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bollywoodhungama
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FICCI Frames Diary, Day 3
Click above for event stills
The last and final day at FICCI Frames didn't turn out to be as hectic and loaded with seminars as the previous ones, but certainly had quite a few high-profile dignitaries as speakers. It's safe to say it turned out to be a star studded finale of the three day event. Here are the highlights.
A panel discussion on 'User Generated Content' was an apt one following the discussions over evolving digital technologies over the past two days. The discussion was moderated by Neeraj Roy, CEO & MD, Hungama Digital Media Entertainment, had a panel of senior executives from technology developers and content providers - discussing the impact user generated content will have on different mediums. The panel also discussed the room for growth in this arena and the technological advancements that need to hand-in-hand to support content creation.
Like the previous two days, there was another session dealing with the television industry. It's nice to see that FICCI has been giving TV equal importance as the film industry. Moderated by Jagdish Kumar, President South India, Star TV Pvt. Ltd., the panel on "Where is the profitability in the TV industry" consisted of COOs, CEOs and MDs of the major TV channels. The panelists busted some myths about the TV industry's revenue turnover and then proceeded to discuss the prospects and avenues they are trying to monetize for higher profitability.
A discussion on film marketing was next, where the panelist shed light on the innovative strategies utilized in the past to those which are in play currently. The use of handheld platforms and internet was highly stressed upon, especially since the recent times have seen many films being released over the internet. The panelists found that to be a safer medium and also a great profit earning move. The future of digital-exhibition in Indian theatres was also brought up. With the lower costs of distribution, releasing films has become considerably cheaper and will aid smaller budget films to find a release.
A key note address by Uday Shankar, CEO of Star India - was thronged by delegates.
As we drew closer to the evening, the major highlights of the day began to roll out. The session on 'Film Industry Anti-Piracy Coalition Launch', with personalities like Yash Chopra, Harish Dayani, Siddharth Roy Kapoor and Sandeep Bhargava on stage brought out alarming facts and figures to establish the magnitude of losses suffered by the Indian film industry due to piracy - an astronomical amount of close to 20,000 crores. Many reports have stated that a major chunk of this money earned by pirates goes on to fuel terrorism and anti-state activities. The film industry, it seems has decided to come together and fight this evil along with the help of the government.
The next discussion on a key topic - 'Entertaining India in the Next Decade' was moderated by NDTV'S Vikram Chandra and the panel consisted of actress Vidya Balan, theatre personality Sanjna Kapoor, music composers Vishal and Shekhar and Yash Chopra. Together they painted an optimistic image of the future as they saw potential in emerging talent which is going to be supported adequately with evolving technologies. The internet according to all of them will make content much more accessible to the masses and hence change the scenario all together - but not in away where it would replace film and theatre, but instead create a new genre of entertainment.
The valedictory session had Ambika Soni, I&B minister of India and Ashok Amritraj giving the keynote addresses. Ambika Soni spoke about her opinions on the issues raised in the last 3 days of FICCI and also discussed the actions she will take to resolve those issues. Most importantly she elaborated on what will be the steps the government will take to combat piracy.
FICCI Frames concluded with an award ceremony, which honored various personalities from the Indian media industry. The winners included big names that were present personally to collect the awards - Amitabh Bacchan, Vidya Balan, Ranbir Kapoor and Shah Rukh Khan. The award ceremony turned out to be a gala event, with music performances and short speeches.
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Priyanka Chopra to host Fear Factor - Season 3
Who is the fittest female actor in our industry? Tough call right? But who is the fittest female actor in Bollywood to host an action adventure show replacing Akshay? Well, the count comes down to just one and that is our very own Priyanka Chopra. With her pizzazz and fit body she sure seems just the one to fit into Akshay's shoes for Khatron Ke Khiladi - Season 3.
As you wonder why Akshay is even being replaced, then it must be revealed that the format of the show has undergone a change. Whereas it was 13 beauties as contestants and one hunk hosting the show in the first two editions, now it's going to be 13 guys and one beauty, ready to rein them and put them through gruellingly tough tasks. What's more the 13 guys are no ordinary persons but some popular National and International cricketers. Sounds fun doesn't it?
It's also revealed that Piggy Chops would be performing some of the stunts herself too. Basking in the excitement, Priyanka tweeted, "O now I can officially finally tell ya'll my secret. I'll be hosting Fear Factor 3 this season! That's 'Khatron Ke Khiladi'!! I'm tooo excited!" Well! She sure has reason enough to be.
KKK Season 3 that was initially going to be shot in South Africa will now be shot in Brazil and will also mark Priyanka's debut on television. With Priyanka Chopra and the renowned names from the cricketing world coming together, the TRPs will surely be touching new highs when this show goes on air.
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Gulzar goes international with Wayne Sharp's version of Vande Mataram
New York-based American music composer Wayne Sharpe, best known for his award-winning background scores in Prakash's Gangaajal and Apaharan, now doing the background for Jha's Raajneeti, was down in Mumbai earlier this week to finalize a new version of the eternal national patriotic song Vande Mataram.
The inimitable poet Gulzar, going international for the second time after 'Jai Ho' in Slumdog Millionaire, will pen the lyrics for the new-age Vande Mataram.
