STARFRIDAY

Friday, 2 October 2015

Singh Is Bliing – Official Mobile Game Released

Mumbai 1^st October 2015: Director Prabhu Deva’s much anticipated action comedy Singh Is Bliing is scheduled to be released on 2 October 2015. The film features Akshay Kumar, Amy Jackson, Lara Dutta and Kay Kay Menon in lead roles. Accompanying the film’s theatrical release is the movie’s official mobile game.

The official Singh Is Bliing game is published & distributed by FunOnGo Entertainment Pvt. Ltd., a digital entertainment specialist across movies, music, games and applications. The company provides customized platform and managed services to clients such as Samsung, Micromax, Karbonn, Intex, Spice& Gionee.

The game publishers have designed the game in a manner that gamers get a real good feel of being in the shoes of their favorite action hero Akshay Kumar. The run up to the castle and the fight sequences on the floor are evocative of the fast pace, taut action that Akshay is famed for. On completion, the game was showcased to Akshay; He said “I really liked the game, the fights were so good that I ended up playing the game for most of the day”

The interactive mobile actiongame requires Rafttaar Singh to go on a mission to save Sara, who has been captured and held captive in a castle.

The gamer plays as Rafttaar Singh and can unlock up to three stages of game play as he succeeds from one level to another.

In the first level of the game, Rafttaar Singh is expected to run up towards the castle jumping over hurdles, avoiding obstacles and dodging oncoming threats. The gamers will really like the slide kick play action to counter attack their on screen enemies.

The level two takes Rafttaar Singh inside the castle, fighting here the gamer could find health levels drop with the onslaught of enemy punches, but they have the use of a life line too! The fight controls are intelligently placed on screen in the second level.

The third level is the more advance level and here Raftaar Singh gets to rescue the lovely Sara.

The official game is available across most of the popular feature and smart phones in India.

Speaking about the release of the official Singh is Bliing game, Vijay Singh CEO of FunOnGo Entertainment said; “We see the mobile phone as a fantastic gateway for film makers to reach their potential consumer. Our team plays an active role in publishing, marketing and distribution of the games we do. Mobile games provide for an immersive experience and turn curious bystanders to engaged fans.

Adding to Vijay’s point of view Shibasish Sarkar, COO of Reliance Big Entertainment added; “In the business of entertainment fans create customers and this impacts box office performance. Our alliance with FunOnGo to publish the official game is with the view to provide the customer a value added cinematic experience”

The Singh Is Bliing – Official Mobile Gameis available for users downloads on Android, IOS marketplace and other popular app stores online.

About Big Reliance Entertainment Pvt. Ltd.

Reliance Big Entertainment Pvt. Ltd has either produced or distributed and released more than 170 films in multiple Indian languages, including Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, Bengali, etc. Films from Reliance’s stable includes highly successful commercial films like Singham, Singham Returns, Bodyguard, Don 2, Attarintiki Daaredi (Telugu), to name a few, and also critically acclaimed National Award winning films like Paa, Abohoman (Bengali), Jaatishwar (Bengali), Shob Choritra Kalponik (Bengali), Kutty Shrank (Malayalam), Ijjodu (Kannada), etc.

Reliance Big Entertainment Pvt. Ltd. recently announced a joint venture with Phantom Films for its Film Production and Distribution business. The combination of Reliance and Phantom Films plans to develop and produce at least 5 to 6 films every year, apart from distribution of films in India and overseas, and syndication of rights from the Reliance Entertainment library.

Internationally, Reliance Entertainment has partnered for the past over 5 years with iconic film producer and director, Steven Spielberg, in a 50:50 joint venture, DreamWorks Studios, which has produced award winning and highly successful films, such as The Help, War Horse, Lincoln and The Hundred Foot Journey.

The company is also the exclusive Home Video licensee to prestigious studios including Universal Pictures Int. Ent., Paramount Home Ent. Global, DreamWorks Pictures, BBC Worldwide Ltd and other independent film studios. With its robust pan India distribution network, the company has ensured reach for Bollywood and Hollywood products, not only in urban market but also mass markets. The Home video division has launched blockbusters such as Piku, PK, Singham Returns,Holiday, Kick, Lunchbox and 2 States besides International franchise films such as Transformers, Fast and Furious, Jurassic Park etc. on home video. The company is also the licensee to leading developer and publisher Codemasters for their gaming software for PC & Console.

