care products in India. Diataal range of products is part of its newly launched food & nutrition division.

    The campaign #MyHeartLovesDiataalD leverages tongue-in-cheek humor, to highlight the importance of vitamin D for a healthy heart, as 2 out of 3 in India suffer from vitamin D deficiency. The campaign features Tamannaah Bhatia in a rapid-fire round with a reality show host, highlights the importance of vitamin D for a healthy heart, and encourages health-conscious people to switch to DiataalD daily. The campaign features a series of multilingual films in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada Malayalam, and English to reach consumers across India. To further boost the campaign’s reach and build excitement, the brand will be promoting it across both traditional and digital platforms

    Sebamed president, consumer Shashi Ranjan shared: As an organization, we are committed to fostering healthier and happier communities through science-backed beauty and wellness products. Our brand ethos is deeply rooted in trusting science and bringing positive changes in the lives of people. We are thrilled to have Tamannaah Bhatia as our brand ambassador and with her innate ability to win over the hearts of millions of people across age groups and geographies, will encourage them to embrace healthier choices

    Commenting on the association, Tamannaah Bhatia shared: I am proud to be associated with Diataal. The brand’s unwavering commitment to educating and empowering people about the benefits of vitamin D for a healthy heart is commendable and inspiring. Diataal’s approach to creating awareness about health and sharing it in a manner that can resonate with everyone got me really excited. I am looking forward to being an intrinsic part of the Diataal family and including Diataal D in my diet.”

    Marketing head for nutrition, Shardul Bist shared #MyHeartLovesDiataalD campaign launches with a reality show backdrop, using rapid-fire rounds to highlight the role that vitamin D plays in supporting heart health and general well-being. We are excited to have Tamannaah Bhatia as the face of the brand. With Tamannaah herself being an amazing wellness enthusiast and an accomplished actor, I am sure it will resonate extremely well with a health-conscious audience in Pan India across all age groups.

    The Womb head of account management Dhaval Jadwani shared: “In today’s day and age, nutrition and wellness have become an indisputable part of our lives. The issue around lack of vitamin D and heart health is a concerning one that the brand is taking the lead on. The #MyHeartLovesDiataalD campaign explains the criticality of vitamin D for a healthy heart in a manner that will resonate well with audiences across age groups. The rapid-fire round adds a nice tongue-in-cheek humor to bring alive the message.”

    Korra chief operating officer Saket Vaidya said “Diataal D is a multivitamin solution which augments nutrition and is fortified with the right proportion of this essential vitamin. Contextualizing this message to the Indians at large was very important here, and something the audience is familiar with is the association of the heart with desires. #DilChaaheSirfDiaatalD or #MyHeartLovesDiataalD amplified by Tamannaah’s appeal bridges the gap, educates the audience, and presents the solution in a way they can appreciate.  Super thrilled to see this campaign break out and make waves across mediums.”

  • Diataal ropes in Tamannaah Bhatia for #MyHeartlovesDiataalD campaign

    Diataal ropes in Tamannaah Bhatia for #MyHeartlovesDiataalD campaign

    Mumbai: Diataal D, the rising multivitamin brand, has joined forces with Tamannaah Bhatia in its newly launched campaign #MyHeartLovesDiataalD. Diataal D stands out as a highly effective and unique multivitamin that supports a healthy heart. Diataal D is marketed by USV consumers, which also markets the Sebamed range of personal care and baby care products in India. Diataal range of products is part of its newly launched food & nutrition division.

    The campaign #MyHeartLovesDiataalD leverages tongue-in-cheek humor, to highlight the importance of vitamin D for a healthy heart, as 2 out of 3 in India suffer from vitamin D deficiency. The campaign features Tamannaah Bhatia in a rapid-fire round with a reality show host, highlights the importance of vitamin D for a healthy heart, and encourages health-conscious people to switch to DiataalD daily. The campaign features a series of multilingual films in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada Malayalam, and English to reach consumers across India. To further boost the campaign’s reach and build excitement, the brand will be promoting it across both traditional and digital platforms

