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Tag: Viacom18 Motion Pictures

  • To launch a host of web series, short films and non-traditional formats under the brand

    Viacom18 Motion Pictures launches digital content brand, Tipping Point

    By A Correspondent

     

    Viacom18 Motion Pictures announced the launch of its digital content brand – Tipping Point. The brand will extend the Viacom18 Motion Pictures ethos by creating content for online audiences. The brand will offer a host of web series, short films and non-traditional formats with unconventional narratives, notes a communique.

     

    Commenting on the development, Ajit Andhare, COO, Viacom18 Motion Pictures said: “Having conquered the big screen through unconventional narratives, it is time for Viacom18 Motion Pictures to make its mark in the rapidly emerging digital content space. Tipping Point – our digital content brand will appeal to consumers looking for edgy, contemporary, provocative yet relatable content typically missing in the traditional or mainstream media. Through Tipping Point, Viacom18 Motion Pictures will evolve from being a film studio into a holistic content studio, reaching beyond theatrical offerings into millions of screens on mobile & personal devices with its unique storytelling.”

     

    The list of soon to be launched web series include – ‘X Ray – Selected Satyajit Shorts’, a 12-part series presentation directed by the National award-winning filmmaker, Srijit Mukherji, an untitled crime thriller created by Imtiaz Ali, ‘Jamtara’ a story about a small district in Jharkhand, known to be India’s phishing capital, directed by Soumendra Padhi and ‘Best Days’, a psychological thriller by Abhishek Sengupta of the web-series Lakhon Mein Ek fame.

     

     

  • The show will be anchored by actor-director-producer, Mahesh Manjrekar

    Bigg Boss to launch on April 15

    By A Correspondent

     

    After entertaining viewers across Hindi, Kannada, Bangla, Tamil and Telugu speaking markets, Bigg Boss is ready to capture the imagination of Marathi viewers. The first ever edition of Bigg Boss in Marathi will launch on April 15 at 7pm and subsequent episodes shall air from Monday to Saturday at 9.30pm while the Sunday episode will air at 9pm. The show will be anchored by actor-director-producer Mahesh

     

    Dabur Red Paste, has joined hands with Bigg Boss Marathi as the Presenting Sponsor in its very first edition. The show is Co-Powered by Rin, along with Special Partners Dabur Anmol Jasmine Hair Oil, Nirvana Realty’s Wollywood and Haware Intelligentia.

     

    Said Ravish Kumar – Head, Regional Entertainment, Viacom18: “The show has seen significant viewer loyalty over the years, in all languages and in all countries. The last couple of years have also seen a considerable rise in viewership in the Marathi market which can be attributed to shows with strong production values and innovative concepts. With learnings from 40 markets from across the globe we are launching the very first season of Bigg Boss in Marathi, tailor made as per the coming of age Marathi viewers who love disruptive content, human drama, real emotions and cinematic production values”.

     

    Added Nikhil Sane – Business Head, Colors Marathi, Gujarati and Viacom18 Motion Pictures Regional Movies: “Bigg Boss is pure reality in its absolute form. As a content creator I have seen the Marathi viewers evolve over time. On customizing Bigg Boss for the Marathi viewers, the thought was to break the mould and showcase something incredible that will generate tremendous curiosity. Our eclectic mix of contestants range from 25 to 65 years of age and their quirks and works will delight the viewers! And to control the reins of these inmates we have got on-board the very imposing and accomplished Mahesh Manjrekar, whose quick wittedness will keep the audiences glued to the show.”

     

     

  • Mithali Raj is the highest run-scorer in women's international cricket

    Viacom18 Motion Pictures acquires rights for Mithali Raj biopic

     

     

    Viacom18 Motion Pictures has acquired the rights for the biopic of Indian women’s cricket team captain Mithalli Raj. The studio has in the past also backed films like Mary Kom and Bhaag Milkha Bhaag amongst others.