Through its New Media and Digital Distribution arm, the company provides Video on Demand content to ISPs, Telecom Companies, VAS aggregators, online retailers, platforms and devices.

Thursday, 1 October 2015

FILMING TAKES OFF ON “SULLY”

DIRECTED BY CLINT EASTWOOD AND STARRING TOM HANKS

Burbank, CA – September 30, 2015 – Production is underway on Warner Bros. Pictures’ drama “Sully,” starring Oscar winner Tom Hanks (upcoming “Bridge of Spies,” “Captain Phillips,” “Forrest Gump”) as Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger, under the direction of Oscar winner Clint Eastwood (“American Sniper,” “Million Dollar Baby”).

On January 15, 2009, the world witnessed the “Miracle on the Hudson” when Captain “Sully” Sullenberger (Hanks) glided his disabled plane onto the frigid waters of the Hudson River, saving the lives of all 155 aboard. However, even as Sully was being heralded by the public and the media for his unprecedented feat of aviation skill, an investigation was unfolding that threatened to destroy his reputation and his career.

“Sully” also stars Aaron Eckhart (“Olympus Has Fallen,” “The Dark Knight”) as Sully’s co-pilot, Jeff Skiles, and Oscar nominee Laura Linney (“The Savages,” “Kinsey,” Showtime’s “The Big C”) as Sully’s wife, Lorraine Sullenberger.

Eastwood is directing the film from a screenplay by Todd Komarnicki, based on the book Highest Duty: My Search for What Really Matters, by Sullenberger and Jeffrey Zaslow. The project is being produced by Eastwood, Frank Marshall, Allyn Stewart and Tim Moore, with Kipp Nelson serving as executive producer.

The film reunites Eastwood with several of his longtime collaborators, who most recently worked with the director on the worldwide hit “American Sniper”: director of photography Tom Stern and production designer James J. Murakami, who were both Oscar-nominated for their work on “The Changeling”; costume designer Deborah Hopper; and editor Blu Murray.

Principal photography began on Monday, September 28, in New York, where the water landing that instantly made Sully a household name was achieved. Filming will also take place in North Carolina, Atlanta and Los Angeles.

A Malpaso, Flashlight Films, Kennedy/Marshall Company production, “Sully” will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.

BHARAT PUNARNIRMAN-Employment in Theatre and Films

There are lakhs of aspiring actors, singers, writers, dancers, music composers, art directors and other technicians who come to their El Dorado, Mumbai to somehow try their luck in Bollywood. However its only a handful who actually end up landing a role in films or in any other department in our Hindi films. However Hollywood & Bollywood filmmaker, Nandita Singgha better known as Michelle has taken a pledge to genuinely give a chance to deserving talent in an initiative which coined as “BHARAT PUNARNIRMAN-Employment In Theatre and Films”. Nandita Singgha 's REDMovie Teaser is coming this Gandhi Jayanti as a Tribute To Mahatma Gandhi Philosophy Through Crime Journalism. It was during the making of this movie that Nandita realised that there is enormous talent which is untapped in various parts of India who can get a chance in her movies and she even wants to revive old traditional street plays also known as “Nukkad Natak” which is a part of our traditional heritage as it can provide employment to various people in the villages and smaller cities thus addressing the unemployment issue of India in the Media & Entertainment Industry. This can be source of livelihood for the unemployed who are talented in street plays and folk theatre and the most talented actors and other crew who can even get a golden chance in her Hollywood, Bollywood and Regional movies. BHARAT PUNARNIRMAN is an Initiative conceptualised by Nandita Singgha who firmly believes in discovering the real talent of India from Tier II Cities, Tier III Cities, Tier IV Towns and all villages of India at the grass root level. This will even be the first initiative across the length and breadth of India in making a social issue reach out to more people in villages related to their livelihood, hygiene, family planning, female foeticide, casteism, dowry, black magic,diseases to name a few. She says we all talk about various other issues but what about employment and current social awareness in our country. She believes that we have to provide a means of employment to youth who are going directionless and are unemployed even after having a degree. We have seen many gifted actors in Hindi films who are have made it big now but had to struggle for more than 10 years just to get noticed and land a meaty role in Bollywood .We will make the journey simpler by giving them a chance in street plays and if they are very good then even in our multiple films so they don’t have to struggle for so many years. The awareness will work as a motivating factor to mould The Future of India as to what all can be done and how they can even support their family with innovative ideas to earn and bring more revenue in their respective families.
She can provide a platform for all the talented actors and people working in various media fields and have them on payroll on a monthly salary basis and she will even organise workshops to enhance their skills . There are many leading Media Institutes in India who offer various kinds of courses but what about providing employment to lakhs of Indians? There are lot of parents who take loans from Banks or Financial Institutions for giving the best of Education to their children in various fields in Tier I cities also apart from the rest of India so atleast this Theatre and Films employment program will provide the much needed relief as the solution to both the anxious parents as well as their children. So Friends, let's join the “BHARAT PUNARNIRMAN” campaign at the grass root level and the Street plays will not only be a means of Entertainment for the common man but it will even reach out to those people who don’t have access to social media, newspapers or even the ones who don’t understand the language due to literacy.So Join me to Promote This Campaign at All India level to provide Employment by DISCOVERING TALENT ! भाइयो और बहनो इस "भारत पुनर्निर्माण " में मेरा साथ दीजिये

