New Delhi, December 14, 2009: AR Rehman wins the prestigious CNN-IBN Indian of the Year award 09 in the Entertainment category. The music maestro has achieved a unique distinction with his melodious work transcending national boundaries and bringing fame back home. As Rehman was awarded the Oscar this year for his score in the movie Slumdog Millionaire made him stand out from rest of the nominees, proving once again that he is one of India's biggest influences on the world music.

The other illustrious nominees in the category included Amitabh Bachchan for being 68, yet daring to play a 13-year-old in Paa, for producing a regional film like Vihir and entertaining India for forty years. Colors Entertainment Channel for consistent leadership in it’s very first year of existence and rewriting the rules of entertainment television. For being the most reliable hit machine in one of Bollywood’s worst year Katrina Kaif along with Ranbir Kapoor for being the most bankable young star with two consecutive hits. Prince group of Orissa for scripting a remarkable story of casual labourers in remote Orissa turning into acclaimed TV stars.

The award will be given to AR Rehman in a glittering award ceremony that will take place on 21st December at Hotel Taj Palace, New Delhi. Hon’ble PM Dr. Manmohan Singh will be the Chief Guest at the occasion and the award ceremony will be attended by renowned personalities.

The category winner is selected for the award after a rigorous and transparent 4-tier selection process which included inputs from the IBN18 editorial team, the Jury, the Electoral College and the citizens of the country.

Speaking on the occasion Mr. Rajdeep Sardesai, Editor-in-Chief, IBN18 Network said "I would like to convey my heartiest congratulations to AR Rehman for being chosen CNN-IBN Entertainer of the Year ’09. AR Rehman has redefined contemporary Indian music and is the pride of the entire nation also an idol to millions for making a mark on the global music arena. This award makes him one of the strongest contenders to win the CNN-IBN Indian of the Year 09 title’.

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Network18 [BSE: 532798,NSE: Network18] is one of India's leading full play media conglomerates with interests in television, print, internet, filmed entertainment, mobile content and allied businesses. Through its holding in Television Eighteen India Ltd (TV18) [BSE: 532299, NSE: TV-18], Network18 operates India’s leading business news television channels, CNBC-TV18 and CNBC Awaaz. It also runs one of India’s largest Internet players - Web18, as well as one of India’s leading real time financial information and news terminals - Newswire18. TV18 has recently expanded into print with Infomedia18, a newly formed entity following the acquisition of Infomedia, India's leading player in the special interest publishing and printing operations space.TV18 has also announced a collaboration with Forbes media for the launch of a business magazine in India. Through its holding in ibn18 Broadcast Ltd (ibn18) [BSE: 532800,NSE: ibn18], Network18 operates in the general news and entertainment space with leading general news channels CNN-IBN and IBN7 and has launched IBN Lokmat, a Marathi news channel in partnership with the Lokmat group. ibn18 also operates a joint venture with Viacom, called Viacom18 which houses the MTV, VH1 and Nickelodeon channels in India - as also Studio18, the Group’s filmed entertainment operation and has launched ‘Colors’, a Hindi general entertainment channel. Additionally, Network18 holds the Group’s online & on-air home shopping venture, Homeshop18 and its full spectrum events management venture, E18.

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