Film – Page 91

Worldwide Films Round Up

June 2, 2016 by Shaheen Raaj

FILM MOVEMENT ACQUIRES US RIGHTS OF THE ARDENNES

New York based Film Movement has acquired all US rights to Toronto Discovery player The Ardennes, Robin Pront’s 1st feature film. Pic stars Veerl Baetens & Jeroen Perceval. Produced by Savage Film’s Bart Van Langendonck, whose credits include Michael Roskam’s Bullhead, and a new entry in a burgeoning line of gritty Flemish family crime sagas, The Ardennes narrates a tale of betrayal between two working class criminal brothers, which erupts in unexpected violence. Arthouse genre, one of the dominant trends in international’s newest cinema, The Ardennes was written by Perceval & Pront, adapting Perceval’s screenplay. “The Ardennes is raw & powerful”, said Film Movement’s prexy Michael E. Rosenberg, who closed the US pick – up with Xiaojuan Zhou, president of Attraction Distribution.

STRAND AQCUIRES NORTH AMERICAN RIGHTS OF SPA NIGHT

Strand Releasing has acquired all North American rights to Andrew Ahn’s feature debut Spa Night which world premiered at Sundance. A critically acclaimed pic, Spa Night earned its star Joe Seo a special jury prize for breakthrough performance in Park City. Set in Los Angeles’ Koreatown, Spa Night explores a Korean -American family’s dreams & realities as each struggles with the overlap of personal desire, disillusionment & sense of tradition. It centers on a closeted Korean – American teenager who takes a job at a Korean spa where he discovers an underground world of gay sex. “We are thrilled to be partnering with Strand Releasing. They have championed daring independent films by world class directors for over 2 decades. We are honored to be a part of this legacy,” said Ahn.

SHOUT! FACTORY BUZZED BY “MAYA THE BEE” SEQUEL

Los Angeles based Shout! Factory has acquired North American rights to animated feature Maya the Bee 2 – The Honey Games. The acquisition also covers other sequels to the 2014 hit Maya The Bee Movie and gives the company theatrical, video on -demand, digital, broadcast & home entertainment rights. The deal was struck with Studio 100 Media. The film is directed by Alexs Stadermann & produced by Studio 100 Media & Buzz Studios in association with Australia’s Flying Bark Prods. Delivery is set for 2017. Voice cast includes Coco Jack Gillies, Jacki Weaver, Miriam Margolyes, Richard Roxburgh, Noah Taylor, Kodi Smit – McPhee & Justine Clarke. The TV series and the 1st film are based on the century old German’s children’s novel. Popular in Europe, Australia & Asia, the self discovery tale about a bee and her animal friends was previously sold to some 160 territories.

ALTITUDE TEAMS UP WITH HOMELESS CHARITIES

Altitude Film Distribution has acquired distribution rights for the UK & Ireland to Oren Moverman’s Time Out Of Mind, which stars Richard Gere as a homeless man trying to survive in New York City. Altitude will be partnering with 2 homeless charities, Crisis & Centrepoint, on the release, which is set for 4th Mar, 2014. The distributor will seek to draw attention to the issue during a week long promotional tour Gere will make in UK, which will take in Dublin & Glasgow film festivals, Hamish Moseley, Altitude’s head of distribution said. “The film is about a very important subject, in the past 5 years since the 2010 general election, homelessness has spiraled into an epidemic in UK.”

LEONARDO DICAPRIO MOVIE DOMINATE BAFTA AWARDS

Alejandro G. Inarritu’s The Revenant came up trumps at 69th British Academy Film Awards on Sun night, nabbing 5 prizes including “Best Film”, “Best Director” & “Best Leading Actor”. George Miller’s Mad Max: Fury Road left the field with 4 BAFTA’s, all in the more technical fields, including “Best Costume Design”, “Best Production Design”, “Best Make Up & Hair” & “Best Editing”. The Martian, The Danish Girl, Carol & Ex -Machina all left empty handed this year. This year’s ceremony was a marked change for Inarritu compared to last year’s awards: in 2015, his pic Birdman, was up for 10 nominations but only came away with 1 win for “Best Cinematography”, given to Emmanuel Lubezki.

LIONSGATE UK ACQUIRES GHOST STORIES

Lionsgate UK Acquires distribution rights to Ghost Stories, based on the Olivier nominated supernatural stage production, co – written & directed by Jeremy Dyson & Andy Nyman, and set to star Martin Freeman & BAFTA award winner George MacKay with Andy Nyman reprising his role as Professor Goodman. Principal photography will start in Sept, 2016. Phillip Goodman, professor of psychology & arch – sceptic has his rationality tested to the hilt when he receives a letter apparently from beyond the grave. His mentor Charles Cameron, the original TV parapsychologist, went missing 15 years before, presumed dead and yet now he writes to Goodman saying that the pair must meet.

LITTLE MEN GOES TO UK’S ALTITUDE

In a major territory deal on a Sundance hit, Altitude Film Distribution has acquired UK rights to Ira Sachs’ Sundance crowd pleaser Little Men. Marking Altitude’s 2nd Sachs’ title after releasing Love Is Strange, deal was struck by Altitude Film Entertainment’s Ellie Gibbons Little Men’s sales agent, Charlotte Mickie at Mongrel International. Charting the unlikely friendship between Jake (Theo Tapitz), a sensitive middle school, and brash young neighbour Tony (Michael Barbieri), Little Men chronicles the moments when young teens begin to become the people they’ll be in adulthood. Warmly reviewed at Sundance Variety’s Peter Debruge called it “a little movie brimming with little truths about modern life”, Little Men co – stars Oscar nominated Greg Kinnear, BAFTA nominated Jennifer Ehle & Berlin “Best Actress” winner Paulina Garcia.

