MxMIndia

Category: TV

  • Ranjona Banerji and Shailesh Kapoor are outraged about the way Republic TV covered the Jignesh Mevani rally in Delhi

    Two views on Republic TV’s Mevani outrage

     

     

    Ranjona Banerji: You hate BJP? Republic TV will hate you!

    If it was not clear already, it should be now that Republic TV works only as a BJP or anti-anyone who is not BJP channel​, writes Ranjona Banerji​

     

    ​By Ranjona Banerji​

     

    How to play victim when something goes wrong is a singular talent of the government in power at the Centre. And the government’s most passionate admirers are no different. So with Republic TV when it decided that the youth rally organised by Gujarat MLA Jignesh Mevani and others in Delhi on January 9 was bound to be a failure.

    A series of tweets from the Republic TV handle hashtagged “Jignesh Flop Show” were sent out before the rally began. Other hashtags included “Congress sponsors violence” to go with a story on how Mevani turned “violent” with a Republic TV reporter. This clip was run on air and on social media in which Mevani pushes away a mike from his face. Other Republic TV outrage included why Mevani did not answer Republic TV’s questions.

    This anger was bolstered by another hashtag which claimed that the Congress Party had sponsored Mevani’s Press Club meeting. AltNews did some research into this: https://www.altnews.in/was-jignesh-mevanis-press-conference-congress-sponsored-as-alleged-by-republic-tv/

    Exactly why Mevani upsets Republic TV so much is not hard to understand. Mevani is not deferential to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which Republic TV has deemed is mandatory for everyone. An earlier interview between Mevani and a Republic TV reporter, available on Youtube, on this subject is quite funny. Mevani is a Dalit leader from Gujarat. And he – among others – is putting up a resistance to the BJP and Modi. Obviously, this is not permitted in Republic TV’s idea of a fascist state.

    Sadly for Republic TV, its brand of whatever it calls itself, does not get many takers within the journalistic fraternity. So there was not much sympathy for Mevani’s action of pushing away a microphone. In TV-land that is perhaps a crime punishable by law although in the days that I worked actively as a correspondent – print – people often refused to be interviewed. The world did not end as I recall nor did my sense of self get a huge drubbing by this rejection. Skins are a little thinner today or more likely if you can make a giant show of being victimised then you can create a sensation and get people to watch your channel. Is it worth adding that one wishes Republic TV was quite so diligent and militant with the various transgressions of the government in power, not just opposition politicians?

    So a “senior” editor of Republic TV, earlier with Times Now, also claimed that Mevani had refused to talk to him. He argued on Twitter that he had “12 years” of experience. 12 years! Now don’t laugh, in today’s terms he should have been editor-in-chief of the news channel by now, with due respect to the current editor-in-chief who has a few more years of experience and therefore should know better.

    But when this “senior” editor was asked questions himself by people at the Press Club in Delhi, he ran away as fast as he could. Sometimes experience does teach you that discretion is the better part of valour or perhaps he remembered that saying from being more recently out of school than some of us old codgers.

    Media website Newslaundry.com on the other hand found that Mevani was manhandled by Republic TV and its main competitor Times Now! https://www.newslaundry.com/2018/01/06/press-club-mevani-mobbed-tv-media-republic-times-now

    Meanwhile, while Republic TV was fulminating about the “anti-national” behaviour of the elected MLA from Gujarat and of people at the rally, here are two other versions of what happened. In the first, Prathistha Singh says that Republic TV defamed her husband, a bystander at the rally in Delhi, by encircling his face on TV and calling him a “goon”. Republic TV claims that the crowd turned on its reporter. This is what Singh has to say: http://www.jantakareporter.com/india/despicable-man-arnab-goswami-defamed-husband-channel/168210/ In the same programme, where “goons” were being called out, Arnab Goswami also focused on a reporter from ABP News who was there covering the event and called him a “goon”. ABP News asked for an on-air apology from Goswami. http://www.jantakareporter.com/india/abp-news-demands-air-apology-arnab-goswami-portraying-reporter-goon/168273/

    Which ABP News then got:

    If it was not clear already, it should be now that Republic TV works only as a BJP or anti-anyone who is not BJP channel. All this moaning about ill-treatment by various non-BJP politicians and lack of support from other journalists is nothing but a publicity stunt and sympathy-garnering device for its echo chamber.

