STAR-STUDDED VIDEOCON d2h IIFA WEEKEND 2015 ALL SET TO TAKE KUALA LUMPUR BY STORM

BOLLYWOOD’S FINEST SLATED TO BE PART OF THE 16^TH IIFA WEEKEND

ANIL KAPOOR,FARHAN AKHTAR, SHAHID KAPOOR, ARJUN KAPOOR, RANVEER SINGH, PRIYANKA CHOPRA, JACQUELINE FERNANDES,ANUSHKA SHARMA, SONAKSHI SINHA,CHITRANGADA SINGH, PARINEETI CHOPRA, BIPASHA BASU, RITEISH DESHMUKH& MANY MORE TO FOLLOW

TICKETS TO THE IIFA 2015 AWARDS NOW OPEN FOR SALE

New Delhi 15th May 2015: The 16th edition of the most spectacular celebration of Indian Cinema globally, the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Awards today announced the hosts for some of IIFA’s most awaited sub-events and performances that will take place at the IIFA Weekend this year. The Videocon d2h IIFA Weekend & Awards will take place at Stadium Putra in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from 5-7 June 2015.

What started off as a one night awards show has grown into a mega three day weekend extravaganza in order to accommodate the myriad magical elements that Indian Cinema has to offer. The IIFA movement has taken the world by storm by bringing a spectacular weekend to a new locale every year filled to the brim with film-festivals, workshops, exhibitions, film-showcases and premieres, global business forums and sporting events.

The IIFA Weekend this year will also see a night exclusively dedicated to fashion which will be hosted by Friend of IIFA, Neha Dhupia. IIFA Rocks, the exclusive music extravaganza will see a host of fantastic musical performances by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, Mika, Ankit Tiwari, Kanika Kapoor, Jawed Ali and theNooran sisters. Superstars Jacqueline Fernandes, Aditi Rao Hydari, Lisa Hayden and Lauren Gotlieb will also take the IIFA Rocks stage for some incredible performances.

At the 16th Videocon d2h IIFA Weekend, the IIFA Gala Screening on 6th June in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia will feature the highly awaited star-studded film Dil Dhadakne Do. The film is a bittersweet comedy drama about a family that takes a trip which changes them forever. With an ensemble cast of Ranveer Singh, Priyanka Chopra, Anil Kapoor, Shefali Shah, Farhan Akhtar and Anushka Sharma, the film is directed byZoya Akhtar and produced by Ritesh Sidhwani and Farhan Akhtar.

Speaking on the occasion, Andre Timmins, Director – Wizcraft International Entertainment Pvt. Ltd, said, “We have some incredible performances all set for the IIFA stage this year including some of the biggest stars of Bollywood in film as well as music. Huge preparations are on to manage the backend, airlines, hotels, different venues and other logistics and we are happy that the Malaysian Government is laying the red carpet to make this a spectacular event.”

Speaking on the occasion, Anil Kapoor, Actor and Friend of IIFA said “Through time, IIFA has grown from a mega awards ceremony into an iconic global platform for Indian films and culture while showcasing to the world the best that Indian cinema has to offer. I am looking forward to the film media briefing of Dil Dhadakne Do which will be a part of the Weekend this year and I am delighted to see IIFA return to Malaysia, this timeto the vivacious city of Kuala Lumpur.”

Saurabh Dhoot – Executive Chairman, Videocon d2h said, “Videocon d2h has had an extremely successful innings with IIFA and we are pleased to continue this association with them for the 4th year. The common link of wholesome entertainment brings IIFA and Videocon d2h together. Our recent listing on the Nasdaq stock exchange, bears testimony to our global outlook & tremendous growth. Videocon d2h will continue to bring unique content, new mediums of delivery and innovative services to our consumers.”

The event will be telecast on India’s leading Hindi entertainment channel Colors with foot printsin over 140 countries.