THE SQURE PREPS TV DRAMA DEBUT

Swedish helmer Ruben Ostlund is getting ready to direct The Square, a provocative satire that looks to be one of his most ambitious movies. He will most likely shoot it in English. Ostlund will be re – teaming with his co -producer / sales agent Philippe Bober at the co – production Office, which handled his hit Force Majeure. That pic world premiered at Cannes’ Directors’ Fortnight. The Square is set in a renowned museum where an artist is exhibiting a square, an installation that is meant to promote altruism, providing people with a symbolic space where only good things can happen. The Square will be produced by Ostlund’s Goteborg based shingle Plattform. Shooting will take place between Jul, 2016 & Oct, 2016.

FLX SIGNS EXCLUSIVE OUTPUT DEAL WITH SVENSK

Sweden based super – indie FLX, the company behind Nordic Box Office hit The 100 – Year – Old Man Who Climbed Out Of The Window And Disappeared, has signed an exclusive output deal with AB Svensk Filmindustri, one of Scandinavia’s biggest distributors. The pact covers the distribution of FLX’s upcoming features in Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Norway & Iceland. Kicking off this year, the deal doesn’t, however, include the sequel to The 100 – Year – Old Man Who Climbed Out Of The Window, which Disney Nordic will distribute. FLX, which is headed by Felix Herngren, Pontus Edgren & Niclas Carlsson, is a subsidiary of Bonnier Growth Media and boasts a strong track record with features such as the $7 million The 100 – Year – Old Man Who Climbed Out Of The Window And Disappeared, which was handled by Studiocanal and racked up over $51 million worldwide.

MATCH FACTORY SWOOPS ON ESCALANTE’S UNTAMED

A predominant player at 2016 Berlin Film Festival, where it is selling 4 world premieres in competition, Michael Weber’s the Match Factory has secured international sales rights to one of Latin America’s big Cannes hopes: Untamed, from Cannes 2013 “Best Director” Amat Escalante. “We are thrilled to work with Amat Escalante, who adds an ideal combination of passion & ambition to his films,” said Michael Weber, managing director of Match Factory. “We’ve been collaborating with the Match Factory for at least 10 years. We have no doubt that Untamed is in best hands,” said Jaime Romandia, of Mantarraya, which produced the film. A social sci – fi drama about machismo, homophobia and the repression of women, shot in Escalante’s home town of Guanajuato, Untamed begins with a meteorite crashing into a mountain.

FILMNATION SELLS OUT INTERNATIONAL DRAMA

Glen Basner’s FilmNation Entertainment has sold out the world on Ritesh Batra’s The Sense of an Ending, one of a burgeoning slate of titles that FilmNation has either produced, financed or co – financed as it now builds rapidly as not only a sales but production -financing company. The Sense of an Ending stars Jim Broadbent, Downton Abbey’s Michelle Dockery & Charlotte Rampling, and is co – financed by BBC Films & produced by Origin Pictures. International sales were completed at Berlin’s European Film Market after a special screening last Thurs of footage from FilmNation’s current production slate. In major deals, Sony has acquired Latin America & Eastern Europe; Wild Bunch has closed France, Germany, Italy & Spain; Studiocanal took UK; and Fox International Channels has acquired Pan – Asian pay TV rights. Longride (Japan), Roadshow (Australia), Svensk (Scandinavia), Mediasoft (South Korea), and Lumiere (Benelux) have picked up the drama that also stars Harriet Walter & Emily Mortimer. Amongst other territories closed are Greece (Spentzos), Israel (Lev), the Middle East (Italia), Portugal (Lusomundo), Switzerland (Frenetic), Turkey (Aqua), Hong Kong (Edko), India (PVR), Indonesia (Prima Cinema), Singapore (Shaw Renters) & South Africa (Ster Kinekor).

BRUNO DUMONT SET FOR JOAN OF ARC MUSICAL DRAMA

Bruno Dumont, whose 2013 Juliette Binoche starrer Camille Claudel 1915 competed in Berlin, will next be directing Jeanette, a musical drama based on Charles Peguy’s play Le Mystere De La Charite De Jeanne D’Arc. Produced by Jean Brehat for 3B Prods, Jeanette the musical will focus on the part of Peguy’s play that deals with Joan of Arc as a child, from age 8-12, when she started to embrace her sacred mission. Arte France Cinema is co -producing. Like 2014’s Li’l Quinquin, Dumont’s comedy -drama TV mini -series that premiered at Cannes’ Directors’ Fortnight & sold worldwide, Jeanette is being produced for television but will be repped by a sales agent for theatrical distribution abroad.

TRUSTNORDISK INKS DEALS ON 3 MOVIES

TrustNordisk has closed raft of deals across its slate, including The Model, Magnus & Pyromaniac. The Model, directed by Sundance winning director Mads Matthiesen, stars Maria Palm as a young model struggling to make it in Parisian fashion industry. Her passion for a young photographer (Ed Skrein) turns into an obsession and propels her downfall. Pic sold to Latin America (California Films), China (HGC Entertainment), Russia CIS (Voxell Media), Hungary (Vertigo Media), Turkey (Ozen Film), Estonia (Estin Film), Lithuania (Incognito Film) & Former Yugoslavia (2i Film d.o.o.) with more territories currently in negotiation. Previous sales include France (AB Groupe), Poland (Kino Swiat), Korea (Scene & Sound), Bulgaria (Pro Films) & Middle East (Gulf Film). Magnus turns on the life of chess player Magnus Carlsen, who went from being bullied by his classmates to becoming World Chess Champion. It got sold to both Germany & Austria (NFP), Hong Kong (EDKO films Ltd.), former Yugoslavia (Discovery Film) & Benelux (September Film Rights).

