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Just a few hours from now and a brand new 2014 will be upon us with cheering, partying and celebrations taking place all over the world. But how was the <keyword id="17892" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="bollywood-party">Bollywood party</keyword> in the year 2013? How did the <keyword id="1996024" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Dream-merchants">dream merchants</keyword> fare, what about <keyword id="1996031" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Box-office-performance">box office performance</keyword> and most importantly, what was on the platter for the audience? <keyword id="143" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Bollywood">Bollywood</keyword> will never be the same again post 2013 – a year that has given the mainstream <keyword id="1996034" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Indian-movie-industry">Indian movie industry</keyword> many reasons to rejoice. 
 
For one, Bollywood has gone big in every sense of the term. Unlike last year when small-budget films managed to make big bucks, 2013 was the year of the biggies and crores of rupees were spent on production and marketing. Movies like <keyword id="24705" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="100" keywordseo="Dhoom-3">Dhoom 3</keyword>, <keyword id="500441" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="100" keywordseo="Krrish-3">Krrish 3</keyword> and <keyword id="227940" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Chennai-Express">Chennai Express</keyword> top this trend but others are catching up fast. After all, the savvy audience of today wants big-time <keyword id="4578" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="entertainment">entertainment</keyword> that spells perfection and novelty – be it great <keyword id="5210" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Star-cast">star cast</keyword>, exotic <keyword id="6542811" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="locations">locations</keyword> or stunning <keyword id="648530" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="100" keywordseo="Special-effects">special effects</keyword>. But all these require big money – a prerequisite for <keyword id="1996041" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Box-office-success">box office success</keyword>. Big-budget movies have not disappointed either and at least nine blockbusters have raced to the coveted <keyword id="925977" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Rs-100-crore-club">Rs 100 crore club</keyword> in CY2013. 
 Also, in a bid to grab a bigger chunk of the <keyword id="182563" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="BO">BO</keyword> pie, Bollywood has pushed global distribution and aggressively targeted as many screens as possible, both in India and abroad. For instance, Dhoom 3 has reportedly grabbed the biggest number of screens this time – around 4,500 in India and 750 screens overseas. The previous record was held by Chennai Express (3,700 screens at home and 700 screens abroad). 
 Bollywood has also witnessed a spate of diverse themes – from <keyword id="6355304" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="action">action</keyword> thrillers like Dhoom 3 and <keyword id="115922" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="100" keywordseo="Race-2">Race 2</keyword> to <keyword id="1996044" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Superhero-movies">superhero movies</keyword> like Krrish 3, from romance-dramas like Chennai Express, <keyword id="1886157" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Ram-Leela">Ram-leela</keyword> and <keyword id="791377" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Yeh-Jawaani-Hai-Deewani">Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani</keyword> to <keyword id="145976" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="adult-comedy">adult comedy</keyword> <keyword id="6621270" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Grand-Masti">Grand Masti</keyword> and the impressive <keyword id="394815" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="biopic">biopic</keyword> <keyword id="127336" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="100" keywordseo="Bhaag-Milkha-Bhaag">Bhaag Milkha Bhaag</keyword>. Almost every theme found its niche audience and managed to do big business, which indicate we are maturing as movie-goers. Here’s a quick look at this year’s <keyword id="671120" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="bollywood-blockbusters">Bollywood blockbusters</keyword>, their financials and a brief recap of the movies. 
 
Images: Wikipedia, Indiatimes

9 Bollywood Blockbusters
That Entered Rs 100 Crore Club In 2013

<keyword id="143" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Bollywood">Bollywood</keyword> has finally come up with a fun-filled, breezy rom-com that features the Gen Y with a genuine frankness and without the traditional trappings of a boy-meets-girl story. But this time, the man is from the North, the woman is from the South and the cultural clashes, strongly upheld by the two pairs of in-laws, nearly ruin the relationship. Inspired by <keyword id="6390428" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Chetan-Bhagat">Chetan Bhagat</keyword>’s best-selling novel, <keyword id="694041" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="2-States-The-Story-of-My-Marriage">2 States: The Story of My Marriage</keyword>, the Arjun Kapoor-Alia Bhatt-starrer <keyword id="72970" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="2-States">2 States</keyword> sparkles on-screen (at least during the first half) and has made a big bang at the <keyword id="827271" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Domestic-Box-Office">domestic box office</keyword>, collecting around Rs 38 crore nett over its debut weekend. The first Monday (Day 4, April 21) did not disappoint either and earnings stood at around Rs 6 crore, as per Koimoi. Total <keyword id="1996079" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Overseas-collections">overseas collections</keyword> during the first weekend amounted to an estimated Rs 13.66 crore. 
 
“2 States has a FANTABULOUS weekend. Friday Rs 12.42 crore, Saturday 12.13 crore, Sunday 13.51 crore. Total: Rs 38.06 crore nett. SUPER HIT,” tweeted trade analyst Taran Adarsh. According to <keyword id="255727" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Box-Office-India">Box Office India</keyword>, the film has emerged as the biggest hit of 2014 and has the potential to be the first Super Hit film of the year, depending on how well it can sustain over the next 10 days or so. 
 
