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Tag: Sameer Nair

  • Content studio strengthens its core team with newer roles and responsibilities

    Applause reinforces leadership team

    By Our Staff

     

    Applause Entertainment, a venture of the Aditya Birla group, has announced key organisational realignments in its senior leadership team. To further expand its content ecosystem, the content studio strengthens its core team with newer roles and responsibilities. Deepak Segal (Head – Content) will now be leading charge across all Content Verticals as the Chief Creative Officer. Prasoon Garg (GM & Business Head), will now consolidate all Business, Commercial and Revenue functions under him as the Chief Business Officer.

     

    On these recent promotions, Sameer Nair, CEO, Applause Entertainment said: “Deepak, Prasoon, Priya and Devnidhi have been an integral part of Applause since its inception, sharing the same vision of growing and scaling the content business to greater heights. With newer roles at Business, Creative and Marketing, and with the support of a diverse team of colleagues who share a common passion for creative excellence, we look forward to expand our content hub & spoke model with ambitious, audacious and disruptive stories from all over the world.”

     

  • The collaboration to build robust original content for Zee5 in Hindi

    Zee5 inks partnership with Applause

    By Our Staff

     

     

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    Zee Entertainment’s OTT platfom Zee5 has entered into a strategic partnership with content and IP studio Applause Entertainment, a venture of Aditya Birla Group, for a multi-show association.

     

    Commenting on the partnership, Punit Misra, President – Content & International Markets, Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd, said, “Zee5’s content design principles centre around intimately knowing our viewers and building a bouquet of engaging and entertaining offerings for our multiple consumer cohorts. While Consumer Intimacy is at the heart of our content creation philosophy, our Content Creator Partners are the other crucial pillar in our approach. We are excited about our partnership with one of the leading content creators of our country – Sameer Nair & Applause Entertainment. With our shared belief in consumer obsession, coupled with their unique content creation capabilities, I am confident that we will win the hearts of millions.”

     

    Added Sameer Nair, CEO, Applause Entertainment: “Over the past four years, Applause has created a diverse slate of content and explored stories across genres, languages and geographies. We are thrilled that our first outing with Zee5 is with Kaun Banegi Shikarwati, a light-hearted, heart-warming dramedy that is both quirky and delightful, and boasts a stellar cast of actors. We look forward to a long and fruitful partnership with Zee5 and help contribute in a small way to their global ambition.”

     

  • To adapt 400+ iconic comics into animation content

    Applause partner Amar Chitra Katha

    By Our Staff

     

    Applause Entertainment, the content studio from the Aditya Birla Group led by media veteran Sameer Nair, has announced a landmark partnership with Amar Chitra Katha.  As a part of this collaboration, Applause Entertainment has acquired the license to the Amar Chitra Katha catalogue, comprising 400+ titles which will be developed and produced into animated content.

     

    Speaking on the announcement, Nair said: “At Applause, we only strive to deliver the best in storytelling. Over the last four years, we have significantly pushed the envelope in curating and creating the most disruptive stories for Indian audiences that cut across genres and geographies. Amar Chitra Katha is a household name in India with a diverse and celebrated library which deserves to be retold. Like millions of other people, I have grown up reading these iconic comics and as a child, imagined them with dynamic visuals and dramatic sound and action. This is our opportunity to realize that dream. This partnership is also a small step towards helping export Indian culture by taking a unique and deep rooted cultural brand like Amar Chitra Katha to screens across the globe.”

     

    Added Preeti Vyas, President & CEO, Amar Chitra Katha: “At Amar Chitra Katha, we have been custodians of India’s stories for over 54 years, and we are thrilled to partner with Applause Entertainment to take our rich storytelling heritage to Indian and global audiences through animation. As the nation’s favourite storyteller, our mission has always been to provide Indian children a route to their roots and inspire in them a great sense of pride about India and being Indian. While we continue to keep our founder, Mr Anant Pai’s dream alive by telling new stories and creating fresh content in print and digital formats, we are also keen on presenting our iconic stories in an animated avatar. For this, we could not have hoped for a better partner than Applause. We are confident that Sameer Nair and his team, with their passion and superlative track record will do an amazing job adapting our stories to animation and providing the new and future generations of Indians a crucial link to our past.”

