Movies
SPNI and Mojo production launches Maacher Jhol’s trailer
MUMBAI: Sony Pictures Networks India’s (SPN) latest offering, co-produced by Mojo Productions Pvt. Ltd, bengali film Maacher Jhol’s trailer was launched today on the big screen in the presence of the cast and crew.
Written and directed by award-winning filmmaker Pratim D. Gupta, is a heartwarming journey of an internationally renowned Masterchef struggling to cook the quintessential Bengali dish, Maacher Jhol (fish curry).
The official trailer, launched at the popular Kolkata cinema hall Priya, gave the audience a sneak peak of the film that has been shot in Kolkata and Paris and has music by Anupam Roy of Piku fame. Award-winning actor Ritwick Chakraborty plays Masterchef Dev D while the legendary Mamata Shankar plays his mother, and Paoli Dam his wife Sreela. “Maacher Jhol” is all set for a 18th August release in Bengal followed by a national release in the later weeks.
Sony Pictures Networks India executive vice president Tushar Shah said, “Maacher Jhol beautifully captures the emotional bond between mother and son and how they make beautiful memories with food. It also brings out the flavors and aromas of Masterchef Dev’s relationship with various people who made an indelible impact on his life. We are confident that this heartwarming drama will change the way people watch Bengali cinema forever.”
Mojo Productions Pvt. Ltd Joy B. Ganguly also added, “We have reached an inflection point in regional cinema, and Bengali films are in the forefront. Our second co-production for Sony Pictures Networks India has been a great experience. Pratim’s vision for “Maacher Jhol” will be a clutter breaker in the Indian film industry, the trailer is just one example.”
Talking about the film, writer and director Pratim D. Gupta said: “Maacher Jhol has turned out to be a visceral experience to be seen, heard, felt and, most importantly, tasted. It celebrates a very Bengali sentiment but is universal in its resonance. Partnering with Sony Pictures Networks India and Joy has been a very fulfilling and enriching experience, given their unalloyed passion for cinema.”
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.
