Disney India-Reliance Industries Merger Nears Binding Agreement

Naman Ramachandran Top Bollywood star Ajay Devgn‘s Indian visual effects studio NY VFXWaala has set a strategic partnership with Sweden’s Goodbye Kansas Studio. NY VFXWaala has secured a major stake in Goodbye Kansas, through an offshore subsidiary, while simultaneously launching a joint venture studio in India.

Todd Spangler NY Digital Editor Disney‘s current strategic direction under CEO Bob Iger got the thumbs-up from independent proxy voting and corporate governance advisory firm Glass Lewis, amid a campaign launched by two activist investor groups to win seats on the Mouse House’s board. Glass Lewis, in a March 18 report, recommended Disney shareholders vote for the Disney-selected 12 director nominees — and reject those put forward by Nelson Peltz‘s Trian Partners and another firm, Blackwells Capital — at the company’s annual meeting on April 3.

I’ve been on the lookout for this for a little while and now we have it confirmed. The acclaimed All Of Us Strangers has had a...The eight-part series lands on 20th December.We’ve just posted news that Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny is set to land on Disney+ from 15th December...Disney has released the first trailer for their upcoming Dashing Through The Snow, a comedy starring Chris “Ludacris” Bridges and Lil...Searchlight Pictures has dropped a new trailer for Eva Longoria’s directorial effort Flamin’ Hot which is set for the Hulu/ Disney+...Disney+ has released a full trailer for The Full Monty TV series that will arrive in June.

Leo Barraclough International Features Editor International sales agency Lightdox has acquired documentary “Marching in the Dark” in advance of its world premiere at CPH:DOX. The feature debut from Kinshuk Surjan focuses on how the growing number of suicides among farmers in India is affecting the agricultural community. The trailer debuts exclusively on Variety below.

Todd Spangler NY Digital Editor Paramount Global has sold its 13% ownership stake in TV and streaming company Viacom18 to Reliance Industries for $517 million. Reliance was already the majority owner of Viacom18. The pact comes two weeks after Disney and Reliance Industries announced a blockbuster $8.5 billion deal merging their massive Indian TV and streaming businesses.

Paramount Global has sold its 13% equity interest in Viacom18 Media to Indian conglomerate Reliance Industries for the equivalent $517 million.

EXCLUSIVE: Emraan Hashmi was born to play Raghu Khanna. As a member of the famous Bhatt family who began a two-decade career in Bollywood behind the cameras before becoming a famous face in front of them, playing the son of a media mogul in Disney+ Hotstar‘s latest original will have been familiar territory.

EXCLUSIVE: PhantomFX, an Indian VFX powerhouse that has worked on everything from The Avengers and The Walking Dead franchise to Outlander, is set to acquire a majority stake in Tippett Studio, the animation and visual effects production company of Oscar-winning filmmaker Phil Tippett.

Naman Ramachandran India premieres of France’s “The Taste of Things” and Korea’s “Exhuma” will open and close respectively the first edition of India’s Cinevesture International Film Festival. Tran Anh Hung won best director at Cannes 2023 for “The Taste of Things,” which was subsequently submitted as France’s official entry to the Oscars’ international feature category.

Naman Ramachandran Bollywood film “Shaitaan” has scored a hefty opening, according to data provided to Variety. The film marks the first collaboration between billionaire Mukesh Ambani’s Jio Studios, Bollywood A-lister Ajay Devgn’s Devgn Films and Panorama Studios. “Shaitaan” scored a worldwide weekend gross of $9.8 million, including India, according to numbers from Panorama Studios.

Naman Ramachandran Punit Goenka, MD and CEO of Indian media giant Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd, will now work directly with the revenue department of the company’s broadcast business. Ashish Sehgal, chief growth officer, advertisement revenue, will now directly report into Goenka. Rahul Johri, who led the revenue and monetization vertical, has stepped down after a three-year stint with Zee.

Author JK Rowling has said the “police are going to be very busy” amid accusations she misgendered broadcaster India Willoughby.

Naman Ramachandran The Indian media and entertainment industry grew 8% in 2023 to reach a value of $27.9 billion, according to the annual EY report released during the ongoing Frames conference in Mumbai, organized by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI). The growth was 21% above its pre-pandemic levels in 2019. The report collates data from television, digital media, film, animation and VFX, out of home media, live events, music, radio, online gaming and print.

Ivanka Trump was one of the guests at Anant Ambani’s pre-wedding party. The celebrations were lavish, welcoming guests on a three day experience hosted over the weekend. Ivanka shared photos on her Instagram, sharing with the world some of her and her family’s looks and the excitement she shared over being involved in the exclusive wedding party.Melania and Ivanka Trump’s relationship and the reason behind her ‘I Don’t Care’ jacket: New book claimsIvanka Trump shares hilarious ChatGPT life adviceA post shared by Ivanka Trump (@ivankatrump)Photos shared show Ivanka and her husband Jared Kushner dressed up for the occasion.

EXCLUSIVE: Actor-producer Esha Bargate is launching a production company that aims to challenge how Hollywood views and portrays Indian culture and society.

For love or money. The world’s richest and most powerful people are partying up a storm in Jamanagar, India as part of a 3-day, $120 million bash to celebrate the impending wedding of billionaire Anant Ambani and his bride-to-be Radhika Merchant. Ambani, 28, is youngest son of India’s richest man, Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani, who boasts a jaw-dropping net worth of $116.8 billion.

“work, work, work.”Rihanna has been panned for her “lazy” and “boring” performance at a pre-wedding bash for Indian billionaire Anant Amban— despite reports she was paid over $6 million for the 90-minute appearance. The “S.O.S” singer, 36, took to the stage at the lavish event in Jamanagar, India on Friday, performing in front of some of the world’s richest and most powerful people. Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerbergh and Ivanka Trump are among the attendees who have jetted into the city for the festivities.

Rihanna and A$AP Rocky are on the move!

Rihanna played her first full live show in almost eight years last night (March 1) at a pre-wedding ceremony in India – watch footage and see the setlist below.The singer was reportedly paid $6million (£4.7million) to perform a private concert celebrating the marriage of Anant Ambani, the youngest son of Indian billionaire industrialist Mukesh Ambani, and his partner Radhika Merchant (via TMZ).Taking place in Ambani’s hometown of Jamnagar, the extravagant three-day event hosted a 19-song gig from Rihanna – marking her first full-length performance since 2016 (via Setlist.FM).The show included live renditions of hits such as ‘We Found Love’, ‘Umbrella’, ‘Stay’, ‘Rude Boy’, ‘Diamonds’, ‘Work’ and ‘All Of The Lights’.“I’m here tonight in honour of Anant and Radhika, thank you for having me here. God bless your union, I wish you all the best, congratulations,” Rihanna said onstage, according to The National.Following the performance, the star told reporters: “The show was the best.

Rihanna just performed one of her first full concert sets in years and it was at a private wedding in India!