2014-01-04

INDIA’S TOP MELODY MAESTROS CELEBRATE NEW YEAR ON 92.7 BIG FM’s ‘KUCHH PANNE ZINDAGI KE’

~ ANU MALIK, ABHIJEET, UDIT NARAYAN, AND ALKA YAGNIK IN A SPECIAL EPISODE WITH RJ MADHURIMA NIGAM ON 5TH JANUARY AT 7PM! ~

Mumbai, January 3rd, 2014: India’s most popular and much loved music maestros Anu Malik, Udit Narayan, Alka Yagnik and Abhijeet, who have lent their voices to a host of unforgettable songs, today visited the 92.7 BIG FM studios to celebrate the New Year on the network’s new show ‘KUCHH PANNE ZINDAGI KE’, hosted by RJ Madhurima Nigam. The 4 stalwarts along with RJ Madhurima interacted with the media and shared a few musical moments with everyone present here.

We open each New Year in our lives like a new book, make resolutions, new beginnings and enter the year with renewed enthusiasm. Going with the title of the show ‘Kuchh Panne Zindagi Ke’, Anu Malik, Udit Narayan, Alka Yagnik and Abhijeet also perused through the diaries of their lives and shared some never-heard-before moments from their career. The 4 maestros also shared their thoughts and plans for 2014, as each of them open a fresh page in the diaries of their lives. The 4 musical maestros feature in a special episode of Kuchh Panne Zindagi Ke’ with RJ Madhurima Nigam this Sunday at 7pm on 92.7 Big FM!

‘Kuchh Panne Zindagi Ke’ offers never heard before trivia, real life accounts and never heard before revelations from stars, hosted by Madhurima who made her debut as an RJ with the show. Popular celebrities of the Golden era – the likes of Javed Akhtar, Maushmi Chatterjee, Bappi Lahri, Rakesh Roshan are being featured on the show. The show is yet another industry first from 92.7 BIG FM that promises to offer listeners exclusive access into the lives of celebrities, as they share in first person, the stories of their lives. RJ Madhurima with her distinctive style and relationships with the evergreen era, helps the celebrities open up about their lives in a relaxed talk show format, which adds a unique flavour to the show.

About Reliance Broadcast Network

Reliance Broadcast Network Limited is a media entertainment conglomerate with play across radio, television and television production. The company houses the following verticals: 92.7 BIG FM – India’s largest FM Network with 45 stations, reaching over 4 crore Indians each week; BIG RTL THRILL – a dual feed channel from the Company’s joint venture with Europe’s RTL Group, targeted at male audiences and positioned as the ultimate action destination; BIG MAGIC – a General Entertainment Channel featuring family dramas, crime shows, sitcoms, reality shows and weekend blockbuster movies. BIG MAGIC has also expanded into the United States, Canada and Australia under the brand name BIG MAGIC International; The Company has further launched a channel called BIG MAGIC Bihar and Jharkhand, with specifically created programming for the market. BIG PRODUCTIONS – the television content production division caters to the creative needs of the diverse Indian television landscape. Reliance Broadcast Network also distributes Bloomberg TV India, the country’s premier business news channel as part of its television bouquet.

For more information log on to www.reliancebroadcast.com

For any further queries, please contact:

92.7 BIG FM

Sushma Parameswaran

Sushma.p@reliancebroadcast.com

9987514905

Concept Public Relations Ltd.

Neha Kandalgaonkar / Amrita Shivdasani

neha@conceptpr.com; amrita@conceptpr.com

+91 9892194965 / +91 9820578800



Warm Regards,

Kartikesh Birendra Jha Client Executive

Concept Public Relations India Ltd

M: 9076974491, 7738590599

Board : 022-40558900

Direct : 40558955

Fax : 022-40558901

kartikesh@conceptpr.com

Queen’s Mansion, 1st Floor, Prescot Road Next to Cathedral School, Fort,

Mumbai – 400001 | www.conceptpr.com

=====================================================================================

Aircel Chennai Open celebrated Stanislas Wawrinka’s 300th match win on the ATP World Tour by cutting a special cake, courtesy the Hyatt Regency. Wawrinka was greeted to a laud applause and was surprised to see the cake as he entered the media centre for a post-match briefing.

With the 6-2, 6-1 win against Aljaz Bedene of Slovakia, 28-year old Wawrinka becomes just the fourth Swiss player to join the 300-win club after Roger Federer (923), Marc Rosset (433) and Jakob Hlasek (432).



Neha Kandalgaonkar | Principal Consultant

Concept Public Relations Limited

Registered Office: Queen’s Mansion | First Floor | Prescott Road | Next to Cathedral School | Fort | Mumbai 400001

O: 022.40558900| M: +91 9892194965| F: 022.40558901

E: neha@conceptpr.com

www.conceptpr.com

===============================================================================

~Sherlock fans hungry for Indian Return~

Mumbai, 3rd January 2014: While the show’s return has pulled its best-ever UK ratings, Sherlock fans in India are breathlessly waiting to tune into AXN India tonight to catch the first episode of Series 3 after nearly two years.

In the UK, the 90-minute episode pulled a record 9.2 million viewers, as viewers tuned in to learn how Sherlock faked his own death in the last episode of Season 2. As anticipation and excitement of waiting reaches its peak, the Indian viewers are all set to finally watching their favorite crime drama on AXN tonight at 10 pm, much before US fans get to watch Sherlock’s return. The first episode is aptly titled The Empty Hearse.

