MAM
Tom Hanks to get Imax treatment with Warner’s ‘Polar Express’
MUMBAI: Encouraged by the success of converting The Matrix Revolutions into the Imax format last year Warner Bros. has announced that it will release Tom Hanks’ upcoming film The Polar Express both in Imax and in standard definition in November.
The film will be released simultaneously in key markets across the world on 19 November.
The film reunites Hanks with his Forrest Gump director Robert Zemeckis. Both won Oscars for that project. The new family movie has been timed for the Thanksgiving holiday period.
It has used computer graphics imagery and stop-motion photography in order to blend realism and fantasy. It tells the tale of a doubting young boy who takes a train ride to the North Pole. He embarks on a journey of self-discovery that shows him that the wonder of life never fades for those who believe.
Zemeckis added, “When I saw the tests for The Polar Express in Imax 3D, I was excited that audiences would be able to experience the film this way. The 3D adds incredible depth and allows the viewers to experience the visual splendor and amazing adventure of this classic story in a way which should create a really memorable experience, not only this holiday season but for many years to come.”
Delights that await viewers include catching snowflakes falling off screens that are up to eight stories tall. Viewers will experience the art of dodging the train’s arrival as the whistle blows in 12,000 watts of digital surround sound.
Before that on 4 June Warner Bros. plans to release Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban in Imax and conventional theatres in the US, Canada and selected international territories. This will be followed by Catwoman with Halle Berry in July.
Rising living costs, longer financial responsibilities, and changing household structures are reshaping how Indian families plan for long-term financial security. In this shifting environment, life insurance is increasingly being viewed as a core part of structured financial planning rather than an optional protection tool.
Securing Your Family’s Finances with Life Insurance
Life insurance plays a role in family financial planning by supporting income continuity and long‑term financial responsibilities in the event of an unexpected loss. With this coverage amount, the family can continue to maintain their daily needs, fund children’s education, repay debts, and meet other financial obligations.
Beyond basic financial protection, life insurance has expanded to support long‑term planning objectives, helping families manage education costs, liabilities, and continuity of income.
Retirement Benefits with Life Insurance
As India’s workforce becomes more conscious of post‑retirement income security, life insurance is increasingly linked with retirement planning. Regular income options integrated into insurance products are being viewed to reduce dependence on external support systems later in life.
Save your Income Tax with Life Insurance
Tax efficiency remains one of the reasons families factor life insurance into financial planning, as it continues to be recognised under prevailing tax provisions as a long‑term savings and protection tool.
Policy Flexibility and Early Adoption Trends
Early adoption and flexible policy design have also contributed to growing relevance, as insurers respond to broader financial planning needs across different life stages.
How Life Insurance is Evolving for Family Financial Planning
- Easier Digital Access
Purchasing a life insurance policy no longer involves loads of paperwork, multiple visits to the insurance office, etc. With online options, purchasing and managing life insurance policies has become much easier.
You can compare various insurance plans online, get instant quotes for premiums, opt for paperless documentation, and avail of faster claim settlements. This also helps maintain transparency among policyholders.
- Growing Popularity of Term Insurance
Term insurance plans are becoming more popular because of their high coverage and affordability. This shift reflects a growing preference for high‑coverage, cost‑efficient protection aligned with practical family responsibilities.
- Focus on Long-term Family Goals
As financial planning becomes more structured and long‑term in nature, life insurance is increasingly viewed as foundational rather than supplementary. Its role in addressing income continuity, long‑term obligations, and evolving family needs explains why relevance continues to grow in today’s planning conversations.
