Hindi
Sony Electronics in digital cinema deployment deal with Fox, Paramount, Sony Pictures
MUMBAI: US film studios Fox, Paramount Pictures and Sony Pictures Entertainment have entered into separate non-exclusive digital cinema deployment agreements with Sony Electronics‘ Digital Cinema Solutions and Services (DCSS) group.
The agreements relate to supplying exhibitors with feature motion pictures in digital form in order to promote the use of digital cinema projection systems.
The new agreements will provide certain operational and financial resources to encourage exhibitors to implement digital cinema systems that will feature Sony‘s DCI-compliant 4K SXRD(TM) projection technology.
The separate agreements vary among the companies and extend to digital cinema efforts in certain countries in the US, Europe and Asia.
The Sony DCSS group was formed to provide turn-key solutions for exhibitors that will enable them to efficiently convert their operations to digital technology.
In addition to digital projection system deployment, Sony‘s DCSS group will be in a position to offer critical services for exhibitors such as installation and maintenance, along with customised solutions and high-level service support — which can all be provided by a turn-key Sony DCSS solution.
In a joint statement, Fox president of domestic distribution Bruce Snyder and Fox International , co-presidents Paul Hanneman and Tomas Jegeus said, “Fox is committed to supporting the highest-quality solutions for exhibitors as they make their transition to digital cinema on a global basis. It is important that exhibitors worldwide have the widest choice of solutions available to them. By working with Sony and its range of available technology, experience and stability, our goal is to continue to make the transition to DCI-compliant digital projection systems as smooth as possible. We‘re proud to be working with Sony DCSS to further advance digital cinema on a global level.”
Paramount Pictures president of domestic theatrical distribution Jim Tharp says, “Paramount is committed to maximising new, creative opportunities to encourage the conversion to digital projection and to broadening the availability of high quality 3D cinema. Our collaboration with Sony‘s DCSS team is a great step toward that end. We look forward to continued cooperation in the future.”
Sony‘s 4K projection technology will also contribute to the deployment of alternative content — including gaming, sporting events and music concerts — in order to develop more revenue-generating opportunities for exhibitors as the industry transitions to digital delivery.
Sony Pictures Entertainment chairman, worldwide marketing and distribution Jeff Blake says, “As digital cinema programming becomes more prevalent in the marketplace, consumers will experience entertainment in bold and exciting new ways with superior state-of-the-art sound and picture quality, as well as the deployment of alternative forms of content.”
Sony Pictures recently launched The Hot Ticket, dedicated to exploring and creating alternative programming for digital presentation in theatres.
“We couldn‘t be more supportive of our colleagues at Sony DCSS who are offering exhibitors a compelling digital cinema experience. These agreements continue to push the evolution of our industry to 4K, from acquisition through to exhibition” adds Blake.
Hindi
Kuku enters theatrical cinema with Indian Institute of Zombies
Audio and micro-drama giant launches first Hindi feature film on 8 May.
MUMBAI: Kuku just added brains to its bite because when an audio and micro-drama powerhouse decides to make a zombie comedy, even the undead had better watch their step. Kuku, one of India’s largest digital entertainment companies and the force behind Kuku FM and Kuku TV, has announced its foray into theatrical cinema with its debut Hindi feature film, Indian Institute of Zombies (IIZ). Billed as India’s first campus zombie comedy, the film is set to release in cinemas on 8 May 2026.
Set inside an elite engineering campus, IIZ blends zombie horror, youth comedy and sharp social satire, promising a high-energy big-screen experience. The film stars an ensemble cast including Jessie Lever, Anupriya Goenka, Mohan Kapur, Ranjan Raj, Shivani Paliwal, Shantanu Anam, Rose Sardana, Sachin Kavetham and Tanishq Chaudhary. It has been developed in-house at Kuku, scripted by Hussain Dalal and Abbas Dalal (known for Brahmāstra and Farzi), and directed by Gaganjeet Singh and Alok Dwivedi of Low Gravity Productions.
Kuku, CEO Lal Chand Bisu said, “Kuku has always been obsessed with how India consumes stories. We built scale in personal consumption through Kuku FM and created a new micro-drama category with Kuku TV. Theatres represent the next frontier, and Indian Institute of Zombies marks the first of many, rooted in youth culture, genre innovation and mass Indian tastes.”
Kuku senior vice president Kunj Sanghvi added, “IIZ is a film for everyone who has ever been on a college campus. We observed the success of horror comedies at the box office, the lack of a breakout Indian zombie film, and the insatiable appetite for campus stories across age groups.”
The project also showcases Kuku’s AI-native approach to filmmaking. Artificial intelligence has been deeply integrated into concept structuring, story architecture, scheduling, budgeting and creative iteration not as a gimmick, but as an amplifier to enable faster development cycles and sharper decisions.
With this move, Kuku is evolving from a leader in audio and vertical storytelling into a multi-format entertainment powerhouse, leveraging its deep audience insights and technological edge to create culturally resonant theatrical experiences.
In a content universe where stories are getting shorter and screens smaller, Kuku is boldly going big proving that even in the age of two-minute episodes, there’s still plenty of room for zombies, campus chaos and full-blown cinematic laughter. Indian Institute of Zombies hits theatres on 8 May 2026.