THE INNOCENTS LURES BUYERS

Anne Fontaine’s The Innocents, a French drama that world premiered at Sundance, is proving one of the hottest foreign language art house movies for sale at Berlin’s EFM. Repped by Films Distribution, The Innocents has sold to Canada (Mongrel), Japan (Longride), Spain (Caramel), Brazil (Mares), Mexique (Alebrije), Italy (Goodfilms), Denmark (FilmBazar), Switzerland /Finland (Edge), Norway (Tour de Force), Portugal (Films for You), Greece (Feel Good), Switzerland (Agora), Belgium (Imagine) & Colombia (Cinecolombia). Set in Poland in Dec, 1945, The Innocents stars Lou De Laage as Mathilde, a young French Red Cross doctor based in Warsaw who crosses paths with a nun seeking her help. Entering into the convent, she soon discovers that the entire order has been profoundly traumatized and several nuns are pregnant from a series of brutal sexual assaults by the “liberating” Red Army.

BILLE AUGUST SEWS UP GIANNI VERSACE BIOPIC

Danish helmer Bille August is set to travel to Italy to direct Versace, an English language biopic of the late fashion designer Gianni Versace. The movie is being lead produced by Italy’s Oberon Prods. Jesper Morthorst at Svensk Filmindustri is co -producing. Versace will chronicle the designer’s rise to fame in the late 1970s, when he launched the brand, and end with his murder in 1997, when he was shot & killed at his Miami mansion. “It will be a biopic in the vein of Walk The Line. It will portray a genius fighting his own demons, and it will be uplifting & moving rather than being dark & tragic,” said Morthorst. Versace struggled his whole life to find an inner peace & love, and he had finally found both just before he was killed. The $12 million movie will be co – produced by Spanish & Belgian partners.

BENEDICT CUMBERBATCH TO NARRATE D0CUMENTARY NAPLES 44

Benedict Cumberbatch has been recruited as voice talent to narrate high -profile documentary Naples 44 by Italian director
Francesco Patierno, based on the eponymous diary by British travel writer Norman Lewis about his experience as a British intelligence officer in the southern Italian port city following its liberation from Nazi forces. Cumberbatch is voicing Lewis who wrote the memoir while he was a sergeant in the Field Security Service of the British Army Intelligence Corps in southern Italy from Sept, 1943 to Oct, 1944. In his widely sold book he recorded the desperate lives of Neapolitan civilians who survived by relying on all types of subterfuges, and also prostitution, thievery, & beliefs in miracles & cures. Patierno, who is known for gritty drama Pater Familias and documentary The War Of The Volcanoes about how Roberto Rossellini left Anna Magnani for Ingrid Bergman, is directing Naples 44 using both archive & feature film footage, accompanied by Cumberbatch’s narration.

LUCIA PUENZO PREPS ENGLISH LANGUAGE DRAMA BARBE BLEUE

Argentina’s Lucia Puenzo, one of Latin America’s most notable distaff directors, will make her French language helming debut with Barbe Bleue. Pic is inspired by Amelie Nothomb’s 2012 novel and set in a modern day Paris. Written by Puenzo & Sergio Bizzi, Barbe Bleue is produced by Luis & Lucia Puenzo at Argentina’s Historias Cinematograficas, Francis Boespflug & Stephane Parthenay at Paris based Pyramide Prods. Barbe Bleue centers on the growing attraction of Severine, who restores paintings at the Louvre, with Elemerio, who rents her a suspiciously cheap room in a luxurious Paris mansion. She falls under his spell when he offers her the chance to restore Waterhouse’s Hylas And The Nymphs,” which he’s stolen. They become lovers, but she also investigates, “like a detective in her own horror film,” perLuis Puenzo, the fates of other young women who once lived in the mansion.

TELEFONICA STUDIOS FURTHERS DRIVE INTO LATIN AMERICA

Telefonica Studios, the film – TV production arm of telco giant Telefonica, already a key player in Spain Argentina, is taking another step into Latin America teaming with Cactus Flower & Mono Films on the Colombia shot romantic thriller Orbita 9. Part of Movistar Plus, which takes in Spain’s biggest pay TV & SVOD operation, Telefonica Studios has seen large success in Argentina, co -producing with El Deseo & Artgentina’s top broadcaster Telefe & K & S Films the country’s biggest breakout titles: Oscar shortlisted Wild Tales, a Sony Pictures Classics US hit & The Clan, Pablo Trapero’s 2015 Venice “Best Director” winner. The anticipated debut of Hatem Khraiche, screenwriter of the Cactus Flower co -produced The Hidden Face and one of Spain’s most talked up young talents, “Orbita 9” is totally Spanish. Its Colombia shoot, use of cash rebates & link up with Colombia’s top movie
producer Dynamo, which provides services, as it did on Narcos, which it executive produces reps one further step, however, in Telefonica Studios’ increased movie presence in Latin America, where it is already one of the region’s most important telcos.

Chandrakant Singh’s Six X Shown At Recently Held Cannes film festival.

