Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru
Mangaluru, Jun 22: Glitz and glamour blended splendidly with a fine display of talent as Daijiworld 24x7, the TV channel of Daijiworld, celebrated its first year of success at Forum Fiza Mall, Pandeshwar here on Sunday June 21.
The event was marked by the presentation of Short Film Festival Awards and launch of six new reality shows in various languages which will be telecast on Daijiworld 24x7 soon.
The event began with the lighting of the lamp by guests Pradeep Kumar Kalkura, president of Dakshina Kannada Zilla Kannada Sahitya Parishat, Siraj Ahmed, chairman and managing director of In-Land Group, Frank Fernandes, NRI entrepreneur and film producer, Shivadwaj, actor, director and producer, Sandeep Malani, Bollywood director, Shilpa Suvarna, lead actress in 'Dhand', Mohiuddin Bava, MLA north, Pius Rodrigues, BUDA chairman, and Walter Nandalike, founder of Daijiworld Group, in the presence of Roshan D'Souza and Oneil D'Souza, directors of Daijiworld Television Pvt Ltd.
Welcoming the guests and the gathering, Walter Nandalike in his address traced the journey of Daijiworld since the inception of its website in 2001. "Today is a good day as our country is celebrating International Yoga Day with unity. We started with the launch of daijiworld.com in 2001 and in 2007 we became a private limited company. In 2009 we launched Daijiworld Weekly, the only English weekly in Karnataka, and last year we moved to our own corporate office in Bondel and launched Daijiworld 24x7. In the coming days we will launch another new venture."
He also thanked the guests on the dais for their support to daijiworld particularly appreciated Daijiworld 24x7 production manager Mohammed Nissar for his efforts in organzing the event.
The vote of thanks was proposed by Daijiworld Television director Oneil D'Souza.
Short Film Festival Awards
The winners of the Daijiworld 24x7 Short Film Festival, held during March-April, were announced. Each of the six categories had three nominees. The winners were awarded trophies and cash prizes, handed over by various guests.
The winners were:
Best Short Film of the Year: 'Bad Creation of God'
Best Director - Raj B Shetty for '5 Letters'
Best Actor - Ashwin Shetty for '5 Letters'
Best Actress - Abhilasha Shetty for 'I am Nazia'
Best Background Music - J N Aithal for 'Gujuri'
Best Editing - R Sethu for 'Punar Kadana'
Best Cinematography - R K Mangaluru for 'Nannusire'
The presentation of awards was preceded by a video of the selection process. In the first phase jury comprising veteran achiever of Tulu film industry Sanjeeva Dandakeri, art director Thamma Laxmana, director (operations) of Daijiworld Media Melvyn Rodrigues and sound engineer Ashith Pinto chose the 12 best short films from the entries received. In the third phase 7 short films were chosen. Actor, director and producer Shivadwaj, movie director and actor Sandeep Malani and Walter Nandalike selected the final winners.
Addressing the gathering jury member Sandeep Malani said, "There is a lot of talent in Mangalore. These short films are so good that their makers can go on to make feature films. I wish all the best to Daijiworld 24x7. Mangaluru rocks!"
Pradeep Kumar Kalkura said, "This is a great achievement and I wish Daijiworld all the very best. Just as banking sector from Dakshina Kannada gained national importance, I wish that media from the coastal region achieves the same growth."
Actor Shivadwaj, who handed over the Best Short Film Award, congratulated the winners and said, "I am sure Daijiworld 24x7 will become a national channel soon. I wish them all the best. All the short films selected in the final few rounds were really good. It is only today that I came to know there is such a vast pool of talented directors, actors and so on in Mangaluru. Earlier I used to say one has to go to Bengaluru to pursue film line. But today Mangaluru has become a centre for not only films but also short films. I have already selected a few talents among the short film entries, but I won't take their names now. Let Daijiworld 24x7 hold many more such programmes."
Nominees in various categories were presented momentoes.
Reality shows
Another highlight of the evening was the launch of six new reality shows that will be telecast on Daijiworld 24x7 in the months to come.