The Indian fans of the show were in for a bit of surprise recently when the seven minute prequel to Sherlock shows a crime scene held in the capital city of India. Such was the popularity of this seven minute video, Many Happy Returns, that it garnered above 6 million views in India and abroad.

Sherlock Season 3 kicks off on Friday, 3rd January 2014 at 10 pm on AXN India.

About AXN

Backed by the powerhouse of Sony Pictures Entertainment, AXN is the first 24 hour cable and satellite TV channel in Asia exclusively dedicated to action and adventure programming. Launched in 1998 in India, it is a leading English general entertainment destination among upscale, affluent adults aged 18-44. The channel delivers four distinctive types of programming which includes the latest global hit series, action movie blockbusters, latest seasons of adventure-reality and lifestyle sports programs and innovative AXN original productions. The channel not only enjoys a high penetration and viewership in the metros, but is also popular in tier II and tier III cities and reaching 110 million viewers in India yearly. As promised by the brand, AXN brings to its viewers intelligent, edgy, exciting, unpredictable, high energy and an unparalleled entertainment experience.

AXN India is wholly owned by Sony Pictures Entertainment, and managed by SPE Networks – Asia.

Visit www.axn-india.com for more information.

For further information please contact:

Perfect Relations

Tamira Shah – 9619923403 AXN India

Tanya Datta – 9930666224 Namrata Kumar – 9833408903

Aayushi Barman – 9920401405

==============================================================================

Shyam and Mudassar’s kismet connection!

IMG_4390.JPGAfter giving brilliant performances week after week, Shyam Yadav – 17 year old Mumbai boy who’s one of the top contenders for the finale of Season 4 of Dance India Dance had a lot to share when he spoke about his dance guru DID Judge Mudassar Khan. Talking about his journey from being just a dancing attraction at parties to making it big and becoming a part of Dance India Dance, Shyam spoke about his and Mudassar’s friendship even before the two knew that they would one day be a part of India’s biggest dance reality show together.

Making a collage of their pictures, the Dance India Dance team took the two down memory lane. With tears rolling down his eyes, Shyam spoke of how Mudassar has been his biggest support and if it wouldn’t have been for Mudassar teaching him dance and believing in him, then he wouldn’t have ever signed up for the auditions of such a big show. With his forte being hip hop, urban, bollywood, maas (bollywood), Mudassar has been Shyam’s guru as he began his dancing journey. Being a part of Mudassar’s Fire Academy of Dance, Shyam and Mudassar have known each other for years. It was when Mudassar performed for the first time in front of Salman Khan and Prabhu Deva, that he had Shyam as a part of his troupe and since then there has been no looking back for the two of them. While ‘Moody’, as Mudassar is fondly referred to by all, soon turned into a top-of-the-line Bollywood choreographer, Shyam got his break now with Dance India Dance Season 4. Getting ample love from other judges and Grandmaster Mithun Da, he is delighted to now be learning various new dance forms as a part of Master Mudassar Ki Mandli.

Talking about his journey on the show, Mithun Da said, “I have been noticing your performances for the past few weeks and its incredible the way you have evolved from being a hardcore Bollywood dancer to now trying out various dance forms with as much ease. Earlier it was only Mudassar who would speak about you, but now, everybody I meet outside gives me rave reviews of your dance abilities.”

From performing at events with Mudassar’s troupe to now paving his way to the top in DID 4, Shyam has come a long way. We wish him luck and hope there is no looking back from here!

Do not miss, Dance India Dance Season 4, every Saturday and Sunday from 9 – 10 PM

Only on Zee TV!

Nupur Kothari

Executive – Public Relations

Zee TV Marketing

======================================================================

The makers of Sholay 3D, Jayantilal Gada and Sippy brothers had recently kept a special screening for the family of late Mr. Amjad Khan, who played a pivotal role in the iconic film.

His son, Shadaab Khan, who had come for the special screening with his wife, was asked about what he thinks of Ram Gopal Varma, who had directed the remake of Sholay (Ram Gopal Varma ki Aag).

To this, Shadaab Khan reacted by saying that he felt positive vibrations as he was going to watch Sholay 3D and he did not want to talk about negative people at such a good time.

He felt that making remakes of cult films is fine but they should be made with some kind of respect for the people who were a part of the original.

Shadaab Khan says “There is only one issue that I have with Ram Gopal Varma, if he is making a remake of an iconic film like Sholay, the least he could do was make a good film respecting the people who were a part of the original film”.

============================================================================

Gastronomic delight on the sets of Boogie Woogie

It will be a gastronomic delight on the sets of Boogie Woogie as Smrity and Rakshit treat everyone to some scrumptious delicacies. Smrity will be surprised by her dad when he gets yummy bowl of Chicken curry cooked by him. Not only this! Rakshit Wahi will also treat everyone with Vada Pav.

Now that’s a yummy treat you can’t afford to miss!

Watch the episode of Boogie Woogie this Saturday, 4th January 2013 only on Sony Entertainment Television

==========================================================================

Opinion Based Platform Hammer announces its global availability on Android & iOS

Users can now share and get opinions through Hammer Mobile Application as well

Hammer, the online opinion generating platform that enables exchange of instant opinions from a global network, is now available as a mobile app on Android and iOS. Hammer is a social and fun app which assists people in getting and sharing instant opinions, exchanging ideas and news on one common platform, at a moment’s notice. Users can simply upload photos, ask questions and share opinions instantly.

