Bollywood superstar and International Pop Star Priyanka Chopra named Brand Ambassador for Hoppits

Rajhans Nutriments launches first of its kind premium chocolate bars Hoppits

Mumbai, December 12, 2014: RajhansNutriments, a division of Rajhans (Desai- Jain) Group, has launched for the very first time, Hoppits, a premium chocolate bar with unique combinations that are currently not available in this category. Bollywood’s leading lady and International Pop Icon Priyanka Chopra has been named the Brand Ambassador for Hoppits.

Launched under the Schmitten umbrella, these chocolates are available in 4 exciting variants including Rich Caramel with Golden Nougat, Roast Almond with White Nougat, Dark Chocolate with Granola and Nuts, Dark Chocolate with Granola and Fruits. Hoppits is priced between INR 25 and INR 40 for 25g & 40g bars respectively.

Speaking at the launch of Hoppits, Mr. Jayesh Desai, Chairman, Rajhans Group said, “With the unveiling of Hoppits, we want to create a niche segment for Granola Dark Chocolate bars that appeal to the evolved connoisseur of chocolate. We launched Schmitten; premium chocolate made from Swiss technologies & equipment’s from UK and Europe a few months ago with seven exciting variants and received excellent response from the Trade/Consumers.

Mr. Desai further added, “Riding on the success of Schmitten, we arenow introducingHoppits We have also signed on Bollywood heartthrob, Priyanka Chopra as our brand ambassador to convey our message of ‘Here’s to good taste’ out to everyone.”

Launching the Hoppits brand, Priyanka Chopra, said, “One bite into a delectable bar of Hoppits Chocolate and you know you’ve made the right choice and that’s exactly what happened with me! I’m so pleased to be here to launch the Hoppits brand in India and also to be able to share this sinful indulgence with everyone. It’s a symbol of good taste rolled into a delicious bar of chocolate!”

With a strong backing from its parent, Rajhans(Desai- Jain) Group, it has been ensured that the best quality standard has been utilized for the manufacturing of Schmitten and Hoppits.

The manufacturing site in Surat is of world class standards, with only the best European equipment manufacturer being chosen in each area. The factory provides an experience of a technologically advanced set up and all this has been done to bring to India, the true taste of an international chocolate.

Rajhans Nutriments Pvt. Ltd. launched a new brand of chocolate targeted specifically at India’s youth and young adults. A brand name – ‘Schmitten’ and its concept has been developed to reflect this and appeals to this segment.

Rajhans Nutriments has come up with the 3rd largest chocolate project in India which ranks no. 1 in terms of technology. The company has launched a premium quality chocolate and are geared up to build a brand that will spell class. Rajhans Nutriments has established its Chocolate Manufacturing Unit in the area of 1.75 lakhs sq. ft. in Gujarat, Surat – Ahmedabad National Highway-8.

About Rajhans Group:

The Rajhans (Desai – Jain) Group is a young, dynamic company which in a short span of over a decade has business interests spanning Real Estate, Confectionary, Entertainment, Hospitality and Textiles. The group is considered to be extremely well established and trusted.

Here is an emerging Indian conglomerate with directly and indirectly 9000+ employees from Surat and other branches which include Mumbai, Kolkata, Delhi and Chennai. It’s a sterling example of the next generation of home grown entrepreneurs that is the front runner in the emerging billion dollar corporations of the new millennium. 

Jessabelle review by ANIZ FILMVALA

Jessabelle

review by

ANIZ FILMVALA

*****

Creepy and sluggish ‘Jessabelle’ is a new age Horror film with high degree of shock and shiver’s but a weak story which dwindles as the movie advances towards climax.

A conventional premise Jessie [Sarah Snook] goes through a tragic phase of life losing her unborn child and fiancé in a road accident living herself on a wheel chair forever, therefore she abandons herself in a countryside home where she had lived in her childhood but something is in store for her, a horrifying past unearths when she starts watching the tapes which her mother had left behind. Preston [Marc Webber] a high school mate is the only support for Jessie to guard her against the nightmares which she has been going through.

