News & Gossip

A senior PVR INOX executive was asked to leave in April after an internal probe. Allegations suggest kickbacks from developers involved in building cinema properties. These alleged payments reportedly occurred over several years and could total ₹200 crore. The investigation also aims to determine the full extent of the wrongdoing. The company's board has discussed these serious matters in recent meetings.

Reliance-owned JioStar’s Bigg Boss has attracted more than 95 advertisers across six language editions, spanning Hindi, Bangla, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam. National and regional advertisers feature across the franchise, with first-time advertisers accounting for over half of participation in southern markets and 70% in Hindi, as brands increase spending on regional-language programming during the festive season.

Balaji Telefilms has partnered with YouTube to launch five premium original shows spanning 200 episodes. Ekta Kapoor will lead the creative vision and retain intellectual property ownership, while YouTube will provide global distribution and monetisation through advertising and brand partnerships.

The Indian entertainment industry is witnessing a surge in celebrities curating non-fiction series that revolve around their public identities. This trend smartly tackles the challenge of fleeting audience attention and the saturation of content. By teaming up with creators, these stars develop compelling intellectual properties that attract advertisers looking for budget-friendly brand partnerships.

India's micro-drama sector is on track to hit Rs 23,500 to 25,500 crore by FY32 and advertising video-on-demand is set to become a primary revenue stream next to subscriptions, Redseer Strategy Consultants said. The anticipated growth in AVOD could see active daily users skyrocketing to around 140-150 million, it added.

Netflix introduces 'Into the Southverse' to simplify discovering southern Indian films and series. This new collection gathers content across languages, genres, moods, and stars for viewers. The streaming giant is increasing its investment in southern film industries and expects new titles weekly. Southern Indian films have consistently appeared on Netflix's India Top 10 lists.

The devotional film Hanuman Ansh is experiencing sustained audience interest in its fourth week. PVR INOX is increasing showtimes across its network due to strong word-of-mouth. The film attracts a wider demographic, including younger audiences and senior citizens. Its momentum is driven by viewer recommendations and social media conversations. This sustained response highlights cinemas' role in organic film discovery.

Faith-infused cinema is experiencing remarkable success in theaters, even with limited financial resources. These films resonate with viewers by integrating spirituality into relatable narratives, addressing deep existential questions and showcasing how faith can provide solace and fortitude. With increasing audience engagement, producers view this genre as a robust investment, driven by culturally significant tales and shared community experiences.

Mohit Jain is set to take the helm of the Audit Bureau of Circulations for the term 2026-27. His vision revolves around captivating the interest of younger, urban demographics in newspaper readership. Publishers are targeting innovations in content and digital platforms to draw in fresh readers, emphasizing the importance of daily newspapers for broader insights and perspectives.

During a recent hearing on a repayment plan challenge, Subhash Chandra, chairman of Essel Group, contested the constitution of the NCLT bench, asserting that it does not possess the power to create such a bench. This critical argument was made as the appellate tribunal is scheduled to address the issues again soon, particularly after the NCLT bench had put a hold on the approval of the repayment plan.

Tata Play Binge Shots has integrated Klip, a micro-drama platform, into its content offerings. This new addition features over sixty shows and three thousand episodes of diverse Hindi content. Klip, founded by Vicky Bahri and Harman Baweja, adds approximately fifteen new shows monthly. It joins other platforms like STAGE and Pocket Films on Tata Play Binge Shots. Klip will also be accessible through the Tata Play Mobile App.

Indian artists saw a 29% rise in Spotify royalties during 2025. Telugu music experienced over 120% growth, with other regional languages also growing. More Indian artists are earning significant income, with a 21% increase in those earning over one crore rupees. International listeners discovered Indian artists more, contributing significantly to their earnings.

India’s television broadcasting industry is undergoing a structural reset as 114 channel licences were surrendered between 2022 and 2026 amid weakening advertising, declining pay-TV homes and audiences shifting to OTT, connected TV and short-form video. Broadcasters including JioStar, Zee Entertainment, NDTV and B4U Networks are rationalising portfolios as industry economics come under pressure.