Hammer stands apart from other social networks by the fact that it isn’t limited to one’s circle of friends and family, but connects the users with other like-minded people. It boosts a collaborative interaction with new people and share newer ideas from around the globe. One can also share news by posting and voting about trending topics and updating oneself about happenings around the world.

Amit Khanna, Joint Managing Director, Hammer, said, “In today’s age everyone demands instantaneous communication. There is a need for getting quick opinions and solutions to all the confusions. With the Hammer App, you don’t have to wait long for others’ opinions. Wherever you are, just click, upload a photo, post a question and get instant opinions at a moment’s notice.”

Gaurav Khanna, Joint Managing Director, Hammer, added, “People across the globe give opinions on the posted questions, in just one click. Thanks to this easy accessibility of our app and the unique features of the network, the app is sure to gain a lot of traction in a short span of time,”

Hammer’s most exciting features include the wide range of categories to choose from that touch all areas of human existence, the option of choosing the target audience for any post, sharing news and exchanging votes instantly. The possibility of getting objective, honest and unbiased answers from users around the world has been responsible for making several social network-addicts get hooked on to thisplatform. The app is sure to take this number of addicts to an even higher scale.

Download the app from App Stores

Android

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.americos.hammer&hl=en

iOS

https://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/hammer/id727632742?mt=8

About Hammer

Hammer – a new medium through which people can share ideas and generate opinion – instantly, is conceptualized by the two Young and Serial Entrepreneurs and Joint Managing Directors, Amit Khanna & Gaurav Khanna who founded of Americos Technologies Pvt. Ltd., an IT services company, for machinating their area of expertise i.e. technological strategy & innovation.

Hammer assists in connecting with people for exchanging ideas, opinions, and even for news! Moreover, users can post views and opinionsalong with comments on others’ questions.

It connects people of all ages and walks of life across the world through opinions which are unbiased, honest and independent. Hammer encourages pushing the boundaries further, enabling users to meet new people and newer ideas from around the globe. This web & mobilebased application sets a new landmark in collaborative interaction and boosts the user’s online social network like never before. Hammer is the hang out place which thrives on mutual co-operation, with a give and take of opinions, hammered out at your beck and call.

The Parent Group, Americos, is a much diversified group which has been dealing in several industry segments like textile processing chemicals, dyes and enzymes since 1922, which later progressed to serve major food, beverage and pharmaceutical manufacturers with its range of specialty enzymes and flavours.

Hammer is one of many initiatives by its founders to rein in technology towards a meaningful purpose. Through such endeavors, the organization, steadily aspires to become an industry leader in the field of web and mobile applications in the future.

Warms Regards

Shruti Singh

Value 360 India

09654497747

====================================================================================

16 action-packed movies, 5 days a week on Hollywood’s best!

~Catch 16 high rated action blockbusters on MOVIES NOW every Mon-Thu @ 9 PM~

National, January, 2014: This January, MOVIES NOW, the one-stop destination for Hollywood blockbusters, welcomes the New Year with an adrenaline rush! Watch 16 top-TRIVIA ü Constantine: The cigarettes that Constantine smokes in the movie are not real. The package was a special design for the film. ü Next: The “girl with necklace” at the magic show is played by Alice Kim Cage, Nicolas Cage’s wife. ü The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen: Stephen Norrington the director, had such a hard time with this film that he announced he would never direct another film again. ü 300: The flowing effect of the Oracle dancing scene was accomplished by filming the actress under water. rated action blockbusters, pulsating with energy in the ‘Nerves of Steel’, all this month, every Monday – Thursday at 9pm.

Starting 6th January 2014, gear up for suave car chases, over the top fist fights and action that challenge the protagonists’ mind and body only on MOVIES NOW. So catch your favourite action icons- Arnold Schwarzenegger, Chris Evans, Nicholas Cage, Hugh Jackman, Liam Neeson, Jason Statham, Sean Connery and many more in the characters that have made you idolize them!

From heroes who lay their life on the line to protect the world to the men who battle one and all for their identity, fans will be privy to some intense action oriented blockbusters that will have them wanting more.

Don’t miss these remarkable titles – Clash of the Titans, Commando, Transporter 2, X-Men Origins: Wolverine, 300, Constantine, Ninja Assassins, Unstoppable, Unknown, Next, Cellular, Damage, Babylon AD, Blade, The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen and Torque, every Monday- Thursday at 9pm.

Get set for an exciting month of most popular action blockbusters on television till date only on MOVIES NOW!

About MOVIES NOW:

MOVIES NOW – Hollywood in HD, is India’s first High Definition English Movie channel, with Stunning Pictures in 1080i & Awesome 5.1 Surround Sound

About Times Television Network:

Times Television Network is part of India’s largest media conglomerate, The Times Group. It houses upscale brands including ET NOW – India’s No. 1 Business News channel; MOVIES NOW – India’s leading English Movies channel; ROMEDY NOW – a unique destination for Love and Laughter; TIMES NOW – India’s No. 1 English News channel; and zoOm – India’s No. 1 Bollywood channel. The network delivers segmented and differentiated content under one umbrella. It informs, entertains and engages over 100 million urban affluent viewers in India and is available in 45 countries across the globe.

