Hollywood
PVR Pictures’ 9 movies at Toronto International Film Festival
NEW DELHI: PVR Pictures’ nine films will be among other critically acclaimed international films at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) this year.
The movies includes: Sicario, Legend, The Program, Equals, Demolition, The Idol, About Ray (Three Generations), Youth and Trumbo. These movies will be released in India over the next few months.
The 40th edition of the festival will be held from 10 – 20 September.
PVR joint managing director Sanjeev Kumar said, “The Toronto International Film Festival is definitely a great platform to showcase the success story of PVR Pictures to the world. We are honoured and delighted to unveil the best work of PVR Pictures at such a grand platform. We are hopeful that the movies would be appreciated by the audiences worldwide.”
He added, “In the past couple of years, PVR Pictures has emerged as an extremely important business for PVR group. Today PVR Pictures is the largest independent studio for Hollywood films in India with partners like Lions Gate, Annapurna, Lotus, FilmNation, StudioCanal, IM Global, Weinstein, Sierra Affinity. TIFF is yet another platform, which will showcase the success story of PVR Pictures to the world.”
Hollywood
Paramount seeks FCC nod for foreign-backed $110 billion WBD deal
Gulf funds back merger as foreign stake nears 50 per cent, control stays with Ellison
NEW YORK: Paramount Global has approached the Federal Communications Commission seeking approval for foreign investments tied to its proposed $110 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, marking another key step in one of the biggest media deals in recent years.
According to regulatory filings made public this week, the investment backing the deal includes major Gulf sovereign funds such as the Public Investment Fund, the Qatar Investment Authority and L’imad Holding Company. Together, foreign investors are expected to hold just under 50 per cent of Paramount’s equity once the transaction is complete.
Despite the sizeable international backing, Paramount has made it clear that voting control will remain with the family of chief executive David Ellison, ensuring the company stays firmly under US control as required by broadcasting rules.
A company spokesperson described the FCC filing as routine for transactions involving foreign capital and stressed that it does not impact the closing of the deal. Under US law, any significant foreign ownership in broadcast licence holders must undergo regulatory review.
The merger itself has already cleared a major hurdle, with Warner Bros. Discovery shareholders approving the deal on 23 April. The transaction values the company at $31 per share, a 147 per cent premium to its earlier trading price, reflecting strong strategic intent behind the tie-up.
If completed, the combined entity will bring together a vast portfolio including Warner Bros. film studios, HBO Max, and networks such as CNN, TNT and Discovery Channel. The deal is currently expected to close in the third quarter of 2026.
However, scrutiny is intensifying. The US Department of Justice has issued subpoenas seeking details on the merger’s potential impact on cinema competition, streaming services and content licensing. Reviews are also anticipated in international markets, including the United Kingdom.
There is also a financial safety net built into the agreement. If regulators ultimately block the deal, Paramount would face a $7 billion break-up fee. Additionally, the company has taken on $2.8 billion in obligations previously owed by Warner Bros. Discovery to Netflix following an earlier terminated arrangement.
Paramount maintains that easing foreign ownership barriers will unlock fresh capital and strengthen its ability to compete in a rapidly evolving media landscape. For now, the spotlight remains on regulators, whose decision will determine whether this global media consolidation moves from script to screen.