June 2, 2016 by Shaheen Raaj

Chandrakant Singh is a film maker who insists that he is perennial student who learns from life, from other people’s lives, from watching cinema and creates cinema through that experience. He avers, “As a film maker, I have observed there are some very poignant imbalances in interpersonal relationships between men & women based on social norms & perspectives and I try to present them in my films.”

He continues further, “Men & women are supposed to be equal partners, yet, when it comes to sex, women are looked down upon if they are open about their urges & desires. Why do men feel insecure with such women? Why does society expect women to curb their own sexuality. This is hypocrisy, both, at a personal level and within society that percolates across socio – economic levels and is apparently also immune to wealth & education. This is a subject that is a part of everyday life in almost every family across India, yet it is glossed over or ignored by most film makers. My film Six X takes a shot at it. It is being co – produced by Shadab Khan. My casting includes some of the top talent available within the Industry. Ashmit Patel, Sofia Hayat, Sweta Tiwari, Andria Dsouza, Anusmriti Sarkar, Rashmi Desai, Hrishita Bhatt & Zaid Shaikh are some of the cast. Some of my initial previews within the industry and outside including some non -Indian friends from varied parts of the World, elicited an almost universal refrain: they did not see this as an Indian problem alone but a World phenomena, even in the developed world.”

Chanderkant Singh rounded off the interview session with a conclusion, “Cannes is an international meeting place for film makers and talent from all across the world, a showplace for world cinema. World cinema, to me, is actually cinema that is at harmony with human emotions. Films like The Lunch Box and others have more than proved that ever so often. And that is why I was there. I was there for a bigger reason than selling my film. I was looking for co – producers, investors, actors for my next project and other projects that need global inputs at all levels in between, I showed my film Six X, saw other films and discovered a mutual meeting point for us all. That was why I was here at Cannes to present my film at the market and also to see a lot of films and their makers and hopefully discover points at which we can meet mutually.”

Britannia Filmfare Awards South Announces its 63rd edition

June 1, 2016 by Shaheen Raaj

Actor, Arvind Swamy lighted The Ceremonial Lamp

The coveted Black Lady has come calling yetagain, as some of the biggest superstars
from South Indian cinema are all set to walk the red carpet at one of the most prestigiou film award ceremonies of the year. Its that time of the year when talent gets recognition, hard work becomes worth it andglamour gets a new definition, when some ofthe most adored stars get to express themselves in the most extravagant, yet
beautiful manner possible. The 63rd edition of Filmfare Awards (South) is here, and how!

The most sought after awards ceremony will bring together the who’s who” from South
Indian cinema, promising to break benchmarks and set new standards in putting together a spell -bounding show that will acknowledge & applaud the best of the best from the South Indian film industry.

Slated to take place on June 18, 2016 at Hyderabad International Convention Center
(HHIC), Hyderabad, and the 63rd Britannia Filmfare awards (South) will honour those
artists who toiled hard to deliver some of themost popular films on celluloid in 2015. Like every year, the awards will reflect a synergy between public opinion & critical
appreciation, as readers of Filmfare & film buffs have cast their votes across 10
categories covering some of the best films inTamil, Telugu, Kannada & Malayalam. To
announce the latest edition of the star studded event, our special guest for the
occasion, Arvind Swamy, actor par excellence along with Jitesh Pillai, Editor
Filmfare Magazine & Vinay Subramanyam, from Britannia Industries Limited lit a
ceremonial lamp at the press conference held on 26th May, 2016 in Chennai.

Speaking on the momentous occasion, JiteshPillai, Editor Filmfare Magazine averred,” I feel extremely proud when I look back at the journey undertaken by our South awards.South Indian cinema throws up some wonderful gems year after year and it is onlyfitting that we erect a platform such as the Britannia Filmfare Awards to acknowledge the efforts put in by so many talented artist across the spectrum. Our latest edition promises to stage a platform bigger than ever, to present the coveted Black Lady in the hands of these deserving stars.”

Talking about Britannia’s association with the prestigious awards, Vinay
Subramanyam, Category Head, Health & Wellness, Britannia Industries Limited
averred, “Britannia is happy to continue its association with Filmfare as title sponsor for Filmfare Awards 2016. Britannia & Filmfare deliver a full palette of sensory celebrations through good food & great fun”

Yash Raj Films’ Sultan’s Music Out

June 1, 2016 by Shaheen Raaj

Yash Raj Film’s Salman Khan & Anushka Sharma starrer Sultan has been touted as the most promising film of the year. While Sultan’s trailer has become very popular with over 11 million views, it is now time for a special treat for all to enjoy the music album of Sultan which has been released recently.

Sultan’s music album is an elaborate & melodious amalgamation of folk, local & popular music with India’s most celebrated playback talents singing for the film. Vishal – Shekhar have composed for Salman Khan for the 1st time ever and keeping with the Yash Raj Films tradition of eternal film music, Sultan has varied & interesting collection of 9 songs. Irshad Kamil has penned the lyrics of this winning album.

From soulful & romantic to action packed.
Here’s a sneak peek in each of these numbers that appear in the film at crucial points.

“Baby Ko Bass Pasand Hai”: A typical peppy number by Punjabi pop star Badshah, this song has the enthusiastic Sultan woo Aarfa by gate crashing a wedding. Vishal Dadlani, Ishita & Shalmali Kholgade also join in this peppy track. It’s a foot tapping number that will make you want to dance wherever it plays.

“Jag Ghoomeya”: A romantic, gentle rendition by Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, this is a folk composition that talks about the purity & spirituality of true love. Meaningful & melodious, this song touches your heart with its sound. It also has a female version titled the same Jag Ghoomeya by Neha Bhasin .

