News & Gossip

Music composer A.R. Rahman will credit the Junior Dagar Brothers for their contribution to the song 'Veera Raja Veera' from 'Ponniyin Selvan: II'. The Supreme Court recorded this submission. The credit acknowledges the Dagarwani tradition and the original 'Shiv Stuti' recording. This resolution follows a legal dispute. The modified credit will appear on platforms soon.

Mumbai Indians and BookMyShow Live's BrandLabs are launching The MIX, a two-day fan festival on March 21-22, 2026, at Jio World Garden, Mumbai. This event aims to redefine fan engagement by blending cricket, live music from international and Indian artists, immersive experiences, and exclusive merchandise, fostering a deeper connection with the #OneFamily universe.

Despite India's massive media industry, it hasn't achieved global content dominance due to capital constraints, Uday Shankar said. However, he believes AI offers a "once-in-a-generation opportunity" for India to become a content leader by reducing production costs, enhancing consumer interaction, and enabling dynamic commerce, urging the industry to embrace disruption.

India vs Pakistan T20 World Cup: The India versus Pakistan T20 World Cup match achieved record digital reach and consumption. JioStar reported 163 million digital viewers, surpassing previous ICC events. TV ratings also saw a significant jump. This fixture continues to be a major draw for fans and a key revenue generator for broadcasters. The tournament is on track for record overall digital reach.

Several upcoming films have been postponed to avoid clashing with March 19 release of two major Bollywood productions, Dhurandhar 2 and Toxic. These highly anticipated movies, starring Ranveer Singh and Yash respectively, are expected to draw massive audiences, potentially impacting other releases.

India's market regulator Sebi has issued a show cause notice to Zee Entertainment Enterprises and its top executives. The notice alleges fund diversion and governance lapses. Zee Entertainment has denied all allegations. The company plans to file a response and take legal steps to protect shareholder interests.

Anuj Gandhi has stepped into the role of Chief Business Officer for Digital Entertainment Services at Jio Platforms, where he will take the helm of JioTV and JioTV+. His new responsibilities also encompass steering the OS strategy for Jio TeleOS, with a keen focus on content planning and strategic partnerships.

Mukta Arts is embarking on a vibrant journey with Green Gold Animation, combining their strengths to reimagine the timeless tales from Mukta’s cherished film library. The aim? To enchant a fresh audience with engaging animations.

JioHotstar is introducing a new voice assistant powered by ChatGPT. Viewers can now discover movies, shows, and live sports by speaking their preferences. This feature allows for natural language queries across multiple languages. It aims to make content discovery more interactive and personalized. The integration will also provide JioHotstar recommendations when using ChatGPT.

JioHotstar-OpenAI deal: For more than a decade, digital entertainment has largely been a one-way experience: browse, click, watch. With this rollout, JioHotstar is positioning streaming as a two-way interaction that interprets nuance, layered prompts and cultural context in real time.

India's film, TV, and OTT sectors are now embedding generative AI into content creation. This integration spans scripting, casting, and post-production, aiming to cut costs and boost creativity. Companies are investing in AI-driven film projects and unified production systems. Experts believe AI will exponentially expand storytelling possibilities and improve commercial speed.

India's advertising market is set for significant growth, reaching over Rs 2 lakh crore by 2026. Digital advertising will lead this expansion, capturing a substantial share. Commerce-led formats are emerging as a fast-growing segment. This dynamic market is driven by innovation and evolving consumer behavior. Brands will focus on integrated omnichannel journeys to connect with consumers effectively.

Zee Entertainment Enterprises is enhancing its syndication strategy to maximize value from its content library. The company is adapting titles for micro-drama platforms and the short-form video ecosystem, while also expanding its MCN network for scaled digital distribution. Furthermore, Zee is venturing into the audio space and pursuing international expansion through dubbing and regional partnerships.

Warner Bros. Discovery is again considering an offer from Skydance-owned Paramount. This comes as Warner continues to support its deal with Netflix. Talks with Paramount will last for seven days. Warner's board still recommends shareholders approve the Netflix merger. A vote on the Netflix deal is scheduled for March 20.

Rishab Rikhiram Sharma transforms classical Indian music into a tool for mental health. His concerts blend breathing exercises, meditation, and traditional Dhrupad music with Bollywood melodies. Sharma's innovative approach creates community experiences, offering a pause from an overstimulated world. He is also exploring the science behind sound's impact on the brain. Sharma's pan-India tour focuses on well-being.

As traditional cable and DTH subscriptions decline, Indian TV distributors are innovatively migrating linear channels to Connected TV. This shift is not only about tapping into the rise of smart TVs in homes but also about keeping subscribers engaged.

