MUMBAI: Star Plus, India?s No 1 Hindi Entertainment Channel, has been adjudged the best in its class at the prestigious CNBC Story Board Awaaz Awards 2011.

Star Plus topped viewers? choice in a pan-India survey of over 5,500 viewers in the country. According to the survey conducted by CNBC Awaaz and AC Nielsen in the run up to the awards, STAR Plus emerged a clear leader with maximum viewership in the country and was voted as "The Most Recommended Television Channel of the Year" in the Entertainment Category.

"Viewers are at the core of STAR Plus?s content. They are the force that drives us to constantly raise benchmarks with shows that set a social agenda, while simultaneously improving on the viewing experience through HD channels and Apps that make content available on-the-move," Nitin Vaidya, Business Head, Hindi Channels, STAR India said, thrilled by the recognition. He added: "To be voted as the most favorite channel is a huge compliment and an honor. We, at STAR, are humbled at receiving the CNBC Story Board Awaaz Awards 2011."

The channels refreshed brand philosophy "Rishta Wahi, Soch Nayi" is not just a tag line but the operating brand philosophy which is best expressed through the actions of its progressive protagonists. These iconic women characters, reflects India, what?s changing and what?s reassuringly remaining the same. STAR Plus continues to seek to inspire and entertain through strong and stirring content that reflects and propels India forward in its path to fulfillment. It is this vision that has made STAR Plus the leading Entertainment Channel in India, touching the lives of 300 MM viewers a week and earning the place as the most loved channel brand for viewers.

STAR Plus, STAR India Pvt ltd.?s flagship channel, reaches more than 300 mn viewers weekly. The channel has redefined the Hindi GEC space by retaining its leadership position in the Hindi GEC space for more than a decade and introduced innovations like HD recently, consolidated its position as the leading Hindi broadcaster in India. With discerning and distinct fiction content, iconic characters, unparalleled non-fiction formats & events to its credit, STAR Plus continues to set the agenda for the Hindi Entertainment genre in India.

New Delhi: ApnaCircle.com, India‘s first fastest growing Business & Career networking site has announced the launch of its Application Programming Interface (API) platform that aims at improving the scalability of the website. API also enhances the value proposition in terms of broadening the scope of users‘ interaction and engagement. To support this ApnaCircle along with TIE and IAN, invites application developers to showcase their creative talent in India‘s first and biggest talent hunt contest for Application developers which will provide them with an opportunity to win recognition in the industry.

The roll out of an API based platform is a strategic and planned move. This will provide the users with the latest and most innovative applications. This initiative will give ApnaCircle a real edge over other networks, which are still reluctant to roll out API based platforms. ApnaCircle API platform will enable developers to use quick and efficient tools, which will help them in creating and integrating independent applications. It will further allow users to learn, engage and gain insight from developed applications.

Mr. Yogesh Bansal, Founder & CEO, ApnaCircle.com said that "We are proud to initiate ApnaCircle API platform which will enhance the overall ecosystem of Applications in India by creating career opportunities for App developers and by bringing in technological advancements on the website for users. Mr. Bansal further stated, "Through this initiative, we are acknowledging the innovation capability of the developers, who are basically shaping up the future of the social networking platforms by creating highly innovative and interactive web applications"

ApnaCircle has been supporting innovation and the company has been propagating the concept of revenue sharing. ApnaCircle believes that a business model based on revenue sharing will play a pivotal role to the continued growth of online information services and professional social networking.

Mumbai: SAB TV, India?s leading family comedy entertainment channel is geared up to make this festival season even more entertaining for its viewers with the return of ?SAB DEKHO SAB JEETO? contest. Starting from 17th October will run the contest for two weeks between 7:30 pm - 11:00 pm on SAB TV.

The format of the contest is very simple. To participate all a viewer needs to do is answer simple questions related to your favorite shows on SAB such as ?Don?t Worry Chachu, ?Chintu Chinki Aur Ek Badi Si Love Story?, ?Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah?, ?Sajan Re Jhoot Mat Bolo?, ?Mrs.Tendulkar?, ?Lapataganj?, ?FIR? and ?Gutur Gu? and win loads of prizes. Questions will be asked in between every show and films. Each question will have four optional answers to choose from. Viewers can send in their answers via SMS- e.g.: SMS SAB <Question No> Space <A/B/C/D> to 5252525 or call on 5052525.

