MUMBAI: BIG FM, India’s No. 1 Radio Network today announced the second edition of the LR Active Oil BIG Marathi entertainment awards powered by Bharathi Cement in association with New Nokia 501. The awards will honor outstanding talent in the Marathi entertainment industry across 21 unique categories that include film, television, theatre, and music. This season will comprise a special category titled ‘BIG contribution to Hindi cinema’, which will honor a Marathi actor who has created a niche for himself/herself in Bollywood.

Popular actor Vinay Apte, eminent Marathi stage actress Vandana Gupte and renowned film and theatre personality Bharat Dabholkar, who has also performed outstanding television and film roles, are confirmed jury members for the 2013 edition of the prestigious awards. The proceedings will also witness a high level of listener engagement via on-air voting polls on BIG FM. Present at the launch today, the jury members briefed the media about the property and expressed their appreciation at being part of the awards ceremony.

Being among the most sought after properties for the Marathi entertainment industry, the BIG Marathi entertainment awards attracts various partners across mediums. These include Punyagiri (Print Partner), Grihshobhika (Magazine Partner), ETV Marathi (TV Partner) and Bright Outdoor (OOH partner) to help accelerate the visibility and reach of the show, also providing an overwhelming opportunity and significant platform for brand marketers to tap into a wider audience and consumer base. Other partners include Baskin Robbins as Happiness Partner, Florista as Ambiance Partner, Infinity 1, 2, Growel's Kandivali and Phoenix Market City Kurla as Mall Partner and Inox as Multiplex Partner.

The BIG Marathi entertainment awards is a first-of-its-kind entertainment extravaganza that honors, acknowledges and felicitates the best talent from across various genres in the Marathi entertainment industry. Offering 21 unique categories such as BIG entertaining director of the year, BIG entertaining play of the year, BIG entertaining sportsperson of the year, and BIG entertaining dancer of the year, the awards will be presented to the finest from within the very talented industry through votes received from jury members and BIG FM listeners.

Lotus refineries pvt ltd chairman & managing director Arun Kumar Sharma said, “It gives me immense pleasure to be associated with Big Marathi entertainment awards. Being a Mumbai based company it is utmost important to be connected with the local audience. We have opted new branding strategy to be associated with regional properties to explore new business opportunities in the rural markets of the Maharashtra. I am hoping this brand association will enhance the brand equity of LR Active Oil which is amongst the top five brands of edible oil industry.”

Bharathi Cement - director marketing Vicat Group (India) - head of marketing Ravinder Reddy said, “We are pleased to inform you that we are associating with you for Marathi Awards to be scheduled on 30 th August. Bharathi Cement is participating many Award events in south india and Maharastra. This year being 100 years cinema it special. Bharathi cement and Big FM have jointly done many award functions in India. We are happy the way Jury selection and recognising the best in their category.”

Commenting on the BIG Marathi entertainment awards, BIG FM business head Ashwin Padmanabhan said, “The BIG Marathi Entertainment Awards is a premier platform which recognizes outstanding talent in Maharashtra’s mega-talented entertainment industry. After the phenomenal success of the first edition, we are thrilled to be back with a second, bringing on-board a respected panel of jury members and great lineup of partners. This year’s awards ceremony also promises to provide excellent integration options to our marketers and advertisers thereby enabling them to reach out to target audiences in the region.”