Ek Mein Ek Tu

Mumbai, 3rd February: The gorgeous Kareena Kapoor, the mischievous Imraan Khan and the devil’s advocate Karan Johar makes for an amazing talk show. That much was expected. What wasn’t expected was the extent of bold fun that happened. The three stars had got together for “A date with Ek Main aur Ekk Tu’ – a show to be simulcast exclusively on ETC, Zee TV, Zing, Zee Café, Zee Studio, Zee Trendz and Zee Khana Khazana on 4th February, 7PM.

The mood for the show was set early on when KJo asked Imraan if he’d thought of undergoing therapy for OCD. “Never, I quite enjoy being obsessively organized,” replied Imraan without batting an eyelid.

As the chat proceeded it appeared Karan had touched a raw nerve when he told Imraan, “Kareena postponed dates for Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu as she preferred doing Bodyguard first. She chose Salman over you!”

Never the one to be flustered, Imraan shot back, “If you’ve to lose, that’s someone to lose to!”

Having failed to get the better of Imraan, KJo trained his guns on Kareena. “How do you feel when you see Saif in an intimate scene with another hot actress? Say in Race 2, Saif has a bare-body scene with a Deepika in bikini, what would be your first thought?”

“I’d be like ‘wow! How hot Saif looks’,” said Kareena, adding, with a twinkle in her eye, “I know how he looks bare bodied!” Probed further, Kareena revealed, “I am quite secure in my relationship with Saif and though I don’t want to say too much too soon, I am quite content!”

And for all those people who were missing Karan Johar’s famous rapid fire round, this session with the season’s hottest jodi, Imraan and Kareena will definitely leave u begging for more. Their tongue in cheek replies will definitely set new standards in the industry. Rechristened the Quick Fire round, KJo asked Imraan what was the one thing he wouldn’t want to change in Kareena. Not missing a beat, Imraan replied, “Her bum! It’s a perfect 10 on 10!” While a visibly embarrassed Kareena covered her face, Karan was left speechless!

On being asked about his views on money for sex, a straight faced Imraan shot back, “Depends on how much you are offering!”

If that wasn’t enough, Karan asked Imraan what he expected to find if he walked into Ranbir Kapoor’s bedroom. A thoughtful Imraan pondered, “It’s hard to say … a big baby…”

Moving on to Kareena, Karan asked her, “Does size matter?” Even before Bebo could contemplate answering, Imraan butted in, “Please … on behalf of all men, please answer this question for us!” With a smile on her face, Kareena said, “I think to me it does.”

And these were just the ones that could be printed about! Catch the threesome in action on channels ETC, Zee TV, Zing, Zee Café, Zee Studio, Zee Trendz and Zee Khana Khazana on 4th February, 7PM to know more.

9X Music

Sad News Continues for DD Direct Plus, They Removed The Popular Hindi Music Channel 9X Music from the DD Direct Plus Platform. At Present No Private Channels for Tamil or Malayalam Viewers in DD Direct Plus DTH.

ETC Bollywood Business Award 2011

Mumbai, 6th January: ETC BOLLYWOOD BUSINESS AWARDS enters into its second year to applaud the dream merchants who minted highest amount of monies for Bollywood in the year 2011. India’s first Bollywood channel ETC is all set to unveil the second ETC BOLLYWOOD BUSINESS AWARDS on 9th January, 2012 at 8:30 PM.

Of the approximate 120 films released this year 5 films (Ready, Bodyguard, Singham, RA.One and Don2) saw domestic box office collections of more than INR 100 crores each; while some more, most notably The Dirty Picture (INR 80 cr), Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (INR 92 cr) and Rockstar (INR 67 cr) came close. This year also included quite a few hits and successes that have raked in the moolah. Bollywood collected a total of INR 1740 crores from the Indian BO. Add the revenue garnered from overseas and satellite rights and it goes up to a whopping INR 2590 crores!

