Monica, Rajeev Malik launch flagship store ‘DOR’ in Delhi

Designer duo, Monica and Rajeev Malk launched their flagship store, ‘DOR’ at Anupam Garden, Country Club Road, Sainik Farm in Delhi. Entrepreneurs Kitty Kalra, Bela Madan and Bollywood actor Padmini Kolapure stole the show by wearing the designer duo’s collections, according to a company statement.

The glitteratis who have attended the soiree where Entrepreneur Ramola Bachhan, Guneeta Dhingra, Artist Nupur Kundu, Entrepreneur and Designer Vandy Mehra, Model Amanpret Wahi, Fitness trainer Vesna Jacob, Entrepreneur Ala Madhu, Author Kusum Sawhney, Designer Nikita Tondan, Fashion Desinger Preeti Ghai, Make up Expert Meenakshi Dutt just to name a few.

Monica and Rajeev Malik said: “Making people stylish is their passion. Playing with fabric has always been inspiring. They believe ,Velvet would be a big hit among fashion connoisseur in 2014 so you would find use of rich velvets, Sheer nets, king khab in most of my creations which are fine amalgamation of modern with a traditional and regal flavour.”
Monica and Rajeev’s collection included an assortment of Anarkalis with heavy dupattas in different hues. Their selection exuberated gorgeous brocade patchwork, time-honoured zardozi work and classic Swarovski detailing. The whole collection is paraphernalia of beautiful fabrics like heavy weight silks and velvets.
Monica and Rajeev’s collection reflects the charisma of today’s woman who is very modern yet proud of her ethnicity. Their collection strikes the perfect balance between modernity and traditional values. They stuck to the traditional colours of wine red, deep purple, midnight black and forest green with a dash of blue, gold and pink.

Sheetal Dabholkar at the music launch of Marathi film, Campus Kutta wearing Devika Sethi dress

Indian television star, Sheetal Dabholkar was seen sizzling wearing designer Devika Sethi’s gorgeous pink skirt and jacket at the musical launch of her Marathi flick, ‘Campus Kutta’ where the actress is playing a role of a journalist. Prathamesh Gaved has produced the movie, which is directed by Sanjiv Kolte.

A Photo Feature:

Sonam Kapoor seen sassy at the promotion of Bewakoofi Yaan wearing Parul Bhargava’s Mirage

The very Stylish, Elegant and Uber talented Sonam Kapoor was seen in Mirage by Parul Bhargava at the promotion of her upcoming film Bewakoofi yaan.

The Bollywood diva who is best known for her divergent sense of style and one of a kind eccentric fashion choices looked very chic and sassy in a deep blue crop top and Mid waist tea length skirt designed by Paris Based designer Parul Bhargava, who debuted her collection at Lakme Fashion Week as a part of the gen next designer.

Ramanujan movie conveys that the mathematician’s life is relevant even today

The English-Tamil biopic ‘Ramanujan’ intends to convey to the Indian society/system that the life of the genius mathematician is relevant even today. The very recent example of Satya Nadella becoming the CEO of Microsoft definitely proves it. The film directed by national award winning director Gnana Rajasekaran and produced by Camphor Cinema, talks about how the Indian education system failed to recognize Ramanujan. The system encouraged mediocrity and was designed to keep people out, rather than extending the means to impart knowledge to all people. This scenario unfortunately continues to prevail today as well.

Ramanujan was denied a scholarship in college, and was later thrown out of college as he didn’t do well in other subjects! The college did not acknowledge his genius in math as they wanted someone average – who could pass in all subjects. His mathematical expertise and knowledge superseded the norm of what mathematical departments of India had ever seen before. Yet not many in the Indian academia were interested in helping Ramanujan further his research. Nobody gave him grants nor supported him barring a few Indians like Ramachandra Rao ICS.  Ramanujan had to finally work as clerk to make money! It was Sir. Francis Spring, an Englishmen who actually supported & promoted Ramanujan in the higher circles that led him to writing letters to Prof. Hardy.
Sushant Desai producer – Camphor Cinema says: “There are so many barriers to entry in the Indian system. It is not only the institutional education system that makes it hard for a genius to survive, but it’s also the society at large that fails to provide opportunities for such individuals. Ramanujan’s life is a point in case.”
Sharanyan Nadathur, producer – Camphor Cinema pointed out: “Our movie interestingly shows how an youngster like Ramanujan relentlessly followed his passion irrespective of whatsoever the challenge was. We have shown how a young self motivated Ramanujan worked towards success which can be a kind of motivation for the youth of today. Our director has also interestingly dealt with the issue of how people fail to identify a real talent which is relevant even today.”
‘Ramanujan’  features grandson of legendary couple Gemini Ganesan and Savitri & step- nephew of Rekha, ‘Abhinay Vaddi’ who plays the role of ‘Ramanujan’, Malayali actress Bhama, Suhasini Maniratnam wife of the renowned director Mani Ratnam and the established British stage and screen actor, Kevin McGowan. It features Indian actors Abbas, Nizhalgal Ravi, Delhi Ganesh, Y. GEE Mahendra and Sarath Babu and British actors Michael Lieber, Richard Walsh, Cloudia Swann and Elizabeth Bourne playing vital roles as well.