    It is true that many people watch Republic TV for entertainment or for Goswami’s nightly dramas but sadly, many people also followed tabloids with headlines like “Woman gives birth to two-headed goat”.

    Popularity does not make whatever Republic TV does journalism.

     

     

    ​Ranjona Banerji is a senior journalist and commentator. She is also Consulting Editor, MxMIndia. The views here are personal​

     

    		  

    Shailesh Kapoor: The Republic That Doesn’t Know

    The larger point here is on the brazen violation of basic journalistic norms. , writes Shailesh Kapoor

     

    By Shailesh Kapoor

     

    Progressive degeneration of the quality of primetime news being served on television has been a source of frustration for many like me who follow the genre closely. Till about a decade ago, Hindi news channels were associated with this degeneration theme. The famous cow-UFO story on India TV became the poster image of how Hindi news channels have made a mockery of what news should stand for.

    Over the last few years, this degenerative mindset has seeped into the English news genre. No, there are no stories of UFO pulling in cows. It’s within the mainstream news that we are seeing deterioration of the quality of coverage. And that makes it even more dangerous. Because you are evidently not supposed to take a cow-UFO story seriously. But how do we ensure that the balderdash being currently served in the name of news is not taken seriously by millions of unsuspecting viewers, who may just choose to believe what they see?

    Yet another symptom of this ever-growing concern was evident earlier this week in Republic TV’s coverage of Dalit leader JigneshMevani’s rally in Delhi. The coverage through the day, and then in Arnab Goswami’s debate show, was unequivocal in its extreme position on the rally, calling it a super flop, and calling those present there “goons” and “thugs”. The rally’s coverage was carried under the channel’s latest “initiative” – To call out the bluff of what they call the ‘TukdeTukde Gang’. But that’s even not the real issue of the day.

    A female reporter from the channel (Shivani) tried to get bytes from Mevani’s supporters, and some of them apparently “misbehaved” with her, which means telling her and her male colleague that they will not allow Republic TV to cover the rally, and making some “lewd gestures”, like a man seeming to stick out his tongue in mockery. There was no physical contact or sexual comments passed.

    But that didn’t stop Goswami from almost making this out to be a case of sexual assault, repeatedly playing on the gender of his reporter. But wait, even that’s not the real issue here.

     

    To dramatise the story, Goswami decide to mark out the goons, by putting a red circle around their face, calling them names and asking for their arrest. 3-4 in the crowd were thus marked out as Mevani’s goons. Goswami proclaimed: “Tonight, I will put out videos circling the pictures of the vulgar thugs who tried to intimidate Shivani and failed.”

    Next morning, it emerged that one of these “vulgar thugs” was, in fact, an ABP News supporter Jainendra Kumar, who was there covering the same story, and had, in fact, come to that part of the gathering to help his friend and fellow journalist Shivani out.

    ABP News demanded an apology, and even took the demand for apology on air, and rightly so too. An apology came the next day at primetime. But it was not a spoken apology by Goswami. It was a “written” apology on TV! A text-and-VO piece that ran between the two debates, which is just the time when most viewers switch channels. And the apology was in two parts. The first part mentioned the error and apologised, and the second part lauded the Republic TV journalist for her bravery.

    In this particular case, Republic TV just got unlucky, that one of the randomly marked-out people turned out to be a scribe. One can’t rule out the “marking out” of unsuspecting and innocent common men and women in many stories of this tone and tenor in the past. In fact, one of the other people marked out in this Republic story was a man who had nothing to do with Mevani. His wife, a columnist for a news website, called out Goswami in an article the next morning.

