Tag: Zakir Khan

OML Entertainment sweeps ITA awards with Triple Triumph in OTT Categories

Mumbai: OML Entertainment, a prominent Indian media and entertainment company, secured three prestigious awards at the Indian Television Academy. The accolades include best story for “Half Pants Full Pants” on Amazon Prime Video, Best Reality Series – OTT for Zakir Khan’s stand-up special “Tathastu,” and Best Anchor-Reality Series OTT for Zakir Khan’s acclaimed series “Farzi Mushaira” on Amazon MiniTV. The recognition solidifies OML Entertainment’s position as a leader in delivering top-notch content in the rapidly evolving landscape of digital entertainment.

Under the esteemed leadership of Anu Ranjan and Shashi Ranjan, the 23rd ITA Awards marked a resounding celebration, recognizing brilliance in the realms of television, OTT, and films. Held on 10 December and supported by the Ministry of Women and Child Development, this prestigious event witnessed the distinguished presence of Smriti Irani, Union Cabinet Minister, Government of India. The event was a star-studded affair, with OML and Zakir Khan receiving significant acclaim from the ITA. Being nominated in multiple categories and winning these three titles in the OTT space, while sharing the stage with some of the industry’s best stories and talented individuals, reaffirms the impact and quality of OML’s evolving content that strikes a chord with the masses.

Half Pants Full Pants, ‘An OML Creation’, directed by V. K. Prakash, adapted from Anand Suspi’s eponymous book, Half Pants Full Pants, unfolds in a quaint South Indian town, offering a nostalgic glimpse into a time before the internet and mobile phones dominated our lives. The story revolves around seven-year-old Anand, fondly known as Dabba, and his well-mannered friend Giddi as they embark on heartwarming adventures, evoking a sense of longing for the simplicity and innocence of days gone by.

OML Entertainment is Zakir Khan’s talent management agency, and produced Tathastu and Farzi Mushaira. The revered Indian artist, won the best stand-up act for Reality Series – Tathastu which was structured into three compelling chapters—Paradise, Exile, and The Return. It intricately unfolds the Zakir Khan origin story. This special stand-up act delves into the pivotal elements of his life, particularly emphasising his profound connection with his late grandfather, the renowned singer Ustad Moinuddin Khan and his journey from his upbringing in a joint family to his college days and initial career experiences, culminating in his foray into comedy. He also won the Best Anchor-Reality Series OTT for acclaimed series “Farzi Mushaira” on Amazon MiniTV. Farzi Mushaira is a poetic carnival of exciting and fun episodes, dealing with shayris(urdu poetry) on topics of rejections, heartbreaks, cheating and candid confessions.

OML Entertainment was also honored to receive nominations at the Filmfare Awards this year. The recognition was a testament to the quality of the agency’s productions, with the following titles earning nominations in various categories: “Tathastu” for Best Series (Comedy), “Farzi Mushaira” for Best Series (Comedy), and “Half Pants Full Pants” also competing in the Best Series (Comedy) category. Additionally, the talented portrayal of the character Dabba in “Half Pants Full Pants” earned a nomination for Best Actor in the Series (Comedy) category.

OML Entertainment spokesperson Gunjan Arya was quoted as saying, “We are grateful to have our work recognised at the esteemed ITA. From Half Pants Full Pants which was a true industry wide collaboration in our work with Anand Suspi who wrote the book on which it is based and VK Prakash bringing his distinct directorial experience to audiences, to Zakir’s standup special Tathastu that made audiences feel a wider range range of emotions than most other comedy specials – we are especially grateful to Amazon Prime Video for their partnership. Furthermore, Farzi Mushaira as a format that Amazon MiniTV took a bet on where Zakir has showcased yet another laugh roller coaster that audiences have loved and adored him for, is a recognition of his sheer talent and auteurship as an artist. OML has always strived to create diverse and wholly unique entertainment experiences for fans, and we are humbled and proud to have the recognition of a platform such as ITA in our journey. We remain inspired to deliver more shows and formats in diverse genres and with interesting narratives alongside our partners that champion the content ecosystem.”

