BY SACNILK

Mumbai, Jan 4 (IANS) Sanjay Mishra, and Vijay Raaz feel that their film 'Waah Zindagi' allowed them to touch a broad set of audience all the while telling an important story in the most engaging way through their performances.## Talking about the film, Sanjay Mishra says, "I choose stories that hold some meaning in a larger sense".## He takes into account another film of his 'Turtle', as he says, "While I take on characters that resonate better with the masses but at the same time taking on films such as 'Waah Zindagi' and 'Turtle', makes me complete as an artist. Working with Dinesh, Vijay Raaz, Manoj Joshi, and Naveen was a fulfilling experience, we all shared a time bond owned by adventurous encounters on the sets".## Both the films will have an HD first premiere on &pictures. While 'Waah Zindagi' will be aired on January 6, 'Turtle' will be showcased on January 20.## Commenting on the same, Sanjay says, "I am elated to know that these two films, which are very close to my heart, are going to reach huge audiences through the medium of TV".## Adding to his co-actor, Vijay Raaz says, "If 'Make in India' vision had come sooner, the scenario would have been different today. One should watch 'Waah Zindagi' with an open mind and it'll absolutely change their perspective. Ashok and Dinesh had a clear view on things they wanted to convey through the story of 'Waah Zindagi'".## "I did the movie because I wanted to make this story reach as many people as possible. It was a good experience overall to work with such an amazing team that brought forth the story in all authenticity", he concluded.## Stay tuned...

BY SACNILK

Los Angeles, January 5 - Hollywood film studios experimented with day-and-date releases in theaters and on streamers in 2021, mainly because of the covid-19 pandemic. Warner Bros. sent its entire slate of 2021 in theaters and on HBO Max simultaneously, a decision that was heavily criticized by some of the top Hollywood filmmakers. ## Walt Disney Co. too did the same with Marvel Studios. tentpole movie, "Black Widow" starring Scarlett Johansson. Upon its release in July 2021, the superhero movie made $80 million domestically in the opening weekend + $20 million via Disney+ as announced by the streamer. However, after the opening weekend, the movie fell flat at the box office, and Disney also stopped giving its streaming numbers. ## After the low box office performance of the film, exhibitors blamed Disney Co. for its decision of making the film available in theaters and on a streamer simultaneously. They were right as "Black Widow" was one of the most pirated Hollywood titles of 2021, as revealed earlier. This caused heavy damage for the exhibitors who had high hopes for this Marvel movie. ## However, what was earlier revealed wasn't the full picture. According to the latest report by Deadline, "Black Widow" was the most pirated film of 2021. The report suggests that the day-and-date release of the film invited over 20 million pirated downloads, causing Disney to lose an estimated $600 million in streaming revenue. ## While the loss caused by piracy was massive, Scarlett Johansson too had sued Walt Disney Company over a breach in the contract that originally guaranteed an exclusive theatrical release. At the time, it was estimated that the decision to release via streaming cost Johnasson $50 million. ## Stay tuned...

BY SACNILK

Mumbai, Jan 3 (IANS) Actor Raghubir Yadav says what he felt unique about the series 'Kaun Banegi Shikharwati' is that it showcases the life of kings and queens of that era and how they live in the current times.## "What I felt unique about this series is that it showcases the life of kings and queens of that era and how they live in the current times. It narrates an engaging story of two different generations and their completely different thought process and how they put in efforts in understanding each other," Raghubir said.## He added: "This is what I liked about the series and characters".## 'Kaun Banegi Shikharwati' is a dramedy based on the life of a royal king played by Naseeruddin Shah and his dysfunctional family. The show also stars Lara Dutta and Soha Ali Khan among many others.## He said: "Lara, Soha, Anya, and Kritika were new for me and I was new for them, however when we began shooting for this series, we in no time felt like a family living in a Raj Mahal".## Raghubir added: "We were all thoroughly focused on our work and there weren't any challenges in the shooting process. In fact, working with them was fun and I really enjoyed it".## The series premiere on January 7, 2022, on ZEE5.## Stay tuned...

BY SACNILK

Hyderabad, Jan 3 (IANS) Hosted by Nandamuri Balakrishna, celebrity talk show 'Unstoppable with NBK' will have 'Baahubali' actor Rana Daggubati in the upcoming episode.## Balakrishna, who entered into hosting, has so far been successful in creating his own mark by having Tollywood's biggies present on his show.## Now that Rana Daggubati is all set to appear on the show 'Unstoppable', the makers unveiled a fun-filled promo. The promo of the upcoming episode features Rana Daggubati having a witty conversation with Balakrishna.## Rana, who is the guest on the talk show, is seen quizzing Balakrishna, the host, in return.## When being quizzed about Balakrishna's bond with his wife, Balakrishna answers that he is the one who apologizes when the two have an argument.## "Lord Krishna himself held Satyabhama's feet when she was upset. Who am I?" Balakrishna said.## A few more questions and Rana dares Balakrishna to propose to his wife on the phone. As Balakrishna says "I Love You", his wife replies, "I know that you always love me", which is accompanied by claps from the audience.## The episode is to be aired on Aha on January 7.## Stay tuned...

