MUMBAI: B4U Music, the U.K?s number one Asian Channel, has been entertaining visitors in Old Spitalfields Market for the six day festival East Music B4U. Since last Thursday 5th March, B4U Music presenters have been kick starting the lunch time extravaganza which has featured the finest artists from the UK Asian music scene performing right in the heart of East London.

The East Festival, which is organised by the mayor of London aims to embrace the culture of East London and it is East Music B4U that seeks to embrace the multicultural diversity of the area. B4U MUSIC, the number one Asian music channel has received an exceptionally great reception from those who have attended the festival so far. There have been a large number of visitors who have all come together to celebrate, embrace, enjoy the sounds and experience the culture of Asian music. So far there have been interactive performances by A.G Dolla, whose music touch on controversial issues surrounding UK Asians in a light-hearted manner, Shekie N Sham, Jas Dhami, Mumzy and Mona Singh as well as breathtaking dance routines.

The vibrant and enthusiastic crowd resembled the very thing the festival seeks to commemorate ? diversity and multiculturalism. All performances involved audience interaction, allowing everyone to participate fully and creating an extremely exhilarating atmosphere.

The final two days of the East Music B4U festival will bring further entertainment to all visitors with performances by Tasha Tah and Navin Kundra. B4U MUSIC, who is filming the event, will allow all visitors the opportunity to witness the immense amount of Asian talent in the U.K and dance away to the sounds of Bollywood in a vibrant and cultured location.

Kevin Rego (Head of Sales and Marketing for B4U Music) states ?B4U Music are thrilled with the turnout of the East Music B4U, it has been an honour to be able to expose the Asian music culture to such a wide audience. It has been great to see such a diverse crowd, who are extremely energetic and receptive. We guarantee the final two days will continue to bring further excitement and we look forward to broadcasting the event on B4U MUSIC.?

MUMBAI: Zee TV is proud to present its latest offering ?Agle Janam Mohe Bitiya Hi Kijo?, which is the story of seventeen year old Laali?s optimism about life and her courage and compassion when it comes to rescuing her family from the throes of hunger and abject poverty. The lead role of the girl who embodies all these virtues and is strong enough to protect her family and loved ones is a relatively fresh face Ratan Rajput. The show produced by Swastik Pictures premieres on 16th March, every Mon-Thurs at 9.30pm only on Zee TV.

The term poverty is a relative concept. Even after more than 50 years of Independence, India still has the world‘s largest number of poor people in a single country. In a small town in Bihar is a minority Dalit race called the ?Musahar? who by profession are rat killers and which is their only means of survival. To this race belongs a family of six that forms the subject of this new show.

Speaking on the launch, COO of ZEEL and Business Head of Zee TV Mr. Nitin Vaidya said, ?We have always been known as the pioneers in Hindi Entertainment on the small screen. Take our shows like Sa Re Ga Ma Pa, Lux Dance India Dance, Choti Bahu?all are distinct subjects. We have always led the way with topics that have touched the viewer?s hearts. The show will highlight that part of India which has never been brought-up so strongly on any of the GECs. For the shoot we decided to use a natural location so that everyone could be in their characters at all times. The location is Godewadi, near Wai where we have erected a 100 people village for the sole purpose of the shoot.?

Adding further he said, ?It is a story of a girl, her pride in being a woman and her fight against poverty. We are going to create the characters from the artists and have some names that I am sure will hold the story like Aditya Lakhia (Kachra of Lagaan), Tuhina Vora, Anupam Shyam, to name a few.?

On one hand where the show talks about poverty, on the other it also highlights the fact that in this male dominated society, a woman has not lost her identity and has the ability to overcome barriers. Our lead protagonist, Laali, sets an example by supporting her father to run the family. The show shatters the age old myth about women being looked down upon in Indian society and at the same time brings to viewers ?another? India where people have to fight hard to house one square meal a day.

MUMBAI: 94.3 FM Radio One, for the Fataafat Generation, had Director Anurag Kashyup from the much awaited movie Gulaal at their studios in conversation with the station?s very popular ulti-seedhi jodi of RJs Jaggu and Tarana in a fun tete-a-tete on the Mumbai Fataafat show from 7 am ? 11 am. It would be aired on 11th March 2009 as a ?Holi special?.

With Bollywood music, trivia and more being a mainstay of the station?s programming, Radio One has upped its focus on providing listeners their dose of Bollywood Fataafat through conversations with celebrities, and Directors of upcoming movies.

Says RJ Tarana, ?Radio is such a medium, which enables listeners to call and chat with the stars we have as guests, and, our effort is to provide them with as many opportunities to do this as possible. Director Anurag Kashyup was invited to the studios to celebrate the spirit of ?Holi? with the listeners .?
Says Vehrnon Ibrahim, National Programming Director, Radio One, ?This is Bollywood Fataafat. Radio One listeners get immediate access to the best in Bollywood, through conversation with stars, hit songs, opportunities to meet celebrities one on one.?

