News & Gossip

Conceptualised by Ogilvy and crafted by music duo Maati Baani, the campaign brings together folk musicians and regional artists to reinterpret the brand's signature line, "Isko laga dala toh life jingalala," in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Bangla, Awadhi and Gujarati.

The company said the production demonstrates "The Netflix Effect" by generating employment, supporting local businesses, advancing creative technology and investing in talent.

The long-awaited Awarapan 2 trailer is finally here, signaling Emraan Hashmi's comeback as the iconic Shivam Pandit. Viewers can expect the film to hit theaters globally on August 14, 2026. After his resurrection, Shivam embarks on a journey of vengeance, love, and redemption, with Disha Patani portraying Zara and Shabana Azmi taking on the role of the formidable antagonist, Nafisa.

Advertisers have shifted their focus, now putting greater emphasis on a celebrity's social media impact rather than their filmography for endorsement deals. Shah Rukh Khan exemplifies this trend, maintaining a strong brand presence without any recent cinematic releases. Digital endorsement agreements constitute a noteworthy part of total deals, with brands prioritizing favorable online opinions and innovative content creation as evaluation criteria.

The Supreme Court clarified that its recent interim order restricting the sharing and uploading of audio and video clips of court hearings does not prohibit news organisations from reporting judicial proceedings. The court said the restriction is limited to the use of audio and video recordings of hearings in news reports, while routine reportage of court proceedings remains unaffected.

In a bold move to strengthen its ties with Indian creativity, Netflix launched its India Storytelling Initiative designed to cultivate fresh storytelling talent. This program focuses on equipping aspiring creators with vital skills through strategic partnerships with organizations like IICT and NFDC. The initiative reflects Netflix's commitment to enhancing India's cultural landscape and investing in the nation's burgeoning creative economy.

Spotify Premium subscribers in India now receive exclusive lifestyle benefits. These rewards include discounts from popular brands like MakeMyTrip and Nykaa. Premium members can also access invite-only music events and listening sessions. This initiative transforms Spotify Premium into a membership with added lifestyle advantages.

PVR Inox plans to launch 300 affordable cinemas in smaller towns. Tickets will be priced under two dollars to attract new audiences. This expansion aims to diversify revenue beyond major metropolitan areas. The company expects upcoming film releases to sustain box office momentum. Alternate events will also boost occupancy during slower periods.

India represents a crucial market for Netflix's future global expansion and growth. The company sees enormous potential for subscriber additions in this large market. Netflix is investing continuously across genres to deliver fresh programming at scale. Live sports rights are an opportunity, but unique Netflix events are the focus. The company is happy with its India business economics and progress over the decade.

PVR INOX is launching a new franchise model for tier-III cities. This capital-efficient format will expand organized entertainment options across India. The first SMART Cinemas property will open in Muzaffarpur, Bihar soon. PVR INOX has signed agreements for six more locations. This initiative aims to make premium cinema experiences more accessible.

SEGA has appointed Black White Orange as the official licensing agent for Angry Birds in India. This partnership aims to expand the brand's consumer products and licensing business significantly. Black White Orange will develop merchandise and collaborations tailored for the Indian market. The franchise is preparing for the release of its third movie in January 2027.

Vogue Wedding Atelier will return to New Delhi in August 2026. The event will feature over sixty brands across couture and luxury lifestyle. The celebrated Vogue Cafe concept will make its India debut at the venue. Guests can explore collections from leading Indian and international designers. Masterclasses and exclusive experiences will also be offered throughout the weekend.

Yash Raj Films has launched Raah Records, a new artist incubator. This initiative aims to discover and develop original talent across India. The label's first release, "Jaadugari" by Aman, will debut soon. Raah Records will focus on long-term artist development and creative partnerships. The company seeks to expand its presence in the independent music ecosystem.

Movie theatres have survived many technological challenges by offering shared experiences. The pandemic presented a sharp shock, but theatres recovered due to underlying audience desire. India's screen count has remained stable, yet the industry shifted from single screens to multiplexes. Hyper-local content fuels expansion opportunities in under-screened towns across India. Theatres of the future will combine community anchors with diverse programming.

Veteran exhibitor Vishek Chauhan says movie theatres have survived TV, streaming and the pandemic because they offer a shared viewing experience that home entertainment cannot replicate. While India's screen count remains largely unchanged, multiplexes have replaced single screens.

Excel Entertainment has launched a dedicated music label named Excel Music. This new venture is backed by Universal Music Group as a strategic shareholder. Excel Music's first release will be the soundtrack for Mirzapur: The Movie. The label aims to build its catalogue and create new artist opportunities. This launch operationalizes a key element of their earlier partnership.

Spider-Man: Brand New Day achieved significant worldwide ticket sales in its opening weekend. The film earned $927 million globally and $355 million domestically in the United States. This performance made it the second-highest domestic opening of all time. The movie features Tom Holland as Spider-Man and Zendaya as MJ.

