MxMIndia

Tag: Bollywood

  • It just took one Diwali weekend to debunk the argument that OTT may have killed the movie-going habit, writes Shailesh Kapoor

    Woken up, and smelling the popcorn!

     

    By Shailesh Kapoor

     

    Shailesh KapoorAfter 20 long months of what seemed like a never-ending wait, Bollywood box-office sprung back to life last week. Rohit Shetty’s Sooryavanshi opened to very good numbers, and has since sustained its box-office run, becoming the first major Bollywood hit since Tanhaji in January 2020.

     

    There have been hit films in the South languages over the last year, but Bollywood has waited for its turn. And the floodgates have now opened. Of India’s 146 million (14.6 cr) theatre-going population (number of people who visited a movie theatre at least once in 2019, as per Ormax Media’s pre-pandemic report titled Sizing The Cinema), an estimated 47% (69 Million) have already visited a movie theatre at least once since theatres re-opened in October 2020. In the coming weeks, we can expect this number to rise further, and touch at least the 100 Million mark by the end of January, if not earlier.

     

    It just took one Diwali weekend to debunk the argument that OTT may have killed the movie-going habit. As I walked into a theatre earlier this week, for the first time in 2021, the smell of the popcorn was unmissable, even in a somewhat sparsely-occupied multiplex on a Tuesday evening. In that instant, I wondered if analysts who have been scripting the death of the big screen factored in the rich sensory experience the theatre environment provides.

     

    The road ahead is not free of challenges. A few states, including Maharashtra, are still on 50% occupancy cap. Multiplex owners and producers are sparring over revenue sharing. Films are going to clash despite release dates being available for both films to come on separate weekends. But none of that takes away from the huge positive endorsement the Hindi audience has given to the cinema halls since November 5.

     

    Ironically, streaming platforms, who were supposed to be responsible for the doomsday scenario for the theatres, will be one of the biggest beneficiaries of the return of the cinema culture. Big-screen friendly event films like Sooryavanshi will get more audience on streaming eight weeks after the theatrical release, than any direct-to-OTT film will ever hope to get. The stamp of scale that a theatrical film carries makes it reach wider. And these are the films that can pull in new subscribers for the platforms, while the originals are more suited to retaining these subscribers over time by offering them variety.

     

    2019 saw a gross business of INR 10,948 Cr (109 Billion) at the India box-office, across languages. Can that mark be breached in 2022? Even with headwinds like a weak first-quarter pipeline because of shooting disruptions over the last year and a half, I’d be tempted to put my money on a new record in 2022. In any case, even if it falls short, it will only be by a small margin.

     

    More power to the movie-going habit. And to the popcorn too!

     

  • Star India plans Independence Day fund-raiser event with film stars

    Star joins hands with Bollywood, all fund-raiser event ad rev for Uttarakhand relief

    By A Correspondent

     

    Star India has pledged all revenues from an Independence Day seven-hour marathon fund-raiser for strengthening relief efforts in Uttarakhand. Leading film stars will join Star’s fund-raiser and all advertising revenues generated through the event on August 15 will be channelled to not-for-profit bodies working for the cause.

     

    Uday Shankar

    “The tragedy in Uttarakhand is a solemn opportunity for every Indian to lend a helping hand,” Uday Shankar, CEO, Star India, said. Early confirmation of stars supporting the initiative include Indian cinema’s icons Amitabh Bachchan, Lata Mangeshkar, Ajay Devgn, Kajol, Anil Kapoor, AR Rahman, Boman Irani,  Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, Pritam, Prasoon Joshi, Mukesh Bhatt, Ayushmann Khurana and celebrities from top television shows of the Star network such as ‘Diya Aur Baati Hum’, ‘Pyaar Ka Dard Hai Meetha Meetha Pyaara Pyaara’, ‘Saraswatichandra’, ‘Savdhaan India’, ‘Devon Ke Dev Mahadev’ and ‘India’s Dancing Superstars’ among others.

     

    Ad agency Ogilvy & Mather will be the creative agency for the on-ground event that’ll be managed by Wizcraft. The Film Producers Guild, Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE), TV Artists Forum, Corporate Charity Trusts and several independent industrialists and donors will partner the fund-raiser that will be attended by senior leaders from the state and central governments.