    Sebamed president, consumer Shashi Ranjan shared: As an organization, we are committed to fostering healthier and happier communities through science-backed beauty and wellness products. Our brand ethos is deeply rooted in trusting science and bringing positive changes in the lives of people. We are thrilled to have Tamannaah Bhatia as our brand ambassador and with her innate ability to win over the hearts of millions of people across age groups and geographies, will encourage them to embrace healthier choices

    Commenting on the association, Tamannaah Bhatia shared: I am proud to be associated with Diataal. The brand’s unwavering commitment to educating and empowering people about the benefits of vitamin D for a healthy heart is commendable and inspiring. Diataal’s approach to creating awareness about health and sharing it in a manner that can resonate with everyone got me really excited. I am looking forward to being an intrinsic part of the Diataal family and including Diataal D in my diet.”

    Marketing head for nutrition, Shardul Bist shared #MyHeartLovesDiataalD campaign launches with a reality show backdrop, using rapid-fire rounds to highlight the role that vitamin D plays in supporting heart health and general well-being. We are excited to have Tamannaah Bhatia as the face of the brand. With Tamannaah herself being an amazing wellness enthusiast and an accomplished actor, I am sure it will resonate extremely well with a health-conscious audience in Pan India across all age groups.

    The Womb head of account management Dhaval Jadwani shared: “In today’s day and age, nutrition and wellness have become an indisputable part of our lives. The issue around lack of vitamin D and heart health is a concerning one that the brand is taking the lead on. The #MyHeartLovesDiataalD campaign explains the criticality of vitamin D for a healthy heart in a manner that will resonate well with audiences across age groups. The rapid-fire round adds a nice tongue-in-cheek humor to bring alive the message.”

    Korra chief operating officer Saket Vaidya said “Diataal D is a multivitamin solution which augments nutrition and is fortified with the right proportion of this essential vitamin. Contextualizing this message to the Indians at large was very important here, and something the audience is familiar with is the association of the heart with desires. #DilChaaheSirfDiaatalD or #MyHeartLovesDiataalD amplified by Tamannaah’s appeal bridges the gap, educates the audience, and presents the solution in a way they can appreciate.  Super thrilled to see this campaign break out and make waves across mediums.”

  • “Deltin has always been known as a brand which provides personalised experience to our guests”: Arindam Basu

    “Deltin has always been known as a brand which provides personalised experience to our guests”: Arindam Basu

    Mumbai: In the realm of hospitality and entertainment, few names shine as brightly as Deltin. Known for its commitment to luxury, impeccable service, and world-class gaming experiences, Deltin has carved a niche for itself as a leading brand in the industry.

    One of the key pillars of Deltin’s allure is its hospitality services and unique offerings. From lavish casino to suites and elegant rooms, every space is meticulously designed to exude comfort and style. Guests are enveloped in an atmosphere of indulgence, where every need is anticipated and catered to with utmost care.

    Continuing the celebrations of completing a decade of Deltin Royale, the brand organised a swanky event going by the name of “Deltin Star Weekend” from February 9thto 11th.

    For this event, Deltin rolled out tech-integrated campaign where personalised videos featuring Bollywood star – Tamannaah Bhatia were shared with their patrons in two phases; one video has been rolled out in wishing the patron a “Happy New Year” on New Years’ eve and second video which was rolled out in mid-January with the invitation and details about the event.

    For readers to know more about Deltin and the marketing strategies which have been incorporated into their campaign, Indiantelevision.com caught up with Mr. Arindam Basu, General Manager – Marketing, Delta Corp.

    Edited excerpts

    On the brief introduction of Deltin Royale

    Deltin as a brand, started in 2013, with our first flagship property called Deltin Royale in Goa. As we crossed 2023, Deltin Royale completed a decade ofthrill, excitement and entertainment. To celebrate that same, Deltin Royale hosted a month-long event with non-stop gaming, live entertainment and impeccable hospitality offerings. Not only that, the celebrations consisted of mega prices and celebrity visits from Bollywood celebs like Tejasswi Prakash, Hina Khan and Shamita Shetty. But as you know, Deltin is a place where celebrations never end. We party every day and the party is never going to end. So we aim to continue the ten-year celebration with such numerous event round the year.

