Eros Now announces SALUTE SIACHEN

           
        First-ever celebrity expedition to Siachen Glacier

    Nine celebrities on a journey of their lives to salute the                               spirit of Siachen 

They fall, they rise, and they march ahead relentlessly, through extreme climatic conditions. Siachen Glacier. The world’s 2nd longest glacier has come to represent the resilience and fortitude of the Indian Army.  It all started in April 1981 when the Indian Army made history by traversing the uncharted Siachen, also known as the Third Pole.

On the occasion of the 35th anniversary of this daring expedition, Eros Now, the leading OTT platform of Eros International Plc, announced today a ground breaking initiative, Salute Siachen, India’s first-ever celebrity expedition to the Siachen Glacier. The unique expedition will see nine celebrity adventurers from different walks of life, retrace and relive that journey. The 20-day expedition flags off this Independence Day (August 15) from Leh, and will culminate at Kumar Post, named after Colonel Narinder "Bull" Kumar, PVSM, KC, AVSM, MacGregor Medal, IMF Gold Medal, Padma Shri, Arjuna Award, FRGS. Bull Kumar planted the India flag on the Siachen Glacier in 1981 and became the first person to scale the uncharted Siachen from its freezing snout to its icy source.

India’s much-loved celebrities have come together to take this arduous journey to salute the courage of our soldiers who man the posts there in conditions of extreme adversity. Popular Bollywood actors Arjun Rampal, Arunoday Singh, sports personalities - cricketer Rudra Pratap Singh and hockey player Yuvraj Walmiki, TV heartthrob Rannvijay Singha along with Namrata Gujaran, Hasan Zaidi, Shlok Sharma and Sonnalli Seygall are in this select squad.

The celebrity participants have undergone rigorous training and prepping for the expedition which will begin with a five-day acclimatization trek to Stok Kangri base camp near Leh. Once geared to face the journey ahead, they will proceed to Siachen Base Camp for the expedition to Kumar Post. They take with them the goodwill and gratitude of an entire nation as we join them in saluting Siachen…! 

Commenting on the announcement, Rishika Lulla Singh, CEO, Eros Digital said, “We are very excited and proud to launch this initiative on Eros Now. We have gathered a team of notable individuals who have come on board in support of this mission to Siachen and become ambassadors in expressing the nation’s gratitude towards the valour of these brave soldiers. Eros Now being the front runner in the digital landscape believes in pushing boundaries and creating path-breaking content such as this initiative”.

Zulfiqar Khan, Business Head, Eros Now added, “Salute Siachen is Eros Now’s landmark initiative, getting together much loved faces from the world of Bollywood, Television and Sports, to traverse the icy frontiers of the Siachen Glacier, giving the world a glimpse into the lives of our real heroes at Siachen. This epic journey will be documented by the adventurers and showcased on Eros Now.”

When asked about this expedition, Col. Kumar said, “Of all my exploits in the mountains, this was the most pivotal one for me. For the first time, I was leading an expedition as a soldier of the Indian Army, not just as a mountaineer. I wasn’t just doing this for myself or my team, this was for the entire nation. Thirty-five years later, I am very happy that civilians from all walks of life are going to Siachen to see for themselves the hardships our soldiers are undergoing there, and to show them that their efforts are being appreciated by a grateful nation.”

“My Father Iqbal” Music was launched with much fanfare

Newly launched film production house, Yash Corporation unveils music of its debut project “My Father Iqbal” on 6thAugust 2016 by the renown melody singer Arvinder Singh and Film’s lead actor Narendra Jha. Film producer Paresh Mehta, Director Suzad Iqbal Khan were present with entire cast and crew. Hon Ex minister of J&K (Power) Babu Singh, Actor Babu Singh, Israr Ahmed Screenshot Media & Entertainment Group) & many media person were among the other special guests.

Noted actor ‘Narendra Jha’, who played the protagonist IQBAL’s in the film, said that this film is made on a real incidence and he is lucky to play the intense character.

The music was well received and appreciated by all because of its contemporary style of lyrics, compositions and perfection of poetry fitting the scenes and story. The compositions by Music director Sanjeev Agarwal was a sure-shot hit with the audience in one go.

Singer Uvie and Asa Singh sang live at the media gathering. And it was a moment of joy when a Cake was cut for Director Suzad Iqbal Khan for his birthday falling on same date.

On looking at the trailer followed by Songs, it was quite ravishing to watch the look of the film capturing colorful and virgin backdrop of Kashmir velly’s locations.