Known for its prominence in the entertainment industry, the ITA Awards served as a flagship event that shone a spotlight on exceptional talent and accomplishments. From captivating performances in fiction to groundbreaking strides in non-fiction, the ceremony acknowledged the outstanding contributions of individuals and shows within the industry. It was a night that celebrated the diverse excellence that continues to shape the landscape of Indian entertainment.

December 18, 2023
Zakir Khan shines as first Asian comedian at Royal Albert Hall

Mumbai: Zakir Khan, achieved a historic milestone in his illustrious career by becoming the first Asian comedian in the world to headline the iconic Royal Albert Hall in London with his show “Mannpasand”. Zakir’s shows at such prestigious global venues mark a significant moment for the Indian entertainment industry, which drives a shift in the industry.

This show was Zakir’s first biggest single indoor show and was held at the 152-year-old, historic Royal Albert Hall with an impressive turnout of over 5,000 fans.

The Show was supported by the talented Sindhu Vee, a UK-based Indian stand-up comedian, actor, and writer whose comic deliverance had the audience in splits, setting the perfect tone for the night. Following her act, India’s ‘Sakht Launda’, a true icon in the world of storytelling and comedy, Zakir, delighted the audience with his sharp wit and captivating on-stage poetry. The performance elicited an extraordinary response, with the longest-standing ovation lasting that made it seem like a football arena with roaring fans! This live performance solidified Khan’s position as an entertainment icon, inspiring and paving the way for other Indian comics & artists to grow while putting India’s entertainment industry on a global stage.

The diverse crowd in attendance of the live show was a testament to Khan’s universal appeal, drawing fans especially from across the South Asian diaspora, including Indians, Sri Lankans, Bangladeshis and Pakistanis, Audiences travelled from Paris, Amsterdam, Birmingham and Dublin to watch the show. This marvellous occasion represented a momentous celebration for the South Asian communities as they united to celebrate an accomplished Indian, Hindi-speaking comedian on a world-renowned culturally enriching venue and stage.

Zakir Khan said, “I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to perform at this historic hall of Royal Albert, which has played host to world-famous artists over the years. It feels almost surreal to see my artistic dream turn into reality. In what has become one of the most significant shows of my life, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to OML for their unwavering support in facilitating this grand occasion. I am grateful to entertain the attendees by spreading laughter and also overwhelmed by the immense love, and appreciation that I received from the fans. They have been with me through thick and thin since the early years of my career & I am eternally grateful to OML for enabling me to live my dream and share my stories and artistry with the world.”

OML Entertainment (Only Much Louder) CEO Gunjan Arya stated, “This truly marks a historic moment for Indian entertainment on a global stage. Zakir Khan’s sold-out performance at the Royal Albert Hall is not just a triumph for all of us at OML but a significant milestone for the entire industry. We’re immensely grateful to our partners at AEG, UTA, and Soho Theatre, for their instrumental partnership in making this dream a reality. We’re so overwhelmed with the responses pouring in… thrilled to see the entire community come together to celebrate this important feat. For all of us, this is just the beginning, as we look forward to more incredible venues and bigger milestones ahead.”

Zakir’s journey to London’s Royal Albert Hall is nothing short of inspirational. Having more than 1,000 shows under his touring repertoire, Zakir is a seasoned comedian. Zakir has performed at 120 shows having sold 300,000 tickets in India and 100,000 tickets internationally. His rise to fame began in 2012 after winning the title of ‘India’s Best Stand Up’ in a well-renowned comedy competition organised by Comedy Central. Since then, his widely acclaimed string of stand-up specials ‘Haq Se Single’ (2017), ‘Kaksha Gyarvi’ (2018), and ‘Tathastu’ (2022) and multiple seasons of ‘Chacha Vidhayak Hai Humare’ showcased on Amazon Prime Video, have further cemented his position as one of India’s most beloved comedians, dominating OTT platforms and not just the live arena circuit.

OML Entertainment is Zakir’s talent management agency. Rooted in a steadfast commitment to nurture and empower creative talent in India, OML has dynamically transformed into one of the prime shapers of the creator ecosystem. The company’s stand-up comedy talents have been further pushing the envelope, exploring diverse avenues with the aim to place comedy at the core and this step has allowed the platform to continue retaining its position as a pop-cultural mainstay in India. Furthermore, the past few years have seen a shift with Indian creators taking centre-stage at global events and Khan’s presence at a prestigious stage such as the Royal Albert Hall is a testament to OML’s relentless efforts in creating umpteen opportunities for its talent pool, catapulting their creators onto the global stage, and thus, effectively shaping the Indian pop-culture landscape.

