ITV

Tag: films

  • Balaji Telefilms goes big on movies and OTT, trims TV bets

    Balaji Telefilms goes big on movies and OTT, trims TV bets

    MUMBAI:  Balaji Telefilms is flipping its script. In a year marked by a strategic overhaul, the Ekta Kapoor-backed entertainment house has declared a decisive pivot from television towards high-growth verticals: movies, digital streaming, and branded content.

    Addressing analysts on its FY25 earnings call, group chief executive and CFO Sanjay Dwivedi outlined a transformation roadmap: “Movies will be our growth engine, digital will scale next, and television—once our mainstay—will become the third line of business.”

    The studio reported consolidated revenue of Rs 453 crore in FY25, down from Rs 625 crore the previous year. Yet net profit surged to Rs 84.6 crore from Rs 19.4 crore, largely due to a rights-heavy strategy in film and digital. The PAT margin stood at 18.7 per cent, and the company ended the year with Rs 172 crore in cash and mutual funds.

    Balaji’s OTT platform ALT Balaji saw a turnaround. Once burning Rs 120–145 crore a year, its cash burn has now dropped to just Rs 35 lakh a month. The platform added 3.29 lakh subscriptions in Q4 FY25, with total active subscribers crossing the 2 million mark.

    The company is also phasing out its pure SVOD model in favour of a hybrid SVOD–AVOD play, supported by a short-form vertical content app called Kutting. YouTube strategy and advertiser-funded content (AFP) are set to bolster revenue.

    Crucially, Balaji sealed a long-term content partnership with Netflix, spanning original films, binge series, telenovelas, and reality formats over 3 to 7 years. “This is not a one-off deal—it’s a foundational alliance for the future,” said Dwivedi.

    Balaji is betting on movies to power future growth. It has de-risked the vertical by recouping up to 90 per cent of production costs via pre-sales and co-production deals. In FY25, films contributed 30 per cent to revenue.
    Its upcoming slate includes Vrushabha (starring Mohanlal), the Priyadarshan-directed Bhoot Bangla with Akshay Kumar, and Vvan, a collaboration with TVF featuring Sidharth Malhotra.

    The studio targets 6 theatrical releases per year and is building on a franchise playbook with sequels like Dream Girl, LSD, and Shootout.
    TV content production touched 133 hours in Q4, with four shows on air. However, broadcaster yields remain 25 per cent below pre-Covid levels, and Balaji is cautious about further TV expansion.

    “TV is a volume game now. Rates aren’t recovering. We’ll stick to 6–8 shows a year, with a cap around Rs 350 crore,” said Dwivedi.

    New shows include Bade Achhe Lagte Hain – Phir Se and a reboot of Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi.
    The company is also experimenting with AI-led production, launching a series titled Kalnagri on its platform. Regional expansion is on the cards, starting with Tamil and Telugu.

    On YouTube, Balaji hit 1 million subscribers in a month, banking on a mix of new shows and IP-retained repurposed content—especially as Indian viewers seek alternatives to banned Pakistani serials.

    Balaji has a Rs 300 crore B2B order book from leading OTT platforms. It expects digital to contribute 20–25 per cent of revenue in two years. The company is not planning a spin-off of the digital business for now, but hints at unlocking value once scale justifies it.

    “We are storytellers, not just platform owners,” Dwivedi said. “Our job is to find the next big content wave—whatever the screen.”

  • Balaji Telefilms taps money man Viren Trivedi as new bean counter

    Balaji Telefilms taps money man Viren Trivedi as new bean counter

    MUMBAI: Balaji Telefilms, the entertainment powerhouse, has promoted veteran finance whiz Viren Trivedi to finance controller, effective immediately. The production giant’s board approved the appointment yesterday following a nod from its nomination and remuneration committee.

    Trivedi, a chartered accountant by training, is hardly a fresh face at the firm. Having joined the Balaji Group in 2013, he brings over 11 years of financial savvy to his new role. The company appears to be betting on the devil it knows rather than the devil it doesn’t.