Richa to miss Busan International Film Festival due to work commitments.

The talented actress is missing the screening of her critically acclaimed movie Masaan at the Busan Film Festival due to her hectic shooting schedule.

While Richa was extremely keen to visit the festival along with her team she has an active shooting schedule on going for Cabaret and she does not want the shoot to go haywire on her account. Richa is shooting her first ever song for her next movie. It’s a sultry number where in Richa will be seen in a costume which will definitely give you goose bumps. The entire movie is said to have an oomph factor and this is the first dance number the actress is shooting for, said a source close to the unit. A set is said to be made in a studio in suburbs and Richa is shooting round the clock.

In fact, the ace actor travelled with the movie to Cannes and was in tears when the audience gave the film a standing ovation for about 15 minutes. It was a heartening moment for Richa who has made it into the industry on her own and treated a different path.

She was looking forward to travel to more festivals with the film because she likes to meet people and to know their reaction first hand.

Apart from the screening ; Richa will miss a chance to connect with her mentor Anurag Kashyap who is part of the jury for the New Currents competition in the Asian Film Festival section

Talking on the same Richa says, “ Masaan is a film which is closest to my heart. I took a lot of time to detach the character of Devi from me. Even now im not sure whether I have totally phased that out. Hence not being able to go as a support to festivals like this for a movie of this calibre is rather disappointing. I wish the team of Masaan @ Busaan best wishes.”

Saregama Classical App – 50k downloads in 2 weeks

Uploads Rare and Unheard Musical Works of Gauhar Jaan

Saregama Classical App launched by RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group owned music label Saregama India Ltd., has in the first 2 weeks of its launch seen 50,000+ downloads from listeners. To mark this milestone, Saregama has added a rare collection of Gauhar Jaan’s musical works to the application. Gauhar Jaan is India’s first recorded artist. Her first performance was recorded on 78 rpm records on 2nd Nov’1902 and released by The Gramophone Company of India (former name of Saregama). India's first-ever record had Gauhar Jaan singing a composition in Raag Jogiya in Dadra Taal. This rare piece is a treat to the connoisseurs of classical music lovers and Saregama has endeavoured to bring this music to the digital consumers of this application.

According to Mr. Vikram Mehra, Managing Director Saregama India Ltd., “Being the custodian of the rare recordings of the doyens of the classical music fraternity we believe that the classical music lovers have found the answer to their yearnings in Saregama Classical App. The initial response has been phenomenal and we are adding hundreds of new works today taking the total count of songs to 10000+”

Today, along with Gauhar Jaan Saregama also added to the app, musical works of artistes like Ustad Shahid Parvez, Ustad Fateh Ali Khan, Ustad Sultan Khan, Pt. Ramkrishna Bua Vaze, Shruti Sadolikar, Shubha Mudgal, Veena Sahasrabuddhe, Padma Talwalkar, Sunderabai to name a few.

About Saregama India Ltd:

Listed on the NSE and BSE, Saregama India Limited, is India’s largest and best-known music recording company.