    Thelarger point here is on the brazen violation of basic journalistic norms. It’s a style that Goswami has championed, and continues to practice, more aggressively now than ever before.

    But to call out him alone will not be fair. His style of journalism has been apedby almost every English news channels, and quite a few in other languages too. And by choosing to do that, they become party to this process of degeneration of journalistic standards.

    Many argue that not watching news, or certain channels at least, is the way out. But that would be like putting your head in the sand like an ostrich. Unless there’s a mass boycott movement, which is as improbable as a humble spoken apology from Goswami, a few individual boycotts don’t serve any real purpose.

    So, watch we must, and express we must. Even if it is with a deep sense of anguish. Because we live in the times of the Internet and the social media, where sometimes, just one tweet or one blogpost can open up possibilities of a larger change.

     

    Shailesh Kapoor is Founder and CEO, Ormax Media. He writes weekly for MxMIndia. The views here are personal

     
  • The service, launched in partnership with Shemaroo, will give subscribers access to more than 120 films, 500 songs and the best in Marathi theatre

    Tata Sky launches Marathi feed for viewers

    By A Correspondent

     

    Tata Sky has launched Tata Sky Marathi Cinema, a new service bringing Marathi movies, songs and plays to subscribers. In the launch film, actor Swwapnil Joshi adds light on the irreplaceable treasures of Marathi Cinema that will be available on the service.

     

    The service, launched in partnership with Shemaroo, will give subscribers access to more than 120 films, 500 songs and the best in Marathi theatre. Viewers will be able to watch as many as three movies a day apart from access to plenty of ad-free content including comedy special and trailers.

     

    Said Arun Unni, Chief Content Officer at Tata Sky: “Tata Sky Marathi Cinema, like Tata Sky Bangla Cinema and Tata Sky Punjab De Rang, is a reaffirmation of our belief that there is considerable demand and interest for a good regional cinema experience – high quality movies and plays in a convenient ad-free format. Marathi Cinema is currently amid a resurgence, appreciated not just by Marathi speakers but by cinema lovers across the country. This product is our way of engaging lovers of iconic Marathi masterpieces.”

     

    Added Hiren Gada, Director – Shemaroo Entertainment: “Shemaroo Entertainment is pleased to associate with Tata Sky and bring the finest of marathi films, songs and theatre on Tata Sky Marathi Cinema. The service will be fueled by Shemaroo’s exhaustive and eclectic library of content and programming expertise. Our endeavour has always been to add value to our business partners and boost their offerings with our content prowess. With strong, bold, wide content and scaled production values, Marathi cinema has not just managed to grow in the recent past but also break the regional shackles and create a buzz amongst cinema lovers.  We are confident that the audiences will enjoy this new offering.”

     

     

  • BTVI will bring special programming, covering news, trends, analysis, and insights by best minds from India Inc., markets and economy

    BTVI announces programming line-up for Budget 2018

    By A Correspondent

     

    BTVI has announced its programming line-up in the run up to Union Budget 2018. The channel has introduced the theme ‘For New India’ for its entire budget programming.

     

    Megha Tata

    Said, Megha Tata, COO, Business Television India (BTVI): “With a keen eye on the Indian economy, growth agenda, India Inc’ss performance and expectations from the Budget, BTVI has always focussed on providing differentiated content and real-time updates to our viewers. With our association with Republic TV especially for the Union Budget, I am very confident about delivering an all-round perspective on the budget.”

     

    Siddharth Zarabi

    Added Siddharth Zarabi, Executive Editor, Business Television India (BTVI): “With all eyes on the much-anticipated Budget 2018 we have lined up a comprehensive mix of special programming that will provide audience a holistic view of the budget through analysis and its impact across sectors. We have always provided our viewers with sharply focussed content and our shows are designed to cater to key stakeholders in the economy ranging from an industrialist to a common man. BTVI is poised to present yet another significant budget season with a prominent line up of economists, market experts, CEOs and foreign investors.”.