    On the specialty of “Deltin Star Weekend” event

    The “Deltin Star Weekend” is one of ourIntellectual Property amongst the other events curated that are hosted in Deltin Royale and as the name suggests, it gives our guests a golden opportunity to mingle with the famous b-town faces. This time three day event kicks off from February 9th with Shilpa Shetty on board to add her charm. On the next day, we have a live performance of the Bollywood duo singers Salim-Sulaiman. On the last day, we have Tamannaah Bhatia coming in to add some lady luck along with meet and greet with the crowd. That’s not all, throughout the week, we are going to have lots of exciting entertainment options where guests can come and experience live performances from various local Goa bands and international dancers. Even the FnB part will be taken care of with meticulously crafted dishes of multiple Indian cuisines thereby catering the set of audiences coming on board to experience a mix of live entertainment and appetizing cuisine. Moreover, the event coincides with Goa carnival which has footfall from across the India and a lot of guests come in to experience the carnival. So this is going to be a jam packed weekend where people can come and have fun, mingle with the celebs, taste their favorite foods and beverages, try their hand in gaming, all at one destination in the middle of Mandovi river in Goa.

    On the role of AI and it’s integration in the campaign

    Deltin has always been known as a brand which provides a very customised and personalised experience to our guests. We always give this unrivaledservices to each of our guests, which they cherish forever. Levelling up the legacy of the Deltin offerings, we thought to make our guests feel even more special with personalised tech infused invitations. Hence leveraging AI we curated a customized video featuring Tamannaah Bhatia to roll out invitations for our signature event – Deltin Star Weekend!. We strategically rolled out the videos in two phases to create and sustain a chain of conversations and excitement for the event.

    Understanding the locality of a large set of our target group and that Tamannaah Bhatia being popular in Northern and Southern states of India, we were successful in creating a buzz around the event thereby receiving an array of queries and registrations.

    On analysing the segmentation of customer databases

    We have our customers segmented into various types.Though Deltin is primarily into casino business, it is not that only gamers who is our audience.We get customers from areas with various demographics and goals.Apart from the gaming enthusiast, we have a segment of customers coming in to experience the realm of casinos, the live entertainment along side lip-smacking food.We have yet another set of audience coming in to just a have leisure time with their friends and family while cherishing a unique blend gaming thrill, live entertainment and hospitality. Hence our campaigns and communications are carefully curated understanding the consumers preferences so as to meet the desired results and conversions. I think that has created a very distinguished bond of getting with the customer, which has helped us in keeping getting the eating position, the top of the mind portion of customers.

    On technology shaping the advertising and marketing industry in India

    Technology has been with us for last 10-20 years. However, recently the technology has been changing continuously and adding layers to it. With technology coming in, things are becoming more precise to where you can reach out to your customer base. One such advancement is that you can precisely target your audience. Second advancement is you can accurately measure your ROI for each and every undertaken task. With these technological advancements, we have been able to decode the data thereby understanding consumer pain points and preferences and with the help of this knowledge we have been successfully curating the campaigns thereby staying ahead of the curve in such a cluttered industry.

    Yet another gift of technology is digital marketing in almost every sector which I believe is disrupting the marketing scenarios in almost all sectors across the globe.Previously all these mainline mediums of marketing were not very precise in targeting the desired set of audiences, but in digital marketing with geographical, behavioral and intent based segmentationone can precisely reach out to the consumer and customer as well.

    The third revolution, which has happened with technology, is automation. Now over the years marketing communication strategy has been automated. Throughout the customer journey right from a customer is introduced to the brand till the purchase is made and even post that the brand can track their journey to automation and can issue precise communication so that the customer is intended to move up in the conversion funnel not just once but multiple times.This automation has helped a lot not only to Deltin but to the entire industry.

    Yet another blessing that we have is CRM.Whenthe CRM mechanism in place wherethe customers preferences are comprehended, highly effective strategy can be devised. With the advent of technology, the brand is able to let the audience can physically experience everything with the entire world being accessible at your fingertips.

