Renamed Eros Media World to Retain 15% Stake in STX, Projects Revenue Growth, Reduced Debt

Naman Ramachandran “Le Musk,” the directorial debut of Oscar, BAFTA and Grammy winning Indian composer A.R. Rahman (“Slumdog Millionaire”), will have its world premiere at the Cannes Film Market’s Cannes XR program.The 36-minute film is billed as a cinematic sensory experience incorporating virtual reality, with motion, music and scent integrated into the narrative. It follows heiress and musician Juliet Merdinian, who, 20 years since she was orphaned, seeks out the men who changed her destiny with one powerful memory — that of their scent.Rahman developed the story from an original idea by his wife Saira.

EXCLUSIVE: Hayley Mills ,still fondly remembered for Disney classics Pollyanna and The Parent Trap, is checking into The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel ,to take it on the road in the UK and then to London’s West End.

EXCLUSIVE: Shout! Studios has acquired North American rights to Concourse Media’s drama On Sacred Ground, starring William Mapother (Lost), David Arquette (Scream franchise) and Amy Smart (Stargirl), with plans for a strategic launch of the pic across all major entertainment platforms, beginning with a theatrical day-and-date debut in the first quarter of 2023. The multi-platform entertainment distribution and production arm of Shout! Factory will also screen the film on over 1,000 college campuses, as a means of promoting its underlying message of equality and the importance of upholding indigenous rights.

Naman Ramachandran Riz Ahmed and Aneil Karia are teaming again for a modern, London-set British Indian adaptation of Shakespeare’s “Hamlet.”The pair won the 2022 best live action short film Oscar for “The Long Goodbye,” which they co-wrote, Ahmed starred in and Karia directed. WME Independent will launch international sales at the Cannes Film Market, while co-representing North American rights with CAA.

EXCLUSIVE: Jonathan Glickman’s production banner Panoramic Media has tapped Rob Lamonaca as Senior Vice President of Production, a role in which he will be responsible for sourcing, developing and overseeing film and television projects for Panoramic.

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau ChiefThe sports rights and media businesses in the Asia-Pacific region are experiencing a post-COVID rebound that could continue at 6% annually until 2026. But the past domination of broadcast TV is being eroded.

Indian actor and filmmaker R Madhavan’s directorial debut Rocketry: The Nambi Effect will receive its world premiere in Cannes on May 19 as part of the celebration of India as the official country of honor at the Cannes Market this year. Check out some exclusive new photos above and below.

Shampa Banerjee, a seasoned streaming exec who held senior posts at Eros International and Pluto, has been named chief product and technology officer at Canela Media.

Naman Ramachandran “Rocketry: The Nambi Effect,” the directorial debut of acclaimed Indian actor R. Madhavan (“Alai Payuthey,” “Tanu Weds Manu”), will have its industry premiere in Cannes as a market screening.India is the country of honor at this year’s Cannes Film Market.Madhavan plays the role of Indian scientist, Nambi Narayanan, a former Indian Space Research Organization scientist and aerospace engineer known for developing efficient liquid fuel engines and who became embroiled in a spy scandal.

His career has taken him from northern India, to Shanghai and then to Manchester. During more than 25 years as a professional chef, Manish Mahipal has worked in five star hotels and now runs a stylish restaurant in King Street West.

Imax reported a global quarterly box office total of $173.2 million, up 57% over Q1 2021 thanks in large part to the March release of “The Batman” and post-holiday holdover screenings of “Spider-Man: No Way Home.” Imax also had screenings of seven local language films in countries like China, India and France. Adjusted EBITDA stood at $14.8 million, up from $2.8 million in Q1 2021 during which theaters worldwide closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Tika Sumpter, Comedian CP and Isha Blaaker are all joining the cast in recurring roles for the show's sophomore season.Additionally, Cree Summer and 's Ashley Blaine Featherson-Jenkins will join as guest stars.Based in Harlem, New York,  stars Amber Stevens West, Bresha Webb and Corbin Reid as three fiercely loyal friends who work to juggle the trials and tribulations of being successful career women while navigating their romantic relationships and their connections to one another. As the show's logline reads, «At its core, it’s an unapologetically female show about enviable friendship and not only surviving – but thriving together.»Sumpter will play Naomi, the biological mother of Amari (Ellie Reine), who has returned home from the Navy.

Elsa Keslassy International Correspondent“The Inventor,” the animated family feature by “Ratatouille” scribe Jim Capobianco whose all-star voice cast is led by Marion Cotillard, Daisy Ridley, Stephen Fry and Matt Berry, has been sold by MK2 Films to a flurry of territories. The stop-motion film, which charts the life of Renaissance master Leonardo Da Vinci, has pre-sold to a large part of the world, with deals in France (KMBO), Portugal (Nos Lusomundo), Hong Kong & Taiwan (Muse), the Philippines (Falcon), Former Yougoslavia (Karantanija).

John Hopewell Chief International CorrespondentLondon-based sales agent SC Films International has boarded  “December,” a Japanese courtroom thriller from India’s Anshul Chauhan whose cast is led by Shogen, star of Brillante Ma Mendoza’s “Gensan Punch.”  SC Films International will handle international sales outside of Japan on “December,” Chauhan’s follow-up to notable family drama drama “Kontora” which scooped the Grand Prix Prize at the Tallin Black Nights Film Festival. The sales agent plans to  launch “December” at May’s Cannes Marché du Film before submitting it to fall festivals, said SC Films co-founder Simon Crowe.   The sales pact was clinched by SC Films’ Fumie Suzuki Lancaster and “December” producer Takahiro Yamashita, also behind “Gensan Punch.” It builds on the companies’ partnership on “Gensan Punch” which sold to HBO for the world and scored the top Asian plaudit, the Kim Jiseok Award, at 2021’s Busan Intl.

Starz is expanding the cast of its comedy series “Run the World.”Tika Sumpter, Comedian CP and Isha Blaaker are all joining the cast in recurring roles for Season 2. Additionally,  Cree Summer and Ashley Blaine Featherson-Jenkins will guest star in the upcoming season, the network announced on Wednesday.“Run the World” follows a group of smart, funny and vibrant thirtysomething Black women — played by Corbin Reid, Bresha Webb and Amber Stevens West — who live, work and play in Harlem.

Selome Hailu Tika Sumpter, Chris “Comedian CP” Powell and Ishaa Blaaker have been cast in recurring roles in Season 2 of Starz’s “Run the World” while Cree Summer and Ashley Blaine Featherson-Jenkins will guest star, Variety has learned exclusively.The series follows a group of smart, funny and vibrant 30-something Black women who live, work and play in Harlem.Sumpter plays Naomi, the biological mother of Amari (Ellie Reine) who has returned home from the Navy. With the assertiveness of a military officer, she immediately reclaims her position in Amari’s life, leaving Sondi (Corbin Reid) to question her place in this new family dynamic.Comedian CP plays Preston Thurgood, the multi-millionaire creator of Prestify, who has no need to put on airs. His hilarious, down-to-earth personality is plenty to get Renee’s (Bresha Webb) attention; however, his lavish lifestyle certainly won’t hurt his case.

Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard 's go-to order is. The Aston Villa boss was photographed at the upmarket Asha's restaurant in Birmingham city centre on Monday evening, where stars like Tom Cruise and Ed Sheeran have previously stopped off for a bite, according to Birmingham Live. And the excited eatery owners lifted the lid on the signature dish that the 41-year-old treated himself to two helpings of.