Mumbai: ZEE5, India and Bharat’s home-grown video streaming platform and multilingual storyteller for multiple entertainment seekers is proud to announce its continued partnership with the iconic Mumbaicha Raja for the third consecutive year. From 7 – 17 September 2024, ZEE5 will be live-streaming Bappa’s darshan and aarti straight from the pandal on the platform, bringing the divine festivities of Ganesh Chaturthi directly to the screens of millions of viewers across India, at zero cost.
Speaking about the collaboration, ZEE5 India chief business officer Manish Kalra said, “We are excited to begin another year of festive celebrations, blessed by Mumbaicha Raja on ZEE5. As a top OTT platform with a strong presence in regional markets, we are dedicated to bringing the iconic Ganpati celebration at Mumbaicha Raja to millions of homes nationwide. I send my warmest wishes to all our viewers and invite them to enjoy the festivities from the comfort of their homes through ZEE5.”
ZEE5 offers a diverse range of high-quality content catering to its viewers, showcasing a selection of thoughtfully crafted narratives, including premium Marathi titles such as Dharmaveer: Mukkam Post Thane, Mulshi Pattern, Fatteshikast, Zombivli, Timepass 3, Gulabjaam, Timepass, Chi Va Chi Sau Ka, Ventilator, Anandi Gopal, among others.
Mumbai: “Time is a flat circle,” Nietzsche once said. But what if that circle could be bent, twisted, and manipulated? ZEE5 is all set to shatter the boundaries of time and space with the mind-bending trailer of ‘Gyaarah Gyaarah.’ Set to premiere on 9 August, this Karan Johar and Guneet Monga Kapoor co-production questions the viewers on the possibility of altering present and future by changing the past.
Launched today, the trailer plunges viewers into a world where the impossible becomes possible, leaving them to wonder about the existence and power of time. Helmed by the visionary director Umesh Bist, ‘Gyaarah Gyaarah’ boasts a powerhouse cast including Kritika Kamra, Dhairya Karwa, and Raghav Juyal in the lead and Gautami Kapoor, Harsh Chhaya, Purnendu Bhattacharya, Mukti Mohan, Gaurav Sharma, among others.
Co-produced by Karan Johar and Apoorva Mehta of Dharmatic Entertainment, and Oscar-winning filmmaker duo Guneet Monga Kapoor and Achin Jain of Sikhya Entertainment, Gyaarah Gyaarah tells the riveting tale of two police officers from different eras connected by a mysterious walkie-talkie and the butterfly effect it causes on the past and present.
The past year has seen ZEE5 accomplish multiple highlights and milestones. The platform has witnessed a whopping 85Bn minutes of watch-time in the past year, with strong viewership coming in from metros and non-metros alike. Tier II and III cities account for 40 per cent of ZEE5’s viewership, while Hyderabad, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Delhi lead in metro consumption. Popular genres on the platform include thrillers, romance, dramas, action-adventure, and comedies, with pan-Indian audiences strongly gravitating to the multilingual storyteller’s diverse content library.
Talking about the overall success of ZEE5 and the launch of Gyaarah Gyaarah, ZEE5 India chief business officer Manish Kalra said, “At ZEE5, we remain dedicated to bringing exceptional content to our viewers. The trailer launch of ‘Gyaarah Gyaarah’ is a testament to this commitment. Our collaboration with Guneet Monga’s Sikhya Entertainment and Karan Johar’s Dharmatic Entertainment, both renowned for their storytelling excellence, is an exciting step towards enriching ZEE5’s diverse content library. ‘Gyaarah Gyaarah’ offers a unique blend of mystery, and drama in a way that we believe will captivate audiences in India and beyond. We’re confident that this series will set a new benchmark for original content in the digital streaming space.”
A senior detective Shaurya Anthwal, played by Dhairya Karwa, from the 1990s and a young police officer Yug Arya, portrayed by Raghav Juyal, find themselves linked by a perplexing communication tool that springs to life at 11:11 pm for a fleeting 60 seconds. At the center of this temporal whirlwind is a determined woman Vamika Rawat, played by Kritika Kamra, once mentored by the senior detective Shaurya Anthwal before he mysteriously disappeared and now guiding the present-day young police officer Yug Arya.
