ITV

Tag: Zee Café

  • Deepika reveals her true equation with Ranveer & Ranbir on ‘Look Who’s Talking with Niranjan’

    Deepika reveals her true equation with Ranveer & Ranbir on ‘Look Who’s Talking with Niranjan’

    MUMBAI: A shy silent observer, Deepika can easily camouflage into any environment except if you can take your eyes off her. The tall beauty really does light up every room she sets foot into. Always observing people from a distance and imagining stories in her head, one wonders if the leggy lass has always been like this or if is this due to a drastic lifestyle change.

    This week on the season finale of ‘Look Who’s Talking with Niranjan Iyenger’, watch Deepika Padukone talk about fate, failure, films and friendship!  

    She says, “I don’t have an outside perspective of what it is like, to be me. It doesn’t come from being a celebrity. It rather stems from being a very reserved person.”

     

    Acting is something Deepika always knew would happen to her. She states, how the rather famous dialogue from Om Shanti Om about ‘if you really want something with all your heart, the universe helps you make it happen’- is quite true in her case. Deepika believes that failures have made her a better person – She believes that flaws and weaknesses make you who you are – also helps you accept who you are. Failures are her best friends – be it a failed movie or a failed relationship.

    Speaking about Ranveer, She says it is too soon to say if there are seeing each other. Every relationship needs breathing time and it doesn’t happen overnight. She certainly values the equation she shares with Ranvir but there is no status about their relationship.

    Not leaving Ranbir far behind, in the conversation, Deepika expressed, “Of course it took us some time to get back to being normal but now I don’t want to keep revisiting that again and again. There has been no thought recently and I am really happy. We make such beautiful movies together. I don’t see why our failed relationship should affect that.”

    Watch Deepika open up about Ranbir and Ranveer only on ‘Look Who’s Talking with Niranjan’ on 26 October at 9 pm on Zee Café

  • Zee Studio unveils its brand new ideology-‘See it all’

    Zee Studio unveils its brand new ideology-‘See it all’

    MUMBAI: One of India’s English movie channels, Zee Studio has unveiled its brand new ideology ‘See it all’ for its viewers. The channel revealed it’s all new look with a newer library of movie collection that offers a range of genres including action, comedy and animation.  

     

    Speaking about the new brand strategy Zee Studio and Zee Café executive vice president and business head Anurag Bedi said that their study reflected that with vast globalization, the reach and perception of Hollywood movies has changed over a decade in the country. The study further revealed that English cinema is not limited to a certain niche elite class anymore and the younger generation has a lot of exposure to western entertainment and that has led to massive change in consumption patterns.

     

    He further goes on to add, “With Zee Studio’s refreshed look we aim to give the viewer what he is looking for. Additionally, the research revealed that today’s tech savvy young generation who is major chunk of our viewer base expects greater quality content and a high definition experience from television channels. Hence the effort to renew Zee Studio’s look and content is a landmark moment for our business and brand.”

     

    Throwing light on an extensive marketing plan specially designed for the refresh, Zee Studio and Zee Café marketing head Sharlton Menezes commented, “As part of our 360 degree communication plan, we detailed out a multi-media, multi-touch point campaign to ensure that the refresh delivers the brand promise of ‘See it all’. Larger than life movies, big stars and famous characters are the most tangible strengths of Hollywood, which will be leveraged to endorse the channel’s refreshed imagery.”

     

    Tapping the potential to engage with the youth via a multi-layered engagement platform, this campaign will be present at over 30 trade media agencies across Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore. Zee Studio is inviting fans to click pictures with the 10 feet tall Transformer stationed at Cyber City, MPG, Arena, Dentsu, Signature Tower, Cyber Plaza in Delhi and Phoenix mall in Mumbai.

     

    Furthermore, ‘See it All’ will be supported with a social media leg across Twitter, Facebook and YouTube. For 15 days, starting 3 October 2014 the channel has started a ‘See it All” contest for its viewers to tune-in to the 9 pm movie and answer simple questions to win gadgets like iPhones and iPads.

     

    Zee Studio’s new identity was introduced in conjunction with the channel premiere of Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol that was telecasted on Friday, 3 October at 1pm and 9 pm respectively. Legendary actors such as Tom Cruise, Leonardo DiCaprio, Mark Ruffalo, Christian Bale and others will be also scorching the screens throughout the month and beyond.

