Movies
Panorama bets Rs 100 crore on Malayalam films with Nivin Pauly
MUMBAI: Panorama Studios International has struck a landmark partnership with Malayalam star and producer Nivin Pauly to back a slate of feature films with a cumulative budget of Rs 100 crore, signalling a sharper push into southern cinema.
The films will be produced by Kumar Mangat Pathak and Abhishek Pathak for Panorama Studios, alongside Nivin Pauly as producer. The multi-film slate will span genres, aiming to balance story-first narratives with mainstream appeal for Indian and overseas audiences.
Since its inception, Panorama Studios has built a reputation for marrying box-office heft with critical acclaim. Its filmography runs from Omkara to commercial hits such as Pyaar Ka Punchnama 1 and 2, Drishyam 1 and 2, Raid 1 and 2, and Shaitaan, with Drishyam 3 currently in production. The studio has garnered more than 50 major awards.
Nivin Pauly, one of Malayalam cinema’s most bankable names, is known for his range and script sensibility. He has won two Kerala State Film Awards, three Filmfare Awards South, two Kerala Film Critics Association Awards and six Siima Awards.
“Malayalam cinema has consistently set benchmarks for storytelling and performance-led films,” said Panorama Studios chairman Kumar Mangat Pathak. “Partnering with Nivin Pauly, who combines credibility with mass connect, is a natural progression as we invest in meaningful cinema at scale.”
Calling the collaboration “extremely exciting”, Nivin Pauly said Panorama’s vision and commitment to quality aligned closely with the stories he wants to tell. “Together, we aim to create films that are rooted, entertaining and impactful,” he said.
The alliance underlines Malayalam cinema’s rising national and global pull, as deeper pockets and star power converge around content-driven filmmaking.
International
Council of Europe to unveil new TV and streaming co-production convention
Series Mania Forum to host landmark signing to boost global TV collaboration
LILLE: The small screen is getting a big policy push. At this year’s Series Mania Forum in Lille, Alain Berset will take centre stage to chair the opening ceremony for a new international convention aimed at reshaping how television and streaming series are co-produced across borders.
Set for March 26 at the Théâtre Marie Curie in Lille Grand Palais, the signing marks the debut of the first legal framework dedicated specifically to the independent co-production of series. In an industry where stories travel faster than ever, the move aims to make collaboration smoother, fairer and more transparent.
Backed by the Council of Europe, the convention is designed to strengthen cultural ties, give independent producers a firmer footing, and bring greater clarity to deals in a rapidly evolving content landscape. With streaming platforms fuelling a surge in global storytelling, the timing feels deliberate.
Council of Europe secretary general Alain Berset, underscored the cultural heft of series today, noting how they carry voices and viewpoints across borders. He called on member states and countries beyond Europe to sign on, framing the initiative as a way to turn culture into a tool for cooperation and democratic exchange.
For Series Mania founder and general director Laurence Herszberg, hosting the signing is both symbolic and strategic. She described the convention as a step that could widen the range of stories reaching audiences, staying true to the forum’s long-standing mission of championing diverse storytelling.
The ceremony will unfold alongside the Lille Dialogues, a high-level summit that gathers policymakers and industry leaders to debate the future of Europe’s audiovisual sector. Berset is also set to deliver the opening address there, adding political weight to a week already rich in creative ambition.
In short, as screens multiply and borders blur, Europe is putting a framework in place to ensure that storytelling keeps pace, collaboratively and coherently.
