Italian opera singer Gioconda with Ustad Zakir Husain, Taufiq Qureshi, and Arka Band at a city event where she performed with the greats

Italian opera singer Gioconda with Ustad Zakir Husain, Taufiq Qureshi, and Arka Band at a city event where she performed with the greats.

Ajay Devgn appointed as the Goodwill Ambassador of SAARC

On the occasion of National Youth Day 2015, SAARC HIV AIDS Campaign Goodwill Ambassador Ajay Devgn took a Special Pledge for youth with over 800 Youth of Mumbai and senior dignitaries and representatives from the Government of India. Ajay Devgn, SAARC Goodwill Ambassador said that HIV/AIDS is one of the important diseases that India is fighting against. And, it is good to note that India could keep HIV to a very low level. HIV is an infection, from which we can protect ourselves, by having correct knowledge about the modes of HIV transmission and methods of prevention. India has also focused on empowering youth with correct and complete information and services to enable them protect themselves from HIV/AIDS. Today, we are celebrating the birthday of Swami Vivekananda as the National Youth Day.

The other dignitaries who were also present at the function were Dr. Deepak Sawant, hon. Minister Health & family Welfare, Smt. Snehal Ambekar, Hon. Mayor Mumbai and Shri. Ashish Shelar, President B.J.P Mumbai and M.L.A.

The theme that has been specially decided by NACO for this year's National Youth Day programme is 'Youngmanch' with the slogan 'Hum Se Hai Nayi Shuruaat'.

MAX HOLE, CEO, UNIVERSAL MUSIC AND A R REHMAN, CO-FOUNDER, QYUKI LAUNCH `THE DHARAVI PROJECT' - MUSIC FOR SOCIAL GOOD

Max Hole, CEO Universal Music Group and Qyuki.com, a  Multi-Channel Network (MCN) co-founded by Shekhar Kapur,  AR Rahman and former MD Digital of Disney India, Samir Bangara today announced `The Dharavi Project’ a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative by the music giant in collaboration with their partner Qyuki. This one-of-a-kind initiative will fund the expansion of the music and dance school in Dharavi, which was established by Qyuki in March 2014. The school aims to Discover fresh talent from Dharavi, Nurture it through the program and Amplify it on a domestic and international scale via digital and traditional media.

Universal Music will deploy funds from its CSR budget that will go towards basic infrastructure, rent, utilities and equipment for the students of the school. Through this initiative Qyuki and Universal Music aim to nurture homegrown talent and provide them with a platform to showcase their potential. To further enhance learning and exposure, Universal Music will periodically bring in prominent singers, musicians, choreographers, producers and the like to mentor young artists from Dharavi while Qyuki will amplify content via its digital broadcast network on a domestic and international scale.

Speaking on the association, Max Hole, Chairman & CEO of Universal Music Group International, said, “Music has extraordinary power and I am very proud to be here in Mumbai on behalf of UMG to help give these children an education in all aspects of making Music. Whether we produce stars out of the programme or simply a lifelong love of music, we will have succeeded in giving them a start along the path of discovery of this beautiful form of expression.”

Commenting on this partnership, legendary composer and Qyuki Co -Founder AR Rahman, said, “I am glad that this initiative we started at Qyuki last year is maturing into a platform that provides underprivileged children a level playing field with equal opportunity as their domestic and international peers”.

`The Dharavi Project’ will go live from the 15^th of this month at a launch event in the heart of  Dharavi in the presence of A R Rahman, Shekhar Kapur and UMGI Chairman & CEO Max Hole along with Qyuki co-founder, MD Samir Bangara and MD, Universal Music Group/EMI, South Asia, Devraj Sanyal.

Through a sustained long term plan, `The Dharavi Project’ will cover all elements in the making of a music star including scouting talent, styling, mentoring, providing studio time, producing videos, optimizing their online video presence across digital video platforms and eventually rewarding the most promising talent with a 360 degree label deal.

About Universal Music India:

Universal Music India Pvt. Ltd. (UMIPL) is a 100% subsidiary of the Universal Music Group (UMG) and is home to record labels such as A&M Records, Blue Note Records, Capitol Records, Capitol Records Nashville, Caroline, Decca, Def Jam Recordings, Deutsche Grammophon, Emarcy, Geffen Records, Interscope Records, Island Records, Machete Music, MCA Nashville, Mercury Records, Motown Records, Polydor Records, Republic Records, Universal Music Latino, Verve Music Group, Virgin Records, Virgin EMI Records.

