Winners from Junior and Senior Groups’ to record an album with Universal Music Group

Max Life Insurance, one of the leading life insurers in India and leading music label Universal Music India, today announced Maithili Thakur & Tannishtha Puri as winners of  ‘i-genius Young Singing Stars Season II’.  

The Grand Finale witnessed outstanding performances by the 10 finalists. The 10 were chosen by a jury including Salim Merchant & Shraddha Sharma, from over one lakh entries received from across the country.  The two winners from the junior and senior categories Tannishtha Puri & Maithili Thakur respectively have won an opportunity to record their own album.  5 top winners from the Primary category will feature in a special music video, and the 4 finalists each from Junior & Senior Group win a contract each to record a single. 

After the grand success of ‘i-genius Young Singing Stars’ in 2014, Max Life Insurance launched ‘i-genius Young Singing Stars Season II’ in 2015. The programme has become a huge success and has attracted the interest of over 2.5 lakh participants who registered for the programme in the last two years. The programme has provided an exciting platform for aspiring and talented young singing stars aged between 4-15 years to have their songs heard by industry professionals and come one step closer to realizing a dream of recording their own music album. Through a rigorous three-phase selection process, the panel of jury shortlisted many top performers.  Following this, a video conferencing round was used to finalise the top 10 who went through mentoring sessions with Salim Merchant and Shraddha Sharma. 

Commenting on the programme, Mr. Rajesh Sud, CEO and Managing Director, Max Life Insurance said, “We are extremely excited with the response that our ‘i-genius young singing stars’ programme is continuing to receive since its launch in 2014. It is a privilege for us to be able to nurture the future talent of the country by giving them a platform to showcase their talent. Our i-genius programme which was launched in 2010 has become a benchmark and has connected with over 26.5 lakh children from across the country through our various initiatives including i-genius Scholarship and Young Authors Hunt programme.”

Commenting on the occasion, Devraj Sanyal, Managing Director - Universal Music Group and EMI South Asia said, "The amazing response to the Max Life i-genius Young Singing Stars continues in Season 2. Yet again we have seen the entries surpassing the figure of 1 lakh. What makes this season special is the quality of talent, which has surpassed that of Season 1 by miles and is unparalleled to any other singing platform that I have seen in this age group. I am very proud of the way this program is shaping up and I can’t wait to start working in the studio with these stars of the new generation.” 

Commenting on the occasion, Salim Merchant, Jury & Brand Ambassador said, “The quality of talent we have seen in Season 2 of Max Life i-genius Young Singing Stars has been truly astonishing. As an industry professional, you want to encourage every child that is giving their 100% but as a judge, given the level of talent that I witnessed, in all honesty, I had a hard time choosing them from the initial pool itself.  The passion that these young children have shown when combined with the right mentoring will help them go a long way in becoming the future stars of our industry.” 

About i-genius Young Singing Stars Season 2

The participation for i-genius Young Singing Stars Season 2  wasopen to all children from 4 years to 15 years of age in three categories: i-genius Primary- 4-7 yrs,  i-genius Junior - 8 – 11 yrs and i-genius Senior - 12-15 years from all over India. The programme ran in four phases-:

·         Phase 1: Online registration was opened to the participants who could register online at www.igenius.org or through physical registration forms that were available at all Max Life offices

o    The above was to be followed by a one minute audio submission on IVR number 92500 32222 or via an online widget on www.igenius.org

·         Phase 2:In the next phase Digital Auditions were held in select cities in each region through video-conferencing which were evaluated by the jury

·         Phase 3: Selected kids received mentoring from the Brand Ambassadors

·         Phase 4 (Finale): After receiving training from the mentors, the kids performed at a grand finale event where 1 winner was selected from Junior & Senior Group and won an album recording contract with Universal Music Group and 4 finalists each from Junior & Senior Group will won a contract for a single song. 5 top winners from Primary group got an opportunity to be featured in a special music video. Additionally, 600 winners received CD Hampers as consolation prizes.

