Lonely Planet Magazine India presents the Travel Awards 2013

Lonely Planet Magazine India presents the Travel Awards 2013 

India’s favourite travel magazinebrings you the Lonely Planet Magazine India Travel Awards 2013, showcasing the experiences most loved by the Indian traveller.

For the second year running, Lonely Planet Magazine Indiainvited the country’s increasingly sophisticated travellers to choose their favourite destinations, preferred travel facilitators and most treasured travel experiences. Nominations for some of the awards were shortlisted by a panel of travel experts and professionals, and LPMI readers voted both online and in the magazine.

Compered by ShibaniDandekar, former American television presenter and IPL anchor, the LPMI Travel Awards 2013, held on Friday, June 7, 2013, at the ITC Grand Central, Parel, Mumbai, felicitated 43 of India’s favourite experiences. The winners were joined by the who’s who of the national travel industry, several international invitees and celebrities like John Abraham, Soha Ali Khan, KunalKhemu, DiaMirza, Neil NitinMukesh,NargisFakhri,SonaliBendre, ZebaKohli, Queenie Singh, Sharman Joshi, Aditya Roy Kapoor, PurabKohli, TussharKapoor,AditiRaoHydari and Sophie Chaudharywho enjoy the experience of travel.

VardhanKondvikar, Editor of Lonely Planet Magazine India,said, “The second edition of the Lonely Planet Magazine India Travel Awards reaffirms the commitment of the magazine to pointing Indian travellers to the best experiences and holidays they can find. Many of our winners are repeats from last year, demonstrating the discerning nature of our readers, and rewarding travel experiences that offer consistent quality. This year, the awards are particularly relevant, as the nominations were provided by an expert panel of travel facilitators, who know exactly what Indian travellers are looking for. We believe that this format will continue to reward the best in travel, and offer great suggestions to travellers in years to come.”

Commenting on the Lonely Planet Magazine India Travel Awards 2013,TarunRai, CEO, Worldwide Media Ltd, said, “The Indian traveller is getting more adventurous and is experimenting with newer experiences. He is also becoming more discerning and demanding. And the travel industry has risen to meet the demands of this traveller. We are very happy to get the travel and tourism industry together to felicitate their efforts. The Lonely Planet Magazine IndiaTravel Awards, like the magazine, have established a new benchmark in recognising the industry’s efforts. Our readers have voted in large numbers, across more than 40 categories, to celebrate the best in travel.”

The winners are:

• India’s Favourite Destination – Australia
• Best Emerging Destination – Ireland (International), Gujarat (Indian)
• Best Destination for Culture – Italy (International), Rajasthan (Indian)
• Best Destination for Adventure – New Zealand (International), Uttarakhand (Indian)
• Best Destination for Wildlife – South Africa (International), Madhya Pradesh (Indian)
• Best Destination for Families – Switzerland (International), Kerala (Indian)
• Best Value Destination – Thailand (International), Goa (Indian)
• Best Destination for Food & Drink – Malaysia (International), New Delhi (Indian)
• Best Destination for Relaxation – Bali (International), Kerala (Indian)
• Best Destination for Shopping – Singapore (International), Mumbai (Indian)
• Best Destination for Romance – France (International), Jammu & Kashmir (Indian)
• Best Airline: Economy – Singapore Airlines (International), IndiGo (Indian)
• Best Airline: Business/ First-class – Emirates (International), Jet Airways (Indian)
• Best Wildlife Resort – Governors’ Camp Masai Mara, Kenya (International), The OberoiVanyavilas, Ranthambore (Indian)
• Best Hotel for Relaxation – Banyan Tree Ungasan, Bali (International), The LeelaKovalam, Kerala (Indian)
• Best Business Hotel – The Ritz-Carlton Millenia, Singapore (International), JW Marriott Hotel Mumbai (Indian)
• Best Value Hotel – Amari Watergate Bangkok (International), Ginger Hotels (Indian)
• Best Heritage Hotel – Four Seasons Istanbul at Sultanahmet (International), Devi Garh, Udaipur (Indian)
• Best Luxury Hotel – The Beau-Rivage Palace, Lausanne, Switzerland (International), The OberoiUdaivilas, Udaipur (Indian)
• Best Hotel for Romance – Chateau de la Chevre d’Or, Eze Village, France (International), Taj Lake Palace, Udaipur, Rajasthan (Indian)
• Best Homestay – Emerald Isle – The Heritage Villa, Allepey, Kerala
• Best Tour Operator – Thomas Cook
• Best Travel Portal – Makemytrip.com