    Before his Balaji stint, the money man cut his teeth at accounting firms Suresh Patni & Associates and Mehta & Vasu Associates, where he honed his skills in everything from tax audits to drafting partnership deeds.

    At Balaji, Trivedi has been knee-deep in the company’s financial affairs, juggling quarterly financials, liaising with auditors, managing day-to-day funds and authorising payments. He’s also had his fingers in the film distribution pie, handling commercials and assisting with revenue deals.

     

  • ZEE5 has announced the ZEE5 Manoranjan Festival

    ZEE5 has announced the ZEE5 Manoranjan Festival

    Mumbai: ZEE5 has announced the ZEE5 Manoranjan Festival, an exclusive Diwali celebration featuring family-friendly and dramatic films for free. Running from 24 October to 3 November 2024, this festival aims to bring the joy of the season to screens, offering entertainment in eight languages.

    Viewers can enjoy a selection of over 75 premium titles across Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Marathi, Malayalam, Bengali, and Punjabi, reflecting themes of joy, tradition, and togetherness. With ZEE5 available on connected TV, audiences can experience these films with cinema-quality visuals at home.

    The 11-day campaign includes notable titles such as Saand Ki Aankh, Uunchai, Chhatriwalli, and Toilet: Ek Prem Katha in Hindi; Paappan and Moothon in Malayalam; Yaar Anmulle Returns, Saas Meri Ne Munda Jameya, and Beautiful Billo in Punjabi; Vimanam, Aravinda Sametha Veera Raghava, and Jersey in Telugu; Thothapuri: Chapter 1, Garuda Gamana Vrishabha Vahana, and Kurukshetra in Kannada; Basu Poribar, Mini, and Parineeta in Bengali; Yaanai, DD Returns, and Ayothi in Tamil; and Timepass 2, Timepass 3, and Sairat in Marathi.

    ZEE5 India CBO Manish Kalra said, “At ZEE5, our constant effort has been to make world-class entertainment more accessible to everyone, while continuously providing greater value to our consumers. Our festive campaigns have always been loved by the audience and we are eager to bring them back this year. For this season, our focus is on expanding the offerings on the platform to ensure a wider family viewing experience. This Diwali, our aim is to make every moment count with the ZEE5 Manoranjan Festival as the one stop destination for festive family entertainment.”

  • IFP season 14 concludes on a high note

    IFP season 14 concludes on a high note

    Mumbai: IFP’s 14th edition, held on 12-13 October 2024, at Mehboob Studios, Mumbai, attracted a footfall of over 15,000 attendees. The event celebrated creativity across films & OTT, music, literature, writing, storytelling, photography, design, art, and comedy, featuring a range of sessions, workshops, masterclasses, live performances, mixers, debate rings, and challenges.

    Day one opened with Hollywood actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Rajkummar Rao discussing the art of character embodiment and Gordon-Levitt’s HitRecord platform. Other notable sessions included a roundtable on film production with Aparna Purohit, Guneet Monga, and Ronnie Lahiri; Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s insights on becoming an auteur; and a conversation on reviving comedy with Rajesh A Krishnan and Kunal Kemmu. A special session, Making of Man Woman Man Woman, featured Naseeruddin Shah, Ratna Pathak Shah, Imaad Shah, Sanah Abbott, and Tarun Dhanrajgir. Additional sessions included ‘The Comic Battle: Anybody Can Boing!’ with Aparshakti Khurana and Sayani Gupta, ‘Inside the Mind of a Music Supervisor’ with Ankur Tewari and Dot, ‘Aesthetics of the Gram: Vertical Cinema’ with Maroof Culmen, Dolly Singh, Sejal Kumar, and Mansi Ugale, ‘Journey of a Joke’ with Saurabh Shukla and Abish Mathew, and ‘Crew Cut’ with Jim Sarbh, Zoya Hussain, and Bosco-Caesar.