     

  • To adapt British mystery drama series 'Guilt' for India

    Applause Entertainment joins hands with BBC Studios

    By Our Staff

     

    Aditya Birla Group’s Applause Entertainment in association with BBC Studios India will produce the British mystery thriller ‘Guilt’. The Indian version of Guilt, which is yet to be titled, will be directed by Shaad Ali with Jaideep Ahlawat and Mohd Zeeshan Ayyub playing the lead roles.

     

    Sameer-Nair
    Sameer-Nair

    Said Sameer Nair, CEO, Applause Entertainment: “Guilt is a wonderful addition to the prolific partnership we have with BBC Studios. Backed by our common intent to deliver the most clutter breaking and sought-after stories to the Indian audiences, we have successfully experimented with global formats, interpreting them to suit the Indian cultural context. As an account of altering moralities in the face of adversity, Guilt cements itself as yet another splendid thriller that is sure to find resonance amongst viewers. The show is being directed by Shaad Ali and stars a fantastic ensemble of actors who will raise the stakes of an already delightfully twisted tale.”

     

    Sameer Gogate,
    Sameer Gogate

    Added Sameer Gogate, General Manager – BBC Studios India: “This series is a leap ahead in our steady and growing partnership with Applause and our shared vision of bringing genre-bending premium content to Indian audiences. We are looking forward to another exciting journey of mounting a show that brings in the essence of realism in fiction, coupled with a stellar star cast and director who will light up the screens with their performances.”

     

  • The show is produced by the Sameer Nair-head Applause Entertainment

    SonyLIV to air Sucheta Dalal-Debashis Basu’s Harshad Mehta scam series

    By A Correspondent

     

    On Friday, October 9 SonyLIV will unveil ‘Scam 1992 – The Harshad Mehta Story’, an original around the stockmarket operator Harshad Mehta and the securities scandal of the early 1990s.

     

    The 10-episode show is produced by Applause Entertainment in association with Studio Next and is based on the bestseller book ‘The Scam’ written by journalists Debashis Basu and Sucheta Dalal.

     

    Said Indranil Chakraborty, Head, Studio Next: “We are delighted to foray into OTT with a series like ‘Scam 1992 – The Harshad Mehta Story’ that reflects on a landmark event in the Indian stock market. The incident was integral to shaping up India’s financial security systems and hence was a story waiting to be told. It’s a new storytelling format for us and we had the visionary – Hansal Mehta leading us through this process.”

     

    Added Sameer Nair, CEO, Applause Entertainment: “With ‘Scam 1992: The Harshad Mehta Story’, we have raised the bar of premium series in India in terms of creativity and production. We have put together a great ensemble of actors directed by the National award winner Hansal Mehta and a team of talented writers who worked tirelessly on the show. Based on the book written by Sucheta Dalal and Debashis Basu, this show marks another chapter in Applause’s slate of book adaptations where we have dramatised the story while staying true to the essence of book. This is the fourth show under our partnership with SonyLIV after the successes of Your Honor, Undekhi and Avrodh.”

     

    Said Ashish Golwalkar – Head-Content SET, Digital Business, Sony Pictures Networks India: “’Scam 1992 – The Harshad Mehta Story’ is our fourth offering with Applause Entertainment and also a special one as we have Studio Next venturing into OTT with this for the first time. The story offers an apt mix of talent, storytelling and technique. We are hopeful that like our previous offerings, Scam 1992, will also open to a warm audience response and reinstate our promise of bringing ‘stories of India’ to the audiences.”

     

     

  • Four premium upscale drama series across genres will air on the OTT platform

    Applause signs multi-show deal with SonyLiv

    By A Correspondent

     

    Applause Entertainment, a venture of the Aditya Birla Group, has announced a content licensing deal of four premium drama series with SonyLIV, the video streaming service from Sony Pictures Networks India.