Raj Nayak – CEO, Colors said, that “IIFA is the World’s biggest Global Indian Event, where the entire industry comes together to showcase Bollywood & India.  We at Colors are proud to be associated with IIFA and we promise our viewers, in true Colors style Bollywood entertainment like never before.”

Mr. Anil Khera – CEO, Videocon d2h said, “We thank our 6.5 crore consumers for making us India’s Fastest Growing DTH Service. IIFA is a pioneer in recognizing excellence in entertainment and Videocon d2h blends perfectly with the platform due to relentless desire to innovate & excel with a winning attitude. We are committed to providing the best technology to our consumers and delighting them always. Our continued partnership with IIFA is an endeavor to strengthen this association and take the wholesome entertainment experience across the globe.”

Speaking on the association with IIFA, Mr Pankaj Munjal, Co Chairman and Managing Director of Hero Cycles said, “IIFA awards are one of the most eminent and widely popular awards for Hindi cinema. We are pleased to associate with this mega event as cause partners for our campaign 'Cycling Heroes'. We believe this is a great opportunity to connect to a larger audience to spread the message of taking up cycling to lead a healthy and active lifestyle. Sedentary lifestyle of the present generation is one of the biggest causes of many lifestyle diseases. It is our endeavour to encourage people, across various age groups to take up cycling as their first step towards staying fit”

Tony Nagamaiah, General Manager of Malaysia Major Events said “As excitement heightens, we are proud to host the 16th IIFA Celebrations 2015 and welcome its entire contingent to Malaysia. Being host city, Kuala Lumpur anticipates the weekend’s buzz as it shall be among our biggest showcases for the year in conjunction with the Malaysia Year of Festivals (MyFest) 2015. The city's dazzling setting will imprint the Bollywood family and fans with spectacular experiences in a truly diverse environment.”

According to Malaysia Airlines’ Regional Senior Vice President, South Asia & Middle East, Mr. Azahar Hamidsaid, “It is an honour for Malaysia Airlines to be a part of this glamorous event and flying in some of the best Bollywood stars to our home ground, Kuala Lumpur. The airline’s extensive network and world-class service makes it a desirable partnership with IIFA.

“It is our commitment to provide the best service and we look forward to welcoming the celebrities from the Indian Film Industry and fans of the IIFA awards on-board Malaysia Airlines,” he added.

Tickets for the biggest celebration of Indian Cinema abroad are available for sale. Log on towww.myticket.asia or call 03-8080 8700 or 017 2447139. Patrons wishing to purchase VIP Hospitality Tickets can send an email to viphospitality@iifa.com.

IIFA Awards 2015 will be held at Stadium Putra, the Official Hospitality Partner is JW Marriot/The Ritz Carlton, Kuala Lumpur Malaysia. Malaysia Airlines is the Official Airline Partner for the 16th edition of the IIFA celebrations.

Wizcraft International Entertainment Pvt. Ltd promotes the IIFA Weekend & Awards globally each year and travel to new, exciting and beautiful destinations, taking the film fraternity with it to unite and celebrate the best of Indian film and culture, thereby taking Indian Cinema& India to a wider audience.

About IIFA (International Indian Film Academy)

Conceptualized and produced by Wizcraft International Entertainment Pvt. Ltd. and supported by the key members of the Indian film fraternity, IIFA is the most appreciated South Asian film academy. Also, the IIFA Awards is India's biggest media event. With a viewership of almost 800 million, it is among the world's most-watched annual entertainment events. From a one night celebration in 2000 at the Millennium Dome, London, the last sixteen years have seen the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) movement grow into a cine-packed weekend of film-festivals, workshops, exhibitions, film-showcases and global business forums, all of which climax into the highlight of the Weekend, the IIFA Awards. www.iifa.com

Farhan Akhtar turns journalist for Dil Dhadakne Do ​

Rock On star turns a scribe

We have seen Farhan Akhtar play different roles as an actor in the past; a rock star in Rock on!, an ​athlete in Bhaag Milkha Bhaag.