Film “My Father Iqbal” is based on a real life incident of an engineer from J&K's PwD Department who fulfils multiple responsibilities in his life. He is a husband, father and above all - a sincere and honest citizen. The film captures the struggle of a father who'd go to any length to achieve the dreams of his child while maintaining his duty towards the country. Father depicts the patriotism of a common man who fights for his country. A father is not just protective towards his family but also towards the entire society that he lives in. Some terrorists use the Father to create havoc in the atmosphere that the family hails from. Father always sacrifice his dreams, he stands like a protective rock and saves everyone from the evil intentions.

The Cast and Crew includes Pranav Shah as executive producer, written by Abinash Singh Chib, Sagar Nath Jha & Suzad Iqbal Khan, music by Biswajit Bhattacharjee & Varun Agarwal, cinematography by Ananta Gille, lyrics by Abinash Singh Chib, Suzad Iqbal Khan & Krishna Bhardwaj, choreography by Kausar Shaikh & editing by Honey Sethi.

Songs are rendered by Aman Trikha, Shahid Mallya, Uvie, Asa Singh (son of Arvinder Singh), Divya Kumar, Anamika Choudhary and Debomalya.

Actors of the film are Narendra Jha, Komal Thackar, Paresh Mehta, Raj Sharma, Amit Lekhwani, Sagar Nath Jha, Sudam Aftab Khan & Kumar Vaibhav.

Film has been slated to release in September 2016

SUNNY DEOL LAUNCHED THE NEW TWO WHEELER TIRE FROM BKT TIRES

Famous Bollywood actor and the company's brand ambassador, Sunny Deol attends the glittering launch ceremony of the BKT Tires.

Bal Krishna Industries Limited, also known as BKT India's leading off highway tire manufacturing company announced its entry into the two wheeler tire market of the country.

BKT Tire is now set to tap the booming market for two wheeler tires in India. In a glittering ceremony attended by the Macho man of Bollywood and BKT's brand Ambassador Sunny Deol, BKT announced its foray into the new category and also showcased its two new product offerings in this segment.

commenting on the foray, Rajiv Poddar, Joint Managing Director, BKT Tires, said "Thw two wheeler tire industry has reported a compounded annual growth rate of 8.5%. considering the tremendous potential of the market and its reach in rural India, we plan to introduce our flagship tires at sizes that permeate more than 70% of the total market scope."

Qyuki launches Jammin’, a musical collaboration featuring Bollywood’s top composers and YouTube’s leading music talent

YouTube is a global platform for independent media artists and many have achieved star status driving millions of views everyday. In India, Qyuki a leading creator focussed multi-platform media company today unveiled Jammin’, a unique digital collaboration between

YouTube’s leading music creators and bollywood’s iconic composers including Grammy and Academy Award Winner A. R. Rahman, Salim-Sulaiman, Clinton Cerejo and Mithoon.

Jammin - presented by Airtel and Signature, will bring together YouTube’s  top musical talent SANAM, Shraddha Sharma, Siddharth Slathia, Jonita Gandhi, Arjun Kanungo, Maati Baani, Sanah Moidutty, Raaga Trippin andMumbai’s Finest collaborating with four of Bollywood’s most accomplished music composers to create ten original soundtracks and music videos.

The first music video is scheduled to release on 19th August, with a new original music video releasing every week thereafter, culminating into a mega live concert at the NSCI Dome in Mumbai on 11th November. All the music video’s will be curated on the Jammin’ channel on YouTube.

Speaking about Jammin’, Co-founder and MD of Qyuki, Samir Bangara, said, “Jammin’ represents Qyuki’s vision of empowering creators to challenge the status quo. We are super stoked to launch the first ever mega collaboration between the world of Bollywood and YouTube stars and are grateful for YouTube’s backing to make this one of the biggest musical properties to be launched in India”

Speaking at the launch of Jammin’, Co-founder of Qyuki and India’s music maestro, A. R. Rahman said, “YouTube has created an amazing platform for artists to reach their audiences, and independent creators need the backing of a partner to bring discoverability and scale to their talent. Through Jammin’ I am glad Qyuki is being able to be that true partner to creators and bring them on a level playing field with mainstream music.” 

Speaking about Jammin’, Satya Raghavan, Head of Entertainment for YouTube in India, said, “There has never been a better time to be an Independent artist on YouTube. Some of these artists posted their first video from their bedrooms and today it’s really exciting to see Qyuki bring India’s most popular music composers to work together with these talented creators on a canvas as large as Jammin’. We hope this will inspire many more talented artists in the country to start their journey on YouTube and find success.”

I always wanted to be a music composer- Nakash Aziz

-Tell us about your recent project missing on a weekend.

