English Entertainment
UK’s ‘Bollywood Star’ talent hunt has ‘big’ winner
MUMBAI: “It happens only outside India.” This story had a fairy tale ending the likes of which never, but never, come out of Bollywood’s potboiler factory.
Britain’s first major televised (on Channel 4 no less) talent hunt to find a genuine Hindi film star has thrown up the most unlikely of winners. Rupak Mann, a 34-year-old woman from Birmingham currently training to be a life coach, is Britain’s first “Bollywood Star”.
The larger than life (literally and figuratively) Mann had to beat back three other finalists to win a part in well known director Mahesh Bhatt’s next movie.
An overjoyed Mann has been quoted as saying her preferred film part would be a “murderous psycho” in an action film. For Bhatt, who’s a master at making over Hollywood hits to “suit” Indian tastes, Roseanne Barr’s role in the 1989 black comedy She-Devil though low on action, might just fit the bill.
Mann, who emerged victorious from an original list of 100 hopefuls, was one of six finalists who were taken to India to audition before a panel of judges and a live audience. Those six were whittled down to four for Tuesday’s final programme that was watched by 1.8 million viewers.
The final show saw the finalists take part in a stunt lesson with expert Mahendra Verma and receive fashion advice from Bollywood stylist Manish Maholtra.
A viewer from London’s Birmingham told indiantelevision.com: “Mann was always an audience favourite because nobody expected someone so unconventional to get through even the first round. But she was the best actress by a long way and I think it is great that the judges at all stages were able to recognise that and look past her physical appearance.”
Mann left her home 17 years ago aiming to pursue a singing or dancing career. But she ended up doing numerous odd jobs including that of a bar-maid. After her mother’s death, a dejected Mann started drinking and smoking too much as a result of which her weight ballooned.
The event, which was telecast as a four-part one-hour series at 9 pm prime time, has proved a resounding success for Channel 4.
The event’s embrace of a woman, jokingly described by some “as so large she has no sideways” will no doubt turn attention away from the charges of racism levelled last week by a failed contestant.
South African born Rivona Essop, 23, had claimed in an interview to a newspaper back in her homeland that judges had told her she was “too dark” to make it to Bollywood.
As politically correct results go, this one will leave nothing for even the most desperate carper to crib about. So how about a toast to the (dare we say it?) fat lady who showed everyone she could sing, and how.
English Entertainment
ZEE5 UK partners Narrative Entertainment to add UK channels
Six FAST channels added as platform sharpens hybrid play in Britain
LONDON: ZEE5 UK struck a first-of-its-kind deal with Narrative Entertainment, bringing mainstream UK television channels onto an Indian streaming platform as it pushes to deepen its footprint in a crowded, mature market.
The partnership adds six of Narrative’s FAST channels to the service, including Great! Movies, Great! Romance, Great! Mystery and kids brands POP, Tiny Pop and POP UP, widening ZEE5 UK’s appeal across genres and age groups.
The move reflects a clear shift in strategy. ZEE5 UK is betting on a hybrid model that blends on-demand content with curated, always-on channels to drive discovery and increase time spent on the platform.
“This partnership represents a meaningful evolution in how we serve audiences in mature markets like the UK, where viewers are defined by habits, convenience and choice rather than geography or language alone,” said Parul Goel, territory head, Europe, Zee Entertainment. “By bringing trusted mainstream UK channels together with our premium originals, movies and kids’ content, we are building a more consumer-centric platform that simplifies viewing while increasing depth and relevance.”
Fateha Begum, commercial director, Narrative Entertainment, said the tie-up would fuel growth for both sides. “Our portfolio of quality programming, with such wide and enduring appeal, is a perfect complement to ZEE5 UK. This is a strong partnership that will support growth for both parties, and we share Zee Entertainment’s vision of an increasingly partnership-led future for the industry.”
ZEE5’s global library spans over 4,000 films and more than 500 originals, with over 130 new titles added annually. The addition of Narrative’s channels strengthens its kids offering and introduces genre-led linear experiences alongside its on-demand catalogue.
The deal also gives Narrative access to ZEE5 UK’s fast-growing user base, extending reach without diluting brand identity, while reinforcing ZEE5 UK’s network of more than 40 live channels.
As streaming wars intensify, ZEE5 UK is widening its playbook, blending content, convenience and partnerships in a bid to win screen time in one of the world’s toughest markets.
