ArdorComm Media Group

Contact Us
Tuesday, March 3, 2026 3:40 AM
logo
Menu
logo

Media Entertainment & Art Community

Dhurandhar Sets New Benchmark as Highest-Grossing Hindi Film in India

Leave a Comment / / Media Entertainment & Art Community

Aditya Dhar’s action-packed spy thriller Dhurandhar has rewritten Indian box office history by becoming the highest-grossing Hindi film ever in the domestic market. The makers announced that the film has surpassed Rs 831 crore net collections in India, claiming the top position among all Hindi-language releases to date. Led by Ranveer Singh, the film added Rs 5.70 crore net on Day 33 (Tuesday), taking its total India net earnings to Rs 831.40 crore. With this feat, Dhurandhar has edged past the previous record-holder, the Hindi version of Pushpa 2: The Rule, which had amassed Rs 830 crore. Confirming the milestone, the production team said in a statement that the film’s achievement marks a defining moment for Indian cinema, setting a new standard for box office success in the Hindi film industry. Before Dhurandhar, the record was held by Pushpa 2: The Rule (Hindi). Other major Hindi blockbusters include Shah Rukh Khan’s Jawan with Rs 643 crore and the horror-comedy ** Stree 2**, which earned Rs 627 crore in India. The film’s success has been driven by strong week-on-week performance. It opened with Rs 218 crore in its first week, followed by Rs 261.50 crore in week two. Week three brought in Rs 189.30 crore, while week four added Rs 115.70 crore. The film collected Rs 35.80 crore during its fifth weekend and has continued to maintain steady weekday numbers. Written and directed by Aditya Dhar, Dhurandhar is a high-intensity espionage drama inspired by real-life geopolitical and terror-related events, including the Kandahar hijacking, the 2001 Parliament attack, and the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. Much of the story unfolds in Lyari, Karachi, a region known for its history of gang violence and turf wars. The film has generated sharply divided opinions from critics and audiences alike. Produced by Aditya Dhar and Lokesh Dhar under B62 Studios, in association with Jio Studios led by Jyoti Deshpande, the film features an ensemble cast including Sanjay Dutt, Akshaye Khanna, Arjun Rampal, Sara Arjun, R. Madhavan, and Rakesh Bedi. Reacting to the achievement, Yash Raj Films congratulated the team on social media, calling Dhurandhar a landmark moment in Indian cinema and applauding Aditya Dhar and Jio Studios for delivering the highest-grossing Hindi film ever in a single language. Source: Economic Times

Dhurandhar Sets New Benchmark as Highest-Grossing Hindi Film in India Read More »

Homebound advances in Oscars 2026 race, brings Indian cinema back into global spotlight

Leave a Comment / / Media Entertainment & Art Community

Indian cinema has once again made its presence felt on the global awards stage, with Homebound moving into the next round of voting for the Best International Feature Film category at the Oscars 2026. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) announced that 15 films from around the world have been shortlisted from a pool of entries submitted by 86 countries and regions. India’s Homebound is among this elite list, standing alongside films from Argentina, Brazil, France, Germany, Iraq, Japan, Jordan, Norway, Palestine, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, and Tunisia. The shortlisted titles include Belen (Argentina), The Secret Agent (Brazil), It Was Just an Accident (France), Sound of Falling (Germany), The President’s Cake (Iraq), Kokuho (Japan), All That’s Left of You (Jordan), Sentimental Value (Norway), Palestine 36 (Palestine), No Other Choice (South Korea), Sirat (Spain), Late Shift (Switzerland), Left-Handed Girl (Taiwan), and The Voice of Hind Rajab (Tunisia). Confirming the development, The Academy shared an update on its official social media platforms, noting that the selected films have advanced to the next stage of voting. The final Oscar nominations are scheduled to be announced on Thursday, January 22. Directed by Neeraj Ghaywan, Homebound has already enjoyed an impressive international journey, premiering at major film festivals including Cannes, Toronto International Film Festival, and the Melbourne International Film Festival. With its inclusion in the Oscar shortlist, the film has achieved a rare distinction, becoming only the fifth Indian film in the Academy Awards’ 98-year history to reach this stage in the International Feature Film category. Starring Ishaan Khatter and Vishal Jethwa in lead roles, the film explores the lives of childhood friends Shoaib and Chandan, whose shared aspiration to join the police force shapes their destinies. Janhvi Kapoor plays a key role, adding emotional depth to a narrative rooted in friendship, ambition, and the social pressures faced by young people in contemporary India. Ishaan Khatter marked the achievement by sharing the news on his Instagram stories. Homebound is produced by Karan Johar, Adar Poonawalla, and Apoorva Mehta, with co-producers Marijke deSouza and Melita Toscan Du Plantier. The project also boasts acclaimed filmmaker Martin Scorsese and Pravin Khairnar as executive producers. The film’s progression in the Oscars race is being seen as a significant moment for Indian cinema, reinforcing its growing resonance on the international stage. Source: ANI

Homebound advances in Oscars 2026 race, brings Indian cinema back into global spotlight Read More »

Government Sets Up Live Events Development Cell to Power India’s Rapidly Growing Concert Economy