     

    Said Anuj Katiyar, ‎Head – Marketing and Research, BTVI: “In addition to the on-air line-up, BTVI has designed a 360-degree campaign across different platforms i.e radio, print, trade, outdoor and digital. With programming focussed on the consumer benefit, the marketing plan has been devised keeping the consumer touch points in mind. The campaign brings forth the consumer needs and drives them to the channel where the needs are addressed through our editorial initiatives.”

     

     

  • It’s Budget Day tomorrow (Feb 1) and Bloomberg|Quint, the emerging business and financial news major, has focused on the need for bringing back confidence in the economy

    Bloomberg Quint Budget coverage to focus on bringing back confidence in economy

     

     

    The web-driven platform will bring together top decision-makers — . CEOs and entrepreneurs, global and domestic investors, top economists and policy commentators, sector experts on one end and the voice of the citizens on the other

     

    It’s Budget Day tomorrow (Feb 1) and Bloomberg|Quint, the emerging business and financial news major, has focused on the need for bringing back confidence in the economy, as the core issue that should be addressed in the Union Budget 2018.

     

    On Budget Day, Bloomberg|Quint, notes a commnique, will bring together top decision-makers — . CEOs and entrepreneurs, global and domestic investors, top economists and policy commentators, sector experts on one end and the voice of the citizens on the other.

     

    Said Anil Uniyal, CEO, Bloomberg|Quint: “Our editorial focus on confidence sets a bold agenda for the budget and cuts to the heart of the opportunity and challenge facing our economy. Further, we are delighted to see the strong consumer and advertiser response to our budget offering. As a brand, we have come a long way in a very short time. With over 2 million monthly users, an ever-expanding multi-platform presence across all top social, OTT and aggregator platforms, a rapidly growing suite of user products and innovations like AR graphics, WhatsApp news services and commercial partnerships with over 30 marquee brands. We are ready for the next phase of our growth as we build on our vision of being a premium, digital-first brand of choice for leaders.”

     

    Bloomberg|Quint has launched a multi-channel consumer campaign to amplify its agenda for the budget and partnered with LIC of India to present its budget coverage in association with Capital First, Lodha, and Hafele.

  • Viacom and TV18 reaffirm commitment to grow the joint venture

    TV18 to increase stake to 51% in Viacom18, the JV with Viacom Inc

    By A Correspondent

    TV18 Broadcast and Viacom Inc, joint-venture partners in Viacom18 Media Private Limited, have  that TV18 shall take operational control of Viacom18. TV18 shall raise its stake to 51% by acquiring 1% of Viacom18’s equity from Viacom Inc. for a cash consideration of US$ 20mn. The brands and content licence agreement between Viacom Inc. and Viacom18 also gets extended by 10 years.

    The partners believe that in the fast-evolving Media & Entertainment landscape in India, TV18 can drive value-addition and synergies across the multi-platform group comprising broadcast, digital, filmed and experiential entertainment and media businesses. Viacom continues to hold 49% in Viacom18, and shares TV18’s vision for scalability and enhanced efficiency at Viacom18.

    Said Adil Zainulbhai, Chairman – Network18: “The transaction further enables our vision for Viacom18 to accentuate its focus on excellence and integration in the broadcast and digital space. The entertainment powerhouse continues to be bolstered by Viacom’s global expertise in content creation and curation, along with Network18 group and affiliates’ strength across the media & telecom value-chain”

    Added David Lynn, CEO – Viacom International Media Networks: “Viacom 18 is one of the fastest growing companies in India’s dynamic media and technology sector and, as a result of this transaction, we believe it will be even better-positioned for accelerated growth through closer integration and alignment with the Network 18 Group and its affiliates, including India’s fastest growing mobile network, Jio. Viacom remains strongly committed to our Viacom 18 joint venture with the Network 18 Group and we are retaining the vast majority of our ownership stake in the company. We’re delighted to extend our licencing deal with Viacom 18 and see clear potential to expand it in live events and recreation, in line with our growing global presence in these lines of business.”