  • At Zee Café, this festive season, ‘Sin is in’!

    At Zee Café, this festive season, ‘Sin is in’!

    MUMBAI: Ushering in festive revelry, Zee Café brings to you all 8 seasons of the American television comedy-drama series; Desperate Housewives.

     

    Zee Café is spinning a new flavour to the show giving it the theme of ‘Sin is in’. Much like the protagonists in the show whose lives are surrounded by temptations, there is a dormant desire in all of us to give in to indulgence but we usually refrain due to numerous reasons. Well, not anymore, atleast that’s what Zee Café is communicating via their campaign. There is nothing wrong with a little bit of indulgence as long as it makes you feel great!

     

    A show that defined every woman’s innumerable situations in a creative and humorous way, Desperate Housewives has been much adored by the urban female who is modern and ahead of her time. The Multiple award winning show has also got the critics, viewers and industry nod as well.

     

    Speaking on the occasion, Anurag Bedi, EVP & Business Head of Zee Cafe, states, “The winner of many awards and appreciation, Desperate Housewives has beautifully captivated the interest of women ranging from a college go-er to a housewife. It also adds to Zee Café’s programming mix. Airing all 8 seasons of the most watched show worldwide is definitely a milestone and we, at Zee Cafe look forward to delivering up to the viewer’s expectations all over again”

     

    Just like the show’s lead characters, this season, Zee Café tells its viewers to give into temptation, and temptations can be a good thing! Follow your dream job while carrying familial responsibilities, indulge in an exquisite piece of jewelry without being answerable to anyone, because you deserve it or even appreciate a good looking guy across the street! Like we said, this season sin is in!

     

  • Look Who’s Talking with Niranjan launches on a high octane note

    Look Who’s Talking with Niranjan launches on a high octane note

    MUMBAI: Have you spotted your favourite Bollywood icons in a candid conversation with their friend – let their guards down on national TV? Look Who’s Talking with Niranjan does exactly that. Come August, the much-awaited television launch of noted lyricist Niranjan Iyengar raises curtains on Zee Café.

     

    With the creation of their maiden talk-show, Zee Café gears up to reiterate its 3i’s – innovation, amplified interactivity and a renewed identity to their existing bouquet. ZEEL’s vision to offer best quality entertainment and fresh concepts takes the lead with Look Who’s Talking with Niranjan. Constant interactivity and consumer association being the center-point, ZEEL’s prime focus of interacting with the discerning viewer fetches Zee Café an all-round engagement opportunity through this brand new chat show through communications.

    Gearing up ancillary closer to launch, Zee Café one of the strongest players in the English GEC category rolls out an extensive communications strategy to speak to young urban India. With Look Who’s Talking with Niranjan, the effort is to reach out to the affluent young urban viewer who seeks innovation in content. Touted to be one of the high decibel properties from their stables, Zee Café has launched on air-Teasers, Promos, an exclusive Music Video, Outdoor, Radio campaigns in addition to an extensive digital plan. Connecting with their young audience whose den is the digital world, Look Who’s Talking with Niranjan will interact extensively with its viewers on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Popular Websites and a LWT Microsite. While they strike a chord online, Zee Café will interact with the discerning TV viewer directly through DTH promotions alongside promotions in theatres.

    With this brand new property, Zee Café pioneers a unique sales initiative to engage with fans pan India. Celebrities will part with one item each post show, proceeds of which will go towards charity after it’s sold online on OLX, India’s largest online market place. Furthermore, getting on the Look Who’s Talking brandwagon circuit, Medimix Ayurvedic Facewash signs up as Presenting Sponsor along with CERA on board as the Powered By sponsor. Micromax and Omega form an integral part of the sponsorship as well with the former as the ‘Mobile Partner’ and the latter as the ‘Lifestyle Partner.’ The bouquet of associate sponsor include Hersheys, Axis Bank and OLX.

    Commenting on the launch Anurag Bedi, EVP & Business Head, Zee Cafe said, “Look Who’s Talking with Niranjan is indeed another ace delivered by Zee Cafe. I’m very proud of its outcome. At ZEEL, our effort has always been to strengthen connectivity with our loyalist. This fresh concept will indeed race towards offering the best content mix to viewers pan India. Look Who’s Talking with Niranjan adds to our current programming bouquet, that much-needed edge which takes Zee Cafe not just into viewers homes but helps create a personal connect through people who they admire the most. Wishing my crew and team all the very best as we gear up for launch!”   