Anti-Kela Awards 2013: Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster Returns, Go Goa Gone, The Lunch Box, Shahid to be honoured in Delhi on March 29

The 6th Annual Golden Kela Awards, the Indian version of Razzies, which are very popular awards in the West for awarding the worst in the filmmaking industry, after announcing its 2013 nominations list for the worst attempts in Bollywood, has now announced the most  deserving  and the clear cut Winners of Anti-Kela Awards.

‘Anti-Kela’ awards are the special awards given by Golden Kela team to the films that are meaningful and entertaining, while still being in the mainstream.

Anti-Kelas – For Honouring the Boons of Bollywood in the year 2013

1.       Saheb Biwi aur Gangster returns – For being the only real sequel made last year.

2.       Go Goa Gone – For being India’s first ever Zombie Comedy and Stoner Film in one nice   package.

3.       The Lunchbox- For showing the world that Indian films are not all song and dance.

4.       Shahid – For being the best biopic made by Bollywood in a long time.
Anant Singh, Creative Head, Golden Kela Awards, said: “The Kela Awards are not just about highlighting the worst performances of the year, we feel its also our duty to point out some of the great work being done in the Indian film industry, therefore the Anti-Kelas”. The 6th Annual Golden Kela Awards ceremony will take place on March 29, 2014 at India Habitat Centre, New Delhi.

Jatin Varma, Founder of Golden Kela giving Anti Kela Trophy to Kahaani writer Advaita Kala as she receives it on behalf of her entire team.
Other than announcing the worst bollywood performances of the year 2013 and anti kela awards, some Special Awards will be announced at the official awards ceremony, like Aakhir Kyun Award, Dara Singh Award for Worst Accent, Bas Kijiye Bahut Ho Gaya, Aap Yahaan Aaye Kisliye Award and Ra.One Award for Worst Premise.

Anvita Dutt, Lyricist, Ishq Wala Love (SOY) won a Golden Kela Award for most atrocious lyrics.

Golden kela Awards started in the year 2009 are in its sixth year whereas Anti-Kela awards were introduced by Golden Kela team in the year 2011. The Kela Awards are making their presence felt strongly all over. Voting lines are open till March 28, 2014. Log on to goldenkela.com to check out the categories for Golden Kelas, nominees, updates and cast a vote for vengeance.

Nischal Zaveri releases his second single, ‘Raakh Jale’

Nischal Zaveri, Managing Director of ENZY, after his successfuly launch of his first single, ‘Thaam Jaa’, has launched his second single, Raakh Jale’.

While speaking about his latest release, Nischal said: “We have done work with international artists and are also doing good work with upcoming artists, Bollywood films. We are looking forward to promote independent artists in a huge manner”.
ENZY Studios is a pre and post production music recording studio that is fully outfitted with state of the art equipment and engineered room acoustics to provide pristine sound. With an in House Professional Artist Team comprising of Music producers, artists/composers and mixing engineers. ENZY Studios is a ‘One stop Music Production Sound House’. Committed to providing top quality recording and production services. The sound house has been carefully planned to provide a creative and positive environment. ENZY Studios has two Control/Mix rooms, One live recording theatre  that can sit 30-piece orchestra, two ISO/recording rooms as well as lounge and private rooms available for comfort while recording. Hollywood based architect Jerry Steckling of JSX Audio designed and engineered the studio and its’ acoustics. The design has been executed by UK based Munro acoustics.
Single : soundcloud.com/nishchal_zaveri/raakh-jale?in=nishchal_zaveri/sets/raakh-jale
Video : youtube.com/watch?v=l_st9s_5_Ow

