Media Entertainment & Art Community

Times Network expanded its global trademark by launching TIMES NOW, Zoom, Times Now, Navbharat in The UK, USA and Europe in collaboration with an emerging California based media technology company, DistroScale.  DistroTv is a free, ad-supported and independent platform available on an international scale that delivers world-class video content from their clients wide-ranging from different regions.  Times Network is a part of The Times Group which is, currently one of India’s most influential and leading media conglomerates. Established in 1838 in Mumbai, it was previously an English language-based channel that was the origin of many channels including Romedy NOW, MN+, MNX HD and news channels including Times NOW.  Recently they launched their first Hindi language based channel called Navbharat with an impactful motto Aab Badlega Bharat, Banega Navbharat. The response received was astounding.  Navbharat is one of the most propelling Hindi news channels. At the beginning of this channel, MK Anand specified that they are not in the race for gaining TRP instead they want to focus on giving unbiased and knowledgeable content for their audience.  This is a clear message for evolution and change in India. The expansion of Times Network in different countries will provide ‘desi news’ content from home to Indian and foreign viewers living overseas.

India’s video over the top (OTT) market is expected to touch USD 12.5 Billion by 2035, from USD 1.5 billion in 2021 based on access to better networks, digital connectivity, and smartphones, according to areport by RBSA Advisory. The report highlighted that the next wave of growth in the OTT market will be contributed to front tier II, III, and IV cities and the Indian language speaking population. OTT industry is ambitious towards aggressive growth, with the help of a better network, digital connectivity, and smartphones. OTT platforms are noted to have a daily basis increase in the number of subscribers. Apart from the top players like Disney+Hotstar, Netflix, and Amazon Prime Video, several local OTT platforms players can beseen gaining enough attraction from the customers. Various local players like SonyLiv, Voot, Zee5, ErosNow,Hoichoi, and Addatimes are gaining equal importance and delivering quality and viewer’s centric content. With the increase in day-to-day usage of these various OTT platforms there is no doubt in saying that the OTT platforms are becoming the new main source of entertainment with something on the menu for every demography. Thus, as per the report, the Indian video OTT market is predicted to grow from USD 1.5 billion in 2021 to USD 4 billion in 2025 and later to USD 12.5 billion by 2030. Along with that the audio OTT market with platforms like Jio Saavn, Spotify, Wynk Music is also expected to grow from USD 0.6 billion in 2021 to USD 1.1 billion in 2025 and further to USD 2.5 billion by 2030. Source: economictime.com