“440 Volt”: Energetically crooned by Mika Singh, this high octane song delves into a love struck Haryanvi wrestler’s imagination. Sultan’s journey of falling in love is the crux of this catchy number.

“Sachi Muchi”: In the soulful voices of Mohit Chauhan & Harshdeep Kaur, this song focuses on 2 equals falling in love. It’s deep but happy & fun filled and is unique as it is about love that emerges from their profession of wrestling and their core life’s choices.

“Bulleya”: Sung by Papon, whose “Moh Moh Ke Dhaage” for Yasj Raj Film’s “Dum Laga Ke Haisha” is one of the most mellifluous numbers of 2015, this one is a heart touching qawwali about unrequited love. Poetically exploring the pain of longing & separation, this song has a pure & classic feel to it.

“Tuk Tuk”: A song about the celebration of life, Nooran Sisters & Vishal Dadlani sing about getting up from low phases and fighting back. It’s about life, in short.

“Rise Of Sultan & Sultan”: The thumping title track that has already become popular with the trailer. Shekhar Ravjiani and a chorus sing about the film’s central theme. It’s about rising against all odds and fighting difficulties from within. The haunting & extraordinary track “Sultan” by Sukhvinder Singh & Shadab Faridi completes the music album. This song brings to life the physical & spiritual transformation of the film’s central character.

Produced by Aditya Chopra & written & directed by Ali Abbas Zafar, Sultan will release this Eid 2016.

Natco Pharma – Set to take off

May 30, 2016 by Nasheman

Natco Pharma’s (NATP) Q4FY16 earnings hit a homerun with revenue, EBITDA and PAT catapulting 103%, 87% and 159%, respectively. The good show was primarily spearheaded by Hepatitis C portfolio where NATP enjoys first-mover advantage. Onco portfolio in domestic market jumped 30% YoY and it won a tender in Venezuela. The company guided for ~30% base business growth in FY17 without factoring any of the imminent upside from US opportunities like Tamiflu, Entocort, Copaxone, Nuvigil, Tracleer and Fosrenol. We believe FY17 and FY18 will be significant years for NATP as the US engine starts roaring. Maintain ‘BUY’ with target price of INR640. NATP is our top pick in the mid-cap pack.

Hep C franchise keeps beefing domestic business

Current quarter benefitted from Venezuelan tender win; however, revenue adjusted for this grew 61% YoY. India sales jumped 155% YoY and 31% QoQ driven by Hep C franchise (INR1.5bn versus INR1.1bn QoQ) as well as Oncology (up 30% YoY). Export sales surged to INR1.05bn versus INR360mn QoQ driven by tender sales in Venezuela and higher supply of Lansoprazole. Other expenses were higher due to royalties and profit share owing to Hep C franchise. EBITDA margin at 23.9% rose ~60bps QoQ. EBITDA catapulted 87% YoY and 51% QoQ. FY17 guidance of INR13.5bn sales factors the sale of SaveMart Pharmacy, continued momentum in Hep C franchise in India and current order book for export markets. It does not factor any upside whatsoever from US launches.

Exciting US launches ahead

Apart from Doxil, NATP filed 3 P-IV ANDAs in FY16, which includes Gleevec, Tarceva and 1 injectable. Over the next 12-18 months, a series of US launches are expected viz., Tamiflu, Entocort, Copaxone 20mg, Nuvigil, Tracleer and Fosrenol. A number of other interesting products like Doxil and Vidaza could also receive approval. The company is expected to file ~6-7 ANDAs in FY17, half of which will be Onco products. By FY18, Hep C franchise will also start unlocking in RoW markets, albeit the quantum will be much smaller than India where it has made the most of its headstart.

Outlook and valuations: No dearth of catalysts; maintain ‘BUY’

NATP’s filings will continue to be differentiated and keep valuations buoyant. We maintain our estimates and ‘BUY/SO’ with target price of INR640 (20x FY18E EPS).

“My latest musical album Ishq Anokha describes love in all its true colours:” Kailash Kher

May 30, 2016 by Shaheen Raaj

“Allah Ke Bandey” fame singer Kailash Kher also happens to be a prolific lyricist and a musical composer par excellence all rolled into one. He had originally arrived in the Bollywoodian Mekkah to gain name & fame as a successful lyricist in his own right. But fate had other plans for him as he first gained instant recognition as a singer with “Allah Ke Bandey” and then as a music composer (10 films till this date) and finally as a lyricist in musical albums composed & rendered by him and now there is no looking back for him. So his extremely talent oriented musical journey continuous with the release of his latest musical album titled Ishq Anokha.

Q: You have come a long way from your hit song “Allah Ke Bandey” to your latest musical album Ishq Anokha. So how would you describe this musical journey?

A: My Illustrious musical journey was really phenomenal, of course strewn with lots of ups & downs and lots of highs & lows. But at this stage I would like to make some clarifications that originally I just wanted to be the most wanted lyricist of Bollywood. But I became a singer first, then a music composer and finally my wish came true when I became a lyricist too. Besides “Allah Ke Bandey” proved to be my first hit song but my debut song was “Dil Machal Machal Jaaye Re”. It was a duet song with Sunidhi Chauhan for the film Baaz – A Bird In Danger.
Q: Please continue!

A: The journey to Bollywood was quite interesting too. I hail from Meerut. And I wanted to come to Mumbai to write some of the best lyrics as I said earlier. But from Meerut I came along with some of my friends to Delhi where I started singing advertisement jingles. Then the same friends decided to come to Mumbai to try their hands in films. So finally I ended up coming to Mumbai and become a part of this adda, I mean circle of aspiring filmy friends.