Niyati Shah: No shortcuts to take Shotformats into larger size

She is mightly inspired by the quote of Hollywood star, Dolly Parton: “If your actions create a legacy that inspires others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, then, you are an excellent leader”. True to the dictum, she has proved to the world by allowing her action to speak louder. Hailing from a Gujarati Jain family, she always believed in doing something on her own and succeed in life. She was wanting to spend time with her kids, yet utilising her entrepreunerial skills without anyone else dictating terms. Thus was born the Shotformats Digital Productions back in 2007. The Managing Director and CEO of Shotfomats, with her zeal of always staying ahead of time and her rich experience of over 15 years in the entertainment business across mediums ranging from record labels and satellite to Internet and mobile phones, she turned the firm into what it is today, one of the top two digital enterntainment and vAS entities in India. That is Niyati Shah for you.
It her passion. Niyati breathes and lives Shotformats, one of the most sought after companies in the industry. She influences the overall management of the organisation and is responsible for ensuring an admirable profit and business leap on a YOY basis. She primarily influences the finance, content acquisition and innovation of the products in the company. She dedicates her time in innovating, taking decisions for the progress and the future of the company, and as the main pillar, brings in aggression, perfection, determination and smart performance to Shotformats’ culture.
A Kenya Institute of Management graduate, Niyati’s urge to determinedly conceptualise challenging ideas that are way ahead of time, has time and again ascertained her instrumentality in launching major brands such as Zee Music and India’s first rich media site, Sify Max. Before Shotformats, she has been instrumental in scaling up revolutionalising business brands such as Zee, Universal India, Sify, Yahoo and Tips Industries, and has proved her metal by designing successful marketing campaigns for over 60 Bollywood films.
Niyati shows immense confidence in her team and believes in transformational and task oriented leadership. She perceives leadership to be an ingrained skill which has the power to influence people and turn vision into reality. When not at work, the self expressed wild life lover and gadget enthusiast loves spending time with her kids and exploring new places to travel.

In a free-wheeling chat, Niyati Shah shares her passion, experience and more with Jayashankar Menon. Excerpts:

JM: Can you talk about the legacy you have created through Shotformats?
NS: Shotformats Digital Works Private Limited is a promising digital distribution and a new media company that develops innovative digital platforms, products and content to service and reach audiences through varied digital distribution streams. In focus is the Value Added Service and Direct To Consumer initiative under the brand ‘Biscoot’. Being a path-breaking contender in the mobile Value Added Services (VAS) space, Shotformats’ priority is to create and deploy VAS solutions and applications for media houses, telecommunication firms, film companies, labels, application developers and content providers, among others.

JM: What is the genesis of Biscoot?
NS: Taking forward the commitment and the belief of the company towards digital distribution, we launched Biscoot – an online and offline initiative for digital product distribution, which focuses both on an evolved online consumer and a new mobile user. To ensure customised content for the small screen, Shotformats’ in-house studios and product team has been exclusively dedicated to maintaining the highest standard in the constant generation of innovative and easy-to-consume content for mobile phones. Shotformats specialises in providing end-to-end solutions, right from platform ownership to billing and provisioning to device testing; with services that bring together content, technology and device expertise, this facilitates an enhanced digital experience for our clients.

JM: What are the new standards your company has set for the growth of Digital Entertainment segment?
NS: Our company’s unique position in the market as an eager innovator and unremitting trendsetter has established new standards for the interminable scope of Digital Entertainment – a segment that currently rules the market. Having established this distinct stronghold, Shotformats has proved itself as an indisputable contributor in shaping the content ecosystem not only for the VAS industry in India but has created new avenues for digital distribution. Thus, creating newer revenue streams for media houses, app developers and content partners.
Spearheading Shotformats is its top management, equipped with a strong background in the visual media and an insatiable passion to expand and understand the importance of packaging and content. An aspect that goes hand-in-hand with the company’s USP — to understand the intricacy and dynamics of new media and blend it with the right content, which is perfectly packaged to expose the consumer to a flawless experience.