As Shaurya and Yug join forces to crack the many cold cases, they unknowingly set off a chain reaction, altering the course of history with each breakthrough. Vamika, who is oblivious to the extraordinary connection between Shaurya and Yug is increasingly puzzled by her subordinate’s uncanny insights. With every solved mystery, this unlikely trio edges closer to uncovering a staggering truth about the officer’s vanishing act and the nature of their impossible alliance. Racing against the clock and battling the repercussions of their time-altering actions, will they unearth the secrets behind their mystifying bond, or will the weight of changing destiny prove too perilous to bear? Tune-in to ZEE5 to know more as Gyaarah Gyaarah is set to premiere on 9 August.
Kritika Kamra said, “Stepping into the world of ‘Gyaarah Gyaarah’ has been an exhilarating journey for me. This role is unlike anything I’ve ever done before – it’s pushed me out of my comfort zone. Playing a cop in this mind-bending mystery thriller has been both thrilling and demanding. Moreover, working alongside visionaries like Karan Johar and Guneet Monga Kapoor is a dream come true – their guidance and creative energy on set was truly inspiring. I can’t wait for ZEE5’s audience to experience this unique story that blends time, suspense, and human emotions in such an unlikely way, that makes the storytelling graph of the show truly unique and exciting”.
Raghav Juyal said, “Being part of ‘Gyaarah Gyaarah’ has been a transformative experience for me. I started my journey on a TV reality show, seamlessly transitioned into hosting and comedic roles. Now, as I make a mark in the Bollywood industry, I am deeply grateful to Guneet for recognizing my potential and encouraging me to embrace serious and challenging roles. Portraying a police officer for the first time feels like a significant responsibility, it’s a big leap from my usual performances, and I’m grateful for this opportunity. It allows me to showcase a different side of my acting abilities and I can’t wait for the ZEE5 audiences to see what we’ve created with ‘Gyaarah Gyaarah’ – it’s going to be a whole new experience for me and hopefully for the audience too!”.
Dhairya Karwa said, “Immersing myself in the world of ‘Gyaarah Gyaarah’ has been an incredible journey. The idea of manipulating time and its impact on our decisions is fascinating, and it’s been thrilling to portray that on screen. Collaborating with such a talented cast and being guided by Karan Johar, Guneet Monga Kapoor and Umesh Sir has been a special experience. This project is unlike anything I’ve worked on before – it’s intense, makes you think, and keeps you engaged. I can’t wait for ZEE5 audiences to delve into this distinctive mix of thriller and suspense that challenges our perception of reality. ‘Gyaarah Gyaarah’ is a series that will make you reevaluate everything you thought you knew about time and fate”.
Mumbai: ZEE5, one of India’s largest home-grown video streaming platforms, today unveiled its content brand manifesto through a thought-provoking film that reflects the underlying change in the mindset of today’s viewers. As opposed to a linear quest for a singular goalpost of ‘settling down’, the film captures and celebrates the fluidity with which people have begun to make life choices; unravelling new dimensions within themselves and exploring uncharted territories as they journey through life.
The campaign film, ‘Roz Kuch Naya Bante Raho’ uses the device of a sculptor to showcase this philosophy. In the course of the film, we see him mould, shape, chisel and recreate a piece of art using different materials, styles and textures. We see him create an array of busts which are inherently the same, yet strikingly different. This visually powerful metaphor represents the multiplicity within each of us and the constant evolution of a work-in-progress generation. Viewers are urged to embrace this fluidity through inspiring lines like “Behte Raho, Aakaar Lete Raho, Roz Kuch Naya Bante Raho”. The film ends with a poignant question – “Aaj Kya Banoge?”
The visual metaphor is further enhanced by actor Manoj Bajpayee’s evocative narration. His delivery adds character to the film as he truly embodies the spirit of multiplicity. From being a theatre actor to taking on diverse film roles that explore his sheer range as an artiste and now his latest turn as a producer, he has transcended the confines of familiarity and pushed the boundaries of creative expression. Strengthening the connection with the artist further, the film opens with the manifesto line penned in Manoj’s very own handwriting.
Bajpayee said, “As a platform that has its finger on the pulse of the viewer, ZEE5 is sending out a very relevant and critical message through its new content brand manifesto. At a time when people don’t want to be bound by labels and wish to stay unfinished rather than settling down, ZEE5 endeavours to tell stories that will serve as a springboard to its viewers’ aspirations, fuelling their path of self-discovery. As an artiste, the diverse roles I’ve had the opportunity to play have helped me explore the different facets of my personality. As someone who has been a part of some of the platform’s finest content, I was more than pleased to be the voice that delivers such a pertinent message.”