With domestic BO collections of 2 hundred crores plus movies under her belt, Kareena Kapoor emerged as the unquestionable money spinner female actor this year.

“Receiving an award wherein you are being adjudged considering the economic quotient as a cornerstone for mapping the success, gives you a sense of pride. I’ve always maintained that commercial success is as important as the critical success of a movie. A commercially successful movie pays evidence to the fact that viewers loved watching your movie. I appreciate the initiative, ETC Bollywood Business Awards, which recognizes the awardees by evaluating BO performance. I thank my viewers, people who I have worked with and ETC for appreciating my work and giving its due recognition.” said Kareena on being presented the ETC Most Profitable Actress Award.

While Salman Khan won the ETC Most Profitable Actor (India) Award, his arch nemesis the King of Bollywood Shahrukh Khan won the ETC Most Profitable Actor (Overseas) Award.

“Now I can safely say ‘har mulk ki public mujhe dhoondti hai’”, quipped the Don Khan, on receiving the ETC Most Profitable Actor (Overseas) Award. On receiving the ETC Best Marketed Movie of the year Award and the ETC Highest Single Day Collection Award, both for RA.One, SRK said, “RA.One, Bollywood’s most expensive movie was my dream project. It feels great that my long cherished dream has been applauded by the viewers and moreover acknowledged by ETC Bollywood Business Awards; which gives its verdict only on the basis of Box Office collections. These two awards are a reply to all the naysayers who tried to discredit my film. Allah has been very kind to me and helped me to entertain my audiences and it is quite literally my audience’s love that has fetched me these awards. Inshallah! I’ll continue to entertain my audiences and make it to this award in years to come.”

Speaking about this unique initiative Anurag Bedi, Business Head, ETC, said, “We started ETC Bollywood Business Awards last year, after having identified the need to evaluate Bollywood on the basis of commerce. From the first look of a film to interacting with actors, directors, producers, marketers, musicians to bringing out BO reports – with every film we undertake a journey as intense as the filmmakers. This initiative is our way recognizing the various people and entities, associated with a film, which are equally as important as people visible on-screen.”

And it is precisely for this reason that ETC Bollywood Business Awards have increased the number of categories from 13 last year to 18 this year. Innovative categories include Most Popular Trailer, BO Surprise Hit of the Year, and Excellence in International Distribution et al.

The success of 2011 augurs well for Bollywood and the biggest winner will be the Indian viewer. Sums up Komal Nahta, Host, ETC Bollywood Business, “This has been a fine year for Bollywood with 5 films earning upwards of INR 100 cr each and quite a number of hits and successes. This initiative is a just recognition of Bollywood’s achievements and I hope our industry enjoys continued success in 2012!”

Cheers to that! We say….

ETC Bollywood Business Award 2011 Winners

ETC Bollywood Business Awards Winners

9XM Charts an Agressive Digital Strategy

9XM, India’s No.1 Bollywood Music Channel has taken a huge leap in the Digital space by introducing many unique concepts on the internet for 9XM viewers. The Channel in partnership with Hungama.com, India’s premium digital entertainment storefront, has launched an online Bollywood Music Store – ‘9XM.Hungama.com’ and 9XM Radio – the on-the-move radio for Bollywood Songs, Celebrity interviews, Bade Chote Bakwaas, etc. 9XM is also offering Bollywood Caller Tunes on the channel giving its viewers an instant opportunity to set caller tunes of the latest songs aired on the channel. The services are available on web, WAP and IVR.

9XM.Hungama.com will provide music lovers an opportunity to sample, select and download their favourite full length Bollywood music tracks and also movie trailers from a comprehensive catalogue of over 1,00,000 songs across various genres. The site will also provide an opportunity to viewers to download 9XM’s iconic characters in the form of videos and wall papers on their mobile phones. Viewers can sms MSTORE to 54646 from their mobile phones or log on to 9xm.hungama.com.

