iWorld
Alia Bhatt becomes ‘Genius of the Year’
MUMBAI: She tried altering India’s political landscape through ignorant replies during her appearance on the chat show Koffee with Karan. Bollywood actress Alia Bhatt then went on to become the reigning queen of santa-banta jokes on social media.
But that hasn’t deterred the 21 year old who used her half witted comments into an opportunity to get back at everyone who laughed at her. In a new video put up by comedy group All India Backchod, the actress has truly become the ‘Genius of the Year.’
The hilarious video begins with a short message- In 2014 a documentary crew followed ‘Alia Bhatt in the aftermath of her Koffee with Karan debacle.’ She is then seen visiting Dumb Belle Mental Gym which offers her to transform her from ‘Dolce and Gabbana to Smart like Shabana (Azmi)’
Here, she is recommended a healthy diet consisting of newspapers and novels and is made to do away from junk food like Bollywood gossip. Her BMI (Brain Mein IQ) which was nearly nonexistent receives a boost of knowledge through music. Bhatt then finds herself again on the gossip show Koffee with Karan and stuns the cold soul host Johar with her sharp replies.
The documentary also features other Bollywood actors like Arjun Kapoor, Parineeti Chopra, her father and filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt and mentor Karan Johar. Her two famous songs;
‘Saturday Saturday’ from Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania has been changed to ‘Faraday Faraday’, while ‘Radha On The Dance Floor’ has been made into ‘Sodium On The Dance Floor’.
Available online, it’s indeed a treat for both her fans and critics and is directed by Shakun Batra.
iWorld
Bill Ackman’s Pershing Square makes $64 billion bid to acquire Universal Music Group
Ackman pitches NYSE relisting plan as UMG board weighs unsolicited offer
The hedge fund has proposed a business combination that values UMG at €30.40 per share, representing a hefty 78 per cent premium to its current trading price. The offer includes €9.4 billion in cash alongside stock in a newly formed entity, with shareholders set to receive €5.05 per share in cash and 0.77 shares in the new company for each UMG share they hold.
Under the proposal, UMG would merge with Pershing Square SPARC Holdings Ltd and re-emerge as a Nevada-based entity listed on the New York Stock Exchange. The move is designed to boost investor visibility and potentially secure inclusion in major indices such as the S&P 500.
Pershing Square Capital Management ceo Bill Ackman argued that while UMG’s operational performance remains strong, its market valuation has lagged due to external factors. “UMG’s stock price has languished due to a combination of issues that are unrelated to the performance of its music business,” Ackman said, pointing to concerns ranging from shareholder overhang to delayed US listing plans.
Ackman also flagged what he sees as untapped potential in UMG’s balance sheet and a lack of clear capital allocation strategy. He added that the market has not fully recognised the value of UMG’s €2.7 billion stake in Spotify, alongside gaps in investor communication.
The proposed transaction would also result in the cancellation of around 17 per cent of UMG’s outstanding shares, while maintaining its investment-grade balance sheet. Pershing Square has said it will fully backstop the equity financing, with debt commitments secured at signing. The deal is targeted for completion by the end of the year.
UMG, however, has struck a measured tone. The company confirmed that its board has received the non-binding proposal and will review it with advisers. It reiterated confidence in its current strategy and leadership under Lucian Grainge, signalling no immediate shift in stance.
The proposal comes at a time when global music companies are navigating evolving investor expectations, streaming economics and capital allocation pressures. For Pershing Square, the bet is clear: sharpen the financial story, relist in the US, and let the music play louder in the markets.
Whether UMG’s board is ready to change the tune remains to be seen, but the spotlight on its valuation just got a lot brighter.