‘CID’ – the longest running Indian series on television continues to rule hearts

             Successfully enters its 19^th year of being on-air

CID; the longest running Indian series on television that has given viewers some of the most iconic dialogues by remarkable characters and which holds a Guinness Book of World Records,  is all set to enter its 19^th year. To mark this glorious feat, the makers came together to celebrate the show’s successful run. Present at the celebratory event, along with the entire cast of the show, were  NP Singh, CEO - MSM; Danish Khan, EVP & Business Head – SET; Anshuman Sinha, SVP & Senior Creative Director – SET; BP Singh and Pradeep Uppoor – Producer, Fireworks Production.

As the show steps in the 19^th year, the channel announced some exciting surprises that will further enthrall the audiences. The channel’s much coveted CID Veerta Awards will make a grand comeback on Sony Entertainment Television after 3 years. Airing on 14^th August, 2016 the award ceremony will continue with this tradition and inspire audiences.

Starting 19^th December the CID cops will continue to entertain the fans every Saturday and Sunday at 10 PM. To celebrate the milestone of completing 18 years, the show and CID cops will amaze audience with a refreshing avatar while the cops continue to solve intriguing murder mysteries.

Comments

NP Singh, CEO, Multi Screen Media (MSM):

To be on-air for 18 years is an unparalled feat for any Indian programme on television. CID continues to rule hearts and its characters have found a place in the everyday life and rhythm of its viewership. Over the years, CID has not only kept pace with changing consumer preferences and sentiments but also sustained their interest. As it enters, it’s 19th year of successful sustenance, CID will bring new surprises to you and temper your intellect with more mysteries to resolve. Just like the 18 years gone by, the viewers of CID will be able to watch CID for another 18 years, if not more.

CID Veerta awards are to salute those men, women and children who have put others before them; helping them in difficult situations, sometimes even putting their own lives at risk in order to do so. These awards will recognise valour and the belief in human dignity. As time evolves, being recognised as a “CID Veer” would mean being recognised as an advocate of human dignity.

Danish Khan, EVP & Business Head, Sony Entertainment Television:

CID is one of the most important franchises of Sony Entertainment Television. The reason it has been successful for over 18 years is because it has changed itself with times, yet remained consistent in its appeal and storytelling. 2016 will see CID in an avatar which will delight its existing set of viewers and attract newer set of viewers. Sony Entertainment Television is committed to take CID into newer heights in 2016.

BP Singh, Producer, Fireworks Productions:

“CID is the longest running and one of the most loved shows on Indian television. This very special long run would not have been possible without the support of Sony Entertainment Television. We are extremely proud of the long standing association we have shared with Sony Entertainment Television and hope to continue entertaining our audience further. As CID enters its 19th year, we are thrilled to present the new look which I am sure viewers will enjoy. This new phase will only enable us to further connect with our audience with a fresh approach.”Starting 19^th December catch your favorite cops on Saturday and Sunday at 10pm

only on Sony Entertainment Television

INTERNATIONAL INDIAN FILM ACADEMY (IIFA) RANKED AS INDIA’S No. 1 Awards IP by BW APPLAUSE

GLOBAL INDIAN MUSIC AWARDS AND GUILD AWARDS LISTED AS NO. 4 AND 5 AMONG AWARD IPS

 India’s most extravagant intellectual property, International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Awards, has been acknowledged by BW Applause magazine as the No. 1 Awards IP for India. IIFA which is owned by leading Event Management company, Wizcraft International Entertainment; the company also owns the GiMAs (Global Indian Music Awards) and the Guild Awards for Film and ~Television which have been ranked as No. 4 and No. 5 respectively, giving the agency three brands among the Top 5  of the ranking that has studied more than 75 such brands. 

BW APPLAUSE magazine launched a nationwide search to identify some of the most prestigious IPs across several categories like Art and Culture, Films, Music, Automobiles and Bikes, Food and Drinks and Awards. 

