A Preview of Aamir Khans Blockbuster Dangal for the Visually Impaired in Chandigarh

In a pioneering initiative#ZEEForAll, the channel organized a special preview screening ofIndias biggest blockbuster,Dangal withAudioDescription atAasha Kiran Vocational Training Centre

Why do we close our eyes when we pray, cry, kiss or dream? Because the most beautiful things in life are not seen but felt by the heart.- Denzel Washington

Chandigarh,August 12:In an industry first initiative in India, ZEE has taken a strong content and technology initiative to make content on television accessible for the Visually & Hearing Impaired. #ZEEForAll is an effort from Zee to provide audiences who have a sensory handicap, with unparalleled access to entertainment that is currently enjoyed by millions of Indians with sight. This will be made available on the premiere of the most loved film of last year, Aamir Khan’s Dangal.
This year, Indias first largest integrated media and entertainment company, Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd is celebrating its 25th anniversary. ZEE has delivered on the commitment of providing world class entertainment to audiences in India, earned recognition for its leadership, built long lasting relationships with its audiences and partners and established best practices for the entertainment industry in India and across the world. ZEE covers 172 countries and entertains over 1 billion viewers, driven by its philosophy of“Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” – The world is my family.This Independence Day,15 August 2017 at 12 Noon, ZEE will take this brand ethos a step ahead with the initiative of being the FIRST broadcaster in the history of Indian television to deliver access services to its audiences with #ZEEForAll. ZEEs first Hindi movie channel – Zee Cinema SD – will be the FIRST Hindi movie channel in India to premiere Indias biggest blockbuster, Aamir Khans Dangal with Audio Description for Visually Impaired audiences.The film which moved audiences in India and across the world with its immaculately crafted script and powerhouse performances will also have subtitles for the Hearing Impaired audiences.

As per the World Health Organization 2010 Report, India accounts for 8 million blind, 54.5 million people with low vision and 62.6 million people with visual impairment which makes India home to the second largest visually challenged population globally.Zee Cinema has also associated with the prestigiousNational Association For The Blind (India), the biggest and most trusted Blind Association in the country and National Association For The Blind – The Workshop for the Blindin Mumbai amongst many other NGOs and blind schools in India to reach out to the maximum number of visually challenged people in India. Zee Cinema invited kids fromAasha Kiran Vocational Training Centre, Chandigarhfor apreview screening of the film that they can watch it completely on Independence Day on Zee Cinema SD. They, not only experienced the joy of having access to India’s biggest blockbusterbut also became a part of a landmark event in the history of Indian television. Along with Chandigarh, the preview is also being held atInstitution for the Blind, New Delhi, Patiala School of Blind in Patiala, Punjab and at NAB centres in Lucknow, Mumbai and Indore.

Mr. Punit Misra, CEO – Domestic Broadcast Business, Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited (ZEEL), saidOn Indias 70th Independence Day, ZEE redefines the freedom to see and offers all our audiences a superlative movie watching experience in the comfort of their homes. Zee Cinema will be the first movie channel in India to premiere a film curated for the Visually Impaired. It will also have subtitles for the Hearing Impaired audiences. We hope that the premiere of Dangal reaches out to the maximum number of visually and Hearing Impaired audiences in India. We are also exploring adding Audio Description in other Indian regional languages in the future. Just like Aamir gave us the Audio Description assets for Dangal, we will reach out to all our content partners requesting for the same as we expand the initiative. #ZEEForAll will surely be a milestone in the history of TV broadcasting in India.

Mr. Ruchir Tiwari, Business Head, Zee Hindi Movie Cluster saidZEE has many firsts in the industry right since its launch in 1992. ##ZEEForAll promises to be the most special in its journey of 25 glorious years. Its wonderful to associate with Aamir Khan on this pioneering initiative with Dangal – a film that is inspiring, emotional and entertaining. I am personally very happy that Dangal has inspired our team to do what is needed to make the movie accessible to all our viewers.

Speaking about Dangals premiere on television being the first film on television that is inclusive for the Visually and Hearing Impaired audiences in India, Mr. Aamir Khan saidIt is with great anticipation that I look forward to the television premiere of Dangal on15th Augon Zee Cinema SD. ZEE is going the extra mile with its initiative #ZEEForAll that will get audiences with visual impairment to experience television like never before. I instantly agreed to the idea of premiering Dangal with Audio Description for the Visually Impaired and its a matter of absolute pride to associate with ZEE on this Independence Day premiere of my film. Congratulations to Punit Goenka and Team ZEE on being the first broadcaster in India to premiere a film with Audio Description and thereby include the vast community of Visually Impaired into the mainstream popular culture.

Taking a giant leap this 15^thAugust at 12 Noon, Zee Cinema SD will change the way entertainment is consumed in our nationwith Audio Description. Audio Description essentially conveys the most important visual aspects of the story by providing commentary during natural pauses and moments of quiet.It is voice-over narration that explains whats happening on the screen, including physical actions made by various characters and other important visual elements. The narration is inserted between lines of dialogue. This audio description is recorded and made available as a separate audio track that can be selected by the audience on their remote.

The Audio Description feed for the premiere of Dangal on 15^thAugust at 12 NOON will be available on Dish TV, Tata Sky, Videocon and Airtel.The subtitles will be in English language on HD and in Hindi language on SD.

By Dharam Pal