Category Entertainment

MUMBAI, India—20th June 2024– Following its worldwide premiere on May 28th, Panchayat Season 3, has set records by ranking among the top three most-watched Indian Originals on Prime Video, in just 14 days. The new season has been streamed by viewers in over 167 countries and territories and has been viewed across 99% of India’s pin codes in the first two weeks. Panchayat Season 3 also reached a global milestone, trending at number one in 26 countries and territories, on launch day. Panchayat has been a fan favorite since it launched on Prime Video in 2018. Season 2 received the maiden Best Web Series (OTT) Award at the 54th International Film Festival of India in 2023. Panchayat Season 3 continues to win hearts in India and around the world, achieving the biggest opening in the service. With an impressive IMDb rating of 9.0 across all three seasons, the series has been lauded by critics and audiences worldwide for its simple storytelling, comedic yet heart-warming moments, and stellar performances.

“Panchayat Season 3 has set a new benchmark in the streaming landscape,” said Manish Menghani, Director – Content Licensing, Prime Video India. “The series has received immense love from audiences worldwide for its unique blend of authentic rural charm and universal themes of community dynamics, resilience and friendship. These elements have made the latest season an irresistibly -binge-worthy mass-entertainer for viewers across the globe. It has been delightful to collaborate with TVF on this journey. Our shared aspiration for the show has been not only to entertain but also to spotlight the nuanced dynamics of the hinterlands in our diverse country. We are absolutely thrilled with the fantastic response, which solidifies the series’ resonance and is a testament to the growing global popularity of Indian content. At Prime Video, we are proud to have put Panchayat on the world map.”

“It has been absolutely wonderful to partner with Prime Video and script the success story of Panchayat together. Panchayat holds a special place in our hearts as it beautifully captures the essence of rural India with authenticity and humour. The series exemplifies TVF and Prime Video’s shared commitment to storytelling that deeply resonates with audiences, showcasing the richness of human connections amidst simplicity. We are thrilled by the overwhelming love and appreciation, Season 3 has received, not just in India, but across the globe on Prime Video. My heartfelt gratitude to the cast and crew whose dedication made Panchayat’s success possible, and to the fans of the series for their love and support,” said Vijay Koshy, President, The Viral Fever (TVF).

Created by The Viral Fever, directed by Deepak Kumar Mishra, and written by Chandan Kumar, the new season of Panchayat deep dives into the antics of Phulera-dwellers as politics and rivalry reigns supreme, leading to humorous trials and tribulations. Launched on May 28, Panchayat Season 3 is streaming in Hindi, exclusively on Prime Video in India and across more than 240 countries and territories worldwide.

Mumbai, India 12th June 2024 – Today, ASICS SportStyle announces the launch of the GEL-QUANTUM 360™ VIII sneaker. This shoe’s design is meant to help support advanced comfort for active lifestyles and exploring urban environments. The design inspiration for this project stems from supernatural forms and interlocking structures.

For the upper construction, the shoe features 5D print details that resemble ergonomic shapes from elements found in nature. These details add a greater amount of depth to give the design a more layered aesthetic.

The sneaker’s midsole structure was formed with new technologies, like DIVISION SPACE™ cushioning. This cushioning technology is meant to lighten the shoe’s overall weight while providing more impact absorption underfoot. This feature is also met with FF BLAST™ BIO cushioning, which includes at least 20% biomass to help reduce waste and promote better durability.

The GEL-QUANTUM 360™ VIII sneaker launches today Tuesday, June 11th on ASICS SportStyle online and in select stores for ₹13,999.

To understand the nerve of the audience and strategies your programming isn’t just a one-time effort that streaming platforms have to make to get the ball rolling. It is a task they are assigned daily, where they need to re-invent, re-analyze, take risks, make mistakes, and try again.

However, in a market out there where there is a pool of content that continues to brim beyond consuming capacities, Amazon probably made a then-bold call to branch out their platform, Prime Video into another avenue in the form of miniTV – which was and continues to be free viewing for everyone. Three years later, miniTV has not only managed to boast its loaded library of content but has received several accolades for its understanding of the audience and staying true to its content presentation. Here’s where we try to understand the logistics and decipher its market positioning

In an already cutthroat market of streaming wars where India, while a huge market to cater to – also comes with the struggle of pricing and subscription slabs that make or break their positioning ahead. Someone like Netflix had enough capital and global stature to make their trials and errors but never quite branched out themselves continuing to be a subscription-based system.

