Movie Channels
Sahara’s Filmy to be managed by the Entertainment Hub?
MUMBAI: It began with a bang around eight years ago but for some time now, the movie channel Filmy from the Sahara One Media and Entertainment bouquet, has been whimpering and struggling to even be seen. The management of the Sahara group has been preoccupied with larger problems related to the Securities Exchange Board of India (Sebi).
And it is looking at strategically exiting from directly managing its media business. The first indication of this is the deal, which sources say, it has struck with Mumbai-based TV production company The Entertainment Hub. Under the arrangement, the latter reportedly will be managing Filmy on a contractual basis. The Entertainment Hub, which is part of the Snip Entertainment Group, will reportedly be responsible for Filmy’s content scheduling, distribution and also for revenue generation. The deal also envisages the spoils being shared with the Sahara group.
Titles such as No Entry, Guru, Khosla Ka Ghosla, Umrao Jaan, Dor, Gangster, Khamoshh, Fareb, Jo Bole So Nihaal and few other feature films have had their TV premieres on Filmy. The movie channel has also showcased films such as Ghajini, Singh Is King, Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na.., Golmaal Returns, Bhoothnath, Sarkar Raj etc.
Despite Big films, the channel has not managed to get much traction in TV homes, as the Sahara Group has cut off all supplies of distribution and marketing money, thus ensuring that its reach and branch recall has hit rock bottom. “Amongst movie channels, it probably ranks even below the last channel,” says a media observer.
Hence, the Entertainment Hub which is a supplier of TV shows such as Haunted Nights and Piya Ka Ghar Pyaara Lage on Sahara One has its work cut out for it, thanks to the competitive TV distribution environment that is prevalent today. Sister company Snip Entertainment has interests in content syndication, TV production and music licensing.
Apparently, the Sahara group is in conversation with a large media group to manage even Sahara One. An announcement is likely to be made in March sometime, if sources are to be believed.
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.
