Fawad Khan, Sanam Saeed’s ‘Barzakh’: First Poster Unveiled for Series Mania Selection (EXCLUSIVE)

Naman Ramachandran Leading Indian studio Yash Raj Films’ streaming production arm YRF Entertainment has revealed its second show. Titled “Mandala Murders,” the multi-season series is billed as a gritty crime thriller. It is created and will be directed by Gopi Puthran (“Mardaani 2”). Manan Rawat, who has worked on several films as an associate director for the studio, will serve as co-director. Vaani Kapoor, who won critical acclaim playing a transgender character in film “Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui,” will lead the series, her debut in the streaming space, alongside Vaibhav Raj Gupta (SonyLIV series “Gullak”). Surveen Chawla (Netflix series “Decoupled”) and Jameel Khan (“Gullak”) have also been cast in prominent roles in “Mandala Murders.”

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau Chief In cricket-mad India the upcoming Indian Premier League tournament could be a watershed for the country’s jostling media empires, according to Singapore-based consultancy and analysis firm, Media Partners Asia. Video rights for the tournament were split between incumbent pay-TV player Disney Star India, which paid close to $3.1 billion for broadcast rights to the five 2023-2027 editions, and Viacom18, which is backed by Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) and Paramount (as a minority stakeholder), in partnership with financier Bodhi Tree Systems. It paid a similar sum for the separate digital rights. Media Partners Asia estimates that advertising revenues spawned by the two-month 2023 competition will end up around $550 million – representing a clear loss on the annualized cost of $1.2 billion, or roughly $600 million per conglomerate, for the tournament rights. (The analysis firm forecasts that RIL will earn $300-350 million in ad sales, while Star’s best-case scenario is $220 million.)

Amazon Prime Video is exploring more global franchise opportunities following the success of the Russo Brothers’ Citadel.

Naman Ramachandran Indian streamer SonyLIV has revealed a robust 35-strong series slate, including some returning hits, with a further expansion into South Indian languages in addition to its Hindi-language slate. Headquartered in Mumbai, the streamer now has three content offices in South India, in Kochi, Hyderabad and Chennai. SonyLIV also now has 24 million paid subscribers, SonyLIV head of content Saugata Mukherjee told Variety. In the Tamil language, after the success of “Tamil Rockerz” in 2022 and “The Story of Things” earlier this year, SonyLIV has saga “Journey,” headlined by R. Sarathkumar with Cheran Pandian (“Autograph”) serving as showrunner; and “The Madras Murder,” set against the backdrop of the Tamil film industry in the 1950s and 1960s, with A.L. Vijay (“Kireedam”) as showrunner.

JoJo Siwa is recounting some of  her “happiest” memories at Walt Disney World.

Seven years after Gwyneth Paltrow’s skiing accident occurred in Utah, the lawsuit is officially headed to court.

Former TOWIE star Frankie Essex gave birth to her twins, whom she shares with boyfriend Luke Love, in May and has since shared updates while settling into life with babies Logan and Luella. In her exclusive column for OK!, Frankie has discussed a range of topics related to motherhood – from her first social outing with the twins and a blackout at her home when they were just a few days old, to “feeling more human again” as the babies dropped their dreaded 2am feed. This week Frankie talks about her upcoming first Mother's Day, the new child care scheme set to be put in place and her "disgusting" energy bills...

John Hopewell Chief International Correspondent Series Mania has always been about discovery: Of drama series as an art form, in its early days from launch in 2009; then of key players on a burgeoning international premium TV scene. Series Mania’s International Panorama now catches a new wave of creatives transitioning from film to scripted TV – Israel’s Yaron Shani with “Innermost,” Spain’s Isaki Lacuesta and Isa Campo with episodes of “Apagón”; and highlights notable emerging auteurs: Denmark’s Kasper Møller Rask, Canada’s Alexis Durand-Brault, Spain’s Fran Araujo, Pakistan’s Assim Abassi and Germany’s Jakob and Jonas Weydemann.  But for having already bowed at national festivals, some of the 12 titles below could well have been in the running for a Competition berth. 

Manori Ravindran Executive Editor of International Nearly a week after the Oscars, the hurt and disappointment of a missed opportunity still weighs heavily on the minds of some South Asian American dancers, who are setting out to ensure it never happens again. Many in the South Asian dance community were dismayed by the astonishing dearth of South Asian representation in the “Naatu Naatu” performance at Sunday’s Academy Awards. While singers Rahul Sipligunj and Kaala Bhairava were on hand to perform their hit tune from Tollywood smash “RRR” — which made history for India that night by winning best original song — they were joined on stage by not a single dancer of South Asian heritage.

EXCLUSIVE: Joaquina Kalukango (Lovecraft Country), Lonnie Chavis (This is Us), Rob Morgan (Mudbound), Ryan O’Nan (Queen of the South), and Justin Hurtt-Dunkley (Mare Of Easttown) have been tapped for key recurring roles opposite David Oyelowo and Dennis Quaid in Bass Reeves, from Yellowstone co-creator/showrunner Taylor Sheridan.

Ben Croll Based in the northern French town of Lille since 2018, Series Mania has emerged as a key showcase for premium series and a spotlight for international creators — though, given the wider forces shaping the TV business, that spotlight has often shone on talent from the same three or four territories. And so, when programming the latest edition, the Series Mania brass looked to widen the field. “This year, we will introduce our attendees to new narrative modes and visual possibilities,” says general director Laurence Herszberg. “Because we’ve discovered so many series from countries that haven’t often attended the major festivals, with creative outputs that are much lesser-known. We want to celebrate them as well.”

