Movie Channels
HBO premieres its ‘Original Movies’
What is surprising really is that the Turner Broadcasting-promoted premium movie channel took so long to leverage its own movies. After more than two years in the subcontinent, HBO announced a new initiative premiering next Monday and running through till September – HBO Original Movies.
The next five months will see an original HBO film being showcased on the first Monday of every month at 9:30 pm. It may be recalled that last year HBO telecast its 10-part epic series Band of Brothers but the difference here was these were not movies.
HBO has been producing highly acclaimed films since May 1983. Over the years, HBO Pictures emerged as a dominant force in the made-for-television movie category at the annual Primetime Emmy Awards. Popular amongst HBO Original Productions are Sex And The City and Six Feet Under both of which have won numerous awards.
HBO’s initiative comes at a time when rival Star Movies has reasserted itself among Indian viewers – first with the live telecast of the Oscars in March and subsequently with the double premiere of Steven Spielberg’s Jurassic Park 1 and 2 that garnered monster ratings.
Kicking off the HBO Original Movies series in May is John Irvin’s World War II film When Trumpets Fade. The film stars Ron Eldard (of Black Hawk Dawn fame).
HBO original productions include movies, series, documentaries, comedy, music, family shows, sports specials. Under HBO films, the network is producing a broad slate of original movies, from smaller-budget independents to major motion pictures, touching on a wide range of provocative and entertaining subjects – characteristics that have become the hallmark of HBO’s original movies, to appeal to new and different audiences, an official release states.
Currently HBO produces an average of six original films and eight original series per year.
Chris Albrecht, President, HBO Original Programming said: “The HBO Original Movies are of exceptionally high standard, award winning productions, boasting of star-studded casts that are exclusive to the channel. Our shows must have a compelling point of view that deal with some depth about the human condition…”
James P. Marturano, managing director, HBO South Asia, said: “HBO Original productions are a strong differentiator for the channel to create extra value for our viewers since these are programs that are not released theatrically and premiere exclusively on HBO channel.
The other films included in this package are: In June comes Shot Through The Heart, a true story on the Bosnian conflict.
In July is Gia, starring Angelina Jolie. Gia is the biopic of Gia Carangi, who became a supermodel at the age of 18 and died of AIDS in 1986 following heroine and cocaine abuse.
In August there is Truman about US President Harry S. Truman.
In September, the HBO Original Movies will culminate in a block, which will be the HBO Original Movie-Emmys stunt.
Movie Channels
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.
