Movies
Panorama Studios seals long-term Malayalam distribution pact with Century Films
MUMBAI: Panorama Studios has struck a long-term distribution partnership with Century Films to release its entire slate of Malayalam films, sharpening its push into the southern Indian market and betting on deeper theatrical penetration in Kerala.
The alliance begins with Anomie, starring Rehman and Bhavana, slated for a 30 January theatrical release. It will be followed by Tikitaka, featuring Asif Ali, and Production No 3, starring Kunchacko Boban and Lijomol Jose. Under the agreement, Century Films will handle statewide distribution, leveraging its entrenched exhibitor network to maximise reach and box-office performance.
Century Films, led by producer MC Phillip, widely known as Century Kochumon, is regarded as a formidable force in Kerala’s theatrical ecosystem, with strong ties to exhibitors, theatre owners and local stakeholders. Panorama said this grassroots strength was central to the partnership.
Panorama Studios chairman Kumar Mangat Pathak, said the collaboration would help ensure the company’s Malayalam films reach audiences in Kerala with greater scale and authenticity. Century Kochumon described the tie-up as a natural progression, adding that it would strengthen the presentation of Malayalam cinema across the state.
The deal follows Panorama Studios International’s recent collaboration with actor-producer Nivin Pauly to develop a slate of Malayalam features with a cumulative budget of Rs 100 crore. Panorama’s broader portfolio includes Omkara, Pyaar Ka Punchnama, Drishyam, Raid and Shaitaan, with Drishyam 3 currently in the works.
Hollywood
Trump invested over $1.1m in Netflix bonds at the peak of Warner Bros bidding battle
Financial disclosures show U.S. president also bought Warner Bros Discovery debt during high-stakes media takeover race.
WASHINGTON: New government financial disclosures show that U.S. president Donald Trump purchased more than $1.1 million worth of bonds issued by Netflix over the past three months. The transactions occurred during a period when Netflix was engaged in a competitive bidding war for Warner Bros. Discovery, a potential merger that the Trump administration had publicly criticised on antitrust grounds.
Between December and January, the president acquired Netflix bonds valued between $1.1 million and $2.25 million. The bonds carry a 5.375 per cent interest rate and are scheduled to mature in November 2029. Financial disclosures also revealed an additional investment in Warner Bros Discovery bonds. The purchase was valued between $500,002 and $1 million, with the debt reportedly bought at roughly 92 cents on the dollar. The bonds are now trading at around 95 cents on the dollar, leaving the position currently in profit.
The timing of the investments has drawn scrutiny because the administration had been openly critical of Netflix’s market activities at the time. While the president’s trust was purchasing the debt, the administration reportedly pressured Netflix to remove board member Susan Rice and expressed concerns that a Netflix–Warner merger could harm competition.
The White House has dismissed conflict-of-interest concerns, stating that the president’s assets are managed independently by his children. Spokesperson Anna Kelly said U.S. presidents are legally exempt from the conflict-of-interest laws that apply to other federal officials.
Despite the financial interest, Netflix ultimately lost the race to acquire Warner Bros Discovery. Paramount Skydance secured the deal on 27 February with a $110 billion offer. The acquisition was backed by Larry Ellison, who guaranteed $40 billion to support the bid, while major lenders including Bank of America, Citigroup and Apollo Global Management provided $39 billion in financing.
The final acquisition leaves the combined Paramount entity carrying roughly $85 billion in debt, while Netflix withdrew its bid roughly two weeks before the official disclosure report was released.