For further Information, please contact:

Kripa Nayak/ Gitanjali Khatau

LINOPINION – The Lowe Lintas PR Division

M:9819826335 /9833011128

Email:kripa.nayak@loweandpartners.com/gitanjali.khatau@loweandpartners.com

Regards,

Gitanjali Khatau

GITANJALI KHATAU

EXECUTIVE

===============================================================================

Sony Entertainment Television’s CID to solve two intriguing mysterious case

CID the longest running show on Sony Entertainment Television is back with two very interesting cases. In the first episode the team would be interesting one of a dead man getting back alive. The episode starts with Salunkhe performing an autopsy on a body of a man. Just as he is about to make an incision, the dead body wakes up which leaves Salunkhe is shock. The dead man attacks Salunkhe and escapes from the forensic lab. When CID gets aware of this incident they are stumped. How can a man who was dead for more than 10 hours…come back to life again? They begin a manhunt for this missing ‘dead’ man which leads them to more shocking discoveries. They find another man who came back to life after he was buried!

In the second episode CID will be seen solving the case of a mysterious murder of a Queen. The queen of Peepalgadh province of Rajasthan is killed during an art exhibition in Mumbai. When Dr Salunke is examining her dead body during post mortem, he gets the shock of his life. In the esophagus of the dead Queen, Salunke finds a Dead snake. One of the most dangerous species in the world, found only in Africa. CID on investigation learn of the various controversies the Queen has been involved lately and the death threats that she had been getting. But soon the cops learns that the death of the queen and the strange method adapted by the killer to kill the queen has a link to her past, where 20 years ago the King too was killed by similar snake. Cops have to go to the Haveli of the queen to find out about her past.

What is the mystery behind these murders? How CID solves this intriguing mystery is something to watch out for.

Tune in to CID on this Friday 3rd and Saturday 4th Jan only on Sony Entertainment Television

===========================================================================

KD Pathak’s fight against a snake in Sony TV’s Adaalat

http://www.tellychakkar.com/sites/tellychakkar.com/files/images/story/2013/11/30/adaalat.jpg

The popular Sony Entertainment Television show Adaalat has been seeing the endowed lawyer KD Pathak fight a lot of criminals, but this time he will be seen fighting a snake. The episode starts with a death of a geological student and the cause of death is a snake bite. She was part of this group who had killed a snake and dug out treasure. A group member named Abha is accused as had a fight with the group for insulting her. She is accused of taking the treasure as well. However there is a twist in the tale when one by one other members also start getting killed. The group fears that it is the snake who might be taking revenge. They approach KD for help but the snake tries to attack on KD too.

What is the truth behind these deaths? How are they getting bitten by snake? Is it really the snake taking revenge? Has Abha really stolen the treasure?

================================================================================

Sahil Anand’s peaceful Birthday Getaway

Dashing Actor Sahil Anand came into limelight with his striking stint in MTV Roadies. He has taken a break from his busy schedule and went to go to the hills to celebrate his birthday and the New Year.

It seems Sahil is done with all the hustle and bustle of the city and the concrete buildings that he has planned a getaway with his close friends to Rusticvilla which is located on a hill 140 kms away from Mumbai.

“For some time I want to stay away from loud noise, so this year I celebrated my birthday in a peaceful area,” said Sahil who made Bollywood debut with Karan Johar’s ‘Student Of The Year’.

“He decided to loosen up on the river side so that he can look relaxed on-screen, as he might have to shoot a bare body song sequence on this weekend,” affrims Sahil’s publicist ‘K Himaanshu Shukla’.

===============================================================================

NP Singh takes over as CEO of MSM

Mumbai, January 3, 2014, Multi-Screen Media Private Limited (MSM), formerly known as SET India Private Limited, today announced that Mr. NP Singh, Chief Operating Officer would take on the mantel of Chief Executive Officer effective immediately. Mr. Man Jit Singh, the current Chief Executive Officer of MSM, would return to being the Non-executive Chairman of MSM but would relocate to Los Angeles to assume other responsibilities. In his new role, NP will report to Andy Kaplan, President Worldwide Networks, Sony Pictures Television.

Man Jit Singh said “NP and I have worked closely together as equal partners these last five years and the success of the company is largely due to his efforts. The time has come for him to lead the company to the next level and I fully expect the innovations he brings as CEO will ensure we have years of success ahead. As the Non-executive Chairman of MSM, I look forward to supporting NP and will continue to remain involved with the Indian television industry.”

Andy Kaplan also expressed strong support for the move. “We have full confidence in NP being able to lead MSM and continue the success of the last five years. NP has been involved in all the decisions that lead to the success of our business and this is a well-deserved recognition of his untiring efforts and of the faith we have in his decision making. I wish him all success in his new role as CEO of MSM. I would also like to thank Man Jit for the huge contribution he has made in growing our business in India and setting it on the path of sustainable future growth.”