     

    Speaking on this association, Sameer Nair, CEO, Applause Entertainment said: “We are glad to partner with SonyLIV and to be able to contribute to their original content strategy. It aligns well with our philosophy of creating premium content and working with our platform partners to entertain and delight their customers. We hope this slate of 4 shows is only the start of a long & successful relationship with SonyLIV in our pursuit of creative excellence.”

     

    The four drama series that will have their home at Sony LIV are – ‘Your Honor’, ‘Avrodh’ ‘Undekhi’ and ‘Scam 1992’.

     

    Added Danish Khan, Business Head – Sony Entertainment Television, Studio Next & Digital Business: “Sony Liv plans to acquire and retain its premium subscribers through a robust line up of Original Content – content that is cerebral and relevant and brings a sense of authenticity, drama and storytelling. We are collaborating with the best story tellers in the industry. Applause Entertainment is one of the most prolific creators of premium series and we are extremely happy to partner with them. We are confident that these shows will entertain & engage the varied audience segments of SonyLiv.”

     

     

  • Under this partnership, the brands will co-produce premium original content for streaming services

    Applause Entertainment partners IN10’s Juggernaut Productions

    By A Correspondent

     

    Sameer Nair

    The Aditya Birla group-owned and Sameer Nair-headed Applause Entertainment has announced a partnership with IN10 Media Network. Under this, Juggernaut Productions, IN10 Media Network’s production arm, will combine forces with Applause to develop exclusive original IPs and meet the growing demand for qualitative entertainment in the market.

     

     

    Aditya Pittie

    Commenting about the co-production partnership with Applause, Aditya Pittie, Managing Director, IN10 Media Network said: “The evolution of the OTT platforms has seen a dramatic change in the manner in which content is made and consumed. The plurality of voices that this medium offers has opened up an exciting new world for all content creators. This partnership between Juggernaut Productions and Applause Entertainment is driven by the philosophy of bringing compelling Indian stories, backed with highest caliber production to the viewers. We look forward to working with Sameer and his team, and leverage the assets and strengths of both companies to bring engaging and binge-worthy stories to the audiences.”

     

    Added Nair: “The demand for quality content is at its peak and partnerships with like-minded content creators, widens the horizons for all the players out there. The current digital ecosystem is most vibrant and with the collaborative creative energies of both corporations, we’re looking forward to create exciting original stories for our viewers.”

     

     

  • The series is based on one of the most famous scams in the Indian financial markets

    Applause Entertainment ropes in Hansal Mehta to helm ‘The Scam’

    By A Correspondent

     

    Applause Entertainment has roped in National Award winning director Hansal Mehta to helm ‘The Scam’. The series is based on one of the most famous scams in the Indian financial markets and is authored by senior journalists Sucheta Dalal and Debashish Basu.

     

    Said Sameer Nair, CEO, Applause Entertainment, on the development: “Telling the story of the individuals behind India’s biggest financial scams will make for some riveting viewing. The collaboration with Hansal came as a happy surprise. Hansal Mehta is one of the finest directors we have in the country and we couldn’t have thought of a better person than him to direct and lead this financial drama.”

     

     

  • Kicking off the partnership, the two will work together to develop Indian versions of acclaimed BBC formats

    BBC Worldwide India announces partnership with Applause Entertainment

    By A Correspondent

     

    BBC Worldwide India announced a partnership with Aditya Birla Group’s Applause Entertainment that will see the two organisations working together to develop and produce Indian versions of iconic BBC formats.

     

    Kicking off the partnership, the two will work together to develop Indian versions of acclaimed BBC formats, Criminal Justice and The Office to bring to online audiences throughout India.

     

    Commenting on the partnership, Sameer Nair, CEO, Applause Entertainment said: “Applause is looking to create premium content for Indian viewers to watch online, delivered on the back of the big digital highways that have been built through telecom and all other platforms that exist. We feel that BBC Worldwide,with its high quality content library and formidable reputation for making premium content in India, is the ideal partner to work with. Together, we are pulling expertise and resources to adapt  popularBBC formats here. We have picked shows that have been global successes and we believe that the Indian adaptations will meet the viewing needs of the Indian market.”

