When Katrina met Salman on 10 Ka Dum...

It was the most awaited moment of '10 ka Dum' when Katrina Kaif and Salman Khan were face to face on the same stage.

That Salman was a picture of happiness goes without saying. But Katrina seemed to be holding her cards close to her heart. And the comfort level they share was there for all to see. Katrina said she would give the money she wins to Salman's charity but he magnanimously said ''No you give it to your mum's charity - Hope Reach.'' Together they insisted on giving it to each other's charity.

But the pretty lady was really peeved when she didn't get even one answer right. ''I am going to cry!'' she said. ''Please don't,'' pleaded her guest. ''I am not concerned about you, but if your make-up is ruined the shoot will be further delayed.'' Promptly Salman rose to her defense and said, ''She doesn't use much make-up. She looks just as beautiful without make up. She is a beautiful girl''

Catch Katrina & Salman Khan on 10 Ka Dum on Sony Entertainment Television.

UFO Moviez Revolutionizes Digital Cinema with over 1000 Theatre Installation

Released More Than 600 Blockbusters in Digital Prints; A Revolutionary Way for Producers to Reduce Costs Drastically

With its constant endeavor and commitment to revolutionize the entertainment industry, UFO Moviez, the leaders in digital cinema technology, has successfully completed installation in more that 1000 cinemas across country. UFO Moviez, the first mover in digital space has released over 600 movies in 17 languages in within a short span of 2 years. Apart from its existing strong foothold in India, UFO International has also completed successful installations in 21 screens across Nepal, Sri Lanka and Mauritius within a span of 2 months.

Enthralled with the development, Mr. Rajesh Mishra, CEO, UFO Moviez, says "When we started the project of digitization, we had nothing but complete faith in our endeavor and the next demand of entertainment industry in India. Today after completing two years and 1000 cinemas installation, I am proud of our dream which has not only changed the cinema viewing experience but has given manifold dimensions to the film industry on the whole. In less than two years, UFO Moviez has become the world’s largest satellite based digital cinema chain with over 1000 theatres receiving all movies First Day, First Show. I want to thank each member of UFO family, including industry torchbearers and viewers, who accepted us with open arms. Crossing 1000 cinema installation is just the beginning of the revolution to come."

UFO Moviez has made a significant contribution to the growing film industry by providing Indian consumers flexible programming and high-quality viewing experience. Treading the path of revolution, UFO Moviez has been able to change the way entertainment industry was always looked upon. Bringing a 360 degree change in the business spectrum, in the year 2007 alone UFO technology has helped theatre owners and producers save a huge amount of money on the print cost. After bringing in the radical change in the Indian entertainment industry, UFO Moviez is now marching towards making its mark in Hollywood movies with first release being Rambo IV in breakthrough 98 theatres.

Some important statistics

Ø 1000 Installations complete

Ø 600 movies released in 17 languages

Ø Rs. 12,740 /- bookings done (in 1st week of release)

Ø Rs. 76,44,00,000 /- saved on the print cost

Ø 2,80,040 shows held using UFO technology

Ø Rs. 105 crore contributed towards entertainment tax

Digital Cinema heralds a new era for the cinema industry. According to a PriceWater Cooper report, the Indian film entertainment industry is poised to grow from the present size of Rs 9600 crore to Rs 17,500 crore by 2011, implying a 16% cumulative annual growth over the next five years. The advanced technology that UFO Moviez brings with it is helping the Indian film industry in all the spheres including film production, film exhibition and marketing.

The advent of digital technology is playing a pivotal role in Bollywood’s boom with operators like UFO Moviez bringing the delivery of films straight to the theatre via digital satellite delivery. In view of the significant impact that the technology will have on the cinema industry and the significant growth potential, UFO Moviez is therefore taking the lead to develop the Digital Cinema industry and to stake its position as an early-mover in the digital space.

PHOONK and the oeuvre of horror and the unknown. . .

The realm of unknown and the morbid fear of treading into this territory has been a source of eternal inspiration for the filmmakers to revisit it. As a genre of filmmaking horror films have been hitting the marquee on a regular basis and have been scoring bulls' eye as well. No wonder, Ram Gopal Verma, who was one of the first in the modern times to use this genre with PHOONK, is visiting this brand of film making for the fourth time in his career. His first foray in this realm was through RAAT, which established him as a director who had the ability to scare the wits out of your souls and give it a drubbing. It was followed by BHOOT, DARNA MANA HAI and PHOONK is following in this genre from the stable of Ram Gopal Verma.
If one were to explore the commercial reason for revisiting this genre, these kinds of films take very less time to complete, as unknown does not need a star to sell the product. Besides, it does not entail different locations one location serves the purpose. If all the horror films were viewed from this perspective, it would be found that most of them begin and end on a single location and the films culminate at that location as well. It would be owing to the fact that the element of haunt is perceived either to be in an individual or in a physical structure and therefore it becomes a fulcrum around which whole of the films revolve.