However, for the first time we will see the actor playing the role of a journalist in his upcoming next film Dil Dhadakne Do.

In his real life Farhan has encountered a lot of journalists and interacted with them over the years so he understood the character well and could play it with conviction.

He plays a journalist for an international media house.

Farhan found it very interesting to play the character that ​he ​knows​  so well by now.

Moreover, in real life too Farhan is a writer and so this character was an extension of his personality only.

Spokesperson of the film confirms and shares, "Farhan will be seen essaying the role of the journalist in the film. A journalist who is on a vacation. It is an interesting role and his character is very well etched."

- Read more FILMY NEWS and PICS at:
http://www.filmytown.com

Feature Film on Li Na's Autobiography

LI NA’S BEST-SELLING AUTOBIOGRAPHY SET FOR FEATURE FILM

CANNES, FRANCE (May 16, 2015) — Renowned Chinese filmmaker Peter Ho-Sun Chan’s We Pictures and China’s highest-ranked tennis player Li Na are bringing Li Na: My Life to screen.  Based on Li Na’s best-selling autobiography, “Li Na: My Life” (working title) will be produced and directed by Chan with Li Na serving as a consultant on the project.  The film is set to commence production in the fall of 2015 with a release date in 2016.  

A global sporting icon, Li Na is the first and only Asian tennis player in history – male or female – to win a Grand Slam title (French Open, 2011 and Australian Open, 2014) and was ranked as high as World No. 2 during her career.  “Li Na: My Life” is an inspirational story about a young girl who has achieved tennis success beyond her wildest dreams.  Through her story of struggle, perseverance and grit, Li Na has become a symbol of independence, freedom and hope and has been the trailblazer for women’s movement in China.  Li Na retired from professional tennis at the end of 2014.

“Li Na had an impossible dream and found a way to turn it into reality. She broke rules and defied conventions and, against all odds, became a legend.  I’m mesmerized by what she has been able to accomplish and what she represents as a symbol of hope for millions of people around the world. I’m more curious at her raison d’etre in China today,’’ said Peter Ho-Sun Chan. 

“I am honored to have this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to tell my life story through a film and work with such an accomplished film director as Peter Ho-Sun Chan.  I had to make a lot of sacrifices in my life in order to become the best tennis player I could be and the film project makes it all worth it.  Hopefully, the film will be able to inspire others to believe in themselves and follow their dreams,’’ added Li Na.

Chan is one of today’s most acclaimed international filmmakers, and is the only Chinese director to have achieved Best Director awards in China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. He was named the most valuable filmmaker by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council.  Chan previously collaborated with Steven Spielberg for the “The Love Letter” which he directed, and his films “Comrades, Almost a Love Story” and “Wu Xia” (aka “Dragon”) were chosen by TIME magazine to be the top ten movies of 1997 and 2012 respectively.   Chan’s most recent films include “Dearest,” and “American Dreams in China.” Following the World Premiere at last year’s Venice Film Festival, “Dearest” earned ten film awards, including four Best Actress awards for Zhao Wei. “American Dreams in China” ranked among China’s top five grossing films of 2014, grossed more than US$90 million at the box office.

We Distribution is handling international sales for “Li Na: My Life” during Festival du Cannes.

Chan and Li Na are represented by WME | IMG, which negotiated the deal and brought the two parties together following the acquisition of IMG by WME last spring. 

We Pictures Ltd is a film company founded in 2008 by Hong Kong director Peter Ho-sun Chan as an exciting new vision for Chinese language cinema. Operations include film production, distribution and promotion, with Hong Kong serving as a creative base. Successful We Pictures films have included the multiple award-winning The Warlords (2007); Bodyguards and Assassins (2009); Wu Xia (Dragon, 2011), voted a top 10 film in 2012 by Time magazine; and Dearest (2014).

For additional information, go to www.wepictures.com.