SOCIAL MEDIA TO SET A RED CARPET FOR SPORTS AND ENTERTAINMENT IMC FUSION 2014

SOCIAL MEDIA TO SET A RED CARPET FOR SPORTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

IMC FUSION 2014 turned into a discussion platform on how social media is going global and facilitating growth across media platforms

Mumbai, 15 February 2013: IMC FUSION 2014, a conference presented by Indian Merchant's Chamber (IMC), was followed up with a series of panel discussions on the major roles played by the social media in today’s three most dynamic sectors – Entertainment, Media and Sports industry.  Ramesh Sippy and Subhash Ghai were most honourable guests inaugurated this third edition of IMC Fusion 2014. This conference was divided into six sessions which focused on several trending social media topics in this generation. It also witnessed the launch of a Knowledge Paper on Multi Screen Behavior: A Study on Emerging Consumer Dynamics.

The IMC FUSION 2014 Conference was organized under the auspices of IMC’s Entertainment, Media & Sports Committee chaired by Mr. Manmohan Shetty and co-chaired by Ms. Bharathi Pradhan, Mr. Sanjoy Chakrabarty and Mr. Mir Ranjan Negi.  As in the first two editions, Mr. Kabir Bedi was the Host of IMC FUSION 2014.

The first session included an in-depth discussion on the urgency of software for today’s media content. ‘What prevents Indian media content to extend globally?’ This question received several views from the panelists. Indian media needs to bring in more variety of local and adventurous content at the same time. Gajendra Singh, Founder of Saai Baba Telefilms Pvt Ltd. said, “In order to make the Indian content globally known, the Indian media needs to pay attention toward showcasing an interesting content, helping the marketing team, co-producers to make the Broadcasters buy it and promote it eventually.”

The Broadcasters go forward with a long term investment into a show only if it creates TRP’S but instead it should also turn its attention to a simple and multi-lingual content at the same time. Anupam Mandoloi, Managing Director of Freemantle India, added, “The fact is that India does not have a distribution network and sufficient bandwidth to tap content across the world.” Siddharth Basu, Managing Director, Big Synergy Media Ltd, highlighted further, “Media Partnership between the Government and the Broadcasters can increase the scope of Indian content worldwide.”

‘Does social media affect Traditional Journalism?’ To this, Suchitra Iyer, Editor of Society Magazine, said, “It has in a way challenged the print media, as celebrities leak out their latest happenings using social media platforms.” Harshil Karia, Co-founder Foxymoron, said, “The mobile device reaches out faster than any other media device.” It in fact helps print media to reinvent news, which proves that social media and print media are the two important wheels of mainstream media.”

‘Major role of social media for sports’, the most trending topic for new generation media was also analysed. Digital platforms, especially ‘Twitter’ has proven to be a branded content mechanism in giving out a wider media coverage to sports. Vinod Bhanushali, President, Marketing, T-Series said, “Social media not only adds a spice to sports but also helps the music industry which includes Youtube and Twitter.”

New Delhi Television (NDTV), a pioneer leading in India’s news television, was presented with the Excellence Award in Media. Mr. Sreenivasan Jain, Managing Editor, NDTV was present to receive the award and thanked the IMC Fusion Jury. While accepting the award Mr. Sreenivasan Jain added, “Receiving a prestigious award actually creates a standard and encourages us to even improve and set new standards for the content of news overall.”

The different business aspects of the Indian cinema were also highlighted by Komal Nahta, Editor, Film information, Mukesh Bhatt, Producer / Director, Ramesh S Taurani, Producer, Tips Industries Limited. The availability of multi-screen theatres has led to the change in the normal mindset of Indians who prefer to experience the movie first in the theatres. This helps Indian Cinema industry to earn the maximum revenue possible.

“This year we have taken the brand Fusion closure to the young minds. In association with Indian Education society, we reached out to many colleges across the city, unleashed a major social media campaign to engage the youth, invited the students to participate in a contest. The contest was to encourage the young students to develop extremely interesting creative & innovative contents on social media platforms. The teams participated with zeal and enthusiasm, and we are happy to have the winners with us here today,” Mr. Shailesh Vaidya, President, IMC.

The sessions covered in the Conference included discussions on:

• Urgent Call For Software: It’s High Time Indian TV Content Went Global
• Netagiri & Worrisome Issues:  Can SOCIAL MEDIA Influence Change?
• Youthful SOCIAL MEDIA Workshop By FOXYMORON
• Gimme Instant Updates: Have Multi-screen Options Changed News & Sports Viewership?
• Breasting The Rs 300 Crore Mark: Business Booms In Indian Cinema

“The Monuments Men” opens February 21st 2014 in India.

