Vineet Jain, MD, Times Group and Sarbananda Sonowal, CM, Assam

In a first, the 65th annual awards will be hosted in Guwahati on Feb 15, 2020, in partnership with the Assam Tourism Development Corporation and in presence of Bollywood biggies
Prabin Kalita (MUMBAI MIRROR; November 26, 2019)

The 65th annual Filmfare Awards will be held in Guwahati on February 15, 2020. On Monday, the Assam Tourism Development Corporation (ATDC) and Worldwide Media of the Times of India Group, signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to this effect in the presence of the state’s Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal. Describing it as a “historic milestone”, Vineet Jain, Managing Director, Times Group, said that he was looking forward to bringing the Black Lady to the picturesque city. Also present were Chandan Brahma, Minister of Tourism, Assam, and Jayanta Malla Baruah, Chairman, ATDC.

Pointing out that cinema is not new to the North-Eastern state, Jain made a reference to its cultural doyen, Jyoti Prasad Agarwala, who had made Joymati, Assam’s first film back in 1935. “The association between Bollywood and Assam is decades old, with the state providing a mesmerising backdrop for Hindi films. Ek Pal, which had featured Shabana Azmi, Naseeruddin Shah and Farooq Shaikh, was shot in Jorhat in 1986. The National Award winning Daman, starring Raveena Tandon, was filmed here in 2001 and more recently, in 2016, the Shahid Kapoor-starrer Rangoon in Dhemaji,” he informed.

This is the first time Filmfare’s annual gala will be moving outside Mumbai and Jain asserted that it would strengthen the state’s bond with Asia’s biggest entertainment industry, Bollywood. “Assam is the gateway to the North-East and we could not have asked for a better partner to spread the cheer of cinema in this region. I am aware of the Honourable Chief Minister’s vision of making Guwahati the hub of South-East Asia and the Times Group can be a media partner in this journey,” he stated, adding that cinema is soft power influence which when used wisely, can help boost economic development. “People across the world often shape their perception of a country, state or city through entertainment. For long, the film industry has served as an ambassador of culture and tourism.”

The 65th Filmfare Awards to be held in Awesome Assam in partnership with ATDC, would reach a two billion worldwide reach, which the ATDC hopes will translate into phenomenal footfalls in the near future.

Touching on the figures, the CM reiterated that the event could become a platform to showcase Assam’s tourism potential to the world.

“Assam is the hotbed of biodiversity and our cinema is old and all-encompassing. Even Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his recent Mann Ki Baat radio programme urged people to visit North-East India. We recently held the Brahmaputra Pushkaram festival and visitors were overwhelmed by our love and hospitality. The Times Group’s choice of Assam as a venue proves that we are capable of hosting this mega event,” Sonowal said.

Jain stated that Assam is renowned for its art, culture, landscape and people, and Filmfare Awards 2020 will capture the essence of the state. Viewed by millions across the country and abroad, it will project it as a favourite tourist destination. “We are committed to delivering an unforgettable experience to the people of Assam,” he maintained.

CEO of Worldwide Media, Deepak Lamba, who signed the MoU for Times Group, in his address said that the Filmfare Awards has spanned generations and evolved into one of India’s most spectacular events. “We are taking legacy forward by bringing the best stars of the industry, who will entertain and perform, to Guwahati on a night of celebration. It is a landmark moment for each one us as the eyes of the filmmaking industry, both Indian as well as global, will now be on Assam, as we showcase its diverse culture, traditions, music, dance etc. Filmfare will open up picturesque Guwahati to the world and portray its beauty through a unique lens,” he promised.

One of the biggest cinematic successes of last year is gearing up for a comeback with a second instalment and a formidable ensemble cast
Himesh Mankad (MUMBAI MIRROR; August 12, 2019)

Junglee Pictures’ 2018 sleeper hit, Badhaai Ho, continued its winning streak with the Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment honour at the recently-announced National Awards. The film was fronted by Ayushmann Khurrana and Sanya Malhotra, with Neena Gupta, Gajraj Rao and Surekha Sikri—the latter won the National Award for Best Supporting Actor (Female)—also in the forefront.

“Junglee Pictures has always believed in telling impactful stories in the most engaging manner. This recognition in the form of a National Award is truly gratifying. I am proud of the team for putting together such a delightful yet meaningful film,” producer Vineet Jain had told Mirror (August 10) on the win.

Now, we have learnt that the film is being spinned off into a franchise and the second instalment of the social comedy is already in the pipeline. Buzz is, it will be tentatively titled Badhaai Ho 2 and like the original, will be a wholesome entertainer with a substantial subject at its core and a formidable ensemble cast. “The script has been locked, and the makers are on the lookout to finalise on the cast,” informed a source close to the development.

In Badhaai Ho, Ayushmann’s character, Nakul, while spinning dreams around his future with his girlfriend Renee (Sanya), suddenly discovers to his horror that his 50-something mother is pregnant for the third time. The film did not only set the cash registers ringing but also received plenty of critical acclaim. “The second instalment will revolve around the shenanigans of a joint family and two young couples,” the source revealed, adding, “It will take off next year.”

Badhaai Ho was one of the most celebrated films of last year as it went on to receive commercial as well as critical acclaim, going on to win big at the Filmfare Awards held in March this year. While its second instalment is in the works, the film is also being remade in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam.

Upcoming web series features Baahubali actress as a politico
Himesh Mankad (MUMBAI MIRROR; February 21, 2019)

Ramya Krishnan, who portrayed the unflappable Sivagami in SS Rajamouli’s Baahubali franchise, is now set to play a queen in a period-drama. The actress’s next, a web series titled Queen, will see her in the role of a prominent politician. Directed by Gautham Vasudev Menon, whose Tamil directorials Vaaranam Aayiram (2008) and Thanga Meengal (2013) bagged the National Awards for Best Feature Film in Tamil, and Prasath Murugesan (Kidaari), the show will air on the free-of-cost digital streaming platform MX Player.

Queen narrates the story of a political icon who ruled with benevolence and with an iron hand. Talking about the digital boom, Vineet Jain, MD, Bennett, Coleman and Co, points out that India is on the brink of an on-demand entertainment revolution with quality content emerging as the most important proposition to attract customers. “MX Player has been empowering talented Indian artists, content producers and independent film studios to produce unparalleled premium content that strikes a chord with discerning viewers. The platform’s launch with five MX Original series, over 20 shows planned for the year and free music streaming is a reaffirmation of its commitment to offer the most comprehensive mobile entertainment experience in India,” he asserts.

The MX Originals include Famously Filmfare, a chat-show that gets up close and personal with film stars along with four web series, namely Aafat, Hey Prabhu, Immature and Lots of Love. The platform already has 36 crore subscribers and offers 1,00,000-plus hours of free entertainment in Hindi, English, Punjabi, Gujarati, Marathi, Bengali, Bhojpuri, Kannada, Malayalam, Tamil and Telugu.