Hollywood
Arnold Schwarzenegger to share dais with Rajinikanth
MUMBAI: Hollywood star Arnold Schwarzenegger arrived amidst tight security at the Chennai airport to attend the audio launch of Vikram-starrer romantic thriller titled ‘I‘.
The audio launch will take place on 15 September evening at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium, where the star of the Terminator film series will share the dais with Tamil movie superstar Rajinikanth. AR Rahman is also said to perform all the songs from the album live at the event and will be supported by dancers, who will perform wearing the actual costumes and make-up from the film.
Filmed across eight countries and set to music by AR Rahman, I was directed by Shankar. The movie also stars Amy Jackson, Suresh Gopi and Upen Patel in lead roles and is expected to hit screens during Diwali. The film was produced and distributed by Venu Ravichandran under his production banner, Aascar Films.
The 67-year star has a jam-packed schedule for the day. According to media reports, the actor is also scheduled to meet Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa before the launch.
“Arnold arrived with his entourage this morning. He is expected to meet Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa in the afternoon. His team had sent a special request for the meeting,” a source from the film’s unit told IANS.
Born 30 July 1947, the Austrian-born American actor, former professional bodybuilder and the 38th Governor of California from 2003 until 2011, Schwarzenegger won the Mr. Universe title at age 20. Schwarzenegger gained fame as a Hollywood action film icon in “The Terminator” – one of his best-known movie roles.
Hollywood
Paramount eyes $24bn Gulf support to fund Warner Bros Discovery merger: Reports
Sovereign funds line up funding as media giants chase streaming scale
NEW YORK: Paramount Skydance is in talks to secure nearly $24 billion in equity commitments from Gulf sovereign wealth funds to support its planned takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery, according to a WSJ report.
The funding push comes as Paramount Skydance advances its proposed $110 billion deal for Warner Bros. Discovery, which carries an equity valuation of $81 billion and is expected to close in the third quarter of 2026.
At the heart of the financing plan are three major Gulf investors. Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund is expected to contribute roughly $10 billion, while the Qatar Investment Authority and Abu Dhabi-based L’imad Holding are likely to make up the remainder.
Crucially, the proposed investments are structured as non-voting stakes. This means the Gulf backers would not have direct control in the combined entity, a move designed to ease regulatory concerns in the United States. Paramount executives reportedly do not expect the deal to trigger scrutiny from bodies such as the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States or the Federal Communications Commission.
If completed, the merger would bring together a formidable portfolio of entertainment and news assets, including CNN and CBS. The combined entity aims to better compete in a fast-evolving media landscape where streaming platforms are steadily pulling audiences away from traditional television.
The deal reflects a broader shift in global media, where scale is increasingly seen as essential to survive the streaming wars. By pooling content libraries, technology and distribution, Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros. Discovery are betting on size and synergy to drive future growth.
The involvement of deep-pocketed Gulf investors also underscores the growing role of sovereign wealth in shaping global media consolidation, particularly at a time when high-value deals demand equally large financial backing.
With shareholder votes and regulatory milestones still ahead, the proposed tie-up remains one of the most closely watched media deals of the year. If it clears the final hurdles, it could redraw the competitive map of the global entertainment industry.
