Movie Channels
Amitabh Bachchan launches International Indian Film Academy commemorative book
Dubai, June 15th 2006: Amitabh Bachchan the brand ambassador of the International Indian Film Academy today launched the IIFA commemorative book- Lights, Camera, Masala! at the Grand Hyatt, during the IIFA Weekend presented by Tiara Residence in Dubai.
The book LIGHTS CAMERA MASALA is an insider’s look at the glitz, grit and grandeur of Hindi Cinema , the world’s largest film industry. It is a celebration of contemporary Hindi cinema – popularly known as Bollywood. The book documents the fascinating process of making a typical commercial Hindi film through the adventures of a pair of fictitious characters called Vijay and Ravi as they endeavor to make a Hindi film of their own.
Famous film personalities – from seasoned scriptwriters such as the Salim-Javed duo, to celebrated actors such as Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan and Aishwarya Rai, and renowned directors like Ramesh Sippy and Karan Johar – all share their experiences and provide fresh insights into film making. Lights Camera Masala also records he stories of the behind-the-scenes people who are such an intrinsic part of the Hindi Film industry machinery – a light boy, a make-up artist, a choreographer among others. Featuring the emergence of stars as brands and culminating with the glitzy IIFA awards, the book is a visual extravaganza.
Sheena Sippy’s stunningly evocative photographs capture the grandeur, grit and madness that is ‘Bollywood’. Luxuriously packaged in an avant-garde design with over-the-top special features, including a fold-out poster and a star studded pinwheel, Lights, Camera, Masala!is a rich tribute to the chaotic, entertaining world of Hindi cinema.
The book has been authored by Naman Ramachandran, a screenwriter, film-maker, film festival programmer and film critic who writes for several publications including the British Film Institute’s prestigious Sight and Sound. Naman is currently attached to several Hindi film , British and American projects as screenwriter and/or director. He divides his time between London, Los Angeles and Mumbai.
The book is published by India Book House is a leading publisher of large-format, illustrated volumes on Indian history and heritage, specializing in architecture, fine art, decorative arts, film, environment, and lifestyle. In Dubai the book Lights, Camera, Masala is being distributed by Jashanmal’s, Dubai’s leading lifestyle stores. Lights Camera Masala will be available for purchase in every leading book store across India and Dubai.
Movie Channels
Zee5 launches five free FAST channels on Samsung TV Plus India
New genre-led channels bring comedy, drama, horror, classics and South films to Smart TVs.
MUMBAI: Zee5 just turned Samsung Smart TVs into a free entertainment buffet because when premium content costs nothing, even the remote control starts smiling. Zee5 has launched five curated free ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) channels on Samsung TV Plus India, making high-quality, genre-specific entertainment available subscription-free to millions of Samsung Smart TV owners across the country.
The five channels now live are:
Zee Comedy Nation – Popular comedy shows and movies
Zee Dil Se – Compelling drama series
ZEE Horror Nights – Horror and supernatural content
ZEE Cine Classic – Timeless Indian films
ZEE South Flix – High-energy South Indian films dubbed in Hindi
All content is drawn from Zee5’s extensive library and programmed in a lean-back, always-on format ideal for large-screen viewing. This launch strengthens Zee5’s Connected TV strategy at a time when 64 per cent of its premium content watch time already comes from connected devices.
Zee5 chief business officer Siju Prabhakaran said, “At Zee5, we believe accessibility and scale will define the next phase of digital entertainment growth in India. Our presence on Samsung TV Plus strengthens our Connected TV strategy, enabling viewers to discover curated, genre-led content in a seamless, free, and premium environment.”
Samsung TV Plus India head of partnerships Kunal Mehta added, “Local partnerships are at the heart of how we grow Samsung TV Plus in India. Zee Entertainment is one of India’s most iconic media brands, and bringing their channels to our service means millions more Samsung Smart TV owners can enjoy premium local content, subscription-free.”
The channels are available directly through the pre-installed Samsung TV Plus app with no login or subscription required. This marks another milestone in Zee5’s CTV expansion and builds on its growing international presence, with Zee channels already available on Samsung TV Plus across Southeast Asia, Australia and New Zealand.
In a streaming world where paywalls often block the fun, Zee5 and Samsung have quietly opened the gates, proving that sometimes the best things in life (and on your TV) really are free especially when they come with a side of comedy, drama, horror, classics and South Indian blockbuster energy.