Other two releases of the week include <keyword id="1135108" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Dekh-Tamasha-Dekh">Dekh Tamasha Dekh</keyword>, a brutally honest and vitriolic political <keyword id="1462374" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Satire">satire</keyword> directed by theatre icon Feroz Abbas Khan (of Tumhari Amrita fame), and <keyword id="1167288" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Lucky-Kabootar">Lucky Kabootar</keyword>, a <keyword id="24069" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="romantic-comedy">romantic comedy</keyword> starring <keyword id="1364986" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Eijaaz-Khan">Eijaaz Khan</keyword> and <keyword id="3212" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Kulraj-Randhawa">Kulraj Randhawa</keyword>. The latter, directed by <keyword id="1660883" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Shammi-Chhabra">Shammi Chhabra</keyword>, has been released after too many delays and depicts how <keyword id="6369280" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Lucky">Lucky</keyword> (Eijaaz) ends up marrying the Plain Jane <keyword id="1734" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Laxmi">Laxmi</keyword> (Kulraj), instead of the glam babe <keyword id="190428" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Kammo">Kammo</keyword> (<keyword id="33221" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Shraddha-Das">Shraddha Das</keyword>). But for both the movies, the collections are hardly notable, thanks to very little promotion and near-zero hype. While Lucky Kabootar collected a little over Rs 1 crore in the first two days (Sunday and Monday numbers are still <keyword id="6357415" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="60" keywordseo="missing">missing</keyword>), Dekh Tamasha Dekh garnered around Rs 4.7 crore during the same time span. But we will take a closer look at these two after decoding the tremendous <keyword id="25892" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="box-office">box office</keyword> success of 2 States. 
 
 
 With the <keyword id="6364416" type="COMPANY" weightage="80" keywordseo="Good-Friday">Good Friday</keyword> fervour adding to its charm, <keyword id="2208706" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Abhishek-Varman-directed">Abhishek Varman-directed</keyword> 2 States saw 50-60% occupancy at multiplexes on the first day and also did well in the mass belt. Till date, the best performers are Mumbai and Mysore, with Mumbai amassing over Rs 13 crore nett and Mysore collecting around Rs 3 crore nett. The movie’s opening is the second biggest ever for a non-star-cast film after <keyword id="6621270" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Grand-Masti">Grand Masti</keyword> (2013). <keyword id="127336" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="100" keywordseo="Bhaag-Milkha-Bhaag">Bhaag Milkha Bhaag</keyword> (2013), <keyword id="549195" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="100" keywordseo="Student-of-the-Year">Student Of The Year</keyword> (2012) and <keyword id="1710502" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Shuddh-Desi-Romance">Shuddh Desi Romance</keyword> (2013) are the next in order after 2 States. 2 States is also one of the highest grossers of 2014 and has already surpassed the lifetime collections of some noted <keyword id="569603" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Bollywood-flicks">Bollywood flicks</keyword> including <keyword id="1520199" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Hasee-Toh-Phasee">Hasee Toh Phasee</keyword>, <keyword id="853887" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Shaadi-Ke-Side-Effects">Shaadi Ke Side Effects</keyword>, <keyword id="6354768" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="Highway">Highway</keyword> and <keyword id="1434830" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Yaariyan">Yaariyan</keyword>. That is definitely good news for producers <keyword id="27326" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Sajid-Nadiadwala">Sajid Nadiadwala</keyword> and <keyword id="3778" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="Karan-Johar">Karan Johar</keyword>. 
 Going by its <keyword id="1996031" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Box-office-performance">box office performance</keyword>, 2 States seems to have done a commendable job, with <keyword id="6354526" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Alia-Bhatt">Alia Bhatt</keyword> (<keyword id="2204646" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Ananya-Swaminathan">Ananya Swaminathan</keyword>) and <keyword id="114453" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Arjun-Kapoor">Arjun Kapoor</keyword> (<keyword id="2204645" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Krish-Malhotra">Krish Malhotra</keyword>) showing a rare on-screen chemistry that rocks and sizzles. The young people meet at the <keyword id="6429635" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="IIM-Ahmedabad">IIM-Ahmedabad</keyword> campus and fall in love, but it is, by no means, a campus romance as harsh social realities await them outside. And the movie, too, stumbles at that point as we are led to <keyword id="122267" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="80" keywordseo="orthodox">orthodox</keyword> households (Krish is a <keyword id="5105" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="Punjabi">Punjabi</keyword> lad and Ananya is a <keyword id="6356629" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="tamil">Tamil</keyword> lass from Chennai as all of you must know by now), instead of modern abodes housing millennial open culture, and two pairs of stereotype Bollywood parents. The rest of the struggles and tribulations faced by the young lovers follow the beaten path until the final-and-inevitable reconciliation that makes everyone happy. 
 
Interestingly, Bhagat’s work has managed to ward off the cliché that lies inherent in cultural clashes and generation gaps. However, the movie has an overdose of everything although it manages to retain some kind of charm that will keep you hooked. As Saibal Chatterjee of NDTV so rightly pointed out, “2 States is a <keyword id="2208734" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Cross-culture-love-story">cross-culture love story</keyword> that strives to be sweet, funny and emotionally wrenching all at once. It is occasionally funny and sweet in parts all right, but the <keyword id="1204454" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="family-drama">family drama</keyword> at the film’s core has a severely stultified feel… It sets out to be a slice-of-life drama about a real couple grappling with the politics of <keyword id="2208729" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Inter-community-marriage">inter-community marriage</keyword>, but it fails to generate enough energy and warmth to draw the audience into a tight clinch.” 
 
In stark contrast to 2 States, Dekh Tamasha Dekh (starring <keyword id="317266" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Vinay-Jain">Vinay Jain</keyword>, <keyword id="2218" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Satish-Kaushik">Satish Kaushik</keyword> and <keyword id="1559" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="tanvi-azmi">Tanvi Azmi</keyword>) is based on a true story and ruthlessly reveals a nation’s <keyword id="2208740" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Political-hypocrisy">political hypocrisy</keyword> and <keyword id="877158" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Communal-Disharmony">communal disharmony</keyword> with the help of its twin tools – satire and <keyword id="424300" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Irony">irony</keyword>. Too many human elements are woven here in a complex tapestry, but the very core of <keyword id="6355987" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="violence">violence</keyword>, <keyword id="6388475" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="tragedy">tragedy</keyword> and hopelessness would hit us hard and keep us wondering about the multi-layered reality we are compelled to confront every day. Although not a typical art house film, this movie is meant for a niche audience and offers a <keyword id="2208742" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Gripping-tale">gripping tale</keyword> of the <keyword id="911828" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="dark-forces">dark forces</keyword> that we are not likely to forget in a hurry. 
 
