Movies
Lights, camera, pause! Karnataka high court halts penalty on PVR over ad drama
MUMBAI: In a twist worthy of a courtroom thriller, the Karnataka high court has put the brakes on a Rs one lakh penalty slapped on PVR Cinemas and PVR Inox Ltd for their allegedly marathon-length advertisements. The cinema giants were ordered to deposit the sum with the consumer welfare fund, alongside compensation to a miffed moviegoer.
The plot thickened when justice M Nagaprasanna granted a stay order until 27 March, responding to a petition by the Multiplex Association of India and its stakeholder Shantanu Pai. Legal heavyweights Mukul Rohatgi and Uday Holla stepped into the spotlight to argue their case.
The original drama kicked off when Abhishek MR settled in to watch Sam Bahadur on 6 January 2024. What should have been a tidy 2 hours and 25 minutes turned into an extended sitting, as he endured what he called an “unnecessary” 25-minute pre-show advertisement marathon.
The Bengaluru Urban District Consumer Commission, playing hero to the movie-going masses, ordered PVR to compensate Abhishek for mental agony and legal costs. The commission went full director’s cut, attempting to dictate how cinema halls should run their shows and banned advertisements altogether.
The petitioners argued that the consumer forum had overstepped its mark by treating a personal grievance like a public interest litigation.
The high court, giving the consumer forum’s ruling two thumbs down, noted that their directions appeared to be “without jurisdiction.”
While the state government suggested an appeal to the state consumer forum, justice Nagaprasanna wasn’t about to let legal technicalities steal the show, invoking Article 226 of the Constitution.
For now, it seems the credits haven’t quite rolled on this legal blockbuster. The next hearing is scheduled for 27 March where the future of pre-show adverts hangs in the balance. As they say in the business: to be continued…
Movies
Tamil film Made in Korea tops Netflix global chart, storms 24 countries
Cross-cultural drama races to No.1, marking a global breakthrough for South Indian cinema
MUMBAI: A Tamil tale has gone global at speed. Netflix’s Made in Korea has shot to No.1 on its Global Top 10 Non-English Films list, trending across 24 countries within days of release.
Premiering on March 12, the film, directed by Ra.Karthik and starring Priyanka Mohan, is the only South Indian title to claim the top spot across both licensed and Netflix original films, underlining the growing global pull of regional Indian cinema.
The story, which follows Shenba’s journey from Tamil Nadu to Seoul, has struck a chord for its emotional warmth, scenic visuals and cross-cultural appeal. Early word-of-mouth has powered its rapid climb, turning a modest release into a global talking point.
Monika Shergill, vice-president, content, Netflix India, said, “We are proud that a story like Made in Korea has become the first ever film from our south slate to land at the No.1 spot on our Global Top 10 Non-English Films list. It reaffirms our belief that there is so much more from India for the world to discover and embrace. This film stands out for blending two distinct cultures into one powerful story that explores universal emotions of love, friendship, belonging and family. At Netflix, we remain committed to championing authentic, locally rooted stories and it’s incredibly exciting to see a film like this travel so widely and connect with audiences around the world.”
Priyanka Mohan called the moment deeply personal. “Moments like these are what every artist truly hopes for. We always strive to give our best, but some films become very special in our journey as performers, and Made in Korea is one of them for me. Shenba is a character that touched my heart from the moment I read the script, and bringing her story to life has been incredibly meaningful. Working with Ra.Karthik sir was a wonderful experience. He has such clarity and sincerity in the way he tells stories. I’m also grateful to our producer Sreenidhi Sagar sir and the entire team for their constant support. And of course, my heartfelt thanks to Netflix for giving this story such a wonderful platform and helping it reach audiences everywhere.”
Ra.Karthik struck a similar note. “There are certain films you make with complete faith in the audience, believing they will connect with the emotions you are trying to convey. It is truly heartening to see Made in Korea trending on Netflix and receiving such encouraging responses from viewers, not just in India but across the world. Priyanka Mohan brought incredible dedication and sincerity to Shenba’s character, and that commitment reflects beautifully on screen. I’m grateful to producer Sreenidhi Sagar for trusting this story and to Netflix for providing such a wonderful platform for the film to reach audiences across countries.”
As the film continues to travel across borders, its success signals more than just a hit. It marks a shift, where local stories, told with authenticity, are no longer confined by language or geography. In the streaming wars, the South is not just rising. It is rewriting the script.