NP Singh commented “I am delighted by the confidence Man Jit, Andy and the Board have expressed in my abilities to lead MSM. It’s been a wonderful experience and a pleasure working with Man Jit last five years. While much work has been done there is clearly a long road to go before we can fully achieve our vision. I am certain that with our top quality Management Team and our dedicated employees we will achieve new heights of success in near future. I am excited in taking up the new role and look forward to making MSM the most profitable network in the business”

Ankit Daswani

Senior Management Associate

=================================================================================

From the Second World War to the old life of Delhi,

The ruins of Pompeii to the plantations of the 19th Century,

History is set to come alive at the 2014 Jaipur Literature Festival

New Delhi, January 3, 2014: This month’s Jaipur Literature Festival is set to shine a spotlight on the past as the annual event welcomes leading historians from across the globe.

Covering wide ranging events from Stalingrad to the rise and fall of Vijayanagra, the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks, to the life of Jesus, the seventh edition of the Jaipur Literature Festival will host such luminaries as Antony Beevor, one of the world’s most successful non-fiction writers, acclaimed Professor Maya Jasanoff from Harvard University, renowned British historian Mary Beard as well as a sneak peak of the forthcoming portrait of Delhi, Capital, from Commonwealth Prize-wining Rana Dasgupta.

Antony Beevor’s books have sold more than four million copies worldwide with his account of the great battle of Stalingrad, winning Britain’s three biggest prizes for non-fiction: the Samuel Johnson Prize, the Wolfson Prize for History and the Hawthornden. The groundbreaking historian, whose style of prose led the way for many contemporary non-fiction writers, will visit the Festival to discuss the Second World War from a global perspective.

Staying with the Second World War, Rana Mitter will recount the epic, untold story of China’s devastating eight-year war of resistance against Japan – a war which later lead to China becoming an ally of the West. Some have claimed Forgotten Ally rewrites the entire history of the Second World War, whilst offering surprising insights into contemporary China.

In another session, marking 100 years since the start of the First World War, Australian war historian Peter Stanley, and writers Geoff Dyer and Maya Jasanoff will discuss the Indian subcontinents role in the conflict, along with military historian Rana TS Chhina.

Emma Rothschild’s celebrated book The Inner Life of Empires is a study of the plantation-owning Johnson family, who were at also at different times speculators, slave owners, government officials, and occasional politicians in America. Gaiutra Bahadur looks at the other end of the plantation pecking order: the coolies, from whom she is descended. In Coolie Woman she excavates the repressed history of some quarter of a million female coolies and chronicles their epic passage from Calcutta to the Caribbean. Both writers will discuss the legacy of plantations on contemporary India at JLF.

The person and work of Jesus of Nazareth has been a topic of constant interest since he lived and died some 2,000 years ago. Reza Aslan, who authored the much acclaimed No god but God: The Origins, Evolution, and The Future of Islam, offers a compelling argument for a fresh look at the Nazarene in his latest book, Zealot: The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth focusing on how Jesus the man evolved into Jesus the Christ. The New York Times bestselling author and professor at The University of California will visit JLF to share his findings on the man who is the leader of one of the world’s biggest religions.

David Cannadine, professor of history at Princeton, will argue that in its heyday the British Empire was more concerned with exporting a class system to the colonies that it was with a hierarchy by race. He will discuss his views and his latest book The Undivided Past: History Beyond Our Differences at JLF. Also looking at the British Empire, Harvard’s Professor Maya Jasanoff will present her book, Liberty’s Exiles, a remarkable account of the global diaspora of Americans who fled their home country once the last British troops pulled out of New York on November 25, 1783. One in forty Americans left the newly independent America for other parts of the British Empire. Jasanoff’s account of this time in history recently won the George Washington Book Prize.

Closer to home, Adrian Levy and Cathy Scott Clark will visit the festival to tell the stories of the guests, staff, police and the National Security Guard involved in the November 2008 terrorist attacks on the Taj Mumbai. By piecing together transcripts between the terrorists and their handlers, the authors have produced The Siege, the ultimate account of the attack that shook India.

In their latest graphic novel, Vishwajyoti Ghosh and Ahmad Rafay Alam rewrite personal and political history of partition. Using oral histories and intensive personal research, Urvashi Butalia has also written poignantly about the multiple tragedies that took place during the partition of India. These writers will renegotiate the maps of memory at JLF in conversation with Indrajit Hazra.

Looking further back into India’s past, the archeologist and architectural historian George Michell who has spent half his life mapping and digging the Vijayanagra, one of the greatest cities in the world and in many ways the capital and cultural hub of Southern India, will tell the story of its rise and eventual fall in 1565.

Even further back in time, well-respected and well-loved British historian Mary Beard will visit JLF to recount the fate of another lost city, Pompeii. Destroyed by Vesuvius in 79 CE, the ruins of Pompeii offer the best evidence we have of life in the Roman Empire. In The Fires of Vesuvius, Cambridge Prof. Beard makes sense of the remains. She explores what kind of town it was – more like Calcutta or the Costa del Sol? – and what it can tell us about ‘ordinary’ life there.

The 2014 Jaipur Literature Festival will take place form 17th – 21st January 2014. Entry is FREE but registration is essential. The Festival, the world’s largest free literary festival, is Directed by William Dalrymple and Namita Gokhale. The Festival is produced by Sanjoy K. Roy and Sheuli Sethi of Teamwork Arts.