9XM Radio will air non-stop Bollywood songs, celebrity interviews and Bade’s Chote’s Bakwaas. To get 9XM Radio, viewers need to dail 54646996 from their mobile phone. Viewers can also set the best and latest songs aired on the channel as Caller tunes on their Mobile phones through the Bollywood Caller Tunes initiative introduced by 9XM. One can sms the unique song code that is displayed while the song is aired on the channel and send to 54646 or sms BOLLYTOP to 54646 to get the top Bollywood Caller Ring Back Tunes.

Speaking on the initiative, Ms. Vibha Gosher, VP – Digital, 9X Media Group said “We are the only Television Network in India concentrating only in the music space. We are committed to provide world-class entertainment across platforms. Bollywood music has become an integral part of our lives. 9XM viewers can now consume our content and enjoy the best Bollywood songs at their own convenience. We are pleased to partner with Hungama.com for these unique initiatives where music lovers can download the latest movie ringtones, trailers, wall papers of their favourite stars and the iconic 9XM characters on their devices on the go.”

9XM’s association with Hungama.com provides music enthusiasts an opportunity to not only access their favourite content anytime, anywhere, but also access exclusive branded content. Their favorite characters Bade- Chote, Beetel Nuts, Falli balli and Bheegi Billi are now also available on the mobile platform.

According to a recent study, the digital music business has great potential in India. Dominated by mobile music, the digital music business will surpass physical music in sales in India. The growth in Digital entertainment will be mainly driven over the mobile platform, across a plethora of devices- mobile phones, tablets and laptops.

The 9XM.Hungama.com music store will facilitate easy access to music across various digital media at competitive price points.

Commonwealth Bank Series 2012

Hope DD National Channel Will Telecast the Commonwealth Bank Series 2012 Live. Commonwealth Bank Series 2012 Starting on 5th February 2012. Australia, Sri Lanka and India are the teams Playing in Commonwealth Bank Series 2012

Schedule Of The Commonwealth Bank Series 2015 February 2012 – Australia Vs India – Melbourne

8 February 2012 – India Vs Sri Lanka – Perth

10 February 2012 – Australia Vs Sri Lanka at Perth

12 February 2012 – Australia Vs India – Adelaide

14 February 2012 – India Vs Sri Lanka – Adelaide

17  February 2012 – Australia Vs Sri Lanka – Sydney

19 February 2012 – Australia Vs India – Brisbane

21 February 2012 – India Vs Sri Lanka – Brisbane

24 February 2012 – Australia Vs Sri Lanka – Hobart

26 February 2012 – Australia Vs India – Sydney

28 February 2012 – India Vs Sri Lanka – Hobart

2 March 2012 – Australia v Sri Lanka – Melbourne

4 March 2012 – TBC Vs TBC  – Brisbane, 1st Final Of Commonwealth Bank Series 2012

6 March 2012 – TBC Vs TBC – Adelaide, 2nd Final Of Commonwealth Bank Series 2012

8 March 2012 – TBC Vs TBC – Adelaide, 3rd Final Of Commonwealth Bank Series 2012

India Vs Australia T20I Series

India Vs Australia T20I Series 2012 Live On DD National. India Will Play 2 Twenty 20 Matches Against Australia.

India Vs Australia T20I Series 2012 Schedule

1st February 2012 – 1st T20I Australia Vs India at Sydney – (08:35 GMT | 19:35 Local 14:05 IST) Day/Night

3rd February 2012 – 2nd T20I Australia Vs India at Melbourne – (08:35 GMT | 19:35 Local 14:05 IST) Day/Night

India Vs Australia T20I Series, India Vs Australia 2012, India Vs Australia Twenty 20 Matches, India Vs Australia 2012 Live. India Tour of Australia T20I Series 2012, India vs Australia T20I Series Schedule 2012, India in Australia T20I Series Series.

