News » Celebs » ANDY KAPLAN, MAN JIT SINGH, AJAY BIJLI, TO BE FETED BY INDIAN FILM FESTIVAL OF LOS ANGELES AT GALA AWARDS LUNCHEON APRIL 14
ANDY KAPLAN, MAN JIT SINGH, AJAY BIJLI, TO BE FETED BY INDIAN FILM FESTIVAL OF LOS ANGELES AT GALA AWARDS LUNCHEON APRIL 14
Mar 21, 2011
Los Angeles, CA (March 14, 2011) Sony Pictures Television Networks President Andy Kaplan, Chief Executive Officer,Multi Screen Media Private Limited Man Jit Singh, and Chairman and Managing Director, PVR Cinemas, Ajay Bilji have been selected to receive the 2011 IFFLA Industry Leadership Awards.
The Awards will be presented at the IFFLA Industry Leadership Awards Luncheon at the House of Blues in West Hollywood on April 14, 2011.
The IFFLA Industry Leadership Awards were created to recognize the achievements of industry executives who have had a substantial and personal impact on the creation and distribution of Indian themed content globally and have led the expansion of the entertainment and media industry in India.
Andy Kaplan has served as President, Networks, for Sony Pictures Television (SPT) since 2005. Kaplan heads all of the company?s global cable and satellite television networks and investments. In India the company has five successful channels: SET, MAX, AXN, SAB and PIX. SET has aired numerous hit shows, including Kaun Banega Crorepati (Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?), a Hindi-language version of the hit Idols format, Indian Idol; Jassi Jaissi Koi Nahin, the local version of the hit Latin American telenovela, Yo Soy Betty La Fea (Ugly Betty in the U.S.); and 10 Ka Dum, the local version of the U.S. game show Power of 10, hosted by actor Salman Khan. Kaplan also led the team in
negotiating a landmark multi-year deal for Indian Premier League which airs on MAX.
It is a great distinction and I am delighted to have been chosen by the Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles for this award, said Kaplan.
Our efforts in India are a priority for SPT and have been very rewarding. To be recognized for the work there is extremely gratifying.
Ajay Bijli, Founder, Chairman & Managing Director, PVR Limited, and a Harvard Business School alumnus (1999), was the first entrepreneur to pioneer the concept of multiplex cinemas in India. As the Chairman cum Managing Director of PVR, he is instrumental in identifying important business initiatives and strategic opportunities for the group. Over the past decade, he has spearheaded PVR and established it as a strong brand associated with movies, quality exhibition and youth-targeted promotions. From a single multiplex in 1997, the company now stands at 33 properties and 142 screens across 18 cities
and 10 States of India.
"This is indeed a very proud moment for me and PVR for being honored with such a great award. I am thankful to IFFLA for recognizing our work. This award will encourage my team and me to continue working towards fulfilling our bigger dream. We at PVR strive to achieve the ultimate goal of revolutionizing Indian entertainment for all the people of our country and in providing them with nothing but the best of world-class entertainment. PVR is driven all the time to put India on the world map in the entertainment sector.
As Chief Executive Officer for Multi Screen Media Private Limited in India Man Jit Singh oversees Sony Pictures Television?s (SPT) networks business in India, which includes Sony Entertainment Television (SET),SET MAX, SAB and SET PIX. He previously served as Multi Screens interim CEO since February 2009 and prior to that was Chairman of the Board of Directors of Multi Screen.
I am deeply appreciative to be recognized by the IFFLA and want to thank them for this award,said Singh.The Indian broadcast industry plays a large role in impacting societal norms and MultiScreen Media is a pioneer in bringing new genres of programming to Indian audiences. We believe this award recognizes those efforts and caps what has been a very successful year for our networks.
IFFLA Executive Director Christina Marouda said, "IFFLA is a recognized forum not only for showcasing the immense creative talent of the community but also to recognize those business executives whose visions have helped the industry flourish. We are proud to be able to recognize Andy, Ajay, and Man Jit as three of those visionaries this year."
IFFLA Chair Arnold Peter added, "This year's honorees have contributed immensely to the success and growth of the Indian entertainment industry allowing it to reach new heights in visibility and profitability. Their contributions have allowed the industry to expand within and beyond India to become a recognized worldwide entertainment content leader."
Among the Awards presenters are Superna Kalle, General Manager, Sony Movie Channel, and William Simon, Global Sector Leader Media & Entertainment, Los Angeles, Korn/Ferry International.
Performing live at this year's event will be singer/composer/double violist,Gingger Shankar, who worked on composing the soundtrack for PASSION OF CHRIST and has toured with Smashing Pumpkins, and Devon Hadsell whose singing credits include opening act for Steve Tyrell's performance at the Napa Valley Opera. Vivek Maddala, composer of KABOOM and drummer for 'Fairly Legal', will be on the keyboards.
Variety is the Media Sponsor of this year IFFLA 2011 Industry Leadership Awards.
INDUSTRY LEADERSHIP AWARDS TICKETS
The 9th Annual Indian Film Festival Los Angeles (IFFLA) runs from April 12-17 at ArcLight Hollywood located at 6360 W. Sunset Blvd between Vine and Ivar. Tickets for the Industry Leadership Awards are on sale now. For more information, please visit
http://industryleadershipawards.eventbrite.com
ABOUT IFFLA
Now in its 9th year the Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles (IFFLA) is a nonprofit organization devoted to a greater appreciation of Indian cinema and culture by showcasing films, honoring entertainment industry business executives and promoting the diverse perspectives of the Indian diaspora. This year the festival?s cinema lounge is branded as the STAR Lounge, exclusively sponsored by STAR which is a Major Sponsor of IFFLA 2011.The full line up will be announced on March 24th and tickets go on sale online on March 25th. For more information about the upcoming festival, please visit www.indianfilmfestival.org.
ABOUT ARCLIGHT CINEMAS
ArcLight Cinemas represents an evolution in the movie going experience. ArcLight Cinemas Hollywood, opened in March 2002, ArcLight Sherman Oaks location, which opened in late 2007 and ArcLight Pasadena is scheduled to open Summer 2010. ArcLight offers an unprecedented combination of technology, amenities, comfort, and customer service. Facilities include the historic Cinerama Dome (at the Hollywood location) and state-of-the Art black box auditoriums as well as a café bar and gift shop. Tickets can be purchased online without a fee(members receive a $1 per ticket discount) and printed at home, at the theaters automated ticketing kiosks and lobby box office. ArcLight
offers a free membership program with purchasing rewards and other members-only benefits. ArcLight Cinemas Hollywood is located at 6360 W. Sunset Boulevard, between Vine and Ivar. ArcLight Sherman Oaks is located in the Sherman Oaks Galleria at 15303 Ventura Blvd., at the corner of Sepulveda and Ventura. For more information about ArcLight visit www.arclightcinemas.com.