    Last but not least, AI has proven to be a breakthrough in the marketing ecosystem. Though AI has been here for quite some time, the conversations around the same manifolded post the launch of OpenAI in November 2022. Within a week’s time, they got a million customers and billion users coming in.

    Generative AI is a category of AI that understands human languages, the way a human talks and it responds accordingly. Hence this tool, is quite beneficiary in the field of marketing where quite a concrete and precise communication strategy can be curated.

    On the current landscape of marketing in India’s hospitality sector and its growth trajectory

    It’s absolutely on the rise and all the data points are suggesting that; owing to multiple reasons.To my opinion, the travel restrictions born due to pandemic that stretched for over a couple of years, the urge to travel and spend quality time with friends and family has significantly surged. This has led to a spike in domestic and international tourists across the nation.

    Moreover, with the corporate eco-system adapting to hybrid and work from home working models, the business travel has also witnessed a surge in bleisure travel. This shift in the perception of travel has resulted in the change in customer expectations. People prefer to seek distinct experiences, ready to pay more for quality,look for an eco-friendly travel options and also has a quest for a personalised travel experience.

    In addition to the same, the government initiatives in hosting a large scale national and international event such G20 summit, National Games, sports tournaments, India Energy Week, etc across the locations in India has shoot up international tourism in India. Henceforth, I believe, this industry holds an immense potential.

    On other strategic campaigns that Deltin has lined up throughout 2024

    Goa is a vacation destination for a large chunk of people across the nation. Hence round the clock we have tourists coming in Goa to seek various experiences, be it night life, beach life or casino experiences. Therefore, we at Deltin, ensure to have an array of unique events round the year to provide our guests with an unparalleled experience – seamless blend of non-stop gaming, live entertainment and hospitality. With such events, we have been able to live up to the expectations of our patrons to be Asia’s largest offshore casino destination. Moreover, at Deltin, we have been leveraging performance marketing, SEO, SEM and social media marketing. Not only that, on a regular basis we collaborate with content creators to widen our reach.

    All in all, at Deltin, we are geared to continue ten-year celebrations throughout the year ultimately sparking a chain of conversations around Deltin and Deltin Royale. We would be, like I earlier mentioned, utilising a 360 degree marketing and communications approach to reach out to our customers and consumers. 

  • ‘Rajini The Jailer’ to have its world TV premiere on Star Gold this Diwali

    ‘Rajini The Jailer’ to have its world TV premiere on Star Gold this Diwali

    Mumbai: This Diwali, fans of the legendary actor Rajinikanth are in for a spectacular treat as Star Gold presents the world TV premiere of the mega-hit movie ‘Rajini The Jailer’. This action-packed extravaganza, which set the box office on fire with a staggering box office collection will be aired on Star Gold on 11 November at 8 pm.

    “Rajinikanth is a true sensation and each of his movies transform into a national event eagerly anticipated by the entire country. We are elated to announce the premiere of Rajini The Jailer on Star Gold this Diwali, a time when families come together. Our commitment lies in bringing the biggest blockbusters and iconic cinematic experiences to our viewers on Star Gold. As a part of this unwavering commitment, we are proud to bring in yet another sensational hit that our viewers can enjoy from the comfort of their homes,” said a Star Gold spokesperson.

    Rajini The Jailer, a 2023 Indian action thriller directed by Nelson Dilipkumar and produced by Kalanithi Maran of Sun Pictures boasts a star-studded cast led by the iconic Rajinikanth. The ensemble includes Vinayakan, Ramya Krishnan, Vasanth Ravi, Tamannaah Bhatia, Sunil, Mirnaa Menon, and Yogi Babu, with special guest appearances by the eminent Mohanlal, Shiva Rajkumar, and Jackie Shroff. The film’s captivating soundtrack was composed by the brilliant Anirudh Ravichander.

    Upon its theatrical release on 10 August 2023, ‘Rajini The Jailer’ received widespread acclaim from critics who lauded its exceptional screenwriting, dynamic direction, outstanding performances by the cast, well-defined characterizations, and gripping background score. The film swiftly climbed the ranks to become one of the highest-grossing Indian films of 2023, both domestically and internationally. Rajini The Jailer follows the journey of Muthuvel Pandian, a retired police officer who stands up to a perilous smuggling gang to protect his family.

