GECs
SPE pursues Fox’s box office record for worldwide sales
California: Columbia TriStar Film Distributors International (CTFDI), a subsidiary of Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE), has generated more than $1 billion in ticket sales overseas this year crossing over the billion dollar milestone for only the third time in the studio’s history. To date, SPE has generated approximately $2.4 billion in worldwide ticket sales, and the studio is aggressively moving towards the industry’s #1 yardstick of performance — the worldwide box office record of $2.68 billion set by 20th Century Fox in 1998 when that studio was propelled by the international success of the Oscar winner Titanic.
With four months remaining in the calendar year, SPE’s $2.4 billion is the industry’s fifth largest worldwide gross of all-time, and it is the studio’s best performance ever, topping the 2.34 billion earned globally by SPE in 1997. This year the results can attributed to the phenomenon of Spider-Man, which has generated $400 million overseas ($800 million worldwide); Men in Black II, which has accumulated approximately $225 million in the territories where the film has opened ($420 million worldwide); and the jodie Foster suspense thriller Panic Room, which has deposited nearly $100 million towards the billion dollar equator.
The overseas box office record for CTFDI was previously set in 2000 when the studio generated $1.077 billion dollars in foreign ticket sales releasing titles such as Stuart Little, Erin Brockovich, Charlie’s Angels.
An official release informs that the studio also crossed the billion dollar milestone in 1997 with hits like Men in Black, Jerry Maguire.
The Vin Diesel actioner XXX has just begun its worldwide run of #1 openings and will release in the country shortly
The release says that credit for the performance lies with the international marketing and distribution teams led by Senior Executive VP of CTFDI Mark Zucker, and Senior Executive VP, International Marketing for CTFDI Nigel Clark. The stuio points out that sa few titles like Stuart Little 2 and Mr. Deeds have still to be released in some territories.
Towards the end of the year the studio hopes to beat Fox’s record with fims such as I Spy with Eddie Murphy and Owen Wilson and Adam Sandler’s Eight Crazy Nights.
SPE’s global operations encompass motion picture production and distribution; television production and distribution; digital content creation and distribution; worldwide channel investments; home entertainment acquisition and distribution; operation of studio facilities; development of new entertainment products, services and technologies; and distribution of filmed entertainment in 67 countries.
GECs
Sony PAL to air Sankat Mochan Hanuman from May 4 at 9 PM
Mythological series brings Lord Hanuman’s tale of devotion and courage back to TV
MUMBAI: Sony PAL is set to bring back the timeless mythological series Sankat Mochan Hanuman, with its premiere scheduled for May 4 at 9 PM. The show revisits the legendary journey of Lord Hanuman, offering viewers a chance to reconnect with one of Indian mythology’s most revered figures.
Centred on themes of devotion, courage and righteousness, the series traces Hanuman’s unwavering loyalty to Lord Ram and his fearless stand against evil. With its mix of dramatic storytelling and visually rich sequences, the show aims to deliver both entertainment and spiritual resonance, appealing to audiences across age groups.
The narrative unfolds as a larger-than-life saga, positioning Hanuman as the ultimate protector and a symbol of strength and selfless service. His journey, rooted in faith and duty, continues to strike a chord with viewers, making the series as relevant today as ever.
The cast features Gagan Malik as Lord Ram, Debalina Chatterjee as Sita, Nirbhay Wadhwa in the titular role, and Saurav Gurjar as Raavan. Their performances bring depth and authenticity to characters deeply embedded in Indian cultural memory.
With its return to television, the show is positioned as more than just a rerun. It taps into a renewed appetite for mythological storytelling, blending nostalgia with timeless values.
As audiences increasingly seek content that resonates beyond entertainment, ‘Sankat Mochan Hanuman’ offers a familiar yet powerful narrative, reminding viewers that stories of faith and courage never really go out of style.