Then, when Amazon, who was already offering a much cheaper subscription fee for their original content presented miniTV, which did not compromise on its production value or scale while still offering ‘Free’ viewing. The word ‘free’ always attracts a consumer and when that is coupled with entertainment, it only gets better. What worked wonders for miniTV was that ethics and aesthetics never took a backseat where ‘free’ just became an eyeball-grabbing tool but never misled into watching something that deterred your expectations.

The Pulse of The Country & The Youth

As mentioned above, it is one thing to just navigate through possible ideas and trials with expansion of content but it is another to specifically target a particular demographic that is untapped and still. not limited. With miniTV, the branching out was never limited to just more of the same – if they just made more drama originals, international shows, films, and so on available on miniTV with the only added advantage of being ‘free’, it defeats the purpose of having another facet to explore. Instead, their vision seemed clear from Day 1 that we needed to get to the pulse of the country and mostly. the youth.

The Youth & The Results

The bigger challenge comes with understanding the youth – because let’s admit it, none of us do! And with the attention span and retainment experience of the young ones out there getting lesser and lesser, it becomes an uphill task. However, miniTV seems to have struck the right balance with this where they manage to cast faces that resonate with the younger people out there – who are spread across social media and the numbers are in millions. For the past year and more, we have seen social media influencers cast in fictional roles, stand-up comedians have their own fictional shows, and already-popular teenage actors have popular shows to themselves, spawning returning seasons.

The list is long to name a few. shows like I am sharing with you, Dillogical, Udan Patolas, Adulting, Official CEOgiri, and Yeh Meri Family among others; the more recent arrivals like Jamnapaar, Dehate Ladke Season 2, Chacha Vidhayak Hai Hamare Season 3, Crushed Season 4, Campus Beats, Half CA, Constable Giprade and even a reality show like Hip Hop India – accentuate miniTV’c clear understanding of their viewership and constant need to stay up-top.

The Future

This crystal clarity on their content placement with local and even imported content (which also boasts of Korean, Taiwanese, Mandarin, Turkish, and many other language shows and films) has only furthered what and how miniTV looks ahead. The subtle rise in their production values, having the more conventionally popular faces be a part of their content and gradually increasing share in the market are indicators of how the future looks brighter for them. Indeed not so ‘mini’ anymore. With MX Player content also coming into its bouquet, it’s going to get only bigger and better from here.

Guwahati;7th June 2024: Subir Rajib Productions, in association with Rat Race Frames, proudly unveiled the poster of their upcoming Hindi children’s film, ‘You Are Mine’, on 6th June 2024 in Guwahati. The event was met with enthusiastic applause from an eager crowd of film enthusiasts, media personnel, and the film’s cast and crew.

Directed by Suman Adhikary and produced by Subir Dutta, ‘You Are Mine’ is a heartwarming tale set in the picturesque landscapes of Majuli, Assam. The story promises to captivate audiences with its touching narrative and endearing characters, revolving around Mishmi, a spirited 12-year-old girl adored by her village. Orphaned at a young age, Mishmi lives with her loving maternal grandmother and nurtures a deep connection to nature and her vivid dreams. Her life, filled with innocence and fantasy, takes a poignant turn as she navigates her dreams and the realities of her world.

The poster unveiling event showcased the film’s beautiful artwork, generating excitement and anticipation among the attendees. The cast and crew, including the accomplished Sushmita Mukherjee and the talented Florina Gogoi of Super Dancer fame, in the lead role of Mishmi, along with Atharva Vishwakarma, Sankalita Roy, Siddhartha Mukherjee, and Parth Dutta, graced the event with their presence.

‘You Are Mine’ delves into Mishmi’s whimsical dreams of a charming prince, her joy in simple pleasures, and the deep bond she shares with her grandmother. However, her dream world is shattered when she encounters her dream prince in reality, leading to a profound and heartbreaking revelation about life and loss.

With Suman Adhikary’s direction, and written by Sankalitaa Roy, the film is set to be a visual and emotional treat. The musical score, composed by Suman Adhikary, Rajib Roychowdhury, and Dudul Saikia, complements the film’s emotional depth, while Suman Adhikary’s lyrics beautifully capture the essence of Mishmi’s dreams and aspirations. Production manager Azibul Ali ensured the smooth execution of this ambitious project.

