iWorld
Unleash your inner comedian with DeadAnt’s “Zero To 60” comedy workshop
Mumbai: DeadAnt a new-age media and entertainment business with a focus on Indian and international comedy, partners with one of India’s pioneers in standup comedy, Kunal Rao to present “Zero to 60” – Level 1 of a standup comedy writing workshop. Designed to help aspiring comic artistes, writers and those exploring the world of comedy discover their potential. Kunal Rao, with over a decade of experience in the comedy business, both on and off the stage, will provide the tools and knowledge to craft hilarious jokes and help develop an individual comic style. This workshop is scheduled for 4-5 November 2023 from 4-7 pm in Mumbai.
“Zero to 60” standup comedy workshop is a two-day event designed to ignite one’s sense of humour, sharpen your comic skills and take you from zero to a full-throttle 60 in the world of laughter. Whether one is an absolute beginner, an aspiring comedian looking to hone their skills, a writer eager to add humour to their work, or simply a comedy enthusiast, this workshop is designed for anybody with interest in the field. This interactive workshop promises to cover a spectrum of comedy essentials over two days, and provide a deeper understanding on what makes things funny and why with lots of tips, tricks and techniques to help you get started. Open to everyone over 18, it will be conducted in person, and participants are encouraged to actively engage in assignments during the sessions.
DeadAnt founder and CEO Ravina Rawal, “We at DeadAnt want to create a space for individuals who want to explore stand-up comedy as a full-time career option. This workshop helps people break into comedy by creating or strengthening the foundation for it. We feel Kunal Rao is the perfect guide for this—he not only has experience with both the business and performance aspects of the craft, but is also a very patient teacher and mentor. The workshop also provides certification to all participants which is added motivation for them that they have taken part in something new and exciting, and will add a lot of value to their career as a standup comedian.”
Comedy enthusiasts should not miss this chance to embark on a learning journey with one of India’s foremost comedians, Kunal Rao.
iWorld
Netflix cuts jobs in product division amid restructuring
Layoffs hit creative studio unit as leadership and strategy shifts unfold.
MUMBAI: The streaming wars may be fought on screen, but the latest plot twist is unfolding behind the scenes. Netflix has reportedly begun laying off several dozen employees from its product division as part of an internal reorganisation, according to a report by Variety. The cuts are believed to have primarily affected the company’s creative studio unit, which works on marketing assets such as in app trailers, promotional visuals and live experience content for the streaming platform.
The company has not disclosed the exact number of employees impacted.
According to the report, the layoffs were not tied to employee performance. Instead, the restructuring eliminated certain roles while other employees were reassigned to different teams within the organisation.
The roles affected are understood to include designers, producers and creative specialists responsible for marketing and brand experience initiatives.
The job cuts come as Netflix adjusts its leadership structure and reshapes its product and creative teams. Last month, Elizabeth Stone was promoted from chief technology officer to chief product and technology officer, giving her oversight of product, engineering and data operations across the company.
Earlier, in December 2025, Netflix also appointed Martin Rose as head of creative for global brand and partnerships, a move seen as part of a broader restructuring of the company’s brand and product functions.
Despite the layoffs, Netflix remains one of the largest employers in the streaming sector. The company is estimated to employ around 16,000 people globally, with roughly 70 percent of its workforce based in the United States and Canada. In 2023, the company reported approximately 13,000 employees, indicating that its headcount had grown significantly before the latest restructuring.
The workforce changes arrive at a time when Netflix is navigating a shifting financial and strategic landscape in the global entertainment industry.
The streaming giant recently secured $2.8 billion in additional cash after receiving a breakup fee from Paramount Skydance following its withdrawal from a deal involving Warner Bros. Discovery.
Speaking to Bloomberg, Netflix co chief executive Ted Sarandos explained that the company had evaluated multiple scenarios during the negotiations but chose not to match the competing offer once it learned that a higher bid had been submitted.
Netflix had capped its offer at $27.75 per share and ultimately stepped back rather than pursue Paramount’s $111 billion acquisition deal, which included a personal guarantee.
Sarandos also cautioned that the financing structure behind the Paramount Skydance transaction could have ripple effects across the entertainment industry.
According to him, the debt heavy deal could trigger significant cost cutting, with David Ellison, chief executive of Paramount Skydance, expected to eliminate about $16 billion in costs and potentially cut thousands of jobs as part of the integration process.
For Netflix, the current restructuring appears to be part of a broader attempt to streamline operations while continuing to invest in product, technology and global content even as the streaming industry enters a new phase of consolidation and financial discipline.
