Hollywood
Nitu Chandra Srivastava leads female cast in ‘Never Back Down: Revolt’
Los Angeles: Sony Studios rolled out the red carpet as Nitu Chandra Srivastava made her Hollywood debut in the martial arts thriller “Never Back Down: Revolt.” Chandra Srivastava alongside actress Olivia Popica lead an ensemble cast highlighting the growing emergence of diverse and across-the-board female talent in Hollywood including the film’s director Kellie Madison and writer Audrey Arkins.
The project features Chandra Srivastava as ‘Jaya,’ a fighter who is kidnapped and forced to battle in cut-throat underground fights in order to win her freedom from a subversive gang that runs a fight trafficking ring. The film is the fourth installment in the successful, multi-starrer “Never Back Down” franchise.
Chandra Srivastava, who is a Blackbelt forth Dan in Taekwondo and has represented India in three championships said, “Since my childhood, I’ve been a martial artist and it’s been my dream to do a hardcore action film like this. I could not have asked for a better launch in Hollywood.”
The actress is known for her performance in films like “Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye!,” “13B,” “Traffic Signal,” and for producing the National Award-winning “Mithila Makhaan” (Maithili language film).
In more than one way, Chandra Srivastava credits her martial arts training in her ultimate success in bagging the role of Jaya, “These skills have made me mentally and physically strong which, in the end, helped me land this role.”
Of her female cast members, the actress stated, “There are so many fantastic and diverse female actors, I loved working with each one of them and I found sisters in all of them.”
Director Kellie Madison said, “Nitu is filled with light and love and I’m so proud of each one of these women, who I hand-picked and came from every corner of the planet… Columbia, India, Canada, Romania and Indonesia. I’m grateful that the consciousness is changing and evolving for women in Hollywood. In the end, men and women just need to support one another. I’m a storyteller and I just want to be able to tell my stories.”
“This is a movie where women unite to fight against the odds,” Chandra Srivastava said, “Kellie was so wonderful to work with because being a female, she understands the heart of another. I’m also grateful to producer David Zelon, who supported and trusted me with this role. We worked as a team.”
“Never Back Down: Revolt” is being released against the backdrop of reports that women are making slow but steady progress towards equality in Hollywood. Female protagonists in movies are at an all-time high, however, more progress is needed, especially behind the camera, in production roles and executive positions.
The film is produced by Sony Motion Pictures Worldwide and Mandalay Pictures and also features James Faulkner, Brooke Johnston and Michael Bisping. It was released in the US on 16 November on Blu-ray, DVD and streaming platforms and is scheduled to be released in India on 28 January 2022.
Hollywood
David Zaslav could net up to $887m as Warner Bros Discovery sells up
Media mogul strikes gold as Paramount Skydance deal triggers massive windfall
NEW YORK: While the average office worker might hope for a nice clock and a round of applause upon leaving, David Zaslav is looking at a slightly more substantial parting gift. The chief executive officer of Warner Bros Discovery is positioned to receive a windfall of up to $887 million following the company’s blockbuster $110 billion sale to Paramount Skydance.
In a twist of corporate fate that feels scripted for the big screen, the deal marks the finale of a high-stakes bidding war. It comes after Netflix, once the frontrunner, decided to exit stage left and abandon its pursuit of the HBO Max parent company.
While most people receive a standard final paycheck, the filing released on Monday suggests Zaslav’s exit package is built a little differently. If the deal closes as expected in the third quarter of 2026, the numbers break down like this:
The cash out: A severance package of $34.2 million, covering his salary and bonuses.
The equity: $115.8 million in vested shares he already owns.
The future fortune: A massive $517.2 million in unvested share awards, essentially “future stock” that turns into real money the moment the ink dries on the merger.
Perhaps the most eye-catching figure is the $335 million earmarked for tax reimbursements. However, this particular pot of gold has an expiration date.
The company noted that these reimbursements are tied to specific tax-code rules that significantly decline as time passes. If the deal hits a snag and drags into 2027, that tax payout drops to zero. With hundreds of millions on the line, the chief executive officer likely has every incentive to ensure the closing process moves at double-speed.