    Reliving madness from the show onsets, some of the off-the-cuff one-liners heard were remarks like Karan Johar stating, “I’ve tried everything to find my special someone but I cannot put myself out there like a prostitute!” to Alia Bhatt’s phobia for plants, Sonam Kapoor’s personality hide-out being acting as it allows her to be a completely different person and other such interesting stories!

    Want to know more? Make sure to catch the all new series, Look Who’s Talking with Niranjan starting Sunday, August 3, 2014 at 9pm only on Zee Café.

  • Bollywood’s three most dapper men spotted on Niranjan Iyengar’s ‘Look Who’s Talking’

    Bollywood’s three most dapper men spotted on Niranjan Iyengar’s ‘Look Who’s Talking’

    MUMBAI: Bollywood’s most eligible bachelors – Karan Johar, Arjun Kapoor and Siddharth Malhotra were spotted on Niranjan Iyengar’s ALL ACCESS, ALL REVEALING talk show, Look Who’s Talking. Niranjan got them to open up and spill the beans on their love lives and a lot more! All three of them had quite interesting things to say. You can catch their interviews when the show makes its debut during the first week of August on Zee Café. Here’s a little glimpse of all the madness you can expect from Look Who’s Talking.

     

    Karan Johar being his usual self as was quite upbeat, witty and humorous throughout his interview with Niranjan. Karan revealed his worries and fears. Quite a refreshing change from him prodding other celebs into answering his questions, don’t you think? He said that nothing frightens him anymore, not even death. However, growing old or dying alone scares him the most. Karan also went on to say that he has tried everything, to find his special someone but he cannot put himself out there like a prostitute. Trust Mr. Johar to find humor even in such situations in his own life!
     

    Arjun Kapoor aka Fubu was his charming, naughty self on the show. Interestingly, a 140 kilo weighing Arjun’s inspiration to become fit was the idea of getting laid! More than the looks, Arjun is looking for someone who can keep him engaged in great conversations. Some prerequisites Arjun’s ideal woman must have – she has to be intellectual, have a great sense of humour, should play hard to get and most importantly, should be fond of kissing! Ladies, are you listening?
     

    We all know Sidharth Malhotra as the hottie with the chiseled wash-board abs, but we hear that wasn’t the case while he was growing up. He opened up about his one true love in life – his love for food! Did you see that coming? Neither did we! Apparently, the Ek Villian star had a french-fry obsession as a child, that left him slightly on the chubby side. He recalls having them for breakfast, lunch and dinner. We don’t know what made him lose all that weight, but we sure can thank god he did!
     

    Want to know more? Make sure to catch the all new series, Look Who’s Talking on Zee Café.
     

  • DC Entertainment: The superhero of television

    DC Entertainment: The superhero of television

    MUMBAI: Long before she became famous as Susan Meyer of Desperate Housewives, Teri Hatcher played Louis Lane in the cult 90’s series Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman. This was one of the first few series produced in association with DC Comics after Superboy (1988 – 1992).  

     

    It ran from 1993 to 1997 and soon afterwards was on Star World India during the late 90s.

     

    In 2001, Tom Welling, with the blessing of the original Superman, Christopher Reeve, donned the superhero’s cape in Warner Bros’ (WB) original production, Smallville that won both critical acclaim and commercial success.

     

    It enjoyed an average viewership of 8.7 million and WB’s second-best 18-49 adult rating ever, according to Media Life Magazine. 

     

    The series follows the adventures of Clark Kent right from his pre-Superman days in the fictional town of Smallville in Kansas to his career at the Daily Planet while introducing other DC comics superheroes and villains.

     

    As earlier reported by indiantelevision.com, Smallville was aired in India on Star World with the first few seasons on Wednesday nights at 8 pm, later moving to Saturdays at 7 pm before being pulled off air.

     

    In an earlier interview with the website, Star English Entertainment business head, Kevin Vaz had reasoned, “Since moving Smallville to Saturdays, we weren’t receiving as much traction from the audience as we did during its initial run on Wednesday nights, and there was also new content then which received good response from the audience. Ergo, we had to discontinue airing the new seasons of the series.” 