Directed by Kevin Greutert ‘Jessabelle’ is not a extraordinary work of chills as there are occasion which will leave you exasperated as lot have been seen and heard especially the loud sound and grotesque make up effects to leave you shocked are very conventional method for Horror genre.

Cast
Sarah Snook as Jessie Laurent
Mark Webber as Preston
David Andrews as Leon
Joelle Carter as Kate
Ana de la Reguera as Rosaura
Amber Stevens as Jessabelle
Larisa Oleynik as Samantha
Chris Ellis as Sheriff Pruitt
Brian Hallisay as Mark

Sony DADC releases ‘GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY’ on Home video

Watch this epic space adventure film with unusual saviours

Mumbai, December 2014: From Marvel, the studio that brought you the global blockbuster franchises of Iron Man, Thor, Captain America and The Avengers, comes a new team-the Guardians of the Galaxy.

‘Home Entertainment Services by Sony DADC’ releases an action-packed, epic space adventure film ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ on Blu-ray 3D, Blu-ray & DVD. This superhero film is based onMarvel Comics’ super hero team of the same name that first appeared in 1969.

Marvel’s “Guardians of the Galaxy” expands the Marvel Cinematic Universe into the cosmos, where brash adventurer Peter Quill finds himself the object of an unrelenting bounty hunt after stealing a mysterious orb coveted by Ronan, a powerful villain with ambitions that threaten the entire universe. To evade the ever persistent Ronan, Quill is forced into an uneasy truce with a quartet of disparate misfits-Rocket, a gun-toting raccoon, Groot, a tree-like humanoid, the deadly and enigmatic Gamora and the revenge driven Drax the Destroyer. But when Quill discovers the true power of the orb and the menace it poses to the cosmos, he must do his best to rally his ragtag rivals for a last, desperate stand-with the galaxy’s fate in the balance.

The ensemble cast of the movie includes Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Vin Diesel, Bradley Cooper, Lee Pace, Michael Rooker, Karen Gillan, Glenn Close and others. The film is directed by James Gunn.

Enjoy this blockbuster movie on a Blu-ray or DVD that comes with interesting special bonus content. The Blu-ray & DVD of ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ contains the following features.

Bonus Features on DVD:

·         Exclusive look at Marvel’s Avengers: Age of Ultron – Bursting with action, and including the newest members of the Marvel Cinematic Universe – Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch – Marvel’s Avengers: Age of Ultron is truly a battle for the ages!

·         Deleted Scenes

Bonus Features on Blu-ray:

·         Guide To The Galaxy With James Gunn

·         The Intergalactic Visual Effects for Guardians of The Galaxy – Learn how Rocket and Groot went from blue screen to big screen

·         Exclusive Look at Marvel’s Avengers: Age of Ultron

·         Gag Reel – Experience cosmic shenanigans and celestial goofs in this hilarious gag reel

·         Deleted Scenes with Commentary By James Gunn, Rocket And Groot

·         Audio Commentary with James Gunn

MRP

·          3D Blu-ray –Rs. 1499/-(2-Disc – 3D & 2D Version)

·          Blu-ray – Rs. 1299 /-

·          DVD – Rs. 599 /-

So add ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ to your collection of super hero films on Blu-ray or DVD now!

About 'Home Entertainment Services by Sony DADC':

'Home Entertainment Services by Sony DADC' is a division of Sony DADC Manufacturing India Pvt. Ltd. (A 100 % subsidiary of SONY Corporation). Sony DADC has blazed the highest of quality manufacturing standards on all recorded formats including Compact Discs, DVDs, Blu-ray& 3D Blu-ray discs and is the preferred Global partner to all major International Studios. 'Home Entertainment Services by Sony DADC' represents the forward integration foray of Sony DADC Manufacturing into the Direct Licensing, Distribution & Marketing of Home Entertainment content in India. The venture is the leader in the retailing of home entertainment products in the country and brings an innovative & path breaking approach to the marketing & distribution of the same. ‘Home Entertainment Services by Sony DADC’ has  the Home Video license for major Hollywood studios like Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (SPHE), Warner Home Video (WHV), Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment (WDSHE) and National Geographic in India. Sony DADC also has the license for Sony Music & Saregama content in the Music Vertical for exploitation across all physical formats.        