     

    Said Ajit Andhare, COO, Viacom18 Motion Pictures: “Viacom18 Motion Pictures has always been the pioneer in showcasing content with portrayal of strong women characters right from Queen to Kahani to Mary Kom. We are proud to be collaborating with the young and inspirational Mithali Dorai Raj, a name single handedly responsible in bringing about a shift in the way women’s cricket team was perceived in our country.”

     

     

  • Sane will report to Ajit Andhare, COO – Viacom18 Motion Pictures

    Viacom18 Motion Pictures appoints Nikhil ‘Sairat’ Sane to lead its expansion in Marathi cinema

    By A Correspondent

     

    Nikhil Sane

    In a coup of sorts, Viacom18 Motion Pictures, has appointed Nikhil Sane as Business Head to lead its Marathi cinema foray. Saney will report to Ajit Andhare, COO – Viacom18 Motion Pictures.

     

    Sane has managed the Marathi film division of Zee Studios. And his producer credits have some of the Marathi industry’s most commercially successful films including the  biggest box office grosser in Marathi cinema ever – ‘Sairat’. The other prominent films include Natsamrat, Lai Bhaari, Time Pass, Katyar Kaljat Ghusli and Duniyadari plus awardwinning films such as Natarang, Fandry, Killa and Elizabeth Ekadashi.

     

    Welcoming Sane to Viacom18, Ajit Andhare, COO – Viacom18 Motion Pictures, said: “Viacom18 Motion Pictures is the only studio that operates in all the three Hindi, Hollywood and regional segments. Our success in Hindi and Hollywood is well-established. Our endeavour is to make a similar impact in regional cinema. As a first step we are going after Marathi cinema which has tremendous potential and clear synergy with our broadcast business. Nikhil with his keen understanding of this market will be an asset to spearhead our move.”

     

    Speaking about his move to Viacom18, Sane said: “The Marathi film industry is going through an amazing phase of resurgence and evolution. I have had the privilege of working with some of the best talent from the industry. With Viacom18 Motion Pictures, I intend to combine the strength of the organisation’s experience in the Hindi and English film industries with  the remarkable strength of the Marathi film industry in storytelling and experimentation. I look forward to chanelising my best efforts and strengths into creating the next big leap in Marathi cinema.”

     

  • As part of the tie-up, Sapat International has created a co-branded television commercial with Drishyam in an attempt to capitalise on this psLIVE-helmed partnership

    psLIVE facilitates marketing tie-up between ‘Parivar’ and ‘Drishyam’

    By A Correspondent

     

    psLIVE, the experiential marketing division from the Dentsu Aegis Network, has facilitated a marketing tie-up of the tea brand ‘Parivar’ with Nishikant Kamat’s ‘Drishyam’.

     

    When it comes to movies in India, the concept of co-branded product placements may seem like a much recent phenomenon in the Indian advertising space. The idea of formulating marketing strategies around Bollywood experiences, however, is surely arresting the attention of the brand owners at an accelerated speed. Therefore, in a bid to exploit this growing trend, psLIVE assisted Sapat International to associate its fastest growing tea brand,  ‘Parivar’ with the up-coming movie as the positioning of both the brand and the film exhibit an extremely seamless fit.

     

    The promos from the ‘Drishyam’ stable clearly suggest that the movie directly targets family consumption – a coherent purpose that Sapat International’s premium tea brand ‘Parivar’ also desires to achieve.

     

    As part of the tie-up, Sapat International has created a co-branded television commercial with Drishyam in an attempt to capitalise on this psLIVE-helmed partnership.

     

    Nikhil Joshi, Group Managing Director, Sapat International said, “It was an extremely important opportunity that was brought to us at the right time. The way it was presented to us by psLIVE, we knew instantly that the integration cannot be missed. The TVC gave us a chance to amplify the association and market Parivar on a massive scale.”

