Zee Cinema launches Middle East beam

Zee Network has recently launched the Hindi Movie channel, Zee Cinema Middle East Beam. An already premier Hindi movie channel across the world, it offers the most select Hindi movies, to diverse audiences. This launch is part of the Network's growing emphasis, on reaching out to more viewers across the globe. Viewers can expect the latest Hindi blockbusters, classics, and specialised segments on the leading stars in Bollywood from the 24-hour Hindi movie channel.

Bharat Ranga, COO, Zee International, said, "Zee Cinema has been a very successful channel for us, world over. We have an extensive library of more than 1500 titles. Unlike other movie channels that thrive on primetime shows, we offer premium movies in the morning, afternoon and evening which provides us with a very strong viewership. We believe that the distribution of this channel will give our programming and service, a distinctive and innovative edge. With a large South Asian community, Middle East, North Africa and Pakistan represents an important region for Zee. We are excited to bring our top rated events and Bollywood hits into the living rooms of viewers across these countries.”

Further the Middle East beam will add more value to the existing subscribers in the region. Zee Cinema will be available on DTH through ADD (Arab Digital Distribution’s Pehla Bouquet), on IPTV/Cable through E Vision and on IPTV through du & Qatar Telecom’s Mosaic TV. Through these initial efforts itself, the channel will be available to over 700,000 households.

Zee houses the world’s largest Hindi film library. Launched in April 1995 in India, Zee Cinema is India’s first Hindi movie channel bringing Movies.Masti.Magic to millions of audiences, worldwide, by showcasing the best of Indian Cinema. It is broadcasted 24-hours a day, airing 8 movies along with other film-based programming. With rights to the Zee Cinema library, consisting of iconic films like Sholay, Hum Aapke Hain Kaun to latest blockbusters such as Ishqiya, Aakrosh & Om Shanti Om to name a few. The library also consists of all the films of The Show Man Show – Raj Kapoor & Subhash Ghai.

Zee Cinema has taken many innovative steps towards the entertainment of its viewers, by introducing interesting break content during different day parts. It will also delve on different programming techniques of movie festivals and themes to ensure that we always have something very unique and interesting to offer to our viewers.

Some of the key properties on the channel will be Movie of the Week,  Saturday Cinemax, Bollywood Brunch, Lage Raho...Ek Break Ke Saath, Twin Treat, Lights, Camera…Action, ABC – The Amitabh Bachchan Collection — The Biggest Movie Star in India. The Superstar of the Millennium! Unveiling, the biggest collection of Amitabh movies on Zee Cinema.

Manav-Archana's much-awaited consummation scene to be shot this week ...

Sushant-Ankita embarrassed by co-stars constantly ribbing the duo

It's been over a year and a half that Manav and Archana have ruled the hearts of television viewers across the country as the ideal Indian middle-class couple hopelessly in love with each other. Their journey of love has been a bumpy ride choc-a-bloc with twists and turns that have separated and finally brought them back together. Now's the time for the two to finally enjoy the fruits of marital bliss. Yes, actors Sushant Rajput and Ankita Lokhande are all set to shoot a consummation scene for their gloriously successful soap Pavitra Rishta in the coming week.

Given the buzz about Sushant-Ankita's scorching off-screen chemistry, reports have it that their co-actors from the show are having a field day ribbing the two unabashedly about the upcoming bold scene.

Veteran actress Usha Nadkarni, known for her razor-sharp wit, is said to be pulling the duo's leg saying, "This scene should come rather naturally to both of you! You've been rehearsing it forever" Still other actors, not wanting to be named, have been cracking jokes to the effect that the scene will be okayed in just one take given how ‘close’ the actors are. To avoid all the embarassing teasing happening on the sets of Zee TV's Pavitra Rishta, Sushant and Ankita have apparently begun locking themselves up in their vanity vans for long spells of time, further fuelling the jokes.

Stay tuned to Pavitra Rishta every weeknight (Sunday to Thursday) at 9pm on Zee TV.

Aamir Dalvi and Anisha Kapoor to join the cast of Sanskar Laxmi

Anisha Kapoor

Seems like some more well known television actors have joined the cast of Sanskar Laxmi which will soon premiere on Zee TV. The latest to have joined the ensemble cast are Aamir Dalvi who was seen in ‘Saathi Re’ and Anisha Kapoor, who was earlier seen in ‘Banoo Main teri Dulhann’. While Anisha plays the character of Ragini, a wannabe starlet who has migrated from North India to Mumbai to make it big in the TV industry; Aamir has been roped in to portray the character of Mahendra — an autistic but intelligent young man. He is an honest, simple and lovable character who finds philosophy in little day to day things in his life. 

