Hogaya Dimaagh Ka Dahi gets a good opening

Fauzia Arshi's rip-roaring comedy has received a good opening along with Pyaar Ka Punchnama 2, reiterating the audience's faith in smart and comic movies.

The film takes laughter to its original form with five great comedians Om Puri, Sanjay Mishra, Raajpal Yadav, Razzaq Khan and the veteran Kader Khan coming together. Plus, it has an ensemble of songs by varied singers like Mika Singh, Kailash Kher, Kunal Ganjawala, Ritu Pathak and Fauzia Arshi herself, who has also composed the music.

In times of loud numbers, in a way, her music marks the return of melody, capturing the essence of rhythmical poetry, composed with mellifluous tunes. Moreover, with this movie, Mika Singh has become the first singer-caricature in a feature film to have an entire animated song to himself.

Bringing back memories of the time when comedies ruled Bollywood, the film is a rollercoaster ride that tickles and entertains on one hand, and brings forth the irony of the changing times on the other. It makes one laugh and think about life, without being preachy.

Produced by Santosh Bhartiya and Fauzia Arshi, it has story, dialogues and direction by Fauzia Arshi, who is set to embark on two new film projects. The enterprising filmmaker also has grand plans to set up a state-of-the-art post-production studio to boost film production business in the industry.

Shilpa Shetty Kundra encourages women to be financially independent by associating with Best Deal TV ‘s latest proposition

After achieving great success with her latest venture Best Deal TV- India’s first ever celebrity driven home shopping channel, Shilpa Shetty Kundra now proposes a business venture to give back to the society and empower women.  

The latest initiative of women empowerment in association with the channel, gives women an avenue to showcase their entrepreneurial skills.  

Keeping in mind, the growing response to home shopping in today’s fast moving world,the initiative invites women aspiring to be financially independent to enroll in their Direct Selling Agent Program. An aspiring entrant will be required to invest a minimum of Rs 10000 and will be provided the catalogs and demo videos.

Talking about the initiative Shilpa Shetty Kundra, Chairperson- Best Deal TV , “It gives me immense pleasure in announcing the launch of the Direct Selling Agents Program with Best Deal TV. The initiative aims to encourage today’s Indian women who are independent and self-sufficient to work at their own convenience without the need to be tied down to an organization. Women enrolling in this program can easily earn upto Rs 10 lac per annum with just an investment of Rs 10,000 and without the pressures of an organization.” 

Vivek Krishnani named MD of Sony Pictures India

Vivek Krishnani has been appointed Managing Director of Sony Pictures India (also known as SPE Films India). His appointment will be effective November 1, 2015.

Under his leadership Sony Pictures India will handle all theatrical distribution for Sony Pictures Entertainment’s films. Sony Pictures Entertainment produces, acquires, and distributes its films under its various film labels: Columbia Pictures, TriStar Pictures, Screen Gems, Sony Pictures Animation, Sony Pictures Classics, Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions and Sony Pictures International Productions.

Vivek was most recently Senior Vice President – Revenue and Marketing at MSM Motion Pictures. MSM Motion Pictures is the film production arm of Multi Screen Media Pvt. Ltd which is a part of Sony Pictures Entertainment Television Network. Sony Pictures Television’s media networks are available in 178 countries on 81 unique channels in 29 different languages. Sony’s network of television and digital channels has over 1.3 billion subscribers worldwide. Sony’s television assets in India have over 650M subscribers worldwide across its portfolio of channels. Sony is also the exclusive linear TV broadcaster of Indian Premier League (“IPL”). Sony’s MSM Motion Pictures co-produced the Hindi film Piku earlier in the year to major box office success.

Previous to his tenure at MSM Motion Pictures, Mr. Krishnani spent six years at 21^st Century Fox, Fox Star Studios heading distribution, marketing and syndication where he worked on Hollywood titles such as Avatar, Slumdog Millionaire, the Ice Age franchise, Life of Pi, the X-Men franchise and Indian films including My Name is Khan, Bol Bachchan, Raaz 3, Force, Jolly LLB, Jannat 2 among others.