     

    Smallville was a milestone in the journey of DC Comics’ Entertainment, which created a niche for itself in the global television market with the series. 

     

    Buoyed by its success, DC followed suit with Human Target, which however, failed to get the viewership it deserved and was hence taken off schedule and eventually cancelled. All the same, the series did air in its entirety on Warner Bros’ Indian channel, WB India.

     

    DC’s TV endeavours post Human Target have met with much greater success.

     

    In 2012, The CW, formed as a result of the merger between WB and Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS), ordered its first drama series based on a DC Comics character Green Arrow. 

     

    Arrow revolves round billionaire playboy Oliver Queen, portrayed by Stephen Amell (Dante’s Cove, New Girl), who, after five years of being stranded on a hostile island, returns home to fight crime and corruption as a secret vigilante with a bow and arrow as his ammo of choice. As the series develops, more characters from DC Comics were introduced like Black Canary and The Flash.

     

    Coming to 2014, DC Entertainment has five new properties currently in production with various broadcast and cable networks. 

     

    Arrow, the CW Original series has made way for The Flash, an upcoming American television series developed by the writers and executive producers of Arrow. It will be based on the DC Comics character Flash reprised by Barry Allen, a Central City assistant police forensic investigator who by virtue of being caught in a chemical explosion, gets the power of superhuman speed. 

     

    The second new property is Gotham, an upcoming television series by Bruno Heller, creator of the Golden Globe and Emmy Award-nominated series Rome and The Mentalist. As the title suggests, Gotham is based on the DC Comics characters Detective James Gordon and Bruce Wayne created by Bob Kane and sundry other characters in the Batman franchise. Interestingly, the series will go into the origins of iconic villains like the Penguin, the Riddler, Cat woman, Two-Face, the Joker, Poison Ivy and Scarecrow. According to inside sources, both The Flash and Gotham might premiere on Star World Premiere HD.

     

    The third newbie is Vertigo, based on an imprint of DC Comics originally created to do stories that could not meet the stringent guidelines of the Comics Code Authority. 

     

    NBC’s upcoming supernatural series Constantine is based on DC Comics’ wildly popular series Hellblazer which revolves round seasoned demon hunter and master of the occult, John Constantine, who specializes in “giving hell… hell”. 

     

    Given the number of Warner Bros Television and DC Comics properties acquired by Indian broadcasters in the past, one can expect Constantine to end up airing on Star World, Zee Cafe or AXN.

     

    The CW’s upcoming drama series iZombie is loosely based on the series created by Chris Roberson and Michael Allred and published by DC Comics’ Vertigo imprint. 

     

    iZombie, developed by Veronica Mars creator Rob Thomas, revolves round a medical student who becomes a zombie, and joins a Coroner’s Office to gain access to the brains she must reluctantly eat so that she can maintain her humanity. For every brain she eats though, she also inherits its memories and must now solve the deaths of these persons with help from the Medical examiner and a police detective.

     

    Also, American Movie Classics (AMC) Network – home to Emmy and Golden Globe Award winning drama series like Mad Men and Breaking Bad – in association with Sony Television, will soon bring to the small screen the satirical and supernatural comic series, Preacher, with comedy writers/actors Seth Rogen (Knocked Up, Superbad) and Evan Goldberg (Neighbours, This is the End) spearheading the project for the cable network. 

     

    Preacher follows hardened Reverend Jesse Custer. Accompanied by his ex-girlfriend and a vampire named Cassidy, he searches for God after finding out he has left heaven. The series’ antagonist is Saint of Killers, a Western lone gunman type, hell-bent on killing Jesse.

     

    Since iZombie will air midseason next year and Preacher is still in development, it is too early to speculate on which Indian broadcaster will air these adaptations.

     

    While the past decade has seen a slew of movies (The Dark Knight trilogy, Green Lantern, Superman: Man of Steel and the upcoming Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice) based on a wealth of characters from DC Comics, perhaps it’s time television followed suit as well!

  • ‘Pretty Little Liars’ renewed for seasons 6 and 7!

    ‘Pretty Little Liars’ renewed for seasons 6 and 7!