     

     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

    A post shared by IFP (@ifp.world)

     

    Day two began with Shoojit Sircar’s session on crafting subtlety in cinema. Other highlights included ‘Qisse with Kopal’ featuring Sharvari Wagh and Kopal Khanna, ‘Many Shades of Kartik Aaryan’ with Kartik Aaryan, ‘On Subverting Narratives’ with Chhaya Kadam, and ‘Collaborative Creation: Harnessing AI in Art and Cinema’ with Rob, Kabir Khan, and Toosid. Kanika Dhillon and Taapsee Pannu discussed ‘Making of a Modern Pulp’, while William Dalrymple spoke on ‘Walking the Golden Road’. The ‘Musicians Who Broke the Internet’ session featured Nikhita Gandhi, Sai Abhyankkar, Yashraj, and Chaar Diwaari, while the ‘Stars of Tomorrow’ panel included Sparsh Shrivastava, Tanya Maniktala, Abhay Verma, and Pratibha Ranta, and ‘Brut Generation’ featured Aditi Rao Hydari.

    The festival also honored winners of IFP’s 50-hour challenges across filmmaking, music, design, performing arts, writing, and photography, with over 54,000 participants globally. In addition to the sessions, the event featured debate rings, open mics, mixers, and live acts, capturing the festival’s creative spirit.

    IFP founder Ritam Bhatnagar expressed, “We are thrilled to announce that the fourteenth season of IFP has been truly extraordinary, marking a significant milestone in the festival’s history. Over the past thirteen years, we have consistently witnessed exceptional engagement from both participants and attendees. This year, however, surpassed our highest expectations. A standout moment was the inaugural visit of acclaimed actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt to India specifically for IFP. Furthermore, remarkable speakers from various creative fields greatly enriched the conversations. It’s worth noting that participants from 42 countries and attendees from nine countries joined us, making this a truly global festival.”

  • Subhash Ghai’s Mukta Arts inks deal for 37 films with Zee

    Subhash Ghai’s Mukta Arts inks deal for 37 films with Zee

    MUMBAI: The Shubash Ghai-promoted Mukta Arts today informed the Bombay stock exchange that is has entered into an assignment agreement and executed a term sheet with Zee Entertainment Enterprises for 37 of its films.  The deal assigns the  satellite and media rights of the films to Zee for six years, commencing 25 August 2027.

    Mukta Arts announced that the duo agreed to a 25 per cent higher fee for the rights as compared to the previous agreement. The two did not disclose what the final deal amount is.  Amongst the big films that Ghai has helmed include: Karz, Khalnayak, Hero, Ram Lakhan, Karma, Pardes, Saudagar, Taal, Yaadein, Bombay To Bangkok, Good Boy Bad Boy, Khanna & Iyer, Sham Ghanshyam.

    Mukta Arts has had a long history of working with Zee with its films being licensed to the broadcaster repeatedly. The duo signed a deal wherein the veteran film maker would make three films for Zee Studios in 2021.The first of these was 36 Farmhouse which was released in January 2022.

    Recently, Mukta Arts, Mukta A2 cinema, Zee Cinema and PVR announced that the Anil Kapoor-starrer Taal would be re-released in theatres from 27 September in the twenty-fifth year of its first release. 
     

  • Father’s Day: Binge-worthy list of audio, web series and films celebrating father-child bond

    Father’s Day: Binge-worthy list of audio, web series and films celebrating father-child bond

    Mumbai: A father embraces a multitude of roles – being a superhero, a support system, a buddy and a guide all at once. This Father’s Day, get ready to experience a gamut of emotions: happiness, joy, sadness, regret and inspiration with this compelling list of seven films, audio and web series that explore the many facets of fatherhood.

    Marvel’s Wastelanders: Hawkeye

    Platform: Audible

    Thirty years ago, the villains of the world rose and killed all the heroes. Well, all the heroes that mattered. The sole survivor of the Avengers, Hawkeye (Jaideep Ahlawat) is now a sideshow freak, re-living the worst day of his life for paying audiences. He’s surly, broken, and losing his sight, but there’s still that fire in him to be a hero, to avenge his friends. Hawkeye gets an unexpected visitor, his estranged 17-year-old daughter Ash (Prajakta Koli) on her quest for vengeance after losing her best friend. Tune into this gripping Hindi Audible Original podcast series to experience Jaideep Ahlawat and Prajakta Koli portraying the ultimate father-daughter duo avenging the death of their loved ones.

