MUMBAI: In early 2008 Shemaroo Entertainment Pvt. Ltd. launched its Alternative Content Division with the aim of releasing videos catering to the discerning customer tastes For Literature, Music, Sports, Spiritual, Self Motivation, Children, Fitness, Hobbies, Travel, Sex Education to name a few and managed to find the secret of success in the Video business.

Shemaroo Entertainment Pvt. Ltd began its Alternative Content Division with the famous Television Series of the 80‘s Yeh Jo Hai Zindagi and other children titles like "Smart Cookie". The real success came with the release of "Shilpa‘s Yoga" in the Fitness series, produced by and starring the Bollywood star Shilpa Shetty herself and shot on location at the scenic backwaters of Kerala. This Video established itself to be as worthy and successful as Jane Fonda‘s Workout released in the early 70‘s.

Then came along the Philosophy series with archival material of OSHO Talks with titles like " Art of Loving, Loving and Accepting Yourself, How to be Really Alive, How to Relax with yourself, followed by the Literature Series of Shakespeare adaptions by BBC productions, Macbeth and Mid Summer Nights Dream and more along the way came the History series with "World War I & II & The Path of Non-Violence". Next released is the Spiritual Series Deepak Chopra‘s "The Seven Spiritual Laws Of Success" & "How To Know God" and also the biggest release ever of the Documentary "The Secret DVD" based on Rhonda Byrnes best selling Book ‘the Secret‘. Shemaroo is gratified to be the connection to providing Indian audiences with "The Secret" philosophy which will transform their lives and bring joy to billions.

Hiren Gada, Director, Shemaroo states, "We are thrilled with the response we have got for our new division of Alternative Content and after the success of great videos like Shilpa‘s Yoga and The Secret DVD, we promise to provide much more best selling content in these genres.

These videos are also being packaged as Gifts, Incentive / Promotional products, with corporate logos to be given to Employees / Customers / Business Associates etc...

This exciting entertainment experience is now scaling heights in the video business success stories.

MUMBAI: Setting yet another benchmark in the DTH sector, Dishtv, India‘s No. 1 direct-to-home company and part of the biggest media conglomerate ? Zee group, announced a significant milestone of crossing 4.5 Million Customer mark thus consolidating its leadership position as the largest and most innovative DTH Company in India.Today, Dishtv is the leader in DTH sector with a market share of more than 53 per cent of the total subscriber base of 8 million. Dishtv‘s footprint covers 5400 towns across India bringing smiles to 23 million Indians. Today every 50th Indian out of the total population of 115 crore is enjoying the Dishtv experience.

To celebrate this significant achievement, Dishtv presented a Hyundai Verna Car to the 4.5th million customer. Shahrukh Khan, Brand Ambassador, Dishtv graced the occasion with his presence and handed over the keys of a new Hyundai Verna car to Mr. Subhajit Roy from Mumbai, the 4.5 millionth subscriber of dishtv during the celebration ceremony at Mumbai.

Speaking on the occasion, Shahrukh Khan said, "Dishtv values relationships and this initiative is an effort to reward the valued customers and appreciate their trust. Dishtv has always stood by its promise of pioneering vision, adherence to quality, technological innovations and breakthrough initiatives."

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Jawahar Goel, Managing Director, Dishtv, said, "We are pleased to achieve the special milestone of 4.5 million happy customers. This landmark is testimony to the superior and affordable DTH services that we offer to all our customers across India. It is clearly the fastest growth achieved by any DTH service provider in the country. The 4.5 Million milestone is not just a significant one for Dishtv but also symbolizes the successful growth of the Indian DTH industry. Having achieved so much in so little time, gives us renewed energy to double our customer base in a much shorter time."

Dishtv has consistently set the benchmarks for the Indian DTH industry and it has redefined the business through marketing innovations, introduction of new generation value-added services and the highest standard of customer delivery.

Today, Dishtv offers its customers choice and superior value for money with a range of innovative value-added services backed by excellent customer service and a variety of 30 + a-la-carte Packs, ranging from Rs 15 + tax to Rs 55 + tax. These packs allow the consumer immense freedom of choice to the subscriber to customize his/ her channel bouquet to the maximum possible, with multiple permutations and combinations.

The company added a record 4.3 lakh subscribers in the month of October, 2008, breaking all its previous achievements.

Shahrukh Khan handing over the key of Hyundai Verna Car to Mr. Subhajit Roy from Mumbai. (High Resolution Photograph enclosed)

With an impressive rating in the Indian market, ICL has achieved stupendous viewership patronage in the overseas market as well. Pakistan registered 3.6 for the first semi-finals, 2.3 for second semi-finals, 5.7 for Final 1 and 5.1 for Final 2 (Source: Medialogic). In United Kingdom, the ICL matches registered a rating of 1.4 among the Asian population (Source: BARB).

Interpreting the overall success of the bigger, better & more vibrant ICL Season-2, Himanshu Mody, Business Head, ICL said, "The ratings validate our belief in creating a popular and commercially viable sports product with the ICL. As a pioneering product still in its growth stage, ICL has today earned viewership patronage comparable to any other cricket product televised in India at the same period of time. This exemplifies the emergence of ICL as an important sporting event in the annual calendar of the Indian sports scenario."