Images: Indiatimes

Box Office: 2 States Raking
In Big Bucks; Dekh Tamasha Dekh Offers A Gripping Tale

Days before it was supposed to hit the theatres and take the country by storm, as one can expect from a movie that stars superstar <keyword id="14509" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Rajinikanth">Rajinikanth</keyword>, the upcoming movie <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/This-is-how-people-reacted-to-superstar-Rajinikanths-Kabali-teaser/articleshow/52094618.cms">Kabali </a>has reportedly been leaked online. 
 
The leaked movie is available on the internet in parts, says a report by <a href="http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report-kabali-leaked-online-2235804">DNA</a>. 
 
With this leak, the movie follows a list of other Indian movies that have suffered the piracy issue in the recent past, ranging from Shahid Kapoor starrer Udta Punjab, Salman Khan’s Sultan to last week’s release Great Grand Masti, starring Viveik Oberoi, Riteish Deshmukh and Aftab Shivdasani. 
 
It was on July 15 that the Madras High Court has banned 169 service providers from leaking the film on the internet. Moreover, a <keyword id="283584" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Kabali">Kabali</keyword>-themed flash mob also recently performed in a Chennai mall, with several anti-piracy messages. 
 The film has been directed by Pa Ranjith, and stars Winston Chao and <keyword id="133292" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Radhika-Apte">Radhika Apte</keyword> alongside <keyword id="1527407" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="100" keywordseo="thalaiva">Thalaiva</keyword> Rajinikanth. 
 
<a href="http://quintype-01.imgix.net/thequint/2016-01/ddd2f219-8a04-4c4a-bf9b-729d185ae4cc/Kabali1.jpg">Image source</a>

KABALI LEAKED ONLINE

After <keyword id="7929" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Anurag-Kashyap">Anurag Kashyap</keyword>'s '<keyword id="6356850" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Udta-Punjab">Udta Punjab</keyword>' was leaked last month, piracy organisations have allegedly leaked the most awaited movie of the year, Salman Khan-Anushka Sharma-starrer '<keyword id="6355056" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Sultan">Sultan</keyword>.' 
 
The 'Sultan' leak came just a day before the movie hits theatres in over 4500 screens across India. 
 
Confirming the news, cyber-crime expert, Deep Shankar was quoted in reports as saying that the copy of the movie is available on the darknet and will soon be available on torrent. Another crime investigator, Kishlay Chaudhary has reportedly claimed that the 2 hours 36 minute-long movie is available online and has also shared various screenshots of the same with media houses. He also said that many websites have been blocked since Tuesday and links have been removed immediately after upload. 
 
However, Yash Raj Films has denied any information about the leak. Some cyber experts also allege that there are no active links to the movie and that the trailer was morphed and circulated on social media platforms. 
 
This is the second film which has been leaked this week, the first one being Indra Kumar's 'Great Grand Masti' starring Vivek Oberoi, Aftab Shivdasani, Riteish Deshmukh and Urvashi Rautela. 
 
The movie's Censor Board copy was leaked online three days ago. The film's management team is reportedly working hard to remove the links, and even tweets and Facebook links sharing the same are being taken down. The movie was leaked 17 days before its release and is reported to have faced monetary losses as a result. 
 
No formal complaints have been filed by the makers of either movie yet.

Salman Khan's Sultan may have been leaked online

The much awaited trailer of <keyword id="6354967" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="John-Abraham">John Abraham</keyword>’s upcoming movie <keyword id="2186017" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Rocky-Handsome">Rocky Handsome</keyword> is out, and we don’t know if one would be able to handle the level of hotness that the <keyword id="143" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Bollywood">Bollywood</keyword> hunk has brought to our screens. 
 
The trailer starts with a romantic and more importantly clean shaven John Abraham, who looks so much in love with <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/Shruti-Haasan-Sets-A-New-Trend-With-Joganiyan/articleshow/45525300.cms">Shruti Haasan</a> in sceneic beaches of Seychelles. However, the happiness is short lived as Haasan’s character probably dies, leaving Kabir with a broken heart and quite some stubble. 
 
The scene then shifts to a pawn shop that he owns and manages, named as KA Pawn Shop, after his character Kabir Ahlawat. An 8-year old girl, who calls him handsome (thus the title) deposits a camera bag in the shop against 500 Rupees, which she wants to use to learn nail art. Just when Kabir is getting his smile back and bonding with Naomi, she gets abducted by drug mafia and thus starts the mission of his life, to get the little girl back at any cost. 
 
The second half of the trailer shows why the makers are promoting the movie as the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/Rocky-Handsome-India-finally-has-its-own-James-Bond-equivalent/articleshow/50669076.cms">best action movie of the year</a>, because pretty much every stunt that you can imagine a man carrying nothing but a knife has been done, and there comes a time even in the 3-minute long trailer that you want a break from the violence and bloodshed. 
 Needless to say, Abraham looks perfect for the role of an assassin, with his ripped muscles and dead expressions, and the villain of the movie, who reminds you of Roadies fame twins Raghu and Rajiv, does justice to his small appearance. What comes as a surprise is that the villain is none other than <keyword id="6485515" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Nishikant-Kamat">Nishikant Kamat</keyword> himself, who has directed the movie, having helmed hit movies like Force and <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/Here-is-the-official-trailer-of-Drishyam-starring-Ajay-Devgan-and-Tabu/articleshow/47543051.cms">Drishyam</a>. 
 
Beneath the action, it is the moving tale of a man who never had a child trying to rescue a child who never had a father figure in her life, and we are sure that Kamat, who is experienced in handling both actions and emotions, must have done justice to both the angels in the story. 
 