    Let Her Fly

    Platform: Audible

    This audiobook is about the journey of a father, Ziauddin Yousafzai, fighting for equality not only for his daughter, Malala Yousafzai but for all girls around the world living in patriarchal societies. Narrated through intimate portraits of each of Ziauddin’s closest relationships – as a son to a traditional father; as a father to Malala and her brothers, educated and growing up in the West; as a husband to a wife finally learning to read and write; as a brother to five sisters still living in the patriarchy – ‘Let Her Fly’ looks at what it means to love, to have courage and fight for what is inherently right. Personal in its detail and universal in its themes, this audiobook is an inspiring listen for all fathers.

    Bachelor Dad

    Platform: Audible

    Tusshar Kapoor a popular Bollywood actor, and father encapsulates the journey of being a father in the Audible audiobook ‘Bachelor Dad’. Documented in a straightforward, fun, no-holds-barred, and incisive first-person narrative, Tusshar reveals interesting childhood anecdotes, the process of raising a child as a single man in India, how the search for the perfect soulmate doesn’t stop after having a child, and finally how his son, Laksshya, changed his life forever.

    Drishyam 2

    Platform: Prime Video

    ‘Drishyam 2,’ the sequel to the 2015 Malayalam thriller ‘Drishyam,’ picks up where the first film left off. The movie showcases the strong bond between Vijay Salgaonkar and his family as they face the repercussions of his past actions. A commercial success, the film keeps you on the edge of your seat with its suspenseful narrative that throws curveballs as the shadows of the past resurface. It’s a thrilling watch that celebrates both paternal love and the unwavering strength of family.

    This is Us

    Platform: Prime Video

    An absolute tear-jerker, this award-winning series is a must-watch with the family. It delves into the stories of three siblings and the complexities of fatherhood across generations. From Jack’s unwavering support to Randall’s journey to find his biological father, ‘This is Us’ presents a relatable and emotional narrative of the father-child bond. Keep the tissue box handy for this one and prepare for an experience that will remind you of the power of family and leave you feeling grateful for them.

    Hi Nanna

    Platform: Netflix

    ‘Hi Nanna’ is a heartwarming Telugu language film that celebrates the bond between a single father, Viraj, and his daughter, Mahi. The daughter who is suffering from cystic fibrosis is curious about her mother and seeks help from her new friend to convince her dad to share more about their love story and details about her mother. But why did her mother abandon them? To know more, watch the film which is a beautiful depiction of how a father shields his child from every problem and the special relationship between a father and daughter, making it an ideal watch this Father’s Day.

    The Pursuit of Happyness

    Platform: Netflix

    This inspiring true story follows Chris Gardner, a newly single dad struggling to make ends meet when he joins a brokerage firm to become a stockbroker. Will Smith delivers a powerful performance as Chris, who is determined to lift himself and his son out of poverty and work his way up at the firm. The film is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the incredible sacrifices fathers make for their children. It’s a perfect watch as an ode to all fathers who go above and beyond to provide for their families and make their dreams come true.

  • Audio, web series and films that will move you and broaden your perspective

    Audio, web series and films that will move you and broaden your perspective

    Mumbai: Happy Pride, listeners! This June, we’re excited to share a curated list of audiobooks, podcasts, web series and films that are perfect for celebrating the spirit of pride. From adventures to romantic thrillers, here are fabulous titles that support queer representation in all its forms. They help convey that no matter where you fall on the spectrum, inclusivity is beautiful and worthy of being celebrated. Enjoy these stories that capture the multi-faceted nature of love and the fight for freedom to express oneself!

