iWorld
Hungama Play launches Season 2 of ‘Damaged’
MUMBAI: Hungama Play, a leading video on demand platform owned by Hungama Digital Media, has launched the second season of its blockbuster Hungama Original, ‘Damaged’. Like the first season, Damaged 2 is a psychological crime drama with a strong female character at the helm of the story. This season features a new story with Hina Khan and Adhyayan Suman in the lead, and has an added thrill of supernatural elements. The show is directed by Ekant Babani and is now available to stream on Hungama Play and partner networks.
The season follows Gauri Batra (Hina Khan) and Akash Batra (Adhyayan Suman) who run a homestay together. While all may seem idyllic in their beautiful guest house, things begin to unravel when a little girl visiting the homestay goes missing. Investigations begin, suspects emerge and it is soon learnt that the disappearance is not an isolated event. As the prime suspects, Gauri and Akash’s twisted life comes under the scanner and their secrets soon become public. What are Gauri and Akash hiding? What are the strange noises that come from their house? Is Gauri hallucinating or is she really haunted by a ghost? In this sinister world of Damaged 2, nothing is what it seems and no one is what they appear to be.
Hungama Digital Media COO Siddhartha Roy said, “Hungama Originals have helped us create and offer content that is distinctive, differentiated and unavailable on the traditional medium. Damaged was the first original show that we launched and its innovative storytelling and strong characters were appreciated by the audiences, receiving over 32 million episodic views till date. With the second season of the show, we are pushing the envelope further by offering a unique narrative led by an exceptional cast. We are certain that the merit of our content combined with the strong distribution strategy will help us receive an even higher exposure than the first season.”
Started on 14 January, the show is available on Hungama Play, Hungama’s video on demand platform. Hungama will leverage its robust distribution network to deliver the show to an audience over 150 million worldwide. Damaged 2 will also be available to stream through Hungama Play on Vodafone Play, Idea Movies & TV, Airtel Xstream App, Amazon Fire TV Stick, Tata Sky Binge, MX Player and Android TVs. Additionally, Hungama’s association with Xiaomi will enable consumers to watch the series via Hungama Play on Mi TV.
Elaborating on the show’s concept, Ekant Babani, the director of the show said, “Damaged 2 is an interplay of psychological crime drama and supernatural. It keeps a strong woman at the centre of the story and will offer the audience an unconventional narrative with the perfect dose of drama, thrill and horror. It was a pleasure to work with Hina and Adhyayan, and wonderful to work with Hungama again. I am certain that the audience will enjoy the series as much as we enjoyed making it.”
Damaged 2 also stars Rahul Singh, Akansha Kadre, Sachin Parikh, Sapan Gulati, Amit Kumar Poddar and Anjana Nathan. It is produced by Alligator Media Productions along with Hungama Digital Media. Damaged 2 is now available to stream on Hungama Play and partner networks.
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Bill Ackman’s Pershing Square makes $64 billion bid to acquire Universal Music Group
Ackman pitches NYSE relisting plan as UMG board weighs unsolicited offer
The hedge fund has proposed a business combination that values UMG at €30.40 per share, representing a hefty 78 per cent premium to its current trading price. The offer includes €9.4 billion in cash alongside stock in a newly formed entity, with shareholders set to receive €5.05 per share in cash and 0.77 shares in the new company for each UMG share they hold.
Under the proposal, UMG would merge with Pershing Square SPARC Holdings Ltd and re-emerge as a Nevada-based entity listed on the New York Stock Exchange. The move is designed to boost investor visibility and potentially secure inclusion in major indices such as the S&P 500.
Pershing Square Capital Management ceo Bill Ackman argued that while UMG’s operational performance remains strong, its market valuation has lagged due to external factors. “UMG’s stock price has languished due to a combination of issues that are unrelated to the performance of its music business,” Ackman said, pointing to concerns ranging from shareholder overhang to delayed US listing plans.
Ackman also flagged what he sees as untapped potential in UMG’s balance sheet and a lack of clear capital allocation strategy. He added that the market has not fully recognised the value of UMG’s €2.7 billion stake in Spotify, alongside gaps in investor communication.
The proposed transaction would also result in the cancellation of around 17 per cent of UMG’s outstanding shares, while maintaining its investment-grade balance sheet. Pershing Square has said it will fully backstop the equity financing, with debt commitments secured at signing. The deal is targeted for completion by the end of the year.
UMG, however, has struck a measured tone. The company confirmed that its board has received the non-binding proposal and will review it with advisers. It reiterated confidence in its current strategy and leadership under Lucian Grainge, signalling no immediate shift in stance.
The proposal comes at a time when global music companies are navigating evolving investor expectations, streaming economics and capital allocation pressures. For Pershing Square, the bet is clear: sharpen the financial story, relist in the US, and let the music play louder in the markets.
Whether UMG’s board is ready to change the tune remains to be seen, but the spotlight on its valuation just got a lot brighter.