 

Fox Star Studios  
'The Monuments Men'

Director:  George Clooney

Monuments Men is based on a true story about a group of men — including art historians and museum directors with Boston and Cambridge ties — who went behind enemy lines during WWII to rescue great artworks being looted by the Nazis.

Cast: George Clooney, Matt Damon, Jean Dujardin,  Cate Blanchett, Bill Murray

Sajid Nadiawala is raring to go

First thought that comes to mind when we think of Sajid Nadaidwala is trust and dependability. Actors, directors keep returning back to his banner to work with him as he creates a comfortable and creatively conducive environment for ideas to become successful films. 

As a producer and now director, he has a bond with the talent that goes beyond the immediate film and becomes a relationship for life. In July this year, he will be debuting as a director with one of the biggest superstars Salman Khan with Kick. Little later he has a thriller lined up with hit machine Katrina Kaif and chhote nawab Saif Ali Khan called Phantom, directed by Kabir Khan. Then he also plans to reunite Ranbir Kapoor and Deepika Padukone in a new project to be helmed by Imtiaz Ali, who is also directing his Highway. 

Along the way he has two new kids on the block - Arjun Kapoor and Alia Bhatt in his 2 States which he is co-producing with none other than Karan Johar. In the midst of working with the biggest superstars and directors of the country, he will be launching a rank newcomer - Jackie Shroff's son Tiger in Heropanti. And on top of that he is diversifying into different genres of cinema. Sajid Nadiadwala, one of the biggest producers of Bollywood has his hands full and how! 

"I made commercial films and now I want to be associated with other kinds of cinema. It gives me a big high to be part of diverse themes. It feels great that I am launching new talents and at the same time working with people I have been a fan of and look up to, like Imtiaz and Kabir. It is a great experience to see how they visualize their films," says Sajid.

Rajat Kapoor has written to Anna Hazare and Arvind Kejiriwal

Rajat Kapoor has written to Anna Hazare and Arvind Kejiriwal to show them Ankhon Dekhi. Rajat Kapoor recently launched the trailer of his upcoming movie Ankhon Dekhi, which has got great response by the audience.

Rajat Kapoor who has directed the movie has been very keen and elated to show the movie to the people involved in the Aam Admi Party.

A very unusual storyline Akhon Dekhi is a story of a man who decided to believe in what he sees rather then what people ask him to believe.  Rajat feels that the theme of the films and the Aam Admi party is same.

Like Aam Admi Party when some common people came together and now stand as a powerful group who have decided to bring a change themselves. Akhon Dekhi is also a change that has been bought by a man for himself.

The director has written a letter to the them and have invited them to come and watch this movie.

Directed by Rajat Kapoor, with an interesting cast including Sanjay Mishra, Seema Pahwa, Maya Sarao, etc, the film is set to release on 21st March.  

Says Rajat Kapoor "we all talk about the 'common man' a lot- There are big discussions around this common man.But he has just become a symbolic being.

What does he really look like? Who really is he?What are his needs? His aspirations? His desires?Perhaps Bauji in Ankhon Dekhi embodies that common man.It would be interesting to see how somebody like Arvind Kejriwal, for example react to this common man..I think it would be an interesting encounter."

Hot Air Balloon moments of Farhan Akhtar and Vidya Balan from the film 'Shaadi ke side Effects'

Actor Sidharth Malhotra graduates!!!

Actor Sidharth Malhotra graduates!!!

After the actor’s performance in his recently released film “Hasee Toh Phasee”, Sidharth Malhotra has definitely graduated from Karan Johar’s student of the year.

Sidharth Malhotra has been flooded with messages mails and flowers from his fans across. His performance is being appreciated by his fans as well as the industry folks. 

The performance which the actor has given in only his second film is just way beyond his experience.  Sidharth’s acting in the film has been quite mature and real which also justifies his character in the film. 

His character “Vishal” in the film has been extraordinarily loved by his huge female fan following,  who find Sidharth very attractive amongst the recently entered newcomers in town.

The actors cell phone hasn’t stopped ringing since the day of the film’s release. Sidharth has gathered immense attention and appreciation in only in his second film. We would soon see the actor opposite Shraddha Kapoor in The Villain.

