Hollywood
Leslee Udwin’s ‘India’s Daughter’ bags award at Indian Film Festival of Stuttgart
MUMBAI: Leslee Udwin’s India’s Daughter has received the audience award at The Indian Film Festival of Stuttgart in Germany.
India’s Daughter is an India-UK co-production, which tells the story of the horrific Delhi gang rape, which sent shockwaves around the world in December, 2012, and of the unprecedented protests and riots which this horrific event ignited throughout India, demanding changes in attitudes towards women.
Udwin said, “Following on the latest award India’s Daughter was graced with at Biografilm Italy, we are thrilled by the news that the film was honoured with the audience award at the Indian Film Festival at Stuttgart last night. This is such a positive and welcome development especially given that it was the first Indian Film Festival, which was courageous enough to host this important film and its powerful call for global change for women and girls across the world. What is so heartening to me is that when Indians abroad see the film in screenings and festivals, they invariably comment on how surprised they are to find the film so positive about India, the protests and the enlightened male role models in the film, which far outnumber the negative male figures. Having been led by their government and their media to expect a film that shames India, they find themselves embarrassed and amazed that this film could have been banned.”
“On 5 August, 2015, the Delhi High Court will hear a petition brought by two forward-thinking individuals who are committed to democracy and a better world for women, which asks the court to lift the ban. I pray that we will have a wise and independent judge and that we can again move forward with India holding its head up high on the international stage, leading the world by example as it did in the courageous and inspiring protests against the Nirbhaya gang-rape in 20/12-13,” she added.
Since 2004, the Indian Film Festival Stuttgart has been presented by the Filmbüro Baden-Württemberg for one week in July. In 2011 the festival changed its name from Bollywood and Beyond to Indian Film Festival Stuttgart.
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.
