Usgaonkar, who has experienced Jagtap’s magic firsthand, expressed her delight at Jagtap’s makeup artistry and impeccable sense of style. In a heartfelt testimonial, Usgaonkar conveyed her sincere appreciation for Jagtap’s skill in enhancing her beauty and elegance through makeup.

“Namaskar, I’m Varsha Usgaonkar. Today, Anu Jagtap did my makeup and draped a saree around me. Usually, I handle my own makeup, but Anu did an exceptional job today. Anu, your makeup skills are truly impressive, and you’re a wonderful person. I wish you the best, and may you achieve great success as a makeup artist while remaining true to yourself.”

The admiration conveyed by Usgaonkar reflects not only Jagtap’s prowess in makeup artistry but also her admirable talent. Jagtap’s ability to connect with her clients on a personal level and bring out their best features has earned her the respect and admiration of industry veterans like Usgaonkar.

Jagtap’s journey from a small village to the bustling city of Mumbai, where she has carved a niche for herself as a leading makeup artist, serves as an inspiration to many aspiring artists. Her dedication, perseverance, and unwavering passion for her craft have propelled her to the upper echelons of the makeup industry, earning her accolades and recognition along the way.

As Usgaonkar’s heartfelt words of appreciation resonate across social media platforms, they serve as a testament to Jagtap’s talent, hard work, and commitment to excellence. With the support and blessings of industry stalwarts like Usgaonkar, Jagtap’s journey towards becoming a trailblazer in the makeup industry is poised to reach new heights.

With the introduction of the series, Planet Marathi OTT is strengthening its non-fiction AVOD slate. Along with ‘Ubhya Ubhya’, the platform’s non-fiction AVOD slate has original not fiction programming like Maitribodh, Patla Tar Ghya With Jayanti, Ek Kavita Down, NCPA Pratibimb, Colorful Kokan and Sonalee Kunal (Sonalee Kulkarni’s wedding). This content can be watched for free. Also, Planet Marathi OTT emerges first among Marathi content players offering non-fiction content through AVOD.

Featuring a stellar lineup of 12 diverse artists, including renowned actors, digital sensations, and standup maestros, this show is gearing up to be a laughter-packed ride that will leave audiences in splits. The star-studded cast of “Ubhya Ubhya” includes Mahesh Manjrekar, Viju Mane, Sidhant Sarfare, Kranti Redkar, Ankita Prabhu Walawalkar (Kokanhearted girl), Ashay Kulkarni, RJ Pranit, Anish Goregaonkar, Parth Bhalerao, Ninad Gore, and Shrutik Kolambekar. With such an eclectic mix of talent, viewers can expect a rollercoaster of emotions, from hearty laughs to heartwarming moments.

“Ubhya Ubhya” is a unique blend of humour, wit, and charisma brought to life by some of the most talented personalities in the Marathi entertainment industry. Each episode promises to deliver a fresh dose of laughter, making it a delightful viewing experience for audiences of all ages. What sets “Ubhya Ubhya” apart is its live audience setup, creating an energetic, lively atmosphere. The laughter, applause, and reactions from the audience add an authentic touch, making viewers feel like they are part of the comedic celebration.

Akshay Bardapurkar, Founder, Planet Marathi OTT expressed “Comedy is a challenging non-fiction genre, but when executed with finesse, it becomes a source of pure joy.  We have curated a lineup of personalities that is bound to captivate audiences and hold them spellbound in their seats. “Ubhya Ubhya” is bringing a special kind of comedy that will be enjoyed by both live and streaming audiences. To ensure it reaches more audiences we have added it to our non-fiction AVOD slate”

The 12-episode series will be released every week exclusively on Planet Marathi OTT. This will ensure that viewers can savour the comedic brilliance of “Ubhya Ubhya” without missing out on the excitement that builds up with each episode. Presented by Akshay Bardapurkar and Planet Marathi, the series is produced by Zen Entertainment and directed by Shravan Ajay Bane.

Bollywood and Marathi cinema actress, Amruta Khanvilkar has been roped in to play the titular role of the film. Hailing from a small village in Satara, Lalita Babar competes in the 3000 meters steeplechase and is the current Indian national record holder and the reigning Asian Champion.

Endemol Shine India will step into the regional cinema space for the first time with this film. On the other hand, Planet Marathi, a name behind spectacular Marathi productions, will produce its first-ever biopic. Raising standards and putting the spotlight on Marathi cinema, Planet Marathi has given gems like magnum opus ‘Chandramukhi’, national award-winning ‘Goshta Eka Paithanichi’and ‘Pondicherry’ to name a few. With qualities like Endemol’s pan-India scale combined with Planet Marathi’s regional expertise, the collaboration of both entities adds an extra special touch to the production. 