About Lonely Planet Magazine India

Lonely Planet is the world’s most recognised and trusted travel brand, having helped travellers find their way since 1973. Bought over by BBC Worldwide in 2007, it was launched as a magazine in the UK in 2008, and subsequently in India in 2010. In the three years since its February 2010 launch, Lonely Planet Magazine India has become India’s favourite travel magazine, as rated recently by TripAdvisor, and the best recognised name in the travel literature sphere. Lonely Planet Magazine India has proven to be an invaluable aid to those planning their holiday, both in India and abroad. With sections like Easy Trips (weekend trips in India and short-haul international destinations), Mini Guides (free, handy tear-out guides to various destinations) and the signature Features section, LonelyPlanet Magazine India has brought a level of practicality and insight never before seen in the country.

Director Amit Saxena who made a path breaking cinema with 'Jism' and gave e new trend to the industry is now all set with his next ‘Nasha’ starring Poonam Pandey.

'Nasha' spreads its Magic 

Director Amit Saxena who made a path breaking cinema with 'Jism' and gave e new trend to the industry is now all set with his next ‘Nasha’ starring Poonam Pandey. She is making her debut with this film and in less than 48hrs the video of its trailer has got 500000+ Views, i.e. on Bollywood Hungama 290000 and on YouTube
190000 views so far. People are getting addicted to Poonam Pandey's 'Nasha'.

The film also features debutant Shivam opposite Poonam Pandey. The film is produced by Surender Suneja and Aditya Bhatia under the banner of Eagle Home Entertainment.
Sent from my BlackBerry® Smartphone on Loop Mobile.

AFTER EARTH-review by ANIZ FILMVALA

AFTER EARTH-review 

by ANIZ FILMVALA

 

STORY.

In the near future, an environmental cataclysm forces the human race to abandon Earth and venture beyond the Solar System in search of a new home. The exodus ends when humanity settles a new pristine world they call Nova Prime.

One thousand years later, The Ranger Corps, a peacekeeping organization commanded by General Cypher Raige (Will Smith), comes into conflict with the S'krell, alien creatures who intended to conquer Nova Prime. Their secret weapons are the Ursas, large predatory creatures that hunt by "sensing" fear. The Rangers struggle against the Ursas until Cypher learns how to completely suppress his fear, a technique called "ghosting". After teaching this technique to the other Rangers, he leads the Ranger Corps to victory.

Meanwhile, Cypher's son Kitai Raige (Jaden Smith) blames himself for the death of his sister Senshi (Zoë Kravitz) at the hands of an Ursa. Not wanting to fail his father again because of her death, Kitai trains hard to become a Ranger just like Cypher. His application for the Ranger Corps is rejected due to his recklessness and Cypher views him as a disappointment. Kitai's mother Faia (Sophie Okonedo) convinces Cypher to take Kitai on his last voyage before retirement.

Forced together by the mission, father and son start to bond during the trip. However, their spaceship is caught by an asteroid shower forcing them to crash-land on Earth, now a Class-1 quarantined planet. Both of Cypher's legs are broken and the main emergency rescue beacon has been damaged. Cypher instructs Kitai to locate the tail section of the ship which broke off during the plunge to the surface. Inside is the backup beacon which they can use to signal Nova Prime. Kitai is given Cypher's Ranger weapon, a wrist communicator and six capsules that enhances the oxygen intake so he can breathe since human lungs can no longer tolerate Earth's low oxygen levels. Cypher warns him to avoid the fauna and flora which has evolved since humans left and be careful with the planet's violent thermal shifts. Kitai sets off to find the tail section, with Cypher guiding him through the communicator.