Formerly known as The Gramophone Company of India Ltd, Saregama owns the largest music archives in India, one of the biggest in the world. The ownership of nearly 50 per cent of all the music ever recorded in India also makes Saregama the most authoritative repository of the country’s musical heritage. Saregama has now expanded into other branches of entertainment – it is involved in publishing, television software and digital content. It also runs studio facilities in Dum Dum, Kolkata making it one of the best end-to-end entertainment houses in the country.

MUMBAI IS CINEMA: Jio MAMI’s Tribute to Mumbai

At the Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival, India Celebrates Movies

This film is an ode to Mumbai, the city that is home to both Jio MAMI and the Movies
Link : http://bit.ly/1h62vwY

Directed By : Vikramaditya Motwane
Featuring : Shyam Benegal, Amitabh Bachchan, Aamir Khan, Farhan Akhtar, Kangana Ranaut, Nimrat Kaur and Kiran Rao

Registrations for the 17th Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival opened this week to a staggering show of support from the members of the Indian Film Fraternity who continue to commit their time and resources to make the Festival a showcase of the best creative talent from India and around the world. In a strong show of support, Bollywood's leading stars took to their Twitter handles, Instagram accounts and Facebook pages inviting registrations this week.

The festival is set to open its doors in less than 60 days. Bollywood’s leading actors have partnered in the Festival's campaign Film directed by Vikramaditya Motwane. From the legendary Amitabh Bachchan and Shyam Benegal to Aamir Khan, Farhan Akhtar, Nimrat Kaur, Kangana Ranaut and the Jio MAMI Film Festival Chairman Kiran Rao -- all have narrated their personal stories of their special relationship and connection with the city of dreams - Mumbai and their collective passion Cinema.

Filled with personal insights about what the city has meant to them and their careers, this 17th Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival Campaign film, will be released across platforms and played in PVR Cinemas across the country.

Talking about the film, Vikramaditya Motwane said, “I've been watching films at the Mumbai Film Festival from the very first edition. It's been one of my cinema teachers. I'm delighted to be assisting Jio MAMI in its new avatar by making this tribute to both Mumbai and the film fraternity.”

Legendary actor Amitabh Bachchan who came to Mumbai as a ‘tourist ‘narrates the reason why people come to the city, “Mumbai has always been a city of dreams, a land of opportunity. Many of us have visited it as a tourist, but I think a lot of people that come here have some intention in mind of either coming in touch with the movies or the people. This is why Mumbai is known as the movie capital.”

He added, “Jio MAMI is a great effort; it's wonderful to have a festival from the city that is actually identified with cinema. I'm very proud of the fact that the city itself is being responsive to international viewage, international content that keeps coming here as a result of Jio MAMI.”

Speaking about the Campaign Film, Kiran Rao, Chairperson, Jio MAMI said, “Mumbai is the city of movies, and I came here because I wanted to make movies. Mumbai has an energy that infuses you with new ideas, different way of looking at things, cheek by jowl things that you cannot avoid. The first time I came here, I wasn’t sure of the kind of films that I wanted to make and I was fairly dismissive of the commercial film industry. As the years have gone by, I have assimilated a lot of what Mumbai really is as a city, which is an inclusive city. It’s a city that takes the good things from people and that sort of comes out through people as well. It’s changed the way I look at stories, the way I look at life.”

Kangana Ranaut talked about how Mumbai changed her life; “I remember coming to Mumbai 10 years ago and I had 1500 rupees in my pocket. And the city has adopted me. It has given me employment and an identity as a woman. Something to pursue in life, and that’s the most important thing, to get some purpose in life. You wake up every morning and you feel like you’ve got something to do. Mumbai is the place that now I call home and it has been very kind to me.”

Kiran added, “It’s a natural choice that a film festival should happen in Mumbai. I think it’s a perfect fit because it’s a city that lives and breathes the movies. My hopes are that different kinds of films and film makers find a breeding ground and a place that gives them some sort of support, some kind of network, some sense that their films are appreciated, a place where it makes people feel very much a part of the film community. All filmmakers find a place here. All films, whether experimental or documentary, fiction features or feature shorts are welcome here. As a film watching community I hope that Mumbai turns out because they are going to have a lot of fun days at Jio MAMI.”