    Said Sudhanshu Vats, Group CEO – Viacom18: “We turned 10 last year and our growth journey has been exciting to say the least. None of this would have been possible without the support and commitment of both our partners. This development will allow us to leverage deeper synergies with Jio as we enter our next growth phase. As India’s youngest full-play media organization, we remain committed to winning the hearts of our audiences across all our on-air, on-line, in-store, in-theatre and on-ground businesses- and enriching the digital life of every Indian.”

    What started out as a broadcast business with 3 channels – MTV, Nickelodeon and Vh1 – in 2007, Viacom18 today has 44 television channels across 80 countries in six different languages. It has also diversified into 5 lines of business, spawning broadcast, digital, films, merchandise and live events. Viacom18 has reported total revenues of Rs. 30407 million in last financial year 2016-17, charting a >40X growth in topline since inception.

  • The 1% stake buy indicates a USD 2 bn valuation for the Reliance-owned TV18 and Viacom joint venture

    So what does the Reliance controlling stake mean for Viacom18?

     

    By A Correspondent

     

    It was sure to happen. Reliance Industries is a serious player and investor in the TMT ecosystem, and more importantly, anything that fuels its telecom business.

     

    When it first chose to invest in Network18 in 2012, it had indicated that the investments in media would eventually help in building the content pipeline. There were many reservations expressed when the Mukesh Ambani-run Reliance Industries took complete charge of the news business of Network18 (and Television18) in July 2014. The reservations then may have been with reason given the fear that big business-controlled news business will bring in its own commercial and political interests into play. However, as has been seen, all these were proved incorrect. Editorially, the news offerings are objective, and decidedly a lot more than some of the rightwing channels.

     

    A CNN-IBN may have opted out of getting a bigname news anchor, but that has actually worked in its favour. Rahul Joshi as CEO of the news business and group editor-in-chief has elevated the overall standards. And from what we learn, there is an overall delight with the big(g) bosses at Reliance Industries headquarters.

     

    In fact it’s the pace with which Reliance work could significantly help Viacom18 change gears, say industry observers.

     

    There is also delight over the Viacom18 valuation of USD 2 billion. This was determined by the one percent stake buy by the Reliance Industries-owned TV18 at the value of USD 20 million or around Rs 127 crore. The transaction is likely to be completed in a month.

     

    Until the announcement happened, both Viacom and TV18 had an equal 50 per cent equity in the joint venture. Viacom18 started out with three channels and it has grown into a 44-channel multiple platform business including films, merchandise and live entertainment.

     

    Meanwhile, the brand and content licence between Viacom and TV18 has been extended by another decade which will ensure the continuance of channels like MTV, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central etc in the fold. Viacom18 has reported total revenues of Rs 30,407 million in financial year 2016-17, charting a 40x-plus growth in topline since inception.

     

    This is what key captains of the Network18, Viacom and Viacom18 said in a communique:

    Adil Zainulbhai, Chairman – Network18: “The transaction further enables our vision for Viacom18 to accentuate its focus on excellence and integration in the broadcast and digital space. The entertainment powerhouse continues to be bolstered by Viacom’s global expertise in content creation and curation, along with Network18 group and affiliates’ strength across the media & telecom value-chain”

     

    David Lynn, CEO – Viacom International Media Networks: “Viacom 18 is one of the fastest growing companies in India’s dynamic media and technology sector and, as a result of this transaction, we believe it will be even better-positioned for accelerated growth through closer integration and alignment with the Network 18 Group and its affiliates, including India’s fastest growing mobile network, Jio. Viacom remains strongly committed to our Viacom 18 joint venture with the Network 18 Group and we are retaining the vast majority of our ownership stake in the company. We’re delighted to extend our licensing deal with Viacom 18 and see clear potential to expand it in live events and recreation, in line with our growing global presence in these lines of business.”

     

    Sudhanshu Vats, Group CEO – Viacom18: “We turned 10 last year and our growth journey has been exciting to say the least. None of this would have been possible without the support and commitment of both our partners. This development will allow us to leverage deeper synergies with Jio as we enter our next growth phase. As India’s youngest full-play media organization, we remain committed to winning the hearts of our audiences across all our on-air, on-line, in-store, in-theatre and on-ground businesses- and enriching the digital life of every Indian.”

