A New Trend in Film Distribution with Eros Now launching ‘Meri Nimmo’ first on its digital platform in association with Aanand L Rai

Eros Now, India’s premiere Video OTT platform has been at the cusp of content and technology revolution since its inception and now adds another feather to its cap. In association with Colour Yellow Productions and Aanand L Rai, Eros Now is proud to present it’s First Original Film ‘Meri Nimmo’ to its viewers worldwide premiering on April 27, 2018.  

Ridhima Lulla, Group Chief Content Officer, Eros International comments, “This launch is a mega step on the evolution of the film business in India. We are thrilled to extend our relationship with Aanandji, with whom we share a wonderful synergy, to the digital space as well. The launch of our first direct to digital film, Meri Nimmo furthers our promise of offering very engaging original content ensuring a superior consumer experience. With this movie we embark on a journey of providing filmmakers and viewers across the globe with fantastic programming that might not get a theatrical release and delivers better viewership and engagement on digital”. 

Directed by Rahul Shankalya and produced by eminent filmmaker Aanand L Rai, Meri Nimmo was selected for 2016’s NFDC Film Bazaar and will enjoy a straight to digital release on Eros Now. A delightful coming of age film starring Newton actor, Anjali Patil in and as Nimmo along with child actor Karan Dave as the central protagonist, it earned wide praise at the 47th International Film Festival (IFFI) and the 19th MAMI Mumbai Film Festival last year. The film revolves around an eight-year-old boy who thinks he is in love with a 24-year-old girl and what follows when the object of his affection decides to get married. The story depicts the young boy’s roller coaster ride of emotions set against the backdrop of his beloved Nimmo’s impending nuptials. 

Commenting on the development, Filmmaker & Producer Aanand L Rai said, “Developing content for digital consumption on Eros Now was a natural progression after our association together on films for the big screen. The digital world excites as well as challenges me and at Colour Yellow Digital, we can’t wait to paint this blank canvas and present Indian content targeted towards audiences for this medium. Meri Nimmo is one such film that's very Indian at heart and I’m sure it will strike the right chord with its beautiful storytelling and stand out performances”. 

This association is the first of the many that Eros Now and Colour Yellow Digital are planning in 2018-19. The viewers are in for a treat with the range of programming set to roll out exclusively on Eros Now. So download the App and don’t forget to subscribe. Bolo Kya Dekhoge.

Manoj Pahwa Reveals Details Of His ‘Khajoor Pe Atke’ Character

Actor Manoj Pahwa, known for his roles in films such as ‘Being Cyrus’, ‘Wanted’, ‘Dabangg 2’, ‘Jolly LLB’, ‘Judwaa 2’ and the super-successful TV show ‘Office Office’, will be next seen in Harsh Chhaya’s directorial debut ‘Khajoor Pe Atke’ and the actor opened up about his character in the film. 

Talking about his character Jeetendar from the film, Pahwa said in an interview, “I play the eldest brother in the family and being the eldest, I feel that it is my solemn duty to take all decisions and be the father figure to everyone else in the family. Needless to say, this causes friction between the other family members and you will get to see in the film the kind of hilarious consequences that arise as a result of the way my character behaves.” 

Apart from Pahwa, ‘Khajoor Pe Atke’ also stars Vinay Pathak, Seema Pahwa, Dolly Ahluwalia, Sanah Kapoor, Suneeta Sengupta and others. ‘Khajoor Pe Atke’ is a tongue-in-cheek look at how different members of a family react when a member of the family is rushed to a hospital after falling gravely ill. This film will offer cine-goers a glimpse into the lives of the most entertaining ‘Item Family’ ever!

Presented by S.O.I.E films, produced by Welcome Films Productions and directed by Harsh Chhaya the film is set to release on 18th May 2018.

I feel blessed and humbled receiving the Master Deenanath Mangeshkar Smruti Pratishthan Awards: Ustad Amjad Ali Khan

Master Deenanath Mangeshkar Smruti Pratishthan felicitated legends from the fields of music, drama, art and social work with the prestigious Deenanath Awards at the Shri Shanmukhanand Hall, Sion. Hon. Minister  Shri Nitin Gadkari presided over the function. Hridaynath Mangeshkar, Usha  Mangeshkar, Adinath Mangeshkar, Avinash Prabhavalkar and Ravi Joshi among others played perfect hosts at the event that had a familial feel to it. 

This year, the Master Deenanath Mangeshkar Award was conferred upon the Sarod Maestro Ustad Amjad Ali Khan; Master Deenanath Mangeshkar Lifetime Award to Asha Bhosle, Master Deenanath Mangeshkar Special Award to Anupam Kher for his contribution to Indian Theatre and Cinema, Shekhar Sen for his contribution to Theatre, Dhananjay Datar for his Social Entrepreneurship; the Vagvilasini Award to poet Yogesh Gaur for Literature and Shriram Gogate Award to Rajiv Khandekar for Journalism; the Mohan Wagh Award to Theatre Production - Ananya for Best Drama of the Year; the Asha Bhosle Award to Mery Behlihomji, Hon. Chairperson of The Central Society of Education for the Deaf for her social cause and contribution to the progress of the hearing impaired for general public.

Ustad Amjad Ali Khan was elated. “For the musicians of India, and especially for me, the Master Deenanath Mangeshkar Smruti Pratishthan Award is the greatest and the most prestigious award of my life. The legendary Deenanath jee gave the revered Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhosle, Usha Mangeshkar, Meena Mangeshkar and Srimant Hridayanath Mangeshkar to the music world. I feel very blessed and humbled with this honour.” 