Shyam Benegal, one of the founders of the Trust, provides insight on the idea of MAMI, "So the idea of MAMI is that, you should have a comprehensive International film festival, that would not only bring cinema of the world to the city of Mumbai, but also encourage young people to look at cinema just like you look at literature or you look at other forms of art, you know with the same seriousness of purpose”.

Aamir Khan emphasized that Mumbai and films are an intrinsic part of his life ; “I’ve lived all my life in Mumbai and I can’t imagine my life anywhere else. I have a very strong bond with the city. The film industry and the city, both are here, so it’s given me a lot, it’s given me what I love doing. I feel privileged and grateful to have the opportunity to work here.”

He also delved into the magical world of cinema and how it captures his imagination; “There’s something that happens in that dark theatre where you kind of get lost in that world. If the film is good, you get completely lost in that world. It’s a space where your senses get titillated and your imagination is provoked.”

Farhan Akhtar (Board Member, MAMI) star of Dil Dhadakne Do comments on how Film Festivals impact the cinematic ecosystem, "To start with the exposure you get, to the kind of cinema that you won't normally get…you know, in your weekly release”.

Actor Nimrat Kaur elaborates on the importance of a film festival in the city,” I think they provide a breeding ground firstly for films that otherwise won't have a platform, that to me is the FIRST, foremost and the biggest idea behind ANY film festival. You get to see films from different parts of the world, made on shoestring budget, with actors you wouldn't otherwise see in mainstream cinema. “

The 17^th Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival will be held in Mumbai from October 29th to November 5th 2015. The film screenings will take place at PVR Versova, PVR Citi Mall, Andheri, PVR LP, Phoenix Mills and Regal – Colaba. To register for the festival, viewers can register online at http://in.bookmyshow.com/mami/ or at registration counters at the festival venues listed above.

Along with Chairperson, Kiran Rao and Festival Director, Anupama Chopra, the members of the new Board of Trustees of MAMI are Filmmakers Farhan Akhtar, Karan Johar, Vikramaditya Motwane, Actor Riteish Deshmukh, Actress Deepika Padukone, Mr. Anand Mahindra, Chairman & MD, Mahindra Group, Mr. Ajay Bijli, Chairman and MD, PVR Ltd, Mr. Siddharth Roy Kapur, MD, Disney and Mr. Manish Mundra, Founder and CEO, Drishyam Films. These eminent personalities, outstanding achievers in their respective fields, are bringing together their expertise and experience to give Mumbai and India a bigger, better and even more exciting 17th edition of the Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival.

Jio MAMI VISION 2015

The Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival is an inclusive movie feast. We showcase the latest cutting-edge, independent cinema - art house fare alongside genre movies from Bollywood and Hollywood and cult international movies. We offer the best of world cinema to the people of Mumbai and we offer the best of Indian cinema to the world. The festival is run by the Mumbai Academy of Moving Image popularly known as MAMI. This is a space where we revel in the sheer pleasure of cinema, the joy it gives us and how much it enhances our lives. The goal is to nurture and ignite a passion for movies. We want Jio MAMI to be shorthand for excellence in cinema.

ABOUT Jio MAMI

Mumbai - the financial capital of India is also the epicentre of the Indian film industry. The city plays such a major role in production and dissemination of Indian films and television programs that it is widely known by its acronym 'Bollywood'. In 1997, a group of film industry stalwarts headed by late Hrishikesh Mukherjee founded the Mumbai Academy of Moving Image (MAMI) as a not-for-profit Trust. Their main objective was to organise an annual International Film Festival which the film industry and the country could be proud of. MAMI has been organising the festival for the last 16 years and aims to foster a climate of good cinema. MAMI engages people from all walks of life across the city and country who enjoy and love good cinema. It is Mumbai’s only film festival that is entirely created and run by film professionals and a group of members from corporate India. Appreciation of good cinema, stripped off all the limiting labels of art and commercial, can only come about through exposure to the best of films the world has to offer. The Festival is the first step in that direction.

In their Mission Statement in 1997, the MAMI Board of Trustees said, "We feel it is the need of the hour to disseminate and inculcate good cinema among Indian audiences. The only way to achieve this is to celebrate cinema by hosting an International Film Festival in Mumbai, India's film and entertainment capital. MAMI (Mumbai Academy of Moving Image) is committed to start Mumbai's first independent international film festival organised by practicing film makers."

