News Broadcasting
Offbeat films are fastest growing segment: Pritish Nandy
MUMBAI: Being ‘different’ pays – quite literally and otherwise as well. Pritish Nandy would agree. His production house Pritish Nandy Communications (PNC) has won the Golden Peacock Award in the Innovative Product category for creating a new genre of films which have been often termed in the media as multiplex movies. The company has tasted flying success with its recent film releases – the last one, Chameli, winning healthy audience response as well as critical acclaim.
Chameli explores the love between a seasoned prostitute (Kareena) and a tragedy struck man (Rahul Bose). The so-called multiplex or niche films from the PNC stable include Chameli, Jhankaar Beats, Mumbai Matinee and Sur while in the broader mass markets, PNC had tasted success with the multi-starrer Kaante.
Though he is happily willing to go along with the generic ‘multiplex movies’ that his films are called, PNC chairman Pritish Nandy, however, does not perceive his movies as such. “All our movies address the young, urban audience,” he clarified.
Nandy told indiantelevision.com that all the movies from PNC, so far, have made a conscious effort to communicate with this segment of the audience in a unique manner. This niche genre of films, Nandy believes, is the fastest growing segment in the movie market and the upcoming films will capitalise further on the popularity and success of this genre.
“The age of pan Indian movies has long vanished,” elaborates Nandy. A Mughal-e-azam or Sholay may not be what will work in the current environment, he reflected.
About using in-film brand placement in future productions as was seen in the chartbuster Kaante, Nandy said that he was open to brand placement as long as it fitted in with the production creatives. Placing brands only for money as was seen in Yaadein, he said, will not be justified.
The movies coming up in the next three months from the production house are Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi, which is a love story set against the backdrop of political turmoil during the Emergency; Shabd starring Aishwarya Rai; and the frisky sounding Popcorn Khao Mast Ho Jao, directed by Kabir Sadanand.
Over a longer time horizon of one year, PNC has lined up 12 movies to be released between now and March 2005. That is some pace and frequency – on the silver screen that is.
On the small screen, however, PNC has largely been out of action save a few events based programmes such as the 7th Annual Sansui Viewers’ Choice Movie Awards presented by PNC.
Cost recovery is a problem in television – Pritish Nandy
Nandy said he would be completely off television for now as cost recovery is a problem in television. Also, the timelines for financial realisations in television programming is longer, which he feels does not justify the effort and monetary input that goes into production.
“We end up financing the channel, which is not our business. We would rather be involved in creativity,” Nandy stated candidly.
Getting back to movies, the look and feel of entertainment is changing, no doubt, and a select few are moving in quickly to take advantage of exploring the newly developed and growing audience segments and entertainment genres. PNC is definitely among those reaping the rewards of taking the risk to be zara hat ke.
News Broadcasting
CNN-News18 to host Fury in the Gulf conclave on West Asia crisis
Three-hour summit to unpack geopolitical fallout and impact on India
MUMBAI: CNN-News18 is set to host a special three-hour broadcast, Fury in the Gulf – War Conclave, on April 7, aiming to decode the escalating West Asia crisis and its far-reaching implications for India.
Scheduled from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM, the conclave comes at a time when tensions between Iran and the United States are reshaping global geopolitics and triggering economic uncertainty. With India’s deep energy ties, trade links and large diaspora in the Gulf, the developments carry significant domestic relevance.
Built around the theme ‘Conflict, Consequences, and The Future,’ the programme will feature six curated sessions combining one-on-one interviews and panel discussions. The focus is to cut through the clutter and offer viewers a clearer understanding of the fast-evolving situation.
Key sessions include ‘Diplomacy in Times of War’ featuring Shashi Tharoor, and ‘World After the Iran Conflict’ with voices such as Ram Madhav, Reuven Azar, representatives from the European Union and the Iranian Deputy Envoy. Another session titled ‘Another Dunkirk?’ will bring together K. J. S. Dhillon and Jitin Prasada among others.
CNN-News18 editorial affairs director Rahul Shivshankar said, “In times of war, clarity becomes the most powerful tool. Fury in the Gulf – War Conclave brings together credible voices to address the questions and confusion that arise amid an overwhelming influx of information.”
He added that the initiative is aimed at delivering “facts, perspective, and insight” at a time when misinformation can easily cloud public understanding.
Echoing the sentiment, CNN-News18 CEO– English and business news Smriti Mehra said the conflict marks a defining global moment, with consequences that extend well beyond the region. She noted that the conclave seeks to present the crisis with “depth, nuance and responsibility” so audiences can better grasp its real-world impact.
As geopolitical tensions continue to dominate headlines, the conclave positions itself as an attempt to bring order to the noise, offering viewers a structured, insight-led look at a complex and rapidly shifting global situation.
