Media Entertainment & Art Community

New Delhi: Aditya Birla Group-owned content studio Applause Entertainment on Tuesday announced an exclusive partnership with India’s iconic comics Amar Chitra Katha marking its foray into animation content. As a part of the collaboration, the studio has acquired the license to the Amar Chitra Katha’s catalogue comprising more than 400 titles which will be developed and produced into animated content. So far Applause has produced and released 25 original series such as Scam 1992, Criminal Justice, City of Dreams, Undekhi, Mind the Malhotras and Hostages, among others, that have streamed on Disney+Hotstar, Amazon Prime, SonyLIV, Netflix and MX Player. Amar Chitra Katha titles cut across genres such as epics and mythology, history, fables and humour, stories of bravehearts and visionaries. Founded in 1967 by the legendary Anant Pai, Amar Chitra Katha has been a pioneer in comic book storytelling for children and is a cultural phenomenon in India. “Like millions of other people, I have grown up reading these 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,” Sameer Nair, CEO, Applause Entertainment said in a statement. In the recent past, Amar Chitra Katha has forayed into the digital space with all its books available on the Amar Chitra Katha app, besides remaining present on multiple digital platforms such as Alexa, YouTube and others. Preeti Vyas, president and CEO, Amar Chitra Katha said the partnership with Applause Entertainment would help to take its rich storytelling heritage to Indian and global audiences through animation. “While we continue to keep our founder, 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 stories in an animated avatar. We are confident that the (Applause) team, by adapting our stories to animation will help in providing the new and future generations of Indians a crucial link to our past,” Vyas added. Source: Mint

Balaji Telefilms said the Covid-19 lockdown brought the world towards a new era of digitalization. This gave a supportive twist to the OTT platform as the main source of entertainment. Keeping the huge scope in mind, Balaji telefilms is all set to persuade and invest in the original content, with providing an affordable subscription rate.  While the company intends to invest in more original content, it also wishes to focus on delivering content serving various audience genres to ensure having something for all on the platter.  While a success rate of release of movies has been witnessed on OTT. The OTT platforms are also aiming towards providing a space of performance for small-budget deep content releases.  The speed with which OTT platforms have got subscriptions by audiences is commendable. A new establishment of the entertainment industry has been witnessed. The OTT platforms are all set to revolutionize the ways of entertainment consumption habits for people. Thus, having a huge space to experiment with content and have something for all. Source: theeconomictimes.com

New Delhi: The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) said that, BTech students can take admission to other branches of Engineering, in addition to their main course, through lateral entry. The council said it was receiving requests from students regarding admission to an additional BTech course through lateral entry. “The proposal was placed before the AICTE Executive Committee…and EC opined that technical universities can facilitate such students to take admission to BTech /BE by allowing them to get admission at appropriate level of BTech programme in another discipline/branch of Engineering,” the AICTE said. The council mentioned that the students do not need to study the courses they have already studied in their first discipline when they take admission to the additional programme. “The Executive Committee approved the exemption from pursuing courses already done in the first discipline of BTech programme and such students be appropriately guided to complete other requirements of the second discipline. As there is a practical component involved, students will be required to take admission in an institution/college as a regular student and the concerned university will ensure this and make necessary provision in their statutes accordingly.” The AICTE has also said the additional degree course will be completed in two to three years, “without compromising on the credit requirements in core discipline and attainment of learning outcomes of the new programme.” They have also asked institutions to make necessary changes to their statute and to take appropriate steps to provide additional courses to BTech students. Source: Careers360

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.