Produced by John Abraham under his banner John Abraham Entertainment and Sunir Khetrapal’s Azure Entertainment, the movie has got its music by Sunny and Inder Bawra, Ankit Tiwari and Bombay Rockers. The action thriller releases on 25th March, a week safely after <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/Love-triangle-troubled-family-and-sibling-rivalry-fill-up-the-first-trailer-of-Kapoor-Sons/articleshow/50945361.cms">Kapoor &amp; Sons</a> and along with Great Grand Masti, thereby having no cutthroat competition.

Rocky Handsome is the closest Bollywood will get to James Bond. The new trailer proves it.

The media has been buzzing with news of leaked copies of '<a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Udta+Punjab&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Udta Punjab</a>' and 'Great Grand Masti'. Both FCAT copies, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Rajinikanth&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Rajinikanth</a>'s blockbuster <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Kabali&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Kabali</a> met the same fate. Several websites had full links that could be used to view and download a pirate’s copy. India’s <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Bollywood&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Bollywood</a> film industry, the largest producer of films, is severely threatened by physical and <keyword id="577158" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="80" keywordseo="online-piracy">online piracy</keyword>. 
 
Believe it or not, 2015’s big release <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Baahubali&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Baahubali</a> took the maximum hit. With 1,485 active piracy links of the SS Rajamouli film available, the film has been downloaded illegally 24.76 lakh times. The total revenue loss in these 17 months to the Telugu film industry stands at a whopping Rs. 1,064 Crores. To expect these guys to face such losses and still tell us why Katappa killed <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Baahubali&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Baahubali</a> is crazy. 
 
The numbers are mind-boggling to say the least. "Some unofficial estimates show that the overall revenue loss to the Indian Media and Entertainment industry is close to $ 2.5 billion”, Rajkmar Akela, Chairman, Anti Video Piracy Cell, Telugu Film Chamber of Commerce said. 
 
In 2014, India was listed in the International Piracy Watch List by the US. This is a list of four countries where piracy is rampant. However, few seem to care. The number of piracy cases registered in India reduced by just 10% this year as compared to 16% in the Asia-Pacific region. 
 "India's film industry - the economic contribution of the creative economy and creative sectors in India is limited. Issues like copyright infringement, <keyword id="54502" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="40" keywordseo="Film-piracy">film piracy</keyword>, cam cording and content leakage weaken the industry by hampering the deserved revenue production. Economies with supportive copyright protection are at least 30% more likely to have larger and more dynamic content and media sectors than are countries with less favorable IP regime", Mr. Patrick Kilbride, Executive Director, International IP, Global Intellectual Property Center, U S Chamber of Commerce said. 
 With increased penetration of technology and internet in India, piracy through online distribution is expected to continue to be a major source of revenue leakage if immediate steps are not taken to stem this flow of cash. Part of the issue is that legitimate means of digital viewing are still emerging in India. <keyword id="128682" type="COMPANY" weightage="80" keywordseo="Netflix">Netflix</keyword> came in late, and with not many Tier II and Tier III enjoying quality 4G coverage, downloading it using torrents or buying from a local DVD seller just seems easier. 
 “How to grow movie-goer base in the face of growing satellite penetration and piracy remains the bigger and more fundamental challenge”, Ajit Andhare, COO, <keyword id="1194637" type="COMPANY" weightage="60" keywordseo="Viacom18-Motion-Pictures">Viacom18 Motion Pictures</keyword> observes. 
 
This parallel black economy is also hampering innovation. Flipkart’s online music store, Flyte had to shut down a little more than a year of its launch due to music piracy. Another website Dhingana had to shut down after a long struggle. Music Store, a chain of over 100 stores in India was also shut this year due to the effects of piracy. 
 
Truth is, even with the improvements in technology, not many business models and payment mechanisms have evolved to compete effectively with the ‘free’ illegal option. The Indian film industry is waking up to the prospect of optimizing the release window only now, and making it available across platforms. Not to mention the laggard implementation of existing anti-piracy rules. 
 
“We acknowledge the National IPR Policy as a step in the right direction to protect copyright as it envisages a creative and innovative India. However, thousands of rogue websites threaten the lifeline of a film, as soon as it is released in theatres. <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Film+piracy&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Film piracy</a> creates financial loss to our business and to the exchequer”, Mr. Uday Singh, Managing Director at Motion Picture Association said. 
 
While the economic impacts of piracy are difficult to quantify, a recent market study by FICCI looked at seven industry sectors most impacted by counterfeiting, piracy and smuggling, and found almost Rs. 73,000 Crores in lost sales in 2012 across just these seven sectors. 
 
As a saving grace, select Premium HD Channels are offering TV content to the Indian audience 24 hours of its US telecast, but are getting few takers. Hungama offers Indian film content to 47 countries through partnerships with other companies. Free online music streaming sites like Gaana and Saavn are trying their best with branding exercises. 
 
However, till expediting blocking rogue sites, tracing locations, owners, release groups involved in copyright theft and cracking down on criminal syndicates involving notorious camcorders are not considered ‘first-aid’ to any case of copyright violation, it’s difficult. 
Till then, it’s plain madness out there. 
 
<a href="http://www.digitaltrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/all-the-piracy1.jpg">Image Source</a>

India loses $2.5 Bn to Online Movie Piracy every year

<keyword id="500441" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="100" keywordseo="Krrish-3">Krrish 3</keyword> has joined the coveted Rs 100 crore club in just 4 days. The Hrithik Roshan-starrer was released on November 1 and noted critic-trade analyst <keyword id="107593" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Taran-Adarsh">Taran Adarsh</keyword> broke the news on Twitter. “#Krrish3 hits a ton. Crosses ₹ 100 cr mark on Mon. Fri to Mon: ₹ 108.61 cr,” his <keyword id="6354904" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="tweet">tweet</keyword> said. But there’s yet another record. The flick has registered the highest collections ever on a single day – Rs 35.91 crore on Monday, November 4. 
 