UMIPL has an extremely rich Indian catalogue comprising songs from classic Hindi and Regional Films, IndiPop, Bhangra, Ghazals and Devotional. It’s enviable catalogue includes artistes such as Asha Bhosle, Anup Jalota, Bombay Vikings, Jagjit Singh, JoSh, Malkit Singh, Pankaj Udhas, Panjabi MC, Raghav, Mohit Chouhan, Euphoria, Adnan Sami, Rabbi Shergill, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan to name a few. UMIPL `film’ catalogue (the 2nd largest in India) spans music from blockbusters such as Sholay, Qurbani, Amar Akbar Anthony, Chori Chori Chupke Chupke, Devdas and Munnabhai MBBS amongst the numerous jewels which symbolize the musical journey from the 70’s to date. On the International music front, UMIPL are the clear market leaders with artistes such as ABBA, Bon Jovi, Bryan Adams, Enrique Iglesias, Eminem, Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber, Katy Perry, The Beatles, UB40, Deep Purple, Enigma, Norah Jones, Deadmau5, The Chemical Brothers, amongst host of others, popular music icons and household names in India.

 About Qyuki

Qyuki, a company co-founded by Shekhar Kapur, AR Rahman and Samir Bangara, helps creators build their fan following by producing and distributing online videos with the aim to create enduring intellectual properties.

Qyuki aims to democratize creativity. The primary focus of Qyuki is to vest the power of creativity and the ability to make money with the creator. This power manifests in the form a network where the artists can jam, create and make a living through something they’re passionate about. Artists have access to studio-floors, cameras, lights, editing suites, sound studios and a team of filmmakers, sound engineers and editors. The artist gets support from Qyuki right from conceptualizing, executing to finally presenting their creativity to their audience through Qyuki’s Multi-Platform Network.

Qyuki has an exclusive alliance with Universal Music to promote and monetize musical talent. In December 2014, Qyuki announced an exclusive India network alliance with Fullscreen Inc., one of the largest global MCNs majority owned by Chernin Media and AT&T

Marquee creators in the Qyuki network include AR Rahman, Ranjit Barot, Salim-Sulaiman, and successful YouTubers Shraddha Sharma, Gaurav Dagaonkar and Siddharth Slathia, amongst several others. Qyuki also co-owns formats like the Boss Dialogues (as seen on TV) and Eff ’n Bedi along with celebrity Pooja Bedi.

Pizza love on the sets of Itna Karo Na Mujhe Pyar

Well, as they say, the cast that eats together, stays together!!!!! Sony Entertainment Television’s Itna Karo Na Mujhe Pyar is a testimony to the same saying. While on screen, we see a lot of flaring tempers and ego hassles the situation is quite different off screen. This cast is like a big happy family when together and are always seen enjoying each other’s company. Unfortunately, hectic shoots schedules keep many of the members busy in different locations. However, there is one thing which definitely brings them all together and that is PIZZZAA!! The actors along with the crew are often seen enjoying pizza whenever possible.  Pallavi Kulkarni who plays Ragini Patel also confessed that she is a big time pizza lover. Though she tries to eat healthy, she just can’t resist a good cheese burst pizza!

Star Movies, the Home of Oscars® for 16years

The legacy will continue on Feb 23, 5:30am and 8:30pm

80 years ago what started as a humble gathering of the movie fraternity to award excellence in cinema has now become Hollywood’s biggest most celebrated night and Star Movies has been the proud partner of this gala event for 16 consecutive years – a stellar partnership.

Every year, the entertainment community and movie lovers around the world turn their attention to The Oscars. Interest and anticipation builds to a fevered pitch leading up to the Oscar telecast, when every hardcore movie buff tunes in to watch the glamorous ceremony to celebrate the highest honors in filmmaking.

Star Movies, the Home of Oscars in India continues this royal tradition in 2015. The anticipation of the grand evening has already picked up a storm as the nominations for the most coveted film awards in the world were announced yesterday.

Alejandro González Iñárritu’s‘Birdman’ and Wes Anderson’s ‘The Grand Budapest Hotel’ lead with nine nominations each. Richard Linklater’s Boyhood which has been in the making for 12 years follows with six nominations, equaling Clint Eastwood’s war drama American Sniper.The Theory of Everything garnered five nominations, including one for best picture, two for its lead cast Felicity Jones and Eddie Redmayne, one for music and another for adapted screenplay and Mike Leigh’s Mr. Turner took home four nominations for music, production design, costume design and cinematography

The 87th Oscars set to be held on February 23, 2015 will be hosted by American actor, writer, producer, director, magician, comedian and singer – Neil Patrick Harris.NPH, as he is fondly called is known for his on-stage theatrics while hosting and will be sure to add his quirky take to the glitz of the evening. NPH sent an exclusive message to all movie lovers in India – a special ‘Namaste’ only on Star Movies.