Reliance Entertainment, the leading media and entertainment company, is producing the event, ‘We For India’, in partnership with The World We Want (WWW), a purpose-driven enterprise. Mumbai: With awaiting eyes, everyone is excited for the global fundraiser produced by Reliance Entertainment known as ‘We For India’, in partnership with ‘The World We Want’ supported by GiveIndia, one of the India’s most trusted platforms for giving and social work. It has also been announced that the exclusive streaming platform for this initiative will be Facebook India.  The excitement for the event is tenfold because it features the biggest stars of the entertainment industry like AR Rahman, Mick Jagger, Ed Sheeran, among many other famous personalities liked by the masses.  The entertainers are going to come together for a global fundraiser on Facebook on Independence Day. It is expected to attract philanthropic donations up to Rs 25 crore for COVID-19 relief work.  ‘We For India: Saving Lives, Protecting Livelihoods’ will be live-streamed on August 15 at 7.30 PM IST to raise funds for Covid-19 relief missions planned by GiveIndia. The main aim of the fundraiser is to save lives and support livelihoods that were wrecked due to the devastating second wave of COVID-19 infections in India. All proceeds will later be donated for the betterment of the Indian healthcare system.  This three-hour videothon will feature more than 100 artistes, including leading Bollywood filmmakers Rajkumar Hirani, Karan Johar, Imtiaz Ali, Farah Khan, Vikramaditya Motwane, Vikram Bhatt and Ribhu Dasgupta. International stars and music sensations will also be featuring in the show, such as Ed Sheeran, Annie Lennox alongside her daughter, Lola Lennox, Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger, actress Ini Dima-Okojie, superstar and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Nancy Ajram, co-founder of CHIC Nile Rodgers, music group Sister Sledge ft Sledgendary, among others. Inspiring messages will also be shared by storyteller Jay Shetty and television star Dina Shihabi. Several interesting interactions will also be seen with stars such as Ajay Devgn, Saif Ali Khan, Akkineni Nagarjuna, R. Madhavan, Farhan Akhtar, Shreyas Talpade, Tusshar Kapoor, Prosenjit Chatterjee and Pratik Gandhi. The show will be hosted by the dapper Rajkummar Rao. Veteran writer Javed Akhtar, dance maestros Prabhudeva and Remo D’Souza, music world’s superstars A.R. Rahman, Shankar Mahadevan, Usha Uthup, Pandit Bikram Ghosh, Mithoon, Amit Trivedi, Vishal Dadlani and Shekhar Ravjiani, Salim Merchant and Sulaiman Merchant, Swanand Kirkire, Shantanu Moitra, Kanika Kapoor, Lisa Mishra and sporting superstar Mahesh Bhupati will also be seen participating in some of the most endearing and enthralling performances. The show will also feature medical professionals who will share their experiences and urgent requirements to keep India safe. Further amplifying the glamour quotient will be diva queens such as Shilpa Shetty Kundra, Vidya Balan, Sonakshi Sinha, Sara Ali Khan, Rakul Preet Singh, Malaika Arora, Dia Mirza, Kalki Koechlin, Sanya Malhotra, Ananya Panday and Alaya F. Industry wide support for producing the fundraiser was provided by Amar Ujala, Artist Original, Bling Entertainment, CAA Foundation, Collective Artists Network, D’Artist Talent Ventures, Dharma Cornerstone Agency, Eros International, Exceed, Matrix, Merchant Records, Mukta Arts and Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment, Saregama, Shemaroo Entertainment, Sony Music, Tips International, T-Series, Universal Music Group, UTV Music, UTV Software Communication, Warner Music, YRF Talent and Zee Music Company. Source: IANS, Telangana Today

Sanjay Leela Bhansali announced on Tuesday morning that Heeramandi will be his next Netflix project. The announcement comes on the occasion of the filmmaker completing 25 years in the industry.  The cast and crew are yet to be announced for the web series, Heeramandi. The show will explore stories of courtesans and the hidden cultural reality of Heeramandi, Lahore during pre-independence India. The makers have touted the series to be about love, betrayal, succession and politics. The filmmaker currently awaits the release of Alia Bhatt-starrer Gangubai Kathiawadi. Sharing his thoughts on Heeramandi, Sanjay Leela Bhansali in a press statement said, “Heeramandi is an important milestone in my journey as a filmmaker. This is an epic, first of its kind series based on the courtesans of Lahore. It is an ambitious, grand and all-encompassing series; therefore I am nervous yet excited about making it. I am looking forward to my partnership with Netflix and bringing Heeramandi to audiences all over the world.” Earlier on Monday, Netflix India had posted a long message marking 25 years of Sanjay Leela Bhansali in the Hindi film industry. It read, “A space intricately detailed, a tune playing in the background that’s new but still feels familiar, faces so bright that they could make the sun look dull, a crescendo of a timeless tale that leaves you wanting to dwell in this dream. All of this, created by the dreamer, the cultural storehouse; who’d have us, and all around us wondering ‘How did he pull THAT off?’ No points for guessing the name: Sanjay Leela Bhansali.” Source: Hindustan Times

The Tokyo Olympics was closed on 8 August 2021. While declaring the closure of the Tokyo Olympics, IOC Chief declared 2020 Olympics games, ‘The most challenging Olympic journey’. With this, the 32nd Olympiad was closed in its grandeur manner. In the closing ceremony, the Olympic flag was passed to Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo for the 2024 Olympics. The 16 days were even held under major Covid-19 restrictions with empty stadiums. The parade of an athlete in the closing ceremony was led by Wrestler Bajrang Punia, on behalf of India.  With this India bagged a total of 7 medals in 2020 Olympics. With a Gold in Javelin throw by Neeraj Chopra in Individual games and bronze for the Indian Hockey team in Team games. This is also the highest medal tally for India in the Olympics to date. Giving hope to sports promotion and more attention to working hard towards Olympics next time.