And still there’s more. Adarsh’s latest tweet says: It’s a rocking Tuesday! #Krrish3 is on a record-smashing spree. Collects ₹ 26.26 cr. Total: ₹ 134.87 cr. AWESOME. 
 According to <keyword id="175999" type="POSITION" weightage="100" keywordseo="producer-director">producer-director</keyword> <keyword id="1989" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Rakesh-Roshan">Rakesh Roshan</keyword> (Hrithik’s dad), by Monday, the film has collected Rs 108.6 crore in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu versions across 4,450 screens, an Economic Times report said. The rest of the trade contradicted the numbers, though, pegging it between Rs 85 crore and Rs 93 crore. 
 
 
 Has Krrish 3 got the better of <keyword id="1671" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="Shah-Rukh-Khan">Shah Rukh Khan</keyword>’s Chennai Express, which has reportedly entered the Rs 100 crore club in fastest time – again in 4 days. We are not sure at this point of time, but the third movie in the Krrish series has definitely bombed the <keyword id="25892" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="box-office">box office</keyword> after Chennai Express. 
 Papa Roshan’s dream flick stars ‘beta’ Hrithik, <keyword id="1655" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Priyanka-Chopra">Priyanka Chopra</keyword>, Kangana Ranaut and <keyword id="13902" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Vivek-Oberoi">Vivek Oberoi</keyword> (he played the villain Kaal). The superhero sci-fi drama was made at a budget of about Rs 100-150 crore. It was sold at Rs 70 crore to some 9 domestic distributors, with another Rs 18 crore coming in from overseas rights (570 screens). Krrish 3 also struck a <keyword id="6358065" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Satellite">satellite</keyword> deal with Sony for about Rs 37 crore and sold its music for Rs 7 crore to T Series, ET reported. 
 Interestingly, it is Hrithik’s second and Priyanka’s fourth film to cross the 100-crore mark. Again, Krrish 3 is Vivek’s second success after the adult comedy Grand Masti. As one critic said, it’s definitely a bumper Diwali gift for all – actors, director-producer, audience and the ubiquitous movie industry called <keyword id="143" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Bollywood">Bollywood</keyword>. 
 
Image: Indiatimes

Krrish 3 Rocks Bollywood, Hits Rs 100 Crore In 4 Days

<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image">APThis 2012 photo provided by Rabbi Asher Hecht, shows Nissim Sean Carmeli, left, with Hecht in Jerusalem.</div></div></div>Max Steinberg and Nissim Sean Carmeli grew up in America. But they both developed a passion for Israel.
The young men's love of Israel ultimately led them to join the Israel <keyword id="6354810" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="Defense">Defense</keyword> Forces, and they ended up fighting for the Jewish state in the Gaza Strip this week.
On Sunday, Steinberg, 24, and Carmeli, 21, were killed there. They were among 13 Israeli soldiers and 65 Palestinians killed Sunday during the first major ground battle in two weeks of fighting between Israel and Hamas.
The U.N. chief and the U.S. secretary of state headed to Cairo on Monday to try to end two weeks of Israel-Hamas fighting that has killed at least 508 Palestinians and 20 Israelis and displaced tens of thousands of Gaza residents.
Steinberg, whose family lives in Southern California's San Fernando Valley, was a sharpshooter for the Golani Brigade, his father, Stuart Steinberg, told The Associated Press on Sunday.
Earlier Sunday, the IDF said in a statement that Carmeli, 21, a sergeant, was killed in combat in the Gaza Strip. Carmeli was from South Padre Island, Texas, said Deputy Consul General of Israel to the Southwest Maya Kadosh. She said Carmeli moved to Israel four years ago and added that the consulate helped his family get a flight there Sunday.
Rabbi Asher Hecht of Chabad of the Rio Grande Valley, who is a longtime family friend, said Carmeli joined the Israeli army after finishing high school in Israel and was in the Golani Brigade. Carmeli was from Ra'anana, Israel, according to the IDF statement.
"He had great energy, yet had a kind and gentle soul," Hecht said. "It's been a very tough day for us," he added. "We lost a gem."
Carmeli was the youngest of three and has two sisters who currently live in Israel. He was "loved by his parents infinitely," Hecht said.
Steinberg was living in Beersheba, Israel. He attended Pierce College and El Camino Real High School in Southern California.
He visited Israel for the first time on a Birthright Israel trip with his younger brother and sister in June 2012, his father said. When he returned, he made an announcement to his parents that he was planning to return and join the IDF, Steinberg said. He made good on that promise less than six months later, making the move in December.
"He went back," Steinberg said. "He was completely dedicated and committed to serving the country of Israel. He was focused, he was clear in what the mission was, and he was dedicated to the work he needed to be doing."
On Sunday morning, the Steinbergs were visited by representatives from the Consulate General of Israel in Los Angeles. They broke the news of Max Steinberg's death.
Stuart Steinberg last spoke to his son at 4 a.m. Saturday California time, hours before his death. Max Steinberg called his father to tell him that his group had been injured when two of their tanks collided. They had to return to Israel for treatment at the hospital. Some soldiers had broken bones, and Max Steinberg had sprained his back, his father said.
"He called me up at 4 a.m. that morning and said he'd be returning to Gaza, back to combat, to be with his friends," Steinberg said.
Steinberg said the family is leaving on Monday for Israel, where their son will be buried. On Max Steinberg's Facebook page, hundreds of people liked a profile photo that appeared to be a selfie of him in uniform, armed, with his helmet on. Dozens gave their condolences.
Jay Sanderson, who heads The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles, said in an email message to the community that "our thoughts are with his family and our community is committed to support them in any way they need - and to honor Max's memory."
The Jewish Federations of North America said in a statement that its "deepest sympathies" were with the families of 18 Israeli soldiers killed over the last two days. "Along with all of Israel, and the entire Jewish People, we mourn their loss as if they were our own," the statement said.
On Sunday night, the U.S. State Department confirmed the deaths of Steinberg and Carmeli.
"We can confirm the deaths of U.S. citizens Max Steinberg and Sean Carmeli in Gaza. Out of respect for those affected by this, we have nothing further at this time," State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said.
___
Associated Press writer Ramit Plushnick-Masti contributed to this report from Houston. Rankin reported from Chicago.
___
Tami Abdollah can be reached at http://www.twitter.com/latams .
<div class="nc_footer">
Copyright (2014) Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
</div>

