Movies
Eros’ Telugu film ‘Dictator’ completes first schedule in Hyd; moves to Europe
MUMBAI: Eros International Media has completed the first schedule of its Telugu production – Natasimha Balakrishna’s Dictator in Hyderabad.
Eros International Media managing director Sunil Lulla said, “Telugu cinema is going through an exciting phase and we are very happy to associate with the best talent in the industry. After the success of our maiden Telugu production, Srimanthudu, we are happy to share that the shooting part of our upcoming Telugu movie Dictator with Natasimha Balakrishna and Sriwass is going on in full swing. With Dictator, we aim to further expand and strengthen Eros’ footprint in south Indian cinema.”
Produced by Eros International in association with Vedaashwa Creations, the film is directed by Sriwass and marks as Balakrishna’s 99th film. The action entertainer also stars Anjali and Sonal Chauhan along with Ravi Kishan, Sayaji Shinde, Nazar and Prudhvi amongst others.
Veteran writer M Ratnam is the dialogue writer, while writer duo Kona Venkat and Gopi Mohan have penned the story for the film.
Sriwass said, “We have successfully completed the first schedule recently and I’m thankful to Eros for making available all the resources that I needed for filming. We’re now going ahead with full gusto for our upcoming foreign schedule in Europe where we will be canning some talkie, action and songs. I’m confident that Dictator will become a hugely successful milestone in Eros’ journey. Dictator is going to be an eye feast for the audience as we’ve got a great story that will be told with great production values.”
The film is being picturised in Hyderabad, Delhi and some locations in Europe.
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.