October 13, 2023
ENO celebrates 50 Years in India with first-ever metaverse stand-up show

Mumbai: GSK Consumer Healthcare’s ENO, who has completed 50 years in India, has consciously leveraged humour as a tool to communicate and create awareness around acidity. Its quirky approach has translated into iconic campaigns that have evolved from print to TV and, now, digital platforms.

In recent years, ENO started collaborating with comic influencers as part of a long-term content strategy. To celebrate its 50th year and build a community of fun foodies across India’s diverse food cultures, ENO took the next natural step in its evolution, creating India’s first-ever stand-up comedy event in the metaverse.

The event was headlined by leading stand-up comic Zakir Khan and supported by other comics such as Rahul Subramanian, Kaneez Surkha, Sahil Shah, Rahul Dua, Kiran Dutta and Shraddha Jain. Titled ‘A Plateful of Laughs’, the comics donned customised avatars and interacted with each other in an amphitheatrical metaverse venue.

Following the event, the comics will be posting videos on Instagram of their experience in the metaverse. This successful campaign was a joint-effort of team WPP. ENO’s creative partners Ogilvy conceptualised and created the theme of the event, the creative roll-out strategy and the design. Genesis BCW co-created the branded content with the comics and ran the internal communications. The metaverse experience itself was powered by PartyNite.

GSK Consumer Healthcare India chief marketing officer, India sub continent Anurita Chopra said, “We are very proud to celebrate ENO’s 50 years in India, adding to the legacy of one the most iconic and loved brands in the country. It is a brand that has always been about pushing the boundaries of communication and becoming a real wingman for the everyday acidity sufferer. Celebrating this in the metaverse is a preview of the next 5 decades, as the brand continues to remain relevant, contemporary and full of life. The brand has always been about pushing the boundaries of connecting with its vast consumer base, spread across rural and urban India. We have been leaders in digital content creation, and the comedy genre is not just in sync with the brand, but also helps build unique allyship with the consumer.”

Stand-up comic artist Zakir Khan added, “Everyone who knows me well, can corroborate the extent I am willing to go to when it comes to my passion for food – even if that means going into the metaverse! I am excited to have partnered with an iconic brand like ENO as they continue to evolve and take the first steps in the metaverse. They have brought joy into our lives through innovations and humorous storytelling for over five decades. I am hopeful that our fans will enjoy the fun-filled food ride.”

“A brand completing 50 years is no ordinary feat. So, when ENO turned 50 we knew we had to make the celebrations extraordinary. Instead of looking for the perfect place for the occasion, we ended up creating one. And so, ‘Plateful of Laughs’, India’s first stand-up comedy event inside the metaverse, came into existence. We had partners across functions like tech and PR working in complete synergy to create a cutting-edge metaverse experience. In collaboration with some of the most sought-after names in the comedy circuit, we created an experience that was truly out of this world,” said Ogilvy North chief creative officer Ritu Sharda

“A huge congratulations to GSK Consumer Healthcare and brand ENO on this commendable milestone. It has been our privilege to be part of that journey for over a decade and to see the brand grow as a household favourite for wellness. The ‘Plateful of Laughs’ event is both a celebration of that legacy as well as an overture to a new set of audiences through the metaverse. For us, that means an opportunity to showcase our earned-plus offer, with the comedy talent provided by The Outstanding Speakers’ Bureau and integrated communications across traditional and digital platforms. The metaverse is the new frontier for communications and together with our WPP partners and GSK Consumer Healthcare, I am sure we will be able to move people for ENO,” said BCW India Group CEO Deepshikha Dharmaraj.

Gamitronics (PartyNite) founder Rajat Ojha said, “Metaverse is an ever-evolving technology and possibilities are not just being explored by the developers but by users and brand owners as well. We are shaping the new internet, and, in this journey, we are stoked to have a partner like Ogilvy on this journey of ours. Working with Ogilvy to celebrate the 50th anniversary of ENO was technologically and creatively immensely satisfying.”

