Year end celebrations begin with IDEA Indian Television Academy Awards

Media News

Mumbai, December 26, 2008

It’s the time for saluting and recognizing the best! It’s that time of the year when the entire entertainment industry turns up to cheer and celebrate the success of their friends, colleagues and competitors. India’s leading General Entertainment Channel, STAR Plus presents the IDEA Indian Television Academy Awards (ITA Awards) that rewards the exemplary work of individuals and teams that brings entertaining fare on television and enthrals the viewers everyday.

Premiering on December 27 at 9 pm on STAR Plus with the Red Carpet event, the Awards’ night has become the most sought after event on Indian television. After seven years of recognizing excellence in television, the fever hits the crescendo to the annual presentation of trophies, when hundreds of millions of television lovers glue themselves to their television sets to learn who will receive the highest honor in various categories.

This year, the IDEA ITA Awards don a Las Vegas theme. The stage and set décor embodies the glamour of Las Vegas. Similarly all the performances are centered on robbery, mystery, roulette and stylish men and women – recreating the magic of Las Vegas.

Watch out for Shard Kelkar’s opening performance on all the hit songs from James Bond. Also watch Parul Chauhan, Sara Khan, Kinshuk Mahajan and Angad Hasija in a different avatar executing a diamond robbery. Karishma Tanna and Chaitanya Chaudhary will solve a murder mystery in a classic act of the night, complimented by melodious music. No Las Vegas night would be complete without a cabaret - Sayatani Ghosh and Mouli Ganguly perform one on the classic medley-Aa jane jaa, Aao na gale jag jao na.

Also, tune in to some rib-tickling comedy with a spoof on Mughal-e-Azam with Mona Singh, Ali Asgar and Krushna Abhishek. Ronit Roy does an ‘Akki’ as he performs on Akshay Kumar most popular songs. Watch Bollywood actor, Akshay Kumar, react to this performance as he enjoys the show with his wife, Tina. The Stars of 2008, Avika Gor, Amay, Ehsaas and Avinash also represent the kids on television with their dance performance.

Besides Akshay Kumar, also present were Twinkle Khanna, Shilpa Shetty, Kabir Badi, Rohit Roy, Monica Bedi, rahul Mahajan, Payala Rohatgi, Ramesh sippy, Kiran Juneja, Sonu Niigam, Alka yagnik, Prasoon Joshi, Harsha Bhogle, opinion makers like Rajdeep Sardesai, Arnab Goswami, Vikram Chandra and the entire television Industry.

Amidst all these spectacular acts, the industry will give its verdict on award categories like the Best Entertainment channel, Best TV event, Best Actor in supporting role, Best Anchor-Game/Quiz show, Best Singer, Best Actor- Drama, Idea Champion Popular Show of the year, Best Actress- Popular, Best Actor- Popular, Best Music Channel and many more.

To know who made the cut and who failed to cross the line this year, tune-in to the IDEA Indian Television Academy Awards on December 27, 2008 at 9 pm, only on STAR Plus.

For further information, please contact:

STAR India Pvt Ltd.

Poushali Majumder

E-mail: poushalim@in.startv.com

Tel: 91-11-66567890

Usha Thomas

E-mail: ushat@in.startv.com

Tel: 91-22-67227777