    Get ready to make this Diwali truly memorable as Star Gold presents the world television premiere of ‘Rajni The Jailer’ on 11 November 2023, at 8 pm. Brace yourself for a cinematic journey that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

  • Hindware revamps brand identity, onboards Tamannaah Bhatia

    Hindware revamps brand identity, onboards Tamannaah Bhatia

    Mumbai: Sanitary ware company Hindware has announced a new brand identity and roped in actor Tamannaah Bhatia as brand endorser to build a stronger connect with consumers across India. As part of the exercise, the company has unveiled a revamped logo and launched a new range of coloured faucets – ‘Hues.’

    “Our marketing strategies are at the core of evolving industry dynamics and therefore, keeping in mind the market sentiments and audience appeal, we have taken a conscious call to introduce a new identity for Hindware and Hindware Italian Collection,” Brilloca chief executive officer (bath & tiles) Sudhanshu Pokhriyal said. “With this, we reflect modern outlook and our rich legacy; the goal of this rebranding is to enhance the connect with customers in the present times. Aligned to the new brand identity, we are pleased to launch a vibrant and stylish range of luxurious facets ‘Hues’ by Hindware Italian Collection.”

    With the overall rebranding exercise, the company intends to position Hindware Italian Collection as a premium brand with a strong legacy and trust for its proverbial brand, Hindware, said the statement. As part of the association, Tamannaah will be supporting Hindware’s brand value and further strengthening its position in the premium offerings by the Hindware Italian collection, it added.

    “Tamannaah Bhatia personifies the elegance and style proposition of our products. Alongside her, we are certain to strengthen the brand’s connection with consumers, especially in Southern India,” Pokhriyal further said.

    “Hindware has always celebrated and championed the amalgamation of thoughtful features and beautiful designs and Tamannaah accurately brings alive the extravagance of the brand with her attitude of ‘nothing but the best.’ We welcome her to the Hindware family,” added Brilloca Ltd vice-president marketing Charu Malhotra Bhatia.

    “I am someone who is obsessed with beautiful bathroom settings. That’s why I resonate with the company’s vision. Much to my taste, their collection is inspired by confidence and rich designs,” commented Tamannaah Bhatia on the brand association.

  • Jolly Rancher Hotties launched in India

    Jolly Rancher Hotties launched in India

    MUMBAI: Hershey India has launched Jolly Rancher Hotties, a hard candy especially developed to appeal to the ‘hot’ Indian palate.

    The candy is a part of the Jolly Rancher confectionery range, which is known for its unmistakable bold, sweet and tart fruity flavours.

    Jolly Rancher Hotties is uniquely crafted. Consumers first experience its tongue-tingling fruity flavours, which then give way to a sudden spicy burst at the centre, thereby leaving a lingering taste, that is a stimulating mix of both sweet and spice. The candy will be available in three exciting flavours – Raw Mango, Pineapple, and Lemon – and is priced at Re 1.

    Hershey India managing director for Jolly Rancher Hotties Herjit Bhalla says, “Hershey India is continuously evolving its product portfolio, based on strong consumer understanding. When we researched the Indian taste preferences, we discovered that as a culture, we prefer hot and spicy flavours as much as the sweet ones. It has always been our vision to provide a differentiated product experience to our consumers. We are very excited about the launch of Jolly Rancher Hotties as it is set to strike a chord with both `meetha’ and `theekha’ being fused into a single offering. Jolly Rancher is a key brand in the Hershey India portfolio, and with the launch of Jolly Rancher Hotties, we aim to offer yet another unique innovation that is set to tingle the taste palate of Indians.”

    The Jolly Rancher Hotties launch will be communicated across media, including television and digital, and will be endorsed by celebrity Tamannaah Bhatia.

    In her comments on the new launch, Tamannaah Bhatia mentions, “Jolly Rancher has always been a favourite, and I would eagerly wait for friends or relatives travelling from the United States to get me a few packs of the candy. I look forward to the exciting launch of Jolly Rancher Hotties in India and to being a part of a brand that I have personally loved over the years.”

