eNews
Apple bags rights to novel ‘Shantaram’ for drama series
NEW DELHI: Apple has secured the rights of Gregory David Robert’s Mumbai-set novel `Shantaram’ and will be developing it as a drama series.
The ‘Shantaram’ series will be produced by Anonymous Content and Paramount TV, a PTI report from Los Angeles quoted Variety magazine as saying. The two companies had earlier this year won the rights to adapt the novel.
The 2003 novel, which has been published in 39 languages in 42 territories worldwide and sold six million copies, follows Lin, an escaped convict with a false passport who flees maximum security prison in Australia for the teeming streets of a city where he can disappear.
Oscar nominated scribe Eric Warren Singer will pen the series as well as be the executive producer. David Manson will also executive produce along with Nicole Clemens, Steve Golin and Andrea Barron.
The mob drama was previously being developed as a feature film, with Johnny Depp producing and Joel Edgerton as the lead. However, the project failed to take off.
Last week Apple had announced at its annual developers meet that the company was working on programmes that would have Apple TV powered by the innovative Dolby Atmos-supported audio for the 4K cinematic experience, taking the service to a new level once its tvOS12 was released for general use on the company’s devises for consumers.
The tvOS 12 (part of the iOS12 platform), the powerful operating system designed for enjoying entertainment on the big screen, takes the cinematic experience of Apple TV 4K to the next level with support for Dolby Atmos audio. The company had said there were convenient new features to easily access shows and movies and breathtaking aerial shots from space.
The Apple TV app is being positioned as a prime destination to find and watch TV shows, movies and more from more than 100 participating video apps in 10 countries.
Media reports have also suggested that Apple has already started toying with original content, with Carpool Karaoke as an example. It has also put more than $1 billion toward original programming, with its first efforts due to launch sometime in March 2019.
Also Read :
Apple appoints first marketing director for India
Apple TV will come powered by Dolby Atmos audio
eNews
Piyush Thakur steps down as Inshorts’ chief revenue officer
Former vice president and cro says exit marks a new chapter after close to a decade of building revenue and partnerships at Inshorts Group.
NOIDA: Piyush Thakur has stepped away from Inshorts Group after nearly 10 years with the company, marking the end of a long tenure that culminated in his role as chief revenue officer.
In a farewell note, Thakur said he was “turning a new page” after almost a decade at Inshorts, calling it one of the hardest professional decisions he has made. He added that his exit was not driven by uncertainty about the future, but by reflection on a long association with the company.
Thakur joined Inshorts in October 2016 as vice president and spent around seven years in the role before being elevated to chief revenue officer in April 2024, a position he held until April 2026.
He said his tenure was defined by “thousands of mornings, late nights, product debates and breakthrough moments”, as the company evolved into a large-scale digital news platform used by millions.
In his note, Thakur emphasised that Inshorts’ growth was a collective effort across teams, adding that engineers, designers, sales teams and customer support staff all contributed to building the platform. He said the company’s success was not the result of individuals but of “everyone who stayed, passed through, and left their mark”.
Before Inshorts, Thakur worked across several digital media and business development roles. At ESPN, he served as senior regional manager from October 2015 to October 2016, focusing on growth initiatives, strategic opportunities and video distribution.
At Times Internet, he worked for nearly three years, including as head of business development from April 2015 to September 2015 and chief manager from January 2013 to March 2015. His responsibilities included monetisation of mobile platforms, managing media and developer partnerships, and driving revenue across digital properties such as The Times of India and The Economic Times.
Earlier, he worked at Brandmovers as head of business development from June 2012 to June 2013, handling digital, mobile and social media marketing solutions, client development and strategic consulting. During this period, he also worked on advertising revenue, brand strategy and CRM-based solutions.
At Inshorts, Thakur’s role focused on revenue strategy, mobile and media partnerships, and growth initiatives across platforms. His profile highlights experience in mobile product management, digital business models, partner ecosystems and revenue expansion in high-growth environments.