The poster unveiling event was a grand success, setting the stage for what promises to be a captivating cinematic experience. Attendees expressed their excitement and anticipation for the film’s release, eagerly looking forward to witnessing Mishmi’s journey on the big screen.

In response to the rising stress and fast-paced lifestyle that has made smoking a common habit for many, BIG FM, one of India’s leading radio networks, brought back the second season of ‘Sutta Chhod De Na Yaar’ on World No Tobacco Day, May 31st. This initiative aimed to raise awareness about the risks and hazards of smoking and tobacco use. Over four weeks, the campaign featured a multifaceted approach encompassing radio broadcasts, celebrity endorsements, expert insights, and digital engagement to effectively encourage positive behavior change. It also featured the quirky reality show called ‘QUITSVILLA’, inspiring participants to quit smoking.

Tobacco kills over 8 million people annually, with 7 million from direct use and 1.2 million from second-hand smoke. Building on last season’s success, BIG FM launched the second season of ‘Sutta Chhod De Na Yaar’ with new engaging elements. The activities kicked off with a strong drive across radio and digital platforms, effectively reaching a targeted audience and securing 11 committed participants. Led by Mumbai RJs- RJ Vrajesh, RJ Rani, RJ Abhilash, and RJ Dilip, the campaign’s first week focused on awareness and registrations. The second week highlighted inspiring stories from listeners and celebrities like Yuvraj Singh, Vikrant Massey and Manoj Bajpayee, adding authenticity and motivation to the initiative. Health experts and quit-smoking specialists provided valuable insights during the third week.

The last week of the campaign featured live updates from “QUITSVILLA,” a 48-hour immersive monitoring session at Della Resorts in Lonavala. Participants shared their stories while enjoying performances by rapper Akhil Dighe aka Hellac, comedians Vanshika and Jay Verma, yoga sessions by Shruti Kukreti, sound healing by Mariko, habit coaching by Ashdin Doctor, reverse singing by Madhu Lakhotia and Zumba dancing by Micky. Celebrities like Sanvikaa and Saad Bilgrami from Panchayat season 3 added excitement, making the campaign a supportive journey for those determined to quit smoking.

Sharing his thoughts, Sunil Kumaran, COO, BIG FM, said, “Despite health hazards, smoking is prevalent amidst people due to cultural acceptance. With its normalization, the increased health risks highlight the need for change. The first season of ‘Sutta Chhod De Na Yaar’ successfully educated the masses and ensured the message resonated with them. Building on BIG FM’s commitment to promoting impactful initiatives, this year we aimed to elevate the awareness wave. Through our engaging activities and focused communication, we have effectively inspired our listeners to embrace a healthier, smoke-free future. “

Sutta Chhod De Na Yaar Season 2 was sponsored by the Life Insurance Corporation of India and Zuno General Insurance Limited. The campaign successfully achieved its goals by not only raising awareness but also starting discussion about tobacco-related illnesses and fatalities, encouraging a shift towards healthier lifestyle choices and highlighting the urgent need for change.

Gaming has evolved beyond mere entertainment; it is a vibrant community. BGMI offers an immersive experience as Ranveer Singh returns to the Battlegrounds with style and swag! Prepare to elevate your game as the powerhouse takes center stage in BGMI. It is time to play pure!

Every gamer needs the right look for the lobby in BGMI, and the ‘Ranveer Swag Crate’ has you covered! Enhance your experience with exclusive gear designed to make you stand out in the Battlegrounds. Unlock the all-new Ranveer Singh special skins and finish your enemies with style!

Unleash your inner IGL with the RS special voice pack, featuring Ranveer Singh’s dialogues! Rank push with your squad, have fun with friends, and rush for that chicken dinner! Bring on the swag with the RS helmet, backpack, and parachute, and stun your enemies with the grenade skin.

Use UCs to open the crate & get epic rewards at milestone spins. Do not miss this final opportunity to bring the charisma and style of the powerhouse to your BGMI gameplay. Grab the Crate today and dominate the battlegrounds.

Ek khatarnak villain, ek janbaaz cop aur bahut twists? Disney+ Hotstar announces their upcoming action-drama series ‘Bad Cop’, a classic cop vs villain story with a lot of twists and turns. Karan, a fierce cop, tries to chase down Kazbe, a villain more powerful and deadly than him and simultaneously manages his relationships. The show marks Fremantle India’s first fictional series production in India Hotstar Specials’ Bad Cop will be released soon exclusively on Disney+ Hotstar.