National award winner, Akshay Bardapurkar, Producer and Founder, Planet Marathi shared his thoughts on the association “We are committed to the idea of telling disruptive stories that propel our industry to create a league of its own. The journey of Lalita Babar, which started from Satara, is a proud and epic moment for our Marathi community. It is important to note that though the story has a regional core, it has pan-India and global resonance. We are happy to give the project the scale it deserves in collaboration with Endemol Shine India, who share our sentiments for the film”  

“We at Endemol Shine India are working aggressively to diversify our portfolio in the scripted space. We are moving towards creating a strong foothold with regional content and this Marathi film reinforces our commitment to delivering world-class content. It is a compelling story of a contemporary sportsperson, a subject that can inspire more women in sports. Planet Marathi’s track record of portraying regional stories distinctively has been impeccable which makes them great partners in this journey we have embarked on” said Gaurav Gokhale, COO, Endemol Shine India.

 The film is produced by Akshay Vilas Bardapurkar, Rishi Negi, Gaurav Gokhale, Ronita Mitra, and the film is scheduled to release 1 year from now, i.e. on 26th January 2024.

The TVC & Corporate Film will be launched on digital platforms. The series of Ad Films were shot pre covid and will be aggressively promoted now on social and digital media. The TVC focuses on international facilities with strict discipline. The entire campaign was shot in a school live environment and the post-production was done in Mumbai.

The first film TVC in the campaign features the international facilities, quality of education, and overall development of the students. The long format film focuses on the dynamic leadership of Educationist, entrepreneur & philanthropist Mukesh Patel and the initiatives taken for the students.

Commenting on TVC Campaign, Sonu Tyagi, Director,  Approach Entertainment said, “We have been working with Shree Gurukrupa Vidya Sankul for long now. It is always exciting to work for dynamic educationist Mukesh Patel. We shot the film over 2 days and it has come out very well and is appreciated.  ”

Approach Entertainment has also launched its Branded content division with the objective to offer integrated services in Branded entertainment production. The company will offer entire production and distribution services to engage the audience in an entertaining way and deliver the brand message at the same time. Approach Entertainment Branded content division will be headed by Writer, Director, and Producer Sonu Tyagi.

Approach Entertainment also has a PR & Integrated Communications Agency, Approach Communications apart from a Bollywood Newswire, Approach Bollywood. Approach Entertainment is India’s leading and Award-winning Celebrity Management and Films Productions Company with its Head Office in Mumbai and branch offices in New Delhi, Gurugram, Goa, Dehradun, Chandigarh, Kolkata & Jalandhar. It is headed by award-winning writer/director Sonu Tyagi who has a background in Journalism and Advertising.

The company is now also foraying into Bollywood Film Productions with its first Hindi film project. The company will be announcing the film project soon and the work is already going on in the script and pre-production. The fast-growing Celebrity Management and entertainment marketing company also bagged “The Bizz India 2010 Award” in the Entrepreneurial category given by the World Confederation of Business. Approach Entertainment also bagged a prestigious service excellence award from World Marketing Organization.

Visit us at

Approach Entertainment Film Productions: www.approachentertainment.net

Approach Entertainment Celebrity Management: www.approachentertainment.com

Sonu Tyagi Official Website : www.sonutyagi.com

Go Spiritual India Organization: www.gospiritualindia.org

“COVID has had a devastating impact on the music industry particularly the live concert segment. Several talented singers and highly capable musicians who were dependent on live performances for their livelihood have been very badly hit. To compound this problem, some families have had bereavements as a result of which the artistes are financially and emotionally drained. There has to be some mechanism from existing institutions to provide those affected with a safety net,” says music event organiser Kishore Kumar.

Now, the attention has been turned towards having shows on Facebook, Instagram among others. Though the audience is not sitting at one place, they are watching the programme in the comfort of their homes.

As far as the returns are concerned, the organisers are happy. “Something is better than nothing,” adds Kishore Kumar.

The crisis is likely to accelerate underlying trends in the music industry, based on the importance of streaming, which has grown from 9 to 47 per cent of the total industry revenues in just six years.

In the initial wake of bans on mass gatherings, some venues offered live-streaming of performances. However, even these formats were suspended as those sites have closed. Now, artists are going direct to fans from their own homes. This is not new, but the pandemic has expanded the audience available and record labels are facilitating it by providing live streaming equipment to performers. Streaming platforms have also enabled new monetisation methods including memberships to artist channels that allow early or exclusive access to content as well as virtual gatherings and paid-commenting features.

These new ways for musicians, labels and venue providers to engage with followers might be a strategy for stronger long-term connections with audiences.

Avers music historian and head honcho of a musical group Keep Alive, Manohar Iyer, “To my limited knowledge, the earliest and major impact of any worldwide outrageous outbreak on the Indian film industry was the outbreak of the World War II in the late 1930s. Thereafter, now in 2020 the worldwide corona virus pandemic which literally crippled the entire global economy and put a virtual halt to every activity. The uncertainty of the situation improving and returning to normalcy increased with every passing day and people had almost come to terms with the grim situation.

