972 films entered in Jagran Film Festival in the first week itself

The 7^th edition of Jagran Film Festival is receiving tremendous response from the film industry across the globe with 972 films across various categories entered from 57 countries in the first week itself. The Festival has invited entries from film makers in categories like Indian Showcase (Competitive section for Indian features), Short is Sweet (Competitive section for International short films) and the World Panorama (Noncompetitive section for international feature films).

The Festival is receiving film entries till 31 May 2016 through its website and would open in New Delhi onJuly 1, 2016. The largest travelling film festival in the world is ready to travel to 16 cities in the country and connect with film buffs once again. The Festival that created a furore in the film world with its gripping content and intense connect with film audiences throughout India begins its three month journey from New Delhi and after travelling to cities like Kanpur, Lucknow, Patna, Bhopal, Indore, Dehradoon, Raipur, Jamshedpur, Banaras, Allahabad, Ludhiana and others culminates with a gala awards ceremony in Mumbai end September.

In its continued growth in the past six years the festival has seen a vast upward swing in popularity, reach and connect. “It has provided space for expression of views not only to the seasoned film delegates but also the raw audiences,” opines Film maker Sudhir Mishra. Talking about the Festival, Actor-Director-Producer Pooja Bhatt says,” I enjoyed the connect with the masses that Jagran offers in smaller cities which we tend to miss out on.” Talking about Jagran Film Awards at the Festival, Director Madhur Bhandarkar said, “Very genuine awards”. The Festival has in the past honoured film personalities who contributed immensely to the development of the Cinematic art but were largely ignored by the Media and the Government.

The personalities honoured at Jagran Film Festival are the professionals who were household names once but were ignored soon after. The Festival honoured Producer-Director-Actor Chandrashekhar, veteran Film Editor Baman Bhonsle and last year veteran Make Up Artist Pandhari Juker. Felicitated by 11 Indian Film Directors, a teary eyed Pandhari dada said, ”No one ever bothered about a Make up Artist, forget about awarding them. I am happy someone thought about me and my profession.”

In the past six years, the Festival has emerged as a dark horse involving millions of people across 16 cities of India, entertaining them, informing and educating them on Cinema and its related professionals through film screenings, Master Classes, seminars, Symposia and interviews under the title ‘Coffee Table’.

HRITHIK ROSHAN JOINS THE 6-PACK BAND!

Four singles. Four Goafest Advertising Awards. 10 Million Plus Views. One Honorary Webby Award. India’s first transgender band, the Brooke Bond Red Label 6-Pack Band has been an unstoppable force on the internet and off of it. And with its fifth single, ‘Ae Raju’, the band seems all set to break the internet all over again! Because this time, Bollywood’s biggest heartthrob, Hrithik Roshan, has joined forces with the band to make their new single even more massive!

In ‘Ae Raju’, which is all set to be this year’s chart-topping dance number, Hrithik Roshan makes the world a more welcoming place for India’s first transgender band, true to the philosophy of Brooke Bond Red Label. The dancing shots of Hrithik with the band in the video epitomize the Brooke Bond Red Label credo of inclusion.

This philosophy is also echoed by Hrithik Roshan’s lifestyle brand, HRX, whose motto ‘Defeat defeat’ motivates the members of the band so they can be superheroes in their own right. By giving an all-new, empowering meaning to a term that’s used as a term of endearment by the transgender community at large, ‘Ae Raju’, HRX believes that the Brooke Bond Red Label 6-Pack Band can truly be the best version of themselves.

Treated in a unique comic book style, the video of the song is yet another stand out feature, and is certainly going to be a talking point for not just the fans of Hrithik and the band, but for fans of music and film in general! The ‘kickass’ story, style and slogan of the song is also the reason Oppo Mobile has come on board as ‘Tech partner’. The ‘selfie moment’ of Hrithik and the band in the video is sure to be viral on social media.

So what are you waiting for? Ae Raju, gaana dekh and taali bajaa na!

The Brooke Bond Red Label 6-Pack Band has been launched by Y-Films and features music by Shameer Tandon, who is also the project curator. The lyrics of ‘Ae Raju’ are co-written by Late C. Manikantan and Shameer Tandon. The video is directed by Nupur Bhargava & Hitesh Kewalya of Invisible Rabbit. The band constitutes among its members Asha Jagtap, Bhavika Patil, Chandni Suvarnakar, Fida Khan, Komal Jagtap, Ravina Jagtap. Their music videos can be seen exclusively on www.youtube.com/yfilms.

Says Hrithik Roshan, “I think that one of the main causes of anxiety in the society as a whole is the feeling of differentiation between people. It’s important to feel connected to people around you and we cannot just reject them just because they are different from us. I’ve been following the 6 pack Band and when I heard that the 6 pack band is creating a meaningful message in a fun, entertaining way, I had to be a part of it. Shooting with them was an amazing experience.”

