Hollywood
HBO Premium channels presented a Masterclass at the 16th Mumbai Film Festival
MUMBAI: This year HBO premium channels had partnered with the 16th edition of the Mumbai Film Festival, organised by the Mumbai Academy of Moving Image (MAMI), to bring a Master Class with acclaimed French actor Catherine Deneuve and Deepika Padukone.
The afternoon session presented by HBO Premium Channels witnessed the two in conversation with Anupama Chopra that opened a new side of the veteran actress’ career.
An interesting discussion ensued as the two actors shared candidly their experiences on a diverse range of issues from their personal to professional lives and their opinions on the difference between cinema in India, Europe and the rest of the world.
Catherine Deneuve, known for her iconic roles in films such as Repulsion (1965), Belle de Jour (1967) and Tristana (1970), and more recently in Dancer in the Dark (2000) and 8 Women (2002), was conferred with the Lifetime Achievement award at the 16th Mumbai Film Festival. The festival will screen a selection of her movies to pay a befitting tribute to this coveted film actor.
On this occasion HBO India South Asia managing director Monica Tata commented “We are very excited to have partnered with the Mumbai Film Festival this year, which like our HBO Premium Channels showcases the best of cinema. This partnership will further highlight the proposition that we offer award-winning cinematic content to our consumers.”
The Mumbai Film Festival has several academic activities connected with it and attracts a significant number of International film celebrities and members of the film business community.
Hollywood
David Zaslav could net up to $887m as Warner Bros Discovery sells up
Media mogul strikes gold as Paramount Skydance deal triggers massive windfall
NEW YORK: While the average office worker might hope for a nice clock and a round of applause upon leaving, David Zaslav is looking at a slightly more substantial parting gift. The chief executive officer of Warner Bros Discovery is positioned to receive a windfall of up to $887 million following the company’s blockbuster $110 billion sale to Paramount Skydance.
In a twist of corporate fate that feels scripted for the big screen, the deal marks the finale of a high-stakes bidding war. It comes after Netflix, once the frontrunner, decided to exit stage left and abandon its pursuit of the HBO Max parent company.
While most people receive a standard final paycheck, the filing released on Monday suggests Zaslav’s exit package is built a little differently. If the deal closes as expected in the third quarter of 2026, the numbers break down like this:
The cash out: A severance package of $34.2 million, covering his salary and bonuses.
The equity: $115.8 million in vested shares he already owns.
The future fortune: A massive $517.2 million in unvested share awards, essentially “future stock” that turns into real money the moment the ink dries on the merger.
Perhaps the most eye-catching figure is the $335 million earmarked for tax reimbursements. However, this particular pot of gold has an expiration date.
The company noted that these reimbursements are tied to specific tax-code rules that significantly decline as time passes. If the deal hits a snag and drags into 2027, that tax payout drops to zero. With hundreds of millions on the line, the chief executive officer likely has every incentive to ensure the closing process moves at double-speed.