The show 'Halli Heroes', formally launched by Roshan D'Souza and Shilpa Suvarna, aims to identify and bring rural talents to the mainstream.
'Reality Lifenalli Ondu Real Journey', formally launched by Akash and Daijiworld director Lawrence D'Souza, is a unique show that will be telecast by several local channels across the state. Introducing he show, Akash said, "There will be 56 episodes shot in 8 locations. Sixteen contestants will participate. For the first time in Karnataka, several channels will come together for this.
Multi-talented actress Esther Noronha also spoke about the show and said, "It is about experiencing life in villages. The contestants are expected to do various things. Its motto is, 'Don't limit your challenges, but challenge your limits.' It is conceptualized by Akash and Yogesh."
The next show to be launched was singing competition 'Mangalore Idol', with Oneil D'Souza, music director Manikanth Kadri and Suraj Bolar doing the honours.
Introducing the show, Suraj Bolar said, "I thank Daijiworld for this. This will be second edition of the show, and this season is going to be huge. The first round of auditions will begin on August 15 and entry forms will be available at Daijiworld office. I am happy to announce this on World Music Day."
Manikanth Kadri said he was proud to be associated with the reality show.
Another reality show to be launched was 'Hasyancho Pavs', a laughter show in Konkani. It was formally launched by ace compere and Daijiworld 24x7 host Leslie Rego, Daijiworld director (operations) Melvyn Rodrigues and team members of United Friends.
Introducing the show, Arun Rodrigues of United Friends said, "We are doing this show out of our love for Konkani. Basically it started as a fund-raiser but considering the publicity it got and because United Friends is celebrating its silver jubilee, we thought of doing something big. We received help from various quarters, and the first person we thought of was Walter Nandalike. Daijiworld.com is not only a media but it is also doing a lot of charity which deserves applause. Continuing with this, we started off in a small way. We spoke to Oniel when Daijiworld channel was just launched last year and he assured full support. The response was great, so now we are coming up with season 2 of the show. This will be studio-oriented and auditions will begin in August. Teams from Mangaluru and outskirts and the entire Konkani-speaking region and overseas are welcome to participate. The winner will get Rs 1 lac cash award and a chance to perform in the Gulf region. I wish Daijiworld TV all the best on its first anniversary."
'Beary Chir-Kali' a laughter show in Beary language, was formally launched by Abdul Rauf of Vishwas Builders, Mohammed Hanif, president of Beary Sahitya Academy, Daijiworld 24x7 production manager Mohammed Nissar, Ismail Moodushedde and Hemacharya, editor of Daijiworld Weekly.
Nissar who introduced the show said, "It is not only for Beary community but for all who know the Beary language. It will be launched after Ramadan on Eid. Ismail Moodudshedde is the director of the show. There will be 8 stages of competition and three judges."
Hemacharya said that it is a great moment for Daijiworld TV and the channel has succeeded because of the hard work of its dedicated team.
The next and last reality show to be launched was 'Let's Play', a unique game show produced by NRI entrepreneur and film producer Frank Fernandes. A short video presentation on Frank Fernandes preceded the formal launch. The game show was launched by Kishore of Boyzone Productions, Walter Nandalike and Frank Fernandes.
In a meaning message interspersed with literary quotes, Frank Fernandes said that though he has been out of Karnataka for over 40 years, he has not forgotten Kannada. He also recalled an episode from Ramayana stressing on love for one's motherland. He conveyed his best wishes to Daijiworld.
Speaking about the game show, Kishore said, "This is a first in Mangaluru. People of all professions from doctors and engineers to auto and bus drivers will take part. It will be a huge show."
Entertainment
The event was interspersed with fabulous, jaw-dropping performances by youngsters of all ages. Among those who performed dances of various genres were Boyzone team, City Guys group, Trishna, youngest VJ of Mangaluru Poorvi and others. Little Ayush stole everyone's hearts with a monologue in Tulu.
The entire event was compered by Sharmila and Arpith, who kept the crowds engaged throughout with a ton of humour and witty punchlines.