Aug 13

Action comedy Singh is Kinng looks to be heading straight for the record books after earning £7.34m in worldwide ticket sales last weekend - believed to be the highest return for a Bollywood film in history.

The film starring Askshay Kumar and Katrina Kaif, is backed by The Indian Film Company (IFC), which owns the worldwide distribution rights and was released to 1,700 screens across India, USA, Canada, UAE and the UK.

Its success in the UK propelled it to 7th position in the UK TOP 10, an index which includes the latest Hollywood releases.

IFC may have also broken another record by selling the film’s music rights to Junglee Music, a division of the Times of India Group for a limited period in a £1.32m deal. This is thought to be a record breaking valuation for a film soundtrack in India.

Sandeep Bhargava, chief executive of the Investment Adviser to IFC, said: “We are delighted that Singh is Kinng has had a fantastic opening weekend. There was a great deal of interest in the film prior to its release and we are optimistic that the film will continue to achieve excellent box office returns over the course of the next few weeks.

“The success of Singh is Kinng underlines the ability of the IFC team to invest in quality productions and maximise revenues through extended distribution in order to create significant investor value.”

Aug 6

MUMBAI, India - Snoop Dogg’s done Hollywood. Now he’s moving on to Bollywood.

“Yo, what up. This Big Snoop Dogg. Represent the Punjabi. Aye ya, Hit em with this,” the rapper says while introducing the title song to “Singh is Kinng,” the Bollywood film that opens Friday.

Clad in a maroon slim-fitted Indian kurta and beige trousers and a diamond-studded turban, Snoop Dogg lounges on an oversized armchair draped with blue and pink silk alongside Akshay Kumar, the movie’s lead star, in a video posted on the Internet by the producers, Cashmere Asia.

“I’m just a king sitting on my throne all alone, ” Snoop Dogg raps, surrounded by energetic dancers in colorful headgear in a song peppered with rhythmic drum beats. “Singh is King. Singh is King. Snoop Dogg is also the King.”

The video was shot over three days last month in Chicago.

The film’s producers said this was more than a blending of cultures and would pave the way for more collaborations and international brand advertising through Bollywood.

The title song has already taken India by storm, and can be heard blaring repeatedly from radios and at bars.

Snoop Dogg said he would follow up his success with a tour to India.

“Snoop Dogg has a lot of fans in India and I love ‘em right back,” he said. “Get ready for me.”

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One the Net

You Tube: http://in.youtube.com/watch?v2Y-shHxcXi4