Q: Ok! Time to reveal about your latest musical album Ishq Anokha!

A: My latest musical album Ishq Anokha is an amalgamation of ode to love which traverses the varied emotions that a person goes through when they are in love. The musical album Ishq Anokha has a mix of varied moods and will make the listeners feel the true essence of Kailasa. In fact the title track “Ishq Anokha” perfectly describes the total intensity of being in love, from anxiously waiting for love to expressing undying love to experiencing severe heartbreak to finally feeling eternal bliss. So this particular song itself will ensure that the listeners have a tune to hum to all the times in all the situations.

Q: So what according to you is the USP of your musical album Ishq Anokha?

A: The USP of my musical album Ishq Anokha are all its song in totality. You see we all believe in love. We all fall in love with someone yet many of us do not know how to express our love and that is why every Ishq is Anokha. Which is so beautifully depicted in all its songs like “Ishq Anokha”, “O Jogi”, “Meherbani Teri”, “Berukhiyan”, “Vaari Vaari”, “Siyah Tara”, “Guru Ghantaal” & “Turiya Turiya” and all the songs have been written, composed & sung by me. Actually speaking I was planning to have the title of this musical album Ishq Anokha as Thagonki Basti as I totally believe that each & everyone of us cheats on his or her lover when in love at some time or the other.

Q: As a parting shot can you enlighten us about the highlights of your latest musical album Ishq Anokha?

A: My latest musical album Ishq Anokha solely written, sung & composed by me and released on music label Saregama with 9 lovable & enjoyable tracks also boasts of many firsts. As it is for the first time that I have seamlessly fused the modern with the traditional by using varied specialised forms of music pieces like Flamenco, Saxaphone et al. In fact Ishq Anokha describes love in all its true colours.

Movie Review: ‘Veerappan’ is one more damp squib film from the RGV camp which can be skipped easily

May 30, 2016 by Shaheen Raaj

Producer: Ram Gopal Verma
Director: Ram Gopal Verma
Star Cast: Sandeep Bhardwaj, Sachiin J Joshi, Usha Jadhav, Lisa Ray et al
Music: Shaarib – Toshi & Jeet Ganguli

Director Ram Gopal Verma’s earlier claim to fame have been films like Satya, Sarkar, Rangeela et al. But alas! his directorial downfall started with mad capper films like Aag, Satya 2 et al. But now with a film like Veerappan he seems to have gone completely off his rockers. May be taking a little sabbatical from film making will be good for his health including the audiences & the critics too.

The plotted scenario of Veerappan starts off with the ruthless & the brutal killing of police officers in the dense jungles of Satyamangalam, situated in Southern India. This is followed by a narration of flashback of events by STF officer Kannan (Sachiin J Joshi), wherein he traces the past of Veerappan (Sandeep Bhardwaj) and the incidents that led him to become the most notorious criminal ever. The flashback states that Veerappan made his 1st killing when he was in his pre – teens. Once he tasted blood & money, there was no looking back for him. Despite being an illiterate, his sharp mind & meticulous planning could put anyone & everyone to shame, so much so that, even the combined police forces of Karnataka & Tamil Nadu always ended up being unsuccessful in nabbing him. Looking at the recurring gruesome & heartless killings, the sole purpose of Kannan’s life becomes to nab Veerappan by hook or by crook. During one such search operation, even though Kannan and his team become unsuccessful in nabbing Veerappan, they end up getting hold of his dutiful wife Muthulakshmi (Usha Jadhav). That’s when Kannan hatches a masterplan with Priya (Lisa Ray), who agrees to be a part of the plan, because Veerappan had killed her husband as well. As per the plan, Priya poses as a landlord of a big house, where Muthulakshmi is brought in as a tenant. Priya then, befriends her with her sweet talks & caring nature. As days pass by, Muthulakshmi falls for Priya’s sweet talks and gradually discloses the whereabouts of her husband Veerappan. Around that time, she also discloses many unknown facts about Veerappan’s life to Priya, who becomes shell shocked after knowing the bare facts.

Director Ram Gopal Varma while making Veerappan has clearly forgotten to include the long drawn out kidnapping episode of Kannada Cinema’s matinee idol Dr. Rajkumar maybe the inclusion of this thrilling & captivating scenario of almost 90 days would have made the film worth wathing to some extent. All said & done Ramu may have made one more damp squib film like Veerappan but the devil must be given his due credit as Veerappan excels in the technical department. So a special noteworthy mention goes to R. D. Tailang for his script, John Stewart Eduri for his background music, Aniket Khandagale for his cinematography & Anwar Ali for his editing.
Performance wise Sandeep Bharadwaj has delivered an excellent performance. His looks, behaviour & body language matches perfectly with the original Verrappan and he is really convincing & resounding like the real Veerappan. Sachiin J Joshi is superb in his role of an STF officer. Usha Jadhav is okay as Veerappan’s wife. Lisa Ray is convincing in her role of a journo.

Tail Piece: Veerappan is a violent film that may not cater to the niche audiences but it will prove to be a delight for the comman man who relishes such films.