Commenting upon his new role Vivek said, “I have had a great experience being part of the Sony family and I am now looking forward to a new role with Sony Pictures India. With a legacy of over 80 years since the first Columbia Pictures office opened here, Sony Pictures has over the decades continued to entertain Indian and global audiences. We are committed to further strengthening our distribution network in India and overseas and also looking to scale up our local acquisitions as well. We have a great line-up ahead and I’m excited to hit the ground running.”

Brett D. Hogg, Senior Vice President, International Distribution - Asia commented on the new appointment saying, “I’m very pleased to welcome Vivek to Sony Pictures India. He’s a media veteran with very valuable experience in the unique and dynamic Indian market, in both Hollywood and Local Language productions. Under his leadership, we look forward to taking Sony Pictures India to even greater heights.”

Prior to Fox Star Studios, Vivek was the Executive Director Marketing Asia Pacific at Turner Entertainment Networks based out of Hong Kong, responsible for Marketing and Interactive strategy for the entertainment channels for Turner Entertainment (Cartoon Network, POGO, Boomerang and TCM). He joined Turner from Radio City where he was part of the start-up team and before that he was with Star Plus responsible for strategic planning and marketing. He began his career with Lowe Lintas (previously Ammirati Puris Lintas). He holds a Masters degree in Management Studies, Marketing from Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies.

About Sony Pictures

Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) is a subsidiary of Sony Entertainment Inc., a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sony Corporation.  SPE's global operations encompass motion picture production, acquisition and distribution; television production, acquisition and distribution; television networks; digital content creation and distribution; operation of studio facilities; and development of new entertainment products, services and technologies.  For additional information, go to http://www.sonypictures.com.

NILADRI KUMAR CURATES STAY UPROOTED NATIONAL TOUR IN ODE OF THE INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF THE GIRL CHILD

NILADRI KUMAR TO PLAY ON HIS 100 YEAR OLD SITAR FOR ONE LAST TIME BEFORE IT’S AUCTIONED FOR A CAUSE

MUMBAI FIRST PIT STOP, BENGALURU, PUNE, CHENNAI, NAGALAND,  TO FOLLOW

An internationally acclaimed and world-renowned global icon to reckon with, 41 year old music maverick, Niladri Kumar who is additionally celebrated as the inventor of the Zitar (Electric Sitar) has announced his 2015-2016 National Tour. The tour is being promoted by Mangal Entertainment in association with MiH Creation. The debut showcase will be held in Mumbai at Shanmukhanda Hall on 30th October 2015 at 7:30 p.m. followed by the other metros in 2016. Joining the Sitar/Zitar maestro on stage for the Mumbai edition will be ace percussionist Taufiq Qureshi, Padma Shri Vijay Ghate on tabla, playback singer and virtuoso guitarist Rashid Ali along with bassist Sheldon DSilva and Prince Mulla on keys.  

'Stay UPRooted' in its Mumbai edition celebrates the International Year Of The Girl Child.  Niladri Kumar in association with the NGO Vision Rescue (through its Social Group ‘ExploreYou’) and music director Arjun Nair have taken up a 30 day challenge to musically empower a group of 12 girls who have showcased aptitude for music, from the Vasai Orphanage in Mumbai. In their one month challenge they shall train the children and these select talents shall perform and share the stage with the maestros. In each city ExploreYou and team will train such talented kids and funds are being raised to support their musical journey. One child from the Nagaland Training has already shown prodigious talent and after learning in Chennai is now being funded for higher education at ICOM Malaysia. The concept of 'Stay UPRooted' stems from the need of the hour, where one finds a way to carve a bold balance between the modern trends still keeping solid the traditional roots. 

Niladri Kumar states, “At present these children have an idenity of being orphans. Music holds such importance that it can transform this identity. The one’s who are blessed with it gain a new identity of now being called a kalakar. Music has the capapcity of being a true and genuine friend and it gives me great joy to see these kids find this friend and enjoy a different outlook that allows them to explore another dimension of their own.“ 

Earlier this month, Niladri Kumar released “Head To The Heart", a first of its kind edgy instrumental number that featured Rashid Ali on the acoustic guitar.The single marked the debut showcase of the seamless integration of an acoustic instrument with an electric one giving fans a sense of exhilaration. The video was shot at Niladri Kumar’s brand new upcoming all day diner ‘Zitar’ at Oshiwara Andheri, which is slated to open towards year-end.