Kitai is soon attacked by giant baboons which he antagonizes, forcing him to run away from the baboons and ends up being bitten by a poisonous leech after going against Cypher's orders in an attempt to escape. Although Kitai successfully administers two antidotes, two of his capsules are damaged and his nervous system shuts down for hours. When Kitai awakens, he narrowly escapes one of the planet's violent thermal shifts. Upon discovery of his damaged capsules, Kitai lies to Cypher. That night, Kitai listens to Cypher tell him a story of when he was attacked by an Ursa, how he realized that fear is merely an illusion created by the mind's thoughts of the future, and thus he first began to "ghost" himself from the Ursas, choosing to live rather than to let his enemies, both fear and the Ursas, decide his fate.

The following day, Kitai reaches a mountaintop, and Cypher learns about Kitai's broken capsules. Although knowing that the only way to still make it with only 2 capsules was to skydive, he did not think that Kitai could make it. Concluding that Kitai won't have enough oxygen, Cypher orders Kitai to abort the mission. Believing his father still sees him as a disappointment, Kitai blames Senshi's death on Cypher who had been away from Nova Prime the day they were attacked. Determined to prove his father wrong, Kitai skydives from the mountaintop, but is captured by a massive condor which damages his forearm/wrist communicator in the process.

Kitai then wakes up in a nest of the condor. As he looks out of the nest, he sees tigers advancing on to the nest. One of the tigers was then violently ripped out of the tree by a condor. Kitai whips out his weapon and tries to defend the nest against the tigers that are attacking it. Although the eggs and chicks had been all but destroyed by the tigers, the condor takes a liking to Kitai, who is then forced to flee. As he treks along, he sees the condor and thought that the condor was still harassing him because of the broken eggs, he rushes along to a river which he thens builds a makeshift raft to continue along the river, tired as he is, Kitai falls asleep. During his sleep Kitai had a dream about his sister. Senshi reassures him that Cypher's bitterness is just his own anger for not saving her. Senshi urges Kitai to wake up, but stubbornly, Kitai starts recalling all Moby Dick's excerpts. Only fully waking is Kitai when Senshi suddenly turns frighteningly. When Kitai wakes, he is surprised by another thermal shift, loses Cypher's weapon and nearly freezes to death. Fortunately, Kitai is rescued by the condor, which sacrifices itself for him.

Kitai reaches the tail section and retrieves the emergency beacon along with another communicator, another weapon, and more oxygen capsules. The communicator only allows Cypher to hear and see Kitai, but not for Kitai to hear him. Kitai is shocked to learn the ship's Ursa had escaped in the crash and killed the remnants of the crew. When the emergency beacon does not activate, Cypher realizes that the atmosphere is blocking the signal, and that Kitai must get to higher ground. Kitai heads to a nearby volcano from which he can launch the beacon where he is attacked by the Ursa and injured. However, remembering both Cypher's instructions, focusing on the moment rather than the outcome, and the words of encouragement Senshi whispered in his dream, Kitai is able to control his fear and "ghost" himself from the Ursa enough to kill it with his weapon. Kitai then launches the beacon and a rescue team soon arrive.

Cypher recovers from his injuries and salutes Kitai for his bravery. At the end, they travel back to Nova Prime.

CRITIC VIEW.

As the movie is not a favourite to critic's world over,i go against the tide and found some element of intrigue and cinematic flavour while watching M Night Shyamalan's After Earth.

Highlight of the entire sci-fi drama is definately the father and son trauma and triumph over the alien is captivating and emotional.

There are some breathtaking visual of the apocalypse of earth and chase of  giant baboons   shot by Cinematographer Peter Suschitzky.Background score by James Newton Howard matches the mood and fervour of the movie.Jaden Smith debut is  impressive.

CAST.