    MUMBAI: In anticipation of the fifth season premiere of Pretty Little Liars (PLL), ABC Family president Tom Ascheim and ABC Family executive VP original programming and development and chief creative officer Kate Juergens have announced that the network has picked up unprecedented two seasons of its longest-running original hit series, Pretty Little Liars, from Warner Horizon Television. Season six is set to air mid-2015, and season seven in mid-2016 on the American network ABC Family.

     

    According to the Nielsen US television viewer ratings, Pretty Little Liars is ABC Family’s #1 series in the network’s history in Total Viewers (3.8 million) and across all target demos: Adults 18-34 (1.5 million/2.2 rating), Women 18-34 (1.3 million/3.7 rating), Adults 18-49 (2.0 million/1.6 rating), Women 18-49 (1.7 million/2.7 rating), Viewers 12-34 (2.6 million/2.8 rating) and Females 12-34 (2.3 million/4.9 rating).

     

    Pretty Little Liars holds the record as the most-tweeted scripted-series telecast of all time, and across all genres, it holds 7 of the Top 15 most-tweeted series telecasts ever. The show also generated the highest average number of tweets per episode (675,000 tweets) of any TV series during the 2013/14 broadcast season. Based on total followers, Pretty Little Liars recently became the #1 scripted television series on Instagram, according to ListenFirst Media.

     

    “Pretty Little Liars has taken its place in the zeitgeist and reigns supreme in pop culture,” said Ascheim in a statement. “I am glad to bring another two seasons to our audience because ‘A’ has a lot in store for our Liars.”

     

    The season five premiere of Pretty Little Liars, entitled ‘Escape from New York’ aired in the US on Tuesday, 10 June and the storyline picked up where the season four finale left off, with Aria and the Liars reeling from Ezra’s shooting at the hands of “A.” The five girls quickly realise that as the one person who truly knows “A’s” identity, Ezra is in grave danger. While Aria watches over Ezra at the hospital, Alison and the PLLs lay a trap to finally flush out “A” and are shocked by who is ensnared. Meanwhile, Detective Holbrook steps up his efforts to find the girls and puts the Hastings family on alert. And as news of Alison’s “resurrection” spreads, Mona is not pleased.

     

    The new season of Pretty Little Liars will debut in India on 14 June, airing Saturdays at 2 p.m. and 10 p.m., exclusively on Zee Cafe!

  • Zee Café is all set to captivate viewers with – ‘The Good Wife’

    Zee Café is all set to captivate viewers with – ‘The Good Wife’

    MUMBAI: Zee Café brings ‘The Good Wife’ one of the most awarded shows on primetime television to every Indian home! Come 26th May, 2014 and Zee Café will telecast the original series from season 1 to 5, weekdays at 9 pm for all its judicious fans. There is no place you’d rather be than at the edge of your couch anticipating Alicia Florrick’s (the protagonist) next move!

    The scandalous series is critically acclaimed bagging over 30 nominations and prestigious wins that include 4 EMMYs and a Golden Globe. Zee Café is a front runner when it comes to providing the best of International content to the Indian audience and the channel has designed an exhaustive campaign to promote The Good Wife. With billboards placed strategically around key areas in Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore, Zee Café aims to make the run up towards the premiere, a roaring success. Branding at Café Coffee Day outlets in Mumbai, Bangalore and Chennai along with extensive promotions across print, radio and social media will ensure optimum recall.

    Fans can visit the official page on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ZeeCafe or can log onto Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ZeeCafe to experience the series, follow the cast or share their views.The online buzz for the show has already started with an increase in engagement on both twitter and Facebook. Daily engaging activities like creating a courtroom scenario on twitter and asking the followers to be the jurors has received immense participation and there is a lot of anticipation for the show.

    Mr Anurag Bedi, EVP & Business Head- Zee Café, when asked about the series stated; “In our efforts to provide the best of international content to our Indian viewers we pick shows that appeal to the mindsets of our target audience. The Good Wife is a series that’s a favorite at the awards and has done brilliantly in the US, and we are sure that our viewers here will love the show.”

    The Good Wife is all set to take the stage on Friday, 26th May, 2014 at 9 pm only on Zee Café!

  • Zee Cafe to woo viewers with fact, fiction and fantasy

    Zee Cafe to woo viewers with fact, fiction and fantasy

    MUMBAI: The planet’s first-ever vampires, an adolescent queen, a twisted sociopath and much more… Zee Cafe has a lip-smacking roster of shows, new and old, lined up for its audience this year.

