Movies
Lai Bhaari goes all out on social media
MUMBAI: Marathi films today are gaining immense popularity among the Hindi and English cinema loving public as a result of the large scale social media campaigns backing them. One such case is that of Riteish Deshmukh’s latest Marathi debut film Lai Bhaari. The film took Marathi cinema to a whole new level and opened to a full house on the 11 June 2014 and is still going strong in theaters even two weeks after its release.
Jeetendra Thackeray, producer of Lai Bhaar on the success of the movie said, “This is the first time a Marathi movie has garnered a response among the audience that so far only Hindi action packed blockbusters with A list star cast enjoyed. Everyone, including Marathi, Hindi and English cinema goers showed interest in the movie and there’s a reason for that. Online marketing and social media helped us connect with our audience in a way no other Marathi movie has done before. The response was massive. Interesting campaigns, enticing contests and easy steps to book tickets has actually changed the scenario for us and we are thrilled! Ritiesh’s stardom and his promotional tours across the state have also fuelled our online campaigns further.”
A full-fledged digital media campaign was carried out to promote the film to its audience. As a part of this strategy, a number of engagement activities were carried out. These included the selfie contest where users were asked to submit their Lai Bhaari selfies on the film’s official social media properties. Dialogue promos from the film depicting the fiery Mauli were released giving the audience a glimpse of the character portrayed by the inimitable Riteish Deshmukh.
A countdown to the film’s release executed in the form of cover pictures (updated daily) on Facebook also helped keep the anticipation levels on an all-time high in the minds of cine-goers. All communication regarding the path-breaking film was disseminated in Marathi to target the relevant target audiences. Additionally, a dedicated tab gave all users the ability to book tickets right off the bat from the Facebook page.
Marathi cinema has always been characteristic of quality cinema; however, this is the first time that a film like Lai Bhaari has been created with a commercial potboiler perspective in mind. While this has been a first for Marathi Cinema, it has also been a first for the way the film was marketed.
Everymedia Technologies has executed the social media campaign for the movie.
Movies
Tamil film Made in Korea tops Netflix global chart, storms 24 countries
Cross-cultural drama races to No.1, marking a global breakthrough for South Indian cinema
MUMBAI: A Tamil tale has gone global at speed. Netflix’s Made in Korea has shot to No.1 on its Global Top 10 Non-English Films list, trending across 24 countries within days of release.
Premiering on March 12, the film, directed by Ra.Karthik and starring Priyanka Mohan, is the only South Indian title to claim the top spot across both licensed and Netflix original films, underlining the growing global pull of regional Indian cinema.
The story, which follows Shenba’s journey from Tamil Nadu to Seoul, has struck a chord for its emotional warmth, scenic visuals and cross-cultural appeal. Early word-of-mouth has powered its rapid climb, turning a modest release into a global talking point.
Monika Shergill, vice-president, content, Netflix India, said, “We are proud that a story like Made in Korea has become the first ever film from our south slate to land at the No.1 spot on our Global Top 10 Non-English Films list. It reaffirms our belief that there is so much more from India for the world to discover and embrace. This film stands out for blending two distinct cultures into one powerful story that explores universal emotions of love, friendship, belonging and family. At Netflix, we remain committed to championing authentic, locally rooted stories and it’s incredibly exciting to see a film like this travel so widely and connect with audiences around the world.”
Priyanka Mohan called the moment deeply personal. “Moments like these are what every artist truly hopes for. We always strive to give our best, but some films become very special in our journey as performers, and Made in Korea is one of them for me. Shenba is a character that touched my heart from the moment I read the script, and bringing her story to life has been incredibly meaningful. Working with Ra.Karthik sir was a wonderful experience. He has such clarity and sincerity in the way he tells stories. I’m also grateful to our producer Sreenidhi Sagar sir and the entire team for their constant support. And of course, my heartfelt thanks to Netflix for giving this story such a wonderful platform and helping it reach audiences everywhere.”
Ra.Karthik struck a similar note. “There are certain films you make with complete faith in the audience, believing they will connect with the emotions you are trying to convey. It is truly heartening to see Made in Korea trending on Netflix and receiving such encouraging responses from viewers, not just in India but across the world. Priyanka Mohan brought incredible dedication and sincerity to Shenba’s character, and that commitment reflects beautifully on screen. I’m grateful to producer Sreenidhi Sagar for trusting this story and to Netflix for providing such a wonderful platform for the film to reach audiences across countries.”
As the film continues to travel across borders, its success signals more than just a hit. It marks a shift, where local stories, told with authenticity, are no longer confined by language or geography. In the streaming wars, the South is not just rising. It is rewriting the script.