Directed by   M. Night Shyamalan

Produced by   Caleeb Pinkett,Jada Pinkett Smith,Will Smith,James Lassiter,M. Night Shyamalan

Screenplay by   Gary Whitta,M. Night Shyamalan

Story by   Will Smith

Starring               Jaden Smith,Will Smith

Music by   James Newton Howard

Cinematography Peter Suschitzky

Editing by Steven Rosenblum

Studio              Overbrook Entertainment,Blinding Edge Pictures

Distributed by Columbia Pictures

WOODS ENTERTAINMENT AND OMKAAMA PRODUCTIONS IN ASSOCIATION WITH JDCA PRESENT “JAIPUR PREMIER LEAGUE SEASON 2”

WOODS ENTERTAINMENT AND OMKAAMA PRODUCTIONS IN ASSOCIATION WITH JDCA PRESENT “JAIPUR PREMIER LEAGUE SEASON 2”

~Neil Nitin Mukesh and Ameesha Patel grace the launch event~

The state of Maharashtra is all geared up to witness the biggest and the grandest T20 domestic cricket in India for the very first time. After the stupendous success of Jaipur Premier League Season 1 held in Rajasthan last year, the cricket extravaganza returns this year with double the excitement. All prominent cricketers from Rajasthan will be seen in action in the Jaipur Premier League (JPL) Season 2 set to start from June 28, 2013 to July 7,2013.

The six franchises have doled out more than Rs. 25 lakhs each to hire 12 cricketers in each team. The six teams in fray are Shree Tirupati Tigers, Lake City Panthers, Mewar Mustangs, Omkaama Lions, The Live Kangaroos and Balaji Rhinos. Every team has bid for the best players from a pool of 90 state players made available from RCA (Rajasthan Cricket Association). Prominent cricketers like Ashok Menaria (Rajasthan Royals fame U19 captain); Vineet Saxena, Rohit Jhalani and Rashmi Ranjan Parida (Ranji Stars of Rajasthan); Dishant Yagnik (Rajasthan Royals fame) and Pankaj Singh (Rajasthan Royals fame & India Test Series Player) will be some of the key players of the tournament. 15 league matches, 2 semi-finals and 1 mega final are scheduled to be held at Sinhagad Ground, Pune.

The star-cast of upcoming Bollywood film “Shortcut Romeo” - Neil Nitin Mukesh and Ameesha Patel were present for the JPL Season 2 launch event to add the glam factor to the tournament as well as promote their film on the same platform. Actor Neil Nitin Mukesh with much enthusiasm said, "Me and Ameesha are extremely happy about our films assocition with JPL's launch event. Cricket is a religion in our country and so is Bollywood. In our film, there are a lot of shortcuts which help to proceed the story successfully. However, i personally believe there should be no shortcut in real life as they prove to be deprimental. "Jaipur Premiere League" is backed by credible organisers, honest players and a cricket loving audience. Thus, i am confident it will be a grand success."

Actor Ameesha Patel said, "I Love cricket and i am very proud to be announcing JPL season 2. The audience has a treat in store with Shortcut Romeo releasing on June 21st followed by 10 days of exciting cricket matches of JPL. 

Mr. Prashant Mishra & Mr. Amit Singh of Woods Entertainment said, “JPL 1 was a super success. We had never expected the kind of response we got last year and the love and support of the audiences was exceptional. The bonding we have with JDCA (Jaipur District Cricket Association) is something special and extreme support has been extended from their end. We are glad and happy to continue this league forward and are looking for a grander show this year!”

Mr. Mahesh Chakankar, Director of Omkaama Productions stated, “I was very happy to see the way Prashant and Amit had executed JPL Season 1. I was very keen to collaborate with them for this 2^nd edition and I am sure with the expertise and team Omkaama has, JPL 2 will be a much bigger and better tournament.”

 The format of the tournament will be the same as last years’ and the squads have been finalized. With three weeks to go for JPL Season 2, this period will witness a lot of practice and the planning of strategies by the teams, as they prepare to go all out to win. The stage is indeed set for an extraordinary tournament.

