Movies
Applause Entertainment strikes gold with ‘Por Thozhil’
Mumbai: Applause Entertainment, known for its quality content, has made an impressive debut into Tamil cinema with, ‘Por Thozhil,’ featuring Sarath Kumar and Ashok Selvan as the unlikely buddy cop duo. Directed by debutant director Vignesh Raja, this gripping investigative thriller has garnered critical acclaim emerging as ‘Mega Blockbuster Hit’, captivating audiences not only in Tamil Nadu but across South India and abroad.
Breaking records and winning hearts, ‘Por Thozhil’ has surpassed expectations, receiving accolades for its compelling storyline, outstanding performances, and impeccable production value. Many have hailed it as one of the ‘finest Tamil thrillers ever made’. Successfully running in theatres even in its fourth week, Por Thozhil is produced by Applause Entertainment in association with E4 Experiments & Eprius Studio.
Applause Entertainment remains committed to delivering captivating stories, and setting new benchmarks for entertainment across genres and formats. With a firm dedication to building a diverse content portfolio across all markets, the studio is poised to create an exciting slate of movies, premium series and documentaries in various languages.
Applause Entertainment managing director Sameer Nair said, “Through ‘Por Thozhil,’ we’ve not only made a remarkable debut into Tamil cinema, we have also forged invaluable partnerships with an incredibly talented and diverse set of individuals. The overwhelming response from audiences and critics alike validates our commitment to creating exceptional content. Our aim is to further expand our unique hub & spoke model that fosters collaboration and creativity with risk and reward, as we continue to create groundbreaking content that resonates with audiences across markets.”
International
Council of Europe to unveil new TV and streaming co-production convention
Series Mania Forum to host landmark signing to boost global TV collaboration
LILLE: The small screen is getting a big policy push. At this year’s Series Mania Forum in Lille, Alain Berset will take centre stage to chair the opening ceremony for a new international convention aimed at reshaping how television and streaming series are co-produced across borders.
Set for March 26 at the Théâtre Marie Curie in Lille Grand Palais, the signing marks the debut of the first legal framework dedicated specifically to the independent co-production of series. In an industry where stories travel faster than ever, the move aims to make collaboration smoother, fairer and more transparent.
Backed by the Council of Europe, the convention is designed to strengthen cultural ties, give independent producers a firmer footing, and bring greater clarity to deals in a rapidly evolving content landscape. With streaming platforms fuelling a surge in global storytelling, the timing feels deliberate.
Council of Europe secretary general Alain Berset, underscored the cultural heft of series today, noting how they carry voices and viewpoints across borders. He called on member states and countries beyond Europe to sign on, framing the initiative as a way to turn culture into a tool for cooperation and democratic exchange.
For Series Mania founder and general director Laurence Herszberg, hosting the signing is both symbolic and strategic. She described the convention as a step that could widen the range of stories reaching audiences, staying true to the forum’s long-standing mission of championing diverse storytelling.
The ceremony will unfold alongside the Lille Dialogues, a high-level summit that gathers policymakers and industry leaders to debate the future of Europe’s audiovisual sector. Berset is also set to deliver the opening address there, adding political weight to a week already rich in creative ambition.
In short, as screens multiply and borders blur, Europe is putting a framework in place to ensure that storytelling keeps pace, collaboratively and coherently.
