Press Release

Star India, Superstar Amitabh Bachchan Create Public Service Message for Flood-Hit Uttarakhand

2 August 2013

New Delhi, Aug. 2, 2013: Star India, the nation’s leading media & entertainment conglomerate, has created a powerful public service message, featuring Indian cinema’s biggest superstar Amitabh Bachchan, for sensitising and encouraging viewers to extend all possible support for the daunting task of rebuilding flood-ravaged hill-state Uttarakhand.

The narrative is a call to all countrymen from Amitabh Bachchan to stand united for Uttarakhand’s cause after the flash-floods in June this year left the state in virtual paralysis, claimed scores of lives and rendered thousands homeless.

Mr. Bachchan, in his unique and compelling style, asks people to look at the adversity squarely in the eye and come together for humanity. His message ends with an emotional poem--“Karodon Aansoon Hain Toh Kya, Karodon Hum Bhi Toh Hain”—to instil hope in the people that all’s not lost and that no challenge is big enough if we stand united.

The public service message, penned by noted advertising agency Ogilvy & Mather, is being aired on all of Star India’s channels.

“The task of rebuilding Uttarakhand is gravely difficult but isn’t an impossible one. Star India is humbled by Mr. Bachchan’s gesture and truly believes in his call for unity. We hope that his message inspires one and all to come forward and extend their help for the cause,” Mr. Uday Shankar, CEO, Star India said.

“We feel proud to have partnered Star India, the Film & Television Producers Guild of India and FWICE to help make this happen. May the people of Uttarakhand find peace soon,” Mr Piyush Pandey, Executive Chairman & Creative Director, Ogilvy & Mather South Asia, said.

Star India’s initiative is an extension of its philosophy to use television as a tool to create awareness for the larger good of a society. This belief is reflected in the network’s refreshing and inspiring content that instils a sense of hope in its viewers and persuades them to be the change they want to see around them.

Star India had, earlier this month, started focused campaigns featuring renowned artistes from the network’s popular shows, urging its viewers to support Uttarakhand’s cause by making generous donations.

About Star India:

STAR India has defined India's broadcast media for the last two decades and is today India’s leading media and entertainment company.

The STAR India network comprises of more than thirty channels in seven languages received by over 600 million viewers every week across India and 100 other countries. Its channel portfolio includes Star Gold, Channel [V], Star Jalsha, Star Pravah, Star World, Star Movies, Star Utsav, Life OK, Movies OK and Star Plus, India's No. 1 General Entertainment Channel. STAR India has a leading presence in regional broadcasting as well through a bouquet of joint venture channels i.e., Asianet channels and Star Vijay.

For further information, please contact:

Parul Sharma Assistant Vice President Corporate & Marketing Communication STAR India +91 98119 88996

parul.sharma@startv.com

Show me everything from anytime

Mad in India: STAR's answer to Comedy Nights

Ashish Golwalkar, programming head, non-fiction, Star Plus, says, "If the content is strong, people really don't care about anything else as long as you are making them laugh. People keep drawing comparisons and we are aware of it. But, if you look at 'Mad in India' closely, it is a very different show. It will talk about day-to-day problems that we face but will have a funny take on all of them. It's not a satire, not a political comment, not a show taking digs on people, it's a show for, by an

Star Plus to attempt reclaiming the weekend prime time with ‘Mad In India'

Star Plus - Marketing and content strategy Head, Nikhil Madhok said, “Comedy was on our mind since a long time. But we didn’t want to come up with anything just for the sake of it. We waited to come up with something that we believe in." Madhok who also wanted to make Sundays entertaining for the viewers, added, “The show was conceptualised after we decided to extend our weekend programming till Saturday. While our fiction shows are more women-oriented, we wanted to make Sundays family oriented.

Is the Media in trouble? Mumbai Press Club holds discussion on subject

Uday Shankar, Star India CEO said, “Just because the media has become capital-intensive, doesn’t mean that it has to compromise on your integrity. Every business has to have a value system, and the editor needs to be sensitive to that. Journalists need to wake up to the economic reality, and it can’t be denied. On the other hand, those who recognise that are willing to swing to the other extreme and do anything. That also is neither healthy nor sustainable.”

Imagine more
Id: 6123