JM: Can you share the details of the Innovation Centre you have set up in Delhi?
NS: An expert team of unrelenting professionals leads our state-of-the-art Innovation Centre in Delhi. To deliver cutting-edge technologies in the ever-evolving VAS landscape, this Centre showcases market driven innovative applications. Our belief in ‘Content is King but Distribution is God’, coupled with our proficiency in System Integration, Product Engineering, Application Hosting and outsourcing services makes our firm an invaluable choice for telecom service providers, broadcasters, media companies, publishing houses, application developers and independent owners of rich content.

JM: What are the specialties of Shotformats?
NS: For content producers and app developers, we are the ideal partner to get their content or application out in the digital space, as we cover each and every medium of digital distribution not only online but also via our own offline distribution chain. For the mobile Indian consumer, we are the ultimate destination for Music, Movies, Infotainment, Devotional and Audio Books. All just a click away on Biscoot with easy-to-use and safe Biscoot Wallet, enabled transactions.

JM: Last, but not the least, what are the recent unique offerings from your stable?
NS: Biscoot B-Now: Daily dose of Bollywood News and Gossip.
Biscoot Talkies: One stop destination for all movie buffs, with a catalogue of more than 15000 movies in nine languages.
Biscoot Bajao: India’s first music networking portal, with a catalogue of more than 2,00,000 songs in 14 languages.
Biscoot APP Bazaar: India’s first offline app store, selling apps the Indian way.

Sheena Chohan steals the show at Asia Cup 2014 in Dhaka

Bengali siren, Sheena Chohan stole the show at the Asia Cup 2014 in Dhaka. Here is the photo feature….

Day 1 – Sheena looks stunning in Mardi Gras Saree by Designers Tanvi & Pratiti from ‘The Purple Sack’ . She pulled off this look with a neat bun and gave a very professional look.

Day 2 – Sheena Chohan,  yet again killed the 2nd day wearing HARSH HARSH net green saree and abstract print monochrome blouse by designer Harsh Gupta. She looked so elegant & graceful wearing this six yards of saree. Her look was well appreciated in Bangladesh at Dhaka.

Day 3 – Sheena wears Bengali typography green jacket by Designer Rimi Nayak which made her look smart and sensuous. She pulled off with a puff and high pony.

Day 4 – Gorgeous Sheena Chohan in HARSH HARSH yellow net saree with silver shimmer blouse by designer Harsh Gupta at Asia cup 2014, where she is presenting and hosting the whole event! She adorns 60’s look with side hairstyle and beautiful yellow flower on it. She is signifying the joy of spring, celebrating the festive month of Rituraj basanto.

Day 5 – Diva Sheena Chohan in Rimi Nayak Draped orange with alphabetic prints on it at day 5th of Asia cup 2014 In Dhaka, Bangladesh where she is hosting and presenting the event. She pulled off this look with a side braid and coral lips.

Day 6 – Sheena Chohan in HARSH HARSH gorgeous purple & pink gown by Designer Harsh Gupta at Asia cup 2014 where she is hosting & presenting the whole event!

She finished off the look with matte dark maroon lipstick, side bun & hoop earrings.

Asia Cup 2014 – Sheena Chohan appears in Tanvi & Pratiti outfit in Dhaka

Bengali siren, Sheena Chohan looked breathtakingly beautiful in The Mardi Gras saree Pure Georgette with raw silk border and sequin from ‘The Purple Sack’ by Designers Tanvi & Pratiti at first day of Asia cup 2014 in Dhaka where she was hosting and presenting the whole event.

Sheena Chohan is an Artiste with a flair for being natural in front of the camera. Her stylish persona with a dash of oomph makes her a versatile performer, be it playing roles with ease, anchoring for events and carving her own distinct niche when it comes to modeling and advertising commercials/brand campaigns.

Hailing from the cultural city of Kolkata and winning the beauty pagents well known in the city, acting came to her very naturally and to be in front of the camera became her staple diet. Soon after, she was priviledged to be handpicked by Sushmita Sen to participate in “Miss India Universe -I am She” where she won the “I Am Voice” title for her effortless and expressive connect with the audience. Ever since those days and now when she is a few films old, her passion for camera is still on a roll!