ZEE5 India CBO Manish Kalra said, “We, at ZEE5, believe that our customers are our key priority and all our teams focus on delivering to meet their expectations. Be it storytelling, technology or business initiatives, they must stem from a profound understanding of our consumers’ lives, their desires, need-states and beliefs. Our content brand manifesto will serve us as a compass that guides the brand’s journey over the years, aligning all stakeholders, content partners to craft an experience that truly resonates with our audience.”
ZEE CMO – content SBU Kartik Mahadev said, “Today’s youth are seekers, explorers; a work-in-progress generation. As believers and cheerleaders of this new mindset, ZEE5, through its content, invites everyone to explore the countless dimensions and versions of themselves; to keep creating themselves, one story at a time. From immersive dramas to documentaries, from comedies to thrillers, from India and around the world, ZEE5’s rich and varied range of offerings have the potential to unlock, inspire and shape ideas, dreams, beliefs, possibilities and behaviour.”
KOLKATA: Zee5 original film State of Siege: Temple Attack has premiered in Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu simultaneously on 9 July. To create buzz around the film, the OTT platform has deployed an extensive 360-degree campaign consisting of print, TV, digital and on-ground promotions.
From multiple print ads and an on-air promotional plan to a stimulating digital plan including a UGC activity where people sent in their gratitude in the form of a message to NSG commandos, ZEE5 left no stone unturned to promote the film, the platform said in a statement.
Inspired by true events, State of Siege: Temple Attack pays tribute to our soldiers, salutes the brave Indian spirit, and continues the legacy of the Siege series. It stars Akshaye Khanna in the lead role, alongside Vivek Dahiya, Gautam Rode, Sameer Soni, Parvin Dabas, and Manjari Phadnis.
“After receiving an overwhelming response from audiences across the country for State of Siege: 26/11, we are extremely thrilled to bring forth another story from the successful State of Siege franchise that will captivate the audience’s attention,” ZEE5 India chief business officer Manish Kalra said. “We take immense pride in telling stories of valour and unwavering grit, and this film, which is based on NSG commandos’ sacrifices, pays a befitting tribute to these real-life heroes who risk their lives to save ours.”
State of Siege: Temple Attack is produced by Contiloe Pictures led by Abhimanyu Singh, and Ken Ghosh who previously helmed ZEE5’s web series Abhay 2 has directed the film. With a generous dose of thrill, action, drama, and suspense, this latest offering from ZEE5 promises the audience an edge-of-the-seat experience.
KOLKATA: Zee5 has announced a partnership with TVF (The Viral Fever) as the platform looks at diversifying its library. In the last few months, ZEE’s digital arm has stepped up its content game by acquiring blockbuster Radhe and buying rights for Friends: The Reunion to stream in India.
“We have been aggressively going after a vast range of consumers, pan-India audience base, and catering to an audience of all kinds of backgrounds. That is why from Radhe to Friends, and now Sunflower, we are working towards a diverse content offering. It is the continuation of that ambition that we bring TVF onboard,” Zee5 India Hindi originals head Nimisha Pandey said.
She also added that Zee5 does not only want diverse content but wants to be the home to the country’s best storytellers. The platform is focusing on getting good content creators of the platform and the TVF partnership is one of the many to come in the future.
The latest partnership includes the launch of originals and new seasons of iconic TVF shows on its SVOD platform, along with popular cult favourites that will be accessible to all, on its AVOD platform. Thus Zee5 will have some of the key IPs on the platform which will also be available on another platform but it will have the subsequent seasons of those IPs exclusively. In addition to these subsequent seasons, Zee5 is also creating some exclusive new IPs.
“People often say that we are targeting youth with this content, I am a firm believer that it’s more about the content you like irrespective of the age group you are in. TVF content resonates with the spirit of youth. That’s the DNA we are going after,” Pandey noted.
Hence, the audience that Zee5 is targeting through the deal is not tied to not a segment per se, but to a taste cluster itself. Moreover, a huge chunk of the new audience has come on the platform thanks to a new slate of content. The platform hopes to continue to engage them with content from TVF, she added.
Zee5 has an exclusive line-up of new seasons of acclaimed TVF shows such as Pitchers Season 2, Tripling Season 3, Humorously Yours Season 3 for its subscribers. Iconic titles like Permanent Roommates, Tech Conversations with Dad, Awkward Conversations, PA-Gals, Inmates, Weekends, The Insiders, Zeroes will be accessible to all users.