Zee Entertainment's promoter fundraise faces regulatory hurdles after Sebi's market ban. The company and its top executives are prohibited from securities dealings for a year. This order casts doubt on the proposed ₹3,144-crore warrant issue to promoters. Legal experts suggest the warrant subscription may be delayed without interim relief. The regulator also imposed penalties for unauthorized land pledges by promoter entities.

Zee Entertainment Enterprises is seeking legal advice after SEBI barred it from the securities market. The market regulator also prohibited Chairman Emeritus Subhash Chandra and MD Punit Goenka for one year. This action stems from the unauthorised pledge of Hyderabad land to secure promoter-linked loans. The company asserts this order will not impact its fundraising efforts.

Universal Music Group will introduce a 72-hour premium release window for new music.This strategy aims to boost paid streaming subscriptions in the Indian market.New releases will be exclusive to paid subscribers before reaching ad-supported services.The company is applying lessons learned from its successful China market strategy.

Spider-Man: Brand New Day has earned over Rs 200 crore in India. The film collected Rs 72.44 crore gross on its opening day. It picks up four years after the events of "No Way Home". The movie features Tom Holland and Zendaya in lead roles. This Marvel Cinematic Universe film is produced by Kevin Feige and Amy Pascal.

Christopher Nolan's film adaptation of The Odyssey is driving increased book sales in India. Print editions of The Odyssey have seen sales more than double compared to last year. Young readers in their late teens and twenties are showing renewed interest in classic literature. Affordable paperback translations and accessible retellings are performing exceptionally well. This surge extends to Homer's Iliad and Greek mythology collections, indicating a lasting impact.

E-commerce and streaming platforms are merging to boost customer loyalty and transactions. Flipkart and Netflix launched India's first e-commerce and streaming platform partnership. Eligible Flipkart Plus members receive a Netflix Mobile Plan after qualifying purchases. This initiative rewards loyal shoppers and increases platform engagement. This trend signals a shift towards engagement-led ecosystems in India.

Spider-Man: Brand New Day achieved the highest Hollywood opening in India. The film's impressive first-day collection signals Marvel Studios' significant resurgence. This success highlights the enduring appeal of the Spider-Man character for audiences. Dubbed versions contributed substantially to the movie's total India collection. Analysts predict the film will surpass its predecessor's box office performance.

Spider-Man: Brand New Day achieved a record-breaking opening day in India. The film surpassed Avengers: Endgame's initial box office collections. It also became the biggest opener for the Spider-Man franchise. This Hollywood release secured the widest screen release ever in India. Analysts predict a strong opening weekend for the superhero movie.

Season 3 will be telecast live on Star Sports Select and Star Sports Khel and streamed on JioHotstar in India from August 1 to August 9. The league will also make its international broadcast debut on Willow TV across the United States and Canada, where it will be available on the Willow Sports FAST platform as well as Willow's direct-to-consumer platforms.

Flipkart and Netflix have partnered to offer a free monthly Netflix Mobile Plan. This benefit is available to Flipkart Plus members completing four qualifying orders. The new loyalty program begins on August 1st and requires monthly re-earning. Customers not yet Plus members can become eligible through consistent shopping habits. This collaboration marks Netflix's first e-commerce partnership in India.

Brand sponsorships now drive eighty percent of Kaun Banega Crorepati advertising sales. Advertisers seek customized integrations on popular entertainment properties. Sony Pictures Networks India has secured over twenty sponsors for the upcoming season. New sponsors include technology and clean energy companies. Cross-platform campaigns are also seeing growing demand from advertisers.

Zee Music Company has acquired music rights for upcoming films across South India. This expansion includes Malayalam, Telugu, Tamil, and Kannada language productions. The company also secured rights for the hip-hop reality show Kerala Underground. Acquired music rights are scheduled for release this year and in 2027. This move strengthens their multilingual catalogue and pan-India growth.

Yash Raj Films teams up with Google to conduct an AI filmmaking workshop targeted at creators. This event is designed to equip filmmakers with essential knowledge of artificial intelligence creative tools. Participants will gain practical experience utilizing Google's Flow creative studio while preserving their artistic integrity during the filmmaking process. This venture looks to push the boundaries of storytelling and expand the horizons of Indian cinema.

Story TV is expanding into South India with original microdramas. The platform will produce over one thousand South Indian microdramas by March 2027. This significant investment aims to fuel growth in mobile entertainment. Story TV is collaborating with local creative talent for new content. Initial southern content has already garnered over 250 million views.

Rusk Media has secured several brand sponsors for its new Tamil indie music reality show. AI+ Nova Smartphones is the presenting sponsor, and other partners are also on board. The show offers brands diverse integration opportunities across content and digital platforms. Launched on July 23, the series features Yuvan Shankar Raja as Super Mentor.