For registration please visit: www.jaipurliteraturefestival.org

- ENDS -

For Press and PR inquiries, please contact Edelman India

IndiaJLF@edelman.com

About The Jaipur Literature Festival

The Jaipur Literature Festival is the world’s largest free literary festival, celebrating national and international writers, and encompassing a range of interests including film, music and theatre. The festival has already hosted some of the best-known national and international writers including Orhan Pamuk, J.M. Coetzee, John Berendt, Kiran Desai, Christopher Hampton, Ian McEwan, Vikram Seth, Wole Soyinka, Salman Rushdie, Pico Iyer, Simon Schama, Thomas Keneally, Hanif Kureishi, Vikram Chandra, Anoushka Shankar, Michael Frayn, Stephen Frears, Alexander McCall Smith, Donna Tartt, Tina Brown, Shashi Tharoor, Mohammed Hanif, Paul Zacharia, among many others. The Directors of the Jaipur Literature Festivals are William Dalrymple and Namita Gokhale and the festival is produced by Sanjoy K. Roy and Sheuli Sethi of Teamwork Arts.

Website: http://www.jaipurliteraturefestival.org

About Teamwork Arts

The Indian arts management company, for India and the world

The arts of India are unrivalled in their depth, diversity and mystery. To showcase this work to diverse audiences requires a deep understanding of our arts, an acute sense of relevance in programming, and an unflinching attention to organizational detail. Above all, respect and love for the artist.

For over 24 years, Teamwork has presented the finest of Indian performers, writers and visual artists to the world and our very own loved nation. Every year, we produce 21 performing arts, visual arts and literary festivals in 11 countries, including Australia, Canada, Egypt, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Israel, Singapore, South Africa, Spain and USA.

Teamwork produces Asia’s biggest literary gathering – the annual Jaipur Literature Festival – as well as the Hay Festival in Kerala. Going Solo International Theatre Festival, World Sacred Music Festival, Concert For Freedom, Mehrauli Fringe Festival, Food & Literature Festival as well as festivals in Sweden and Turkey are the new and upcoming festivals for 2013-2014.

Website: www.teamworkarts.com

For further details contact Edelman India:

Ambereen Shah Ankita Chopra

Mob.+91 9717022731 Mob.+91 9910073623

E-Mail: ambereen.shah@edelman.com E-Mail: ankita.chopra@edelman.com

Akshatha Hegde

Senior Account Executive

Edelman India Private Limited

1104, One Indiabulls Centre, Tower 2-B, 11th Floor, Senapati Bapat Marg, Lower Parel, Mumbai 400 013, India

T: +91 22 4353 0383 | F: +91 22 4353 0264 | M: +91 9833234354 | E: akshatha.hegde@edelman.com

===========================================================================================

Krystle Dsouza is just “horsing” around in Ekk Nayi Pehchaan

Krystle Dsouza, the talented and gorgeous actress who is currently essaying the character of Sakshi in Sony Entertainment Television’s Ekk Nayi Pehchaan will be seen in horsing around in the upcoming episodes.

The viewers of the show will witness the big fat weeding of Sakshi (Krystle Dsouza) and Karan (Karan Sharma) in the show. However, there will be a lot of drama around the same time. Karan who is unhappy with the decision of marrying locks up Sakshi inside a room. Finally, to spare his mother from the humiliation and insult, Karan decides to get Sakshi back. While he is on his way to Sakshi’s room, it catches fire. He, however, manages to save her.

The tale takes another exciting turn when Karan finds his car tyre punctured and they are forced to ride on a horse!

To catch the more exciting drama tune into Ekk Nayi Pehchaan Monday to Friday at

8:30 pm only on Sony Entertainment Television

Heena Nankani

=====================================================================================

India’s Overall M&A Activity Down 11.5% in 2013 – Lowest since 2009

The value of announced mergers & acquisitions (M&A) deals involving Indian companies reached US$31.5 billion in 2013, an 11.5% decline from last year’s activity, and the lowest annual period since 2009 (US$21.5 billion). Deal count also slowed down as number of M&A transactions dropped 12.6% to 967 from 1,107 announced deals in 2012.

In the fourth quarter of 2013, overall Indian M&A totaled US$7.1 billion, a 28.5% sequential increase from the third quarter of 2013 but, on the other hand, saw a 29.8% drop from the fourth quarter of 2012.

The average M&A deal size for transactions with disclosed values involving India climbed up to US$76.1 million so far this year, as more deals were announced above US$1-billion in value, compared to US$73.5 million in 2012.

Domestic M&A stood at US$5.2 billion, down 68.9% compared to last year, and the lowest annual period since 2004 (US$2.0 billion). The bulk of domestic activity focused on the Materials sector with US$1.5 billion, down 75.4% from last year, but nonetheless captured 29.4% of India’s domestic M&A activity this year.

Total cross-board M&A grew 56.8% to US$24.7 billion compared to the annual M&A activity in 2012 driven by the 43.5% and 83.1% increase in India’s inbound and outbound M&A activity, respectively.

Completed M&A deals involving Indian companies totaled US$29.0 billion, a 49.5% growth from last year’s US$19.4 billion volume.

Energy & Power Takes the Lead with 21.1% Market Share

The Energy & Power sector accounted for majority of the acquisitions involving Indian companies with 21.1% market share worth US$6.7 billion, a 173.3% increase from last year. Healthcare followed next and captured 15.8% of the market share with US$5.0 billion worth of deals, up 24.5% from the previous year.

