The channel has embarked on an aggressive 360 degree marketing campaign to bring alive its promise of real funny stories from across India for its new mini television series

Sony SAB, the light-hearted family entertainment channel of Sony Pictures Networks India (SPN), has undertaken an innovative and unique approach in promoting one of its new shows – ‘Khidki’. What defines the new mini-series is that ‘real’ life funny stories sourced from audiences from all parts of India will be dramatized, developed and adapted for the small screen. With the intention of crowd sourcing such genuine and cherished stories from viewers, the channel has embarked on a phase-wise campaign to create awareness about the show and invite entries.

‘Khidki’s ongoing publicity campaign has met with considerable success generating a total of 12,345 (twelve thousand and three hundred forty-five stories), thus far! The first phase of this campaign was devised to actively scout for comic content from consumers. From partnering with the micro-blogging site – Twitter to run a contest titled ‘#Tweetyourfunnystory’, to a live Q&A session with the producers of the show JD Majethia and Umesh Shukla on Twitter's video-streaming app Periscope, the channel has pulled out all stops in ensuring that it stokes excitement amongst consumers in sharing some of their funniest stories. Sticking to its promise of presenting viewers ‘interesting, real life stories from every corner of India’, SAB has conducted an activation program in long-distance trains like Rajdhani, Shatabadi and Garib Rath. In addition, SAB has also run multiple promos on its home channel encouraging consumers to upload their funny stories on the microsite.

From ushering the need for people to share some of their heartfelt stories in the first phase of the campaign, SAB has now decided to add momentum to its campaign movement by undertaking initiatives to drive tune-ins for the show in the second phase. Leaving no stone unturned in creating a buzz about the new show, the channel has embarked on a 9-series illustration-based print advertising campaign, each depicting the kind of story that will be featured in Khidki. The 9-insert campaign is being released across 23 national and regional publications. Further, illustration based outdoor hoardings will be put up across 10 towns. A radio jingle sung by Actor Raghubeer Yadav will be played across Hindi speaking market (HSM) stations and local trains.

True to its personality of successfully connecting, entertaining and engaging with viewers, SAB has decided to launch ‘Khidki’ in a manner no different. For a show who’s USP is ‘real’ stories, the channel has decided to ride high on the ‘relatability’ aspect by getting its SAB Family Club members to unveil the show in different cities across India.

‘Khidki’s’ cast will feature a set of recurring actors like Sarita Joshi, Rajeev Mehta and Lubna Salim to name a few who will portray different characters in different stories, along with narration by host JD Majethia, who is also the producer of the show. Each story will be weaved in episodes designed to last for minimum of three to eight episodes, depending on the length of each story.

Khidki premieres on Tuesday, 28th June, every Monday to Friday, 9:30 pm only on SAB TV!

On Sunday, 19th June, at 1 pm and 9 pm

Rosewater, one of the most inspirational survival stories of recent times, will premiere on MN+ this Sunday, 19th June, 2016 at 1pm and 9pm.

Maziar Bahari, the Iranian- Canadian journalist, narrated his dreadful experience in prison, in his book Then They Came For Me, where he wrote about his life when he was detained in Iran for 4 months in 2009. He was arrested under the suspicion of being an American spy. The movie Rosewater is an adaptation of Maziar Bahari’s book which details all the incidents that took place during his imprisonment. Maziar was always blindfolded and the only way he could recognize his captor was through the distinct smell of rosewater that came from him and hence the name of the film, Rosewater.

The film marks the debut of the famous host of The Daily Show, John Stewart, who turned director, producer and screenplay writer for this film. The role of Maziar was played by Gael Gercia bernal, Mexican actor who marked his niche in plays and short films; and the titular role of Rosewater (the captor) or Javadi as they call him in the film, was played by Kim Bodnia, an actor known for Nordic Noir films.

An interesting trivia about the movie is that the actual Maziar Bahari made a cameo appearance in the movie as the man sitting near the camera when his character in the film confesses to his crimes.

Cinépolis India, the 1st and foremost international exhibitor in India, will exclusively showcase Viacom 18 film festival across 5 cities in India. Scheduled from June 11th to June 17th, 2016, the week-long festival will bring back the memories of few handpicked Bollywood movies such as Kahaani, Gangs of Wasseypur 1 & 2 across 5 cities in Cinépolis Andheri in Mumbai, Cinépolis Viviana Mall in Thane, Cinépolis Seasons Mall in Pune, Cinépolis Royal Meenakshi Mall in Bangalore and Cinépolis Shahdra in Delhi.

To bring the best of the movie viewing experience to their audience and to celebrate the successful completion of 5 years of Viacom’s existence, Cinépolis India has exclusively partnered with Viacom 18 for the upcoming film festival. The festival will kick-start with the Bollywood mystery thriller movie “Kahaani” on Day 1 at all the megaplexes and will conclude with Gangs of Wasseypur 1 & 2 on Day 7. The tickets for the festival will be available at all the respective cinemas at their lowest price points. A mix of other inspiring, intense and entertaining movies such as Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, Special 26, Pyaar Ka Punchnama 2, Manjhi The Mountainman and Queen will be screened at all multiplexes.

