iWorld
Late Bloomer to stream on Lionsgate Play from March 27
Jus Reign comedy explores identity, ambition and life off schedule
MUMBAI: Late Bloomer is set to arrive on Lionsgate Play on March 27, offering a humorous yet heartfelt take on finding one’s path, even if it comes a little later than expected.
Fronted by Jus Reign, the series follows Jasmeet Dutta, a Punjabi Sikh millennial and aspiring content creator trying to balance viral ambition with family expectations and cultural identity. The result is a coming-of-age story that is less about ticking boxes and more about missing them, and learning along the way.
Set against a backdrop of chaotic nights, family pressures and digital-age dilemmas, the show leans into everyday messiness. From a misplaced laptop spiralling into unexpected trouble to generational clashes at home, Jasmeet’s world is anything but predictable. Yet, it is precisely this unpredictability that gives the series its charm.
The narrative is anchored by a close-knit ensemble, including his cousin Neal, best friend Chippy and his parents Gurdeep and Supinder, who together create a lively mix of humour, tension and warmth.
Adding weight behind the scenes is Russell Peters, who serves as executive producer, lending his signature cultural sharpness to the storytelling.
At its core, Late Bloomer is a gentle reminder that life rarely follows a neat timeline. Sometimes, the detours make for the better story.
iWorld
Govt pushes live events sector to Rs 196 billion by 2028
LEDC roadmap targets 15–20 million jobs and global hub status by 2030
MUMBAI: India’s live events story is getting louder and this time, it’s policy turning up the volume. The fourth meeting of the Live Events Development Cell (LEDC), chaired by Chanchal Kumar, was held on 30 April 2026 at Vigyan Bhavan, bringing together representatives from nine Central Ministries, six States and 12 industry stakeholders to chart the sector’s next phase of growth. The numbers already tell a compelling story. India’s organised live events industry was valued at Rs 145 billion in 2025 and is projected to grow at 10 per cent to Rs 196 billion by 2028 making it one of the fastest-expanding segments within the media and entertainment ecosystem.
Set up in July 2025 by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the LEDC is tasked with turning that momentum into a structured growth engine. Its long-term ambition is ambitious, position India as a global live events hub by 2030 while generating an additional 15–20 million jobs.
At the meeting, officials emphasised the sector’s multiplier effect spanning tourism, employment and allied industries while underlining the need for coordinated execution. A key update was the rollout of a single-window clearance system for live event permissions via the India Cine Hub portal, aimed at simplifying approvals and improving transparency.
States have been urged to adopt the system, alongside implementing the “Model Executive Order for Streamlining Licensing and Permissions for Live Events in India, 2026” by 31 May 2026. The framework seeks to standardise what has long been a fragmented and time-consuming regulatory process.
Beyond permissions, the discussion also turned to infrastructure and talent. A draft concept for greenfield venue development was tabled, alongside plans to build a skilled workforce. The Indian Institute of Mass Communication, in collaboration with industry bodies MESC and EEMA, is set to introduce certificate courses tailored to the live events sector.
Chanchal Kumar stressed that alignment across stakeholders is already in place, with the next challenge being execution at scale. The government, he noted, remains committed to creating a facilitative and transparent ecosystem for organisers.
For an industry once seen as fragmented and event-driven, the message is clear, India’s live events business is no longer just about the show, it’s about building an entire stage for growth.
