Movies
Yoodlee Films’ ‘Agra’ wins Best Film at Prestigious NYIFF Awards
Mumbai: Globally acclaimed and celebrated film, ‘Agra’ has won two major awards at the New York Indian Film Festival Awards. The film won the award for Best Film, and actor Mohit Agarwal was awarded Best Actor Male for the film amidst eminent nominations. After receiving high praise across film festivals such as Cannes, Jio MAMI, Busan, and IFF Melbourne, Agra continues to put India on the global map by winning at the most celebrated NYIFF Awards. ‘Agra’ was one of the most awarded Indian films at NYIFF, with director Kanu Behl and actors Mohit Agarwal and Priyanka Bose nominated in principal categories.
Alongwith the nominees, the film features a stellar cast led by Rahul Roy in a remarkable comeback, Ruhani Sharma, Vibha Chibber, Sonal Jha, and Aanchal Goswami. Directed by the renowned filmmaker Kanu Behl, the narrative delves into the complexities of love, desire, and familial bonds against the backdrop of a dysfunctional household in small-town India.
Kanu Behl shared his excitement, “Cinema is truly a universal language, and it is overwhelming that something so personal to me is being recognized on a global stage. It is an honour to win such a prestigious award and a proud moment to represent India at this festival. The love and appreciation from audiences and critics globally have been exhilarating.”
Saregama India Ltd. senior VP Siddharth Anand Kumar said, “Agra is a daring journey into the human psyche. For audiences across the globe to not just relate, but to celebrate the film, is a great honour for us. Representation at NYIFF is a proud moment, but winning Best Film and Best Actor is phenomenal. We are proud to continue this global journey for ‘Agra’.”
Mohit Agarwal expressed his joy in winning the prestigious award, “I am ecstatic to receive the Best Actor award at the NYIFF film festival. It’s a recognition for our hard work and toil and to represent India on such a prestigious platform feels surreal!”
The film is written by Kanu Behl and Atika Chohan.
Hollywood
Disney sells out ad slots for 98th Oscars broadcast
Strong demand for live events turns the Academy Awards into a global, multi-platform marketing moment
NEW YORK: Hollywood’s biggest night has also become one of advertising’s hottest tickets. Disney has sold out all advertising inventory for the 98th Oscars, underscoring the growing demand from brands eager to ride the cultural wave of major live events.
The sell-out marks the sixth consecutive live tentpole success for Disney Advertising. The streak includes last year’s 97th Oscars, the 59th Annual CMA Awards, and Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest, signalling strong appetite among marketers for moments that bring audiences together in real time.
For advertisers, the Oscars are no longer just a single night of glitz and gold statues. Disney’s “Content Everywhere” strategy has expanded the awards show into a sprawling, multi-platform brand playground spanning linear television, streaming, social media and digital content.
“Live continues to be one of the most powerful ways for brands to connect with engaged audiences at scale, and the Oscars represent the very best of culture, creativity and community,” said Disney Advertising SVP, entertainment and streaming solutions John Campbell. He added that the company has reshaped the show’s commercial potential into a connected experience that stretches well beyond the broadcast.
Brands such as Mazda, Pfizer and Volkswagen of America are tapping into Disney’s wider ecosystem, appearing across original content segments including Know Your Movies on Hulu and Critically Acclaimed on Disney+. Partnerships also extend to social media through TikTok Pulse Premiere and to custom brand storytelling created by Disney CreativeWorks.
The result is what Disney calls the “Oscars Everywhere” approach. Rather than a few high-profile ad breaks, advertisers now find themselves woven through a series of moments before, during and after the ceremony.
These include On The Red Carpet at The Oscars, a live pre-show syndicated across major local markets and streamed nationwide, and the After the Oscars Show, which keeps the conversation going once the final award has been handed out.
This year’s sponsors include Rolex, returning for its ninth year, and Burger King, which joins the Oscars advertiser roster for the first time. Other brands in the mix include Disney Cruise Line, Dunkin’, Eli Lilly and Company, Eucerin, Intuit TurboTax, L’Oréal, McDonald’s, Microsoft, Miebo, Paris Baguette, Peacock, Starbucks, State Farm, Toyota and Verizon.
The 98th Oscars will take place on March 15, 2026, at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood. The ceremony will be broadcast live on ABC and streamed on Hulu, reaching audiences in more than 200 territories worldwide.