BY SACNILK

Mumbai, Jan 3 (IANS) Ravii Dubey, whose web show 'Matsya Kaand' has garnered a positive response, holds his character of Matsya very close to his heart for it has opened up new avenues for him thereby changing the course of his career as an actor.## The actor said, "'Matsya Kaand' has truly changed the trajectory of my career. It challenged me as an actor and made me align physically mentally and spiritually with this craft like never before. Matsya came with a lot of makeovers, physical transformation and an emotional quotient like no other character I have played so far".## Defining the journey of the show, he said, "It required a lot of hard work and throughout the process, my director Ajay Bhuyan, producer Deepak Dhar (Banijay Asia) and Team MX asserted that we were on the brink of cracking something big".## The show produced by Banijay Asia for MX Player, recently clocked 100 million views on streaming platform MX Player, elated with the response to the show, Ravi shared, "Receiving positive reviews of the show affirmed that all the hard work we've put in as a team has paid off. However, when the show crossed 100 million views on MX Player, I was speechless. To be honest, I couldn't have asked for a better end to this year".## Talking about the success of the show, Deepak Dhar, CEO & Founder, Banijay Asia said, "We are amidst a content revolution where we are witnessing refreshing, experimental content taking the front seat with the audience all over the world".## He added, "A show like 'Matsya Kaand', which centers on an atypical conman, charming his way through the heists created such a hype among the metro cities as well as the rural corner of the nation that crossed 100 million views really fuels our belief in investing in such unconventional stories".## "At Banijay Asia, we thrive on presenting narratives that resonate with the cultural milieu and we look forward to following the same route with accelerated zeal and efforts in our forthcoming presentations", he concluded.## Stay tuned...

BY SACNILK

Mumbai, Jan 3 (IANS) Shefali Shah, who is gearing up for the release of her upcoming medical thriller series 'Human', had her share of challenges while getting into the nuances of her character of Gauri Nath.## The actress says, "Gauri Nath is Pandora's box. You don't know what hits you at each moment. She's complicated, unpredictable, and indecipherable".## What made it tricky was the fact that the character came with a blank slate, Shefali mentions, "Not only is 'She' unlike anyone I've played before, I don't know nor have heard of anyone like her!"## 'Human' is a medical thriller based on human drug trials in India, it sheds light on the collateral damage due to fast-tracked drug trials for financial gains as innocent lives are lost to greed. Touching compelling themes like the value of human life, medical malpractice, class divide, and ramifications of fast-paced medical science, 'Human' brings forth the greed to make money in a compelling tale of power struggles, secretive pasts, trauma, and murders.## In addition, the series also stars Kirti Kulhari, Vishal Jethwa, Ram Kapoor, Seema Biswas, Aditya Srivastava, and Mohan Agashe. Directed by Vipul Amrutlal Shah and Mozez Singh, 'Human' has been penned by Mozez Singh and Ishani Banerjee. The series will be available to stream on Disney+ Hotstar from January 14.## Stay tuned...

BY SACNILK

Los Angeles, Jan 2 (IANS) Streaming giant Netflix is teasing the upcoming third season of 'The Umbrella Academy', the superhero series based on the comics of Gerard Way and created for Netflix by Steve Blackman and Jeremy Slater.## A series of posters on the main characters was counted down today on Twitter, the first signs of the show's imminent arrival, although Netflix said in November that it would be returning, reports deadline.com.## No exact date has been set for the third seasona¿s release, but it is promised for 2022.## The series revolves around a dysfunctional family of adopted sibling superheroes who reunite to solve the mystery of their father's death and the threat of an imminent apocalypse.## Producers include Borderline Entertainment, Dark Horse Entertainment, and Universal Cable Productions.## The cast includes Elliot Page, Tom Hopper, David Castaneda, Emmy Raver-Lampman, Robert Sheehan, Aidan Gallagher, Cameron Britton, Mary J. Blige, John Magaro, Adam Godley, Colm Feore, Justin H. Min, Ritu Arya, Yusuf Gatewood, Marin Ireland and Kate Walsh.## Stay tuned...