For more information on Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival scheduled to be held from 29th October- 5th November 2015, do visit our MAMI Website, Twitter handle, Facebook Page, Instagram and YouTube as follows:

Website: www.mumbaifilmfestival.com

#JioMAMI2015

Twitter: @Mumbaifilmfest

Facebook: /MumbaiFilmFestival

Instagram: /mumbaifilmfestival

YouTube: Mumbai Film Festival

VLCC committed to spreading awareness on World Heart Day

Conducts knowledge session with eminent Cardiologist Dr. Mahesh Shah

Mumbai, 29 September 2015 : Joining the cause of World Heart Federation in spreading awareness about cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and strokes, VLCC today organized a knowledge sharing session on the occasion of World Heart Day. Following the theme for 2015: Heart Choices Not Hard Choices, it collaborated with eminent cardiologist, Dr Mahesh Shah, MD, DM (Cardio), Interventional Cardiologist at Hinduja (Khar), Breach Candy and Nanavati Hospitals. The idea was to raise awareness about leading a healthy lifestyle and incorporating small changes in one’s daily routine which can make a big difference in a person’s overall wellbeing.

Dr Shah, who has more than 20 years of experience and is a renowned cardiologist in the city, addressed the people of Mumbai about the various side effects of leading an unhealthy life. People living in packed spaces with very less exposure to natural surroundings and greens are also at risk of CVDs as much as people who are exposed to excessive alcohol and tobacco use.

Speaking at the occasion, Dr. Shah said, “Heart diseases and stroke are the world’s leading causes of death with millions of people around the globe getting affected by it. A majority of cases are lifestyle related and can be controlled with modification.” As a society we need to address these issues collectively. I appreciate VLCC’s initiative in showing care and concern to such health matters. We count on events like these to increase awareness of how we can combat premature mortality caused by cardiovascular and heart disease. Another step further is to ask your healthcare expert to measure blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose levels, weight and body mass index regularly to maintain a healthy heart.’

Mrs Vandana Luthra, Founder, VLCC Group, said, “Obesity especially abdominal obesity significantly increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases and most of it is lifestyle-related. According to the WHO, over 63 per cent of all deaths worldwide are due to noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and correspond to an emerging global health threat, apart from a staggering socio-economic burden – it is estimated that over the next 15-20 years, NCDs will cost more than US$ 30 trillion. VLCC has helped thousands of people manage their weight and obesity issues especially abdominal obesity to help them prevent future chronic diseases, especially coronary artery diseases in the 25 years of its existence, not only in India but across several countries.”

She added, “Overweight persons run a higher risk of health problems and disability, and those risks rise sharply when overweight becomes obese. Simple changes to one’s lifestyle can mitigate this risk. On World Heart Day, let us pledge to lead a healthy life, a life full of wellness for ourselves, and for our loved ones.”

World Heart Day encourages us all to lead a healthier life, reduce our cardiovascular risk and promote a heart-healthy environment. An increasing number of people are getting affected because of factors like an unhealthy lifestyle, busy schedules and perhaps, lack of awareness. The views by Dr Shah are not only relevant in the present times but also show us the right direction towards a better life. At VLCC we aim to emphasize disease-free holistic wellness and this is a small step towards that thought.

World Heart Day takes place on 29 September and is a chance for people across the globe to take part in the world's biggest intervention against CVD. Each year, CVDs are responsible for 17.3 million premature deaths and by 2030 this is expected to rise to 23 million.

About VLCC Group

www.vlccwellness.com

Founded by Mrs Vandana Luthra in 1989, VLCC is widely recognized in India and abroad for its holistic, scientific and natural weight-management practices and therapeutic beauty solutions addressing the mind and body. Today, operations spanning over 301 locations in 134 cities and direct company managed operations in 14 countries, VLCC:

§ Manages one of the largest chains of Wellness (Slimming, Beauty & Fitness) Centres across Asia

§ Runs possibly Asia’s largest network of vocational education academies, VLCC Institute of Beauty & Nutrition

§ Manufactures in Switzerland and the company’s plants in India and Singapore over 250 skincare, haircare and bodycare products under the VLCC Natural Sciences™, SkinMTX™, BelleWave™ and Enavose™ brands, which are not only used as consumables in treatments and therapies at all VLCC Wellness Centres globally but is also retailed through over 72,000 outlets in 33 countries across South Asia, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and South East Asia

§ Employs over 4,000 professionals, including medical doctors, nutritionists, physiotherapists and cosmetologists from over 39 nationalities

§ Has direct, company managed operations in India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, UAE, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Kenya.