"59th Idea Filmfare Awards 2013" Special issue launch by Deepika Padukone & Farhan Akhtar

Sunny Leone at the launch of BABY DOLL (RAGINI MMS-2)

MASTRAM A film by Akhilesh Jaiswal

MASTRAM

A film by Akhilesh Jaiswal

https://www.facebook.com/starfridaynews/photos_stream

OUTLINE

Rajaram, a bank clerk in a small town, dreams of traveling to Delhi and becoming a reputed writer.  No one takes his litterateur aspirations seriously, least of all his uncle, who marries him off to the beautiful Renu.  Although a simpleton, Renu wholeheartedly supports her husband’s ambition. Edged on by her encouragement, Rajaram starts stealing writing time from his humdrum work routine, and is eventually forced to leave his job, when his boss publicly humiliates him, and derides his fancy aspirations.

To his utter surprise and delight, Renu unstintingly supports his decision, and starts doing odd jobs from home, while Rajaram begins to focus completely on his writing.  But, being a stay-at-home writer doesn’t go down too well with prying neighbors, who are quick to pass judgment on other peoples’ lives.  Rajaram becomes a butt of all jokes in the neighborhood.

Turning a deaf ear to the all the snubs, Rajaram starts in earnest to show his work to several publishers.  Each time he is rebuked.  They tell him he should stick to writing text book material, and give up fanciful ideas of writing a novel.

Finally, Rajaram encounters a fledgling publisher duo – Purohit and his brother-in-law, Bharti.  They agree to publish Rajaram’s story about the plight of a small town girl.  However, there is one hitch.  Rajaram would have to add some necessary sensational elements to his dull tale – some `masala’, as they refer to euphemistically. 

Rajaram is initially miffed by this writing brief.  The only meaning of `masala’ familiar to him is the kind that adds spice to food.  He is not sure what it means to bring that to his writing – till he meets Chacha, an eccentric, old village Idiot.  Chacha is an anomaly in the hypocritical society we live in – he is unashamed of showing Rajaram the spicier side of life and of saying it out loud.  He introduces Rajaram to the salacious and secret world of soft pornography.  It’s on everybody’s mind, but no one will admit it.  Chacha does.

Rajaram, scandalized at first, accedes to the “compromise”, and thus starts discovering another facet of literature – erotica.  He adopts the colorful pseudonym of `Mastram’ becomes the first author of the first pornographic novel seriesin the Hindi language.  He churns out colorful stories about sex that his eager readers voraciously devour.  Yet, Rajaram’s success still remains elusive to him, as all the glory is due to `Mastram’.

Will the “real” Mastram finally be exposed?  Will Rajaram’s sudden windfall arouse suspicion in his ever-supportive wife?  How will Rajaram face the hypocrisy of a society that secretly enjoys reading porn, but otherwise treats such matters with disdain? 

Director’s comment

The idea of “Mastram” came to me after I finished writing “Gangs of Wasseypur”.  I was searching for a unique idea.  I also wanted to pick on an issue that was relevant to contemporary Indian society.  Incidentally, that was the time when internet censorship by the Government of India was being disputed all over.  I was highly intrigued by the nature of the debate considering almost everyone I know surfs pornography on the internet.  I wanted to make thatsameissuethe core of my story.  Ironically, I found the inspiration to the film right next to my bed - a Hindi porn pulp book called “Mastram”.  This book is extremely popular in Northern India, despite its absence in big stores, being available only at in small dingy bookstalls near bus and train stations.  For the last 30 years, the book has been published as “Mastram”, with the author also credited as “Mastram”.

What really struck me the most was that despite being so popular, no one knows the real identity of the author.  Is it because we harbor disdain and derision for such impropriety?  Could we really accept such a person in our society?  The question thatintrigued me was, whether the writer’s family knows that he is actually “Mastram”.  That is the germ for the character of Rajaram.  I – and millions like me, I’m sure – can relate to Rajaram and his struggle to achieve his dreams, in the midst of his responsibility to his family.  Rajaram’s predicament as a clandestine writer of erotica, and how he faces his conservative famiy and society - this became the premise for my film.

Director’s biography

Hailing from the small town of Bhopal in central India, Akhilesh came to Mumbai in 2006 to pursue his Mass Communication degree from University of Mumbai.  Only a year later did he realize that he was ready to launch into his true calling -  film-making.  He dropped out after his first year of college, and ventured out in to the battlefield that film-making is.  Akhilesh’s big break was when he had the opportunity to co-write a seminal film in Indian cinema – AnuragKashyap’s `Gangs of Wasseypur’, which went on to premier at the Cannes Film Festival with much fanfare.