Narrowing down the impact of Covid 19 to the music industry, particularly the stage events with which I have been associated for over two decades, the impact was harrowing and heart breaking.

With all events coming to an abrupt end from the second week of March 2019, it was difficult to say who the worst is affected is: the auditoriums, rehearsal halls, the organisers, the singers, the musicians, the technicians or the staff. If one sees it the creative lot is deprived of their main source of livelihood, the connoisseurs are robbed of the entertainment and its emotional experience.

One remarkable thing is none of them have lost hope. True to the adage, every dark cloud has a silver lining and all is not forever and lost forever. The human heart has limitless passion for hope the artistes and organisers never let that whole die. Within a few months after it closed just last year, they bounced back with the same zeal and zest and started presenting (streaming is the new jargon coined for it) ‘virtual programmes’ through YouTube, Facebook and other outlets and reconnected with the music lovers.

The auditoriums and rehearsal halls ‘opened’ up by offering alternative ways of putting up a show. They made available their stage to rehearse for or shoot the programmes with limited number of musicians and singers; the compares too did their anchoring bit at the said venues or from their homes with all its limitations and constraints. The organisers ‘streamed’ the programmes at nominal charges or even free with a mild plea for voluntary contributions and donations.

Music lovers were beset with a problem of choice; which one to view, which one to skip with a heavy heart. With their techno savvy ingenuity, they had their own ways to watch both or all that they didn’t want to miss. The anthem was: The show must go on. And the show goes on with the same undying spirit, with the same unabated enthusiasm and they are getting used and attuned to the changing scenario. After all, change is part of human life and we have seen drastic changes, reforms, revolutions in the filmy firmament and music scene. And every change is backed by what is called HOPE.
The same thing has been repeated this year with the virus striking hard. At this juncture too there is hope with the Unlocking process in progress.”

I may have failed before, I may fail now but I am not the one to lose hope and give up. So what if the days of despair and disillusionment are long. It will set sometime or the other; the day has to set in the evening, the evening into the night and the night into a new dawn,” Iyer adds.
There are still hopes of a revival at this juncture. Many performing artistes are tying up with business houses to stream their shows particularly on Facebook to charm their fan.

Hope things pick up from here on.

Channels and their producers often keep a stock of ready episodes in the ‘bank’ or in active storage. That means that if episode No. 25  is on-air today, the creative team would have to have episode number 35 already canned fully. And episodes 36-40 should be on the floor. And Episodes 41-48 would be in the scripting stage. All these are hypothetical numbers but indicative of how work-in-progress is handled at television channels.
The months of closure due to the directives issued by the Centre and the Maharashtra Government amid the outbreak of Covid-19, TV shows have now resumed shooting at the Film City, Mumbai with fresh guidelines. The channels and their staff have been asked to maintain sanitisation and have made wearing of masks mandatory. The present norms are limited to indoor shoots only as outdoor shoots continue to be banned.
The current phase of curfew and the earlier lockdown were obviously not planned for or expected. So, every serial would have about two weeks at most of ‘banked’ content lying with the channels. At five episodes per week, that is about ten, max twelve episodes. It is assumed that in about a week’s time from now, fresh episodes would most likely have a dry run.
The problem though will not get over so quickly. Even if normal work routines re-commence, it will take at least 10-12 days for the teams to re-group, commence shoots, edit and be on-air again. So, channels could either be running or then re-running old episodes of popular serials. Or take these serials off-air till normalcy returns and put popular old serials in place as stop-gap content.

Till some time ago, Zee Marathi was airing old episodes too. Like in Chala Hawa Yeu Dya the channel was telecasting old episodes when top Bollywood stars like Salman Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, Irrfan and others graced the show. Now the pattern has changed.

Now, let us go to a news channel for a bit. India TV’s weekly show Aap ki Adalat is still airing old episodes like the ones featuring Alia Bhatt, Narendra Modi and Baba Ramdev hogging the limelight.
Doordarshan

The return of classics like Ramayan and Mahabharat to Shah Rukh Khan’s Circus were not very recently on air and were driving viewership of Doordarshan making it the most watched channel in Hindi-speaking markets. Devotional shows like Ramayan and Mahabharat, brought back on DD on public request, are driving total viewership on the channel.

From 1.2 million impressions in week 12 starting on March 21, the viewership for Ramayan grew to 545.8 million impressions in week 13 starting on March 28, according to a BARC-Nielsen data.

Similarly, Mahabharat on Doordarshan witnessed a spike in viewership which went up from 0.4 million impressions in week 12 to 145.8 million impressions in week 13. Hence, we can say that religious content is keeping TV audiences glued to their sets.

Other classics like Shaktimaan, Byomkesh Bakshi, Shriman Shrimati, Buniyaad, Dekh Bhai Dekh, Circus are also entertaining TV viewers.