Movies
Laloo Laughs to the Bank as Gujarati Cinema Hits Rs 100 Crore
MUMBAI: If cinema had a victory lap, Gujarati film Laloo just took it at full throttle. At a special felicitation ceremony hosted by Citara, the makers of Laloo were honoured for crossing the ₹100 crore box office mark, a milestone that not only rewrites records, but also redraws the map of regional cinema in India.
The film has delivered unprecedented numbers across Citara’s cinema network, including strong performances in smaller centres such as Jamkhambalia. Designed for Tier 2, 3 and 4 markets, Citara’s compact, tech-enabled theatres have emerged as unlikely but powerful launchpads for this historic run.
For Gujarati cinema, the moment feels less like a peak and more like a coming-of-age. Producers and director of Laloo credited the unwavering support of the Gujarati diaspora, both in India and overseas, for pushing the film beyond expectations and into the ₹100 crore club.
Citara founders Tutu Sharma and Rahul Nehra said the film had broken all previous records at their centres and confirmed that the company is on track to roll out 25 screens across Gujarat over the next 12 to 18 months. They attributed Laloo’s success to its emotional resonance and consistent focus on quality storytelling.
Producer Ajay Balwant Padariya and director Ankit Sakhiya described the milestone as both a celebration and a signal of what lies ahead. According to the team, Laloo’s journey reflects a growing appetite for strong regional stories that travel far beyond state borders.
The evening also sparked conversations about the future. Citara and the Laloo team revealed plans to explore a state-of-the-art Film City in Gujarat, alongside a world-class media school, with a detailed proposal expected to be shared with the government soon. The initiative aims to nurture local talent and position Gujarat as a serious global creative hub.
Actors Maulik Chauhan, Shruhad Goswami, Karan Joshi, Reeva Rachh, and cinematographer Shubham Gajjar were present at the ceremony, marking the occasion as both a celebration of one film and a statement about an industry finding its voice.
For Gujarati cinema, Laloo isn’t just a hit. It’s a headline.
Hollywood
Disney sells out ad slots for 98th Oscars broadcast
Strong demand for live events turns the Academy Awards into a global, multi-platform marketing moment
NEW YORK: Hollywood’s biggest night has also become one of advertising’s hottest tickets. Disney has sold out all advertising inventory for the 98th Oscars, underscoring the growing demand from brands eager to ride the cultural wave of major live events.
The sell-out marks the sixth consecutive live tentpole success for Disney Advertising. The streak includes last year’s 97th Oscars, the 59th Annual CMA Awards, and Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest, signalling strong appetite among marketers for moments that bring audiences together in real time.
For advertisers, the Oscars are no longer just a single night of glitz and gold statues. Disney’s “Content Everywhere” strategy has expanded the awards show into a sprawling, multi-platform brand playground spanning linear television, streaming, social media and digital content.
“Live continues to be one of the most powerful ways for brands to connect with engaged audiences at scale, and the Oscars represent the very best of culture, creativity and community,” said Disney Advertising SVP, entertainment and streaming solutions John Campbell. He added that the company has reshaped the show’s commercial potential into a connected experience that stretches well beyond the broadcast.
Brands such as Mazda, Pfizer and Volkswagen of America are tapping into Disney’s wider ecosystem, appearing across original content segments including Know Your Movies on Hulu and Critically Acclaimed on Disney+. Partnerships also extend to social media through TikTok Pulse Premiere and to custom brand storytelling created by Disney CreativeWorks.
The result is what Disney calls the “Oscars Everywhere” approach. Rather than a few high-profile ad breaks, advertisers now find themselves woven through a series of moments before, during and after the ceremony.
These include On The Red Carpet at The Oscars, a live pre-show syndicated across major local markets and streamed nationwide, and the After the Oscars Show, which keeps the conversation going once the final award has been handed out.
This year’s sponsors include Rolex, returning for its ninth year, and Burger King, which joins the Oscars advertiser roster for the first time. Other brands in the mix include Disney Cruise Line, Dunkin’, Eli Lilly and Company, Eucerin, Intuit TurboTax, L’Oréal, McDonald’s, Microsoft, Miebo, Paris Baguette, Peacock, Starbucks, State Farm, Toyota and Verizon.
The 98th Oscars will take place on March 15, 2026, at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood. The ceremony will be broadcast live on ABC and streamed on Hulu, reaching audiences in more than 200 territories worldwide.
