Production houses and media advisory firms are signing licensing agreements with film and television personalities to monetise their personal brands, digital images and distinctive attributes. With actors increasingly being viewed as intellectual property, companies are exploring opportunities such as digital avatars, content licensing and brand partnerships. The trend is also gaining traction as AI creates new possibilities, while raising the importance of consent and protection of personality rights.
Veteran filmmaker and CID creator BP Singh died on October 27, aged 77, after suffering a massive heart attack. Shivaji Satam, Dayanand Shetty, Aditya Srivastava and other CID actors attended his last rites on October 28 in Mumbai.
PVR INOX targets 500 new screens in three years, bets on SMART Cinemas
The multiplex operator aims to open 90-100 screens in FY27, followed by 150-175 in FY28. It has identified around 300 cities for SMART Cinemas, an affordable, capital-light format designed for smaller markets.
Get Karva Chauth-Ready With These Styles
This Karva Chauth, elevate your festive wardrobe beyond the traditional red with stunning, Bollywood-inspired outfit ideas, embracing a palette of vibrant colours and elegant silhouettes.
Ranbir, Sai, Yash At Ramayana's LA Premiere
Ramayana: Part 1 had its grand premiere in Los Angeles, drawing attention ahead of its global release on November 5.
Shah Rukh's 'King' poster sparks online debate, netizens draw parallels with 'Dhurandhar 2'
Shah Rukh Khan revealed the poster for his upcoming film titled King, set to release on December 24. The poster features him in a rugged look, holding a gun and a rose. Social media reactions were mixed, with some users praising the aesthetic while others made comparisons to Ranveer Singh's film. Critics pointed out similarities with other action movies, suggesting potential influence or imitation.
JioHotstar expands to Nepal through DGO partnership
JioHotstar has launched its streaming services in Nepal through a collaboration with the local platform DGO. This partnership allows viewers to access a variety of Indian films, series, and live international sports. Subscriptions are available in two plans, which offer flexible pricing for local audiences. DGO will also continue to add new Nepali films weekly to enhance the viewing experience.
Govinda addressed rumours of trouble in his marriage to Sunita Ahuja, calling her his first love and saying divorce is out of the question. The actor, who is returning to films after seven years with Roopa, said his home would always remain open to Sunita.
Shah Rukh Khan's poster of King shows him with a tattooed chest and lover-boy charm, with a rose clenched between his lips. SRK's punchline, Qaatil nahi aashiq hoon, reminded fans of the song Aashiq Hoon Main, Qaatil Bhi Hoon from his 1999 film Baadshah.
Supreme Court issues notice to Centre on media groups' challenge to privacy law
A petition from the Digital News Publishers Association challenges provisions of India's digital privacy law. The law may restrict journalistic activities by requiring consent from individuals under investigation. News publishers argue that this could hinder the freedom of the press and expose confidential sources. Concerns regarding the potential penalties for non-compliance have also been raised by the petitioners.
Zee appoints Komal Nahta as Creative Director, restructures movies business
Under the revamped structure, Suraj Singh and the Zee Studios team will report to Nahta, who will also oversee commercial and movie acquisition decisions across platforms, with a focus on Hindi and other-language films. He will report to ZEEL Chief Executive Officer Punit Goenka.
BARC blackout opens a new channel for TV viewership data
The suspension of Broadcast Audience Research Council ratings has prompted new interest in RPD-based data collection for TV viewership. GTPL Hathway has started sharing data from connected set-top boxes to track channel viewing. While Tata Play has utilized RPD for internal purposes, concerns remain regarding its industry-wide credibility and sampling transparency. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has emphasized RPD's importance for future deployments by distribution platform operators.
Netflix users are watching less, not opening the app as often
Netflix Inc. has seen a decline in user engagement, with customers opening the app less frequently than before. Although total watch time increased due to new subscribers, individual viewing has decreased significantly during this period. The company is facing challenges such as increased competition and fewer hit productions impacting viewer attraction. In response to these issues, Netflix has made leadership changes to strengthen its content strategy and overall business model.
Goan food and history come together in this immersive theater performance by PaChaak Productions
Goa is a Bebinca will be staged in Bengaluru. It is an immersive theatre production by PaChaak and serves traditional Goan food along with the enactment of a family drama
Ranga Shankara Theatre Festival 2026: Six plays on identity and belonging
The upcoming festival brings six productions by theatre groups making their Bengaluru debut, exploring belonging through stories of migration, memory, caste, gender and climate change, shaped by diverse languages and lived experiences
Slaves, a new production by The Madras Players, is a translation of writer Sujatha
For years, Sujatha has captured the imagination of Tamil audiences through short stories, film scripts, and even theatre plays. On October 24, the Madras Players dramatises one of his earlier works, Adimaigal as Slaves on fortune, love, and loss
Slaves, a new production by The Madras Players, is a translation of writer Sujatha
For years, Sujatha has captured the imagination of Tamil audiences through short stories, film scripts, and even theatre plays. On October 24, the Madras Players dramatises one of his earlier works, Adimaigal as Slaves on fortune, love, and loss
Uday Shankar highlights that India's sports industry presents substantial long-term investment opportunities, particularly in cricket and others. He urges potential investors to adopt a longer timeframe beyond five years for returns. Shankar also notes that while cricket remains dominant, other sports are gaining significant audiences as well. The challenges include rising media-rights costs and competition with technology platforms. Furthermore, simplifying cricket formats could enhance viewer enjoyment and excitement over time.
Nuvama expects festive spending to improve in Q3FY27, with the late Diwali likely to support advertising and consumer engagement
First Drop Theatres Care-Tharsis provides caregivers with a platform for their stories
First Drop Theatre celebrates its tenth anniversary with a playback theatre enactment of caregiver stories
JioStar vice chairman Uday Shankar said sports, particularly cricket, has been a major investment for the company, helping it build a digital audience of 600 million monthly active users. However, he said soaring cricket media rights costs have made the business increasingly difficult.