Sheena has gathered much appreciation as a model with her TVC(s) for brands like Sonia Bravia, Wella, Videocon, V-Guard, Enkay Garden, Dubai Gold and Diamonds and Green Rich Tea. Her first Advert was with Kunal Kohli Productions and has been her stepping stone. Apart from theatre, where she did plays like Shakespeare’s “A midsummer night’s dream”, “Adhe Adhure” with thespian Shyamanand Jalan and “ Ek Mamooli Aadmi” with eminent theatre director Arvind Gaur.
Sheena started her film career with a Malayalam blockbuster “The Train” directed by National Award winning director Jayaraj opposite the south superstar Mammootty.  This Punjabi-Bengali siren has recently done 2 films with Buddhadeb Dasgupta named “Mukti” and “Patralekha” based on Rabindranath Tagore’s Poems.
Vibrant and ecstatic is what Sheena was called when she was chosen as the face and host of the 1st & 2nd Season of BPL- Bangladesh Premier League where she garnered a lot of adulation, appreciation while she connected with the audience and earned the title of “the BPL girl”.  Her recent international film- Ant Story, was a world Premiere at the Dubai International Film Festival. She was in the Top 4 Finalists, amongst the Top artists of the country, in the Entertainers connect- LQ Awards2013 Sheena has a long way but she is stepping each stone with Professionalism, respect and great dedication. Indeed a superstar in making!

Rituparna Sengupta inaugurates ‘The MobileStore Lounge’ in Kolkata

Mobile technology is ever changing and can be confusing and complicated at times. It brings a host of features, of which only a few are understood and a fewer are used. The MobileStore launches the first ever smartphone destination, The MobileStore Lounge in Ballygunge, Kolkata. A place that makes technology easy, Rituparna Sengupta, one of the most renowned actresses of the Indian film fraternity inaugurated The MobileStore Lounge.

Located in the most iconic place in Kolkata, at Ballygunge, The MobileStore Lounge makes it easy to browse, choose, use and pay for Smart phones and tablets with the help of Brand experience zones where devices from brands like Samsung, Nokia, HTC, Sony and Apple are displayed in each brand experience zone, according a company statement. The lounge boasts of the first ever phone OS agnostic Data Transfer Dock facility absolutely free. So you can transfer data from one phone to another without any worries.

Commenting on the launch of The MobileStore Lounge, Himanshu Chakrawarti, CEO – The MobileStore Limited said: “The MobileStore Lounge is a unique experience and moves beyond live display into the realm of actual larger than life experience. With technology elements, live features and very friendly and intensively trained Tech Buddies, the experience of the Lounge is aimed at making the consumer at ease with technology”.
Rituparna, overwhelmed with the design of the smartphone destination stated: “The Lounge is an ideal place for consumers to not only enjoy shopping but also get educated about the features of their favorite smartphone. I am glad that the people of Kolkata have been offered the comfort and ease of shopping at India’s largest smartphone destination”.
A hand-picked team of intensively trained Tech Buddies from internal The MobileStore force as well as external sources, who have extreme comfort with gadgets, conduct live experiences and bring alive usage of smartphones to the customers. They are not the conventional sales staff but they are Tech Buddies. The MobileStore Lounge is the first ever store with complimenting accessories for each phone placed below the phone. So a customer doesn’t really need to look around what compliments his handset.
The MobileStore Lounge, is a one stop Smart Phone shop that provides, multi brand handsets, tablets, complimenting accessories and brand experience zones all under one roof. It showcases ‘live experience’ to bring out the power of technology for everyday consumer use. The MobileStore India’s largest mobile telephony retailer provides one stop mobile solution shop that provides, multi brand handsets, tablets, accessories, connections, repairs, easy EMI solutions and VAS, across its 800 outlets in 100 plus cities, thus covering every major town in every state across India.
The MobileStore launched India’s first next generation store ‘The MobileStore Lounge’ at Connaught Place – Delhi and Phoenix MarketCity, Viman Nagar- Pune, Near GIP Mall – Noida, Indiranagar – Bengaluru and now in Ballygunge- Kolkata. The MobileStore lounge- a smartphone destination, is the place that makes technology easy! It maximizes ‘live experience’ of smartphones to bring across the power of technology for everyday consumer use! With technology elements, live features, India’s first android zone and very friendly tech buddies, the experience of the Lounge is like no other.
The MobileStore caters to the Indian consumer‘s choice of the widest range of mobile phones with exciting offers. The MobileStore offers complete telecom solutions right from purchase of handsets, data cards, connections to post purchase services like Theft Insurance, Extended Warranty. It also offers wide range of accessories to choose from.