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
Disney to cut 1,000 jobs in major restructuring drive
Layoffs span ESPN, studios and tech as company pivots to growth
MUMBAI: The magic isn’t disappearing but it is being reorganised. The Walt Disney Company has announced plans to cut around 1,000 jobs as part of a sweeping restructuring effort aimed at sharpening its edge in an increasingly unpredictable entertainment landscape. The move, led by CEO Josh D’Amaro, reflects a broader internal reset as the company rethinks how it operates, allocates resources and competes in a fast-evolving industry. In a memo to employees, D’Amaro acknowledged the difficulty of the decision but framed it as a necessary step to ensure Disney remains “efficient, innovative, and responsive” to rapid shifts in consumer behaviour and technology.
The layoffs will span multiple divisions, including marketing, film and television studios, ESPN, technology teams and corporate functions. Notifications have already begun, signalling that the restructuring is not a distant plan but an active transition underway.
Importantly, the company has clarified that the cuts are not performance-driven. Instead, they form part of a wider transformation strategy aimed at building a leaner, more agile organisation, one better equipped to respond to streaming dynamics, digital disruption and evolving audience expectations.
The timing is telling. The global entertainment industry is in the middle of a structural shift, with traditional television revenues under pressure and box office returns becoming increasingly volatile. Meanwhile, streaming platforms and digital-first competitors continue to redraw the rules of engagement, forcing legacy players to rethink scale, speed and storytelling formats.
For Disney, long synonymous with blockbuster franchises and timeless storytelling, the pivot is both strategic and symbolic. The company is doubling down on technology, direct-to-consumer services and content ecosystems that align with modern viewing habits, where audiences expect immediacy, personalisation and cross-platform experiences.
Even as the restructuring unfolds, D’Amaro struck a note of optimism, reiterating Disney’s commitment to creativity and long-term growth. Support measures for affected employees are expected as part of the transition, though details remain limited.
In essence, this is less about cutting back and more about reshaping forward. As Disney redraws its organisational map, the message is clear, in today’s entertainment world, even the most magical kingdoms must evolve or risk being left behind.