Tuesday, 29 September 2015

A.R. Rahman Composes Signature Tune for the 17th Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival

Mumbai, September 29,2015 –Oscar winning composer and music maestro A. R. Rahman has lent his support for the 17^th Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival by composing a signature tune especially for the festival. This is the first time that the Festival has a signature tune.

The signature tune is used in a special promo film that will be played during the festival. Currently, the signature tune is featured as part of the branding at the opening and closing of the festival campaign film. However, the tune will be played in full at the opening ceremony later this month on Thursday, Oct 29^th.

The festival's campaign film directed by Vikramaditya Motwane features A-list names such as Shyam Benegal, Amitabh Bachchan, Aamir Khan, Farhan Akhtar, Kangana Ranaut, Nimrat Kaur and the Jio MAMI Film Festival Chairman, Kiran Rao. In the film, the celebrities narrate their personal stories for their special relationship with Mumbai, the city of dreams, and with their collective passion – cinema. Filled with personal insights about what the city has meant to them and their careers, the 17th Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival Campaign film will be released across platforms and will be played in PVR Cinemas across the country.

On composing the signature tune, A.R. Rahman said, “The 17th Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival is about creating, celebrating and nurturing cinema. I am very pleased to support the festival. I hope the people of Mumbai and India come and partake in this incredible movie feast.”

Anupama Chopra, Festival Director, 17^th Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival, said, “Movies and music are inseparable in India. It’s such an honour to have one of India’s greatest composers, A. R. Rahman create a signature tune for Jio MAMI. We are grateful for his generosity and support. We are also grateful to all the work put in by Vikramaditya Motwane and his team, and all the talent that made time for Jio MAMI.”

Jio MAMI VISION 2015

ABOUT Jio MAMI

Mumbai - the financial capital of India is also the epicentre of the Indian film industry. The city plays such a major role in production and dissemination of Indian films and television programs that it is widely known by its acronym 'Bollywood'. In 1997, a group of film industry stalwarts headed by late Hrishikesh Mukherjee founded the Mumbai Academy of Moving Image (MAMI) as a not-for-profit Trust. Their main objective was to organize an annual International Film Festival which the film industry and the country could be proud of. MAMI has been organizing the festival for the last 16 years and aims to foster a climate of good cinema. MAMI engages people from all walks of life across the city and country who enjoy and love good cinema. It is Mumbai’s only film festival that is entirely created and run by film professionals and a group of members from corporate India. Appreciation of good cinema, stripped off all the limiting labels of art and commercial, can only come about through exposure to the best of films the world has to offer. The Festival is the first step in that direction.

“My Nutella Jar” – a personalised brand experience for consumers

Nutella has a new name, yours!

Mumbai, September 28, 2015: If there is one thing better than starting the day with Nutella, then it is starting the day with a jar of Nutella with your name on it! Nutella, the globally loved hazelnut spread with cocoa from Ferrero, is giving an opportunity to its fans to now personalise their Nutella jar with their or loved ones name on it.

Nutella will now appeal not just your taste bud but your emotions too, through the ‘My Nutella Jar’ campaign. Your favourite Nutella hazelnut spread is now truly yours!

Nutella aims to strengthen its bonds with its customers with this month long initiative. The brand will be using a mix of digital and on ground events (mall and modern trade activation) which will be conducted in selected modern trade stores in Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore to spread awareness about this initiative and engage with its consumers. In all these stores, the consumer, on purchase of a Nutella jar, will be given a personalized label by the promoter. The label will be printed on the spot as per the name given by the customer. The list of the personalised Nutella stores can be found under ‘Where do I get #mynutellajar’ on the site: www.mynutellajar.com after logging in and generating the label.

Nutella will also engage and create a special experience for customers at malls in Gurgaon (Ambience mall from September 26th and 27th) and in Mumbai (Inorbit mall, Malad from October 3rd and 4th). Throughout this activity the consumers can share some enjoyable moments with Nutella - by purchasing a Nutella jar and availing their personalised labels. Moreover, they will also get an opportunity to click their pictures which can be uploaded on social media platforms instantly to capture these memorable moments with Nutella.