NCLAT has deferred the insolvency proceedings against Zee founder Subhash Chandra to October 7 after his counsel challenged the constitution of a five-member NCLT bench.

In a sweeping operation, the Income-tax Department has searched Dentsu Media Group's offices throughout India. The focus primarily lies on several entities connected to this Japanese advertising giant's operations. Following an investigation into transactions within an Indian subsidiary, Dentsu has contested claims of ₹522.8 crore concerning purported goods and services. As the investigations proceed, the group remains resolute in defending its actions and is collaborating with authorities.

Meghalaya is developing a creative economy focused on film production and digital content. The state's Film Tourism Policy 2025 offers incentives for productions and local talent. Its OTT platform 'Hello Meghalaya' supports regional content creators and their monetization. Bollywood professionals expressed interest in Meghalaya's locations and emerging creative pool. This strategy aims to create a comprehensive creative value chain for economic growth.

A wave of Income Tax searches is currently sweeping through Dentsu Media Group offices in multiple cities amid a suspected tax evasion inquiry. Officials are meticulously reviewing locations linked to the media and advertising conglomerate. While the investigation progresses, nuanced details on the potential evasion have yet to emerge, leaving stakeholders eagerly awaiting additional information.

BookMyShow Live has invested in Belgian company Stageco's staging equipment. This move expands their production infrastructure for large-scale concerts and festivals. The new equipment will be deployed across Indian cities in the coming months. This investment supports India's growing live events market and global touring productions. BookMyShow Live aims to own reusable production assets for future events.

The landscape of India's microdrama industry is evolving, shifting from an emphasis on acquiring users to nurturing and monetizing them. Currently, active paying users represent a small fraction of the total users. Analysts predict that the market will converge around a few dominant firms as they navigate global competition and find ways to lower production expenses. To thrive, platforms must prioritize user engagement and sustainable revenue streams.

Bigg Boss Bangla has returned after nearly a decade with its third season on Star Jalsha and JioHotstar. Former India cricket captain Sourav Ganguly hosts the Bengali reality show, which features 15 contestants including Monami Ghosh, Bharat Kaul, Durnibar Saha, Dipendu Biswas, Alexandra Taylor, Srijla Guha and Sonamoni Saha, alongside influencers, entrepreneurs and social media personalities.

The share of international films in India's total box-office collections will likely reach 20-25% this year, surpassing the historical high of 15% in 2019. A key aspect in the success of Hollywood films is its appeal across genres. While biopics and epics such as Michael, The Odyssey and original IPs such as Project Hail Mary and Obsession found strong appeal among cinegoers, franchises such as Spider-Man: Brand New Day and Evil Dead Burn proved the power of loyal audience following.

Comedian Samay Raina is facing criticism for remarks made about people from Bihar and Kashmiri Pandits. Clips of the exchange from India's Got Latent, Season 2, circulated widely on social media. BJP MLA Ram Kadam condemned the statements, calling them attention-seeking and disrespectful. Reactions from the Kashmiri Pandit community were mixed regarding the comedian's jokes. The episode also featured an exchange about vlogging with Archana Puran Singh.

'Awarapan 2' starring Emraan Hashmi has made a splash at the global box office, crossing the impressive two hundred crore rupee milestone. The film, directed by Nitin Kakkar, sees Hashmi reprising his iconic role as Shivam. As Shivam navigates the ruthless Bangkok underworld, his mission is to rescue kidnapped children. Featuring performances from Disha Patani and Shabana Azmi, this sequel builds on the legacy of the original 2007 film.

Zee Entertainment is investing in sports and animation to build new growth engines. The company is diversifying its portfolio to capture a larger share of the evolving media landscape. ZEEL has partnered with PhantomFX to strengthen its animation and VFX content creation capabilities. The broadcaster has also launched four sports channels and secured rights to international events. ZEEL's digital platform ZEE5 became profitable in FY26, aided by a language-focused strategy.

India's entertainment and media industry will grow to $36.7 billion by 2030. Digital advertising and video OTT will lead this significant expansion. Gaming and esports revenue is also projected for substantial annual growth. Traditional TV and print media will remain resilient and continue to grow.

