iWorld
More media deals on anvil says Discovery CEO David Zaslav, as streaming war intensifies
New Delhi: Emerging fresh from the blockbuster deal that led to Discovery’s merger with AT&T’s WarnerMedia, company’s CEO David Zaslav said that media consolidation will only accelerate from here, and he intends to be a catalyst.
“We’re not done yet,” Zaslava told reporters on Tuesday, as he reached Sun Valley, Idaho to attend the annual Allen & Co. conference. “The talk of the week is going to be that the industry is going to start consolidating a little bit more.”
The streaming war is heating up this summer, with a slew of media mergers shaking up the global entertainment industry. In May, AT&T agreed to spin off its media operations with Discovery Inc in May, to create a new global entertainment and media business, named Warner Bros. Discovery to be led by Zaslav. The deal could close in eight months, though it may also take longer, he had earlier said.
Soon thereafter E-commerce giant Amazon announced its$8.45 billion deal to acquire the film and television company Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer to earn more big-spending Prime subscribers as it competes with Netflix and Disney Plus.
“We’re all vying for eyeballs and people’s time, and we’re all telling stories,” Bloomberg quoted Zaslav saying. “I think the Amazon deal with MGM is interesting. It reinforces that we need to be bigger.”
Zaslav’s key role in getting AT&T’s WarnerMedia to align itself with the network he leads has ensured that stays in charge of the company through at least the end of 2027. His previous employment contract effective till 2023, was extended this June.
The Sun Valley Conference, from 6 to 10 July, is attended every year by who’s who of the finance, tech and media worlds, holding deliberations on the key media trends. The annual media finance conference hosted and funded by private investment firm Allen and Company could not be held in 2020 due to the pandemic.
Apple CEO Tim Cook, Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg and COO Sheryl Sandberg; Disney chief executive Bob Chapek, Netflix co-CEOs Reed Hastings and Ted Sarandos are other key names who are likely to attend the conference.
iWorld
Prime Video and Hrithik Roshan reunite for quirky heist comedy Mess
HRX Films expands pact with quirky heist comedy set for production
MUMBAI: Prime Video is doubling down on its partnership with Hrithik Roshan, announcing a new comedy film Mess that promises chaos, chuckles and a clever twist on the classic heist.
Produced by Hrithik Roshan and Eshaan Roshan under HRX Films, a division of FilmKraft Productions, the film is being made in association with Soda Films Lab. Directed by Rajesh A Krishnan, Mess marks the second collaboration between the streaming platform and HRX Films after the upcoming thriller Storm.
At the heart of Mess lies an unusual premise. A group of robbers break into the home of a man with OCD, only to find themselves outmatched in a night-long standoff that flips the script on who is really in control. It is a set-up that blends tension with humour, turning a break-in into a breakdown of expectations.
Prime Video India director and head of originals Nikhil Madhok said, “A good story should surprise and entertain, and Mess does both with ease. It brings together a unique premise, memorable characters and a tone that keeps you laughing throughout.”
He added that the collaboration with HRX Films continues to grow stronger, with the new film reflecting a shared appetite for bold and original storytelling.
Hrithik Roshan said, “After Storm, Mess feels like a natural next step in our journey with Prime Video. The film captures the kind of unconventional storytelling we want to champion, with Rajesh bringing a distinctive voice to the narrative.”
Director Rajesh A Krishnan said, “The world of Mess is a mix of comedy and chaos, unusual enough to keep audiences on edge while still delivering humour. It has been a deeply collaborative and creatively fulfilling experience.”
The original screenplay comes from Paul Soter, with adaptation and dialogues by Kapil Sawant, adding another layer of craft to the film’s offbeat narrative.
As production gears up, Mess looks ready to live up to its name, serving up a delightful tangle of mayhem, mischief and movie magic for audiences in India and beyond.