Pocket FM is seeing significant creator success. Over 1% of its creators now earn more than ₹1 lakh monthly. Total creator payouts have surpassed ₹300 crore, with a target of ₹1,000 crore by 2026. This growth is fueled by AI tools and expansion into Indian languages. The platform's freemium model, combining paid unlocks and subscriptions, drives creator income.

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw urged global OTT platforms like Netflix to respect India's cultural context and legal framework, emphasizing the need to modulate content accordingly. This statement follows a controversy over a Netflix thriller, prompting the platform to rename it and remove promotional material.

This September, Excel Entertainment plans to issue the film adaptation of its web series 'Mirzapur, titled Mirzapur: The Movie'. A challenging aspect of film adaptations of successful IPs of TV and streaming platforms is they appear like extended versions of original medium of storytelling, producers say.

India is set to launch a 'Create in India' mission. This initiative aims to boost the country's Orange Economy. The goal is to establish India as a global creative hub. This mission will focus on industry and employment. It will also develop future-ready talent. Content creator labs will be established in schools.

India's television sector is experiencing a slowdown. Linear TV viewership is falling as more people switch to free platforms and digital services. Advertising revenue is shrinking, and subscription growth is slowing. Broadcasters are feeling the impact, with some reporting profit declines. Companies are adapting by focusing on broadband and IPTV to stay competitive.

On Valentine's Day, music legends revisit the 1990s. They share insights into why the decade's love songs remain special. Melodies from that era possessed a unique emotional depth and poetic quality. These songs connected deeply with audiences. They continue to resonate today, proving love's enduring power through music.

Almighty Motion Picture is developing a seven-part web series based on the alarming 'Digital Arrest' scam, a sophisticated financial fraud targeting Indian citizens. Inspired by a real investigation where law enforcement recovered significant funds, the series will expose an international cyber crime nexus.

Almighty Motion Picture is expanding its creative reach. The company has launched Almighty All In LLP. This new division will focus on high-end documentaries and premium brand films. It aims to build lasting legacies for brands through cinematic storytelling. The division will also explore advertiser-funded programming. This move signals a growing trend in brand engagement.

The landscape of online cricket gaming in India is undergoing a remarkable transformation. With real-money games facing restrictions, free-to-play and skill-centric platforms are stepping in to capture the excitement. As high-profile cricket tournaments kick off, an army of fans is eager to immerse themselves in fresh experiences.

The ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 has begun with record viewership. JioStar's digital and linear platforms saw a massive surge in consumption. India's opening match against the USA contributed significantly to this success. This unprecedented momentum highlights the passion for cricket and the quality of the tournament. The event promises continued engagement for fans.

JioStar has appointed Bhaskar Ramesh as Head of Entertainment Sales, Digital. Ramesh joins from Google. He will lead JioStar's push into data-driven advertising. His role focuses on building a modern advertising ecosystem. This will deliver measurable outcomes for brands. He will deepen advertiser partnerships. Ramesh brings strong digital expertise to the business.

Zee Entertainment has dismissed a proxy advisory firm's call for shareholder activism as biased, stating the issues raised are old and have been addressed. The company countered allegations of promoter influence and a $1 billion arbitration claim, asserting related-party transactions have declined and are conducted at arm's length.

Ratpack Stories and Mad Man Films are joining forces. They will produce two new feature films. Nikhil Bhat and Saket Chaudhry will direct these projects. This collaboration aims to support ambitious producers and filmmakers. The focus is on creator-first content. Both films are currently in development. They will span distinct genres. Strong theatrical appeal is a key objective.

JioHotstar is leveling up its tech and product divisions by welcoming industry leaders from renowned companies. This strategic shift will harness AI to create tailor-made streaming experiences. By enhancing discovery features and viewer engagement, the platform is gearing up for a future of smarter, more adaptive streaming that aligns with the evolving expectations of its user base.

India's final OTT accessibility guidelines offer streaming services a longer transition period, easing earlier strict obligations. Platforms now have 36 months to implement accessibility features for new content, with legacy catalogues addressed on a best-effort basis. The government has also refined the grievance redressal mechanism and clarified exemptions.

JioStar India is gearing up for a bold move by merging its TV distribution arm, IndiaCast Media Distribution, into the parent company effective April 1, 2025. This rapid merger aims to refine processes and cut down operational expenses. IndiaCast, responsible for a range of TV channel distributions, will cease operations seamlessly, minimizing disruption.

The sponsorship reflects Perot Jain’s long-standing belief in cricket’s growth potential in the United States and its commitment to strengthening the sport’s ecosystem, from grassroots development to elite international competition.

Dish TV India faces a massive Rs. 7,203 crore licence fee demand from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, adding to ongoing legal battles. The company has also booked significant impairments on its investments, including those in new-age technologies and assets from Videocon d2h, impacting its net worth. Fines were also levied for SEBI norm non-compliance.