    The key factor in the development is doubtlessly TV18 taking operational control of Viacom18. Given Reliance Jio and a significant interest in the growing the media and entertainment landscape, it is expected that there will be greater synergies. Also, given the larger interests of Relaince Industries in sports, an entry into sports broadcast is not totally ruled out. Beyond the current baby steps that the group is taking with the tri-nation Nidahas Trophy next month.

     

    What remains to be seen is how the plans for Voot play out, given that Jio has its own platform plus there’s Alt-Balaji.

     

     

  • DSport, of Discovery Communications India, in a statement said it would broadcast the football event live to bring live sports content from around the world to audiences in India

    DSport to air Major League Soccer 2018 season in India

    By A Correspondent

     

    Football lovers in India can tune in to DSport for live action from Major League Soccer season 2018 that kicks off on February 21.

     

    DSport, of Discovery Communications India, in a statement said it would broadcast the football event live to bring live sports content from around the world to audiences in India.

     

    Former England and Manchester United player, David Beckham launched his long-awaited Miami major League super franchise. Miami Beckham United, the investment group headed by Beckham, plans to build a $200 million 25,000-seat stadium in Miami’s Over town neighborhood. Beckham, who retired in May 2013 after a brief stint with Paris Saint-Germaine, played in the MLS for five seasons until November 2012.Miami will be the 25th team and will play their debut season in MLS in 2020.

     

     

  • The channel will bring together Discovery’s unique storytelling and the best of real-life entertainment through stories aimed at inspiring millions

    Discovery appoints Taproot Dentsu to create promos for Jeet

    By A Correspondent

     

    Discovery Jeet, which is set to launch on February 1, has roped in Taproot Dentsu to create promos for the channel’s marquee shows.

     

    Commenting on the association, Karan Bajaj, Senior Vice President & General Manager – South Asia, Discovery Communications India said: “We are delighted to have Taproot Dentsu on board. Taproot Dentsu’s team grasped the communication briefs in total and delivered clutter breaking creative ideas capturing Discovery Jeet’s ethos of ‘Hai Mumkin’. Simultaneously, the agency was also very impactful in bringing to the fore the protagonist’s journey of overcoming all odds.”

     

    Said Ayesha Ghosh, General Manager – Taproot Dentsu (Mumbai) said: “Discovery Jeet’s programming content and quality is quite refreshing. Their philosophy is inspiring and we are excited to be part of this launch. The vision for the promos of their lead shows is an extension of this fresh approach. The intention is to engage the Hindi GEC audience in a way that has never been done before. And I think we have successfully risen to this challenge.”

     

    Added Yogesh Rijwani, Associate Creative Director – Taproot Dentsu (Mumbai) said: “While Baba Ramdev is an exceptionally well-known personality, most people have only seen him either teaching Yoga or in Patanjali ads. Therefore, to show his rise above the opposition he faced, we needed to present him in a different avatar. By using shadow play, we could depict him metaphorically defeat every baddie that came his way, like a superhero of sorts.”

     

     

  • Zee Media’s English news channel Wionwill be spreading its outreach to other South Asian countries like Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Myanmar

    Wion spreads its wings to the Middle East

    By A Correspondent

     

    Zee Media’s English news channel World Is One News (Wion) has been launched on Etisalat in the United Arab Emirates and Qatar. Viewers in those countries can also watch the channel on Du and Ooredoo. Wion’sMiddle East debut comes on the heels of its launch in seven African countries: Nigeria, Kenya, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Ghana, Botswana and Rwanda. From February to April, Wionwill be spreading its outreach to other South Asian countries like Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Myanmar, notes a communique.

     

    Said Zee Chairman Subhash Chandra on the launch: “After a successful start in India, Wionis gearing up to bring world-class journalism to the people of UAE and Qatar who have long been waiting for a global network from India.”