Movie Review: ‘The Angry Birds Movie’ is a delightful fare ever seen before on the celluloid silver screen

May 28, 2016 by Nasheman

Producers: John Cohen and Catherine Winder
Directors: Clay Kaytis and Fergal Reilly
Voice Over Artiste: Jason Sudekis, Josh Gad, Danny McBride, Maya Rudolph, Kate Mckinnon, Bill Hader etc

In the 3D animated comedy, The Angry Birds Movie, we’ll finally find out why the birds are so angry. The movie takes us to an island populated entirely by happy, flightless birds -or almost entirely. In this paradise, Red (Jason Sudeikis), a bird with a temper problem, speedy Chuck (Josh Gad), and the volatile Bomb (Danny McBride) have always been outsiders. But when the island is visited by mysterious green piggies, it’s up to these unlikely outcasts to figure out what the pigs are up to.

The director duo Clay Kaytis and Fergal Reilly have really assembled a delightful fare for kids, youngsters and matured people.

With a movie as enjoyable as this it is very difficult to pin point a particular flaw.

It is a harmless kid’s tale that kids and adults can easily find humour in.

Movie Review: ‘Alice Through The Looking Glass’ is certainly not to be missed interesting fare

May 28, 2016 by Shaheen Raaj

Producers: Tim Burton, Joe Roth, Suzanne Tod and Jennifer Todd
Director: James Bobin
Star Cast; Johnny Depp, Anne Hathway, Sacha Baron Cohen, Helena Bonham Carter, Mia Wasikowaska, Micheal Sheen etc

After slipping through a mirror, Alice (Mia Wasikowska) finds herself back in Underland with the White Queen (Anne Hathaway), the Cheshire Cat, the White Rabbit, Tweedledee and Tweedledum. Her friends tell her that the Mad Hatter (Johnny Depp) is depressed over the death of his family. Hoping to save his loved ones, Alice steals the Chronosphere from Time (Sacha Baron Cohen) to travel into the past. While there, she encounters the younger Hatter and the evil Red Queen (Helena Bonham Carter)

Direction of James Bobbin is impressive but amongst the actors it is Sacha Baron Cohen who stands out with his superlative performance and the next in line performer is Mia Wasikowska in the title role of Alice.

This fantasy character of Alice has been rehashed time and again but all the sequels of this franchise lack something or the other.

It is a good visual treat for kids at the end of the summer vacation.

Small Screen Trade Round Up By: Shaheen Raaj

May 28, 2016 by Shaheen Raaj

ZEE’s Akash Chawla Replaces Pradeep Hejmadi

ZEE has elevated Akash Chawla & Deepak Rajadhyaksha for key roles in Zee TV to drive the organizations goals. In addition to his current portfolio as Business Head – Essel Vision Productions Limited / Zee Studios, Chawla will now also take charge as the Business Head of Zee TV. In his earlier broadcasting stint, Chawla has successfully spearheaded the marketing function for the flagship & National channels like ZeeTV, Zee Cinema & Zee Classic. He has also played a pivotal role in the launch of channels like &pictures, Zee Anmol & Zindagi. All the functions of Zee TV like marketing, research & PR will align with Chawla. Meanwhile, Deepak Rajadhyaksha, who has been successfully leading the role as the Business Head of Zee Marathi, will now take charge as the Deputy Business Head, Zee TV. He will report to Akash Chawla. The entire programming, OAP & Operations team would align and report to Rajadhyaksha. The duo will work closely with ZEEL – MD & CEO, Punit Goenka to bring Zee TV towards its leadership journey.

Colors To Air Shakti…Astitva Ke Ehsaas Kii From 30th May 2016

Prejudice is a burden that confuses the past, threatens the present and renders the future inaccessible. But, what if a prejudice is so strong that it damages a family beyond repair; so harsh that it makes parents discriminate between its own blood relations; so forbidden that it changes the fate of 2 young children? Colors brings to viewers a tale of conscious prejudice meted out by a family against its own kin with Shakti…Astitva Ke Ehsaas Kii. Putting blood relations in a quandary, Shakti portrays the strength & power of a family to dictate the destiny of its children – Soumya (Mahira Khurrana) & Surbhi (Tasheen Shah). Produced by Rashmi Sharma Telefilms Ltd, Shakti is all set to unravel the truth behind their family’s behaviour towards them, starting 30th May 2016, every Mon to Fri at 8:00 PM on Colors.

Life OK Carries Sci – Fi Trend With Nagarjuna

At present, Indian television is going through a phase of super natural, mythical and larger than life shows. After the steaming success of many such shows, Beyond Dreams is all set to air the all new Mahabharata inspired show Nagarjuna – Ek Yodha on Life OK from 30th May 2016 at 900 PM. The show replaces Piya Rangrez. The makers have high expectations from Nagarjuna – Ek Yodha. Will this show work for the channel, fulfil these expectations – only time will reveal. Nagarjuna – Ek Yodha has been inspired from incidents from the Mahabharata. Explaining the connection, the makers say that there is an incident in the Mahabharata in which a fight between the Pandavas and snakes had happened. The show is a sci – fi fantasy take on this incident. Nagarjuna, played by Anshuman Malhotra, is a reluctant superhero in the show. He is half snake & half man, and the force between human land Amboli & Nag Lok. He is the man who stands between both the worlds.

Anil Kapoor Acquires Prison Break Rights

Anil Kapoor, who is currently busy finishing the 2nd series of his television series 24, has acquired the rights of another American TV series Prison Break. The actor, who had earlier taken the rights of Modern Family, said he normally went with a gut feeling that Indians would love a story when he acquires it to adapt it to Indian situation. Prison Break, of which the 5th season is about to commence, revolves around 2 brothers. One has been sentenced to death for a crime he did not commit while the other devises an elaborate plan to help him escape and clear his name. The actor said he had only acquired the rights of the 1st season. In a statement, Kapoor averred, “The show is about sibling love. It has just the right amount of emotions and of course some mind blowing action. In the past, films like Do Aankhen Barah Haath & Umar Qaid, which revolved around jailbreak, have been appreciated by the audience.”