BY SACNILK

Mumbai, Jan 1 (IANS) The latest promo of 'Bigg Boss 15' shows superstars of Bollywood Salman Khan and Dharmendra recreating the iconic bike scene of 1975 blockbuster 'Sholay' which featured Amitabh Bachchan and Dharmendra. ## Both the actors are seen opening the 'Weekend Ka Vaar' episode sitting on the bike and dancing to 'Shaam Shandaar' song. Dharmendra says: "I am here Gabbar." Salman replies: "Gabbar, I am coming." ## Later, Bharti Singh is also seen having some fun banter with Dharmendra and enacting another famous scene of Ramesh Sippy's 'Sholay' in which Veeru (Dharmendra) threatens to jump off a water tank to force Basanti (Hema Malini) to accept his proposal. ## Bharti with a bottle in her hand says: "If I am not your dream girl, at least I am your drum girl. You must be happy that the Pumpkin of your garden is dancing here." ## She adds: "Recently Salman cut his birthday cake and later a snake also bit him." ## Dharmendra says: "Actually it was not male but a female snake." (usko saanp ne nahi sapnio ne kaata hai). And Bharti says: "It was sent by Colors as the 'Naagin' show is coming up." ##

BY SACNILK

Moscow, Jan 1 (IANS) Streaming giant Netflix will have to stream 20 state television channels in Russia starting in March. ## The country's media watchdog Roskomnadzor registered the platform as an "audiovisual service" this week, reports Engadget. ## Among the channels Netflix will have to carry are the flagship Channel One, entertainment network NTV and a Russian Orthodox Church channel called Spas (which means "Saved"). ## Streaming services with more than 100,000 daily users in Russia are included on the register, which was established late last year, the report said. ## Not only must registered platforms offer state TV channels, but they also need to set up a Russian company, according to The Moscow Times. ## Companies on the register also have to abide by Russian laws. For one thing, Netflix will not be allowed to promote "extremism". Critics claim that provision has been wielded against those who support the Kremlin's opponents. ## Other video services in the country reportedly argued that Netflix should be added to the register to level the playing field since it meets the requirements. ## The Russian version of Netflix is operated by Entertainment Online Service, a subsidiary of National Media Group, which has a stake in Channel One. ##

BY SACNILK

Mumbai, Dec 31 (IANS) Filmmaker-writer Rohan Sippy, who has been garnering positive responses for his web series, 'Aranyak', feels that good writing clubbed with good performances are the mainstay for the medium of OTT. ## For him, both the verticals need to work in close association to extract the best out of each other and eventually shape the film or series. ## He shares his observation saying: "I believe that OTT is the writer's medium at the top, very closely aligned with the actors'. When you are getting into drama, comedy, or relationship kind of a thing for your stories, then it's really about actors who can compel you and make you sit down." ## Recollecting his experience of working with actor Pankaj Tripathi, he says: "I had the good fortune of working with Pankaj Tripathi and you can see what he brings to this medium. Be it Pankaj, Param (Parambrata Chattopadhyay) or Raveena; they all can use this medium wonderfully." ## "And of course, all the heads of departments have to work really hard because you are looking to do film quality at maybe four times the speed of films. But, writing and performance really are the heart and soul of this medium", he concludes. ## Stay tuned.

BY SACNILK

Mumbai, Dec 31 (IANS) Director Hardik Mehta, whose recent web show 'Decoupled' has struck a chord with connoisseurs of humour, feels that for a filmmaker to do complete justice to a script, it's imperative that they don't let their personal inclinations or politics seep into the design and positioning of a scene. ## The director says: "My thought process or politics might not completely align with what Manu (Joseph, the writer and creator of, 'Decoupled') would have proposed in a scene. But as a filmmaker, it's my job, it is my prerogative to ensure that a scene is directed and made in a way that is absolutely convincing." ## For him, keeping the personal inclinations aside and to work together towards a constructive outcome forms the essence of the collaborative process that filmmaking is. ## He says: "That is exactly where collaboration comes in. That has actually been a very interesting part of making this series." ## Stay tuned.

BY SACNILK

Mumbai, Dec 30 (IANS) Actor Worship Khanna, who is currently seen as antagonist Vijayendra Singh in 'Meri Doli Mere Angna', is to star in upcoming web series 'Robot'. ## He says: "I'm excited to play a protagonist in the upcoming series, 'Robot'. I will essay the character, Anand, who is a simple and innocent guy working in an office dealing with robots. And after some twist and turn the robot (Rachel) falls in love with me. It is a very beautiful story and I'm sure my audience will enjoy watching me." ## The series of nine episodes also features actors such as Naveen Bawa and Vijay Patkar. ## The 'Kumkum Bhagya' actor looks forward to a healthy and peaceful New year. "I'm looking forward to a healthy and peaceful New year 2022. As Covid-19 is once again increasing I will choose to stay home and welcome the new year with a few of my very close friends. I wish to stay healthy and be able to work more exploring and essaying new characters." ##