“We don’t want to miss an opportunity to have a piece of content that will be loved by the audience. Even if we talk about the TVF deal, we will shoot new seasons. The partnership has not happened because we have not been able to create content. It happened because we wanted to have TVF content,” Pandey answered when asked if Zee5 is going big after the acquisition because of difficulties in shooting in the current time.
KOLKATA: Senior media and marketing professional Anita Nayyar has moved on from OTT platform Zee5. Nayyar was heading customer strategy and relationships at the organisation.
In her expansive career spanning over 20 years, Nayyar has been instrumental in driving strategic business development, client relations and creative narratives for brands across her stints at varied Indian and global firms.
Prior to Zee5, she was associated with Havas Media Group as the CEO India & southeast Asia. She has been acclaimed and received accolades on various platforms over the years for her leadership and achievements.
She also worked with Starcom, Mudra Communications at the outset of her career. She is skilled in digital strategy, marketing strategy, digital marketing, digital media planning and buying.
KOLKATA: The Covid2019 pandemic has rewritten many rules of the media and entertainment sector. One of the most noticeable trends has been direct-to-digital releases throughout 2020 in India as well as globally. While Salman Khan’s upcoming blockbuster Radhe was supposed to release in theatres only, it has turned out to be the first film in India to take multi-format route. With the moving coming to be showcased on Zee5, the platform has rolled out a new yearly subscription pack at Rs 499, bundling Radhe to boost its subscriber base.
The OTT has also scored 50+ theatrical releases across languages for the year. Moreover, it will launch 40-50 original shows throughout 2021. Hence, the entertainment value of the new plan is much higher than only one view of Radhe, Zee5 India chief business officer Manish Kalra said.
Inquired about the promotion plans for the new subscription plan, it is all about Salman Khan and his equity, Kalra commented. “Obviously Radhe is a big driver. Indian consumers have been starved of good quality content for last few months with such a big blockbuster coming and consumer getting access to it, we want to ensure that we are able to reach out to all the fan of the franchise and give them this high value package. That will happen 360 degrees – that is TV or digital or any medium where the consumers are. We want to ensure we send the message out that with Radhe, they also get access to the entire library,” he noted.
“The assumption is if you are a fan and you want to buy a good value added package, you will buy the subscription and watch it. The objective remains to leverage the asset to create a win-win situation for all of us. Consumers get to watch content from the comfort of their home, we get to tie-up with new users and it kind of becomes a long-term relation for us,” said Kalra when asked if the plan will increase the subscriber base of the platform.
Along with a wider library, Zee5 is looking at a deeper language library too. The platform is focusing highly on Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada market and will launch original series, movies, bring theatrical releases. Kalra is of the view that the next round of growth for Zee5 will come from these markets. While Hindi continues to lead, Telugu, Bengali, Tamil are the highest growing languages for the platform in terms of consumption, time spent, number of users coming in.
To reach the hinterlands of India, the streamer is not only strengthening its content library but looking at financial inclusion. It entered a partnership with retail network Sahaj to get access to more than 76,000 gram panchayats, and over 96,000 tier-3 and tier-4 rural locations. Kalra said more such retail partnerships are in offing.
“The objective is to reach out to people in a format they are comfortable with. The intent from our perspective is to enable the users, empower them with more and more access whether it is through their internet provider or telecom provider or they directly want to pay and subscribe. The objective remains how we reach more and more users across India,” he noted.
KOLKATA: With the aim of strengthening its focus on Bharat, OTT platform Zee5 has struck a strategic partnership with Sahaj Rural Development Foundation to bring financial and digital inclusion to rural India.
Through this first-of-a-kind association, Zee5 becomes the first OTT player to cater to the country’s underserved rural market at scale, through the retail network established by Sahaj. Zee5 will design a special ‘Chhota’ pack for Sahaj customers offering 10 per cent discount on its premium subscription, thereby leveraging the massive untapped opportunity of over 300 million rural internet subscribers in the country.
Zee5 will now get access to more than 76,000 gram panchayats, and over 96,000 tier-3 and tier-4 rural locations in 24 states and union territories. With a robust portfolio of purposeful, compelling, diverse, and multi-lingual content in over 12 Indian languages, Zee5 continues to take eventful strides in enticing the masses to subscribe to the platform and consume entertainment anytime, anywhere, and in the language of their choice.