The Industrials (14.9%) and Telecommunications (13.9%) captured an aggregate market share of 28.8% as both sectors witnessed a significant rise in deal value with a triple digit percentage increase of 164.7% and 347.3%, respectively, from 2012.

Private Equity-backed M&A in India Down 46% – Lowest since 2009

Buyside Financial Sponsor M&A activity targeting Indian companies totaled US$2.6 billion in 2013, a 45.6% decline from 2012, and witnessed its slowest annual period since 2009 when deal value fell to US$2.4 billion.

The Healthcare sector accounted for 25.7% of the private equity-backed M&A activity in India with US$661.3 million, despite the 1.1% drop in deal value from last year. High Technology accounted for 22.7% of the private equity-backed M&A activity in India with US$584.0 million, a 225.7% increase from the comparable period last year despite the 15.0% drop in the number of announced private equity-backed M&A deals this year.

India Inbound M&A Activity Up 43.5% in 2013

Foreign firms acquiring Indian companies in 2013 reached US$15.0 billion, a 43.5% increase from last year, despite number of announced deals slipping 13.3% from 2012.

The bulk of inbound acquisitions focused on the Healthcare sector in terms of deal value and captured 27.3% of India’s inbound M&A activity with US$4.1 billion, a 102.2% growth from the previous year’s volume.

United Kingdom-based Unilever PLC raised its interest to 51.55% by acquiring a 14.78% stake in Hindustan Unilever Ltd for INR 600 (USD 11.177) in cash per share, or a total value of US$ 3.573 billion (INR191.82 billion).The deal bolstered acquisitions in India from United Kingdom to reach US$7.0 billion, which accounted for 46.9% of India’s inbound M&A activity in terms of deal value.

Meanwhile, United States saw the most number of deals with 86 announced M&A transactions worth US$3.6 billion.

India Outbound M&A Grew 83.1% YTD

Indian acquisitions overseas surged 83.1% to US$9.7 billion in 2013 after witnessing a slow year last 2012 (US$5.3 billion).

India’s outbound acquisitions focused on the Energy & Power sector as deal value reached US$5.6 billion, and captured 58.4% of India’s foreign acquisitions. Industrials followed in second place with 27.8% of the market share, or US$2.7 billion worth of announced M&A deals.

Mozambique was the top most targeted nation in terms of value which accounted for 52.9% of the market share worth US$5.1 billion from three deals. United States, however, saw the most number of announced transactions with 21 deals valued at US$2.8 billion, a 53.3% increase from last year and captured 28.8% of India’s outbound M&A market share.

Completed M&A Advisory Fees in India Up 33.2%

According to estimates from Thomson Reuters/ Freeman Consulting Co., M&A advisory fees from completed transactions in India totaled US$133.4 million in 2013, a 33.2% increase from the comparable period in 2012.

Citi took the top spot for imputed fee rankings on M&A advisory work related to completed M&A deals in India for the year 2013 with US$16.2 million, and accounted for 12.1% market share of the fee pool.

===============================================================================

With Sholay 3D being released on 3rd January, it has given several youngsters the chance to watch the film on the big screen.

Varun Dhawan who recently saw the film during a special screening just can’t get over the experience of watching the film on the big screen with a 3D format.

Varun says, “Watching Sholay 3D was one of the most enriching experience of my life. I am really proud of the fact that all the effects of the film, from the 3D conversion to the sound quality to the picture updation etc has happened in India”.

The actor feels that all the youngsters of today’s generation should not give a miss to a film which serves as the most cult and the classic films of Indian cinema.

Varun adds, the magic which the film creates is unbelievable, with 3D it just recreates the magic all over again. I have watched the film for about 100 times on TV but witnessing it on the silver screen in a 3D format is a superb experience and every cinema lover should definitely go for it”

The actor strongly urges all the young actors and the youth to go the film and experience it themselves.

Jayantilal Gada has done a wonderful job of re-inventing the classic in a complete new format.

==============================================================================

New romance in the New Year!

Kanchi Singh & Mishkat Varma talk about their New Year resolutions..

Kaanchi & Mishkat (2).jpgWith Rajan Shahi’s new show …Aur Pyaar Ho Gaya going on air on Jan 6th at 10pm on Zee TV, the cast of the show seems to be anxiously awaiting the response from the viewers and the critics. Their collective energy and dedication has helped them to create a bank of eight episodes already! Talking about their New Year resolutions, all of them in unison speak about how they are giving their best shot and trying hard to make this new show a huge success.

Talking about their New Year resolutions, the female protagonist of the show, Kaanchi Singh aka Avni of …Aur Pyaar Ho Gaya said, “I mostly make a New Year resolution only about my habits or my looks, but, this year I have promised myself to give it my best to my debut on small screen. Giving my cent percent to …Aur Pyaar Ho Gaya is my only wish this year and with such amazing co-actors, I am sure I am going to learn and evolve each day on shoot.” Riding on the same thought, Mishkat Verma aka Raj of …Aur Pyaar Ho Gaya said, “Mr. Rajan Shahi based his trust on me before anybody else and this , my resolution is to make him proud doing a good job as the lead actor and to not let Zee and Mr. Rajan Shahi down.”