     

    The event will be telecast live on many channels of the Star India network including flagship Star Plus, Life OK, Star Jalsha, Star Pravah, Star Utsav and Channel V.

     

  • Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif ranked Most Popular Bollywood Stars of the Year in the Ormax Media yearender: Front Page 2012: A Media & Entertainment Review

    Front Page 2012: Salman Khan & Katrina Kaif ranked Most Popular Bollywood Stars of the Year

    According to the results of Front Page 2012: A Media & Entertainment Review, the Ormax Media yearender, Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif emerge as the Most Popular Bollywood Stars in the respective male and female categories for the second consecutive year.

     

    With the record-breaking success of Ek Tha Tiger, Salman leads with a huge margin. However, his share sees a marginal drop of 3% over the last year. Katrina, on the other hand, has only strengthened her already dominant position and occupies the highest share across all territories. Her combined share is higher than that of the female stars in the second and third positions.

     

    The table below captures the top 5 Bollywood stars – males & females for the year, with their respective popularity share:

    Males

    2012

    Females

    2012
    Salman Khan

    45

    		 Katrina Kaif

    54
    Shahrukh Khan

    27

    		 Kareena Kapoor

    33
    Hrithik Roshan

    22

    		 Priyanka Chopra

    18
    Akshay Kumar

    20

    		 Aishwarya Rai

    15
    Aamir Khan

    18

    		 Kajol

    11

     

    With the success of Jab Tak Hai Jaan, Shahrukh Khan ranks second with the 27% share, maintaining his dominance over the West Bengal Territory. Hrithik Roshan and Akshay Kumar have both gained momentum while Aamir Khan loses share despite his path-breaking television debut and the release of Talaash.  Emraan Hashmi though not on the top list, emerged as the success story of the year. He gained the highest share of 176% amongst all actors and it will be interesting to note his journey on the charts in 2013.

     

    Amongst female stars, Kareena Kapoor, with four releases this year, emerges as the second most popular star with 48% growth over the last year, followed by Priyanka Chopra who moved up from no. 5 to no. 3. She had two successful films in 2012 and this contributed to her growth on the charts.

     

    Vidya Balan added to her popularity with the success of Kahaani making her the success story amongst actresses. She has gained the highest share amongst actresses of an impressive 241% growth. A number of actresses made their debut in 2012, but only Parineeti Chopra (debut in Dec 2011, solo debut in May 2012) features in the top 15 actresses with a 2% share.

     

    The results are based on consumer research conducted amongst 39,000 theatre-goers through the year 2012 across 19 cities. MxMIndia is exclusive media partner for Ormax Media’s Front Page 2012. MxMIndia will carry exclusive coverage on the findings over the next few weeks.  Set up in 2008 by Vispy Doctor and Shailesh Kapoor, the Ormax Media partners with 76 leading media brands today, including Star India Network, Viacom 18 Television Network, Sony Television Network, Turner India, Disney India, Times Television, Yash Raj Films, Fox Star Studios, Viacom 18 Motion Pictures, DAR Motion Pictures, Group M India, Radio City, My FM and many others.

     

  • Tata group company Titan Industries is finalising a plan for an edutainment vertical to tap the country's 330 mn population under 15 years of age

    Tatas eye big foray into edutainment

    By Anshul Dhamija & Reeba Zachariah

     

    India’s oldest industrial house, the Tata Group, is sketching big plans for children’s edutainment market, a move signalling the tea-to-telecom conglomerate’s interest to tap business opportunities around the country’s 330 million population aged below 15 years.

     

    Bengaluru-based Titan Industries, a Tata Group company, is expected to finalize business plan for edutainment vertical, positioned as ‘after school education through gadgets and technology’, within a month, people familiar with the development said. This will be among the biggest growth drivers for watch and jewellery-maker, which is the fifth largest Tata firm by market valuation.

     

    The company’s new business division wants to develop a network of about 160 edutainment stores, expected to rake in more than $1 billion revenue by the end of the current decade. Titan scanned several business models targeted at the children’s market, including toy retailing, before narrowing its focus to edutainment stores.

