News & Gossip

Aditya Dhar's 'Dhurandhar' has shattered box office records, becoming the highest-earning Hindi film of all time with a net collection of Rs 831.40 crore. The spy thriller, starring Ranveer Singh, surpassed the previous record held by 'Pushpa 2: The Rule' (Hindi version). The film's success is attributed to its strong week-on-week performance and gripping narrative.

Indian cinema has reached a significant milestone. The film 'Homebound' has moved to the next voting stage for the International Feature Film category at the Academy Awards. This marks a rare achievement for Indian cinema. The film follows childhood friends and their aspirations. Final nominations will be announced soon. This recognition brings global attention to Indian filmmaking.

Universal Music Group's acquisition of a 30% stake in Excel Entertainment for ₹2,400 crore signals a potential surge in foreign M&A interest in India's media sector. The Maharashtra government is actively promoting Mumbai as a global creative hub, attracting sustained global interest across various entertainment verticals.

Universal Music Group has acquired a 30% stake in Excel Entertainment. This deal values the Bollywood production house at ₹2,400 crore. Excel Entertainment will retain creative control. UMG gains a strategic foothold in the video business. This partnership aims to take culturally rooted stories globally. It highlights a renewed wave of consolidation in the media industry.

Network18 has renewed its decade-long partnership with CNN International for its English news channel, CNN-News18, extending the agreement through December 31, 2035. This renewed collaboration will significantly enhance the channel's digital presence, expanding its reach on platforms like YouTube and Connected TV to a global audience.

Foreign investment surged in India's media sector. The information and broadcasting industry attracted ₹5,586 crore in the September quarter of FY26. Films and advertising led this growth. Overseas investors focused on content and production assets. Prime Focus was a major recipient of these funds. This marks a significant increase from previous quarters.

India's Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has launched a Live Events Development Cell (LEDC) to foster structured growth in the live entertainment sector. This initiative aims to streamline processes, boost the concert economy, and position India as a leading global destination by 2030, supporting millions of jobs and significant economic expansion.

India's booming podcast industry faces a transparency crisis as paid interviews are increasingly disguised as organic content. For fees up to ₹30 lakh, individuals gain visibility, but audiences are often unaware, blurring the lines between genuine conversation and paid promotion. This practice raises concerns about consumer trust and the integrity of independent media.

Indians are travelling abroad for music festivals and concerts. This trend is growing and expected to continue in 2026. Popular destinations include Singapore, Bangkok, and Paris. Younger travellers and professionals are combining these events with short holidays. Many plan trips around global touring schedules and festival calendars. India's own music events also attract travellers.

Many Indian television channels are shutting down. Broadcasters are surrendering licenses as viewers move to digital platforms. This trend is driven by changing market conditions and financial challenges. Advertising revenue is also falling. This signals a major shift in India's media landscape.

Ladakh's Lieutenant Governor has declared the Bollywood film 'Dhurandhar' tax-free. The movie was filmed extensively in Ladakh, showcasing its scenic beauty. This move signals strong support for filmmakers. The administration is also developing a new film policy. 'Dhurandhar' has achieved significant box office success, becoming the first Hindi film to cross Rs 100 crore in its fourth week.

Dhurandhar, starring Ranveer Singh, has achieved a historic box office milestone. It is the first Hindi film to cross Rs 100 crore in its fourth week. The movie has maintained strong collections for 28 consecutive days. Dhurandhar's performance highlights renewed audience interest in large-scale cinema. The film's total India net collection has reached Rs 784.50 crore.

This move by streamers reflects their sharp focus on profitability after having paid irrational prices for films to expand their libraries, materially impacting profitability.

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has approved Arugn Technologies’ proposal to acquire AION Capital’s stake in teleport operator Planetcast Media, paving the way for a change in ownership at the broadcast services firm. Arugn Technologies is a special purpose vehicle of Planetcast promoters Lallit Jain and Mahendra Nath Vyas.

India's entertainment industry is seeing a rise in reverse engineering content, with streaming platforms and producers now asking writers to publish non-fiction books before developing them into web series or films. This approach, driven by legal cushioning and audience interest in non-fiction, helps mitigate intellectual property disputes and serves as a testing ground for cinematic adaptation.

A new trend is emerging in India's entertainment sector. Writers are now publishing non-fiction stories as books before developing them into web series or films. This approach helps protect intellectual property and prevent legal complications. Publishers also benefit from increased book publicity.

Bollywood is struggling to connect with Gen Z, who seek authentic, fresh storytelling over formulaic narratives. While this demographic enjoys diverse genres and theatrical experiences, mainstream Hindi cinema's current offerings often fail to resonate. Makers must adapt marketing and creative strategies to capture their attention.