Aamir Dalvi

“To portray an autistic character is by far the most interesting and difficult role of my life. I think it’s going to be a big challenge for me to enact such a character. I’m already doing my homework and learning about autism so that I can do complete justice to the role,” says Aamir.

While Aamir is totally gung ho about depicting an autistic person, the gorgeous actress Anisha says, “My character Ragini is very grey. She is extremely manipulative and will resort to any lengths to make it big in the industry. I had many inhibitions about playing this role but after Raju Bhai’s narration, I realised the potential in my character. I really hope I’m able to live up to his expectations.”

With so many big names playing pivotal roles in the show, we wonder who will play the lead lady Laxmi..??

Zee to host the biggest Musical Extravaganza of the season

Lulu Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Singing Superstar Grand Finale

Get set for a grand event on Christmas Day, as Zee TV is all geared up to end 2010 with a priceless musical experience with artists of acclaimed repute set to perform for Lulu Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Singing Superstar Grand Finale. The presence of two of the biggest musical stalwarts — Ghazal maestro Ustaad Ghulam Ali Khan and Mika Singh will surely make the evening an unforgettable experience.

Touted as the biggest musical reality show of the Entertainment Industry, this season's star-studded soiree will give the audience a taste of chartbusting Bollywood hits coupled with some western renditions, soulful Ghazals along with some fine blend of Sufi music to make the evening different yet divine.

One of the greatest names among contemporary Ghazal singers — who follows a blend of Ustad Barkat Ali and Bade Ghulam Ali Khan, Ustaad Ghulam Ali Khan will be a part of the celebrations only because of this rare young singing talent named Ranjeet Rajwada who has enthralled TV audiences all over the world. Needless to say, Ranjeet is extremely elated that he will be sharing the stage with the God of Ghazal. Punjabi Pop singer Mika Singh whose colloquial style has made him popular among the masses will also perform on some of his chartbusting numbers.

Three Finalists  Abhilasha Chellum [left], Kamal Khan (centre) and Bisakh Jyoti (right) 

Mugdha Hasabnis whose opera style rendition had floored the viewers will once again enthrall with her performance on the Christmas Carol with a picture perfect snowfall in front of the live audience while finalists Kamal Khan, Bisakh Jyoti and Abhilasha Chellum will add to the magic with some ever popular Bollywood and regional numbers.

"We pride ourselves in making Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Singing Superstar Grand Finale the year's most unforgettable event through our innovative design and amazing musical performances," said the Zee TV channel spokesperson. "We are extremely fortunate and excited to collaborate with such incredibly talented and powerhouse performers. It takes much skill, innovation and ability to produce an event of this magnitude and we are privileged to work with the best in the industry."

The Lulu Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Singing Superstar Grand Finale will be Live on Zee TV from 8pm onwards on Christmas Day [Saturday, Dec 25] from Andheri Sports Complex in Mumbai. So mark your calendar and be prepared to enjoy the Biggest Musical Extravaganza of the season, only on ZEE TV.

“I will only sing with Ranjeet Rajwada”

“I will only sing with Ranjeet Rajwada” says acclaimed ghazal singer Ghulam Ali for the biggest musical event Sa Ra Ga Ma Pa Singing Superstars.

Zee TV’s Lulu Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Singing Superstar Ranjeet Rajwada can be seen over the moon in joy  and excitement as the ‘dream come true’ news is broken to him. The young ‘Prince of Ghazal’ is all set to take centrestage with acclaimed ghazal maestro Ghulam Ali in what promises to be music’s biggest event — Lulu’s Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Singing Superstar Grand Finale on Zee TV.

Sources tell that though they have been trying very hard to bring the maestro down to Mumbai for a while now, Ghulam Ali only agreed to fly down for the event if he will get to perform with Ranjeet Rajwada in whom he sees a young genius in the making. This very statement itself is nothing but a HUGE compliment to the seventeen-year-old who idolizes Ghulam Aliji and even sings in the same style as the master himself.