     

    Titan’s edutainment business strategy will combine content with 3D and simulation technology with themes like ‘journey across time’, which sits well with the company’s watch business too. The company has prepared an extensive case study, with inputs from design architects, to be presented to the board of directors later this month.

     

    The edutainment business will be deemed to be formal only after the board approves it. A questionnaire to Titan Industries spokesperson remained unanswered at the time of going to press.

     

    Titan reported Rs 8,840 crore ($1.63 billion) revenue last fiscal powered by the watches and jewellery divisions. The company has explored plans to boost its top line revenue to $10 billion by 2020. The company, in which the Tatas hold more than 25% stake, closed the Friday trading on BSE almost flat at Rs 307.

     

    Tata Group companies with surplus cash on their books have been asked to draw up plans of how they would utilize their cash surpluses in adding value to shareholders. Titan had surplus cash of nearly Rs 800 crore at the end of last fiscal. The flagship edutainment stores will be more than 80,000 sq ft, located in the suburbs of the big metros, attracting investments of Rs 100 crore each. The stores in smaller cities will vary between 8,000 to 10,000 sq ft.

     

    Titan will start work on rolling out the initial stores in two southern metros, once the board approves the business plan.

     

    The $100-billion Tata Group’s interest in edutainment tracks the growing investments in this space. Last month, Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan acquired 26% stake in the India franchise of Mexican edutainment brand KidZania, scheduled to open first store in a Mumbai suburb March next year.

     

    Source:The Economic Times

    Copyright © 2012, Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. All Rights Reserved

     

  • Many big marketers are looking at a more focused communication for their consumers across markets and this can very well be addressed by the regional music television channels, says Sandeep Bansal

    The Anchor: 5 reasons language music channels are the way to go

    By Sandeep Bansal

     

    1. Regional music channels are registering increased viewership. The regional music channels have provided a good television platform for local music which was earlier not there.

     

    2. There is a steady revenue growth @15 per cent for the regional television channels.

     

    3. More focused targeting for advertisers and hence less wastage. Many big marketers are looking at a more focused communication for their consumers across markets and this can very well be addressed by the regional music television channels.

     

    4. Capitalization costs are lower compared to national music channels as one does not invest in national deals for distribution, content, and so on. The lower capitalization costs bring down the turnaround period for the regional music channel.

     

    5. Since regional music is not mainstream, the music content is available at a much reasonable rate compared to Bollywood music content. Also the regional content is created with smaller budgets making it cheaper for the broadcaster to source the same.

     

    Sandeep Bansal is Managing Director 9X Tashan

     

     

  • … and they aren't complaining as Hindi Speaking Markets seem to love the action & colour of the South

    Hindi channels say ‘Vanakkam’ & ‘Namaskaaram’ to Southern hits

     

    By Meghna Sharma

     

    What is common between Ghajini, Wanted and Bhool Bhulaiya, apart from the fact that they were all blockbusters and starred A-listed actors? The fact that they were all remakes of popular South Indian films.

     

    Lately, Bollywood has been experimenting with a lot of films made down south. And since, the small screen is a reflection of what happens on the big screen, even the channels – movie as well as GECs – are cashing in.

     

    There has been a spate of south Indian dubbed films being shown on the television. According to the recent data, there isn’t much difference between the ratings for Hindi and dubbed films on TV. On an average, both get a 0.3TVR (HSM CS15+ on channels like Colors, Star Plus, Sony Max, UTV Movies, Star Gold in Jan -June) as compared to prime time where Hindi movies score better.

     

    So, it is logical to wonder, why the sudden acceptance of South Indian dubbed films on national channels? Is it a Rajnikanth effect or there is more than what meets the eye…

     

    Formula or freshness?

    Manisha Sharma, weekend programming head, Colors feels that the acceptance started gradually over four-five years ago with experimentation by all three stakeholders – Bollywood, broadcaster and viewer.

     

    Anilkumar Sathiraju

    “The viewer was getting hungry for content and the increased frequency with which Hindi blockbuster movies were being repeated ensured that he was willing to experiment with dubbed movies. The other thing that worked for the dubbed movies was the fact that the production quality of south Indian movies has gone up tremendously in the last decade. Also, the movies which were initial successes were the ones which had stars who, at some point, had crossed over into Hindi like Rajnikanth and Nagarjuna,” she added.