    Desi Down Under

    Platform: Audible

    Set against the backdrop of Sydney’s Coogee Beach, ‘Desi Down Under’ is a coming-of-age story that follows three best friends Deven (Adarsh Gaurav), Meenu (Prajakta Koli), and Rahul (Taaruk Raina) cross the ocean to learn surf-lifesaving skills, but their adventure quickly becomes much more than they anticipated. Rahul radiates joy and embraces his sexuality with pride despite societal pressures. As Rahul steps into Sydney, he meets Taylor, an Italian resident who challenges his fear of commitment and ignites a thrilling path of self-discovery, love, and surprises. This podcast series promises an inspiring and relatable tale that celebrates the courage to be oneself.

    Mine & Yours (Season 2)

    Platform: Audible

    In ‘Mine and Yours Season 2,’ Priya’s (Sayani Gupta) world is turned upside down when her ex-girlfriend Rashi (Kubbra Sait) unexpectedly returns from the US. Rashi’s arrival stirs up old emotions and creates tension in Priya’s current relationship with Jaiveer (Nakuul Mehta). Priya finds herself caught between the past and the present, navigating her evolving sexuality and the complexities of love. The ensuing rivalry between Rashi and Jaiveer for Priya’s heart sets off a whirlwind of jealousy and emotional conflict. Join this gripping tale as Priya, Rashi, and Jaiveer explore the depths of their feelings and fight for what truly matters in their pursuit of happiness, on this podcast.

    Queer West

    Platform: Audible

    ‘Queer West,’ hosted by the charismatic Niecy Nash-Betts, is a journey through the untold stories of the American West, where LGBTQ+ lives have long thrived against the backdrop of cowboy lore and Hollywood myths. In each episode, Niecy guides listeners through a wild exploration of forgotten histories, uncovering how queer people have continuously shaped and redefined the Western landscape. This Audible series invites you to saddle up and ride alongside queer pioneers, challenging perceptions and reclaiming their rightful place in Western history.

    Here and Queer

    Platform: Audible

    This audiobook is an inclusive audio guide authored by Rowan Ellis, offering heartfelt advice and comforting stories to empower queer girls. From understanding one’s identity to navigating relationships and mental health, this supportive resource serves as a beacon of empowerment and validation for girls exploring their queer-ness. Through personal anecdotes and guest contributions, the audiobooks discusses the complexities of LGBTQ+ life, fostering a sense of community, and resilience.

    Made in Heaven

    Platform: Amazon Prime Video

    ‘Made in Heaven’ follows Tara (Sobhita Dhulipala) and Karan (Arjun Mathur), two wedding planners in Delhi. As they navigate arranged marriages, societal pressures, and hidden desires, exposing the clash between tradition and modern aspirations< the show also portrays LGBTQ+ characters and their struggles. It offers a refreshing perspective within the Indian social context – you’ll encounter characters grappling with their identities, facing societal expectations, and navigating the complexities of love. It’s a show that celebrates love in all its forms while offering a thought-provoking look at the challenges faced by those who don’t conform to traditional norms.

    Red, White and Royal Blue

    Platform: Amazon Prime Video

    Casey McQuiston’s royally romantic and wildly popular bestseller, ‘Red, White & Royal Blue,’ is an enemies-to-lovers story that explores the unexpected romance between America’s First Son, Alex Claremont-Diaz (Taylor Zakhar Perez), and the Prince of Wales (Nicholas Galitzine). Alex finds himself embroiled in a media storm after a public altercation with Prince Henry strains relations between their nations. To contain the scandal, they stage a fake friendship, but what begins as a superficial truce evolves into a profound love affair. Tune in for a rollercoaster of emotions in this beautiful film adaptation of the book.

    My Policeman

    Platform: Amazon Prime Video

    Set in the 1950s, ‘My Policeman’ explores a forbidden love triangle between a policeman named Tom (Harry Styles), his school teacher Marion (Emma Corrin), and museum curator Patrick (David Dawson). Tom feels a deep affection for Patrick, but societal pressures lead him to propose to Marion instead.  Their seemingly happy marriage crumbles when Marion uncovers the truth, forcing all three to grapple with their desires and the strictures of the time. Through alternating perspectives and decades-spanning narratives, this film offers a powerful story of love, loss, and the fight for acceptance.