Yes I have composed music for the movie; it feels great when people acknowledge your work and you get an opportunity to extent your hands in the field which you love the most. This will be my debut as a music composer in Bollywood and I am excited for the same. The film will be an acting debut for legendary singer Hariharan ji’s son Karan.

-You've worked with AR Rahman what did you learn from him? What was the experience?

Rahman sir has been kind enough to trust me with his work. I started with recording a sarod for 'Delhi-6'. I've been observing him. I've heard his songs right from 'Roja' to 'Mohenjodaro'. He is like a guru, I never told him I am a singer. I thought he would figure out eventually. You can't tell him to do anything because he is Rahman. I don't think I am qualified to discuss music with him. Once he asked me, 'Have you sung 'Dhating naach?' I said yes. He said ok.I didn't have the courage to ask him if he has heard it because he has got a very powerful aura around him. I am lucky to be breathing same air as he is. It's a pleasure,

-Tell us about your association with Pritam?

He's a mentor, friend, guide and advisor. My first song with him was Pungi (Agent Vinod). It was my big song where I got into playback singing. As an individual who was trying to make it into Bollywood, it was a huge break. Immediately after that, Second Hand Jawaani (Cocktail) was out a few months later. I wasn't singing much then. I was doing scratches for music directors like AR Rahman and Pritamda and getting to know the requirements of a playback singer.

-What made you decide to become a music composer from a singer?

I always wanted to be a music composer, when I got an opportunity to compose the music for the film ‘Missing On A Weekend’ there was no second thought in that and I readily agreed on the same. I just want to be able to work on music that allows me to express more. There will be songs I am not comfortable with but I have to take it up as a job. In the future, I want to do jobs I can relate to and be able to deliver in a comfortable manner.

-You've performed at IIFA for the third time.. You're a hot favourite there. Comment.

Performing at IIFA is always fun. It gives lot of exposure as a singer and also an opportunity  to perform in front of our own Bollywood industry. And I have mainly performed in IIFA’s with Pritam da, I feel lucky and blessed as am amongst the few who have worked with both the masters, Rehman sir and Pritam da. Every day is a new learning experience for me. This year IIFA was in spain and I was really amazed to witness music culture of spain which is vast and beautiful.

-2016 has been a great year so far...

Yes, thankfully my most of the songs were loved by everyone including ‘Jabra Fan’ and ‘Pyaar Ki’. I have also recorded few south songs as well and also composed for a film, so it would be not wrong to say that this year is being a great one for me so far. Also coming back to fan, No words can describe how I am feeling right now. I have grown up watching Shah Rukh Khan, so it is a big deal for me. I had never even thought of seeing him in person, forget about meeting him. And today, when I see him dancing to my song, it seems unbelievable."

-Why is depression so common.  You went through it. Tell us about the phase and how you came out of it?

I was not in that extreme depression, but it I will say I was completely demoralized due to the vote out from a reality show as I obviously wanted to win it. But as we say everything happens for the good, and I really learnt a lot from that experience as I firmly believe that in depression your talent grows in a positive way. The exit from Indian Idol was infact the positive sign for me.

-Who are your competitors?

No one, everyone has enough work here. I would not say that there isn’t any competition in music industry but yes there is lot of work here so I feel no need to compete with anyone.

-Tell us about your early days of struggle to reach where you have today?

Before I participated in Indian Idol, I was taking part in a lot of inter-college music competitions. I was studying in Patkar College, Mumbai, and in the first two years there, I didn't have any friends. Only after I started singing in college, people started interacting with me. Also, I won a lot of competitions for my college and that boosted my confidence. That's when I realised music was my calling.

-Which languages do you enjoy singing the most?

I enjoy to be associate with the word music that be it in any work or any language. So language is not a barrier for me. Also, I do make it a point to know what I am singing. Unless I understand the lyrics, how will I emote? So I keep asking the regional composers about each word in the song and what each line means.

-You've sung for Srk,  Salman and Saif. What was the feeling?  Who do you wish to sing for next?

The feeling is amazing. I have been watching these superstars since my childhood and have been dancing on their hit numbers; it feels amazing to see superstar’s face on your voice. I would like to sing for Aamir Khan.

-Your take on reality singing competitions.

It’s a good platform for singers like us, it gives exposure in the industry and help us to reach our voice to each and every person including the music directors.

-Most of your songs are full of energy and dance numbers. Is that your specialty? What other genres would you like to explore?

Yes, and its not easy to sing these type of songs as well. No matter what is happening in your life, you have to go out there and have fun while singing the song. When you go to any social outing, these are the songs that people dance to. I feel blessed that I get to sing the kind of songs that cheer people up. I don’t think there is anything wrong in being slotted. I hope to have a long life and once I have mastered these kind of songs, I can move on to the romantic space.