Two Americans Killed In First Major Ground Battle Of Israeli Offensive In Gaza

With a variety of movies hitting the theatres, the last three months of 2013 could be a happy one for both movie buffs and movie makers. While films like The Lunch Box, Raanjhanaa and Bhaag Milkha Bhaag won critics’ love, the likes of Chennai Express and Grand Masti raked in a lot of money. Still, after the unexpected disaster that Ranbir Kapoor-starrer Besharam has turned out to be (despite the biggest names backing it), a question mark hangs over the fate of the upcoming <keyword id="143" type="CITY" weightage="80" keywordseo="Bollywood">Bollywood</keyword> flicks. 
 
Here’s a look at the 5 big-banner films that will make or break Bollywood’s fortune in the final quarter of CY2013… 
 
<keyword id="22939" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="boss">Boss</keyword> This action comedy caper starring <keyword id="2823" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Akshay-Kumar">Akshay Kumar</keyword> is the remake of the Malayalam film Pokkiri Raja. And a lot is at stake concerning this movie, directed by Anthony D’Souza, which is all set to release on 400-plus screens worldwide, including Europe, <keyword id="6378080" type="COUNTRY" weightage="40" keywordseo="North-America">North America</keyword>, South-east Asia and Australia. Will it make it big at the box office, especially when there’s no lead lady paired opposite Khiladi Kumar? Will Aditi Rao Hyadri’s bikini act, Sonakshi Sinha’s item number ‘Saari Raat Party,’ which is touted to be the most expensive song ever (INR 6 million), and Akki’s action-comedy be enough to make Boss rule? The answers will be out on Oct 16 when Boss hits the screens. 
 
Krrish 3 Even <keyword id="1989" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Rakesh-Roshan">Rakesh Roshan</keyword> must be losing sleep over his ‘super hero’ venture starring son <keyword id="6354563" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Hrithik-Roshan">Hrithik Roshan</keyword> – a flick with a high-flying budget of Rs 100 crore. If the buzz is to be believed, good news for the Roshans is that the distribution rights of Krrish 3 are already sold for Rs 140 crore with minimum guarantee, earmarking ‘table’ profit for the ambitious film. It is the third part of the franchise that started with Koi Mil…Gaya. Starring Hrithik Roshan, <keyword id="1655" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Priyanka-Chopra">Priyanka Chopra</keyword>, Kangana Ranaut and <keyword id="13902" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Vivek-Oberoi">Vivek Oberoi</keyword>, Krrish 3 is getting loads of attention for its special effects that are of international quality. Will the movie manage to retain the hype till Nov 1 or will it be yet another bubble burst? 
 
<keyword id="298143" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Ram-Leela">Ram Leela</keyword> 
Ironically, the reasons that make Ram Leela a hotly discussed flick could be the ones that may lead to its failure. So far, we love what director <keyword id="6358308" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="sanjay-leela-bhansali">Sanjay Leela Bhansali</keyword> has featured in the trailer, as well as the songs of the movie. Made on a budget of Rs 35 crore, the magnitude of this film is immense, the canvas is vibrant and the protagonists are two most good-looking people (<keyword id="598" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Deepika-Padukone">Deepika Padukone</keyword> and <keyword id="106133" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Ranveer-Singh">Ranveer Singh</keyword>) with a sizzling chemistry. On the flip side, we still remember Saawariya (Ranbir Kapoor-Sonam Kapoor starrer) and Guzaarish (Hrithik <keyword id="1903405" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="40" keywordseo="Roshan-Aishwarya-Rai-Bachchan">Roshan-Aishwarya Rai Bachchan</keyword> starrer), both directed by SLB. Well, one turned out to be a dud and the other was appreciated only by the critics. So this time, we are just keeping our fingers crossed for Ram Leela. 
 
Gori Tere Pyaar Mein Last time when <keyword id="2165" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Kareena-Kapoor">Kareena Kapoor</keyword> and <keyword id="14676" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Imran-Khan">Imran Khan</keyword> came together, the audience didn’t have much fun watching the rom com, Ekk Main Aur Ekk Tu. Will they be able to impress this time around, with this <keyword id="3778" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Karan-Johar">Karan Johar</keyword> production? The trailer failed to create a stir. But then, it’s a relatively small-budget movie and it doesn’t look like a big deal to recover the money, considering Kareena is in the lead role. Now we just hope that her marital status won’t become an obstacle. 
 
<keyword id="24705" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="80" keywordseo="Dhoom-3">Dhoom 3</keyword> 
The last movie release of the year and we can’t think of a reason why Dhoom 3 won’t shine at the box office. The track record of the Dhoom series has been good. And the third installment has added attractions like <keyword id="6355923" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Aamir-Khan">Aamir Khan</keyword> in the first ever negative role and <keyword id="6354850" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Katrina-Kaif">Katrina Kaif</keyword> kicking some ass in the lead. Riding on a whopping budget of Rs 150 crore, we just hope Dhoom 3 ends the year with some fireworks.