     

    According to media planner Anilkumar Sathiraju, associate VP and head South, Mudra Max, the fresh content and faces are working in favour of the dubbed movies on channels. “Movies down south, especially Telugu films, have a certain mantra – say six over-the-top fight scenes, two behind-the bushes romantic songs – which isn’t very common in Bollywood movies of late. So, people don’t mind watching something ‘different’.”

     

    Mohan Gopinath

    However, there are movie channels like Zee Cinema, which have been showing South Indian dubbed films for a long time, which feel that the trend has caught on other channels recently. “To be frank, these movies have always rated on Zee Cinema, so the appetite has always been there. Other channels have picked the trend up in the past few years and now the viewer gets South films, dubbed in Hindi, all across. Now with South Indian films being remade into Hindi films, the appetite for dubbed films has increased,” says Mohan Gopinath, business head, Zee Cinema.

     

    Manasi Sapre

    Also with broadcasters taking precautions to maintain the real essence of the film while dubbing, not much is lost in translation. So, viewers find it easy to relate to the films.

     

    Manasi Sapre, director programming and acquisitions, Movie channels UTV, said: “Though, dubbing is a challenging job, we make sure that the essence of the film isn’t lost in the process. Therefore, it varies – sometimes they are sourced dubbed and sometimes we do it.”

     

    Vijay Subramaniam

    “Till a decade or so ago, most regional movies were shown with subtitles which didn’t attract the viewer as much it does today, since they are dubbed. So, not only masala movies but also artistic films are able to find their way into one’s living room,” said Vijay Subramaniam, deputy GM, Madison Media.

     

    Apart from the content and viewer’s acceptance, Anamika Mehta, COO, LodestarUM feels that it’s the explosion of media which is behind this: “What happened with the song Kolaveri di is the finest example one can give today. Boundaries are shrinking and more and more people are coming to know about the film culture down South.”

     

    Cost cutting

    Vajir Singh

    Vajir Singh, editor, Box Office India accepts that freshness in content and crossover of actors – famous like Rajnikanth or lesser-known ones like Siddharth – does play a role, but feels that it is the cost of acquisition that plays a bigger part here: “If a channel can purchase entertainment at cheaper rates, then why shouldn’t it? South Indian films in comedy and action genre have always done well as they provide pure entertainment to viewers and eyeballs to the channel.”

     

    He’s not the only one to voice such a sentiment. Even media planners feel that cheaper acquisition rates are a main reason why suddenly these movies are being shown on television so frequently. “It is far cheaper to acquire little older or newer South Indian movies than latest Hindi movies which are showcased as premieres on the weekends by channels. So, it helps them to build a bigger library,” said Ms Mehta.

     

    “Broadcasters, over years, have been struggling with increased cost of acquisition, limited hits and increased competition. As compared to about a decade ago when a Bollywood star would have 2-3 releases a year, today stars prefer to do one movie at a time. Also, in a good business year the number of blockbuster movies will not cross 10. This, coupled with the fact that there are new channels getting launched in both Hindi GE and Hindi movie space, ensured that broadcasters was struggling for content and more willing to experiment with south Indian dubs,” explained Ms Sharma.

     

    The new experimentation seems to be working for Bollywood and it is working for the channels and viewers too. No one seems to mind it!

     

    Pictures courtesy: maxtelevision.com, Imaging: Rafiq

     

     

  • To remake the Vidya Balan starrer Kahaani in Tamil and Telugu

    Endemol India forays into films

    By A Correspondent

     

    Following the acquisition of a 49 per cent stake in the company by CA Media, Endemol India is all set to make its foray into the film making business. The company has already acquired rights to remake Vidya Balan starrer Kahaani in Tamil and Telugu. The production is slated to begin in September this year and the company is looking forward to an early January release of the films in 2013.

     

    Endemol India is currently in talks with a couple of leading South Indian actors for the lead role in the remake of Kahaani. Sujoy Ghosh, who produced the original script, will also step in as the producer for the remakes and will be working with a leading director from the south Indian film industry.