June 21, 2022
Amazon Prime Video inks exclusive deal with Zakir Khan

KOLKATA: Amazon Prime Video today announced an exclusive deal with one of India’s most popular comedians, Zakir Khan (Haq Se Single, Kaksha Gyarvi, Chacha Vidhayak Hai Humare). The association sees Prime Video become the exclusive home to three upcoming highly anticipated Amazon Funnies by Zakir Khan, all produced by Only Much Louder (OML), as well as an all-new season of Chacha Vidhayak Hain Humare. The exclusive collaboration with Prime Video follows a series of highly successful shows on the service, including Amazon Funnies Haq Se Single and Kakshya Gyarvi, a successful debut season of Chacha Vidhayak Hain Humare, as well as his stint as a judge on Amazon Original Series Comicstaan Season 2.

“There’s been an overwhelming response to Amazon Prime Video’s wide and diverse comedy offering, and we’re excited to keep the laughs coming with today’s announcement,” said Vijay Subramaniam, Director and Head, Content, Amazon Prime Video, India. “Prime Video customers will soon have exclusive access to the latest entertainment from one of the country’s most-loved comedians, including three Amazon Funnies. Zakir Khan has starred in a number of hugely popular comedy properties available on Prime Video and we can’t wait for Prime members to see what’s next, starting with the new season of Chacha Vidhayak Hain Humare.”

“Today’s deal announcement marks Amazon Prime Video and Zakir’s long term commitment to comedy ,'' Only Much Louder COO Dhruv Sheth said. “Prime Video has been an incredible destination for comedy, from sit-coms to stand-up specials. We’re happy to further strengthen that association now that Prime Video is the exclusive home for all the latest entertainment from Zakir.”

“It is humbling to receive so much love from viewers across the world,” said Zakir Khan. “My association with Amazon Prime Video has only grown stronger since the release of Haq Se Single, my first Stand-Up special on the service. I am really excited to further deepen our association and expand the reach of Indian comedy right around the globe and reach over 200 countries with my next few specials.”

July 14, 2020
Multi-day, multi-city, multi-genre comedy festival – The Circuit – launched by OML Entertainment

MUMBAI – Comedy’s never been taken this seriously before. OML Entertainment Pvt Ltd, the creators of India’s decade-old and much-loved Happiest Music Festival- Bacardi NH7 Weekender, have announced the first edition of a massive comedy festival called The Circuit. From March 7-15, the festival will travel to Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore.

The lineup for all three cities is out, with all shows for Delhi and Bangalore being live, and part of the Mumbai calendar of shows being out. With a mixture of smaller club shows and auditorium shows, the festival is designed to offer innovative and unique experiences to audiences who enjoy comedy with stand-up comedy in various forms – specially curated lineups, women’s showcases, LGBTQ shows, regional comedy with shows being released for Marathi and Malayalam shows as well as formats such as debates, quizzing, various comedy games and much more. The lineup features over 100 comedians from across the country – for a variety of shows both big and small, with interesting lineups sure to appeal to a wide range of people, including comedians like Aakash Gupta, Rohan Joshi, Radhika Vaz, Tanmay Bhat, Anu Menon, Saikiran, Urjita Wani, Zakir Khan and more.

After kicking off in Delhi and Bangalore on March 7-8, the festival will run in Mumbai from March 11-15. After a packed calendar of shows from March 11-14, the festival will conclude with a grand finale – The Festival Circuit – in Jio Garden on March 15. This event will see a series of different performances by a strong lineup of over 20 comedians, and will be an all day outdoor event with comedy fans getting a taste of various types and formats of comedy. With just one ticket, the audience can see 5 different shows at the grand finale of the festival.

“As OML, we've had the opportunity to work with some of the most talented comedians from around the country and abroad. The Circuit is our celebration of the versatility of the genre and the messages it can hold. It will not only bring together a diverse range of shows from comics to sketch troupes, debates and game formats – but also venues, partners and artists that make the landscape as vibrant as it is. We're proud to be working with curators who have pulled together a great lineup ranging from regional comedy to unique ideas such as roast battles and comedy tag team, making sure there's something for every comedy fan” said Gunjan Arya, CEO, OML Entertainment Pvt. Ltd.

