Hindi
Universal to set distribution office in Mumbai
MUMBAI: In order to capitalise on the steady increase in the viewership of international cinema in India, Universal Pictures International (UPI) has decided to establish its theatrical distribution operation in Mumbai.
The Mumbai office marks UPI‘s 14th international operating wing since the company transitioned from its joint venture with Paramount Pictures in 2007. “Establishing operations in India have always been an ambition of UPI and with 2012 bringing us arguably Universal‘s best slate in several years, we have high aspirations for the market,” said Universal Pictures president – international David Kosse.
The distribution house will be headed by managing director Sarabjit Singh who will report to Universal Pictures International president of distribution Duncan Clark. Singh has been with Paramount Films of India Ltd (UIP) as general manager for more than a decade now.
This year, UPI brought in more than $400 million with the box office hit Fast and Furious Five that has grossed more than $600 million in global box office to date; Bridesmaids with more than $100 million in international box office and Johnny English 2 with nearly $40 million in international box office to date. Last year, UPI grossed around $ 300 million internationally with Despicable Me.
Hindi
Rashmika Mandanna, Shanaya Kapoor and Naila Grrewal climb IMDb’s Indian celebrity rankings
Upcoming films and returning shows are driving fan interest across Bollywood and streaming
MUMBAI: Bollywood’s popularity contest has a new weekly scorecard, and the numbers are telling. IMDb’s Popular Indian Celebrities list for this week places Shanaya Kapoor at number six, buoyed by buzz around her film Tu Yaa Main. Naila Grrewal slots in at seven on the back of the returning comedy series Maamla Legal Hai, while Rashmika Mandanna climbs to eighth, riding mounting anticipation for Cocktail 2.
The list, available exclusively on the IMDb app for Android and iOS, tracks trending Indian entertainers and filmmakers each week, drawing on data from more than 200m monthly visits to the platform worldwide.
Further down the rankings, Raaka is keeping two of its biggest names in the spotlight. Deepika Padukone holds 11th position, with Allu Arjun close behind at 13th, as the film continues to find traction with audiences.
The list offers fans a weekly pulse on who is breaking through, who is holding steady, and who is fading. It is a barometer as unsparing as the box office itself.