Hotstar Specials’ Bad Cop is directed by Aditya Datt and adapted by Rensil D’Silva, introduces Anurag Kashyap as the quirky, charming, and deadly villain, Kazbe and Gulshan Devaiah as Karan a daunting and daring cop, the series also stars Harleen Sethi, Saurabh Sachdeva and Aishwarya Sushmita in pivotal roles.

Working on a project becomes easier when two actors have known each other for a longer time and are comfortable in each other’s company. Director of Bad Cop, Aditya Datt shares talks about how Gulshan Devaiah and Anurag Kashyap’s offscreen camaraderie made shooting with them an effortless process.

Talking about the same, director Aditya Datt said, “I actually didn’t think too much about Gulshan Devaiah and Anurag Kashyap’s personal equation off screen. From my lens, when I was casting them, I was looking for the perfect fit for my characters. They both are sharing screen for the first time and technically, they only shot for a total of eight days together during the whole shoot. During their shoots together, they were extremely comfortable onscreen and offscreen as they have known each other for a long time now. Their offscreen bond made the shooting process smoother than we had thought. I am sure they enjoyed shooting with each other and it will reflect in their onscreen roles as well”

Mumbai, 4th June 2024: Amazon miniTV, Amazon’s free video streaming service, recently released Namacool, an engrossing tale of bromance laced with comedy and a tinge of mystery. Produced by Reliance Studios – Namit Sharma and directed by Ritam Shrivastava, the series features a stellar ensemble cast, including Hina Khan (Rubiya), Abhinav Sharma (Mayank), Aaron Kaul (Piyush), Anushka Kaushik (Minty) and Abhishek Bajaj (Chakku) in pivotal roles. The story follows the journey of two best friends, Mayank and Piyush, as they embark on their college life to uncover the true essence of manhood. In their quest, they come across Chakku Bhaiyya, a senior admired by all as the epitome of an Alpha Male. Mayank and Piyush aspire to join him as they yearn for popularity and romance, but little do they know that all that glitters is not always gold.

Abhishek Bajaj, who portrays the role of Chakku Bhaiyya, shared insights about his character in the series, saying, “I believe Chakku is a great guy with the kind of imperfections everyone has. To those who admire him and aspire to join his group, he is no less than a superhero. He excels in both action and romance and interestingly, he’s the only one in college with a girlfriend. In addition to his alpha male qualities, this guy is incredibly loving but struggles to express his emotions. He deeply cares for his friends and treasures his girlfriend, Minty. Chakku represents this bravery by wholeheartedly committing himself to those he cares about, standing up for them without hesitation. As I read through the script and witnessed the development of his character in the series, I was genuinely excited. However, as the story unfolds, we see a different side of him emerge when he experiences heartbreak after being betrayed by his girlfriend. ”

Additionally, Abhishek also speaks about portraying an alpha male, sharing, “I feel he represents what most alpha guys are like. People assume they don’t have emotions but they do. He goes through emotional abuse in the show, and it’s something we don’t really discuss enough. Physical wounds can heal relatively quickly but emotional scars take longer to heal. This deep dive into that world was truly fascinating, and I’d commend our writer for it. For the first time, I played a UP guy with a Lucknawi accent, and I was thrilled to take on this challenge. Playing a new role with a fresh set of challenges has always been a source of excitement for me.”

Namacool is now streaming exclusively on Amazon miniTV for free within Amazon’s shopping app, on Prime Video, Fire TV, and Smart TVs, or download the app from the Play Store.

Zee News is poised to revolutionize election forecasting with the new AI-driven sentiment exit polls for the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections. Following the culmination of India’s longest electoral process, Zee News proudly announces its pioneering initiative to unveil exit polls driven by cutting-edge artificial intelligence technology. At the forefront of this technological innovation is Zee News’ AI anchor, Zeenia, scheduled to debut on Sunday, 2nd June at 5 PM, delivering the AI Exit Poll data to viewers.

In collaboration with India Consolidated Private Limited, a subsidiary of the esteemed US data analytics powerhouse, Zee News has set a new standard in predictive accuracy and reliability. This partnership signifies a significant milestone in the realm of election forecasting, promising to redefine how Indian media interprets and predicts election outcomes. For years, all the survey agencies and news channels of the country have been reporting exit poll figures based on the opinions of a few thousand or a few lakh people. To ensure the reliability and accuracy of this AI exit poll, the combined team of Zee News and ICPL gathered opinions from an astonishing sample size of over 10 crore individuals, forming the basis for comprehensive data analysis covering 542 Lok Sabha seats.

