Hollywood
Hollywood star Meryl Streep leading campaign for best documentary Oscar for “India’s Daughter”
New Delhi, 17 October: The controversial BBC documentary film on the December 2012 Nirbhaya rape case.
“India’s Daughter” by Leslee Udwin which was banned in early March by the government, is opening at various theatres in the United States next week.
Oscar-winning actress Meryl Streep, who introduced the documentary at its US theatrical release in New York City, said “I’m on the campaign now to get Udwin nominated for best documentary.”
The film is largely based on an extensive interview in jail with one of the attackers who blamed the victim, a 23-year-old trainee physiotherapist, for being out in the evening with a male friend.
In a statement, the government warned that certain excerpts “appear to encourage and incite violence against women.”
Promoter Christine Merser said screenings are also scheduled in some other countries.
Despite the uproar in India, “India’s Daughter” by Leslee Udwin was re-telecast on BBC4 to mark International Women’s Day.
Although BBC News is available in the country, the British pubcaster aired the documentary – for the second time in five days – on BBC4 which is not available to Indian viewers.
The documentary was also screened in countries across the globe — including Switzerland, Norway and Canada — to mark International Women’s Day and is being screened in the United States today. The film also continues to be available to Indian viewers on the internet.
Hollywood
David Zaslav could net up to $887m as Warner Bros Discovery sells up
Media mogul strikes gold as Paramount Skydance deal triggers massive windfall
NEW YORK: While the average office worker might hope for a nice clock and a round of applause upon leaving, David Zaslav is looking at a slightly more substantial parting gift. The chief executive officer of Warner Bros Discovery is positioned to receive a windfall of up to $887 million following the company’s blockbuster $110 billion sale to Paramount Skydance.
In a twist of corporate fate that feels scripted for the big screen, the deal marks the finale of a high-stakes bidding war. It comes after Netflix, once the frontrunner, decided to exit stage left and abandon its pursuit of the HBO Max parent company.
While most people receive a standard final paycheck, the filing released on Monday suggests Zaslav’s exit package is built a little differently. If the deal closes as expected in the third quarter of 2026, the numbers break down like this:
The cash out: A severance package of $34.2 million, covering his salary and bonuses.
The equity: $115.8 million in vested shares he already owns.
The future fortune: A massive $517.2 million in unvested share awards, essentially “future stock” that turns into real money the moment the ink dries on the merger.
Perhaps the most eye-catching figure is the $335 million earmarked for tax reimbursements. However, this particular pot of gold has an expiration date.
The company noted that these reimbursements are tied to specific tax-code rules that significantly decline as time passes. If the deal hits a snag and drags into 2027, that tax payout drops to zero. With hundreds of millions on the line, the chief executive officer likely has every incentive to ensure the closing process moves at double-speed.