Mohalla Tech, parent of ShareChat, Moj and QuickTV, has partnered with Pratilipi’s Double Tap Films to adapt more than 75 stories into microdramas. The content will be distributed across Mohalla Tech’s platforms, targeting growing demand for regional, short-form and episodic entertainment.

Gaana and Fenix360 have partnered to launch a new artist-fan ecosystem. This integration combines discovery, engagement, and monetization within the Gaana app. Artists can now build digital storefronts and offer merchandise directly to fans. The platform also enables ticket sales and paid live streams for artists. This new ecosystem aims to foster stronger artist-audience connections and revenue streams.

The National Company Law Tribunal approved a repayment plan for Essel Group founder Subhash Chandra. This plan does not signify banks writing off nearly all of Rs 22,000 crore in loans. The Rs 22,006 crore figure represents claims against Chandra as a personal guarantor. Corporate borrowers remain liable for their debts, and creditors retain recovery avenues. This case is an exceptional personal-guarantor resolution, not a corporate debt write-off.

Media baron Subhash Chandra states his personal insolvency claim totals Rs 3,992 crore. He has not borrowed any money directly from any lender. Dissenting creditors claimed Rs 22,000 crore against him in proceedings. A third member of NCLT approved a plan for Chandra to pay Rs 6.5 crore. This decision allows for potential recovery from borrowing entities directly.

Dream11 has shifted to a global sports engagement platform, discontinuing all prizes. This move follows India's 2025 Online Gaming Act banning real-money games. The company now focuses on content, streaming, and community features for users. This transition impacts its sponsorship deals, including with the BCCI. Dream11 aims to offer personalized, multi-sport content to a worldwide audience.

Theatrical window rules have sparked a fresh dispute between Tamil Nadu film producers and exhibitors, with exhibitors seeking an eight-week window for Tamil films instead of four weeks. Producers have threatened to halt new theatrical releases, shootings and post-production from September 1. Industry veterans expect a compromise, potentially applying the longer window to films without pre-existing OTT streaming deals

Walt Disney's Indian joint venture with Reliance Industries saw losses narrow significantly in the recent quarter. The combined entity, JioStar, reported a sharp turnaround in profitability during the last fiscal year. Revenue from operations for JioStar increased substantially, reflecting strong business growth. This improvement in Disney's investment tracks the venture's enhanced financial performance. JioStar also reduced its provision for onerous sports contracts, indicating better financial management.

The insolvency tribunal NCLT approved Subhash Chandra's repayment plan. Lenders will receive only Rs 6.5 crore against Rs 22,006.57 crore claims. This represents a nearly 99.97 per cent haircut for the financial institutions. The tribunal rejected objections from dissenting creditors regarding the meagre payout. The approved plan is now binding on all creditors as per the IBC.

Traditional media metrics alone do not guarantee business growth today. Brands must complement these with business metrics like lifetime value and loyalty. Attribution remains a challenge for marketers determining campaign impact accurately. India's advertising market is projected to grow despite economic pressures. WPP Media offers integrated solutions for understanding audiences and measuring impact.

IICT and Netflix are offering scholarships for 100 students and professionals. These scholarships provide financial support for creative technology programs. The initiative aims to strengthen India's creative talent pipeline. Netflix is contributing to curriculum development for specific courses. This collaboration supports India's growing creative economy.

JioStar's investigation resulted in an arrest for operating the ZeeFlix app. This app provided unauthorized access to copyrighted content and live sports. Investigators found over 35,000 downloads and 20,000 active subscribers. The operation allegedly generated approximately twenty lakh rupees in revenue. Seized devices are undergoing forensic examination for further evidence.

Rohit Sharma has joined LightFury Games as an investor and officially licensed player in its upcoming cricket title, eCricket. The game will enter closed beta in September 2026, with over 300,000 sign-ups. Rohit becomes the eighth marquee cricketer to invest in the studio, alongside MS Dhoni, Jasprit Bumrah and others.

