Hollywood
The Angry Birds movie flies to the top of the box office with gross opening weekend of Rs. 12.8 crore
MUMBAI: Rovio Entertainment and Sony Pictures’ The Angry Birds Movie was #1 at the Indian box office this weekend with a box office gross of approximately Rs. 12.8 crore (USD 1.91m) making it the highest opening weekend for a non-franchise animated film and the second biggest opening for an animated film on the whole. It also had the distinction for being the widest animated release in India with 696 locations in English, Hindi and Tamil and released in both 2D and 3D.
The trans-created Hindi version of the film was also very popular and contributed a strong 27% to the total collection – the highest ever for an animated Hollywood film.
Sony Pictures India managing director Vivek Krishnani commented on opening saying, “The movie had huge anticipation, particularly for one that is not a sequel. This can be attributed to the fact that the awareness of the franchise in India is 98% amongst the target audience and that we promoted it as an event film that could not be missed. Families are enjoying the film but the humour is connecting with youth as well. This positive reception amongst all ages, combined with the vacations continuing across the country, gives us confidence that the film will continue its strong run in the weeks to come.”
Hollywood
Paramount eyes $24bn Gulf support to fund Warner Bros Discovery merger: Reports
Sovereign funds line up funding as media giants chase streaming scale
NEW YORK: Paramount Skydance is in talks to secure nearly $24 billion in equity commitments from Gulf sovereign wealth funds to support its planned takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery, according to a WSJ report.
The funding push comes as Paramount Skydance advances its proposed $110 billion deal for Warner Bros. Discovery, which carries an equity valuation of $81 billion and is expected to close in the third quarter of 2026.
At the heart of the financing plan are three major Gulf investors. Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund is expected to contribute roughly $10 billion, while the Qatar Investment Authority and Abu Dhabi-based L’imad Holding are likely to make up the remainder.
Crucially, the proposed investments are structured as non-voting stakes. This means the Gulf backers would not have direct control in the combined entity, a move designed to ease regulatory concerns in the United States. Paramount executives reportedly do not expect the deal to trigger scrutiny from bodies such as the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States or the Federal Communications Commission.
If completed, the merger would bring together a formidable portfolio of entertainment and news assets, including CNN and CBS. The combined entity aims to better compete in a fast-evolving media landscape where streaming platforms are steadily pulling audiences away from traditional television.
The deal reflects a broader shift in global media, where scale is increasingly seen as essential to survive the streaming wars. By pooling content libraries, technology and distribution, Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros. Discovery are betting on size and synergy to drive future growth.
The involvement of deep-pocketed Gulf investors also underscores the growing role of sovereign wealth in shaping global media consolidation, particularly at a time when high-value deals demand equally large financial backing.
With shareholder votes and regulatory milestones still ahead, the proposed tie-up remains one of the most closely watched media deals of the year. If it clears the final hurdles, it could redraw the competitive map of the global entertainment industry.