     

    As Zee Cafe EVP and business head Anurag Bedi puts it, “We have a good mix of reality and scripted series lined up for our viewers. You will be seeing a lot of new show launches that haven’t been aired in the country before. And we will continue to bring the latest seasons of all-time favourites such as The Mentalist, Grey’s Anatomy and Scandal among others.” 70 per cent of the channel’s viewership is made up by young and evolving viewers (15 to 34 years) based in metros.

     

    Indiantelevision.com brings you a brief overview of the delectable fare on offer:

     

    New kids on the bloc

     

    The Fosters:

    With Bradley Bredeweg and Peter Paige (Queer as Folk) as creators cum writers cum executive producers and Jennifer Lopez (American Idol, What to Expect When You’re Expecting, The Back-Up Plan) as executive producer, The Fosters stars Teri Polo (Meet the Parents), Sherri Saum (In Treatment), Jake T. Austin (Wizards of Waverly Place), Hayden Byerly (Parenthood), David Lambert (Aaron Stone), Danny Nucci (Titanic), Cierra Ramirez (The Secret Life of the American Teenager) and newcomer Maia Mitchell (Teen Beach Movie). Telecast as one-hour episodes, the series is about a multi-ethnic family with both biological and foster kids raised by two moms.

     

    Twisted:

    True to its name, this is a mystery full of twists and turns and revolves round a charismatic 16-year-old with a troubled past. He becomes the prime suspect when a fellow student is found dead in her house. With executive producers: Gavin Polone (Gilmore Girls, Zombieland, Curb Your Enthusiasm, My Boys, Jane By Design), David Babcock (Brothers & Sisters) and Adam Milch (Greek) – who also wrote the pilot, the drama stars Avan Jogia (Victorious), Maddie Hasson (The Finder), Kylie Bunbury (Prom), Kimberly Quinn (Terriers), Sam Robards (Treme, Gossip Girl), Denise Richards (Two and a Half Men) and newcomer Ashton Moio.

     

    The Originals:

    Move over protagonists of The Twilight Saga, this one’s the original vampire family and it’s here to stay. Except that time and power games have broken the centuries’ old bond among the members. Werewolf-vampire Klaus Mikaelson gets a tip-off about a conspiracy brewing against him in supernatural haven – the French quarter of New Orleans. There, he bumps into his diabolical former protégé, Marcel, a charismatic vampire who has absolute control over the city. The series follows Klaus’ struggle to reclaim all that once belonged to his family.

     

    The series stars Joseph Morgan (The Vampire Diaries, Immortals), Charles Michael Davis (Grey’s Anatomy, Switched at Birth), Daniel Gillies (The Vampire Diaries, Saving Hope), Claire Holt (The Vampire Diaries, Pretty Little Liars), Phoebe Tonkin (The Vampire Diaries, The Secret Circle) and Daniella Pineda (The Fitzgerald Family Christmas, Homeland), among others. The executive producers are: Julie Plec (The Vampire Diaries, Kyle XY, Wasteland), Leslie Morgenstein (The Vampire Diaries, Gossip Girl) and Gina Girolamo (The Lying Game).

     

    Reign:

    Somewhere between the lines of history books is a story waiting to unravel – that of Mary Stuart, the young woman the world would come to know as Mary, Queen of Scots. The series traces her story from the time she was a beautiful, headstrong adolescent to the brewing love triangle between her, Prince Francis of France, and his rakish half-brother, to her tumultuous rise to power. There’s enough danger and sexual intrigue here to keep viewers hooked.

    The series stars Adelaide Kane (Teen Wolf), Toby Regbo (One Day), Torrance Coombs (The Tudors), Megan Follows (Anne of Green Gables), Alan Van Sprang (The Tudors) and Celina Sinden, among others. Coming from CBS Television Studios and Warner Bros. Television, the executive producers of Reign are Stephanie SenGupta (Hawaii Five-0), Laurie McCarthy (The Ghost Whisperer), Frank Siracusa (Beauty and the Beast) and Brad Silberling (Moonlight Mile). Zee Cafe is learnt to be looking at a June premiere for this series.