JetSynthesys, backed by Sachin Tendulkar, has acquired EverMerge from Big Fish Games for an undisclosed sum. The popular merge puzzle game has generated over $350 million in lifetime revenue. JetSynthesys plans to expand EverMerge globally, particularly in high-growth markets like India, leveraging its expertise in community building and data-driven user acquisition.

Debate on age restrictions for social media in India is growing, with a lawmaker proposing a bill to ban accounts for those under 16. This move aims to protect children from exploitation and ensure data privacy, potentially impacting major platforms like Meta and Snapchat in the vast Indian market. Several Indian states are also exploring similar measures.

Prime Video has added Goldmines Play to its Indian marketplace. This new subscription offers a vast collection of Hindi-dubbed South Indian blockbusters and popular Hindi films. Priced at Rs 39 per month, it targets family audiences. Goldmines Play aims to bring its proven content to a premium OTT platform. This partnership strengthens Prime Video's regional entertainment offerings for Indian viewers.

Older actors are now leading box office success. Films starring actors in their 50s and 60s are consistently earning over 100 crore. These stars connect with multiple generations. Audiences prefer acting skills and character depth. Producers are offering them suitable roles. This trend is boosting cinema collections.

Reliance Industries Ltd has acquired a majority stake in Sikhya Entertainment, signaling a key trend of mergers and acquisitions in the film studio business for 2026. This move by RIL, through its subsidiary, strengthens Jio Studios and deepens its media and entertainment footprint. The partnership aims to leverage Sikhya's acclaimed creative pipeline for future film and web series productions.

Netflix announces its 2026 content lineup for India, celebrating a decade in the country. The slate spans diverse genres and languages, featuring established and emerging talent. It includes war dramas, crime thrillers, romance, comedy, and unscripted shows. Major Hindi titles and South Indian productions are highlighted. This expansion aims to entertain and celebrate India through storytelling.

Noida Film City is set to host the world's largest integrated content creators' incubation and lab ecosystem, a significant development for India's creator economy. This initiative aims to nurture talent from institutional learning to career launch and global business development across various content formats. The ecosystem will unite diverse creators, fostering collaboration and enabling monetization on international platforms.

Stephan Bugaj, formerly chief creative officer at Genvid Entertainment, is best known for co-developing the Massively Interactive Live Event (MILE) format, which blends streaming, gaming and real-time audience participation.

Walt Disney reported a $28 million loss from its India joint venture with Reliance Industries in Q1 fiscal 2026, a slight improvement from the prior year. Despite a 5% revenue increase to $26 billion, total segment operating income declined 9% due to higher costs in entertainment and sports segments.

Reliance Industries Limited's media arm, Jio Studios, has acquired a 50.1% stake in Sikhya Entertainment Private Limited. This strategic move aims to bolster Jio Studios' position in the entertainment sector. Sikhya Entertainment is known for its award-winning storytelling and commitment to new talent.

Zee Entertainment Enterprises is cutting costs by reducing its workforce. The company has shed over 900 employees in recent years. This move comes as broadcasters face declining ad revenue and subscriber numbers. Zee aims for a better EBITDA margin by FY26. The company is also involved in an arbitration case with JioStar over a failed ICC TV rights deal.

Reliance Industries' subsidiary, RSBVL, has acquired a 50.1% stake in Sikhya Entertainment for ₹150 crore, bolstering Jio Studios' presence in the media and entertainment sector. This strategic partnership aims to combine Jio Studios' scale and distribution with Sikhya's award-winning storytelling to co-create films and series for global audiences.

A cricket match between India and Pakistan is a highly anticipated event, driving significant advertising revenue due to its large viewership. Brands often align their major advertising campaigns with the Cricket World Cup, specifically targeting the India-Pakistan game. JioStar aims to generate over Rs 2,000 crore in advertising revenue from the tournament across television and digital platforms. The absence of an India-Pakistan match could result in an estimated revenue loss of up to 20%. Subscription revenue is not expected to be affected, as these agreements are typically annual and involve fixed fees.

Mirchi has secured exclusive rights as the official private FM radio partner for live score updates of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026. The radio network will provide audio coverage and on-ground reporting from stadiums, bringing fans closer to the tournament's action and atmosphere.

English news channel Times Now celebrates 20 years of operations, marking the milestone with curated conversations featuring prominent figures from politics, sport, and entertainment. Launched in 2006 with a focus on accountability-driven journalism, the channel has become a household name, shaping India's modern history.

FanCode has secured exclusive broadcast rights for the 2025-26 Indian Super League season, partnering with KPS Studios for production. The acquisition signifies FanCode's commitment to digital-first experiences for mobile audiences, aiming to enhance fan engagement and expand the league's reach across India.