GECs
B4U ties up with iDream; to be co-producer in all its films
MUMBAI: B4U Worldwide, the holding company of B4U Movies and B4U Music, has in a major initiative joined hands with iDream to be co-producer in all its films.
iDream, by far the largest film fund that has emerged in India in recent times, is promoted by SSKI and has already produced / funded / distributed some well received independent movies of directors such as Mira Nair (Monsoon Wedding) and Gurinder Chadda (Bend it Like Beckham). iDream has backed off beat cinema with films such as Mitr (which has won 3 National Awards), as well as big star cast films like the soon to be released Agnivarsha with Raveena Tandon, Jackie Shroff, Sonali Kulkarni, Milind Soman playing lead roles in it. iDream also funded the recent moderate hit 16th December, as well as Indias biggest special effects film, the soon to be released Janantram Manantram and has in the pipeline several other productions, an official release states.”
The move builds synergies with the global presence and distribution channels of B4U being used effectively. The venture also ensures an output deal for B4U, which can now show all the new productions on its channels worldwide, including India, the release says. B4U was first launched in the United Kingdom three years ago and today has a presence in the UK, Europe, USA, Canada, the Middle East, South Africa, Mauritius, and the Indian sub-continent.
The initiative comes just ahead of B4U Movies going pay (31 August). The channel is priced at Rs 8.90 per month per subscriber with special schemes for the operators on subscription and decoder price. The schemes have also been made attractive for the rural operator where the package includes all costs of decoder and subscription, distribution head Debashish Dey says.
Backed by a vision to serve global audiences, IDream has found the right partner in B4U as a co-producer since now all its production would be guaranteed the best marketing platform on all the B4U channels worldwide and thereby maximize the value of each property,” the release quotes Shripal Morakhia, Chairman of iDream Production as saying.
B4U is committed to bring good value to its Bollywood fans globally. For B4U this is a natural extension. It has a Film Studio tie-up with the film city, it has production strengths, it has global distribution strengths. The co-production funding tie-up and output deal will strengthen the B4U Channels and ensure that the vision to create a vehicle for the complete Bollywood dream is achieved, is what Ravi Gupta, CEO, B4U had to say about the tie-up.
GECs
Sony PAL to air Sankat Mochan Hanuman from May 4 at 9 PM
Mythological series brings Lord Hanuman’s tale of devotion and courage back to TV
MUMBAI: Sony PAL is set to bring back the timeless mythological series Sankat Mochan Hanuman, with its premiere scheduled for May 4 at 9 PM. The show revisits the legendary journey of Lord Hanuman, offering viewers a chance to reconnect with one of Indian mythology’s most revered figures.
Centred on themes of devotion, courage and righteousness, the series traces Hanuman’s unwavering loyalty to Lord Ram and his fearless stand against evil. With its mix of dramatic storytelling and visually rich sequences, the show aims to deliver both entertainment and spiritual resonance, appealing to audiences across age groups.
The narrative unfolds as a larger-than-life saga, positioning Hanuman as the ultimate protector and a symbol of strength and selfless service. His journey, rooted in faith and duty, continues to strike a chord with viewers, making the series as relevant today as ever.
The cast features Gagan Malik as Lord Ram, Debalina Chatterjee as Sita, Nirbhay Wadhwa in the titular role, and Saurav Gurjar as Raavan. Their performances bring depth and authenticity to characters deeply embedded in Indian cultural memory.
With its return to television, the show is positioned as more than just a rerun. It taps into a renewed appetite for mythological storytelling, blending nostalgia with timeless values.
As audiences increasingly seek content that resonates beyond entertainment, ‘Sankat Mochan Hanuman’ offers a familiar yet powerful narrative, reminding viewers that stories of faith and courage never really go out of style.
