Sony Pictures Networks India Names Disney+ Hotstar Content Boss Gaurav Banerjee As MD & CEO

Naman Ramachandran As the Indian film industry reaches the midpoint of 2024, Malayalam-language cinema from the southern state of Kerala has emerged as the breakout success story, while traditional powerhouse Bollywood recalibrates after an uneven start to the year. “This year has been the year of Malayalam cinema,” says former Disney India head and veteran producer Siddharth Roy Kapur in his half-yearly analysis of the Indian entertainment business for Variety.

EXCLUSIVE: We’re getting word about a series in the works from Sony Pictures Television‘s AFFIRM television and Revelations Entertainment which is centering around the Biblical Nazarene movement.

Over nearly two decades and three shows, Jared Padalecki has been one of the faces of The CW.  But that doesn’t mean the actor likes where the network is headed.  IndieWire (via Variety) reports that Padalecki didn’t hold back about The CW’s future after the network canceled his latest series, “Walker.” In his eyes, its shift to “easy, cheap content” over shows like “Gilmore Girls” and “Supernatural” that gave Padalecki a career will be a downfall.

It’s official: Sony Pictures will have “Street Fighter” be back in theaters in a couple of years, but without the Philippou brothers at the helm. THR reports that the studio plans to have a new movie based on the Capcom video game franchise ready for a March 20, 2026 theatrical release.  Legendary co-develops the film, with Capcom on board as producer.

Tim Chan If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Variety may receive an affiliate commission. A spot in the championship finals is up for grabs at the 2024 T20 World Cup Thursday, as India and England face off in the second semifinal match of the cricket tournament. England faces off against India at Providence Stadium in Guyana, with the winner going on to play South Africa in the Cricket World Cup final.

Naman Ramachandran Creativeland Studios has tapped industry veteran Shobha Sant as its new CEO, Variety can reveal. Sant brings over 30 years of experience to the role, most recently serving as head of content alliances – films, at billionaire Mukesh Ambani’s Jio Studios. In her new position, Sant will lead Creativeland’s filmed entertainment division and oversee the talent business of AIG-India, the joint venture between Creativeland Studios and Artist International Group.

‘Peppa Pig’ Writer Part Of Kartoon’s ‘Winnie-The-Pooh’ Team

Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) has confirmed Gaurav Banerjee as its new managing director and CEO. He will take the reins on or before Aug. 26, pending approvals.

EXCLUSIVE: Sony Pictures Television has extended comedy writer and showrunner Brigitte Muñoz-Liebowitz‘s (Gordita Chronicles) overall deal, sources reveal to Deadline.

Screen Siren Pictures, the Canadian-based independent production company behind such recent titles as French Exit, Bones of Crows and Indian Horse, on Thursday announced the launch of Scream Siren, a new arm at the company focusing on original, genre-driven storytelling with a spotlight on female protagonists.

Naman Ramachandran India’s Doc Film Bazaar, which is part of the Mumbai International Film Festival, has unveiled the winners of its inaugural edition. The awards, sponsored by Prasad Lab, are aimed at supporting post-production efforts, particularly in digital intermediate (DI) services.

EXCLUSIVE: Sony Pictures Classics has acquired worldwide rights to Blue Moon, the new film from Academy Award nominee Richard Linklater (Hit Man), on which we were first to report, and which will be his next effort after all, with production commencing in Dublin, Ireland this summer.

Ethan Shanfeld Following the success of “Bad Boys: Ride or Die,” Will Smith is teaming up again with Sony Pictures for the sci-fi thriller “Resistor,” based on Daniel Suarez’s 2014 novel “Influx.” The movie hails from Todd Black, Jason Blumenthal, Steve Tisch and Tony Shaw of Escape Artists, which has been developing the project for years alongside Smith and Jon Mone through Westbrook. Heather Washington is executive producing, and Dave Wilson is a producer.

Sony Pictures Entertainment has hired Nachiket Pantvaidya as general manager of productions in India. 

EXCLUSIVE: Ronald D. Moore is back at Sony Pictures Television, signing a multi-year overall deal with the independent studio. Under the pact, Moore, his Tall Ship Productions banner, and longtime collaborators Maril Davis and Ben McGinnis will develop and produce scripted series for cable and streaming platforms.

Naman Ramachandran Indian actor and filmmaker Manohara has had an inspirational journey. Hailing from humble circumstances in Bengaluru, southern India, Manohara was picked out of school and cast by filmmaker Prithvi Konanur in “Railway Children” (2016), which won him best child actor at India’s National Film Awards. Manohara went on to act in supporting roles in Konanur’s Busan and Hainan selection “Where Is Pinki?” (2020) and Busan, Hong Kong and Goa title “Seventeeners,” on which he also assisted.

Elsa Keslassy International Correspondent Sony Pictures Classics‘ Dylan Leiner along with FilmNation’s Stefan Zorich and Paramount‘s Fabrizio Carrer were among the top film executives and companies who participated in the 13th NY Film & Entertainment Soccer Tournament for charity hosted at the Tribeca Festival. The sun-drenched event gathered 39 teams, along with more than 60 filmmakers from the Tribeca Festival, and hundreds of spectators at Brooklyn Bridge Park overlooking downtown Manhattan.

Two Scottish hikes have been crowned among the best in the UK.

Brent Lang Executive Editor Sony Pictures Entertainment has acquired Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, the theater chain that inspired a passionate following with its creative cocktails, extensive food menu and strict “no talking, no texting” policies. The media company acquired Alamo Drafthouse from owners Altamont Capital Partners, Fortress Investment Group and its founder Tim League. Under its new ownership, Alamo Drafthouse will be managed under a newly established division, Sony Pictures Experiences.

EXCLUSIVE: Here’s a first in India: Disney+ Hotstar‘s ratings charts have seen animated shows take the top two places on its Hindi-language viewing charts for the first time.