Speaking on the occasion, Andre Timmins, Founder-Director, Wizcraft International said, “It is truly a great honor to receive this accolade. Each year we try our hardest to create the biggest celebration of Indian Cinema. This achievement would not be possible without the support of the entertainment industry, media and our clients who participate willingly. IIFA, GiMA and the Guild Awards celebrate excellence from India on the global stage. We are also grateful to our broadcasters Star Plus, Colors Viacom18 and Sony Entertainment television for their support through the years.” 

Instituted in 2000, the IIFA Awards is India’s first-ever awards held at international locations, celebrating the magic and grandeur of Indian Cinema beyond borders, thereafter kick-starting a phenomenon of Indian cinema’s showcasing before global audiences. It has evolved as India’s most-high profile media event bringing together film, music, fashion, business and media facets. With a viewership of almost 800 million, it is among the world's most-watched annual entertainment events. Bridging the gap between the Indian film fraternity and audiences overseas, the IIFA Awards has been the only awards platform spreading the glitz and glamour of the Indian film industry across the world. 

The Global Indian Music Academy Awards were instituted in the year 2010 with a view to bringing together on a common platform music genres of India such as classical, folk, semi classical, fusion pop and film music. 

Rani Mukerji and Aditya Chopra Blessed with baby girl Adira

Rani Mukerji and Aditya Chopra have been blessed with a baby girl today. Adira,a healthy and fiesty daughter was born at Breach Candy Hospital this morning. 'I would like to thank all my well wishers and fans', Rani said, 'Today life has given us God's greatest gift with Adira. We thank fans our friends and well wishers for their unconditional support and blessings. With joy we beginthis new chapter in our lives.' 

ErosNow launches Blazing Bajirao The Game Peshwa Bajirao to come live on phones and tablets with the thrilling new game

ErosNow, the on-demand entertainment portal of Eros International, today announced the launch of the trailer of ‘Blazing Bajirao The Game’ for their upcoming magnum opus, Bajirao Mastani. An extension of ErosNow’s unique digital marketing innovation, the successfully-running web series, Blazing Bajirao, the game will be available on the 10^th of December 2015 for download on the Apple App and Google Play stores. The web version will be available exclusively on erosnow.com.

After Mughal-e-Azam, comes Bajirao Mastani, the country’s next big labour of love. Known to create nothing short of masterpieces, director Sanjay Leela Bhansali promises to outdo himself with this visual spectacle. And befitting a magnum opus of this stature, ‘Blazing Bajirao The Game’, will be adrenaline pumping, high octane and reflective of the legendary Peshwa’s supremacy.

In an epic hunt for love and glory, the interactive game invites players to embark on a thrilling adventure as they battle as Peshwa Bajirao, the undefeated warrior of the Maratha empire. As players progress through the game, they must fight through hordes of enemy infantry and archers in search of Mastani roaring ‘Har Har Mahadev’!

Commenting on the launch of the game, Rishika Lulla Singh, CEO, Eros Digital said, “ErosNow has been pushing boundaries with unique digital initiatives for the promotion of Bajirao Mastani. After the success of India’s first graphic web series, Blazing Bajirao, the game was a natural progression to take digital promotions to the next level. The game is of stellar quality and gamers can now become Peshwa Bajirao, the great warrior themselves and experience the exhilaration of battle victory using swords, bows and arrows”.

Game Features:

·         Blitz your way through countless waves of the enemy

·         Dismember enemies using your sword, bows and arrows

·         Use the might of your special Urumi attack to obliterate enemy battalions

·         Avoid enemy towers and elephant mounted defences

·         Collect gold to buy weapons and upgrades

It is truly a great time for cinema as once every 50 years does a film of this calibre comes from India. Promising to be not just a film, but an experience, Bajirao Mastani remains one of the most anticipated films in the history of Indian cinema.

Eros International and Bhansali Productions’ Bajirao Mastani, directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, starring Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone and Priyanka Chopra will release worldwide on 18^th December 2015.

Here’s the trailer of Blazing Bajirao The Game: http://erosnow.com/#!/tv/watch/1045636/blazing-bajirao---the-game/6632874/6632875/blazing-bajirao---the-game---trailer?ap=1