 About Woods Entertainment: Owned by Mr. Amit Singh and Mr. Prashant Mishra. The company was formed in 2009 with the intention of promoting sports and sport activities globally. Woods Entertainment is engaged in the regular corporate sports tournamnets throughout the year. Woods has also officially been associated with Rajasthan Royals for their camps held in Mumbai. JPL was a vision by Woods Entertainment. Long relations and bond with JDCA finally led to Rajasthan's biggest event ever - The Jaipur Premier League.

About Omkaama Productions: Omkaama Productions has been formed with the motive of entertaining the audiences with Sports and other art forms. Owned by Mr. Mahesh Chakankar, Omkaama Productions' first venture is Jaipur Premier League. It is a sub-division of Omkaama Trade India Pvt Ltd, which is amonst India's leading Franchise and Brand building Companies. With a clientele of more than 7000 brands, Omkaama now has merged with Woods to take the legacy of JPL forward in its 2nd edition.

Farhan Akhtar, Ritesh Sidhwani and director Mrigndeep Lamba were enthusiastic about the launch of their new song Jugaad.

Fukrey - Jugaad Song launch

Farhan Akhtar, Ritesh Sidhwani and director Mrigndeep Lamba were enthusiastic about the launch of their new song Jugaad.

In the spirit of the song, the Excel Entertainment team found real like productive Jugaddu's and invited them for the song launch. These people have invested in innovative ideas and achieved a productive outcome. 

An example: Mitticool, a eco-friendly clay fridge that functions without electricity, AC Helmet team, Electric T-shirt Team & The waste of wonder team.

All these people share the USP's of their product and show a demo of their innovation.

Post which, Ritesh Sidhwani and Farhan Akhtar unveil the song Jugaad which is received very well by audiences.

‘Man of steel’. film releases on June 14th 2013.

‘Man of steel’. 

 film releases on June 14^th 2013.

           

From Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures comes “Man of Steel,” starring Henry Cavill (“Immortals,” TV’s “The Tudors”) in the role of Clark Kent/Superman, under the direction of Zack Snyder (“300,” “Watchmen”).

A young boy learns that he has extraordinary powers and is not of this Earth.  As a young man, he journeys to discover where he came from and what he was sent here to do.  But the hero in him must emerge if he is to save the world from annihilation and become the symbol of hope for all mankind.

The film also stars four-time Oscar^® nominee Amy Adams (“The Master”) as Daily Planet journalist Lois Lane, and Oscar^® nominee Laurence Fishburne (“What’s Love Got to Do with It”) as her editor-in-chief, Perry White.  Starring as Clark Kent’s adoptive parents, Martha and Jonathan Kent, are Oscar^® nominee Diane Lane (“Unfaithful”) and Academy Award^® winner Kevin Costner (“Dances with Wolves”).

Squaring off against the superhero are two other surviving Kryptonians, the villainous General Zod, played by Oscar^® nominee Michael Shannon (“Revolutionary Road”), and Faora, Zod’s evil partner, played by Antje Traue (upcoming “The Seventh Son”).  Also from Superman’s native Krypton are Lara Lor-Van, Superman’s mother, played by Ayelet Zurer (“Angels and Demons”), and Superman’s father, Jor-El, portrayed by Academy Award^® winner Russell Crowe (“Gladiator”).

Rounding out the cast are Christopher Meloni (“42”) as U.S. military man Colonel Hardy, Harry Lennix (“State of Play”) as General Swanwick, Michael Kelly (“The Adjustment Bureau”) as Steve Lombard, and Richard Schiff (TV’s “The West Wing”) as Dr. Emil Hamilton.

“Man of Steel” is being produced by Charles Roven, Christopher Nolan, Emma Thomas and Deborah Snyder.  The screenplay was written by David S. Goyer from a story by Goyer & Nolan, based upon Superman characters created by Jerry Siegel & Joe Shuster and published by DC Entertainment.  Thomas Tull, Lloyd Phillips and Jon Peters are serving as executive producers.

