Movies
Eros’ maiden Malayalam film ‘Life of Josutty’ to release on 18 September
MUMBAI: Riding high on the success of their last regional hit – the Mahesh Babu starrer Telugu film Srimanthudu, Eros International Media is set to carve a niche in the Malayalam movie market with the release of its debut production, Life of Josutty.
Co-produced by Eros with Jayalal Menon and Anil Biswas’ Backwater Studios, the film is set for a worldwide release on 18 September, 2015.
After the critically acclaimed Drishyam, Life of Josutty marks the next directorial venture of Joseph.
Life of Josutty is a family drama starring Malayalam superstar Dileep along with Rachana Narayanankutty, Jyothikrishna, Harish Peradi, Sunil Sugatha, Suraj Vengharamoodu and Kalabhavan Mani. The film sees Jeethu and Dileep work together once again after Boss. Anil Johnson, who has previously composed music for Drishyam has composed music for Life of Josutty as well.
After Eros’ significant inroads into Tamil and Telugu cinema, the studio is now gearing up to make its mark into the Malayalam market.
Eros International managing director Sunil Lulla said, “Malayalam cinema has been blessed with a plethora of gifted directors, writers, actors and produces such diverse range of brilliant stories for discerning audiences. We are very happy to tap into this rich pool of talent by working with notable names like Dileep and Jeethu. Life of Josutty promises solid content for movie lovers with its unique story line backed by such a creative team.”
Joseph added, “Life of Josutty is not just a family entertainer but a journey through the realities of life.”
Life of Josutty is a drama set against the backdrop of a family with a fantasy edge. The film went on floors on 2 January, 2015 and was shot across Idukki in Kerala and New Zealand.
Hollywood
Disney sells out ad slots for 98th Oscars broadcast
Strong demand for live events turns the Academy Awards into a global, multi-platform marketing moment
NEW YORK: Hollywood’s biggest night has also become one of advertising’s hottest tickets. Disney has sold out all advertising inventory for the 98th Oscars, underscoring the growing demand from brands eager to ride the cultural wave of major live events.
The sell-out marks the sixth consecutive live tentpole success for Disney Advertising. The streak includes last year’s 97th Oscars, the 59th Annual CMA Awards, and Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest, signalling strong appetite among marketers for moments that bring audiences together in real time.
For advertisers, the Oscars are no longer just a single night of glitz and gold statues. Disney’s “Content Everywhere” strategy has expanded the awards show into a sprawling, multi-platform brand playground spanning linear television, streaming, social media and digital content.
“Live continues to be one of the most powerful ways for brands to connect with engaged audiences at scale, and the Oscars represent the very best of culture, creativity and community,” said Disney Advertising SVP, entertainment and streaming solutions John Campbell. He added that the company has reshaped the show’s commercial potential into a connected experience that stretches well beyond the broadcast.
Brands such as Mazda, Pfizer and Volkswagen of America are tapping into Disney’s wider ecosystem, appearing across original content segments including Know Your Movies on Hulu and Critically Acclaimed on Disney+. Partnerships also extend to social media through TikTok Pulse Premiere and to custom brand storytelling created by Disney CreativeWorks.
The result is what Disney calls the “Oscars Everywhere” approach. Rather than a few high-profile ad breaks, advertisers now find themselves woven through a series of moments before, during and after the ceremony.
These include On The Red Carpet at The Oscars, a live pre-show syndicated across major local markets and streamed nationwide, and the After the Oscars Show, which keeps the conversation going once the final award has been handed out.
This year’s sponsors include Rolex, returning for its ninth year, and Burger King, which joins the Oscars advertiser roster for the first time. Other brands in the mix include Disney Cruise Line, Dunkin’, Eli Lilly and Company, Eucerin, Intuit TurboTax, L’Oréal, McDonald’s, Microsoft, Miebo, Paris Baguette, Peacock, Starbucks, State Farm, Toyota and Verizon.
The 98th Oscars will take place on March 15, 2026, at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood. The ceremony will be broadcast live on ABC and streamed on Hulu, reaching audiences in more than 200 territories worldwide.