`Mastram’ is his directorial debut.

“ Non Stop”, releasing on 21st February 2014.

“ Non Stop”, releasing on 21^st February 2014.

The film is being released all across India.

Starring–Liam Neeson, Julianne Moore, Michelle Dockery, etc.

Director – Jaume Collet - Serra

Film Trailer link # 1:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jiHDJ19A3dk

Film Synopsis –

The film takes place on an international flight from New York to London. During the flight, U.S. federal air marshal Bill Marks Liam Neeson receives a series of threatening text messages, stating that a passenger will be killed every 20 minutes unless $150 million is transferred into a secret bank account. When the bank account is discovered to be under Marks' name and a bomb is found aboard the plane, Marks is branded as a hijacker.

FROM BARBIE DOLL TO BABY DOLL

FROM BARBIE DOLL TO BABY DOLL

 

The keenly awaited ‘Baby Doll’ track from RMMS-2 is out but what is unknown is that till very recently, the song was recorded as ‘Barbie Doll’.

However, on being advised by the legal team, Balaji decided to exercise precaution and changed ‘Barbie’ to ‘Baby’, given that Barbie is a young girls’ toy brand. Using ‘Barbie’ might have not only invited copyright complications but created an outrage for obvious reasons.

A kids’ brand being used in a sexy song sequence, pictured on Sunny Leone in a HORREX (horror and sex) film, would have opened a can of worms.

The track was promptly re-dubbed (with the word ‘Baby’) in London.

Tanuj Garg, CEO – Balaji Motion Pictures, confirmed the news.

The URL of the track:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kShTN0Jz6Jg&feature=c4-overview-vl&list=PL095CA373D64B70C0

Kareena threw a party for pompy her hair stylist..

Kareena threw a party for pompy her hair stylist..  It was yesterday. She was shooting in mehboob for a brand and she Called couple of friends to celebrate his birthday. He generally doesn't work but as it was bebo he worked for her

Spokesperson's quote :
Pompy Hans has been Kareena's hair stylist for years now and on the occasion of his birthday Kareena decided to do something special and throw him a mini-celebration on

SRK and Former Mexican President Vicente Fox on the sets of Red Chillies Entertainment Pvt Ltd's film Happy New Year

SRK and Former Mexican President Vicente Fox on the sets of Red Chillies Entertainment Pvt Ltd's film Happy New Year on Feb 11, 2014 which is currently being shot in RK Studios in Mumbai. Fox was accompanied by his wife, Martha Fox and the current Mexican ambassador to India Jamie Nualart. They discussed everything from Bollywood films, to things about Mexico and the importance of education.

The meeting was organized by KidZania, in whose Indian franchise SRK owns about 26% stake. Fox said, "We have been visiting many places, but meeting SRK and talking to him we feel he is a great person. The set is fabulous and the activity is just amazing. We hope that Mr Shah Rukh Khan would visit us at Mexico some day. India is a great country with great people, he has always admired India. Also proud that KidZania is Mexican and I am glad that it has SRK’s blessings and that he is looking into the Indian franchise of this wonderful way of educating kids with entertainment." 

Food Fiesta on the sets of Humshakals!!

Food Fiesta on the sets of Humshakals!!

Often when actors are working together for a film, they tend to bond with each other especially when they have long shooting schedules. 

But for the huge star cast of Humshakals team it was more of bonding over food and having a gala feast on the sets of Sajid’s Khan Comedy caper.

Yes! You read it write a big gala feast for literally a week’s time. It started with the Nawab Saif Ali Khan who would get home cooked but which would consists of Diet food like grilled chicken, vegetable & chicken salads, soups and many other healthy items. Saif made sure all his Co-stars too followed the diet,’ informs a source close to the team.

After Saif, it was Riteish D got yummy home cooked food from his house, which consisted of all the Maharashtrain delicacies like Aamti, Puran Poli, Kolhapuri fish to Shrikhand and that too in large portions for all his co-stars on the sets

Well! with the boys getting home cooked food from their house why would the leading ladies shy away from there on even they got nice big dabbas from their home Tamannah would get Sindhi food like the famous Sindhi Kadhi and many more, the gorgeous Esha Gupta was not far behind & got hardcore Punjabi food.

All this went on for nearly a weeks’ time & everyone had an amazing time on the sets!!

Humshakals stars Saif Ali Khan, Riteish Deshmukh, Ram Kapoor, Bipasha Basu, Tamannaah and Esha Gupta.