OML worked with specific comedy curators to program the festival who brought together new formats of comedy to give a varied experience across venues, comedian styles and cities to put together a festival that distinguishes The Circuit from other comedy events in the country. Rohan Desai said, “We are very excited to be curating this festival that will feature a wide variety of concept shows which will be a unique one-time experience. The jokes and performances you see in these shows will never be repeated again.” Shreemayee Das added, “A few of the concept shows will actually be happening in tournament style – like a cricket world cup. So it will be very interesting to follow the progress of different teams and see which comedians will win the finals.” Reuben Kaduskar said, “This was a very exciting opportunity, because I got the chance to collaborate with artists from all over the country, and from an audience perspective, it's perfect because they get to see some of the best talent all at one place. Other than the game shows, what's unique about this festival is that a lot of the comedians are doing their brand new one hour solo shows for the first time ever.”

Four different show types are on the cards to give different sorts of comedy experience to the . The Club Circuit will have intimate venues with curated programming. The Theatre Circuit will have bigger showcases with a diverse lineup of different comedians performing to bigger audiences. Circuit X shows will have exclusive showcases. The Festival Circuit will see an all day outdoor event at Jio Garden on March 15.

There’s more to be announced with more shows coming soon in Mumbai.

Get ready to do The Circuit of comedy in your city.

Details for shows in all cities can be seen at www.thecircuit.in.

City Specific Pages

Mumbai – https://insider.in/the-circuit-comedy-festival-mumbai/article

Delhi – https://insider.in/the-circuit-comedy-festival-delhi/article

Bangalore – https://insider.in/the-circuit-comedy-festival-bangalore/article

February 7, 2020
Gaana enters Shows and Podcast Originals segment

Mumbai: India's largest music streaming app, Gaana has announced its first batch of platform-exclusive line-up of podcasts and shows, including ‘Ummeed’ with Zakir Khan, ‘Confessions’ with Sunny Leone and ‘Life ki Ranneeti’ with Rannvijay Singha that will go live on Gaana in Nov-Dec’19. These are a part of the brand’s overarching vision to host the country’s widest and most diverse range of original audio content by the end of FY 2021.

Commissioned by Gaana, produced by the hosts & syndicated from networks, the shows & podcasts in multiple languages span categories like Comedy, Bollywood, Devotional, News, Kids, Motivational, Astrology, Business, Lifestyle &. Culture and Self Help among others. Gaana currently hosts over 3000 diverse shows & podcasts in multiple languages including ‘Cyrus Says’, ‘The Bhagavad Gita’, ‘Stories of Akbar Birabal’, KadhaiPodcast's PonniyinSelvan and ‘Paisa Vaisa’ among others.

Speaking at the launch, Gaana CEO Prashan Agarwal said, “Shows & Podcasts have the potential to be among the most popular mainstream non-music genres in our country owing to the diversity of our audience. At Gaana, we have been investing steadily in this space, and have now taken it up a notch with our Original Shows & Podcasts that would engage our users with interesting content that will inform, entertain and enthral them in more ways than one.”

India is the world’s third-largest podcast market, second only to the US and China, and is one of the fastest-growing podcast markets globally.

December 5, 2019

9th Season of Asia’s largest content festival, India Film Project concluded with the celebration of creative minds

Mumbai: Happiness, enthusiasm and festive fervour prevailed over the last weekend at Mumbai’s Mehboob Studios as Asia’s largest content festival India Film Project was concluded with much fanfare.One of the most anticipated events of the year IFP, in its 9th edition, witnessed over 35000 participants from across the boundaries and over 100 celebrities from films, digital, music and literature. The attendants amassed valuable insights from the masterclasses, celebrity panel discussions and numerous workshops. The sessions highlighted the various nuisances of the artistic, storytelling and creative aspects of filmmaking.

Talking about the much-awaited event, Ritam Bhatnagar, Founder, India Film Project, said, “I am overwhelmed by the response that we have received for IFP this year. This festival was conceptualised to offer a learning& networking opportunity across all domains of films, digital,literature and music.. Filmmaking and creative arts in India have come a long way, and it’s great to witness young minds illustrating their narratives. The success of this seasonhas yet again proved that good storytelling can come from anywhere & can transcend existing boundaries of thought and imagination.”