Zee5 India chief business officer Manish Kalra said the move comes at crucial time, when rural India is on the cusp of driving a robust wave of digitisation in the next 12 months.
“We want to fuel this change by democratising access to diverse content across genres and languages. Our partnership with Sahaj is one such step towards strengthening our connection with the entertainment-loving audience from Bharat, providing them with an unlimited and instant access to our premium content library, thereby unlocking unparalleled scale and reach across 24 states and union territories of India,” he added.
On its part, Sahaj has been breaking boundaries to accelerate digital transformation in rural India ‘Bharat’ for more than 12 years and has access to 500 million+ rural customers through its wide network of over 100,000 retail outlets, 'Sahaj Mitr', said CEO Amit Kumar Singh.
“The limited awareness about digital transactions beyond urban centers has restricted the popularity of OTT content in rural India. The partnership between Sahaj and Zee5 will bridge this urban-rural digital divide and offer rural customers an opportunity to enjoy premium OTT content just like their urban counterparts. With this partnership, Sahaj further strengthens its focus on staying at the forefront of identifying consumer trends in the rural market,” he explained.
Since its inception, Zee5 has successfully struck a chord with many Indians within the country. As of December 2020, the platform recorded 65.9 million MAUs and 5.4 million DAUs. Zee5’s repertoire of content includes Indian and global movies, catch-up content, and live TV, shows, news, music, live events, and much more. With a rich library of over 120+ originals, Zee5 offers content in 12 Indian languages and in the last three years, it has had 85+ regional launches: 55+ web series, 5 short films, and 25+ movies in Tamil, Telugu, Marathi, Kannada, and Bengali, across genres. Additionally, the platform offers content in – Hindi, English, Punjabi, Bhojpuri, Gujarati, and Odia.
KOLKATA: Short video platform HiPi has unveiled its latest digital campaign ‘HPL Roast’ for HiPi Premier League, its first ever IP since its beta launch in August 2020.
In a bid to capitalize on the ongoing cricket frenzy, 'HPL Roast' comprises a set of four short films created to promote the video creation platform, which is in-built into the Zee5 app. The films feature witty banter in four different scenarios where cricket fans are either at loggerheads with each other or are battling it out with non-enthusiasts.
HiPi Premier League offers users a chance to enjoy the second screen experience during the cricket season. Captained by celebrities and influencers like Sugandha Mishra, Sanket Bhosle, Gaurav Gera, Ssumier Pasricha, and others, HiPi Premier League features eight teams who are tasked with creating fun short videos to entertain audiences. The eight competing teams – Bangalore Badshahs, Chennai Swaggers, Delhi Dhoomers, Hyderabad Hippers, Kolkata Khiladis, Mumbai Mastis, Punjab Putters, and Rajasthan Rockstars – have been formed keeping the ongoing cricket tournament and regions in mind. While viewers can stay entertained by watching these videos, creators can participate in fun challenges and win exciting prizes.
Zee5 India AVOD head & SVP Manish Kalra said, “With HiPi Premier League, we aim to cash in on India’s immense love for cricket and entertainment. And with these HPL Roast films, we aim to inform people about HiPi’s strongest USP – that it is home to a diverse set of engaging content which will appeal to a varied cross-section of tastes.”
Kalra went on to add, “HiPi is a perfect platform for content consumers and creators alike. Since the beta launch of HiPi on Zee5, we’ve garnered an unprecedented 21 million news user installs, with 43 million existing Zee5 users upgrading to HiPi. We have already roped in 400+ influencers onto HiPi, 70+ Zee TV celebrities, and aim to add 100+ by the end of this year.”
KOLKATA: Content powerhouse Eros International (Eros STX) has appointed Manpreet Bumrah as senior vice president- distribution and alliance, techzone head. He will continue to be based out of Mumbai.
Prior to this, Bumrah was working with leading OTT platform ZEE5 as vice president- business development and commercials. At ZEE5, he was spearheading the strategic partnerships with telecom operators, e-commerce players, OEM manufacturers, edutainment platforms and tech partners.
He has nearly two decades of rich experience in business development, customer relation, revenue expansion. Bumrah, an alumnus of Symbiosis Institute of Management Studies, has worked across brands including LG Electronics, Vodafone, Reliance Broadcast Network, Samtel and others.