  • “The three of us principally believe there is no limit of growth, it’s a matter of choice”: Chrome Pictures founders

    “The three of us principally believe there is no limit of growth, it’s a matter of choice”: Chrome Pictures founders

    Mumbai: Cinema has been entertaining and educating the masses through various mediums, including films, TVCs, ad films, TV serials, and web series on OTT platforms. Creating, experimenting and evolving with ‘Lights, Camera and Action’, a production house – Chrome Pictures has come a long way in the world of advertising and filmmaking.

    On 20 January 2024, Chrome Pictures celebrated a remarkable milestone, marking its 20-year anniversary as a prominent force in the realm of visual storytelling. The film production company, founded in 2004 by the dynamic trio of Amit Sharma, Aleya Sen, and Hemant Bhandari has emerged as one of the premier production houses of the country, consistently upholding a legacy of excellence, innovation, and creativity on a global scale.

    Renowned for its diverse portfolio, the company has directed and produced compelling and heartwarming TVCs for an array of leading brands in collavoration with top ad agencies of India. The accolades garnered and awards won at renowned platforms include the Cannes Film Festival, Spikes Asia, Adfest, NYA, D&AD, DPA, amongst others. In the recent times, Chrome Pictures won 33 film awards for their debut feature film ‘Badhaai Ho’ including the prestigious National Award for the “Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment”.

    To know more about the production company and its two decade journey, Indian Television caught up with Chrome Pictures founders Amit Sharma, Aleya Sen and Hemant Bhandari.

    Edited Excerpts:

    On the founders of Chrome Pictures coming together to establish the company in 2004

    Amit Sharma, Aleya Sen and Hemant Bhandari started Chrome Pictures at the young age of 24. Amit and Hemant are childhood friends, while Aleya and Amit met on sets of Pradeep Sarkar. It was their dream to start a production house together.

    On some memorable moments along with the challenges that Chrome Pictures faced during its 20-year journey in the industry

    20 years is a long time and we’ve faced multiple challenges along the way. But we’ve always seen every challenge as an opportunity to get better at our game.

    One of our biggest challenges was our first breakthrough. The first year we only got 10-15 sec ads. We made Hanes commercials with our own money. It won many national and International awards. That’s when we got our first recognition in the advertising industry. Making our own place in Bollywood, with landmark films like Badhaai Ho and recently Trial Period is equally challenging. Covid was another time of challenge for all production houses. We were one of the first to start online shoots, with a zeal to reinvent ourselves. We are a company of 70 and everyone was retained. We landed, bagging 46 awards, including Cannes Lions Awards for Dove #StopTheBeautyTest and the Facebook Pooja Didi Ad, shot during COVID.

    On Chrome Pictures distinguishing itself in terms of its creative and innovative approach within both the cinema and advertising industries

    We love exploring and experimenting with new talent, technology, genre, formats etc. It’s safe to say that the creative aspect of films – be it ad or feature, triumphs everything else for us. We believe that storytelling is not limited to any format and, hence, from Chrome’s very inception, we’ve looked forward to every project with equal amount of excitement. Long format was a natural progression. We like to stay updated with the ever growing and changing market.

    On the genres or thematic areas that Chrome Pictures is looking to delve into as it further establishes itself in the Bollywood film industry

    We are unified by our diversity. We’ve never restricted ourselves to specific genres while making feature films. We treat content as our hero. Selection of a particular script is an individual director’s choice. Like, I might go from exploring romance in one project to drama in the next. Similarly, Amit might go from doing a sports biography, Maidaan, to a thriller. However our forte is emotional and realistic storytelling.