     

    Elaborating further on this venture, Endemol India CEO, Deepak Dhar said: “After having produced content for some of the biggest format shows in the country, we realized it was time for us to venture into something new. Filmmaking was always on the cards and we are delighted to actually do it. We are already lining up projects for 2013 and are extremely excited about our first project, the remake of Kahaani, which will be in production soon.”

     

    Endemol India will be producing 3-4 films every year with an equal mix of South and Bollywood scripts. The slate for 2013 will be announced soon and work is on for the 2014 slate.

     

    While the movie making business is Endemol India’s newest venture; the company will continue to produce content for television shows with Bigg Boss and Fear Factor returning for their sixth season this year.

     

  • Political spats, crime, scams make news. Social issues are for documentary film makers, unless Aamir Khan comes with the package, says Sevanti Ninan

    The Anchor: Sevanti Ninan on 5 things she’d like to change about journalism today

    By Sevanti Ninan

     

    1. Its idea of what constitutes national

    Delhi and Mumbai.  At a pinch add Chennai and Kolkata, because Mamata and Jaya are there to provide copy.

     

    2. Its notion of public opinion

    What Twitter, Facebook and smses on TV are saying.  Get off the computer and hit the streets to find out what’s happening to those who are not on social networking sites? Na, that’s uncool. Besides being too much work.

     

    3. Its notion of the arts

    Movies, movies, Bollywood, Bollywood. Regional stars in the field of writing, art, music: confined to the regional press unless they know how to make the scene in Delhi or Mumbai.

     

    4. What makes news

    Political spats, crime, scams.  Social issues are for documentary film makers, unless Aamir Khan comes with the package.

     

    5. Its notion of what constitutes progress for both India and Bharat

    Sexy industries like telecom and IT. Education reporting means tracking the IITs. Health coverage means celebrity cancer. Primary health centres and anganwadis-what’s that and where would I find them?

     

    Sevanti Ninan is Editor, thehoot.org and Columnist, Mint

     

  • The report has also said that with Hollywood already contributing 10-12 per cent of the overall box-office revenue in India, the Indian film industry will witness an accelerated growth

    Indian film trade to benefit from partnering Hollywood: E&Y

    By Nandini Raghavendra

     

    India’s film industry will benefit from an increased collaboration with Hollywood in the areas of film entertainment, education, VFX and tourism, according to Ernst & Young in a report issued for an initiative launched by the LA Film Council.

     

    The report, ‘Film Industry in India: New horizons’, has also said that with Hollywood already contributing Rs850 crore to Rs900 crore, or 10-12 per cent of the overall box-office revenue in India, the Indian film industry will witness an accelerated growth than competition from countries like China, Japan, Russia and Brazil.

     

    There has been 42 per cent increase in the number of Hollywood movies shot in India between 2010 and 2011, and that number is expected to grow, the report said. At least five big-ticket Hollywood productions, including the next James Bond, will be shot in India, while Fox is looking at two more films.

     

    The Indian film industry is projected to grow from $3.2 billion in 2010 to $5 billion by 2014 at a CAGR of 14.1 per cent. With close to a 1,000 films produced a year, India’s filmed entertainment industry is the largest in the world coupled with its theatrical admissions at around $3 billion.

     

    A greater collaboration between India and US will result in increased film tourism, cultural and technological exchanges and boosting local talent, and most importantly serve as a showcase on the global stage for India art, culture, history and talent. Perhaps, this is a beginning of a revolution similar to the one we witnessed in the IT industry at the beginning of this millennia,” Rakesh Jariwala, partner and segment champion, filmed entertainment at E&Y, said.

     

    According to estimates, there are more than 40 major domestic VFX companies catering to domestic and international clients. Currently, India accounts for only around 10 per cent of the total animation and VFX outsourcing pie. However, there is room for growth and the amount of work coming to India from Hollywood is on the rise.

     

    Of late, the VFX industry has been shifting toward higher-end assignments. India has well developed post-production facilities available at low cost. A foreign producer who comes to shoot in India can complete his entire movie here, from shooting to post production to cut costs. Industry players are also tying up with film and entertainment companies on dedicated projects.

     

    As far as India’s travel and tourism industry goes, it contributed $1.7 trillion (or 2.8 per cent of the global GDP), which is expected to rise to 4.2 per cent ($2.9 trillion) by 2021. Furthermore, investments in the global travel and tourism industry are expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.4 per cent to reach $1.5trillion by 2021 from $0.6 trillion in 2010.