9XM, India’s No.1 Hindi Music Channel, in collaboration with Sony Music India has launched its own version of the song that has created a rage world over – ‘Kolaveri Di’, starring 9XM’s Bheegi Billi. Titled ‘Why is Bheegi Billi Just Like This’, the animated version, developed by the in-house team at 9XM, showcases various ‘oops moments’ faced by Bheegi Billi.

Kolaveri Di

Speaking on the initiative, Mr. Amar Tidke, Head of Programming, 9XM said “We are pleased to collaborate with Sony Music India and present our viewers with a kickass animated version of Kolaveri Di. It is our constant endeavor to provide content on the channel that is not only entertaining but also current and topical. 9XM’s viewers have always appreciated the innovative programming, be it the Bakwaas Band Kar specials, the Bheegi Billi brand integrations or the series on 9XM Investigates. 9XM has always recognized the power of music and is the only channel in the country to have gone ahead and created its own rendition of the song that’s taken the world by storm! Keep watching the Channel for many more such innovations.”

Kolaveri Di from the upcoming Tamil film ‘3’ is written and sung by superstar Dhanush and is composed by music director Anirudh Ravichander. The song instantly became viral upon its official release by Sony Music India, garnering massive hits on YouTube. Within a few weeks, YouTube honored the video with a Recently Most Popular Gold Medal Award for receiving a large number of hits in a short time.

Mr. Sanujeet Bhujabal, Marketing Director, Sony Music India said, “Kolaveri Di has become an anthem where in people across the globe are humming the song and creating their own versions. We are happy to be associated with 9XM where in the song and its concept will be featured in a new creative format and I am sure people will enjoy this too.”

In the recent past 9XM had teamed up with Sony Music for music integration between FIFA World Cup 2010’s official anthem –‘WAKA WAKA (This Time for Africa)’ and 9XM’s football anthem featuring the animated characters. This initiative received a stupendous response from Viewers making it an instant hit on the Channel.

Stay tuned to 9XM to watch the very innovative version of Kolaveri Di featuring Bheegi Billi. You can also watch the song on www.9xm.in and download the full length video and audio of the song or the wallpaper through mobile phones. You can also set the song as your caller tune and ringtone [sms ‘Billi’ to 56060].

9XM – HAQ SE!!!

Priyanka Chopra on ETC Bollywood Business

Mumbai, 19th December, 2011: It was an interesting conversation that ETC Bollywood Business host Komal Nahta had with the beautiful Priyanka Chopra during the show ETC Bollywood Business. When Komal introduced Piggy Chops as ‘the jungle billi’, the beauty with brains quipped, “I do have a pet dog and the billi fights with it quite often!”

That set the tone for the interview and Priyanka was at her candid best thereon. “I actually love giving interviews. It’s so nice to have a conversation. At work, I’m always pretending to be someone else.”

Recalling that she’d started acting at the early age of 17 Priyanka felt that, because of the sheer number and diversity of characters that she has essayed, “the lines have blurred now … between the characters and the real me. I do not know who is the real me!” She revealed that from the beginning she’d decided to keep a gap of at least five movies before she would enact a similar character.  “I am a director’s actor,” stressed PC, before revealing a quirk of hers, “as a matter of fact; I’m quite possessive about them too. On sets, I want to have their complete attention. If my director attends to someone else, I don’t like it at all!”

A veteran of many superhits and critically acclaimed movies, Priyanka still considers herself to be an outsider. “I come from a middle class background. If I have to go out holidaying without my family, I still have to seek dad’s permission!” No wonder then, that her umpteen alleged link ups aren’t quite palatable … to either her or her family. And here Priyanka shares quite an interesting anecdote, “I’d once, in sheer frustration, asked a journalist at a press conference, ‘From where do you get such baseless gossip?’ He’d very casually replied, ‘Agar aaplog nahi denge toh humhe to banana hi padega naah!’ And I was left speechless!”  Priyanka felt that the media keep printing rumors about her because she, herself, has kept her personal life away from media glare.

