iWorld
Netflix to stream Malayalam film ‘Ariyippu’
Mumbai: After a good response on the film festival circuit, Mahesh Narayanan’s Malayalam film, Ariyippu, is all set to stream on OTT platform Netflix. The film made history as the first Indian film in 17 years to compete at the Locarno Film Festival in the international competition section. The film is also nominated for the Asia Pacific Screen Awards 2022 and will premiere at the Busan International Film Festival on 12 October 2022.
Ariyippu centres around the lives of a struggling Malayali couple who dream of migrating out of the country for a better life. The film also explores emotional, social, and marital imbalances in their relationship.
Ariyippu is being screened at the BFI London Film Festival, Marrakech International Film Festival, and Hong Kong Asian Film Festival. As the film continues to tour other major film festivals across the world, audiences globally will soon be able to stream the film exclusively on Netflix.
It is directed by Mahesh Narayanan and produced by Shebin Backer Productions and Kunchako Boban Productions in association with Moving Narratives.
Narayanan said, “With the ongoing recognition and love for our film, we are extremely honoured that Netflix is bringing the film as direct-to-digital globally, which will help cinephiles across the world experience the film very soon.”
Netflix India VP of content Monika Shergill commented, “At Netflix, we are constantly working towards bringing you the most entertaining and compelling stories. We are excited to bring Ariyippu (declaration), a powerful film on the complex theme of a man-woman relationship, directed by the acclaimed director and producer, Mahesh Narayanan, along with stellar performances by Divya Prabha and Kunchacko Boban. Just like Minnal Murali won immense love across the world, we want our members to be won over by the dramatic universe of Ariyippu on Netflix.”
iWorld
Bill Ackman’s Pershing Square makes $64 billion bid to acquire Universal Music Group
Ackman pitches NYSE relisting plan as UMG board weighs unsolicited offer
The hedge fund has proposed a business combination that values UMG at €30.40 per share, representing a hefty 78 per cent premium to its current trading price. The offer includes €9.4 billion in cash alongside stock in a newly formed entity, with shareholders set to receive €5.05 per share in cash and 0.77 shares in the new company for each UMG share they hold.
Under the proposal, UMG would merge with Pershing Square SPARC Holdings Ltd and re-emerge as a Nevada-based entity listed on the New York Stock Exchange. The move is designed to boost investor visibility and potentially secure inclusion in major indices such as the S&P 500.
Pershing Square Capital Management ceo Bill Ackman argued that while UMG’s operational performance remains strong, its market valuation has lagged due to external factors. “UMG’s stock price has languished due to a combination of issues that are unrelated to the performance of its music business,” Ackman said, pointing to concerns ranging from shareholder overhang to delayed US listing plans.
Ackman also flagged what he sees as untapped potential in UMG’s balance sheet and a lack of clear capital allocation strategy. He added that the market has not fully recognised the value of UMG’s €2.7 billion stake in Spotify, alongside gaps in investor communication.
The proposed transaction would also result in the cancellation of around 17 per cent of UMG’s outstanding shares, while maintaining its investment-grade balance sheet. Pershing Square has said it will fully backstop the equity financing, with debt commitments secured at signing. The deal is targeted for completion by the end of the year.
UMG, however, has struck a measured tone. The company confirmed that its board has received the non-binding proposal and will review it with advisers. It reiterated confidence in its current strategy and leadership under Lucian Grainge, signalling no immediate shift in stance.
The proposal comes at a time when global music companies are navigating evolving investor expectations, streaming economics and capital allocation pressures. For Pershing Square, the bet is clear: sharpen the financial story, relist in the US, and let the music play louder in the markets.
Whether UMG’s board is ready to change the tune remains to be seen, but the spotlight on its valuation just got a lot brighter.