Arjan Bajwa hosts the opening ceremony 5th Annual Kabaddi World Cup

The dashing Arjan Bajwa hosted the recently held Opening Ceremony of the 5th Annual Kabaddi World Cup in Jalandhar, Punjab.

Sonakshi Sinha and Arjun Kapoor graced the ceremony with their quick banter and witty jokes alongside host, Arjan Bajwa. Arjan who is himself a Punjab munda hailing from a Jatt family, was the perfect choice to host this event as the sport hails from the state of Punjab and was infact also held in Jalandhar. He was truly entertaining in all senses and we couldn't help but notice his fit and toned new physique he sported during his performance!  

THE WALK

Release: October 2015
Director: Robert Zemeckis
Cast: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Ben Kingsley, Charlotte Le Bon



THE WALK: Robert Zemeckis’ High Wire Act
Montreal Set Visit
By Steven Goldman
(Teaser)

On a vast Montreal sound stage, director Robert Zemeckis is hard at work recreating a lost place and time. Here his leading man, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, stands on the ledge of a gigantic rooftop set built of steel and concrete, gazing out to a similar precipice over a football field away amidst a sea of green-screen. Yet his character, notably, doesn’t have the special powers found in your typical multiplex superhero. Instead, he’s equipped with a dream and the belief that anything is possible - as he sets off to walk a high-wire stretched between two of the tallest buildings on the face of the earth.

Zemeckis’ chosen moment in history is the morning of August 7, 1974,     when a lone French aerialist, Philippe Petit, captured the world’s     imagination with a seemingly impossible high-wire walk between the     Twin Towers of New York’s World Trade Center. Some forty-years  later,    utilizing the latest in state of the art visual effects, 3D  and IMAX    technology (and massive set construction), Zemeckis and   Gordon-Levitt,   with the aid of a small army of technicians and   craftsmen, are   recreating that moment as The Walk enters its final   week of   production. They too are accomplishing the seemingly   impossible:   bringing the lost towers back to glorious life.

Only in film is such a feat possible now.

On set, Gordon-Levitt (Inception) talks of his part in the enterprise     and how he can relate to the undertaking.  “There’s a lot that’s     similar about it,” he says, comparing wire-walking to acting. “When     you’re acting in a movie there’s all this chaos going on around you…     You have to just compartmentalize and not think about it. It’s the     same on the wire. I’ve learned a little bit about how to walk on a     wire and it’s the same. If you start thinking, ‘I’m up high,’ or ‘I     could lose my balance,’ you’re done for.”

Seen by Zemeckis as both a mad cap caper film and a love letter to the     Towers, The Walk has had a long journey to the screen. First    conceived  in 2007, it will reach the multiplex and IMAX alike in    October, 2015.  “One of the biggest struggles I had getting this film    made was that  it’s very difficult to make any feature film [today]    that’s not  derivative,” explains the Oscar-winning director.    “Anything that tries  to be unique and original is the hardest type of    film to make. And  then to say it’s about a wire-walker and I want   to  make it in 3D.   That’s almost an impossible feat.”

Zemeckis credits Tom Rothman, head of the newly revitalized TriStar,     for making The Walk possible. “Tom and I made Cast Away when he was     the head of 20th Century Fox, so we know each other from way back,”     says Zemeckis. “That was a very risky movie that we made together.  He    was a big fan of this story and had the courage to greenlight  this    movie.”