Produced by Fox Star Studios and Pooja Entertainment, Humshakals is directed by Sajid Khan and is all set to release this June!!

George Clooney & Monuments Men Team get special access to Da Vinci's painting The Last Supper!!!

The Monuments Men (releasing on 21st February) Team got unprecedented access to photograph the cast in front of one of the world's greatest art masterpieces – Leonardo Da Vinci's THE LAST SUPPER!!!

This art masterpiece was in danger of being lost during WWII and was rescued by the Monuments Men as is depicted in the film, so there is a direct correlation to the film. These images were shot exclusively for Fox by Italian photographer Gianmarco Chieregato.

THE MONUMENTS MEN AT THE LAST SUPPER MURAL. The fine arts meet cinema in a unique photograph of the cast of the film The Monuments Men , in front of one of the greatest masterpieces of the world's art: The Last Supper by Leonardo Da Vinci.The unprecedented historic photograph, made possible thanks to the cooperation amongst the Italian Ministry for Culture and Tourism, the Milan's Monuments, Fine Arts and Landscape Department, and Twentieth Century Fox, the film distribution company, was taken inside the Refectory of Santa Maria delle Grazie Church.

“The Magificent Seven” in the snapshot are: the director, screenwriter, producer and star of the film George Clooney and co-stars Matt Damon, Jean Dujardin, John Goodman, Bill Murray, Bob Balaban, and Dimitri Leonidas. 

In the second photograph there are the author of the book by the same title on which the film is based, Robert Edsel, and the real Monuments Man Harry Ettlinger. 

The Last Supper by Leonardo Da Vinci is the set of one of the opening scenes of the film, because the bombing that endangered Leonardo's masterpiece strongly contributed to the decision to set up the Monuments Men, a group of art critics, museum curators, and archivists, who towards the end of the Second World War, saved thousands of artworks from bombings, pilfering, looting and Nazi barbarity.

Aamir Khan meets Humshakals!!

Aamir Khan meets Humshakals!! 

Well we aren't talking about his Humshakal exactly but the movie that goes by the name Humshakals directed by Sajid Khan. We hear the team had none other than Aamir Khan visiting their sets in Mumbai !! Apparently the actor was shooting in the neighborhood and decided to drop in on the sets for a quick chat with the entire team.

A source close to the team said, ‘Aamir Sir was shooting nearby and when he heard that the team of Humshakals was shooting in the vicinity, he decided to come and visit the sets after wrapping up his shoot. The entire team was quite happy with Aamir's kind gesture. In fact, Sajid, Saif and Riteish along with Tamannaah and Bipasha were seen chatting up for quite a long time and sharing few jokes as well. Sajid also showed him a little footage of what was shot that day and Aamir gave his feedback." 

Well, we are sure the entire team had a great time on the sets!!

Humshakals stars Saif Ali Khan, Riteish Deshmukh, Ram Kapoor, Bipasha Basu, Tamannaah and Esha Gupta.

Produced by Foxstar Studios and Pooja Entertainment, Humshakals is directed by Sajid Khan and is all set to release this June.

Sexy Sunny Leone in the BABY DOLL song (RAGINI MMS-2)

Kiran Rao hosted a special screening of the documentary, Gulabi Gang

Kiran Rao hosted a special screening of the documentary, Gulabi Gang on 13^th February 2014.

Everyone knows how Kiran Rao extended her support and turned presenter for the critically acclaimed film, Ship Of Theseus and got the film a theatrical release for it to reach wider audience.

This time around, it is Sohum Shah who has turned presenter for the first ever high profile release of a documentary titled Gulabi Gang, which is based on Sampat Pal and the fiery women of her Gulabi Gang–who take up the fight against gender violence, caste oppression and widespread corruption in Bundelkhand.

Kiran Rao has watched the film and she feels that it is a must that people watch the film. So, she has invited her friends to watch the documentary, directed by Nishtha Jain.

The list includes names like Raj Kumar Hirani, Gauri Shinde, Vinod Chopra, Victor, Reema Kagti, Prasoon Joshi and few others.

Kiran Rao says, "Gulabi Gang is not just a really good film, I think its a really important film, and so I wanted to help it gain some attention within the film industry and also in the public space. So I'm having a screening for a few friends who I am hoping will be as moved as I was by it, and will spread the word that its in the theaters tomorrow."

 

Gulabi Gang is slated to release on 21st Feb 2014.