     

    The 100:

    It’s nearly a century since nuclear Armageddon destroyed planet Earth and civilization as we know it. The only survivors then were inhabitants of a few space stations in orbit. Ever since, three generations have been born but resources in space are dying out. Among many last-ditch attempts to survive, the powers that be decide to exile 100 juvenile prisoners to the surface of the Earth just to see if it can still be habited. For the chosen 100, returning to Earth is not without its fair share of perils; one minute, it’s magical while the next minute, it’s lethal. However, they must find a way to overcome their differences and forge a new path on this intense, primitive and alien planet.

     

    The series stars Eliza Taylor, Paige Turco (Person Of Interest, Damages), Thomas McDonell (Suburgatory), Eli Goree (Emily Owens, M.D.) and Marie Avgeropoulos (50/50), among others. Based on an upcoming book by Kass Morgan, The 100 is a joint production of Bonanza Productions Inc., Alloy Entertainment, Warner Bros. Television and CBS Television Studios. The executive producers are Matthew Miller (Human Target, Chuck), Jason Rothenberg, Bharat Nalluri (Torchwood, Emily Owens, M.D.), Leslie Morgenstein (The Vampire Diaries) and Gina Girolamo (The Secret Circle).

     

    Believe:

    Levitation, telekinesis, the ability to control nature, the ability to predict the future – Bo’s been a gifted girl ever since she was two years old. A group called the ‘True Believers’ have raised the orphaned girl and protected her from outsiders who might use her powers for personal gain. However, now that she is 10, they turn to the only person they see fit to be her full-time protector – Tate. This wrongfully imprisoned death row inmate is at first reluctant but later relents when he sees Bo’s extraordinary abilities. Thus begins Bo and Tate’s collaboration to keep the dark forces at bay. Executive producer of the series is J.J. Abrams (Revolution, Star Trek: Into Darkness) while Alfonso Cuaron (Gravity, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban) is the executive producer cum writer cum director.

     

    Hostages:

    Dr Ellen Sanders, a prominent Washington D.C. surgeon, is handpicked to operate on the President of the USA, when she and her family are taken hostage by rogue FBI agent Duncan Carlisle and his gang of goons. Dr Sanders must kill the Prez during surgery else her captors will kill them all.  With Jerry Bruckheimer as executive producer, this edge-of-the-seat thriller stars Emmy award winner Toni Collette (United States of Tara) and Golden Globe winner Dylan McDermott (The Practice, American Horror Story: Murder House) among others.

  • Zee Café brings home the biggest show of 2014; House Of Cards

    Zee Café brings home the biggest show of 2014; House Of Cards

    MUMBAI: The American political drama; “House of Cards” is all set for its Indian television premiere this February on Zee Café. Starring Academy award winner Kevin Spacey as the protagonist along with Golden Globe winner Robin Wright, House of Cards is the story of Frank Underwood (Kevin Spacey), a politician, who exacts his revenge on those who betrayed him. The show also stars Corey Stoll and Kate Mara in lead roles.

    The show is helmed by noted American playwright and screenwriter, Beau Willimon with Hollywood bigwig David Fincher onboard as one of the executive producers. The first few episodes have been directed by David Fincher, who is well known for “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”, “The Social Network” and “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” amongst other Hollywood blockbusters.

    Touted as one of the best political drama series of the year, House of Cards more than proved its mettle with the numerous nominations and wins at prestigious award ceremonies. It garnered a total of 9 Emmy nominations and 3 wins including the prestigious “Outstanding directing for a Drama Series”, creating history with this win as it was the first time that a major category award was given to an online video provider. The show also earned 4 Golden Globe nominations including, best drama, best actors for leads Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright and best supporting actor for Corey Stoll, with Robin Wright bagging the Globe for “Best Actress in a TV series-Drama” category. The show also made a mark at the SAGs with Kevin Spacey’s nomination for the Best Actor in a TV series category. Awards aside the show has also become immensely popular with a massive fan following including the likes of President Obama and Amitabh Bachchan amongst others.

    Anurag Bedi; Executive VP and Business Head, Zee Café states, ‘House Of Cards is a ground breaking show and there is already a lot of buzz and excitement surrounding it.  The content has a universal appeal and the viewers here are definitely going to enjoy watching the show.’

     House Of Cards premieres on Zee Café on 20th February, Monday to Friday at 11.00 pm.