“Bob Zemeckis is a true master filmmaker,” says Rothman, who helped     Fox become the most profitable film studio in Hollywood under his     18-year-tenure. “He has a rare ability to blend the epic with the     intimate,” he explains. “It’s one thing to put audiences in a     wire-walker’s shoes with jaw dropping visuals. It’s another to make     them care emotionally. Bob is one of the few directors who can do both     and who can use 3D in a way that makes a film a must see on the  big    screen.”

An expert at using new technology in the service of story and     character, Robert Zemeckis first captured the spotlight in 1985 with     Back to the Future. His films include: Romancing the Stone, Forrest     Gump (for which he won the directing Oscar in 1995), Cast Away, Who     Framed Roger Rabbit, Contact, A Christmas Carol, and most  recently,    the critically acclaimed Flight, starring Denzel  Washington.

“To quote Francois Truffaut, ‘A really great movie is the perfect     blend of truth and spectacle,’ and I think that’s what we go to the     movies for,” says Zemeckis of his approach. “We go to see a story that     is rooted in human truth and the human journey. But we also go to    see  a spectacle.”

The Walk (whose supporting cast includes Sir Ben Kingsley and The     Hundred-Foot Journey’s Charlotte Le Bon) promises to put audiences in     the thick of the action, as close as any of us will ever come to     walking amongst the clouds ourselves. Zemeckis explains with a laugh:     “If you’ve got a fear of heights, you might not be comfortable     watching a lot of this, but that was another thing I loved about it.”

But the film is also an exploration of what led up to the famous walk,     including Petit’s earliest childhood obsessions, his romantic     entanglements, and the volatile relationship with his surrogate father     figure, Kingsley’s Papa Rudi.

“Walking on a wire between the two towers of the World Trade Center is     beautiful and physically daring, but there’s also a metaphor   there,’   says Gordon-Levitt of The Walk. “It’s about believing in   yourself   enough to say ‘I [can] accomplish anything… I [can] be the   person I   want to be.’”

As for the Towers themselves and the tragedy of 9-11, both     Gordon-Levitt and Zemeckis see The Walk as a tribute, which, given the     opening of The Freedom Tower, comes at a particularly appropriate     moment.

“I think it’s important to remember that tragedy doesn’t erase what     was beautiful,” says Gordon-Levitt.   “I think it’s also important to     remember this beautiful moment… that does greater honor, to not let     those towers just become a symbol of disaster, but to also  remember    them in this moment of beauty.”

“The movie is a love letter to the Twin Towers,” says Zemeckis.     “They’re very much present in the film as characters. So it’s also a     celebration. In the tragic history of those buildings, this is one     glorious and human moment that happened. I think that’s something     that’s important to remember too.”

Sansui COLORS Stardust Awards

COLORS and Sansui join hands with Stardust to present the 12^th edition of

Sansui COLORS Stardust Awards

~ The First and the most Credible Award Ceremony of the year that will celebrate Indian Film Fraternity’s contribution in 2014 ~

~ Promises to be the Biggest and the Grandest Awards Night with Performances by Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone,Saif Ali Khan, Kareena Kapoor, Madhuri Dixit-Nene, Parineeti Chopra, Sonakshi Sinha and Arjun Kapoor among others;

To be hosted by Karan Johar& Riteish Deshmukh ~

~ On-ground Event to be held on 14^th December, 2014 at MMRDA Grounds, Mumbai ~

Mumbai, December 09, 2014: COLORS and Sansui today announced its association with the Indian Film Industry’s premier entertainment magazine, Stardust, to telecast the prestigious Sansui COLORS Stardust Awards. The three entertainment giants– COLORS, Stardust and Sansuihave joined hands to create a night that will raise the bar of entertainment. As the First, the Biggest and the Most Credible awards, the Sansui COLORS Stardust Awards will celebrate the achievements and finesse in film-making that have been achieved in 2014, across more than 25 categories including some newer categories like International Icon of the Year. The star-studded and glamourous awards night is scheduled to take place on December 14^th, 2014 at MMRDA Grounds in Bandra Kurla Complex and will be aired on COLORS in January 2015.