Star Movies always wants to cater to its viewer’s wishesand Oscars holds a special distinction for movie buffs and critics alike. From the performances of the most coveted awards night LIVEto the winners of the most prestigious trophy, special programming initiatives, experiences and more are planned by the channel to bring alive the majestic Oscars on Star Movies.

A cup of hot chocolate in the morning or simmering cup of coffee in the night, choose your drink, set your living room and get ready to witness the grandest stage of Hollywood EXCLUSIVELY on Star Movies live at 5:30 AM IST on 23nd February with a repeat telecast at 8:30 pm!

Nominations for the Oscars 2015

Best picture

American Sniper

Birdman

Boyhood

The Grand Budapest Hotel

The Imitation Game

Selma

The Theory of Everything

Whiplash

Best director

Wes Anderson, The Grand Budapest Hotel

Alejandro G Inarritu, Birdman

Richard Linklater, Boyhood

Bennett Miller, Foxcatcher

Morten Tyldum, The Imitation Game

Best actor

Steve Carell, Foxcatcher

Bradley Cooper, American Sniper

Benedict Cumberbatch, The Imitation Game

Michael Keaton, Birdman

Eddie Redmayne, The Theory of Everything

Best actress

Marion Cotillard, Two Days, One Night

Felicity Jones, The Theory of Everything

Julianne Moore, Still Alice

Rosamund Pike, Gone Girl

Reese Witherspoon, Wild

Best supporting actor

Robert Duvall, The Judge

Ethan Hawke, Boyhood

Edward Norton, Birdman

Mark Ruffalo, Foxcatcher

JK Simmons, Whiplash

Best supporting actress

Patricia Arquette, Boyhood

Laura Dern, Wild

Keira Knightley, The Imitation Game

Emma Stone, Birdman

Meryl Streep, Into the Woods

Best adapted screenplay

American Sniper

The Imitation Game

Inherent Vice

The Theory of Everything

Whiplash

Best original screenplay

Birdman

Boyhood

Foxcatcher

The Grand Budapest Hotel

Nightcrawler

Best animated feature

Big Hero 6

The Boxtrolls

How to Train Your Dragon 2

Song of the Sea

The Tale of Princess Kaguya

Best animated short

The Bigger Picture

The Dam Keeper

Feast

Me and My Moulton

A Single Life

Best cinematography

Birdman

The Grand Budapest Hotel

Ida

Mr Turner

Unbroken

Best costume design

The Grand Budapest Hotel

Inherent Vice

Into the Woods

Maleficent

Mr Turner

Best documentary feature

CitizenFour

Finding Vivian Maier

Last Days in Vietnam

The Salt of the Earth

Virunga

Best documentary short

Crisis Hotline: Veterans Press 1

Joanna

Our Curse

The Reaper

White Earth

Best film editing

American Sniper

Boyhood

The Grand Budapest Hotel

The Imitation Game

Whiplash

Best foreign language film

Ida (Poland)

Leviathan (Russia)

Tangerines (Estonia)

Timbuktu (Mauritania)

Wild Tales (Argentina)

Best live action short

Aya

Boogaloo and Graham

Butter Lamp (La Lampe Au Beurre De Yak)

Parvaneh

The Phone Call

Best make-up & hairstyling

Foxcatcher

The Grand Budapest Hotel

Guardians of the Galaxy

Best music

The Grand Budapest Hotel

The Imitation Game

Interstellar

Mr Turner

The Theory of Everything

Best production design

The Grand Budapest Hotel

The Imitation Game

Interstellar

Into the Woods

Mr Turner

Best song

'Everything is Awesome', The Lego Movie

'Glory', Selma

'Grateful', Beyond the Lights

'I'm Not Gonna Miss You', Glen Campbell… I'll Be Me

'Lost Stars', Begin Again

Best sound editing

American Sniper

Birdman

The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies

Interstellar

Unbroken

Best sound mixing

American Sniper

Birdman

Interstellar

Unbroken

Whiplash

Best visual effects

Captain America: The Winter Soldier

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes

Guardians of the Galaxy

Interstellar

X-Men: Days of Future Past