Adding to this, Reena Kapur aka Bhavna of …Aur Pyaar Ho Gaya said, “I am glad to be making a comeback with a show as grand as this. My New Year resolution this year is to be more sincere towards my work and make this show a huge success.” Waseem Mushtaq aka Akshat of …Aur Pyaar Ho Gaya said, “I am glad to be a part of a show with such an amazing star cast. My New Year resolution this year is to make the show a huge success and to spend a lovely holiday with my wife in Spain.”

While they are all excited to ring in the New Year with utmost enthusiasm, here’s wishing all the audiences a fantastic year ahead too!

…Aur Pyaar Ho Gaya, premiers on 6th January 2014, from Monday – Friday at 10 PM

only on Zee TV!

Nupur Kothari

Executive – Public Relations

Zee TV Marketing

==========================================================================

Abbas Khan aka Biji Pandey’s Nawabi Connection

He has got the Ada, Tehzeeb and Lehaza of a Nawab and has got a royal air about him! A flowing Anarkali Kurta, traditional Mojaris, and an Adorned Sword are his props! We are talking about none other than, your very own Biji Pandey (played by Abbas Khan) from SAB TV’s ‘Lapataganj – Ek Baar Phir’, who will be seen in a brand new avatar in the upcoming track of the show. Abbas, whose character Biji Pandey is a ‘Road side Romeo’, will be seen playing a Lucknawi Nawab in the show for the first time ever.

Though Abbas will play a Nawab on screen, it is a lesser known fact that Abbas actually belongs to an erstwhile royal family from Lucknow! Talking about his Nawabi connection, Abbas says, “Not many people know that I belong to the family of Nawabs from Lucknow. It is always fun to play a character you can relate with on screen. It has been a pleasure shooting in Lucknow as I have grown up here and it takes me back to the beautiful memory lane. This track has also helped me in brush up my Lucknawi mannerisms. We have also shot at my house for some scenes to lend an authentic Lucknawi look in the episode. ’

Coming from a Nawabi family, Abbas also helped the writers with the dialogues and the screenplay for this particular track.

Tune in to watch this Lucknawi episode on ‘Laapataganj – Ek Baar Phir’ at 10:00 pm every Monday to Friday only on SAB TV!

Ritesh Chheda

Senior Management Associate

========================================================================================

Leading Jewellery brand- Joyalukkas, expands presence in Mumbai

~Superstar Hrithik Roshan inaugurated two Joyalukkas showrooms in Mulund & Vashi today~

Mumbai, January 3rd, 2014: Globally renowned jewellery retail chain, Joyalukkas further strengthened its presence in Mumbai with the launch of 2 new showrooms at Mulund and Vashi today. Joyalukkas Jewellery Brand Ambassador, Superstar Hrithik Roshan inaugurated the showrooms in the presence of several other esteemed dignitaries. The Mulund showroom was inaugurated by Bollywood heartthrob, Hrithik Roshan at 11 am in the presence of Mr. Joy Alukkas, Chairman of Joyalukkas, and other honorary personalities of the city followed by the launch at Vashi later in the evening at 5pm.

“As one of the world’s most loved jewellery brands, we have always believed in optimizing our customer service by offering the best in terms of quality and designs. Mumbai is a buzzing city of commerce and fashion and we are confident that our international experience will help us serve this city with the latest trends in jewellery from around the world. Currently, we are on a well planned expansion mode to take the brand and its offerings to a greater audience. The launch of two new showrooms in Mumbai is in line with our core objective to become a 100 jewellery showroom chain across 10 countries by March 2014.” said Mr. Joy Alukkas, Chairman & M.D, Joyalukkas Group

Both showrooms in, Mulund and Vashi (Navi Mumbai), will follow the signature Joyalukkas large format designs and will be home to over 1 million designs across a range of jewellery forms such as gold, diamond, precious stones, polki platinum and pearl jewellery. The showrooms will offer the same service excellence that is resonant with the Joyalukkas name on a global level along with best prices, superior quality of finished product and the popular CPT (clear price tag), allowing customers to fully understand the value and exact details of the jewellery that they are purchasing.

“Joyalukkas is a global brand with a customer base of over 10 million people worldwide. Additionally, Joyalukkas Jewellery offers consumers the world’s biggest choice of exquisite jewellery designs from around the world, created by expert award winning craftsmen. I am very proud to represent this superbrand on a global level. The brand stands for choice, latest trends, convenience, value and trust and it is this dedication that has helped them become one of the largest jewellery retail chain” said Bollywood icon and Joyalukkas brand ambassador Hrithik Roshan on the occasion of the launch.

With 91 showrooms spread across 10 countries the two new showrooms in Mumbai will take the Dubai-based, Joyalukkas’s tally to 3 showrooms in Mumbai in addition to the already operational outlet at Turner Rd., Bandra. The Joyalukkas Group, is today a multi-billion dollar global conglomerate that has rapidly expanded its footprint all over the globe ever since its inception 25 years ago. Known for its intricate jewellery designs that attract a plethora of customers across its retail showrooms in 10 countries, the Group‘s jewellery business is one of the fastest growing retail chains in the world.

About Joyalukkas Group:

Joyalukkas Group is a 25 year old multi-billion dollar global conglomerate with varied business interests. The group operates its various business operations across India, London, Singapore, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait & Qatar. The group businesses include jewellery, fashion & textiles, money exchange, luxury air charter, Malls & Realty. Joyalukkas employees a staff of over 6,000 professionals across the world and is one of the most awarded and recognized jewellery retail chains in the world

Show more