Vishal-Sheykhar, Armaan Malik, and Shirley Setia unite for Pokémon’s latest animated series on Hungama

The Pokémon Company has announced the launch of Pokémon Horizons: The Series, a brand-new animated show set to premiere on Hungama on May 25th. The press conference held on April 30th at the JW Marriott, Juhu in Mumbai, featured the unveiling of original opening and ending soundtracks by esteemed composers Vishal-Sheykhar and vocalists Armaan Malik and Shirley Setia, who bring a distinct local flavour to the show.

The new series boasts new characters along with an engaging storyline, featuring Captain Pikachu at the helm of an airship. As a first-of-its-kind collaboration between Indian artists and The Pokémon Company, the new opening and closing tracks offer a unique blend of local flavour to the Pokémon series specially curated for the Indian audience. The collaboration also underscores the brand's dedication to establishing a formidable presence in the Indian entertainment landscape. These tracks capture the spirit of our childhood and promise to warm our hearts.

Sharing their thoughts on the collaboration with The Pokémon Company, Vishal & Sheykhar said, "We were thrilled to receive the call to collaborate with Pokémon. We've crafted tracks that capture the essence of fun and adventure synonymous with the brand, infusing them with a distinct Indian flair to deeply resonate with our local audience. We hope these tracks will keep reminding people of the animated series even when they are away from their TV sets."

Also present at the event, Armaan Malik said, "It’s surreal to think that the Pokémon cards I traded as a kid would lead me to sing the opening track for Pokémon Horizons in Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu. Growing up, watching Pokémon everyday was a ritual and now, to be a voice that carries this legacy forward with the Horizons series is not just an honour, it's a full-circle moment for me. Vishal-Sheykhar have infused traditional sounds with Pokémon's global charm to create a melody that resonates with fans across generations. I can’t wait for everyone to experience this thrilling blend of nostalgia and new adventures.”

Adding to the excitement, Shirley Setia said, “It’s always an honour to be able to create something that resonates so well with our childhood. In fact, I have collected Pokémon soft toys and collectibles that I absolutely loved and still do. Lending my voice to this iconic franchise has been an incredible experience and I hope the tracks will leave a lasting impression among fans.”

Adding on, Rashmi & Virag, lyricists of the song, commented, 'Writing lyrics for the Pokémon show feels like revisiting the days when we watched it with our daughter. We want kids to enjoy the same spirit of fun and adventure through our lyrics.”

As the first episode is set to launch on May 25th on Hungama, Pokémon invites fans old and new to embark on this thrilling new adventure together.

Ashok Saraf, Siddharth Chandekar, Varsha Usgaonkar and Vishaka Subhedar amongst others win top honours at BIG FM’s BIG Marathi Entertainment Awards 2024

 ~ On April 25th, the radio network recognized the talented performers and creators of Marathi entertainment industry for their contribution and excellence ~

BIG FM, one of India's leading radio networks, honoured the remarkable talent and creative achievements of the Marathi television industry at the third season of BIG Marathi Entertainment Awards. It was a star-studded evening graced by renowned personalities who have not only shined on-screen but also made a significant impact on our culture. Held on 25th April 2024 at Marigold Banquets and Convention, Pune, the awards night was hosted by BIG FM RJs - RJ Addy and RJ Chetana. This season, the radio network broke its own record, earning a whopping 2 lakh votes, marking a significant achievement.

The BIG Marathi Entertainment Awards 2024 lit up with fun moments from RJ Shreyas and RJ Pallavi, alongside the hosts, making the night an unforgettable one. Highlighting the event were the special awards, with the actor par excellence Ashok Saraf winning the award for Powerhouse of Entertainment. Varsha Usgaonkar was honoured as the Evergreen Performer for her inspiring acting prowess and timeless elegance while actor Siddharth Chandekar stood out as the Performer of the Year. The excitement soared higher with the announcement of the Blockbuster of the Year, marking a moment for the acclaimed film Bai Pan Bhari Deva, while Vaishali Samant received the award for the BIG Most Memorable Voice.

The BIG Best Male Character award saw a tie between Ajinkya Raut and Indraneil Kamat for their outstanding performances in Abol Pritichi Ajab Kahani and Pirticha Vana Uri Petla, respectively. Aishwarya Shete clinched the BIG Best Female Character award for her captivating portrayal in Rama-Rama Raghav. Vishaka Subhedar and Dipti Ketkar were honoured with the BIG Best Female Villain award, while Sunil Tawde and Piyush Ranade secured the BIG Best Male Villain accolade.  Jui Gadkari and Amit Bhanushali's enchanting on-screen chemistry earned them the title of BIG Best Jodi. Furthermore, Purneima Dey and Yogesh Kelkar took home the trophy for the BIG Supporting Characters Female and Male respectively. The mesmerising melodies of Tuj Maj Sapan…Premach Tufaan earned the prestigious title of BIG Best Title Song and Sur Nava Dhyas Nava was acknowledged as the BIG Best Non-Fiction show. Finally, the heartwarming family drama Tharala Tar Mag! won in the categories of BIG Best Family and BIG Best Serial, stealing the hearts of many.