     

    Added Myleeta Aga, SVP and GM, South East Asia and South Asia at BBC Worldwide: “We are very excited to be working with Applause Entertainment, and are assembling an A-list cast of talent to ensure the highest standards of execution. We see Criminal Justice and The Office as just the first step in a long and fruitful partnership with Applause.  We are confident this partnership will be result in many more incredibly popular and well-loved Indian adaptations of BBC formats.”

     

     

  • The team has bought the rights of the first chapter of Shiv Aroor and Rahul Singh’s bestselling book ‘India’s Most Fearless’

    Applause Entertainment to release movie on the 2016 Surgical Strikes

    By A Correspondent

     

    Applause Entertainment has announced plans to bring to life the true account of India’s Surgical Strikes on terror launch-pads across the LOC in September 2016.

     

    Said Sameer Nair, CEO Applause Entertainment: “We are most excited to be telling this story. A 10-part drama series will bring to life India’s most audacious military action in recent times, taking the battle deep into the enemy camp. I believe that the stories about homeland security and unsung heroes help make us appreciate their sacrifices and sensitize us as an audience to the enemy within and outside .We are looking forward to working with the authors of the book, and Samar Khan who is leading this project for us.”

     

    Speaking on the partnership, Army Chief General Bipin Rawat, UYSM, AVSM, YSM, SM, VSM said: This tremendous tale of bravery is one that every Indian should be familiar with and be inspired by.”

     

     

  • His repertoire of work includes key positions to drive content strategy across media giants

    Applause Entertainment ropes in Deepak Segal as Content Head

    By A Correspondent

     

    Applause Entertainment has announced the appointment of Deepak Segal as Head of Content. Segal joins Applause Entertainment with over three decades of expansive experience in the film and television industry. His repertoire of work includes key positions to drive content strategy across media giants like Fox Television Studio India Pvt. Ltd., Sahara Motion Pictures, Star India and Star Plus.

     

    “Sameer has an innate capability to merge creativity with commerce and I am delighted to join him at Applause. I have faith in the vision of building a content hub that tells great stories, across mediums, catering to millions that wish to be entertained,” said Segal on his appointment.

     

    Said Sameer Nair, CEO, Applause Entertainment: “We are committed to collaboration and will create multi-lingual, multi-genre and multi-platform series. Deepak was an integral part of my team at Star, helping turn around Star Plus with KBC and the K-Soaps and in launching the premium Star One. He brings with him a strong understanding of the business and I am delighted to welcome him onboard,”.

  • New shows to be available only on mobile and web, to create 250+ hrs of original content this year

    Balaji Telefilms launches OTT platform ALTBalaji

    By A Correspondent

     

    Balaji Telefilms announced its arrival in the digital world through the launch of mobile platform The platform will offer 250+ hours of original, exclusive content to its subscribers. The ad-free, subscription-based platform is now commercially available with few of these original shows.

     

    Commenting on the launch, Ekta Kapoor, Joint Managing Director of Balaji Telefilms said: “Indian entertainment audience is evolving and so are we at Balaji, with ALTBalaji we are officially identifying our audience as individuals and not groups/family. We are entering into their most personal space- mobile phones and this empowers them to really watch what they want, at the time and location of their choice and not what single TV family is habituated to. ALTBalaji’s shows will open new world of home grown differentiated entertainment to the viewers with the best stories and artists.”

     

    Added Sameer Nair, Group CEO, Balaji Telefilms: “We are proud to bring ALTBalaji to the Indian viewers, this is an alternate to their regular entertainment options- TV, Bollywood Films and foreign English content. We fit right between these options and with the plummeting digital divide across Indian cities we found a perfect space to showcase our content, digital platform. We tied up with multiple partners to ensure smooth navigation and subscription payment option, creating an unparalleled user experience on the app.”

     

    Said Nachiket Pantvaidya, CEO of ALTBalaji: “The most endearing feature of ALTBalaji is its content, we are launching with the promise to bring fresh and never heard of stories to our viewers. While we are starting with five shows, it will be followed by a new show every 15 days for the bingewatch-lovers.”