Nikhil Taneja, festival creative director said "Every year, it is so gratifying to see yet again that India Film Project has become the one-stop destination for over 12,000 young people from 130 cities across the country, to learn from, interact with and collaborate on other young and old filmmakers and film fans like them. This year, we saw full houses for masterclasses and conversations featuring legends like Naseeruddin Shah, Javed Akhtar and Manoj Bajpayee and for youth icons like Zakir Khan, Prajakta Koli, Kusha Kapila and Ishaan Khatter. Every conversation was house full, every masterclass was overbooked and every workshop found massive attendance. It means so much to us that this is the only youth festival in the country that appeals to both the minds and the hearts of the people. We are so grateful to everyone who attended and we can't wait for Season 10 next year!"

Sharin Bhatti, festival curator for literature and music said "I am thrilled and delighted to have had the opportunity to curate the literature and music conversations for India Film Project in their 9th year. The idea was to get the best in their craft to gather on stage and engage in meaningful and relevant conversations for the creators of tomorrow. It was endearing to see the reactions of all the participants. From Devdutt Pattanaik to Shelleji, screenwriter Kamna Chandra with her talented daughters Tanuja Chandra and Anupama Chopra to Harinder Sikka and Female authors. Naezy to Ritviz, spoken word artists to lyricists- the range of conversations were truly entertaining and rewarding. I hope to continue working with IFP to keep getting cooler and bigger artists and creators on the same stage."

The two-day content festival witnessed speakers from different fields of art ranging from films, comics, literature, music and hosted a series of interesting conversations, AMA’s and workshops. Celebrities like Rajkumar Rao, Javed Akhtar, Naseeruddin Shah, Manoj Bajpayee, Swara Bhaskar, Ishaan Khatter, Jim Sarbh, Vikramaditya Motwane, Nitesh Tiwari, Radhika Madan, Kirti Kulhari, Anand Gandhi, Devdutt Pattnaik, Ravinder Singh, Abish Mathew, Zakir Khan, Prajakta Koli, Kusha Kapila, Aparshakti Khurana, Divya Dutta, Abhishek Chaubey, Apurva Asrani, Ritviz, Anupama Chopra, Divya Dutta, Kubrra Sait, Sumukhi Suresh,Beer Biceps, Flying Beast, Ravinder Singh, The Jordindian, Be YouNick and many more have shared their experiences with the audiences present at the venue.

Veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah spoke at the conversation titled ‘Making of a Legend – A Masterclass in acting’ whereas the conversation titled ‘Cardinal Sins of Cinema’ witnessed legendary writer-lyricist Javed Akhtar as a guest speaker talking about the golden era of cinema and how every decade has it's good and bad aspects. Segment moderated by Faridoon Shahryar, ‘The Showcase: Sheer Qorma’ saw actors Divya Dutta&Swara Bhaskar along with the makers Faraz Ansari and Marijke D’Souza giving an ode to female queer love story and unveiling the movie poster. The conversation titled – ‘Cultural Impact: What is the key to creating Authentic and real LGBTQ characters on screen’ witnessed Kubra Sait, Apurva Asrani, and Onir as panellists. The session moderated by Renil Abraham spoke about the portrayal of the LGBTQ characters on screen and their characterization. Aparshakti Khurrana moderated of Manoj Bajpayaee titled as ‘Signature Masterclass: The Making of a Legend’.

The gala event was concluded with the award ceremony for 50 hours filmmaking challenge. This year Bollywood bigwigs Abhishek Chaubey, Pradeep Sarkar, Apurva Asrani, Bhavani Iyer, amongst others, were on board to judge the series of challenges. Here is a comprehensive list of the winners.

