Movies
hoichoi drops new content wing hoichoi studios
Mumbai: hoichoi, a Bengali OTT player, announces its new content wing hoichoi studios, marking its debut in the Bengali entertainment industry. hoichoi under the title hoichoi studios plans compelling stories by expanding its format and medium of storytelling; dedicated to telling stories that are non-episodic through theatrical films.
With the launch and foraying in as a content production hub with hoichoi studios, it plans on curating relatable stories that have traditionally been confined to the Web and with the help of hoichoi’s learning of last 6 years from data as well as from direct user feedback, expand the reach of such stories to other geographies. hoichoi studios outlays the plan and aims to entertain and provide the best big screen experience to the audience with three to five theatrical releases, starting this year.
In addition to this, hoichoi will continue to produce 25-30 Original series every year along with bringing forth World Premiere movies. hoichoi studios acts as an additional wing in presenting more content for hoichoi’s base of millions of users worldwide.
The celebration of the unveiling of hoichoi studios is doubled with another massive announcement as hoichoi unveils the first project under hoichoi studios – Shri Swapankumar-er Badami Hyena’r Kobole – slated for a theatrical release this Kali Puja. Directed by Debaloy Bhattacharya, and inspired from the famous pulp stories of Shri Swapankumar, the film will feature popular actor Abir Chatterjee in the lead as Deepak Chatterjee, a detective in his novels, along with veteran actor Paran Bandyopadhyay as the writer Swapankumar.
Talking about the launch of hoichoi studios, chief operating officer Soumya Mukherjee, who will also perform responsibilities as a producer for hoichoi studios said, “With the support of our creators, talents and the entire entertainment industry, we have been able to consistently deliver quality content to our users. The trust of our consumers across geographies is what acted as a catalyst behind the culmination of the hoichoi studios, our new wing. After catering to the audience with 130+ Web Series, 20+ Web Films, 10000+ Short Format Content and 500+ Acquired Films, we wanted to entertain and serve our audience by expanding to a new format. It is exciting to release our film, Shri Swapankumar-er Badami Hyena’r Kobole, this Kali Puja, at your nearest Theatres.”
While mentioning about his first project with hoichoi studios, Chatterjee mentioned, “It’s a grand moment for every one of us who are associated with the process of creating content for the entertainment of the mass. I am immensely thrilled to be playing not only the character of Deepak Chatterjee in Shri Swapankumar-er Badami Hyena’r Kobole but also to be a part of the first project for hoichoi studios. I hope hoichoi after being so much loved by the audience in the world of OTT, will garner the same amount of love as it ventures into a new format of storytelling with hoichoi studios.”
Speaking about his directorial venture, Bhattacharya, said, “The feeling of creating the first content for hoichoi studios itself comes with a lot of excitement. What is adding more to this is to be able to create a Film with such a famous Bengali character who is so full of pulp and thrill, and at the opportunity of presenting Bengal’s first action-based detective content. With hoichoi studios, I am really looking forward to being able to present many such content that tells impactful stories and creates magic on the big screen.”
The shooting of the first project of hoichoi studios, Shri Swapankumar-er Badami Hyena’r Kobole will start this May.
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.