     

    To leverage the integration amongst maximum audience, the brand too is promoting the movie through the co-branded TVC in addition to a print and outdoor campaign. The thriller drama is directed by Nishikant Kamat. It features Ajay Devgn, Shriya Saran and Tabu in the lead roles, and produced by Kumar Mangat Pathak, Ajit Andhare and Abhishek Pathak.

     

    Commenting on the association, Rudrarup Datta, VP – Marketing, Viacom18 Motion Pictures said, “Drishyam introduces a brand new genre in the Indian film industry as a ‘family thriller’… The film is based on the tangled lives of two families and reaches out to the same target audience that Parivar tea reaches out to. This was therefore a natural association and we are delighted with this alliance.”

     

    Commenting on the association, Sidharth Ghosh, Vice President, psLIVE says, “Drishyam seemed to be a perfect fit for the tea brand ‘Parivar’ as both seamlessly blend with each other. This association will increase the brand recall.At psLive, we are extremely delighted having initiated this integration.”

     

  • Reaching out to audiences across markets, the studio plans to launch new movies in five languages

    Viacom18 Motion Pictures enters regional cinema space

    By A Correspondent

     

    Viacom18 Motion Pictures has announced its advent into the regional cinema space after a successful two years as an integrated movie studio. This move comes in the light of the brand’s vision to be a pan-India studio and reach out to the audiences who consume cinema in varied regional languages.

     

    Jayesh Muzumdar, who is currently Director – Commercial affairs, Viacom18 Motion Pictures, will now also be heading the regional films business, reporting in to the COO.

     

    Sudhanshu Vats

    Speaking on this development, Sudhanshu Vats, Group CEO, Viacom18 said, “Foraying into regional cinema is in line with our vision for Viacom18 to have a strong presence in the regional entertainment space – both television as well as films. Geographic and linguistic segmentation is a key component of our growth strategy as we move ahead, and the good news is that we have already firmed up our plans in five key regional markets.”

     

    In its inception stage, the studio’s regional division has a pipeline of six movies across Tamil, Telugu, Marathi, Punjabi and Bengali. The Tamil and Telugu titles include the remake of the studio’s 2012 hit Kahaani.

     

    Vikram Malhotra, COO of Viacom18 Motion Pictures commented, “With incremental growth coming from regional markets, Viacom18 Motion Pictures will now extend its understanding of path-breaking content and innovative marketing skills to connect with regional audiences.”

     

  • Vikram Malhotra, Chief Operating Officer at Viacom18 Motion Pictures, is leaving to pursue his entrepreneurial aspirations, after a little over two years at the company

    Vikram Malhotra quits Viacom18 Motion Pictures

    By A Correspondent

     

    Vikram Malhotra, Chief Operating Officer at Viacom18 Motion Pictures, has resigned. Having spent a little over two years at Viacom18 Motion Pictures, Mr Malhotra is leaving to pursue his entrepreneurial aspirations. He will continue in his current capacity till July 2013, to ensure a smooth and seamless transition. He also headed the strategic distribution alliance with Paramount Pictures International.

     

    Sudhanshu Vats

    Announcing Mr Malhotra’s departure, Sudhanshu Vats, Group CEO, Viacom18 Media Networks, said, “Vikram has admirably led the reboot of this business to put Viacom18 Motion Pictures amongst the top players in the industry. Over the last two years, we have had tremendous success, stretched the envelope and redefined the rules of Hindi Cinema, making critically acclaimed films that were commercial successful as well. We have an impressive lineup ahead with movies like Chashmebadoor, Bhag Milka Bhag, Madras Cafe and Boss” He further added, “As he now ventures out to pursue his entrepreneurial dream, I wish him all success in his new venture.”

     

    Commenting on the development, Mr Malhotra said, “I have had a personally fulfilling and proud time at Viacom18 Motion Pictures and am privileged to have lead a talented team that redefined many a things in both production and distribution of Hindi as well as Hollywood films (marketing and distribution of Paramount movies).” He added further, “I am excited to now pursue my own dream and aspiration in the same space.”