Sharing his views on this strategic partnership, Mr. Devang Sampat, Director – Strategy, Cinépolis India, said, “Cinépolis India has always been at the forefront in promoting and offering a seamless cinema experience for its audience in India. In our endeavor to offer our consumers and movie enthusiasts their favorite Bollywood movies in the theatres once again, we have associated with Viacom 18 to showcase the best of their movies. We are confident that our patrons will enjoy this experience.”

Cinépolis is the fastest growing multiplex chain in India, having reached more than 100 screens organically in less than five years. Cinépolis India currently operates in 39 cities across India and has total of 240 screens running at present. The company has aggressive plans of rolling out 400 screens by 2017.

Businesses can breathe easy now that the government has shown commitment to fiscal consolidation. Union Budget 2016 holds an actionable promise of growth and casts the net much wider than in previous years, resulting in the inclusion of rural India alongside established urban economies. Considering businesses can thrive best in thriving communities, Budget 2016-17 has paved the way for sustained and inclusive growth. However, businesses that were expecting immediate sweeping changes, may be in for some disappointment.

Balanced Budget over short-term gains: There is considerable stress in rural India because of the poor rains, the investment environment is weak, public sector banks could do with a push and the global economy is still uncertain. Under these circumstances, the government has planned a measured increase in tax revenues, provisioned for growth of infrastructure and shown significant support for manufacturing in India.

Steady pace over populism: Global markets remain volatile and sizeable tremors have been felt as close to home as China. In a bid to remain strong against negative global economic influences, the government has been pushing the ‘Make in India’ agenda. To this end, the finance minister made several announcements including tax benefits to start-ups, ‘Residency status’ to foreign investors, and modifications in the structure of customs and excise duty to give impetus to domestic manufacturing by bringing down costs and increasing competitiveness. What is also reassuring is that Budget 2016-17 projects a realistic commitment by maintaining the fiscal deficit target at 3.5% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for the financial year 2017.

Inclusion over indulgence: The clear focus of the Budget this year has been on inclusion. The reforms will bring much cheer to rural India, small tax payers across the country as well as citizens below the poverty line. These measures are aimed at bringing relief to the extremely stressed rural segment, which has been brought to its knees by poor rains and unfavourable circumstances. Substantial allocations have been made for farmer welfare, the development of safe groundwater, a dedicated irrigation fund and a digital literacy plan. For businesses marketing to rural India or considering and entry into these areas, this implies that consumers will have higher disposable incomes and more access. Small tax payers have got relief by way of an increase in the ceiling of tax rebate for people with an income of up to INR 500,000. The measures have been matched with announcements that cars will get costlier and the super-rich will have to pay an additional income tax surcharge.

Empowerment over entitlement: The government has made it clear that they will not hand benefits over on a platter, and would rather play the role of facilitating inclusive growth and performance. This is apparent in the provisions made to encourage start-ups, the impetus given to the Make in India initiative, enablement through digital programs and financial inclusion. The focus on infrastructure and roadways points to a strategy that seeks to connect, enable and empower in the long term.

What stands out in this Budget is the government’s priority of promoting entrepreneurship to further the Make-in-India vision, and the development of rural India. By supporting capability development and promoting inclusion, the Budget shows foresight. What remains to be seen is how plans of infrastructure and development shape up and how businesses adapt to the rise of rural India and low income households.

SAB TV’s Badi Door Se Aaye Hain is at the peak of drama and tensions are only going to escalate as we will see in the upcoming episodes. While on one hand the suspense of the real 2015 is revealed, on the other, danger doesn’t seem to leave the Ghotalas. Sunshine colony finally witnesses the arrival of 2015 (Amit Dolawat) but in a mysterious way. Turns out that he was in the custody of 1313 (Rakesh Paul), the ultimate baddie of the alien world and he flees from there to reunite with his family. However he is unaware of the fact that 1313 has actually fixed a GPS locator on his back, due to which 1313 is well aware of all his moves.

2015 reaches Sunshine Colony and morphs himself into Mr Rastogi, the broker, but gets caught by Bhavna who starts interrogating him with all sorts of weird questions and putting 2015 in a spot. In order to escape from her 2015 morphs into Ojha, but Bhavna and Bhairavi get on his case once again. Petrified, 2015 (as Ojha) starts flying in the air and vanishes. Bhairavi records the entire incident on her phone and they both go and narrate it to Ojha and Bhadresh who in turn suggest they should report the incident to the BAIR (Bureau of Alien Investigation & Research) agents.

The BAIR agents arrive and have a look at the footage, they advise caution and instruct them to stay indoors. Meanwhile, Bhairavi and Bhavna narrate the incident to Vasant who tells them that it might be their son 2015 as 1313 does not possess the power to fly, and now he is seemingly in trouble as they have sent BAIR agents looking out for him.

Sumeet Raghavan who plays Vasant Ghotala in SAB TV’s Badi Door Se Aaye Hai said, “The Ghotala’s son 2015 has finally managed to escape from his captor. However due to some goof up he is not re-united with his family. The Ghotalas are now trying their best to locate him and rescue him from the evil alien 1313.”

What will possibly happen next? Will 2015 be able to reunite with his family?

To find out, tune into Badi Door Se Aaye Hain, from Monday to Friday, at 9.30pm, only on SAB TV!