    On whether AI is having any discernible impact on Chrome Pictures’ production process and if so, is the company integrating artificial intelligence into its creative workflows

    Evolution is constant. Just about 12 years back, Fuji and Kodak Stock suddenly switched to digital cameras. From Beta tapes, we switched to drives and then cloud. So AI is inevitable. At Chrome, we strive to stay flexible and relevant to changing times. It’s important to upgrade oneself in an industry that welcomes new technology readily. Having said that, AI will certainly have an adverse impact in terms of replacing manual work to digitised ones.

    On the company’s future plans & aspirations

    In the last 20 years, we have explored our strengths in more than one way. Currently with eight young and talented in-house directors, six producers and an experienced production and post team, we intend on producing more feature films, OTT films and web series.

    Our advertising team is well-established and we encourage new talents. We have a digital wing, Minikin DG Works. We have a well-equipped post-production studio setup called “Planet Chrome”. Last year we launched our content lab called “Crimsen Tales”.

    The three of us principally believe there is no limit of growth, it’s a matter of choice.

  • MIB invites comments on the guidelines of accessibility standards for disability audiences.

    MIB invites comments on the guidelines of accessibility standards for disability audiences.

    Mumbai: MIB (Ministry of Information and Broadcasting) issued a notification concerning section 29, section 42 of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016. MIB asked for comments or feedback from general people on the announcement of a new mandate for content access to persons with disabilities.

    Mandate asked the government to take appropriate measures and initiatives for  accessibility for content, films, and universal access for promoting interest and preserving human rights. The government issued guidelines for accessibility standards in the public exhibition of feature films in cinemas for people with hearing and visual impairment.

    These guidelines are mandatory for cinema entities and theatres to follow from 10 January 2024. The film which is certified by CBFC ( Central Board of Film Certification) is mandatory to take this measure to promote global accessibility for the content.

    The focus of these guidelines is also on information and assistive devices needed by persons with disabilities to enjoy the content. The effective date is applicable from the date of the notification.

    The accessibility feature mandate depends on principles of health, education, human rights, fundamental freedom, availability, advocacy, and affordability. According to the mandate, films must arrange special shows for people with disabilities as prescribed in the notification. This film or content should enclose a subtitle, audio description, captioning, and technical specialties for the betterment of disabled persons.

    It is also mandatory for film producers to deliver two sets of films for certification to CBFC, one is for public view and the second is for accessibility features for disabilities. Film exhibitors are also entitled to provision accessibility features to disabilities. As per the mandate, providing a minimum of two pieces of equipment per 200 seats.

    As per the 2011 Census, Out of the total population, 2.21 per cent of the population is disabled out of which 19 per cent persons have vision disability and 19 per cent people with hearing disability in hearing. These new regulations will be inclusive of accessibility for social, and cultural well-being.

  • Warner Bros Discovery and Paramount Global are into talk for merger – Sources

    Warner Bros Discovery and Paramount Global are into talk for merger – Sources

    Mumbai: Us-based International conglomerates Warner Bros Discovery and Paramount global chiefs met on Wednesday, sources told Reuters. Both companies attributed to making international content are planning to collaborate for upcoming potential projects. For that purpose, Warner Bros Discovery CEO David Zaslav met Paramount Global CEO Bob Bakish allegedly on Wednesday.

    Still, it is not clear that Warner Bros may buy Paramount Global or its parent company ‘ National Amusements Inc ‘(NAI) as per sources speak to the news agency Reuters. According to the Axis report talks between both conglomerates are in the initial stage, so talks have not converted yet into a deal. Paramount is under the management of Shari Redstone led media which owns 77 per cent stakes in Paramount class A.

    In April last year, Warmers Media unit and Discovery merged and formed Warner Bros Discovery, a portfolio that included Discovery Channel, Warner Bros. Entertainment CNN, HBO, Cartoon Network streaming services Discovery+, HBO Max, and franchises such as Batman and Harry Potter. Earlier Bloomberg News reported Paramount was in talks to sell its Black Entertainment Television network to a management-led investor group.

    As per the Bloomberg report old media companies struggle with the transition to streaming. Both companies can collaborate to build infrastructure for film studios and TV networks. If these two media merged it could become the largest media house other than Disney.