The Sansui COLORS Stardust Awards night will witness the presence of the biggest faces from the film industry who will collectively recreate the most entertaining moments seen on screen during the year gone by. Taking the show to the next level, the event will witness high-voltage acts performed by the film industry’s most entertaining and loved actors including Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone, Saif Ali Khan, Kareena Kapoor, Madhuri Dixit-Nene, Parineeti Chopra, Sonakshi Sinha and Arjun Kapoor among others. The awards function will be hosted by celebrated director Karan Johar and the talented Riteish Deshmukh. These stars will also perform stunning and spectacular acts specially choreographed by the affable Geeta Kapoor that promises to be full of energy and vigor. Further, as the first-ever viewer’s choice awards of the year, the Sansui COLORS Stardust Awards will recognize and celebrate cinematic excellence that has enthralled viewers across the world from across genres like mainstream action, drama, romance-comedy, as well as filmmakers who have gone beyond convention to explore newer genres of entertainment. The evening will also witness Special Awards being given to those artists whose contribution towards the development of the film industry has made it the global phenomenon that it is today.

Commenting on this unique partnership, Raj Nayak, CEO - COLORS said, “This is our first year of partnership with Stardust and Sansui, and we are collectively working towards creating the biggest and most credible awards show. As the first such endeavour in 2015 to recognize and celebrate the talent that was showcased in the year gone by, we are striving to enhance the scale of the show while making it a more entertaining proposition for our viewers. Together, we are looking forward to presenting a spectacular show that will kick off 2015 with a bang which promises to be the setting stage for a more inspiring year.”

Talking about the association with Stardust, Mr. Amitabh Tiwari, COO, Sansui said, “Sansui is extremely delighted to present the 12th Annual Sansui Stardust awards in association with COLORS. Sansui is the No.1 Japanese consumer electronic brand in India and this will be our first ever association with Stardust Awards. It goes without saying that this association is very exciting & promising. Both Stardust & COLORS stand for entertainment and brand Sansui exemplifies quality entertainment by offering technologically advanced televisions and mobile phones - hence it couldn’t have been better than this! India is all set to witness the most exciting and enthralling awards of 2015. We look forward to a successful and long term association with both Stardust and COLORS.”

Speaking about the awards, Nari Hira, Chairman - Magna Publishing Co. Ltd. said, “This is the 12^th year of Stardust Awards. I am pleased that the scale of the awards will outdo everything we have done before. Thanks to our tie-up with COLORS and Sansui, the show will be the first and probably the biggest event of 2015. Apart from nominees and performances we are expecting attendance from the top league actors, directors and producers from the Hindi film industry. I think this is going to set a new benchmark of quality and showmanship, without doubt it is going to be the best award show of 2015.”

At the Sansui COLORS Stardust Awards, executed by Cineyug, the members of the Indian film industry come together to applaud each other’s efforts and celebrate the year’s most outstanding performances. The glitzy and glamour-filled awards night will see the biggest names in film fraternity come together in support of their friends and contemporaries who have raised the bar of entertainment in 2014.

About ‘COLORS’

‘COLORS’ is Viacom18’s flagship brand in the entertainment space in India. A combination of ‘emotions’ and ‘variety’, COLORS launched on 21st July 2008 offers an entire spectrum of emotions to its viewers. From Fiction shows to Format shows to Reality shows to Blockbuster Movies – the basket contains all ‘JasbaatKe Rang’. ‘COLORS’ is dedicated to promoting ‘Cohesive viewing’, through programmes like Shastri Sisters, SasuralSimarKa, BalikaVadhu - Kacchi Umar KePakkeRishtey, Udann, Meri Aashiqui Tum Se Hi, Uttaran, ChakravartinAshokaSamrat, Bigg Boss, Comedy Nights With Kapil, 24, The AnupamKher Show – KucchBhi Ho Sakta Hai and KhatronKeKhiladi amongst others.