Gen Z is reshaping content, commerce, and creativity by demanding interactive, creator-led ecosystems and micro-payment models. Their preference for gaming, short-form storytelling, and blending of formats drives platforms to innovate. This generation actively participates, creates, and monetizes, transforming content into a dynamic social and commercial loop.

Gen Z is embracing a new nightlife trend, opting for bhajan-led community gatherings and kirtan EDM over traditional clubbing. This sober social movement is gaining significant traction, with ticketed devotional nights selling out and searches for related terms skyrocketing. Organizers anticipate this spiritual-social format to become mainstream by 2026.

Gen Z is revolutionizing the art market by embracing it as a lifestyle, prioritizing flexibility, transparency, and ethical relevance. They are driving the rise of young contemporary artists and regional voices, often starting with accessible price points and fractional ownership. The art world is adapting by leveraging social media and offering more approachable collecting experiences to engage this demographic.

2025 Year Ender: India's media landscape saw challenges in 2025. Monetisation pressures and shifting viewer habits impacted television and digital video. While linear TV remained profitable, streaming growth slowed, relying heavily on live sports. Digital platforms grew, but consumption became more divided. Connected TV adoption surged, indicating a move towards a two-device market. Value creation is increasingly shifting towards digital investments.

India’s film industry posted steady growth in 2025, with net box-office collections rising 12% to ₹10,453 crore, led by a 20% jump in Hindi film earnings to ₹4,792.7 crore. Industry executives said audience preferences shifted clearly towards strong storytelling rather than star power, across genres and film lengths.

Culver Max Entertainment receives a reprieve from the NCLAT. The appellate tribunal has overturned a previous NCLT decision that dismissed an insolvency plea against a fintech firm. The case will now be heard again by the NCLT. The NCLAT emphasized that Culver Max should have been given a chance to fix application defects.

Southern Indian films like Kantara and Pushpa 2 are redefining Indian cinema. These movies, made in regional languages, are achieving mainstream success with unique stories. Meanwhile, traditional Bollywood, based in Mumbai, is struggling. Audiences are embracing new narratives, leading to a shift in the industry's landscape. This evolution promises a more diverse cinematic future for India.

New Delhi is set to release rules for mandatory AI-generated content labelling. The government has consulted with the industry, which has shown understanding and minimal pushback. Key feedback focuses on clarifying what constitutes a significant AI modification versus routine enhancements. These rules aim to ensure citizens know if content is synthetic or authentic, addressing concerns about deepfakes and misinformation.

PVR INOX has opened its first multiplex in Leh. Located at 11,500 feet, this two-screen cinema offers 2K projection and Dolby 7.1 Surround Sound. The company transformed the thin air challenge into an advantage. This launch marks a significant cultural step. Leh's first food court also debuted, featuring global brands. The multiplex blends movies with the mountain setting.

Aditya Dhar's film Dhurandhar starring Ranveer Singh has achieved a major milestone. The movie has crossed the Rs 500 crore mark at the domestic box office. Released on December 5, Dhurandhar features a star-studded cast. The film's narrative is set against significant geopolitical and terror events.

Tata Play has until February 3 to address allegations from Sony Pictures Networks India, which claims that Tata Play postponed providing essential data to an auditor. The matter is currently being evaluated by the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal.

Sony Pictures Networks India is launching the Indian version of Wheel of Fortune. Actor Akshay Kumar will host the show. This launch aims to boost the network's prime-time programming. It will also create a cross-platform property for broadcast and digital. The show is designed for brand integration and viewer participation. It is positioned as a key advertising property for 2026.

Bigg Boss Season 19 shattered viewership records, achieving a 30% higher digital reach and 65% growth in watch-time on JioHotstar. The season finale saw a live concurrency of 4.5 million, marking a significant increase from the previous year. This success underscores the show's enduring appeal and its ability to resonate with a broad audience.

A key factor behind Dhurandhar's success is its clear departure from existing Hindi spy films. "In Bollywood, spy films have often been cheaper and tackier versions of James Bond movies. The makers of Dhurandhar have consciously avoided that path. In doing so, they have rewritten the grammar of the spy genre in Bollywood," said writer and investigative journalist Anirudhya Mitra. "The film is mounted extremely well. Its sound, production design and cinematography make it a far more credible spy film. It almost feels like a Pakistani film with an Indian character-something audiences have not seen before."

Spotify India has achieved a significant financial turnaround. The music streaming platform reported a net profit of Rs 75 crore for FY25, a substantial improvement from the previous year's loss. This success stems from robust revenue growth and a sharp decrease in advertising and marketing expenditures.

The Australian Open and Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) have extended their broadcast agreement, guaranteeing continued live coverage across India and the Indian subcontinent. SPNI will retain exclusive television and digital rights for the Grand Slam in the region, featuring multi-language feeds and expert analysis on Sony Sports Network channels and Sony LIV.