This would be the first attempt by a foreigner to modify and recreate an Indian patriotic song. Wayne Sharpe's new-age Vande Mataram would have a whole array of present day playback voices from Bollywood singing in the song.
The original Vande Mataram for the 1952 film was recorded by Lata Mangeshkar and composed by Hemant Kumar. A. R. Rahman later did another version of Vande Mataram.
But Wayne's version of the timeless track for Raajneeti would be entirely different. Speaking before leaving for New York, Wayne Sharpe said, "I specialize in background scores. Now I'm doing my first Bollywood song for Raajneeti. It's a re-arrangement of Vande Mataram with my version of the tune. I think I'm the first American to do this. It'd be huge production with a big orchestra. We'd have a bit of the old melody along with some of the new one that I'm writing. There would be a whole cross-section of singers."
Wayne credits Prakash Jha with his Bollywood connection. "I met Prakash through a mutual friend in New York. He invited me to India to do the background music in Gangaajal. Now I'm doing a third film for him. My speciality is working on western sounds and combining it with Indian sounds. That's the radar I'd like to stay within."
Wayne is trained in western classical music. And that's the sound we'll hear in this version of Vande Mataram. He is a big fan of A R Rahman. "Rahman's score in Taal just changed my life. It was a major pinnacle for my career as a musician."
Wayne has also completed the background music in Sanjay Chouhan's Lahore. "I see Mumbai as a second home," said the New Yorker before flying out.
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Fox Star Studios India announces its tie up with Rohan Sippy's Dum Maaro Dum
After having had a successful last two years with Slumdog Millionaire, Avatar and My Name is Khan, Fox Star Studios announced its association with Ramesh Sippy Entertainment for their latest project Dum Maaro Dum, produced by Ramesh Sippy and directed by Rohan Sippy.
"We are happy to reiterate our vision of working with the best talent in the business and are sure that with the winning pair of Rohan and Abhishek we are looking to create a thriller that promises edge of the seat entertainment and is great fun to watch. The movie will appeal to people of all ages as the story is set in Goa with a background of realism." said Vijay Singh, CEO, Fox Star Studios India.
Commenting on this association, director Rohan Sippy said, "Fox Star Studios has managed to establish a strong presence in the Indian Film industry in a very short time and have ably demonstrated their marketing and distribution capabilities - we are extremely excited to partner on our next project with people who are like minded and have vision to take the film places. The movie stars Abhishek Bachchan who plays a cop which is reminiscent of Mr.Bachchan's iconic representation of a cop in the film Zanjeer."
Dum Maaro Dum reunites Rohan Sippy and Abhishek Bachchan once again after Bluffmaster, a film which won both critical acclaim and commercial success. Besides Abhishek Bachchan, Dum Maaro Dum also stars Bipasha Basu, Aditya Panscholi, Prateik Babbar and also provides a platform to Rana Dagubatti who is a well known star in Andhra Pradesh and would be making his Hindi film debut with this flick. The film, keeping in mind the title, will have new sounds and music created by the affable Pritam.
Dum Maaro Dum is an exciting action packed thriller which races through the by-lanes, beach shacks and raves of India's largest tourist destination Goa. Populated with unforgettable characters, punctuated with a soundtrack that moves from haunting Konkani songs to pulsating dance music and shot right in the midst of the teeming international tourist hotspots, the film takes you on a trip that will have you on the edge of your seat.
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Rahman won't be available for film scores during most of 2010
A. R. Rahman plans to be out of India for the longest period. And Bollywood filmmakers like Abbas Tyrewala and Mani Ratnam who have pending work with Rahman have pressed the panic button.
Rahman won't be available for film scores during most of 2010. "It's a very tough schedule for me this year," says Rahman. "I'll be out of the country for five months which I've kept aside completely for the word tour."
The concerts will take Rahman to places he has never been before. "I essentially need time for my music, spirituality and family. Everything else is secondary. We'll be going to remote places in Europe, the Far East and America. I'll be touring from this month (March 2010).This would be my longest tour ever and I'm not thinking of any other work."
Contrary to reports Rahman turned 43 (and not 44) on January 6. "I was born in 1967, so it's my 43rd birthday. I am an old man now. Do I feel older? It's a good feeling. I'm heading towards the place where all of us are destined to .You are born and then one day, you die. So my policy in life is to do what I want to do today, not tomorrow. If I want to do good things in life I better do them now."
Rahman says he doesn't fear death. "I think about death every day. Last year I lost a couple of very close friends. I've been watching people close to me die from the time I was a child. Very early I lost my father and my grandmother whom I was very close to. So death is always been with me. It's the only certainty in life."
Rahman admits time management is a problem. "But you have to prioritize your time and do what you must. For example I know I've to be away for five months this year. So it'd be foolish of me to commit myself to anything until I finish my concerts."
Rahman says it's a blessing to work out of his home. "My family is always around me. I think that's what keeps me creatively charged. When I travel I crave to return. My kids are growing up. It's important that they see their father regularly. Or they'll soon start calling me Uncle."
Rahman has just done soundtrack for Tamil film directed by Gautam Menon. "Then I've Mani Ratnam's Raavan and Abbas Tyrewala's 1-800-Love. Also Shekhar Kapoor's Paani which is a very important film. I've recorded one song for it. After the Grammys, I'll look at other international offers. But with the world tour on will I have the time?