Fiction
Swastik Productions unveils music video on Hanuman Garhi Temple Wall in Ayodhya
Mumbai- Swastik Productions, known for its mythological and spiritual television productions has announced a remarkable celebration of Lord Hanuman’s legendary tales in a grand style by organizing an extraordinary event at the sacred Hanuman Garhi temple in Ayodhya. The event, titled Veer Hanuman, will take place on 30 October 2024 and will launch a music video sung by the acclaimed singer Harshit Saxena.
The evening’s highlight will be the launch of a new music video dedicated to Lord Hanuman, showcasing his life and heroic journey as Baal Hanuman, his divine meeting with Lord Ram, the legendary journey to Lanka, and his establishment as the Kotwal of Ayodhya by Shree Ram, serving as a powerful tribute to his courage and devotion. Swastik Productions is known for blending tradition with innovative art forms and is the first and only production house to launch a new song on such a grand scale at Hanuman Garhi. This special event, coinciding with Hanuman Jayanti on Choti Diwali, beautifully merges tradition with modern storytelling. In the devotional entertainment space, such a spectacle has never been attempted before, setting a pioneering standard for the genre.
The temple’s majestic walls which will serve as a canvas to showcase the life of Hanuman ji is a moment that will be etched in history. Enhanced by 4K projectors and high-quality surround sound, the event will also feature choreographed performances by dancers and artists, along with the cast of their renowned show ‘Shrimad Ramayan’. Thus, creating a vibrant atmosphere as they portray key moments from Lord Hanuman’s life. This event embodies themes of devotion, strength, and humility, aiming to inspire and resonate with audiences. Through this innovative storytelling approach, Swastik Productions bridges spirituality and modern entertainment, thus making it an unforgettable experience.
“At Swastik Productions, we believe in pushing the boundaries of storytelling through new and innovative mediums. The Veer Hanuman event is our way of honouring the timeless tale of Lord Hanuman, but in a way never seen before. By presenting a music video on the historic temple’s walls, we are merging the spiritual with the contemporary, and we hope to create an emotional and visually stunning experience for everyone present. This event celebrates faith, devotion, and the power of technology to tell ancient stories in a fresh and engaging way. We are excited to create a memorable experience that uplifts spirits and ignites devotion in the hearts of everyone who joins us,” said Swastik Productions founder & chief creative, Siddharth Kumar.
Fiction
Banijay merges with All3Media in $6.65 billion deal
Marco Bassetti will lead the combined company as CEO
PARIS: Six years after acquiring Endemol Shine at the height of the pandemic, Banijay has struck again. The European production heavyweight is merging with All3Media in a deal that will create a television titan with $6.65 billion in revenue and redraw the contours of a fast-consolidating market.
The combined company will trade under the Banijay name and be owned 50 per cent each by Banijay Group and RedBird IMI, which acquired All3Media in 2024. The transaction is expected to close by autumn, subject to regulatory approvals.
Banijay Entertainment CEO Marco Bassetti, will take the top job at the enlarged group. All3Media CEO Jane Turton becomes deputy CEO. RedBird IMI CEO Jeff Zucker will serve as chairman.
The logic is scale. Broadcasters are commissioning less, streamers are tightening budgets and global buyers are fewer but bigger. Against that backdrop, heft matters. The merged entity will generate roughly $6.65 billion in revenues based on 2024 figures, giving it sharper elbows in rights negotiations and deeper pockets for franchise-building.
“Entrepreneurialism, ambition and creativity” remain core to Banijay’s DNA, Bassetti said, flagging plans to invest more heavily in new intellectual property, live events and emerging platforms. Turton struck a similarly bullish note, pointing to All3Media’s journey from a 2003 start-up to a global supplier of hit formats and high-end drama.
Between them, the two groups control a formidable slate. Banijay’s catalogue spans MasterChef, Big Brother, Survivor, Black Mirror, Peaky Blinders and Deal or No Deal. All3Media’s labels include Studio Lambert, producer of The Traitors and Squid Game: The Challenge; Two Brothers, behind The Tourist; and Neal Street, currently producing the forthcoming Beatles biopics directed by Sam Mendes for Sony.
The back catalogue is equally muscular. Banijay Rights holds some 220,000 hours, while All3Media International adds around 35,000 hours, forming one of the industry’s largest libraries.
Banijay, controlled by French entrepreneur Stéphane Courbit and listed in Amsterdam, counts more than 130 production companies across 25 territories. All3Media operates over 40 labels, with strong positions in the UK, US and Germany. The enlarged group will also lean into live entertainment, building on Banijay’s Balich Wonder Studio, which produced the opening ceremony of the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, and the Independents.
The deal marks a shift in tone. As recently as October, Bassetti suggested that mergers and acquisitions were not a priority. But the drumbeat of consolidation has grown louder. Mediawan has moved for Peter Chernin’s North Road. David Ellison’s Paramount has agreed to a $110 billion takeover of Warner Bros, with plans to combine HBO Max and Paramount plus. ITV has explored selling its media and entertainment arm to Comcast-owned Sky, though talks have reportedly slowed.