The All India Digital Cable Federation withdrew its petition challenging the Centre's Television Ratings Policy. This action followed a Kerala High Court interim order upholding the government's decision. The policy excludes landing-page viewership from television audience measurement. This withdrawal clears the path for the resumption of television ratings. However, BARC awaits registration under the new policy framework.

Two proxy advisory firms have issued contrasting recommendations for Zee Entertainment's upcoming shareholder meeting. InGovern advises rejecting a preferential warrant issue, citing governance concerns and dilution. Stakeholders Empowerment Services recommends approving all resolutions, stating regulatory compliance.

Christopher Nolan's films now reach a wider Indian audience through dubbed versions. These dubbed releases contribute significantly to the total box-office collections in India. Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu versions of his movies are attracting new viewers. Universal themes and improved dubbing quality enhance cross-language appeal for his cinema. Nolan's films have become major events, drawing nationwide excitement beyond traditional fanbases.

Prime Video India and CJ ENM have signed a multi-year distribution deal. This agreement will bring more than one hundred Korean shows to Indian viewers. Twenty-six new shows from CJ ENM will be released over the next two years. Existing popular library titles will also become available for streaming. All content will feature English subtitles and Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu dubs.

Currently, television ratings agencies have yet to register under the enhanced government policy, which includes tough compliance measures such as appointing independent directors to BARC's board. The Kerala High Court has removed its stay on the landing-page provision, but it appears that the resumption of television viewership data will not occur anytime soon.

Young workers now see social media influencing as a plausible career pivot. This shift allows them to earn income through brand deals and personal content. Microinfluencers with smaller audiences are increasingly sought by brands for their engagement. Some creators now earn substantial incomes, rivaling traditional mid-level salaries.

Tips Music (formerly Tips Industries), one of India's leading publicly listed music companies, today announced its unaudited financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2026, reporting a 21 percent year-on-year increase in revenue driven by sustained growth across its digital and non-digital businesses, alongside continued investments in music content.

The BCCI has significantly raised its reserve prices for title and associate sponsorship rights. New bids are now invited for these valuable commercial properties. The title sponsorship cycle runs until March 2028, covering many international matches. This move aligns with other BCCI commercial deals due for renewal. The board seeks to maximize revenue from its key sporting assets.

NH Studioz and Vinod Chopra Films have formed a significant long-term partnership. This collaboration will manage the distribution and syndication of Vidhu Vinod Chopra's extensive film library. Selected films will first return to theaters before wider platform releases. NH Studioz will represent over 5,000 films, reinforcing its industry leadership. This deal aims to bring classic Indian cinema to new audiences worldwide.

Zee5 has partnered with Collective Studios' Historyverse to launch six AI-powered original titles based on Indian mythology, folklore and history. The slate will stream in seven languages, combining cultural storytelling with immersive technology. Both companies said the collaboration aims to create globally relevant entertainment while preserving the authenticity of India's timeless narratives.

A prolonged suspension of BARC television ratings could disrupt festive-season advertising, with marketers warning that reality shows such as Kaun Banega Crorepati, Bigg Boss and India Ke Top 1% may be the worst affected.

Ashrayu Media and SPH Media have partnered to launch two lifestyle publications in India. F ZINE and The Peak will now be available to Indian readers through multiple platforms. This collaboration marks F ZINE's first international expansion and The Peak's India debut. The partnership aims to cater to India's growing publishing market with sophisticated content. Both companies are building integrated media brands for influential audiences.

In 2025, a remarkable sixty-six percent of India's digital creators will emerge from non-metro regions. However, many of these creators struggle financially, often earning below the average urban salary. The majority, classified as nano and micro-creators, account for over eighty percent of this group. Their earning potential is heavily affected by low audience purchasing power, subpar content quality, and limited access to agency representation.

JioStar will launch six Bigg Boss editions across India in September 2026. Salman Khan and Sourav Ganguly will host popular reality show versions. The franchise reached over 500 million viewers and generated significant engagement in 2025. This expansion marks the show's biggest multi-language rollout in its history. Brands participating in the show saw notable gains in awareness and intent.

The television distribution industry in India is calling on the government to adopt technology-neutral regulations as the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting prepares new authorization guidelines. Industry stakeholders are advocating for equitable treatment across satellite, cable, and internet platforms, while pressing for the implementation of the long-overdue recommendations from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India to combat regulatory imbalances and a shrinking pay-TV sector.

Movie buffs are turning to Wikipedia to do their homework before heading to theatres: traffic on the page with the entry on Odyssey the epic crossed 300,000 a day over the weekend, making it the second-most read page after the one about the film itself.

Christopher Nolan's "The Odyssey" achieved over twenty crore rupees in India on its opening day. The film features a star-studded cast including Tom Holland and Zendaya in key roles. It depicts Odysseus's challenging ten-year journey home after the Trojan War. The movie was filmed using advanced 70mm IMAX film cameras for a grand experience. Universal Pictures distributed this epic production across the globe.