ICL 20s Indian Championship first finals also registered a phenomenal Peak Ratings with Kolkata registering a peak TVR of 9.45, Mumbai 8.28, Gujarat (.1 to 1MN) 9.08, PHCHP (.1 to 1MN) 6.04, Rajasthan (1MN +) 6.65, Hyderabad 4.73 respectively (Source: TAM, TG: CS M15+).

The month long high octane tournament, preceded by a voluminous Rs. 500 million marketing campaign (Cricket Hai Meri Life) and lapped up by packed 50,000 capacity stadium saw the ratings ascend steeply in popularity and television viewership as the tournament progressed.

"These ratings translate well for ICL‘s popularity across the globe. Pakistan rating of the ICL matches have been as high as 5.7. On the other hand, in United Kingdom ICL matches registered an impressive rating of 1.4 amongst the Asian population, considering the fact that an average channel in Multichannel HH (Multichannel HH = All TV home ? only Terrestrial (analog) HHs) gets rating in the range of .03 to .04. ICL ratings are better than most of the other Sports Channel performance in the same time band among All-Individuals in UK"; added Mr. Mody.

ICL is leaving no stone unturned as it fine tunes its preparations for its forthcoming premium tournament ICL 20s World Series, that will feature four teams from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and ICL-World, made up of a galaxy of international stars from across the global cricket fraternity. The ICL 20s World Series starts from November 23, 2008 and will be held at the Sardar Patel Stadium, Ahmedabad.

MUMBAI: Dil Kabbadi is a marital comedy and to quote Irrfan Khan, who also suggested the title, "It is Kabbadi that one‘s heart plays". The film delves into the lives of two couples who are caught in the web of post marital boredom. How the couples deal with an irresistible temptation of lurking out of the relationship for some fun is what the film explores. All in all, Dil Kabaddi is a humorous take on urban relationships.

MUSIC INDIA brings you a special telecast that highlights the theme of the film along with the stars - Soha Ali Khan, Irrfan Khan and Rahul Bose. Catch this fun episode, which is well interspaced with the songs of the film, especially the hit number ‘Uthale Ya Phek De‘, only on MUSIC INDIA

MUMBAI: Says Kishore Namit Kapoor, "He had never told his parents about his training, and that he wanted to become an actor. He came very quietly.We did a scene from a play, it was a solo scene, so we recorded that and he took the cassette home and he showed it to Rakesh Roshan. Late night, I received a phone from Rakesh Roshan and Mr. Roshan said, ‘ Kishorji I never believed in training but today I have to say with lots of pride a son was born to me, today a star is born"

"Kaho Na Pyar Hai became a super blockbuster and Hrithik became a huge name in this country. So much so, that he won the film fare award directly in challenge with Shah Rukh Khan who was and is considered today known as the king of Bollywood", says Sanjay Khan

Body like Sylvester Stallone, to the adopting unique dance steps and style that matches Michael Jackson, to having the good looks of Brad Pitt, his acting that compares to non other, he is a complete package. He is unbelievably talented; he is the handsome Bollywood hunk Hrithik Roshan.

Sanjay Dutt came away with accolades of Mission Kashmir, Karisma Kapoor

stole the limelight in Fiza and Jackie Shroff was the hero of Yaadein. Hrithik has been the support system for the success of these films, in a way contributed to their achievements.

To know all about how he rose like the proverbial phoenix, from the ashes to his come back, his stunning performance. Find out all about the handsome hunk Hrithik Roshan on this Friday (November 21) episode of ZoOm Bollywood Biographies.

Tune in to Bollywood Biographies for more insights this Friday, November 21 2008, 8.30pm only on ZoOm.

MUMBAI

: Zimbabwe will try and make the most of a rare opportunity to play international cricket when they take on Sri Lanka in a five-match one day international series.

All the five matches of the series will be played at the Harare Sports Club, and available live and exclusive on Ten Sports, the most watched sports channel in the Sub-continent.

Live telecast of the tournament starts Thursday, November 20, at 1:00 pm IST.

The series is Zimbabwe?s first international on their home soil in almost a year. The last time they hosted a top-level international side was the West Indies in December last year, and they have only played an away series in Pakistan, and a rain-interrupted triangular tournament with Kenya and Ireland in Nairobi in October.

The last time Sri Lanka visited Zimbabwe, in 2004, they thrashed the hosts by huge innings margins in the two Test matches and 5-0 in the ODIs. It would be difficult for the hosts to beat a strong side such as Sri Lanka outright, but they will be hoping to win at least a couple of them and provide some meaningful competition.

Sri Lanka are taking the series in all seriousness. They have sent a full-strength team, led by regular skipper Mahela Jayawardene, and the side also boasts of star batsman-wicketkeeper Kumar Sangakkara, who gave an indication of his form with a big hundred in the warm-up four-day match.

But the two players Zimbabwe will be most wary of are the spin duo of the legendary Muttiah Muralitharan and Ajantha Mendis.