Whatever exit polls or surveys have been conducted before this, they have been prepared on the basis of people’s opinions. People may be inclined towards one side or the other, which directly impacts the results of the exit poll. But for the first time, ZEE NEWS has collected the opinions of voters with the help of Artificial Intelligence, in which there is absolutely no scope for bias. In such a situation, we can say that ZEE NEWS’ AI EXIT POLL is completely unbiased, reliable, and accurate.

The integration of AI-driven sentiment analysis into Zee News’s exit polls signifies a significant leap forward in journalistic innovation. By harnessing advanced AI algorithms, Zee News’ exit polls promise accuracy and reliability, enabling the capture of nuanced sentiments of voters across diverse regions and languages.

Rahul Sinha, Managing Editor of Zee News, expressed pride in the network’s dedication to journalistic excellence, stating, “Zee News approach towards AI-driven sentiment analysis for exit polls marks a strategic leap forward from a news business perspective. This partnership signifies our commitment to staying at the forefront of technological advancements in the media industry. Through meticulous data collection and analysis, we aim to offer our audience unparalleled insights into the electoral landscape, reinforcing Zee News’s reputation for delivering accurate and reliable news.”

“As we leverage AI technology to decipher the sentiments of millions of voters, we towards redefining how Indian media interprets election outcomes but also open new avenues for revenue generation and audience engagement in the ever-evolving landscape of news broadcasting,” added Rahul Sinha.

As the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections draw to a close, Zee News’s AI-driven predictions offer a true reflection of the sentiments of the Indian populace.

1st June 2024PVR INOX Limited, the largest and the most premium cinema exhibitor in India has announced a landmark association with Star Sports Network for live screening of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, in India. This association includes live screenings of all India matches in the league stage, Super8’s, as well as the Semi-Finals and Final from 1st -29th June’24, across more than 121 cinemas in over 45 cities nationwide.

This exciting association will enable cricket fans to enjoy the thrill of the upcoming World Cup in a stadium-like experience on the big screen, delivering an unparalleled viewing experience. The plush, comfortable settings of PVR INOX cinemas will elevate the cricket-watching experience, allowing fans to cheer for their favorite teams together amidst much fanfare. Patrons can also indulge in PVR INOX’s delectable food combos and gourmet options while enjoying their favorite matches in the comfort of the cinema hall. The initiative underscores PVR INOX’s commitment to providing exceptional entertainment experiences and leveraging its advanced cinematic technology to bring major sporting events to the big screen.

Commenting on the announcement, Gautam Dutta, CEO – Revenue & Operations, PVR INOX Ltd said, “We are incredibly excited to collaborate with Star Sports to bring the ICC Men’s World Cup 2024 to our cinemas. This association is a significant milestone for us, as it combines two of India’s greatest passions: cricket and cinema. Screening the World Cup in our cinemas offers fans a stadium-like experience, filled with excitement and camaraderie. Last year, we witnessed an overwhelming response from audiences, with an influx of footfalls to our screenings across cities, affirming the immense popularity and success of this initiative. At PVR INOX, we are dedicated to enhancing the entertainment experience, and screening live cricket matches in our cinemas is a testament to that commitment.”

Speaking on the association, Vikram Passi, Head – Marketing, Star Sports Network said, “Star Sports is underscoring its commitment to cricket fans this ICC T20 World Cup by partnering with PVR, wherein cinemas will transform into dynamic mini-stadiums, providing a vibrant space for fans to unite and cheer for Team India. This collaboration strengthens our commitment to creating a communal and joyous atmosphere around cricket, highlighting its unifying power. Star Sports immersive and electrifying broadcast will be further magnified on the biggest screen allowing India fans to revel in an unparalleled celebration of cricket.”

This association is especially significant as it aligns with PVR INOX’s strategy to expand its reach and offerings, ensuring that audiences across India can enjoy world-class entertainment. The screenings will take place in major metropolitan areas as well as tier-2 and tier-3 cities, ensuring wide accessibility and catering to the vast cricket-loving population of India including Mumbai, Delhi NCR, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Pune, Jaipur, Indore, Vadodara, Surat, Guwahati, Goa, Nagpur, Lucknow, Chandigarh, and Trivandrum.