History has been written by Neeraj Chopra, who won Gold for India in Javelin’s throw.  With this Chopra has gifted the first-ever Olympic gold medal in Athletics for India. 23-year-old, Neeraj won gold for India in Javelin’s throw; with the best throw at 87.53 meters. Neeraj Chopra Gifted India the first-ever gold in Athletics after 1900. With this India can see the beginning of a new golden era for athletics. Along with that India finishes with seven medals in tally, which is again the highest number of medals India has ever won in the Olympics.  By winning this gold India has got new hopes for sports and a new benchmark has been created. The whole nation is proud of Neeraj Chopra for making India proud. This is the second-ever individual gold India has won in Olympics, after Abhinav Bindra.

PM Modi announces on Twitter to rename Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award to Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday announced on Twitter that they are going to rename the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award. It will henceforth be known as Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award.  PM Modi said that their cabinet has taken this decision keeping in mind the people’s sentiments and the achievements of the hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand. He tweeted, “I have been getting many requests from citizens across India to name the Khel Ratna Award after Major Dhyan Chand. I thank them for their views. Respecting their sentiment, the Khel Ratna Award will hereby be called the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award! Jai Hind!” In India, the Khel Ratna Award is the highest sports honor given to a sportsperson. It is a matter of great prestige and honor, and is given to exceptional people who achieve great excellence in the field of sports.  PM Modi also said that the decision is fitting to rename the country’s highest honor behind the stark sporting star Major Dhyan Chand.

Indian men’s hockey team is proudly said to be creating history, as it won a bronze medal at Tokyo Olympics after a long wait of 41 years. Back then, India had won its first-ever Gold in 1980. India defeated Germany in an edge-of-seat playoff match with 5-4 to win. In the match, Simranjeet scored two goals for India at the Oi Hockey Stadium, with Haarmanpreet Singh, Hardik Singh, and Rupinder Pal Singh being on the score list too. There is a great sense of happiness and pride among all the Indians for this victory by Indian Men’s Hockey Team. Wrestler Anshu Malik lost her repechage in round two in the Women freestyle 57kg category. She lost with a score of 1-5 to ROC’s Valeria Koblova. VineshPhogat too had to face a defeat to Vanesa Kaladzinskaya of Belarus in the 53 kg freestyle wrestling category with ¼ in the finals. With that Deepak Punia and Ravi, Dahiya will be all set to put their best foot forward for India. Dahiya will compete in Men’s freestyle 57 kg category and Deepak will compete for Bronze in the men’s freestyle 86kg category.  Source: NDTV Sports

Lovlina thrashed in semi-finals but wins a medal to become the second Indian woman to win bronze this Olympics 2020 LovlinaBorgohain, after reaching the quarter finals lost in the fourth round to Turkey’s BusenazSurmeneli. In the boxing match, right from the start the Turk world number one champion dominated Lovlina to enter the final fight for gold. Though Lovlina gave her best, she lost the match. Needless to say, her efforts were lauded and she brought pride to the country by winning a bronze medal.  All thanks to Lovlina, this will be India’s third medal in the Tokyo Olympics 2020.  From the second round of the match, the tall Indian tried her best to subdue her opponent but could not connect well.  She was continuously on her defense and got little opportunity to attack. Even though the Turk was the first to attack, Lovlina was appreciated for better reach.  Lovlina was also double-blowed by the Turk with a superb technique in the second round. Even after trying her best, Lovlina lost the match and went to bag a bronze medal for the country.  No female athlete has won a gold medal for the country in the Olympics. However, one mustn’t lose hope. Lovlina looks up to Mary Kom as an inspiration and is sure to make the country proud in the future.