The correct answers will earn points daily, which will then be added up at the end of the contest. Contestants with the maximum points will win the bumper prize. Also, viewers can win Polaroid glasses daily if they answer correctly the questions related to various shows. So what are you waiting for?.SAB Dekho ?.aur SAB Jeeto!!

MUMBAI: After celebrating ?India?s Coolest Baap? festival showcasing the best of Amitabh Bachchan, Zee Cinema is all set to celebrate the best of Hindi cinema. India?s leading Hindi movie channel brings the movie mania back for its viewers with a film festival featuring the biggest blockbusters of all times titled "RECORD TOD CINEMA" from 15th October - 24th October, 2011 followed by the world television premiere of two blockbuster movies ?Double Dhamaal? and ?Shaitaan?. Record Tod Cinema will bring some of the biggest blockbusters in Hindi cinema to your TV screens and will be aired from 15th October - 24th October at 5:30 PM daily. Be it the iconic Sholay with its cult dialogues and characters or Taare Zameen Par which will surely bring tears to your eyes; the eternal lover boy Salman Khan in Maine Pyaar Kiya or the biggest wedding extravaganza in Hum Aapke Hain Kaun; the evergreen classic Mother India or Sunny Deol?s power packed performance in Gadar, we promise to keep you glued to your television sets! The marketing campaign rolled out to promote the celebration of movies on Zee Cinema will encompass all mediums pan India - On-Air, Cross Channel promotions Radio and social media marketing. Commenting on the month long movie extravaganza Business Head, Zee Cinema, Mohan Gopinath said "The month of October is marked with festivals and celebrations; hence entertainment rides high on Zee Cinema. The channel has always enthralled viewers with the most popular movies of all times and continues to honor its commitment of bringing the best in entertainment to our viewers."That?s not all? This multi starrer movie Double Dhamaal will premiere on 22nd October at 9 PM. It has punch-filled dialogues that will appeal to the masses along with some brilliant performances & hilarious comic sequences by Sanjay Dutt and Arshad Warsi. Also, bookmark your calendar on 30th October for the World Telivision Premiere of Shaitan at 9pm. A remarkable story of five friends living life on the edge and unwittingly get involved in a crime. In trying to extricate themselves from the mess, they commit further crimes. Watch it for the stylish making, racy screenplay and the terrific background score. With superstars like Amitabh Bachchan, Salman Khan, Aamir Khan, Govinda, Nargis, Sunil Dutt, Sunny Deol and many more lighting up your screen along with the premieres of Double Dhamal and Shaitan this festive month, there is no better way than to sit back and enjoy the celebration.

MUMBAI: Shemaroo Entertainment Ltd., an established integrated media content house in India synonymous with quality entertainment, is opening a new chapter in the fast growing Indian entertainment business by releasing its newest 3D CGI animation film on the Online platform first. Conceptualised, and produced by Smita Maroo, directed by Vijay Bhanushali, the super hero animation film and Shemaroo?s first home production, ?Super K?, will be easily available and accessible anywhere and to anyone who has Internet connection and access. The unique film will be released on online platforms in the month of November in two languages (English and Hindi), which will make it the biggest release ever for any animation film in India.

The 95 minutes full length 3D CGI animated feature film ?Super K? is a superhero film that will entertain the entire family. Unlike most superheroes, who are born, ?Super K? is created and a goof-up causes him to turn out to be a freak unable to control his powers. As Badmess along with the evil Dr. Ozox plans to take over Dreamzone, ?Super K? has to team up with his friends and also learn to control his powers. The story of ?Super K? explores his magical escapades in Dreamzone, with an interesting mix of action, comedy and fantasy. Its website is www.superkloud.com and the film will be promoted extensively and aggressively through the internet and social digital media including Facebook and Twitter amongst others.