Asha Bhosle felt equally honoured. “This award is really special for me as it is in the name of my father, Shri Deenanath Mangeshkar. But more than that, I feel honoured to receive this award as it has been conferred upon many stalwarts from the music industry, over the years. This year is Deenanath ji’s 76th anniversary and legends like Pandit Birju Maharaj, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan and Ajay Chakraborty among others will be part of celebrations. I feel blessed. “ 

Social entrepreneur Dhananjay Datar felt inspired. “I am extremely happy to be chosen to be a proud recipient of the prestigious Deenanath Mangeshkar Awards. The Mangeshkar family, in every way, has been giving Maharashtra, the best of their best. Apart from entertaining the society with divine music, they have been active in social service and enrichment of our culture. Their noble philanthropic service has set a unique example for others to follow. It is a blessing for me to receive this award. Secondly, I am inspired and encouraged by Pandit Hridaynathji Mangeshkar, when I humbly started promoting Indian and specially Marathi culture in Gulf countries. His words of appreciation boosted my spirit and enthusiasm to march forward in this direction.” 

Avered Pandit Ajoy Chakraborty, “Deenanath ji was a great performing musician and a trendsetter in Maharashtra. Raga music in Maharashtra was popular through Natya Sangeet and he was a King in that periphery, his memory maintained by the legendary Lata ji, Asha ji, Usha ji and Hridaynath ji. I think it’s really a privilege for everyone to come and remember Deenanath ji today and the kind of hard work that the family has put in to keep the tradition alive. I received the Master Deenanath Mangeshkar Smruti Pratisthan Award four years ago and this time, I will be performing alongside Birju Maharaj ji. It is going to be an enthralling experience for me and I am looking forward to the same.” 

The Mangeshkar family has been celebrating Deenanath Mangeshkar’s anniversary since the last 75 years and this is the 76th anniversary celebrations. Earlier the celebrations used to be a private function till they made it public since 1988. 

“In memory of Master Deenanathji, whose monumental contributions as a singer, musician and stage artiste have been an inspiration to the people of Maharashtra and India, the Mangeshkar family organizes the Master Deenanath Mangeshkar Smruti Pratishthan Awards to honour legends. We are glad that we have the love and support of the masses.” echoed Hridaynath Mangeshkar.

The Master Deenanath Mangeshkar Smruti Pratishthan Awards was followed by a classical programme, Swar Nritya Bhav Darshan wherein  Pt. Birju Maharaj and  Saswati Sen delivered a Kathak performance, Pt. Ajoy Chakraborty’s rendition of Thumris, with Anindo Chatterjee as the Tabla accompanist. The programme concluded with Pt.Ajoy Chakraborty's Thumri rendition with Bhavmudra presentation by Pt.Birju Maharaj.

The 76th Master Deenanath Mangeshkar Punyatithi was organized by Master Deenanath Mangeshkar Shruti Prathishthan along with Hridayesh Arts, who have also organized the music programme.

Ajay Mehra's bollywood debut with Jara Mara

Ajay Mehra, who is known for his prominent role in popular ongoing tv serials ‘Kasam Tere Pyar Ki’ on Colors and ‘Zindagi Ki Mehek’ on Zee TV, is taking a leap from small screen to bollywood. He is all set to make his bollywood debut with the movie ‘Jara Mara’, directed by Ajay Gupta. In this movie, he’ll be seen playing the negative role of ‘Yadav’ alongside Sumit Nijhawan.

When spoken to Ajay about his bollywood debut, Ajay said, “Bollywood was my first dream to work in. I’ve been waiting and preparing myself for bollywood since 8 years. Acting workshops and working on my craft was my battle to get into bollywood. I’ve been reading many biographies and their struggles that inspired me a lot. Now, my wait is over in bollywood but many more to go.

Ajay was last seen in BCL 3 in ‘The Ahmedabad Express’ team on MTV. His earlier work includes ‘Halla Bol Series 1’ on Bindass, BCL Punjab ‘Royal Patialvi’ and BCL India 2 ‘Chennai Swaggers’.

‘Jara Mara’ is a movie based on secularism starring Ravi Kishan, Sumit Nijhawan, Ajay Mehra, etc...

Vikram Bhatt’s Twisted 2 trailer out

The trailer for Vikram Bhatt’s original web series Twisted 2 was launched at a suburban theatre today. Present at the launch were the lead stars of the show, Nia Sharma, Rrahul Singh, Dilnaz Irani and Vikram Bhatt himself, along with the director of the show, Anupam Santosh Saroj. The trailer was followed by 2 songs from the show; Ghav Hai Ghav Par, sung by Arnab Datta, the lyrics of which have been written by Shakeel Azmi and music directed by Raja  Pandit and Pyar Na Ho Jaaye Kahin sung by Ravi Mishra, written by Shakeel Azmi, and music directed by Harish Sagane 

Twisted 2 is the second installment of Vikram Bhatt’s recently launched OTT platform VB on the Web’s original show, Twisted, which garnered a tremendous response from viewers when it first aired on the digital platform. Nia Sharma will be seen reprising her role of Aliya Mukherjee for the reboot, while Rrahul Singh, who plays an ex cop in the series, will play the role of Aryan Mathur, opposite Nia. The new face in the series, Dilnaz Irani, is making a comeback to television and will be playing Arunima, a police officer,in the show. 

Twisted 2 is slated to release on the OTT platform on 25th April 2018 and is produced by Vikram Bhatt with Jio Cinema.