  • Crocs associates with ‘Baahubali 2: The Conclusion’ designer

    MUMBAI: Crocs, the global footwear brand, associates with one of India’s leading designer Sourabh Kant Shrivastava who has designed his new collection inspired by the movie “Baahubali 2: The Conclusion”. The collection will be showcased through a fashion event, organized by Bollywoo.ooo, an online portal that curates movie-inspired apparels and accessories, in Mumbai, on 7 April 2017 with Bollywood celebrities Tamannaah Bhatia and Rana Daggubati walking the ramp for Sourabh Kant.

    The collection is inspired from the drama and grandeur that Baahubali has which further translates into a collection which is all Black and Gold. On one hand, ‘Black’ contributes to the mystery and makes the collection look more dramatic, while on the other hand, the ‘Gold Embellishments’accentuates the royalty in the movie. Speaking about his collection,

    Shrivastava says, “I have done clothes which have embroidery and appliqué in leather and zari fabric. The jewelry is a modern take on traditional styles which is used in the movie”.

    The collection will be showcased in association with Crocs where the models will walk the ramp wearing Crocs’ camp and promoting their new campaign “Come As You Are” which encourages people to celebrate the uniqueness in them. The collection is being promoted by Drew Barrymore and John Cena.

    On the association, Crocs India M.D. Deepak Chhabra said, “Sourabh Kant’s collection is an incredible assortment of what royalty and elegance together looks like. This is a perfect platform to bring about a change in how Crocs is perceived.”

    The event will be set up with a forest theme to create the ambiance as similar as that of the movie and to create the royal feeling among the audience.

    On the association with Sourabh Kant, Crocs India E-commerce and marketing manager Bhavna Tewari said, “Crocs has always believed in supporting creative ecosystems that encourage artistic works. We are very proud to be associated with India’s prominent designer Sourabh Kant with avant-garde sensibilities. With this collaboration, we intend to get into the commercial space of the Indian movie industry that has a powerful and far-reaching impact on the masses.”

    Bollywoo.ooo founder Vinayak Kalani shared, “The association brings a unique and quirky essence to the entire collection.”

  • Celebrity led-VOD platform Wakau ropes in Big B, Tendulkar & others as contributors

    Celebrity led-VOD platform Wakau ropes in Big B, Tendulkar & others as contributors

    MUMBAI: CA Media Digital and Jetsynthesys have jointly launched their first of its kind, freemium celebrity video blogging app called Wakau in India.

    The app, which allows users to access unseen candid celeb moments to help them connect further with their favourite stars and celebs, was launched by Amitabh Bachchan.

    Apart from Bachchan, Wakau has also roped in celebs like Sachin Tendulkar, Arjun Kapoor, Ayushmann Khurrana, Nirahua, Shaan, Manju Warrier, Tamannaah Bhatia, Sophie Choudry, Arman Malik and Elli Avaram, who will contribute to the platform.

    The app will upload new content including landmark moments from the celebs lives, hobbies and interests and career stories, for subscribers on a daily basis. On Wakau, fans can watch, share and comment on a variety of videos categorised topically and by celebrity. The app, has a celebrity interface feature that enables celebs to upload premium video content, while allowing them to track fan comments on their videos and respond directly.

    Talking about his association with Wakau, Bachchan said, “Social media is an integral part of my life today. I have always tried to stay connected with my fans and respond to them whenever possible through my blog and other social media platforms. I am glad to be associated with an interactive platform like Wakau, through which I can share some of my candid moments from my day to day life with my fans and inch closer to them.”

    Freely downloadable to users across India, this freemium app allows consumers to view celebrity videos for free, with the videos being interspersed with advertisements. The app also supports an ad-free experience via its subscription service.

    CA Media India EVP operations Rishi Negi said, “Wakau is a great opportunity for celebrities to connect with their fans and share personal stories, interests, sepia moments and cherished thoughts through their video blogs. The app is a celebrity hotspot that enables consumers to gain easy access to insightful videos of their favourite superstars and personal heroes on their phones.”