5 Big-banner Bollywood Movies To Watch Out For

When the winter is right upon us and holidays are back with a bang, can festivals be far behind? It is <keyword id="24087" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="carnival">carnival</keyword> time across India – a time to celebrate and share all things good in true Yuletide spirit. So we bring you seven offbeat <keyword id="6385705" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="events">events</keyword> – a mix of modern concepts and traditional happenings that celebrate the varied and vibrant art and culture of the country. And then there will be Christmas <keyword id="192" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Celebrations">celebrations</keyword> all over India. Let go of your toil &amp; care, and connect to retune your life. Happy holidays! 
 
Life at its exotic best – <keyword id="78069" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Rann-Utsav">Rann Utsav</keyword> (<keyword id="6354766" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Gujarat">Gujarat</keyword>) It’s a desert <keyword id="58" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="100" keywordseo="Festival">festival</keyword> with a difference. The white salt marsh, spread across some 7,000 sq km in Gujarat, attracts thousands to the Great Rann every year, revealing the many-hued life and culture of <keyword id="6361801" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Kutch">Kutch</keyword>. The journey from Bhuj will take you to the colourful Tent City at <keyword id="1967990" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Dhordo-village">Dhordo village</keyword> and other exotic locations such as <keyword id="1967991" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Hodko">Hodko</keyword>, <keyword id="1967994" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Bhirandiyara">Bhirandiyara</keyword>, <keyword id="144766" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Khavda">Khavda</keyword>, <keyword id="476012" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Kalo-Dungar">Kalo Dungar</keyword> (<keyword id="226408" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Black-Hills">Black Hills</keyword>) and the <keyword id="656787" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Mandvi-beach">Mandvi beach</keyword>. The great white saltpan in the distance looks mesmeric and nearby, you can catch the haunting tunes played by the locals on their jodia pava (twin-flutes). While you are here, <keyword id="76631" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Folk-music">folk music</keyword>, dances, camel safaris and wildlife viewing will fill your days. A stay at the bhunga (egg-shaped mud huts), a taste of the Kutchi cuisine and the exquisite local art will enthral you further. In mid-January, Kutch celebrates the traditional <keyword id="4062388" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Kite-festival">kite festival</keyword> <keyword id="90750" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Uttarayan">Uttarayan</keyword> and you can watch the spectacular view as thousands of flying beauties dot the sky. 
When: Dec 15-March 18 
What it costs: Rs 7,900-22,500 plus taxes per person on twin sharing basis. 
Image: Rann-utsav.com 
 
 
 
Shake a leg at <keyword id="91958" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Sunburn-festival">Sunburn Festival</keyword> (<keyword id="826" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Goa">Goa</keyword>) If the <keyword id="24879" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Sun">sun</keyword>, seas and <keyword id="6354530" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="music">music</keyword> allure you to distraction, it’s time to head for the coastal capital for a rocking experience. Sunburn is the coolest <keyword id="881528" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="electronic-dance-music-festival">electronic dance music festival</keyword> to invade the <keyword id="1834821" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="indian-beaches">Indian beaches</keyword>, now entering Season 7 with pomp and style. With custom stages in the making, numerous genres of music on offer and some world famous DJs &amp; <keyword id="49237" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Artistes">artistes</keyword> debuting, it is surely going to be an electrifying extravaganza that could be the party of parties in Goa. Get ready for some fun, frolic and froth even as the music captures your soul and you can’t stop dancing. 
When: Dec 27-29 
What it costs: Rs 9,250-15,500 per person. 
Image: Wikimedia Commons 
 
 
 
Super fun at <keyword id="1968003" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Vh1-Supersonic">Vh1 Supersonic</keyword> (Goa) Another electrifying <keyword id="6356630" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="EDM">EDM</keyword> (<keyword id="42249" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="electronic-dance-music">electronic dance music</keyword>) event that will be held in Goa this year. A super line-up of artistes and DJs from all over the globe will keep you spellbound with some rocking music while dancing gets even better when you are grooving on the <keyword id="8688" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="SEA">sea</keyword> shore. And guess who is leading the super fest? None other than the electronic music promoter <keyword id="135873" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Nikhil-Chinapa">Nikhil Chinapa</keyword> who has left Sunburn and is now starting his own show. The <keyword id="1968004" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Debut-edition">debut edition</keyword> this year is purely for <keyword id="6355317" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="100" keywordseo="Dance">dance</keyword> music fans, but it could be a <keyword id="1968005" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Multi-genre-festival">multi-genre festival</keyword> within the next year or two. So let’s wait and watch the magic happen. 
When: Dec 26-30 
What it costs: Keep a tab, the organisers will soon come up with the ticket pricing. 
Image: Gosupersonic.in 
 
 
 
Wellness fest at Zambhala (Goa) If you are seeking wellness and harmony this <keyword id="6389817" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="new-year">New Year</keyword>, the <keyword id="1968009" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Zambhala-Yoga">Zambhala Yoga</keyword>, <keyword id="1968008" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="100" keywordseo="Music-and-Life-Spirit-Festival">Music and Life Spirit Festival</keyword> could be the <keyword id="1968010" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Lifestyle-event">lifestyle event</keyword> for you. Debuting this December, it is going to be an annual festival that brings together <keyword id="1968011" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Yoga-experts">yoga experts</keyword>, <keyword id="551676" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="spiritual-teachers">spiritual teachers</keyword>, <keyword id="25205" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="doctors">doctors</keyword>, <keyword id="21324" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Therapists">therapists</keyword>, <keyword id="145052" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="healers">healers</keyword>, <keyword id="6367711" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Musicians">musicians</keyword> and <keyword id="1792" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="artists">artists</keyword> from all over the globe. So that one may nurture the power of self and live with positive energy. The yoga part of the festival is especially interesting as it will focus on various methods of yoga and <keyword id="6388212" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="meditation">meditation</keyword> – all curated to ensure a better and <keyword id="1968013" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Healthier-living">healthier living</keyword>. Then there will be talks and workshops on <keyword id="639756" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="life-skills">life skills</keyword> and <keyword id="1968014" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Alternative-healing">alternative healing</keyword>. Overall, quite a new concept and could be worth joining. 
When: Dec 21-22 
What it costs: Rs 2,800 per person for participation; day passes available at venue for Rs 1,600 while kids under the age of 12 can attend for free. Event to be held at Bardo, Morjim, in North Goa. 
Image: Zambhala.in 
 