Dr. Subhash Chandra Resigns

Subhash Chandra has stepped down from the post of director & non – executive chairman of Zee Media. According to a report on BSE, Zee Media announced that its board meeting held on 24th May 2016 took on record the resignation of Dr. Subhash Chandra as director and non-executive chairman of the company with effect from 24 May 2016. With this announcement, R K Arora has been appointed as the CEO as an additional director of the company with immediate effect. Zee Media has a lavish portfolio of news channels under it which includes Zee News, Zee Business, India 24×7, Zee Punjab Haryana Himachal, Zee Madhya Pradesh Chhattisgarh, Zee 24 Taas, 24 Ghanta, Zee Kalinga News, Zee Purvaiya & Zee Rajasthan News.

Vishal Srivastava Quits

Network 18 is seeing a major reshuffling with several elevations, appointments & resignations across its portfolio of channels. Adding to the list is CNBC TV18 executive VP & Head global business Vishal Srivastava who has stepped down from his position. In his past role, Srivastava used to head the Government & International sales for all the channels under the network. incidentally speaking Network 18 does not have a replacement for Srivastava as of yet. He has been associated with the company for more than 13 years.

300 Hours Eligibility Criteria For E – Auction Of slots

300 hours eligibility criteria for e – auction Of slots on DD National Doordarshan, which recently decided to invite eligible producers to create & market fresh content on the channel for a fixed tenure extending up to 3 years by buying slots through e – auction, recently said the offer was open for production houses which have produced at least 300 hours of Hindi General Entertainment Programming in the last 2 years. Moreover, the production houses should have a turnover of minimum Rs 5 crores per annum in regard to TV & film production in the last 3 financial years.
Successful bidders will produce fresh programmes in various genres of General Entertainment Programme for Doordarshan will be required to adhere to the programming / broadcasting codes of Prasar Bharati. Request for Proposal (RFP) of the Slot Sale Policy is available and can be downloaded from the website:
www.ddindia.gov.in. The policy encourages private entrepreneurs to produce cutting edge General Entertainment Programming with a commitment for providing wholesome family enjoyment.

IBN7 Launches Entertainment Show

Entertainment news is an important content area for news television. There are several shows in the Hindi News genre that garner high ratings and have a loyal viewership especially amongst female audiences. The show has started and airs every Mon to Fri at 2 pm. With a view to disrupt this space, IBN7 will launch a new show Bhabhi Tera Devar Deewana. Typically, most shows in this space are anchored & driven by female anchors who bring their perspective on the latest happenings from the world of television. In order to break away from this format, IBN7 will introduce a unique character – the devar who will look at the twists & turns of the most popular TV shows from a distinctly male perspective. Delving into the lives of the television celebrities, the devar will also aim to become an inseparable part of viewers’ lives. From characters’ on & off screen persona, and various events, to on – location shoots and highlights of TV serials, the desh ka devar will take the viewers on a captivating journey bringing them closer to understand their favourite characters better.

Reduced DD terrestrial Viewership Has Led To Decline In IEBR

Prasar Bharati has admitted that declining trend of terrestrial viewership, non -implementation of professional marketing division, aggressive competition, curtailment of advertisement budget of the erstwhile heavy spending by Government Ministries like Health & Agriculture et al, in Doordarshan had led to decline in the Internal & Extra Budgetary Resources (IEBR) of Prasar Bharati since 2014 – 2015.
The Parliamentary Standing Committee for Information Technology which goes into issues relating to Information & Broadcasting appreciated steps being taken to reverse this trend which include monetization of resources, reorganization of commercial revenue divisions, change in content sourcing model, exploration of new revenue models from auction of slots on DTH platforms, and Digital Terrestrial Transmitters having multiple channel capacity et al. The Committee recommended that Prasar Bharati should continue to explore avenues to augment revenue generation so that the public broadcaster achieves self – sustenance gradually and becomes less dependent on government support. The Committee also noted that during the year 2015 – 2016, the I & B ministry had spent Rs 2827.75 crore under Non – Plan fund to meet salary & salary related expenses. Separately, Prasar Bharati allocates Rs 200 crore annually from its IEBR for Content Development Scheme as per the 12th Plan Scheme.

Zee TV Brings Season 2 Of Dance Singapore Dance

Zee TV, the flagship channel of Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited (ZEEL), has announced the return of its highly popular reality dance competition, Dance Singapore Dance Season 2. The open category competition is open to all residents of Singapore aged 16 and above, and aims to provide a platform for amateur & experienced dancers to showcase their talent. Pre – registration for the show has begun on www.apac.zeetv.com/dsd and auditions will take place on 28th May 2016 at 9 am onwards at the La Salle College of the Arts, 1 McNally St, Singapore 187940.
Zee TV Senior vice president International business Tripta Singh said, “We are delighted to return with Dance Singapore Dance S2 after a highly successful launch Season. This year we have increased the prize money for the winner to $15,000 and included cash and other prizes for the 1st & 2nd runners – up. After the finale of Season 1, we continued to groom the dancers and provided them with on – ground opportunities in the Asia Pacific region to perform & showcase their talents. Dance Singapore Dance is not just a TV show but a platform for aspiring dancers to take their talent to the next level”.