     

     

  • The platform was ranked 116 at the beginning of the year and is now ranked 28, as per the latest Comscore mobile metrics

    Asianetnews.com enters Top 30 news sites club

    By A Correspondent

     

    Digital platform www.asianetnews.com, has entered the Top 30 news websites for mobile users club. The portal is currently ranked at the 28th position. The platform was ranked 116 at the beginning of the year and is now ranked 28, as per the latest Comscore mobile metrics, notes a communique (data unverified)

     

    The website is the combined digital foray of all Asianet News Network Digital properties like Asianet News, Suvarna News and Kannada Prabha. With the recent launch of Newsable and Asianet News Telugu and the conclusion of the acquisition of Newsfast, the website now covers all southern languages.

     

    Said Anoop N, COO, Asianet Newsable: “Asianet News Digital platform’s phenomenal growth validates the overall Indian regional language growth theory in Digital. Our strong presence across the most affluent and vibrant Internet user community of South India lends itself as a partner of choice for users and brands alike. We aspire to expand both organically and inorganically in the space of Videos and are in active discussions to consolidate the individual language positions as well.”

     

     

  • Directed by Sajiv Kurup, Executive Director, Creativeland Asia Group, The Legend of Jagannath is a documentary which presents a comprehensive story of the famous Ratha Yatra

    Creativeland Pictures debuts its documentary on Netflix

    By A Correspondent [corrected]

     

    The Legend of Jagannath, a documentary produced by Creativeland Pictures, the entertainment division of the Creativeland Asia Group, for National Geographic channel has now released on Netflix.

     

    Directed by Sajiv Kurup, Executive Director, Creativeland Asia Group, The Legend of Jagannath is a documentary which presents a comprehensive story of the famous Ratha Yatra – The Festival of Chariot, associated with Lord Jagannath, which takes place annually in Puri, Odisha. Hosted by actor Rajeev Khandelwal, the documentary takes a behind-the-scenes approach of the holy pilgrimage, which captures the ceremonies, colours and the essence of the festival.

     

    Said Kurup: “We’re extremely happy that The Legend of Jagannath is now available to a wider audience through Netflix. It’s a documentary that captures everything that goes behind creating and being a part of one of the world’s largest religious festivals. We are in the process of capturing and creating more such unique and engaging content such as this.”

     

    Added Sajan RaJ Kurup, Founder and Creative Chairman, Creativeland Asia Group: “Creating high-quality and refreshingly different content has always been in the DNA of Creativeland. I am delighted to see work from Creativeland Pictures debut on Netflix. We are ramping up our creative content production capabilities and are excited at the prospect of creating more such content for a wider audience.”

     

     

  • The campaign revolves around one of Indian cricket’s biggest fan – Sudhir Kumar Chaudhary

    Sony Pictures promotes CWG 2018 via ‘Rang De Tiranga’ campaign

    By A Correspondent

     

    With just a little over a month to go for the Commonwealth Games 2018, Sony Pictures Sports Network (SPSN) has launched a promotional campaign titled ‘Rang De Tiranga’. The games will be shown live on SPSN from April 4, 2018.

     

    The campaign revolves around one of Indian cricket’s biggest fan – Sudhir Kumar Chaudhary. He is shown as the face of SPSN’s rallying cry ‘Rang De Tiranga’ that asks fans to show their support for the tricolour and the Indian athletes. Said Rajesh Kaul, President, Sports and Distribution Business, Sony Pictures Networks India: “This is the first major multi-sport event on SPSN and with great pride we announce the ‘Rang De Tiranga’ campaign for the decorated Commonwealth Games 2018. With a premium sporting event like CWG, SPSN takes forward its pioneering objective to develop a multi-sport culture in India. Historically, Indian athletes have always performed well at these games and have brought honour to the nation. Competing against top athletes, and coming back home with medals is a phenomenal achievement, not just for them, but also for the sporting environment of India. Through this campaign, we would like to encourage the fans across country to cheer for our athletes.”