iWorld
Alt Balaji: Ekta Kapoor casts Rajkummar Rao in Bose biopic
MUMBAI: After bringing to life the story of Silk Smitha in The Dirty Picture on the big screen, Ekta Kapoor is now bringing Subhash Chandra Bose’s life to the digital world, with an all new dimension to the storytelling. The subscription based video-on-demand platform Alt Balaji has announced the launch of a new digital series which essays the life of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose. Rajkummar Rao will be seen enacting the role of Bose. The digital show promises to showcase the untold story of his life, – a biopic like never seen before.
“The unknown side of events, happenings and personalities has always intrigued me, I am drawn to these mysteries! Bose is such a strong character from our history and yet there is so much about him that we don’t know, and that hasn’t been told on any medium before. The unbounded mystery around him is so fascinating and that was my trigger to tell this side of his story on the digital platform. It is edgy, fast paced and it’s everything that you don’t expect it to be!” said Kapoor.
Rao is spending a majority of his time researching/prepping for the once in a lifetime kind of role.
Rao added, “I’m extremely excited to explore the unheard journey of Netaji on screen. It’s a great opportunity for me as an actor. I was totally blown away hearing his life story. He is one of the most mysterious and fascinating persons of our history and of course, we all know about his true love for the country and with Ekta and Synergy backing it I don’t have any doubts that our audience will get to witness something never seen before on Indian screen.”
Kapoor is all set to step into the web world with her new digital foray set to launch in early 2017. The app showcases exclusive, original, and never-seen before digital shows.
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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.