Danish Khan, Business Head of Sony LIV and Studio NEXT, is leaving Sony Pictures Networks India after a decade to pursue new opportunities. Khan significantly scaled Sony LIV's digital business, achieving five-fold revenue growth and four-fold user increase. He also played a key role in developing popular television and studio properties during his tenure.

The push comes as broadcasters and streamers tighten spending while trying to balance scale and monetisation, even as flagship Indian reality franchises become significantly more expensive to produce. This has raised the risks associated with launching untested formats.

The government has confirmed that Over-the-Top (OTT) platforms will not fall under the Central Board of Film Certification's (CBFC) purview. Instead, content on these platforms is regulated by the IT Rules, 2021, which mandate a self-regulatory framework with government oversight. This approach aims to balance creative freedom with legal compliance through a structured grievance redressal process.

Kolkata's Cable TV Show 2025 sees fewer Bangladeshi delegates due to visa issues. Indian authorities intervened to allow about 60 participants. Bangladesh is a key market for Indian cable TV equipment. Reduced participation may affect cross-border trade. Chinese participation has also ceased. The show highlights new technologies in digital cable, broadband, and OTT services.

JioSaavn's 2025 recap reveals a vibrant audio landscape dominated by regional languages and familiar playback voices. Commute times remain peak listening hours, showcasing a blend of comfort and personalisation. Top artists and songs highlight a strong preference for local content, alongside growing engagement with regional and global performers, reinforcing the platform's multi-format appeal.

Cornerstone has launched a new talent management venture with Armour Entertainment. This marks Cornerstone's return as an independent player in the segment. Tiger Shroff is the first talent signed. The partnership aims to build long-term careers across films, endorsements, and digital platforms.

Neeraj Ghaywan's directorial 'Homebound,' starring Ishaan Khatter and Vishal Jethwa, has advanced to the next round of voting for the 98th Academy Awards' International Feature Film category. Selected from 86 eligible countries, the film is now among 15 contenders vying for a final nomination at the Oscars 2026.

Despite strong viewership and competitive on-field performances by India, the anticipated commercial upside from marquee ICC events has failed to materialise at scale. Tournaments such as the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024 and the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 delivered healthy audiences, but advertising and subscription revenues fell short of internal expectations, says industry executives.

Saregama India has partnered with Bhansali Productions in a significant deal. This collaboration involves an equity investment by Saregama. The partnership aims to leverage Bhansali Productions' content creation with Saregama's music and live events business. Bhansali Productions will exclusively sell music rights for future films to Saregama. This strategic move is set to enhance Saregama's content pipeline and financial performance.

Hollywood filmmaker Michael Bay is collaborating with Bhanushali Studios for an upcoming Indian feature film. Directed by Anthony D’Souza with music by A.R. Rahman, the project aims to merge Hollywood-scale action with Indian storytelling. This marks Bay's first creative partnership with an Indian studio as Bhanushali Studios continues its global expansion.

Dharma Productions has acquired Cornerstone's stake in its talent management arm. The company is now Dharma Collab Artists Agency, or DCAA. This new agency will represent talent across film, music, sports, digital media, and live entertainment. Uday Singh Gauri will continue as CEO.

Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya stated in the Lok Sabha that the BCCI is not a recognised National Sports Federation (NSF). This status is expected to change with the new National Sports Governance Act next year, which mandates NSFs to register for central government funding and accountability.

India's micro-drama market is experiencing rapid growth, reaching $260 million annually, but faces challenges. Content fatigue due to repetitive storylines and slow refresh cycles is impacting user retention, with supply-side strain hindering content creation to meet rising demand. Future growth hinges on improving content velocity, quality, and monetization resilience.

Filmmaker Aditya Dhar's espionage drama 'Dhurandhar' has become a global box office sensation. The Ranveer Singh-starrer has collected Rs 552.70 crore worldwide in just 10 days. The film recorded the biggest Sunday ever for a Hindi movie on its second Sunday. 'Dhurandhar' has registered record-breaking collections for its second Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in Hindi cinema history.

JioStar has appointed G R Arun Kumar as its new Chief Financial Officer, bringing nearly three decades of extensive experience in finance, strategy, and operations. He will spearhead the company's Finance and Commercial functions, aiming to drive growth, profitability, and financial resilience. Kumar previously served as Group CFO and Head of Strategy at the Welspun Group.

JioHotstar is significantly boosting its South India presence with a Rs 4,000 crore investment over five years, commissioning 25 new regional titles. The platform aims to build viewing habits through long-running episodic shows and by doubling down on reality content, following strong post-merger momentum and consumer response.

Amid rising concerns, India's media industry is highlighting the risks of unregulated AI training exploiting copyrighted works. In response, the government is crafting a strategic framework to harmonise AI advancements with intellectual property rights.