As the conversation moved to a widely reported story in recent time – Madhur Bhandarkar’s Heroine – Priyanka cleared the air. “Madhur and I did talk about Heroine. For me, however, it would have been like a Bollywood version of Fashion. Kareena is the perfect choice. She’s such a brilliant actor. As a film-maker, Madhur brings out the best in any actor, and Kareena’s such a superior one.”

Till now, 2011 might have been a dull year for PC, but with Don 2 coming in later this year, five of 2012’s biggest movies in her kitty and her English music album slated for release, 2012 sure looks set to be this femme fatale’s year!

Catch the complete interview on ETC Bollywood Business, on channel ETC, on Wednesday, 21st December at 8:30PM.

ETC Bollywood Business

Mumbai, 6th December, 2011: Ranveer Singh, who hit the jackpot with his first film Band Baaja Baraat is returning with his second film Ladies Vs Ricky Bahl where he will be seen conning girls. When asked about his second movie experience, Ranveer utterred “After the success of Band Baja Baraat, meri iss movie mein band bajj rahi hai. Everyone is considering this movie as my litmus test to justify my potential.”

Ranveer Singh has been in constant media scrutiny, since his first hit, for his relationship status with multiple female actors. Discussing his reaction to such news Ranveer said, “When such news comes, it really ruins my day. May be media thinks that I am new and a soft target.”

Anushka Sharma who has once again teamed up with Ranveer extending their crackling on-screen chemistry, commented on her experience with Ranveer in this movie, saying, “He was more calm and composed in this movie.”

Commenting on her relationship with Ranveer, Anushka said, “I have a good on and off screen relationship with Ranveer. We have a very good and comfortable relationship.”

Anushka, who kicked off her career in Bollywood with Rab Ne bana di Jodi, feels she had not received the expected response from the industry and audiences. Elaborating further, she said, “Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi ke baad meri jitne expectations thi for myself… didn’t materialize. As a matter of fact I had to struggle a bit after my first hit!”

This is just a glimpse; tune in to ETC Bollywood Business on December, 8th, Thursday at 8:30 PM on channel ETC to catch all of it.

Sonu Nigam

Mumbai, 5th December, 2011: Sonu Nigam, the golden voice of India, shared a candid conversation with Komal Nahta on ETC Bollywood Business.

Talking about the role of his parents in his success, Sonu said, “Main apne maa baap ka sapna hu. Whatever money I earn, I give it to my father. He has invested my money smartly and secured my entire life. He has asked me that if I ever want to stop working, I can. I won’t become poor.”

Sonu Nigam struggled his way up to the music industry with no godfather, speaking about one of his experiences, Sonu narrated, “In my struggling days I sang two songs at T-series Studios … I had a lot of expectations for its selection. A month later, when I went to their office, I got to know that the song was given to S.P. Bala Subramaniyam and Manu Chitra. Main T-series ke office se nikal kar phoot phoot ke rone laga. Main already hatash tha,thak gaya tha main,dhakke kha kha ke,logo ki galiyaa sun sun ke.”

Elaborating it further he said, “In those days male singers were mostly very flirtatious in nature. Isiliye sabse zyada struggle male singers ko karni padti thi.”

On the personal front, Sonu revealed that, “I’ve had lots of affairs and relationships in my life. There were times when my dad used to accompany me to a concert or tour and … there always was some girl I had to meet! Har jagah pe ek ladki hua karti thi.” Sonu recounted, bursting into laughter.

Sonu went ahead and confessed that ‘I am scared of cockroaches’ and ‘Flight me koi movie me emotional scene chalta hai, toh main ro padta hu.’

The conversation encloses many bitter and sweet experiences of Sonu’s life. So tune in to ETC Bollywood Business on December 7, Wednesday to get your hands on never heard stories of Sonu Nigam’s life.