“I am extremely excited to be singing alongside the respected Ghulam Aliji,” says an overjoyed Ranjeet. “To be sharing the stage with him itself is something I have been dreaming all these years but to get an opportunity to sing with him is even better than a dream come true. I am extremely thankful to Sa Re Ga Ma Pa for giving me this opportunity and I have now started counting down the days to the 25th! Just four days more to go!” he said with a huge grin on his face.

Meet the Top three contestants of Zee TV Sa Re Ga Ma Pa

Bisakh Jyoti (Kolkata), Abhilasha Chellam (Pune) and Kamaal Khan (Patiala) are the three finalists, who will duke it out for the title of the nation’s Singing Superstar.

Bisakh Jyoti

Bisakh Jyoti (Kolkata): 
Full of life, energy and enthusiasm is what best describes Bisakh Jyoti. He is a complete performer who sets the stage on fire and sets the mood for future performances. Whether it was his rendition of Bheegi Bheegi or Bappida's Pag Ghungaroo, Bishakh Jyoti is one complete performer who always sports a broad smile on his face while dancing to a tune that is all his own when he is on stage. All this makes Bikash a very positive and lively singer.

Abhilasha Chellam

Abhilasha Chellam (Pune): She is the girl next door, who is sweet and easily approachable. Quiet friendly and bubbly, she is everybody's darling on sets.

However this young singer is no stranger to the big stage. She was the runner up of Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Marathi and is very comfortable with pushing the limits of her vocal abilities and trying out newer types of songs. Having made her way through two reality shows and facing different expectations and ideas, she feels that her mindset has changed. She now knows what to expect and has become more focused. With the wide variety of songs that she has performed week after week and her melodious and powerful voice, Abhilasha Chellam is sure to continue enthralling audiences nationwide.

Kamaal Khan

Kamaal Khan (Patiala): A Punjabi to the hilt, Kamaal Khan (on Zee TV's Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Singing Superstar) is a performer to the core. He has been a stage performer and though he used to find it a little difficult to sing in Hindi he has proved in the last few weeks that he is not limited just to Punjabi folk as he pulled off other genres with much finesse. He is a true rock star on stage as far as body language and voice is concerned. Mentors Vishal-Shekhar were so happy with his performance on ‘Sajda’ that they asked him to lend his voice for Salman Khan in the movie ‘Tees Maar Khan’.

Kamal has been a stage performer form an early age and has also won reality shows in Delhi. His friends in Punjab have always had the confidence that he will make it big in the industry and till date they give him a call after every show and give him their feedback.

Shah Rukh Khan visits Marina Bay Sands ahead of Zee Cine Awards

King Khan to perform at the star studded Zee Cine Awards - Bollywood’s Only Viewers Choice Award on January 14, 2011.

Bollywood frontliner, Shah Rukh Khan recently visited Marina Bay Sands in Singapore, the venue of Zee Cine Awards 2011. He is one among many other Bollywood A-listers like Akshay Kumar, Aishwarya, Priyanka Chopra, Deepika Padukone who will grace the event with their presence. Shahrukh Khan will be back in January for the Zee Cine Awards, a star-studded extravaganza to be held at Marina Bay Sands on January 14, 2011. The awards ceremony will bring India’s leading artistes to Singapore to recognise their accomplishments for their performances in the Indian film industry throughout the year.

When asked whether he will be performing at the awards night, Khan siad, "I'll be performing a little dance…that goes without saying if you're from Bollywood! But we're going to try and make it a little more creative, in terms of having some interactivity with the audience.... It'll be something from My Name is Khan. The songs in that film are a little more gentle, so I think they'll try and get a lot of girls to join in and make it a big event."

The reigning heartthrob stayed at a luxurious suite at the hotel and was mesmerised by the grandeur of the entire property. When asked about his experience of staying at the resort, the Bollywood actor said, "I think it's fantastic! I just spoke to my wife and told her that it is one of the most fantastic hotels I've seen. Really wonderful. I want to go up and check the SkyPark, I'll take my kids up there to swim when I come back in January".

Come January next year, Southeast Asia’s largest ballroom – Sands Grand Ballroom – will be transformed into a magnificent theatre infused with the opulence of Bollywood. To accommodate the larger-than-life setup, the stage is being custom-made from scratch and will be created for better viewing pleasure from every seat. Marina Bay Sands is ramping up preparations for this extravaganza.