Love Island stars Ron Hall and Lana Jenkins reportedly had a “furious argument” on the plane journey home from South Africa. The couple, both 25, finished the ITV series in second place behind show winners Kai Fagan and Sanam Harrinanan, and were among the Islanders to be greeted by friends and family upon their arrival back in the UK this week. However, the pair have been hit with feud rumours, as a source claims that the couple exchanged tense words on the flight home.

shared on Twitter.The songwriter had been battling neuropathy for the last five years and struggled to walk.“I held him tight in my arms as he left us. I am forever heartbroken,” she wrote in part.

BreAnna Bell Garrett Hedlund has been cast in a recurring guest role in Taylor Sheridan’s forthcoming “Bass Reeves” series set at Paramount+, Variety has learned exclusively. He’ll portray Garrett Montgomery, a so-called posse man of the era who Bass hires for his riding know-how and expertise of the area. She joins previously announced stars including lead and executive producer David Oyelowo, and series regulars Lauren E. Banks, Demi Singleton, Forrest Goodluck and Barry Pepper. Dennis Quaid and Grantham Coleman will also appear in recurring roles. Hedlund can currently be seen in Paramount+’s “Tulsa King” and will next star in the film “The Tutor,” which is scheduled March 24th theater release. He recently completed production on the films “Desperation Road” opposite Mel Gibson and “The Marsh King’s Daughter,” co-starring Ben Mendelson and Daisy Ridley. His other credits include Lee Daniels’ “Mudbound,” “On the Road,” “Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk,” “Mojave,” “Inside Llewyn Davis,” “Pan,” “Unbroken,” “Tron: Legacy,” and “Country Strong.”

Love Island's Olivia Hawkins has been seen for the first time since her ex from the show, Kai Fagan, won with his new partner, Sanam Harrinanan. Olivia, who was left fuming when Kai decided to recouple with Sanam in Casa Amor, looked unfazed by their win as she beamed following a late night of partying for the Love Island final in the UK, although the actual final was filmed in South Africa.The 27 year old beamed as she looked fresh-faced despite the late night in a full face of makeup with bronzed cheeks and a slick of gloss, whilst her hair was slicked back into her trademark high ponytail.

John Hopewell Chief International Correspondent Series Mania, Europe’s biggest TV fest, and German film-TV powerhouse Beta Group has revealed the 10 projects in the first edition of Seriesmakers, unveiling what must be one of the most talent-packed project lineups at any festival, film or TV, in 2023, A mentoring program for filmmakers making their TV creator debut, Series Mania features in development drama series from “Compartment No 6’s” Juho Kuosmanen, ‘Bang Gang’s’ Eva Husson and “Birds of a Passage’s” Ciro Guerra and Cristina Gallego. Also in the mix is “Amigas,” the first TV project of Beatriz Seigner (“Los Silencios”), one of Brazil’s foremost young movie directors, “The Invisible Ink,” teaming Cannes best first feature winner César Díaz (“Our Mothers”)and New Uruguay Cinema founding father Fernando Epstein; and Indian arthouse filmmaker Pushpendra Singh, who scored with Berlin Encounters’ title “The Shepherdess and the Seven Songs.”

swooped in to deliver a powerhouse performance of “Hold My Hand” at the last minute on Sunday — RiRi still got the prime spot as the final Best Song performer.Backed by strings and a choir, she shined in a sparkly, bejeweled black gown while delivering a solemn yet gospel-spirited rendition of “Lift Me Up” that drew a standing O from the audience — including boyfriend A$AP Rocky — as much for Bosemanas for her performance.But it remained to be seen if Rihanna and her co-writers — producer Ludwig Göransson,  “Wakanda Forever” director Ryan Coogler and Nigerian artist Tems — would take home the Best Original Song Oscar.“Lift Me Up” — released last October and serving as Rihanna’s comeback single after a lengthy music hiatus — faces stiff competition from Lady Gaga’s “Top Gun: Maverick” track “Hold My Hand” as well as “Naatu Naatu,” the “RRR” ditty that became the first tune from an Indian film to win the Golden Globe for Best Original Song in January.The other contenders include “Applause,” the “Tell It Like a Woman” tune that scored the 14th nomination for perennial Best Song bridesmaid Diane Warren; and “This Is a Life,” the “Everything Everywhere All at Once” number performed and co-written by Son Lux’s Ryan Lott, David Byrne and Mitski.Follow The Post’s Oscars 2023 live coverage Rihanna’s Oscar night appearance continues an impressive streak for the pop superstar.

Carlos Alcaraz is back with another win!

#Vanderpump cast member who’s texted her. Can you guess? SUR’s servers and bartenders were initially a hard partying bunch with dreams of modeling, acting and music careers. Vanderpump acted as both mother hen and referee to her staffers, counseling them as they dated and mated — almost exclusively with each other.As the seasons wore on, the stars began to all have similar facial features as they spent their Bravo earnings at the cosmetic surgeon.

Love Island star Casey O'Gorman has sparked rumours of a feud between him and a handful of his co-stars after failing to follow them on Instagram. Days after Casey, 26, who was recently dumped from the South African villa alongside bombshell Rosie Seabrook, 24, was given his phone back, the star followed his love interest Rosie as well as contestants Tom Clare, Will Young, Olivia Hawkins and former flame Claudia Fogarty.The star also followed Casa Amor bombshells Spencer Wilks, Ellie Spence, Keanan Brand, Maxwell Samuda and Jordan Odofin.