Talking about her most ambitious and pioneering venture, the multi-faceted Smita Maroo, Head-Animation Business, Shemaroo Entertainment Limited, says, "The online release of ?Super K? is the first-of-its-kind in the Indian entertainment business and a breakaway concept away from the confines of theatrical releases. Children?s films are rare in themselves but empowering and allowing parents and kids to watch ?Super K? in the comfort of their homes or anywhere anytime at their convenience will bring entertainment to peoples? doorsteps. ?Super K? will open up new avenues in Indian entertainment and also set up new standards in providing entertainment in online digital media."

Over the years, Shemaroo Entertainment Limited has successfully adapted to changing content consumption patterns by expanding into content aggregation and distribution for broadcasting on television, mobile and digital platforms. It is continuing the expansion into new media platforms with interesting content. Further, it has produced award winning animation films like Bal Ganesh, Bal Ganesh 2 and Ghatothkach based on Indian mythological characters. Ghatothkach was the first Indian animation film to be released in 7 languages and was screened at Cannes Film Festival 2007.

Shemaroo?s next strategy in animation - since it is a content house and understands the movie business - is to get as many good products out in the market. "We understand animation creation marketing and distribution. As far as India is concerned, there is so much demand for good content. The storytelling ability and international quality production capabilities exist. The challenge is only to bridge the distribution gaps to reach the target animation consuming audience, the kids and families. Once that happens, you will get to see many more good films. As a content house, creation of content is the next step of us. In line with this strategy, we have ventured into creation of live-action and animation among other content. We look to bring unique entertainment genres across the various platforms that audience will love to consume," says Maroo.

Shemaroo?s content library consists of more than 2,500 titles spanning new Hindi films like Ishqiya, Slumdog Millionaire, Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani, Omkara, Dil Toh Baccha Hai, Chandni Chowk to China, Bheja Fry 2, amongst others. Hindi films classics like Mughal-e-Azam, Shree 420, Mera Naam Joker, Amar Akbar Anthony, Namak Halaal, Kaalia, Madhumati etc., titles in various other regional languages like Marathi, Gujarati, Punjabi, Bengali among others as well as non-film content. Shemaroo has a number of Indian animation films in its Content Library.
 

MUMBAI: Reliance Home Video has released "Khap", Ajai Sinha‘s film based on the tradition of honor killings on Home Video. "Khap" is now available on DVD (Rs.299) and VCD (Rs.115). "Khap" is produced by Sangita Sinha & Siddhant Sinha and is written & directed by Ajai Sinha. It stars Mohnish Bahl, Om Puri, Yuvika Chaudhry & Sarrtaj."Khap" is a contemporary tale of traditional massacre erupting in the heartland of central India where certain villages still follow this age-old custom.

A story of passion, dishonour and deceit unfolds; where the sweet innocence of youth is throttled by uncompromising beliefs. The film opens in the capital where two youths Ria and Kush fall in love. Meanwhile, news channels highlight the death of Veer and Sureeli who are found dead in Omkar Chaudhary‘s village. Ria has no idea that Omkar is her grandfather. Madhur, Ria?s father, had left his native village due to differences with Omkar over the ruthless pratha (Tradition) of honour killings. Madhur is chosen to lead a commission to investigate the suspicious deaths of young Veer and Sureeli. Veer?s father Daulat Singh is a staunch supporter of this pratha and is unmoved with his son‘s death.

However, Sukhiram, Sureeli‘s father, is broken by his daughter‘s demise. Will Sukhiram be weakened and reveal all to the Human Rights Commission? Torn between his love for his son and his strong belief in the pratha, Omkar promises Madhur that he would put an end to the ruthless killings in the village. Ria and Kush are also pulled into the vortex of these inhuman custom. How do the patriarchs of the pratha respond to these happenings? Does Omkar Chaudhary change for the sake of his grand daughter? These are the questions that the film attempts to raise.

"Khap" has been well acclaimed by the critics and has been honored by the "Best Director" award at the "Bollywood Festival Norway 2011" and has been nominated for the "Audience Award" & "Directors Vision Award" at the "Indian Film Festival ? Stuttgart, Germany 2011"
"Khap" DVDs and VCDs are now available at all leading stores across the country.