Hollywood
Two Indian films in Un Certain Regard at Cannes
NEW DELHI: Two Indian films have been chosen for the Un Certain Regard section at the Cannes International Film Festival, while renowned British-Indian filmmaker Asif Kapadia’s Amy will be featured in a Midnight Screening.
No Indian film has made it in the main competition of the festival being held from 13 to 24 May.
The Richa Chadda-starrer Masaan is the debut feature by Neeraj Ghaywan. “I am thrilled to be going again to Cannes with a movie! Over the moon, and excited about this for India and the team of Masaan… It’s a huge deal,” said Chadda, who had earlier been to the festival with the Gangs Of Wasseypur team.
Masaan is an Indo-French collaboration co-produced by Anurag Kashyap under the Phantom Films banner. The film also stars Shweta Tripathi, Sanjay Mishra and Vicky Kaushal in a gritty drama shot in Benaras.
“#Cannes2015 Masaan (Fly Away Solo) by Neeraj Ghaywan #UnCertainRegard,” confirmed the official Twitter handle of Cannes film festival. Ghaywan too took to Twitter to express his delight. “Happiest tweet I will ever put up. Our first film Masaan is selected at Un Certain Regard section of Cannes 2015,” he tweeted.
Gurvinder Singh’s Punjabi film Chauthi Koot (The Fourth Direction) is the other film in the section. Singh, who shot to fame with Anhe Ghore Da Daan, has turned his attention to state-sponsored crimes in Punjab of the 1980s and the resistance movement it spawned.
Asif Kapadia’s Amy is a documentary on the late Rhythm&Blues singer Amy Winehouse who was found dead at her residence of suspected alcohol poisoning at the age of 27 in July 2011. She achieved worldwide fame with her album Back to Black, which won five Grammies.
As was reported earlier by Indiantelevision.com, Emmanuelle Bercot will open Cannes with her film La Tete Haute.
There are 17 films in the main competition, fourteen in the Un Certain Regard, four out of competition, two Midnight Screenings, and six Special Screenings.
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.