Radio One has 7 stations operating in Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Pune Ahmedabad and Kolkatta.

MUMBAI: ‘The era of sedans is over‘ - This bold proclamation kicked off the mammoth campaign for Mahindra‘s new car - the Xylo. The dramatic opening line got equally dramatic visibility with doublespread ads in leading newspapers across the country. These were the lead ads in a striking campaign conceptualised and executed by Interface Communications.

Befitting the dramatic opening line, a dissonant teaser film had already set the stage for the big launch film. Conceptualised by Robby Matthew, and shot in Bangkok by Rajesh Saathi, the launch film shows a young executive signing off a business deal in the Xylo and then deciding to party that evening. We see elements in the city animated to resemble musical instruments, as the soundtrack starts to pick up. The film goes on to show him and his friends having a ball in the Xylo on the way to what we later learn is a nightclub. But when they get there they discover that they prefer partying in the Xylo and return to it.

Speaking on the crux of the film, Robby Matthew (NCD, Interface communications) said "Playing on the key strengths of the car, which are its uncompromised space and luxury, the campaign coveys the magical possibilities of this car."

Rajesh Saathi explains that the film has a lot of post-production effects in it, and for this the services of Voodoo productions were enlisted. The ‘bridge string harp‘ and ‘zebra crossing piano‘ morphs are some unique visuals that require some skillful rendition. He comments on the lively, sparky treatment of the film as a deliberate attempt to do things differently. The glitzy ‘music video‘ effect managed to give the film a distinct look that we hope will challange current trends in Indian car advertising.
The campaign asserted its presence deep inside the crevices of the Internet and other media too, with the post-launch website taking forward the ‘downtown‘ look of the Xylo launch film.

MUMBAI: Defending champions Manchester United will hope to thrive on home advantage after missing several chances in the first leg of their Champions League knock out round against Inter Milan, while Italian giants Juventus will look to nullify the Didier Drogba strike when they host Chelsea.

And all the live action from these crucial matches in the race to become the No1 football club in Europe will be available exclusively on Ten Sports, the most watched sports channel in the Sub-continent.

The two live matches scheduled for Wednesday, March 11, and Thursday, March 12, are Juventus hosting Chelsea and Manchester United at home against Inter Milan. Both matches start just after midnight, at 12:30 am IST. The Juventus-Chelsea match will be followed by slightly delayed telecast of Liverpool-Real Madrid, while the United-Milan match will be followed by the Arsenal-Roma tie. The delayed live matches will start at 3:15 am IST.

Drogba gave The Blues advantage in their home leg with an early goal, but Juventus have a great home record and Claudio Ranieri?s men will want nothing but a win in front of their passionate home fans.

Ranieri, who was the coach at Chelsea during four crucial years at the turn of the century, said his team was in a positive frame of mind and looking forward to the match.

?It?s an exciting encounter, a duel between a team that has started to get big, Chelsea, and a team that is on its way back to the top again, Juventus,? Ranieri said. ?Juventus are one of the most glorious teams in Europe.?

Liverpool may be having a tough time in their domestic league, but come Champions League, Rafa Benitez?s men wear a completely different look. Liverpool have already scored an important away goal in the first leg, and will look to seal the issue at home.

United, who moved seven points clear of the chasing pack in the English Premier League last week, will rue a host of missed opportunity, and some brilliant goalkeeping by Julio Cesar, as they managed a goalless draw in the first leg at San Siro. And now, Sir Alex Ferguson?s side, who have not lost their last 18 Champions League tie at Old Trafford, will be hoping their terrific home record helps them get over Jose Mourinho?s Inter, the current Serie A leaders.

Arsene Wenger?s men will be hoping to perform a repeat of last year ? they beat AC Milan 2-0 in their away match at the same stage of the tournament ? when they take on Roma. They already have the advantage of winning on Robbie van Persie?s penalty in the first leg at home.

MUMBAI: BIG Cinemas, India?s largest cinema chain, part of the Reliance Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group and India‘s leading entertainment conglomerate Adlabs Films, has introduced authentic and affordable Japanese cuisine at select cinemas in Mumbai. With this move, BIG Cinemas seeks to provide its guests with great entertainment combined with a fine dining experience.

The new cuisine options will be an addition to Big Cinemas? already full-fledged menu service, and would therefore enable its guests to savour delicious and authentic Japanese delicacies - in both vegetarian and non-vegetarian options - such as Sushi and rolls at competitive rates. At present this service is exclusively available at select theatres in Mumbai such as BIG Cinemas Wadala (IMAX) and Metro BIG Cinemas etc.

According to Tushar Dhingra, COO ? BIG Cinemas, ?It is always our goal to provide our discerning guests with a differentiated as well as world class experience. These exciting alternatives have been introduced to offer added variety to our F&B in the form of international cuisine. We will consider rolling out such options in other major cities in the future as well.?