About Sansui

Sansui started its India operations in year 1997. From a small company in the entertainment industry, owing to its ground breaking technologies, today Sansui prides itself in being a house-hold Consumer Electronics Brand in India. Sansui is one of the most loved brands in the country, with a reputation for new age technology and excellent after sales service. In India, Sansui has marked its presence across all major towns and cities in the country.

As the world moved from CTVs to DVDs to Slim TVs, Smart TVs, LCDs and LEDs, Sansui has emerged with the latest superior technologies like STRATA certified Audio Systems, 4000 Billion Color, 14 BIT Video Processor, Dual Core Processor, FAROUDJA Audio & Video Optimized for its LED range. With consistent dedication to quality, technology and unmatched customer satisfaction, Sansui ensures a life enriched with innovation.

Asin rubbishes rumours of returning to the South industry

​​

Twitter seemed to buzz with the news that Asin is returning to South films. Apparently it was posted on a fake handle in Asin's name and has been picked up by some publications as well.

Surprised by all this the actress clarifies, "I am not on Twitter and i'd appreciate it if people checked with me before publishing rubbish put up on fake handles."

"I'm am not doing nor looking at doing any South projects currently. I am currently not taking up any projects at all. Hope that clears it."

Asin who made her big Bollywood debut alongside Aamir Khan in the blockbuster Ghajini, has ever since worked with the top actors in the industry and has several super-hits in her kitty including a record of Four, hundred crore blockbusters.

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​असिन का साउथ इंडस्ट्री में लौटना सिर्फ अफवाह। 

​

​ट्विटर पर कुछ ऐसी चर्चाएं हो रही थी की असिन साउथ फिल्म इंडस्ट्री में लौट रही है। कुछ समय पहले असिन के फेक अकाउंट से यह पोस्ट किया गया था और किसी पब्लिकेशन ने यह न्यूज़ उठाली थी। 

इन सब बातो से अच्चम्भित असिन ने यह कहा " मेरा कोई ट्विटर अकाउंट नहीं है ,और में इसबात का भी समर्थन नहीं करुँगी की कोई पब्लिकेशन किसी सचाई को जाने बिना ही कुछ अनाबशनाब लिखे। में नाही कोई साऊथ की फिल्म कर रही हु नाही में वहा जा रही हु,फ़िलहाल में कोई भी प्रोजेक्ट नहीं ले रही हु। आशा है इससे सभी शंकाए दूर होगी। 

Grand Trailer Launch of Panorama Studio's ALONE!!

It was an evening to remember where our B-Town actors were present to launch the trailer of Alone!

The first look poster of Alone had Bipasha Basu and Karan Singh Grover in a super hot avatar which set the tone of the movie and generated curiosity value.

Seen at the trailer launch were Bipasha Basu, Karan Singh Grover along with director Bhushan Patel and producers Abhishek Pathak, Kumar Mangat Pathak & Prashant Sharma

The trailer of the film which was played twice received a thumbs up from the media fraternity present there. Bipasha Basu, Karan Singh Grover and Bhushan Patel were seen interacting with the media and were also seen clicking pics with them who were dressed in a black & red theme for the horror film trailer launch!

Slated to release on 16^th Jan 2015 , Alone is a horror love story film on conjoined twins which has never been explored in Bollywood before!!

The film is Produced by Kumar Mangat Pathak, Abhishek Pathak, Pradeep Agarwal & Prashant Sharma and Directed by Bhushan Patel

Poonam Soni and Rolls Royce

Poonam Soni in the Rolls Royce Coffee Table Book amongst the leading global luxury brands

Mumbai, 10^th November 2014: Thriving in the ubiquitous luxury space with premium offerings in high end jewellery, Bespoke Jewellery Brand Poonam Soni has been featured in the Rolls Royce Coffee Table Book celebrating 90 years of the Phantom. The elite coffee table book features a two page spread, dedicated to the bespoke brand that elaborates on its design philosophy and features some of the customized designs.

