Hollywood
Keira Knightley starrer ‘Begin Again’ to hit theaters on 18 July
MUMBAI: Bring out the romantic within you, this monsoon. PVR Director’s Rare gears up to release its latest offering, Begin Again.
Starring Keira Knightley and Mark Ruffalo, the film which is written and directed by John Carney also marks the acting debut of the lead singer of pop rock band Maroon 5, Adam Levine.
PVR JMD Sanjeev Kumar Bijli said, “We are glad to bring a fun, light-hearted movie like ‘Begin Again’ under the banner of PVR Director’s Rare. We are certain that the movie will not be liked just by music lovers but will strike a chord with the wider Hollywood cinema loving audience as well. By investing in such critically-acclaimed movies, we want to continue our pursuit of bringing an eclectic mix of niche and independent cinema to Indian theatres.”
Begin Again is a soul-stirring comedy about what happens when lost souls meet and make beautiful music together. Greta (Keira Knightley) and her long-time boyfriend Dave (Adam Levine) are college sweethearts and songwriting partners who decamp for New York when he lands a deal with a major label. But the trappings of his new-found fame soon tempt Dave to stray and a reeling, lovelorn Greta is left, all alone. Her world takes a turn for the better when Dan (Mark Ruffalo), a disgraced record-label exec, stumbles upon her performing at an East Village stage and is immediately captivated by her raw talent. From this chance encounter emerges an enchanting portrait of a mutually transformative collaboration, set to the soundtrack of a summer in New York City.
SGN Mediaworks director Kishor Shrivastav added, “SGN Mediaworks is proud to be associated with a film like Begin Again that boasts of a great star cast and such an engaging storyline. Begin Again is the kind of movie that leaves you with a smile. With our especial love for romance and music, the film is the perfect watch for the Indian audience.”
A romantic musical set in New York, Begin Again will release on 18 July 2014, across the country.
Hollywood
WBD sets April 23 vote on $110bn Paramount Skydance merger
Investor approval key step, but regulators loom over mega media deal
NEW YORK: Warner Bros. Discovery has set April 23 as the date for shareholders to vote on its proposed $110 billion merger with Paramount Skydance, marking a crucial step in one of the biggest media deals in recent years.
The all-cash transaction offers WBD shareholders $31 per share, a hefty 147 per cent premium to its unaffected stock price, signalling strong intent to push the deal across the finish line. The company’s board has unanimously backed the merger and is urging investors to vote in favour.
Even if shareholders give the green light, the deal is far from done. Regulators in the United States and Europe are expected to scrutinise the merger closely, weighing concerns around competition and potential price impacts for consumers.
To keep investors on side, WBD has built in a safety net. If the deal is not completed by September 30, shareholders will receive a quarterly “ticking fee” of $0.25 per share until closure.
The proposed merger would significantly reshape the media landscape, combining the assets of Warner Bros. Discovery with those linked to Paramount Global and Skydance Media. It would also cement the growing influence of David Ellison, who has been steering Skydance’s aggressive expansion strategy.
“The WBD Board has been guided by the singular principle of securing a transaction that maximises the value of our iconic assets and delivers as much certainty as possible to our shareholders,” said Warner Bros. Discovery board chair Samuel A. Di Piazza Jr.. “This historic transaction will expand consumer choice and create new opportunities for creative talent.”
Warner Bros. Discovery chief executive officer David Zaslav added that the company is working closely with its counterpart to close the deal and unlock value for stakeholders.
With investor backing likely but regulatory hurdles ahead, the proposed merger is shaping up to be a defining moment for the global entertainment industry, where scale, content and competition are increasingly intertwined.