Says Ashish Patil, Y-Films, Brand Partnerships & Talent Management: “Hrithik is one of the most inspiring stars of our generation who doesn’t just walk the talk, but hell, dances the song when he says he believes in equality, respect and love for all! Big taalis to him for the spirit with which he made the band and in turn the community feel like they belong and dancing the way only he can in spite of the fact that he was recovering from a serious leg injury. #Respect!”

Speaking about the new song, Shiva Krishnamurthy, Brooke Bond Red Label spokesperson and Category Head - Tea, Hindustan Unilever Limited, said, “It is a wonderful feeling to see the overwhelming response and accolades that the Brooke Bond Red Label 6 Pack Band has received to date. The band has been welcomed with open arms by music lovers. Through our association, we want to spread the message of inclusiveness and encourage people to become more accepting, break barriers and bond over a cup of tea.”

Film Azhar team on The Kapil Sharma Show (pics)

Lara Dutta reveals why she married Mahesh Bhupati on The Kapil Sharma Show

This Saturday, the star cast of the movie Azhar, Emraan Hashmi, Lara Dutta and Prachi Desai, along with cricketer Azharuddin will be seen as the special guests on The Kapil Sharma Show. Kapil and his gang will be seen at their funniest best as they ensure the guests and the audience roll on the floor laughing with their gags and antics. Viewers will also get to see the otherwise reserved Lara Dutta showcase her funny side as she and Kapil indulge in some leg pulling. When Kapil observed that most cricketers marry Bollywood actors however Lara Dutta is an exception, she replied, “All the cricketers were taken. Bacha kucha ek tennis star tha, maine usse shaadi kar li”

The episode will also see some hilarious acts by Sunil Grover and Kiku Sharda. The duo will be seen donning the now-everyone’s-favourite avatar of Bhabhi and Nanand. Sunil Grover as Santosh Bhabhi will floor the audience with her special Shakira performance as he sways his hips and belly dances like the diva. Kiku Sharda too will learn to pout like a Miss Universe from Lara Dutta while failing miserably at it, which will crack everyone up.

EMI RECORDS INDIA & MOHIT SURI SIGN UP EXCITING URBAN ELECTRONICA COLLECTIVE `MANGO BEATS’

Last year, leading record label Universal Music India announced the launch of its new sub-label ‘EMI Records India’ in collaboration with Bollywood’s ace film director MohitSuri. The sub-label was initiated as a one of its kind venture to find `music and entertainment’ talent that could be curated, mentored and nurtured under expert guidance.

EMI Records India was created not just for singers but for a wider spectrum of musical talent including musicians, composers, lyricists, producers and DJs.

After having launched its first artiste last year - the talented Anmoll Malik, daughter of the famed Anu Malik, the label now prepares the launch of an exciting UK-based Punjabi production-cum-performing trio MANGO BEATS. 

Mango Beats, led by DJ Surinder also includes rappers Illmatik and TRIX. Their major label debut single is the club banger “Akhaan” featuring the voice of Joga Singh. A`Future House’sound over a rustic Punjabi folk composition is what makes “Akhaan” a path-breaking track! 

Says MohitSuri‘the most exciting part of EMI Records India is finding new talent and giving them the platform to nurture and showcase their skills. I am proud to launch Mango Beats which I've discovered along with the EMI Records India team and I believe they have a very unique sound to offer. This is the first time that we've signed a Producer-cum-DJ outfit and I am confident that Producer / DJ Surinder Rattan along with his two cutting edge rappers will bring in a fresh new age sound. I hope the audiences enjoy their debut single “Akhaan” as much I did.’

Devraj Sanyal,Managing Director and CEO, Universal Music Group, South Asia says,“We are eagerly looking forward to introducing Mango Beats to our audiences! Their contemporary sound combined with their distinctive personalities is what makes them a very exciting outfit. And keeping to our objective of working with `entertainment and music’ talent beyond just `singers’, we are proud to sign this Producer/DJ/Rapper `collective’ to EMI Records India. The track "Akhaan" is a banger and destined to become the biggest dance hit of the year!”

Mango Beats was formed after DJ Surinder Rattan roped in rappers to push his distinct production sound to a global audience.  He decided to use long-time collaborators Illmatik and TRIX as they had built a great understanding with him, both in the studio as well as on stage performing high energy gigs!

Speaking on the launch of their debut single, DJ Surinder, on behalf of Mango Beats, said, “The “Akhaan” team and I cannot wait to unleash our sound to a global audience. I thank MohitSuri and the team at EMI Records India for providing us the platform to do this and having faith in our music. Let the journey begin.”

“Akhaan” from the Mango Beats is available digitally worldwide exclusively on EMI Records India