 The brand Poonam Soni is synonymous with high end luxury and has been handpicked to partake in the limited edition book as it is at par with the values of aspirational global brands; the positioning and prestige gained over the years aptly fulfils the criteria set for the world renowned Rolls Royce’s celebrations of the Phantom.

Putting her on par with Rolls Royce, one of the most luxurious brands across the globe; after a comprehensive research of the luxury industry; Soni was identified as a bespoke brand to feature in the exclusive coffee table alongside top luxury brands in various segments.  The limited edition book will be gifted to 2000 of the most elite customers and the book to be showcased across all the Rolls Royce and Bentley showrooms.

 Brand Poonam Soni was invited by Richard Freed, Director at St James’s House and received a crested invitation for the same. The Coffee Table book will be launched at an exclusive invite only event, amidst much fanfare on 11th December 2014, at the Dorchester in London.

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Poonam Soni - a high end couture brand which has been at par with leading luxury brands was considered a perfect fit for the prestigious book for the elite. In the last 2 years Poonam Soni has made inroads in the U.S. market through a new brand of fashion jewellery retailed at select high end stores and participated this year at the two of the New York Fashion Weeks. The brand established as a couture brand for credibility and design by the fashion elite in the US and globally, Soni is planning to create further authenticity in the leading market by hallmarking all her collection pieces creating a wider market for excellent design and credibility.

MAX Design Award 2014 Grand Finale in association with Elle

Winner - Tanya Bansal (Pearl Academy, Delhi)

Winner - Karan Torani (Pearl Academy, Delhi)

Winner - Abhisek Mukherjee (National Institute Of Design, Gandhinagar)

Jury Members (L-R) Ashish Soni, Marc Robinson, Masaba, Gaurav Gupta, Neha Dhupia, Malini Banerjee, Shekar CS