Ram Gopal Verma was different in the sense that he used established and mainstream stars like Urmila Matondkar, Ajay Devgun, and Rekha in his second film BHOOT and seemed to draw inspiration from Raj Kumar Kohli, who was a specialist in making multi-starrer horror films of the like of JAANI DUSHMAN.

The biggest boost to the genre of horror films was the success of BHOOL BHULAIYA. The success seemed to be owing to the fact that the specter of horror was interpreted with scientific rationality. It is what appealed to the multiplex going generation of the present times.
There however is a flip side to this argument that the belief in horror, spirits etc., has more profound beliefs in the semi-urban areas and rural areas. As a result, it is always an existentialist dilemma for the filmmaker whether to interpret the realm of unknown through religion and beliefs or interpret it from a rationalist perspective.

Keeping in view the manner in which the education and the awareness is increasing, probably it would be a better choice to interpret it from a scientific perspective as well, as it would facilitate in bringing established film stars to this genre as well. It would also open up and expand the market and this may lead to more experimentations and broader canvas. Would PHOONK initiate this beginning?

PVR Cinemas partners with History Channel

MUMBAI: PVR Cinemas has associated with The History Channel to celebrate its 10th anniversary.

'Defining Moments' consists of a set of interstitials, which profile the defining moments of Indian and international cinema. Viewers will get to sample entertaining interstitials such as how Satya brought a new grittiness and realism to Indian cinema establishing Ram Gopal Varma as a force to reckon with; how Jaws the movie started the trend of blockbuster summer movies amongst others on the channel.

PVR Cinemas will promote 'Defining Moments' interstitials on cinema screens and on their website. The group will also highlight the contest and interstitials in all their multiplexes by having a special 'Defining Moments in Cinema' corner wherein plasma screens and standees will be placed. The on-air capsules will be promoted through their weekly advertisements and fliers. In addition, the multiplex chain will also provide movie tickets and memorabilia to the winners of the SMS contest.

A contest has also been developed wherein viewers can win a trip to

Mauritius by participating in a SMS contest on 7827 on significant cinematic moments. This collaboration will be promoted on the channel and also through radio.

The History Channel, India vice president - marketing Rajesh Sheshadri says, "We are excited by the opportunity to take part in such an initiative with PVR Cinemas. This association is apt for us as true to our genre, it highlights moments connected to the past. The History Channel is committed to making history entertaining to the viewers and is proud to be working with the entertainment genre's strongest brand."

PVR Cinemas CEO – CineMedia Gautam Dutta said, "PVR Cinemas 10th anniversary celebration in association with History Channel is sure to enhance the association between the television audiences and the movie enthusiasts. The series of cinematic interstitials, on-air capsules and innovative online contests will help provide PVR Cinemas and History Channel the opportunity to closely integrate cinema, television and online mediums and add an all new dimension to PVR Cinemas pioneering entertainment initiatives."

PVR to release Persepolis on 20 June

MUMBAI: PVR is set to release NDTV Lumière’s Persepolis on 20 June this year in Mumbai, Delhi, and Bangalore.

Based on the graphic novel by Marjane Satrapi, Persepolis is an animation film which was nominated for the best animated feature film at the 2008 Oscars.

The film, with a total of 600 animated characters, has voices of Sean Penn, Gena Rowlands and Iggy Pop.

Persepolis is a story of a young Iranian girl coming of age and struggling to find her place in the ever evolving society.

The film has been made in three different languages namely English, French and Persian to cater to the audience across the globe.

Earlier, Persepolis has won the jury prize at the Festival de Cannes with an additional 15 awards and 21 nominations at various other international festivals.

PVR to release NDTV Lumière's Nelson Mandela movie

MUMBAI: With Nelson Mandela celebrating his 90th birthday on 18 July, PVR Cinemas will screen Goodbye Bafana, a critically acclaimed film by Cannes award winning filmmaker Bille August.

The rights of the film has been acquired by NDTV Lumière.

The movie relives Nelson Mandela’s life and years of South African history. It stars Dennis Haysbert as Mandela and Joseph Fiennes as the white jailor.

PVR Cinemas will screen the movie from 18 July across Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore.

The filming of Goodbye Bafana began in South Africa in April 2006 and showcases 30 years of South African history in 44 shooting days. The movie was shot in original locations and it takes you through the same corridors and cells that Mandela and his comrades were locked up in for nearly three decades.

The movie won the Peace Prize at the Berlin Film Festival 2007 and was nominated for the Golden Bear for Best Motion Picture.