Sharing his thoughts, Sunil Kumaran, COO, BIG FM, expressed, "Over the past two seasons of the BIG Marathi Entertainment Awards, we have had the privilege of celebrating the finest talents in the Marathi entertainment industry, honouring them with well-deserved recognition. With the third season, the celebrations were taken a notch higher as we once again felicitated the remarkable performers and imaginative minds for their spectacular work that kept the audiences completely entertained. The overwhelming response from listeners through their votes for their favourite artists stands as a testament to the platform's ability to captivate its viewers. I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to all the winners on behalf of the entire team of BIG FM.”

The third edition of BIG Marathi Entertainment Awards is powered by Lokmanya Multipurpose Cooperative Society Limited, in association with Krsnaa Diagnostics as Diagnostics Partner. The awards were extensively promoted on air, digital and across all platforms of BIG FM and will be telecasted on 12th May 2024 on Zee 24 Taas.

Feel the beat with Shahat Gill’s euphoric pop single “Hulaare”

~ With its charismatic and assertive lyrics, the song exudes confidence set against a backdrop of groovy beats ~

Gear up for a fresh up-tempo Punjabi track by the emerging Pop Icon - Shahat Gill. She effortlessly blends assertive lyrics with irresistibly groovy beats, creating a sonic landscape that represents confidence and style. Her first release 'Pagal Ay' ft. Panther, which was released in June 2023 has also garnered a lot of love in the northern markets.

Composers and Lyricists Taranjeet Singh and Manpreet Singh a.k.a. Kaptaan, brings a wealth of experience and creativity to every note. The dynamic track is accompanied by a visual treat starring Shahat in the music video, capturing her confidence and allure in all its glory. Vibrant visuals and dynamic choreography come together to celebrate her magnetic presence, making it a treat for the eyes and ears alike. With its up-tempo rhythm and captivating melodies, this track is destined to become a staple in Punjabi pop music, solidifying Shahat Gill's place as a rising star in the industry.

Talking excitedly about her release, Shahat shared, “Firstly I would like to thank the audience for all the love and support for my debut Pagal Ay. “Hulaare” is a dynamic number that oozes confidence in every sense. The amount of conviction and swag that Punjabi music brings is unmatchable and with “Hulaare” I want everyone to feel confident in their own skin.I am beyond thrilled for the audiences to hear the track and shower their love.”

Netflix unveils Sanjay Leela Bhansali's epic series 'Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar' with riveting trailer

~ Mark your calendars as ‘Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar’ captivates audiences worldwide on Netflix from May 1 ~

Netflix unveiled the trailer of this year’s most anticipated series from India - visionary director Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar. Offering a spectacular glimpse into the world, every frame is steeped in intrigue, passion, and drama, set to captivate audiences from May 1 only on Netflix.

The thrilling trailer transports viewers to the sizzling district of Heeramandi, where the one and only Mallikajaan (Manisha Koirala) rules over an elite house of courtesans. She schemes, fearing no one - until the return of her late nemesis’ daughter, Fareedan (Sonakshi Sinha), brings tensions in the house to a boil. Outside, the city is also roiling, with revolutionaries demanding India’s freedom from British rule, with Bibbojaan (Aditi Rao Hydari), one of Mallikajaan’s daughters, joining the fight for freedom. Meanwhile, Mallikajaan’s youngest, Alamzeb (Sharmin Segal), dreams of love with the son of a nawab (nobleman), Tajdar (Taha Shah Badussha), and yearns to break out of Heeramandi.

As betrayal mounts and forbidden desires clash with societal norms, the struggle for pre-independent India's freedom comes to a boiling point. Against this backdrop, Mallikajaan and Fareedan are locked in an epic battle for the title of the huzoor, or the lady, of Heeramandi. Who will finally reign?

Monika Shergill, Vice-President of Content, Netflix India and Prerna Singh, CEO, Bhansali Productions were present at the trailer launch in the capital today alongside the stellar cast, including Manisha Koirala, Sonakshi Sinha, Aditi Rao Hydari, Richa Chadha, Sharmin Segal, Sanjeeda Shaikh, Fardeen Khan, Taha Shah Badussha, Shekhar Suman and Adhyayan Suman.

Director Sanjay Leela Bhansali said, “This is a story of love, power, freedom, and extraordinary women, their desires, and struggles. It marks a new milestone in my journey. In Netflix, we found the ideal partner - one who not only shares our love for storytelling but also possesses the unparalleled capability to bring our series to the most diverse and global audience imaginable.”

Monika Shergill, VP, Netflix India, said, “We're preparing to unveil our grandest endeavor yet: ‘Heeramandi, The Diamond Bazaar.’ This series, akin to all of Sanjay Leela Bhansali's exquisite creations, is a work of art, offering a stunning visual experience and a visceral world with unforgettable characters. As his first long format series, Sanjay Leela Bhansali creates an immersive world of powerful and universal emotions that will mesmerize audiences across India and around the globe!”