Hollywood
Sony Le Plex HD to premiere Philippe Petit’s ‘The Walk’
MUMBAI: “My dream is to be the most glorious wire walker in history,” so said Philippe Petit.
There may have been dozens step on the moon, but only one man has ever walked between the World Trade Center Towers, 1,350 feet above the ground. Bringing the engaging real-life depiction of the wire-walk between the Twin Towers, Sony Le Plex HD is all geared up to air the premiere of The Walk. The movie will broadcast on 20 November 2016 at 1 pm and 9 pm.
Directed by Robert Zemeckis, the movie chronicles the courage and belief of 24-year-old Petit played by Joseph Gorden-Levitt along with actor Ben Kingsley as the worthy mentor.
The plot revolves around a young French high-wire artist, whose heart is set on the Twin Towers in US, aspiring to walk the void between the two someday. His unnerving passion leads him to celebrated high wire artist Papa Rudy and beautiful musician Annie. Together, they resolve to accomplish the most illicit yet lyrical piece of performance in history.
A visual spectacle in every sense of the term, The Walk was applauded across the world for outstanding visual effects. With rigorous lessons from Petit himself, Gorden-Levitt emerged as an actor of athletic finesse with just eight days to portray the story of man who believes that art can make you fly.
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.