    Jetsynthesys vice chairman and managing director Rajan Navani added, “Through constant and continuous innovation we at Jetsynthesys strive to offer the best in digital technology and Wakau is no exception. With a deep focus on creating a personal connect with the consumer through leveraging analytics, the Wakau experience will eventually pave the way towards many firsts for the world. We are excited to launch this unique world class Indian product that would become the social digital media screen of the 21st century.”

  • American authors Skype with fans at Bangalore Comic Con

    American authors Skype with fans at Bangalore Comic Con

    NEW DELHI: The Bangalore Comic Con 2015 commenced today with two exclusive live chats (via Skype) with celebrated writers Mark Millar and Ron Marz.

     

    Marz, known for his work on titles such as Silver Surfer, Green Lantern, Marvel vs DC, Batman/Aliens and Witchblade was joined by Indian artist Abhishek Malsuni as they talked about their ongoing John Carter: Warlord of Mars series.

     

    Actors Rana Daggubati and Tamannaah Bhatia will also be participating in a special session on their upcoming film Baahubali at Comic Con.

     

    Organized by Comic Con India, the Bangalore meet is a three-day fest at White Orchid Convention. Spread across 80,000 sq feet as compared to last year’s 40,000 sq feet, CCI plans to host interactive and experiential 50 hours of programming through panels, launches, gaming, video hangouts and more.

     

    This year’s attraction are the two internationally acclaimed actors Daniel Portman, best known for his role as Podrick Payne in the award-winning HBO fantasy drama series Game of Thrones and Natalia Tena, known for her role of Tonks in the Harry Potter films and Osha in Game of Thrones. The duo is taking part in special sessions and signings (photographs & autographs). Both actors will be seen in the upcoming Season 5 of Game of Thrones, which premieres in India. at the same time as its US premiere on 13 April at 6:30 am IST with a repeat telecast on the same day at 10 pm on HBO Defined. For the first time ever, the most iconic HBO original will simulcast across 170 countries.

     

    Comic Con founder Jatin Varma said, “Even though we are coming back much earlier in the year, we are bringing over some of the best in Indian and international pop-culture and look forward to providing fans in the city, the best weekend of the year.”

     

    Fans who come dressed as their favorite comic characters always steal the show. And this year as always, COSPLAYERS will win prizes under five categories. Each day, one winner is chosen from each of five categories: Comic book/graphic novel; Animated Series/Movie; Manga/Anime; Sci-Fi/Fantasy; and Gaming. One of the chose five lucky winners will win a Trip to Thailand.

     

    Comic Con India set up an exclusive IESL Gaming Arena with Xtreme Gaming  at Bangalore this year. Spread across 200 sq m, the gaming area has a total prize pool of Rs 1.5 lakh, the main tournament is around DOTA 2 for teams of gamers. For regular visitors as well as gamers, there is casual gaming competitions on Fifa 14 and Counter strike GO.

     

    Amar Chitra Katha has also kept surprises for fans. They have set up photo-booths, quizzes, storytelling competitions and much more at Bangalore Comic Con.

     

    International exhibitors like Marvel, DC and Dark Horse Comics among others have brought international content from all across the globe, especially for Bangalore. Exclusive book launches will be held over the next two days.

     

    At the convention, there is some Anime & Manga merchandise from Japanese Merchandiser IINE, along with exclusive international merchandisers like Kidrobot, NECA, Hot Toys, Mimobots, Funko and many more from across the globe. Indian merchandisers present at the convention are Band Box, Wacom, Art Beat, Bewakoof Brands, Hysteria, Wear Your Opinion, Kudi Firang, Planet Superheroes, F Gali, Sky Goodies, Bollyscope, Lazy Ninja, Graphicurry, and Below the Belt among others.  

     

    The main participants at Bangalore include Amar Chitra Katha, Orange Radius, Pop Culture Publishing, Random House, Campfire Graphic Novel, Holy Cow Entertainment, HarperCollins Publishers, Aayumi Productions, Raj Comics, and Blossom Book House.