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Sony Pictures bolsters international production team with dual hires
MUMBAI: In two new hires that bolster Sony Pictures Entertainment’s moves to expand the creation of international films and television for worldwide markets, the studio has named Diego Suarez as senior vice president, international television production, and Matthew Stein as vice president, international film production.
The duo will report to Sony Pictures Entertainment president of international film and television Sanford Panitch.
In their new roles, Suarez and Stein will acquire and develop both local and international film and television content with key international production partners.
Panitch said, “Diego Suarez is for me the definition of the modern international television executive with his wide-ranging experience at both the studio level and in the international channel business. We see tremendous opportunity in producing both international and local language television content, and we are thrilled to have Diego join the team. In Matt Stein, we get a resourceful film executive with a well-trained background in overseeing smartly budgeted film franchises. He will be an asset in further igniting our local production activities, and in finding internationally oriented films for the world.”
Suarez comes to SPE from Fox21 Television Studios, where he was senior vice president, creative affairs. Some of the projects Suarez brought in to the studio include The Queen of the South to air on USA in January 2016, as well as Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, based on the 1988 hit film from Pedro Almodovar, and Hamelin, written by award-winning Spanish filmmaker Paco Plaza.
Prior to his tenure at Fox21, Suarez served stints at Fox International Channels, Italy; Spain’s television production companies Boca Boca Producciones; and at Cuatrocabezas (Eyeworks).
On the other hand, Stein joins SPE after most recently serving as independent producer on a variety of feature film projects. Prior, Stein held the role of executive vice president of Production at Dimension Films, where he oversaw production and development for the company.
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Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat Premieres 14 Feb on Zee
Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat world TV premiere 14 Feb at 8pm passion meets politics.
MUMBAI: Cupid’s arrow just got a plot twist and it’s heading straight for your TV screen. This Valentine’s Day, Zee Cinema is turning up the heat with the world television premiere of Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat, a raw, rule-breaking romantic drama that proves love doesn’t always come wrapped in roses.
Set to air on Saturday, 14 February at 8pm, the film stars Harshvardhan Rane and Sonam Bajwa, directed by Milap Zaveri. It dives headfirst into obsession, heartbreak, and the kind of unconditional love that leaves scorch marks. Rane plays Vikramaditya, a powerful politician whose all-consuming passion for actress Adaa spirals into chaos when his feelings go unreturned unleashing a storm of emotion, misunderstanding, and life-altering consequences.
The timing couldn’t be sharper. Audiences are clearly craving intense love stories over sugar-coated ones, and this film taps straight into that vein. Harshvardhan Rane already has a loyal fanbase from his cult hit Sanam Teri Kasam, which cemented his status as the go-to guy for heart-wrenching romance especially among younger viewers who keep the film on repeat.
Milap Zaveri captured the film’s beating heart, “This film is about love that doesn’t follow rules. With Valentine’s Day being a time when audiences gravitate towards romantic narratives, the television premiere of Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat on Zee Cinema felt like the perfect fit. The continued love for intense romances shows there is a strong emotional appetite for such stories.”
Rane himself called it a story rooted in messy, honest emotion, “Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat explores love in its most intense and vulnerable form where emotions are messy and deeply human. It’s a story that doesn’t shy away from passion or pain on Valentine’s Day making it even more special as it reflects the many shades of love people experience.”
Sonam Bajwa added her take, “Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat is not a conventional love story, it’s raw, intense and emotional. Valentine’s Day is usually associated with happy romance but this film explores love in its most vulnerable form.”
So if your Valentine’s plans include more than chocolates and clichés, tune in to Zee Cinema at 8pm on 14 February. Because sometimes the most unforgettable love stories aren’t the ones that end neatly, they’re the ones that leave you questioning just how far passion can push before everything changes.
