NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court has directed the central government to take action within a week against television channel Colors for using the national anthem to promote its reality show `Bigg Boss 6` - the Indian version of the British ?Big Brother? - in cinema halls across the country.

A division bench of Chief Justice D. Murugesan and Justice Rajiv Sahai Endlaw gave the directions after hearing a public interest litigation against the channel for running a commercial of the Salman Khan-hosted show wherein an audio demanded that all present in the halls should "stand up for the national anthem" as Big Bigg Boss wanted it.

The judges said: "In the wake of serious allegations levelled by the petitioner that the national anthem is disrespected, we direct the central government to treat this PIL as a representation and the grievances be dealt with in accordance with the law."

The court added that "necessary action would be taken by the Ministry concerned against the respondents within a week".

"The allegations will be looked into and action will be taken", Additional Solicitor General Rajeev Mehra told the Court.

The PIL filed by lawyer Jeetender Gupta alleged that Colors has "disrespected" the national anthem by using it to promote the realty show in various PVR multiplexes in the city as well as in other parts of the country.

"The Colors channel randomly displayed an advertisement inside the movie theatres and the said advertisement was in the form of a visual displaying the logo of its programme `Bigg Boss 6` followed by an audio demanding all present in the hall to stand up for the national anthem.

"`Bigg boss chahte hain ki aap rashtriya gaan ke liye khade hon`, (Bigg boss wants you to stand for the national anthem) and then the Indian National Anthem was played," the petition stated.

It further added: "The respondent (TV channel) is trying to associate itself with the national anthem solely for commercial purpose of promoting its latest TV programme."

The plea said: "The acts of TV channel and PVR amount to possible violations of the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act 1971 and the Emblems and Names (prevention of improper use) Act 1950."

"We have utmost respect for national anthem, and we don?t see any violation when ?Bigg Boss? in his voice asked audience in theatres to stand up for the national anthem" a spokesperson of COLORS said.
Earlier also the reality show had run into controversies with the I&B Ministry asking Colors to telecast ?Bigg Boss Season 5? after 11 pm last year when complaints were received about violent gestures and inappropriate language used by the participants.

MUMBAI: Colors has launched reality TV tour which will give common people an opportunity to access the Bigg Boss house aimed at connecting its flagship property to the common man.

As part of the initiative, Bigg Boss fans will get to unravel all the live action direct from the house, experience the reality and magnitude of the production and the complex set up besides other attractions associated with the format.

The broadcaster has also introduced special buses that are designed to simulate the Bigg Boss experience and give fans the ride from Mumbai to the Bigg Boss House at Lonavala. The project is managed by Bollywood Tourism for Colors.

Colors CEO Raj Nayak said, ?Bigg Boss has a great fan following and creates a nationwide frenzy with every season. With the launch of Bigg Boss Tour, we have broken the barrier between the viewer and the show by extending an opportunity to families from across India to visit the Bigg Boss House. We have also diversified our engagement model ? moving from televised content to reality. Taking their favourite show offline, we aim to strengthen our bond with the viewers by bringing in a human connect and making it personal. In real terms, by bringing live action to the viewers, Colors is connecting with the audiences in a unique way, providing them with a memorable experience.?

The cost per head for a full day tour including transport is Rs 1799 from Monday - Wednesday and Rs 3299 on Friday which includes an opportunity to view the shoot of the eviction episode by host Salman Khan. The cost of full day tour on Saturday and Sunday is Rs 2299. A half day tour excluding transport will be Rs 1299 per person from Monday - Wednesday and Rs 1799 on Saturday and Sunday.

The attractions will include a House Tour via a secret passage, Hall of Fame, Control Room, and Confession Room.

MUMBAI: Viacom 18-owned general entertainment channel Colors has entered into a long-term broadcast agreement with Times Group for its coveted beauty pageant Femina Miss India.

Sony Entertainment Television, the GEC from the Multi Screen Media group, was the incumbent broadcast partner for the event, which completed its 50 years recently.

According to a Colors spokeswoman, Femina Miss India 2013 will be telecast live for the first time in the annual event?s history. The GEC broadcaster will also have the right to sell on-air sponsorship.

The title sponsor of the event has also changed hands with Pond?s jumping in as the title sponsor to replace Pantaloons that was the title sponsor for almost five years beginning 2007. Incidentally, Pond?s was the title sponsor of the beauty pageant for almost three years prior to Pantaloons.

Along with the broadcaster and title sponsor, the logo of the event has also undergone a change and will have a new sound track too. PC Jewellers, contemporary and traditional jewellery maker, has joined hands with Ponds Femina Miss India 2013 as the Crown & Jewellery Partner.

Commenting on the acquisition, Colors CEO Raj Nayak said, "We are excited to showcase Femina Miss India?s 50 year milestone journey on Colors as we see a perfect synergy between both brands and audiences. Colors? is synonymous with content that is different and inspiring and therefore, we are happy to welcome Femina Miss India in our bouquet of unique event offerings. As our core audience is the woman, we hope the progressive imagery resonates and inspires them."

Hindustan Unilever VP Skincare Arun Srinivas said, "Pond?s, an iconic beauty brand, has been offering every Indian woman a reason to look and feel beautiful for many decades now. Femina Miss India, the renowned beauty pageant platform, celebrates Indian beauty delivering recognition to beautiful women and helping many others live their dreams through these inspirational role models."

To ensure national representation at the pageant and to encourage participation of contestants from across India in its 50th year, auditions and selections will be initiated from all regions across India, with seven City Pageants being held in Pune, Goa, Indore, Kolkata, Bangalore, Chandigarh & Delhi which will ultimately culminate into the grand Finale in Mumbai.

The winner of the city pageants will get a lifetime opportunity to fast track to the finals at the grand finale of Pond?s Femina Miss India 2013.