Zack Snyder’s behind-the-scenes team includes director of photography Amir Mokri (“Transformers: Dark of the Moon”); production designer Alex McDowell (“Watchmen”); editor David Brenner (“Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides”); and multiple Academy Award^®-winning costume designer James Acheson (“Restoration,” the “Spider-Man” films) and costume designer Michael Wilkinson (“The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1 and 2,” “Watchmen,” “300”).  The music is by Academy Award^®-winning composer Hans Zimmer (“The Lion King,” “Inception”).

Warner Bros. Pictures presents, in association with Legendary Pictures, a Syncopy Production, a Zack Snyder Film, “Man of Steel.”  The film will be released in 3D and 2D in select theaters and IMAX^®, and is slated for release beginning June 14, 2013.  It will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.

www.man-of-steel-movie.co.uk

Nasha Trailer

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SAB TV announces ‘Lapataganj Ek Baar Phir’! Directed by Ashwini Dhir and Produced by Garima Productions,

SAB TV announces Lapataganj Ek Baar Phir!

Mumbai, Tuesday, June 4^th, 2013 Lapataganj, SAB TV’s most popular show, traced the journey of common man who struggles for basic amenities yet lives a fulfilled life. The show, based against the backdrop of rural India, which etched fond memories in the hearts of the viewers, is back on public demand! Having always endeavored to provide refreshing and engaging content to its viewers, SAB TV announces ‘Lapataganj Ek Baar Phir’!  Directed by Ashwini Dhir and Produced by Garima Productions, the show will go on air on June 10th 2013, 10.00pm only on SAB TV.

Continuing with the premise of ‘Aam Insaano Ki Zindagi Se Judi Khass Samasyaaen’, Lapataganj Ek Baar Phir brings back the everyday struggles of the common man. As the storyline progresses, the residents of Lapataganj find respite to their struggles, albeit partially. So they now have access to water and electricity, but that’s just for a few hours yet people continue to live a contented life.

Lapataganj Ek Baar Phir will bring to its viewers the best of family entertainment by capturing the essence of rural India through the. The beloved couple Indumati (Sucheta Khanna) and Mukundi (Rohitashv Gaur) will continue to play protagonists alongside popular characters such as Kachua Chacha (Vineet Kumar), Chukundi (Sanjay Chaudhury), Eiji & Biji Pandey (Abbas Khan), Surili (Aditi Telang), Mishri Mausi (Shubhangi Gokhale), Chotu Mama (Anoop Upadhyay), Elizabeth Yadav (Krishna Bhatt) and Lallanji (Rakesh Srivastav)!

Speaking about Lapataganj Ek Baar Phir, Mr. Anooj Kapoor, EVP and Business Head, SAB TV, “Lapataganj received exceptional response from the viewers and has etched fond memories in the hearts of our viewers. We received numerous requests from our viewers to bring back the show and the characters that had won them over with their performances. On public demand, we are bringing back the show and I am confident that the new season will surpass our expectations and entertain audiences once again.” 

Rohitashv Gaur who plays Mukundi shares more about the show, “Lapataganj EK Baar Phir is a show which is known for the unique and realistic content it offers. I always knew this show would be back on SAB TV as it’s very popular and relates to every household in some way”

Sucheta Khanna who plays Indumati states, “I’m very happy about SAB TV’s decision to bring back the show and am equally excited to play Indumati once again for my fans. This role has been the most successful role of my career and this time I want to go one step ahead with this character. I am delighted to be a part of the Lapataganj team Ek Baar Phir”

Lapataganj Ek Baar Phir boasts of relatable characters, newer elements and an extremely engaging storyline that is sure to revive memories from the previous season. This well received and much appreciated show caters to viewers across all age groups, reflecting SAB TV’s brand promise ‘Asli Mazaa SAB Ke Saath Aata Hai’.

To watch compelling tales of the common man, tune in to Lapataganj Ek Baar Phir, every Monday - Friday at 10pm only on SAB TV.