GECs
Kannada filmdom: Uncertainty persists
BANGALORE: The Joint Action Committee of Indian film industry (JAC) along with Film Federation of India (FFI) and the Andhra Pradesh Film Chambers of Commerce (APFCC) meeting with Karnataka deputy CM Siddharamiah and the Karnataka Film Chambers of Commerce (KFCC) to sort out the issues related to Kannada filmdom has been postponed to a later date.
Meanwhile the APFCC has denied reports appeared in some sections of the media that FFI had dropped the proposed sanctions against the Kannada film Industry keeping in mind that the moratorium on non-Kannada films had been reduced to three weeks instead of the earlier seven weeks moratorium.
APFCC has threatened to go to the Supreme Court (SC) to resolve the issue, saying that every non-Kannada film producer will follow Gemini’s route to get their films released simultaneously across India, including Karnataka, if the need arose. Gemini’s Shankardada MBBS (Telugu) has been released across Karnataka after intervention from the SC on the basis of a writ petition filed by Gemini.
Normally Diwali is the boom time for theaters, and a number of non-Kannada films are slated for a 12 November release. Non-Kannada film producers would like to ensure that the moratorium issue is sorted out by then so that films are released simultaneously in Karnataka.
“Actually the Indian film industry wants the CM or the deputy CM to intervene and end the moratorium issue once and for all, but, it was Siddharamiah himself who had backed the Kannada film producers when they had a massive rally in September. This moratorium has no legal sanction. How will the Karnataka government extricate itself from this mess is to bee seen,” said a theater owner to indiantelevison.com, “Dhoom has been a hit. I would have made at least Rs. One lakh (Rs.100,000/-) a day if the movie had been released here at the same as elsewhere in India,” he added.
GECs
Samsung TV Plus launches Kings of Comedy channel
New free FAST channel brings iconic Hindi comedy shows to millions of Samsung Smart TV owners.
MUMBAI: Samsung TV Plus has just turned up the laughter volume and it’s completely free. The leading free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) service in India has launched Kings of Comedy, a premium comedy channel featuring some of the country’s most beloved primetime shows. Available exclusively on Samsung TV Plus, the channel delivers back-to-back hits including Comedy Nights with Kapil, Khatra Khatra Khatra, and Comedy Nights Bachao, with no login or subscription required.
The launch marks a milestone for free streaming in India, offering audiences a dedicated comedy destination directly from their Samsung TV home screen. It arrives as Samsung TV Plus India celebrates its 5th anniversary, during which the service has grown its monthly active users by 42 per cent and more than doubled its total viewing hours. The platform now offers over 180 free channels across 14 languages.
Samsung TV Plus India general manager and head of business development Kunal Mehta said, “Comedy is the heartbeat of Hindi entertainment, and Kings of Comedy brings together the shows Indians already love, completely free on their Samsung TV. Our focus remains the same take the content people know and make it effortless to access.”
Globally, Samsung TV Plus has surpassed 100 million monthly active users across more than 4,500 channels, solidifying its position as one of the world’s leading free streaming services.
Kings of Comedy is now available on all compatible Samsung Smart TVs. For viewers seeking non-stop laughter without any cost, this new channel delivers a royal treat proving that sometimes the best entertainment really does come with no strings (or subscriptions) attached.