     

    Many US states such as California, New York, Michigan, Nevada and Utah offer incentives to film and television production companies from India. Canada also offers incentives to producers of film, television, animation and visual effects from India and has attracted many Bollywood producers, who have shot movies in the country.

     

    Source: The Economic Times
    Copyright © 2012, Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. All Rights Reserved

     

  • In Freaking News, which will now appear every Tuesday and Friday, Ranjona Banerji reviews the fare in the morning papers and the nightly news. And sometimes the afternooners, the newsmags and all that's on the Web

    [MJR] The big wound in Indian newsgathering covered with Kareena Kapoor’s bandaid

    By Ranjona Banerji

     

    Even three years ago, my father couldn’t tell the difference between Kareena Kapoor and Shah Rukh Khan, if he even knew who they were. Now he can recognise every single Bollywood star and can even talk knowledgeably about their new films and their goings-on. He has not watched a film, I must clarify, in I-don’t-know-how-many years. But he is a news junkie. Therefore, when he told me on Saturday that the biggest TV news of the day was that Kareena Kapoor had a band-aid on her leg, I believe him.

     

    I think I also take back every criticism of Markandey Katju I ever made. I opened the e-paper of The Times of India this morning, to have a look at what was happening in the world. The front page of the main edition and the front page of Bombay Times opened next to each other. I have not read Bombay Times since Medianet began, so I did not look further. Why should I, when I already knew from opening the TOI website that Sajid Khan thinks that the Shah Rukh Khan-Farah Khan fight was meaningless and that Sachin Tendulkar had handed over the captaincy of the Mumbai Indians to Harbhajan Singh.

     

    Actually, it said ‘Bhajji” but by now we all know who that is. Should they have called Sachin “Tendlya” to keep the casual tone consistent? Maybe you’re not allowed to get casual with Sachin.

     

    I then went to Google to have a look at Hindustan Times. “Click for the latest Bollywood and cricket news” said the link. Ah well. I already know that, I thought. Kareena Kapoor has a band-aid on her leg and Sachin is no longer captain of the Mumbai Indians. Of course I was wrong. The most viewed story on the Hindustan Times website is “Akshay Kumar, John Abraham in a brawl”.

     

    I had foolishly thought that the Myanmar elections and Aung San Suu Kyi’s imminent victory was big news but couldn’t find it on the home page of these two worthy websites.

     

    So I went to the Times Now website and that is where normal service was resumed. Arnab Goswami, in save-India mode, looked at me sternly and I then knew all about Jaganmohan Reddy’s yatra as the CBI noose around him tightened, the fact that Team Anna was now taking on the BJP over Himachal Pradesh and the Lok Ayukta Bill, that the prime minister had refused to meet army chief VK Singh. I also saw Mynmar there.

     

    I hereby humbly take back all the nasty things I have ever said about Indian television. This I predict will last three days. Because I just remembered Kareena Kapoor and her band-aid.

     

  • New initiative to commemorate legends of Indian cinema with handprints, signatures and statues.

    UTV Stars launches Walk of the Stars

    By A Correspondent

     

    The Indian Film Industry has earned immense admiration and loyalty of people of not only in India but worldwide. To immortalize this legacy, the official channel of Bollywood has launched a landmark which will bring Bollywood fans closer to their favourite stars.

     

    UTV Stars Walk of the Stars, similar to Hollywood’s Walk of Fame, is a premium property that will encompass renowned celebrities’ handprints on a customized slab and specially designed brass statues of iconic legendary actors. While customized slabs bearing the handprints will be dedicated to the living legends of Indian cinema, customized slabs with signatures will be dedicated to the legends who have passed away.

     

    March 28, 2012 marked the launch of the property in India, Mumbai, at the Bandra Bandstand Promenade. The launch was a grand affair that witnessed the felicitation of the ‘Kapoor Khandaan’ one of the legendary families of Indian cinema that is synonymous with and has contributed immensely to the Indian Film Industry. Prithiviraj Kapoor, Raj Kapoor, Shammi Kapoor, Randhir Kapoor, Rishi Kapoor, Neetu Kapoor, Karishma Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor’s slabs were installed on the day. And as a special honour, brass statues on a bench of the great Raj Kapoor and Shammi Kapoor were also installed.