On the 30^th Of October, Stay UPRooted brings to you a unique first of its kind music journey where “tradition meets innovation”. For the FIRST TIME Niladri Kumar will be seen essaying his expedition on all three insruments - The most traditional Surbahar,  followed by the Sitar and then the Zitar. The audience can expect something in store for all age groups and it is surely an evening where one can lose and find themselves, through the music. 

The legendary player will be auctioning his FIRST ADULT SITAR approximately 100 years old, which is of a Makhanlal make, one of the oldest Sitar makers before the Hiren Roy era. His soundscape & direction into the field kickstarted with this Sitar, marking his musical expedition. Starting from age 8 to age 14 Niladri Kumar used this Sitar before he moved onto his next. A specially curated auction to raise funds for the cause shall be announced soon.

Niladri Kumar adds, “This is my first adult Sitar so I have a very emotional connect with it. It has been musically tuned to my requisite and on 30th I shall be playing one last piece on it, before I part ways with her. This Sitar has been my everything. It's the closest part of me and my journey on this Sitar is what earmarked my path till today. The Sitar is simple, clean, like the Vilayat Khan style of Sitar and the sound it produces is phenomenal.  As we take up this cause today, of teaching music to the underprivileged who show an aptitude & excellence in the field who we can  groom forward, my journey of music started with this Sitar & I hope their journey starts with it too.”

Tickets are available on www.bookmyshow.com. Prices start Rs. 200/- onwards and go upto Rs. 3,000/-

ABOUT NILADRI KUMAR

Kumar’s musical catalogue besides honing a body of work of more than 10 independent albums, also extends beyond his vast knowledge in Indian classical music, with his magical fingers making a mark in Bollywood as well, with his resplendent preludes and interludes in popular tracks like Crazy Kiya Re, Sun Raha Hai, Aashique 2, Baahubali, Bunty Aur Babli, Desi Boyz, Chup Chup Ke and so on. 

Kumar has received much acclaim over the years. Along with receiving various awards, most significantly, he won the prestigious Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for ‘Hindustani Instrumental Music’ in 2007. It is the highest accolade for any practicing artist.  Coming from a long lineage of great sitar masters, Kumar will continue producing some electrifying music. His fusion style appeals to all generations, young and old as he calls it “The Age Un-Gap” His genius sounds will inevitably take Indian music to heights that his predecessors could never have imagined.

Love Is Complicated.. But it's worth it... Girish Kumar & Navneet Dhillon's Contemporary Romance in ‘Loveshhuda’

As urban, contemporary romances go, Girish Kumar & Navneet Dhillon’s forthcoming film ‘Loveshhuda’ promises to be an entertaining watch!

In today’s times, when distance, career & everyday challenges redefine love, ‘Loveshhuda’ focuses on the relationship between two young people at three different points of their life. What’s more, they also meet in different and beautiful places- London, Mauritius & Shimla. Girish Kumar, whose debut film ‘Ramaiya Vastavaiya’ was very well received, will be seen in an urbane character this time.

Intriguing & entertaining, ‘Loveshhuda’ is directed by Vaibhav Misra, and produced by Vijay Galani. Describing the chemistry of his leading pair, Vaibhav said, “It’s a romantic & drama rolled into one & both Girish & Navneet lend themselves perfectly to their contemporary roles.” Producer Vijay Galani adds, “With ‘Loveshhuda’, we have focused on telling a love story that suits present times & the chances that today’s generation takes. With Tips Music backing us, ‘Loveshhuda’s music is bound to work wonders.”

Mithoon has composed Mar Jaayen the 1st track from the film’s soundtrack, which releases today, Sayeed Quadri has penned the lyrics for this romantic song & sung by Atif Aslam, known for his soulful romantic songs.


‘Loveshhuda’ will release on 15 January 2016. The first track of the film, Mar Jaayen sung by Atif Aslam is out now.