JioStar vice chairman Uday Shankar said sports, particularly cricket, has been a major investment for the company, helping it build a digital audience of 600 million monthly active users. However, he said soaring cricket media rights costs have made the business increasingly difficult.

Microdrama content is attracting significant audience engagement, similar to long-form videos. This format combines short-form immediacy with long-form cliffhangers for viewers. Consumers prefer microdrama, spending considerable time watching multiple episodes daily. Microdrama platforms are creating new screen time, not replacing existing viewing habits. Relatable stories and quick episode completions drive viewer interest and repeat engagement.

Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd raised Rs 660 crore through convertible warrants to a promoter group entity. Sunbright Mauritius Investments Ltd paid twenty-five percent upfront for these warrants. The company's promoter group holding will increase significantly after full conversion. This allotment follows approvals from various regulatory bodies and the Securities Appellate Tribunal. The preferential issue cleared a prolonged fundraise overhang due to past regulatory proceedings.

Television advertising volumes fell 7% in January-July 2026 from a year earlier, extending the decline in TV advertising as brands increasingly shift budgets towards digital platforms, according to TAM AdEx. The decline follows a 9% fall in TV ad volumes during the same period in 2025. Linear TV ad revenue had also dropped 10.3% in 2025, according to a Ficci-EY report.

JioStar Vice Chairman Uday Shankar said cricket’s long-term success depends on broader media economics, beyond stadium attendance, as traditional media faces pressure from changing advertising models. Speaking at the ET World Leaders Forum, he also discussed the IPL’s relevance, women’s cricket, digital accessibility, AI-led content innovation and the evolving media business model.

Christopher Nolan's "The Odyssey" has achieved a significant box office milestone. The film is now the highest-grossing R-rated movie globally. It surpassed "Deadpool & Wolverine" with its impressive worldwide earnings. This mythological epic also marks Nolan's biggest career success. The movie has generated over USD 1.352 billion at the box office.

Amazon will invest two billion dollars in Latin American productions through 2030. This significant investment aims to harness the region's extraordinary talent and audiences. The company plans to double original productions from key Latin American countries. Twenty-five new titles will premiere in 2027 and another twenty-five in 2028. This move follows Netflix's own expansion of original Latin American content.

Nielsen anticipates an agent-first media future where AI agents will influence content selection. This shift presents new challenges for accurately measuring human versus machine-driven content consumption. The company is integrating data sources and expanding capabilities to address audience fragmentation. Nielsen's acquisition of DoubleVerify will enhance trust and brand relevance in advertising. India plays a crucial role in Nielsen's global innovation and technology development efforts.

NCLT Mumbai has admitted Pen India’s insolvency petition against Reliance Entertainment Studios over a ₹11.94 crore default linked to a security deposit agreement. The tribunal held that the transaction qualified as financial debt and that Reliance’s liability remained outstanding despite its repayment mechanism. It rejected Reliance’s objections and initiated the corporate insolvency resolution process.

YouTube is offering significant payments to popular creators for exclusive content. This move aims to counter Netflix's aggressive efforts to attract top YouTube stars. Netflix has been signing creators and pursuing others for simultaneous video releases. YouTube warns that dual distribution could harm its platform's viewership and advertiser appeal. The competition intensifies as both platforms vie for viewers and the creators who draw them.

Warner Music Group is opening a new technology hub in Bengaluru next month. This facility will support global engineering, data infrastructure, and artificial intelligence initiatives. Mahesh Rao is leading the expansion, focusing on core data and audience products. The company is investing in local leadership and modern technology stacks. Bengaluru will play a central role in WMG's global engineering strategy.

The indie animated film 'Niu Lai' has captured the hearts of audiences across China, achieving unforeseen box-office success. About an endearing baby cow, this low-budget production has inspired a surge of merchandise sales. Its success stems from its heartfelt authenticity, steering clear of excessive marketing tactics, thus resonating with viewers who long for real connections.

Mid-budget films are making a notable comeback at the box office, with titles like Awarapan 2 and DC gaining substantial financial success. This trend dispels the myth that viewers prefer streaming options over cinema. Audiences are returning for powerful narratives and emotional depth, indicating a refined taste influenced by streaming services.