 
 
Melody, masti at <keyword id="1968016" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Mt-Abu-Winter-Festival">Mt Abu Winter Festival</keyword> (<keyword id="6355588" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="Rajasthan">Rajasthan</keyword>) Come December and this hill resort in the heart of Rajasthan pulsates with festive notes. A grand procession marks the beginning, diyas are set floating on the <keyword id="455501" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Nakki-Lake">Nakki Lake</keyword> in the evenings and spectacular <keyword id="54214" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Fireworks">fireworks</keyword> light up the night sky. <keyword id="29645" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Performers">Performers</keyword> and <keyword id="6360759" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="artisans">artisans</keyword> from all over the state assemble here, bringing to life the rich culture and traditions of this princely state. Give in to the serene magic of music – the folk, the shehnai and the <keyword id="6401082" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Sufi">Sufi</keyword> strains. Or join the Rajasthani dancers with full zest. The thrilling <keyword id="1968020" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Fire-dance">fire dance</keyword> of Bikaner, the graceful <keyword id="1968022" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Ghoomer">Ghoomer</keyword> and <keyword id="1968023" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Terahtali">Terahtali</keyword>, the lively <keyword id="1288524" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Kalbelia">Kalbelia</keyword> and the fascinating <keyword id="1622221" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Gair">Gair</keyword> of Mewar are sure to take your breath away. For the adventurous, there’s a long list of contests – rowing, horse races, tug-of-war, gilli danda, <keyword id="6799761" type="SPORT" weightage="100" keywordseo="Kite-flying">kite flying</keyword> and even 20-20 cricket. Shop for exquisite <keyword id="6502685" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Handicraft">handicraft</keyword> and taste the delectable local food to make the most of this colourful carnival. 
When: Dec 29-31 
What it costs: A trip to <keyword id="434732" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Mt-Abu">Mt Abu</keyword> suits every budget and starts from Rs 7,000-8,000 per person on twin sharing basis. 
Image: Wikimedia Commons 
 
 
 
The beat of sun, surf &amp; ruins – <keyword id="1968024" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Mamallapuram-Dance-Festival">Mamallapuram Dance Festival</keyword> (<keyword id="12864" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Chennai">Chennai</keyword>) If you missed the Konark dance festival in Odisha earlier this month, travel south to the beach town of <keyword id="385028" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Mamallapuram">Mamallapuram</keyword> (also known as <keyword id="73041" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Mahabalipuram">Mahabalipuram</keyword>), around 60 km south of Chennai, and soak in the <keyword id="1968025" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Open-air-dance-festival">open air dance festival</keyword>. One can never find a more majestic backdrop with the <keyword id="1968028" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Monolithic-rock-sculptures">monolithic rock sculptures</keyword> and temples rising above the golden shore and the endless waves breaking nearby. This ancient port town of the Pallava dynasty hosts a month-long festival that brings to life classical and <keyword id="522230" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="folk-dances">folk dances</keyword> from all over India – <keyword id="14944" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Bharatanatyam">Bharatanatyam</keyword>, <keyword id="6386949" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Kuchipudi">Kuchipudi</keyword>, <keyword id="255053" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Kathakali">Kathakali</keyword>, <keyword id="1300412" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="mohini-attam">Mohini Attam</keyword>, <keyword id="6354459" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="Odissi">Odissi</keyword>, <keyword id="210" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Kathak">Kathak</keyword> and more. The exact venue is close to <keyword id="1968030" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Arjunas-Penance">Arjuna’s Penance</keyword>, a bass relief sculpted on the face of two gigantic adjacent rocks. While in Mamallapuram, you must visit Cholamadal artists’ village and shop for some exquisite handcrafted items. 
When: Dec 27-Jan 26 
What it costs: Most tour operators offer customised pricing, depending on itinerary and package; may cost around Rs 7,000 per person on twin sharing basis. 
Image: Tamilnadutourism.org 
 
 
 
A symphony of Indian traits – <keyword id="1968032" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Cochin-Carnival">Cochin Carnival</keyword> (Kerala) This is one colourful carnival that calls for fun, feasting and revelry. It’s an age-old event and dates back to the colonial days when the Portuguese held <keyword id="9735" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="new-year-celebrations">New Year celebrations</keyword>. Now it offers loads of <keyword id="1783440" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="carnival-games">carnival games</keyword>, <keyword id="1968033" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Beach-games">beach games</keyword>, races (how about some dirt biking), dancing and fireworks. Locals dress up in <keyword id="1968034" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Fancy-costumes">fancy costumes</keyword> and the grand finale includes a huge procession on New Year’s Day – complete with drum beats, music and embellished elephants. But just like a full-blooded carnival, it has more to offer that attracts thousands of visitors from all over the globe. While the North and <keyword id="1968035" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="South-Indian-folk-dances">South Indian folk dances</keyword> set the stages on fire, a three-month-long <keyword id="1968037" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="International-exhibition-of-contemporary-art">international exhibition of contemporary art</keyword> (they call it <keyword id="1055137" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Kochi-Muziris-Biennale">Kochi-Muziris Biennale</keyword>) was also held across the state in 2012-13. So it should be back next December to delight <keyword id="1643" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Art-lovers">art lovers</keyword> and Aspinwall in <keyword id="6361494" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Fort-Kochi">Fort Kochi</keyword> is expected to be the main venue for the second edition. 
When: Dec 25-Jan 1 at Fort Kochi. 
What it costs: A week’s vacation in Kerala may cost around Rs 16,000 per person on twin sharing basis (excluding airfare). 
Image: Keralatourism.org

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