Professional Category	Team	Movie Name	City
Platinum Film of the Year	@not.just.a.dentist	Paul	Nagpur
Gold Film of the Year	Word of Mouth Media	GAURA	Dehradun
Silver Film of the Year	Candor Bros Entertainment	Perfect Gods	Chennai
Bronze Film of the Year	Brand Icon Studio	Inside	Indore
#5 Film of the Year	Lights On Films	Tales of Passion – A biopic of an environmentalist	Mumbai
My Signature Award	EBC Originals	Mere Papa Google Par	Mumbai
Amateur Category	Team	Movie Name	City
Platinum Film of the Year	Vilvanaram	Janu	Chennai
Gold Film of the Year	22nd Society	Thanthooni Thuruthu	Kochi
Silver Film of the Year + Best use of Adobe Premiere Pro for Editing	90's Kids	Mehsoos	Mumbai
Bronze Film of the Year	Pichchar	Anjaan	Dehradun
#5 Film of the Year + Best use of Mirrorless Camera for Cinematography	Nature Surferers	BANDISH	Mumbai
Mobile Category	Team	Movie Name	City
Platinum Film of the Year	UA Productions	Kheer	Kolkata
Gold Film of the Year	BistroBethak	Itwar	Mumbai
Silver Film of the Year	EkJagaah	FLAWED	Mumbai
Bronze Film of the Year		Shot Down	Mumbai
#5 Film of the Year	Abhraneel & Bros.	The Dream Project	Kolkata

India Film Project has also joined hands with two giants of the entertainment industry, PVR Cinemas and MTV who were on board as partnersthis season. The winning titles will be theatrically released in PVR cinemas across Mumbai, Bangalore, Delhi, Pune, Hyderabad, and Chandigarh. Furthermore, these movies will also be premiered on MTV over weekends on a prime-time slot for 6 months.

As this year’s edition of India Film Project marked its end, all those present at the event parted with a heart full of joy and memories to cherish.
India Film Project season 9 was presented by Signature, with a common aim to enable passionate creators by providing them a relevant platform

October 16, 2019

Zakir Khan partners with Mech Mocha’s Jetpack Joyride for his new show, Chacha Humare Vidhayak Hain, premiering on Amazon Prime

MUMBAI: With smartphone gamers constantly on a rise in India, brands are turning to gamification for boosting adoption and user-engagement. Partnering with fun and popular mobile games allow brands to enjoy riveted attention of highly engaged users. By the same token, Zakir Khan has joined hands with Jetpack Joyride by Mech Mocha.

Zakir Khan’s first show will debut today on Prime Video, in tandem with Jetpack Joyride India, a mobile game by Mech Mocha, starring Zakir Khan. Zakir Khan’s character Ronnie Bhaiya will be a playable character, with players getting a chance to complete various challenges. Lucky winners of these challenges will be greeted by Zakir himself over video call and will receive autographed T-shirts.

Having shot to fame with his relatable persona of “Sakht Launda”, Zakir Khan has more than 2 Mn followers on YouTube. Recently launched Jetpack Joyride shot to fame with its one of a kind partnership with popular Youtuber such as Zakir Khan, Tanmay Bhat & Biswa Kalyan Rath. In less than a month, it has clocked up more than 1.5 Mn downloads.

Mech Mocha, developers of Jetpack Joyride have previously partnered with “Fukrey Returns” movie. Arpita Kapoor from Mech Mocha, developers of Jetpack Joyride added, “Brands have realised the potential of top-notch mobile games in offering highly engaged users in a controlled environment. Celebrity brand is no different and a growing number of brands are accessing this medium to expand their presence, across the board.”

May 18, 2018
Discovery’s ‘India Best Jobs’ to feature those who followed ‘inner calling’

MUMBAI: Discovery Channel, India’s leading destination for factual entertainment, is launching a new series titled ‘India’s Best Jobs’ which will feature 13 extra ordinary individuals who followed their inner calling and turned their passion into profession. Hosted by popular actor and singer Meiyang Chang, the series decodes the careers of select trendsetters who chose unusual yet extremely successful career paths proving to the world that ‘Aaj ke India mein sab kuch mumkin hai!’. The series opens a world of possibilities and breaks myths around jobs and careers for the youth of India. The show has generated lot of advertiser interest – Bluestar Water Purifiers, Project Management Institute, Kirloskar and Abbott Healthcare have come on-board as on-air partners.

It will premiere on July 01 and will air every Saturday at 8pm.

The series will feature ‘a day in the life of’ each of the individuals with Chang delving into the reasons behind their bold career choices. Each episode will answer the HOW, WHY & WHAT of these life-changing decisions and the misconceptions, ridicule, criticism that each one had to overcome to pursue their dream jobs. The series features well known personalities including RJ Naved, stand-up comedian Zakir Khan, chef Ranvir Brar, fitness trainer to the stars- Prashant Sawant and celebrity yoga instructor Anshuka Parwani, amongst others.

Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific VP & head of real world products – South Asia Sameer Rao said, ‘India’s Best Jobs’ is an important step in our endeavor to showcase programming reflective of Indian zeitgeist. This series is a salute to the extraordinary individuals who lived their lives without limits and reveled in their passion.”

Featured artists:

• RJ Naved – Star Radio jockey of a renowned FM channel, Naved is famous for playing pranks on his listeners. Interestingly, Naved discovered his passion and mastered the art of mimicking people at a very early age.

• Ranvir Brar- A celebrity chef, TV show host, successful restauranteur, a food stylist and an executive chef for one of India’s leading hotel chains. The episode delves into how he was inspired by the local kebab vendors in Lucknow to pursue his love for food and how he took his passion to the next level and was named as the youngest executive chef in India at a young age of 25.

• Prashant Sawant- A celebrity personal trainer who has been working in the fitness industry for more than two decades. The go-to trainer for Bollywood’s elite including Shah Rukh Khan, Abhishek Bachchan, Ajay Devgan, Varun Dhawan and Alia Bhatt. The episode will give a sneak peek into his life, both professional and personal, including views from many of his esteemed clientele, his loyal followers, his wife and other family members.

• Anshuka Parwani- A celebrity yoga instructor based in Mumbai. Her clientele includes Kareena Kapoor, Saif Ali Khan, Jacqueline Fernandez and Tushar Kapoor. She is one of the renowned aerial yoga experts in India.

• Zakir Khan- An Indian stand-up comedian, writer and presenter. He had won Comedy Central’s India’s Best Stand Up Comedian competition and rose to fame in 2012.

• Avi and Anita Malik – An ex-Indian Air Force fighter pilot, Avi Malik, along with his wife Anita Malik, founded Temple Pilots paragliding club. Over the past 18 years, they have taught paragliding skills to over 500 individuals. They both left high-flying corporate careers to pursue what they firmly believed was their eternal calling – paragliding. Avi and Anita were the first ones to professionalize the sport in India and recently also trained a visually impaired person to complete his first ever solo flight.

• Manoor Sachdeva – Founder and Director of Canine Solutions Rehabilitation Centre, Manoor is a dog behaviorist and looks after as well as treats dogs with issues like anger management, excessive timidity, anti-social behavior and more. Manoor along with his wife Anjali runs this centre at their farm Phoebe’s Farm, named after their dog Phoebe. Manoor credits Phoebe for teaching him everything there is to know about handling dogs of all kinds.

• Siddhartha Joshi – One of India’s most successful and followed travel bloggers, who strongly believes in the power of travelling to build bridges and break down barriers. Through his blog called ‘The Wanderer’, Siddhartha shares his passion for meeting and interacting with new people while travelling. His biggest dream is that one day the world will know no boundaries, and people will be able to travel anywhere, visa-free.

• Vijay Singh Ajairajpura – Hailing from a Rajput family in Jaipur, biking runs in his blood. His father used to race for Jaipur Motorcycle club in the 70s and his grandfather organized the first all-India MotoX race in Jaipur in 1977. Vijay is proud of his Rajputana heritage and founded Rajputana Customs, one of the first custom motorcycle operations in the country.

• Akriti Khatri- Akriti always had a curious mind and a knack for investigations which led to Venus Detective agency, India’s leading female private detective agency. Her agency provides services like Pre-matrimonial, Post-matrimonial, Infidelity/Adultery, Divorce Cases, Surveillance/Follow, Missing Person, Under Cover Operations, and Loyalty Test etc.

• Shivang Mehta- A journalist turned PR professional; now a traveler and natural-history photographer, Shivang Mehta wears many professional hats. His love for the forests of Kumaon pushed him to leave the cozy comfort of corporate offices and start an organization Nature Wanderers with Corbett as the main area of work. An official trainer for Canon India, Shivang conducts wildlife photography workshops across India, Sri Lanka and Africa.

• Harpreet Bacher- ‘The Wedding Story’ is the brain-child of Mumbai-based photographer and cinematographer Harpreet Bachher. Filming, photographing, editing and showcasing a crisp cinematic record of weddings in a well-scripted, and visually stunning way is all what he seeks in his life. His clientele includes Aahana Deol, Divyanka Tripathi and many others.

June 20, 2017