Talking about this initiative, Mr. Emanuele Fiordalisi, Vice President Marketing Ferrero India, said “Nutella wanted to personally thank its fans for their continuous love towards the brand and what better way to do so than with a jar specifically for them. We are providing an opportunity for Nutella lovers to personalise their favourite hazelnut spread with their ‘own’ name or their loved one. Through this personalized branding initiative, we aim to convert our current fans into brand ambassadors and also create excitement among new consumers to experience the brand. We believe this activity will help bring our consumers closer to the brand.”

Nutella has created an engaging video which is available on social media capturing the essence of this initiative. You may view the video on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQ3-NFd8p1Q.

In addition, consumers will be encouraged to upload their pictures and share their experience on multiple social media platforms like Faebook, Twitter and Instagram with the hash tag #mynutellajar.

About Nutella:

Nutella hazelnut spread with cocoa is manufactured by Ferrero, the 3rd largest manufacturer of chocolate and confectionary products in the world. It is Ferrero’s iconic brand and enjoys leadership position in the global spreads market. The brand has presence in over 150 countries.

Nutella’s unique flavour comes from the combination of selected hazelnuts and delicious cocoa. It can be easily spread over bread, roti, dosa or idli and variety of other breakfast dishes.

Nutella is 100% vegetarian and contains no preservatives. Making Nutella a part of the breakfast makes breakfast fun and delicious for the kids. Nutella acts as a perfect accompaniment for a breakfast and provides a great start to the day. Its unique flavour will leave you asking for more!

About Ferrero India

Ferrero is an Italian manufacturer of chocolate and other confectionery products. With an annual turnover of over US$ 11 billion, it is the 3rd largest manufacturer of chocolate and confectionary products in the world.

Ferrero India has its Corporate Office at Pune and is present across all the metros and mini-metros and has a strong distribution network. It has regional sales offices in Chennai, Delhi, Kolkata and Mumbai. Ferrero’s other well-known brands in India include Ferrero Rocher, Kinder Joy, Kinder Schoko-Bons Crispy and Tic Tac.

The company started its commercial operations in 2004, and in less than a decade has become a strong player in the chocolate and confectionary segment in India. The company has made India its production hub for Asia and Middle East and exports half its local production.

Guddu Ki Gun’s teaser motion poster unzipped!

The first teaser motion poster of the Emenox Media production, ‘Guddu Ki Gun’ starring Kunal Kemmu has been released. And those who’ve seen it can’t stop raving about how the word ‘teaser’ perfectly describes the naughty motion poster.

Written and directed by the director-duo, Shantanu and Sheershak – whose earlier works include Table No. 21 (writers), Aa Dekhen Zara (writers), 3G (writer-directors) – Guddu Ki Gun a much awaited and extremely funny comedy revolving around Guddu (Kunal) a washing powder salesman in Kolkata. Only Guddu’s not just your regular salesman! Taking great pride in his ‘manhood’, this Bihari Casanova believes that the quickest way to a woman’s bedroom is through the bathroom and lives by this mantra too!

There are rib-tickling laughathons, adult comedies and sex flicks and then there is Guddu Ki Gun, a film that is a genre in itself.

The film marks the Bollywood debut of the hot Bong actress Payel Sarkar in a never-seen-before-avatar and the model-turned-actress Aparna Sharma. The film also stars Sumit Vyas, Lacey Banghard, Biplab Chatterjee, Shantilal Mukherji, Jameel Khan, Naini Dixit, Flora Saini and Sudeep Sarangi.

Other credits of the film include: Producer – Sachin Jain; Associate Producer – Himanshu Khanna; Cinematographer – Keiko Nakahara; Music – Gajendra - Vikram, Raju Sardar, Saqi; Lyrics – Aseem Ahmed Abbasee, Vimal Kashyap, Saqi; Playback Singers – Udit Narayan, Sonu Kakkad, Mohit Chauhan, Shweta Pandit, Koser Sabri, Raju Sardar; Choreographer – Raju Khan, Mudassar Khan, Amol Tumne; Editor – Cheragh Todiwala; Head of Production – Umang Agarwal; Production Design – Nimish Kotwal and Riyaz Shaikh, Music on Zee Music.