Entertainment
DNEG Group raises $200 million from UAE's United Al Saqer Group
The DNEG Group, a leader in visual entertainment tech, has secured a $200 million investment from UAE's United Al Saqer Group (UASG), valuing it at over $2 billion. This boosts DNEG's move towards AI-driven content creation with Brahma, set to democratize CGI. Prime Focus Studios will expand, co-producing major films. A new Abu Dhabi hub aims to boost media jobs. CEO Namit Malhotra plans to leverage this partnership to enhance global services and tech, transforming storytelling capabilities with innovative AI tools.
Kalki 2898 AD brings Indian box office back to life
The Telugu epic sci-fi film Kalki 2898 AD has invigorated the Indian box office, grossing over Rs 350 crore domestically and Rs 500 crore globally within four days of release. Featuring stars like Amitabh Bachchan and Prabhas, the film's success marks a high point for 2024's otherwise slow box office year. Experts attribute its success to star power, strong content, and high production quality. With promising releases ahead, industry analysts predict a rebound in cinema footfalls and box office performance in the latter half of the year.
Nokia, Pepsi, Frooti: Shah Rukh Khan's most popular brand endorsements
Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan has joined Myntra as a new brand ambassador, the company said on Friday. King Khan will be the face of Myntra's latest advertising campaign, "Trend IRL" (Trend in Real Life), which aims to establish the e-commerce company as the best place to find and follow fashion trends. In a series of ads filmed in a traditional office setting, Shah Rukh Khan elegantly displays an array of stylish ensembles, encouraging people in his vicinity to up their own style game.
Shah Rukh Khan’s Red Chillies posts net profit of Rs 85 crore in FY23
Revenue rose 2.3 times to Rs 300 crore from Rs 130 crore in FY22, the filings with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs showed. The privately held company has yet to report results for the fiscal year through March 2024.
Fremantle India's 'Bad Cop' garners 3.1 million views on Disney+ Hotstar
The show was also listed on Ormax Media’s 5 most watched OTT shows and Movies for the time period 17 – 23 June 2024 with 3.1 million views within four days of its release. Bad Cop, which has been reimagined for India by Fremantle India, is based on RTL’s original German drama of the same name. The shows cast includes Gulshan Devaiah, Anurag Kashyap, Harleen Sethi, Sushmita Aiswaria and Saurav Sachdeva.
Anime platform Crunchyroll debuts on Prime Video Channels
Prime Video has introduced Crunchyroll on its aggregation service, offering over 800 anime titles for Rs 79/month. Viewers in India can enjoy new releases in multiple languages, with Prime members gaining access to 40 new shows, including popular series like Black Butler and Demon Slayer.
NBDA seeks Andhra Pradesh government's intervention in channel blackouts by cable operators
The Cable TV Operators Association of Andhra Pradesh affiliated members have blocked the carriage of signals from Sakshi TV, a member of the NBDA, and three other news broadcasters, namely, TV9, NTV, and 10TV for allegedly criticising Naidu's Telugu Desam party (TDP).
Young Lions win gold at marketers competition
Indian team wins gold Lion at Young Lions competition set by World Bank's IDA, recruiting youth, entrepreneurs, influencers, and civil society to champion its cause.
Indian contingent bags two more silver Lions
India won two silver Lions at Cannes Lions, bringing the total tally to 11. Elon Musk appeared at the event in conversation with WPP CEO Mark Read, discussing the future and AI risks.
Pocket FM's 'Insta Empire' garners Rs 100 crore revenue
Pocket FM derives a majority of its revenue from microtransactions, which allow users to pay for shows that they want to watch. The audio series has already garnered over 250 million plays worldwide and is available in English, Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, and Malayalam.
Nachiket Pantvaidya appointed General Manager of Sony Pictures International Productions India
Pantvaidya will oversee local Indian production while working alongside Shony Panjikaran, General Manager and Head of Sony Pictures Releasing International, India, the company said in a statement.
Must Watch
Cannes Lions 2024: India off to a good start with one silver, two bronzes
India performed well on the first day of the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, often referred to as the Oscars of the ad-world. They secured one Silver and two Bronze Lions. Ogilvy Mumbai was awarded a Silver Lion for their innovative 'Megh Santoor' campaign for Brooke Bond Taj Mahal tea, featuring a musical billboard that played 'Raag Megh Malhar' when it rained.
Malayalam cinema dazzles on silver screens in 2024
Malayalam film industry has a blockbuster year with ₹720 crore box office collections. Top grossing movies include Manjummel Boys, Aadujeevitham, Aavesham, and Premalu. E4 Entertainment founder Mukesh Mehta highlights the success of diverse Malayalam films. Malayalam cinema is gaining traction in North America and Europe, according to NV Capital cofounder Nitin Menon.
Paytm likely in talks with Zomato to sell movie ticketing business
Paytm is in advanced talks to sell its movie and events ticketing business to Zomato amid declining sales. The move is part of Paytm's revival strategy after reporting its first sales decline, triggered by regulatory actions. The potential sale aims to help Paytm refocus on core businesses like travel and cash backs.
Delhi HC rejects Pocket FM's plea against Disney+ Hotstar
Pocket FM had moved the court contending that Disney+ Hotstar's video series had many similarities with its audio series by the same name. The audio platform also claimed that it had given its audio series ‘Yakshini’ to Disney+ Hotstar for adaptation into a video series.
KidZania to set up more theme parks across India
Imagination Edutainment India, backed by Shah Rukh Khan, is planning to expand KidZania indoor theme parks in top Indian cities. The company recently launched 'KidZania Neighborhood' for toddlers aged 1-6. KidZania operates in Mumbai and Delhi and is in talks for a Bengaluru location. Brands partner with KidZania for immersive experiences.