10^th December 2014, Mumbai : Finale of the debut edition of MAX Design Awards student edition concluded in Mumbai at Hotel Sofitel with a grand show. Models walked the ramp showcasing garments designed by the top 14 finalists.
These 14 finalists were selected by esteemed jury members which includes Fashion Designers Ashish Soni, Masaba Gupta & Gaurav Gupta and Industry Experts including Shekar CS. – President, Max Fashion, Kamakshi Kaul – Head Design, Max Fashion Marc Robinson – Project Head, Max Design Awards and Malini Banerjee – Fashion Director ELLE India
At the MAX Design Awards 2014, the ambition is to recognize and reward the next generation of Fashion designers and provide them a platform to springboard their fashion designing careers.
Max Design Awards started this year in August. Entries from students of top fashion designing colleges across India were invited through the microsite - http://elle.in/maxdesignawards. Students were asked to submit their sketches, one prêt & one couture from Menswear, Women’s Wear or Ethnic Wear, based on MAX seasonal theme. These entries were judged by esteemed panel of jury who shortlisted 14 finalists in November 2014 based on the criteria like Interpretation of the Theme, Creative Details, Colour Aesthetics, Presentation, Style and Originality.
These 14 finalists were provided budgets to make garments as per the sketches submitted by them within a given time frame which they showcased in the Grand Finale.
The 3 winners are –
Abhisek Mukherjee (National Institute Of Design, Gandhinagar)
Tanya Bansal (Pearl Academy, Delhi)
Karan Torani (Pearl Academy, Delhi)
These 3 winners received cash prize of INR 50000/- each and have earned Internship with the three fashion designers – Masaba Gupta, Ashish Soni & Gaurav Gupta. They also get an opportunity to intern with MAX & showcase a capsule collection at the ELLE Graduates show.
Speaking on the occasion Fashion Designer & the jury member Masaba Gupta quotes “It’s a great platform created by Max Fashions for the upcoming designers. I think it’s a great boost for students and for their confidence level. The kind of support they are getting being as mentors or financially, from Max are phenomenal.”
Fashion Designer & the jury member Gaurav Gupta – “I think there is a plenty of young talent in our country & Max Design awards provide a great opportunity with this platform for these young talents to be mentored by industry veterans.”
Fashion Designer & the jury member Ashish Soni – “Fashion as an industry was not perceived to have any impact on the social, economic landscape of India but the young designers are rapidly changing that and Max fashion provided them this opportunity.”
Kamakshi Kaul – Head Design, Max Fashion said “With new trends emerging every week there is so much the students can work with to express themselves and at MAX we want to tap this talent and groom them to be the fashion leaders of tomorrow.”
Marc Robinson – Project Head, Max Design Awards said “New creative fashion design talent needs to be identified, nurtured and promoted. Max Design Awards Student Edition, will provide a credible and solid platform in propelling the winners of these awards into the fashion industry.
Shekar CS. – President, Max Fashion said – “ Max Design Award is an initiative to provide design students a platform to showcase their talent. I am extremely delighted at the phenomenal response we have received from leading fashion institutes and their students who have welcomed this initiative and have participated wholeheartedly".
About Max:
Max is the leading fashion brand offering customers a one stop shop for clothing, accessories and footwear needs for the entire family.
Max, a division of Lifestyle International (P) Ltd., has pioneered the concept of ‘value fashion’ in the country, thereby offering the discerning shopper a vast choice with international fashion & quality. It offers apparel, footwear & accessories that are of the latest fashion trends at a great price, making it affordable to many. The store ambience offers an international shopping experience making shopping for the entire family an absolute delight. In India, Max has over 100 stores across 45 cities including Mumbai, Delhi/NCR, Bangalore, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Pune, Bhopal, Ahmadabad, Indore, Kochi, Lucknow, Bhubaneswar, Jaipur, Udaipur, Jabalpur, Jammu, Kanpur, Nagpur, Raipur, Surat, Vadodara, Gangtok, Ranchi, Siliguri, Agra, Allahabad, Amritsar, Bareilly, Chandigarh, Dehradun, Varanasi, Calicut, Coimbatore, Hubli, Kannur, Madurai, Mangalore, Mysore, Pondicherry, Thrissur, Trichy, Trivandrum, Vizag & Vijayawada. The brand plans to have a network of 120 stores by the end of the financial year.
About ELLE.
ELLE has been at the forefront of fashion in India since 1996 and ever since has looked for opportunities to support and promote the industry.
ELLE is the world’s largest selling fashion magazine. It’s an international brand, but each country brings a sensibility that resonates with the sophisticated, stylish and free- spirited young women who read it every month out ELLE India.

Swara doing Guest appearance in Tanu Weds Manu

Since Aanand L Rai didn’t have a role for Swara Bhaskar in his next, he has asked her to do a Guest Appearance

Director Aanand L Rai has worked with actor Swara Bhaskar in his last two films — Tanu Weds Manu (2011) and Raanjhanaa (2013). Even in his next film, Aanand was keen on featuring her. However, since there was no role that Swara could essay in the project, the director has now roped her in for a special appearence.

A source close to the director says, “Aanand is currently working on a ‘sequel’ of sorts for Tanu Weds Menu in Delhi and Haryana. Since there was no role in the film for Swara, he has created a special part for her. So, she will now be seen making a special appearance in the movie.”

Like the original, this ‘sequel’ stars Kangana Ranaut and R Madhavan in the lead roles.

Confirming the news, Swara, who is currently shooting for her cameo, says, “Aanand sir is like family to me. He simply told me that I had to be in the film, and I just couldn’t say ‘no’, so, I went ahead with it. I hadn’t even read the script. For me, this just feels like returning to my home ground to play a match.”