     

    The property was inaugurated by Kareena Kapoor along with Madhur Bhandarkar.

    Commenting on the Launch of the prestigious Property, MK Anand, C.E.O, Broadcasting, UTV, said, “The launch of the UTV Stars Walk of the Stars marks an important milestone in our efforts to bring Bollywood closer to audiences nationwide. Thereby, reinforcing the channel positioning, i.e. ‘The official channel of Bollywood’. It gives us immense pleasure to know that we are making a truly noteworthy tribute to the industry that we’re such an integral part of.”

     

    Commenting on the Launch of UTV Stars Walk of the Stars, Zarina Mehta, Chief Creative Officer, Broadcasting, UTV, said, “UTV Stars, has in 6 months of launch, created a strong brand for itself as a knowledgeable Bollywood Insider. We are of and for the Indian Film Industry. And the UTV Stars Walk of the Stars is our tribute to this vibrant and wonderful dream world of movies.”

     

  • To commemorate the second anniversary and the launch of the re-vamped website, ArtistAloud.com will be celebrating the Seagram's Fuel Music Day on March 2

    ArtistAloud.com is back in a new avatar

    By A Correspondent

     

    ArtistAloud.com, the digital platform for independent music has been entertaining audiences with the very best in independent music. With support from the audience and musicians alike for two years since its inception, this digital destination is back in a brand new avatar.

     

    To commemorate the second anniversary and the launch of the re-vamped website, ArtistAloud.com will be celebrating the Seagram’s Fuel Music Day on March 2. Music Day is going to be the longest webcert with around 50 independent artists performing live for the digital audience. 50 artists, 1 stage, Seagram’s Fuel Music Day is an attempt to connect artists and listeners closely. Also, for the first time ever 50 artists will share a stage and a venue to perform for all music lovers across cities, counties, language and genre.

     

    The Seagram’s Fuel Music Day event that will start at 12pm with artists like Suneeta Rao, Manasi Scott, Shefali Alvares, Shilpa Rao, Harshdeep Kaur, Neha Bhasin performing their favourite numbers. This is the first time ever that 50 artists will come together to perform Live for the webcert. Other stalwarts of music industry like Shankar Ehsaan Loy, Sonu Nigam, Shankar Mahadevan, Kailash Kher are also expected to attend Seagram’s Fuel Music Day to show their support for independent music inIndia.

     

    The 9-hour long webcert attempts to enthrall the audience with absolute mix of genres. From fusion to pop, Bollywood to rock, Seagram’s Fuel Music Day will have something special for every listener. The event will be relayed live to a global audience on www.artistaloud.com from Rang Sharada in Mumbai.

     

    The idea was conceptualized by ArtistAloud.com to celebrate their second anniversary. During the last two years, the website has emerged as the most preferred digital destination for independent music in India. With a promise to offer audiences access to more artists, new genres, multiple releases and music videos, ArtistAloud.com is back in a new avatar.

     

    The website has been revamped with a prime objective of offering unreleased singles – Music First. With the new Artistaloud.com, the consumer now gets a chance to browse the home page that showcases multiple artists and multiple releases at the same time.

     

    With video consumption on the rise, users will now have access to high quality video content on the website. The new revamped website allows full streaming of songs as compared to the previous 30 second samples.  Besides a new layout and structure, the new site will also subsequently introduce a plethora of properties that will live up to its brand promise- ‘Music First.’

     

    ArtistAloud.com is now made accessible through 5 touch points- website, WAP, IVR, APPS and social media. The main objective behind the revamp was to make the site compatible with any device – PC, mobile smart phone, tablets and connected televisions.

     

    ArtistAloud.com is a digital platform that provides music lovers access to unreleased music, which they can sample, buy as well as share with the world. An initiative pioneered by Hungama Digital Media Entertainment Private Ltd, ArtistAloud.com is an opportunity for independent artists to build a connect with their fans and for fans to have access to their music that is previously unreleased and created by the Artist for them. The site currently houses original music from over a hundred artistes – both well known and new.