Leave a Comment / / Media Entertainment & Art Community

The Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has launched a Live Events Development Cell (LEDC) to provide a structured push to India’s fast-growing live entertainment and concert ecosystem, according to an official statement. Envisioned as a single-window facilitation platform, the LEDC will help simplify regulatory processes, coordinate with states and industry stakeholders, and create an enabling environment for large-scale live events. The broader objective is to position India as one of the world’s leading live entertainment destinations by 2030. The move comes at a time when the organised live events industry is witnessing strong momentum. Valued at ₹20,861 crore in 2024, the sector is expanding at nearly 15% annually and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 18%, outperforming several traditional media segments. Constituted in July 2025 under the direction of Union I&B Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, the LEDC brings together representatives from central and state governments, industry associations, and major event management companies to drive coordinated policy support and sectoral growth. The initiative follows Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s remarks at the WAVES Summit in May 2025, where he underscored the live entertainment industry’s untapped potential to boost investment, tourism, and India’s global cultural footprint. Currently, the sector supports over 10 million jobs, with each large-format event generating more than 15,000 direct and indirect employment opportunities. Growth is no longer limited to metros, as Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities emerge as new demand centres. Data cited from a BookMyShow 2025 report highlights a 490% surge in live event footfalls in Visakhapatnam, while Shillong and Guwahati recorded growth of 213% and 188%, respectively. Overall consumption across music concerts, sports, and theatre rose by 17%. Industry experts note that the increasing presence of global performers alongside extensive domestic tours signals a maturing and globally competitive market. To bridge infrastructure gaps and improve ease of doing business, the ministry has also set up a Joint Working Group with private sector players, including District by Zomato. Through these measures, the LEDC aims to double the size of the live events industry, create 15–20 million jobs, and place India among the top five global live entertainment hubs. Source: Economic Times

Government Sets Up Live Events Development Cell to Power India’s Rapidly Growing Concert Economy Read More »

NCLAT sets aside NCLT order in Culver Max insolvency case, orders fresh hearing

Leave a Comment / / Media Entertainment & Art Community

The National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) has granted relief to Culver Max Entertainment, formerly Sony Pictures Network India, by overturning an order of the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) that had rejected its insolvency petition against an Odisha-based fintech company. The appellate tribunal has sent the matter back to the Cuttack bench of the NCLT, directing it to hear the case afresh after giving Culver Max an opportunity to address procedural shortcomings in its application. In its ruling, the NCLAT noted that the NCLT should have allowed Culver Max to rectify defects in the insolvency plea, particularly relating to authorisation, instead of dismissing it outright. Since no such opportunity was provided, the appellate tribunal held that the April 30, 2024 order of the NCLT was legally flawed. A two-member NCLAT bench comprising Justice Yogesh Khanna (Judicial Member) and Ajai Das Mehrotra (Technical Member) clarified that it was not expressing any view on the merits of the insolvency case. However, it set aside the impugned order and instructed the NCLT to allow Culver Max to cure the defects and then adjudicate the matter on merits. The tribunal added that the process should ideally be completed within two months, as per its order dated December 10, 2025. The dispute arose after the NCLT dismissed Culver Max’s Section 9 application under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) against Rechargekit Fintech. The tribunal had rejected the plea on the ground that no board resolution or formal authorisation approving the filing of the insolvency application was placed on record. Challenging this decision, Culver Max argued before the NCLAT that the NCLT should have invoked the proviso to Section 9(5)(ii) of the IBC, which allows applicants time to correct defects in an incomplete application. The appellate tribunal agreed, observing that it was the duty of the NCLT to notify the applicant and provide an opportunity to rectify such defects. Section 9(5)(ii) of the IBC empowers the NCLT to reject an incomplete application but also mandates that the applicant be given notice and up to seven days to remove the deficiencies. Since this procedure was not followed, the NCLAT ruled that the dismissal order could not be sustained. Source: PTI

NCLAT sets aside NCLT order in Culver Max insolvency case, orders fresh hearing Read More »

Mandatory Labelling of AI-Generated Content Likely Soon After Industry Consultations: IT Secretary

Leave a Comment / / Media Entertainment & Art Community

The government is set to notify new rules on mandatory labelling of AI-generated content after completing extensive consultations with industry stakeholders, IT Secretary S Krishnan has said. Speaking to PTI, Krishnan noted that the industry has largely shown a responsible approach and has not strongly opposed the proposed move, recognising the rationale behind content labelling. According to him, most industry feedback has focused on seeking clarity around what degree of AI intervention should trigger labelling—particularly the distinction between substantive, material changes made using AI and routine technical enhancements that do not alter meaning or facts. Inputs received are currently being reviewed in consultation with other government ministries, and the final rules are expected to be announced shortly. Krishnan emphasised that the proposal does not impose restrictions or require registration with third parties, but simply asks platforms to clearly label AI-generated or synthetically modified content. He underlined that citizens have a fundamental right to know whether content is authentic or AI-generated. He explained that even minimal AI-driven changes—such as altering a few words—can significantly change context and meaning, whereas routine enhancements like camera optimisation on smartphones may only improve quality without affecting substance. While the government is open to accommodating reasonable industry concerns, excluding all forms of modification could be problematic, as even small AI edits can have major real-world impacts. The proposed amendments to the IT Rules, first floated in October, aim to curb the spread of deepfakes and misinformation by requiring platforms such as Facebook and YouTube to take greater responsibility for identifying and flagging synthetic content. The draft rules seek mandatory labelling, metadata embedding, and visibility markers for AI-generated or modified media, including visual identifiers covering at least 10 per cent of the screen or the initial 10 per cent of an audio clip. The IT Ministry has warned that deepfake audio, video, and other synthetic media can be weaponised to mislead the public, harm reputations, influence elections, and facilitate fraud, making clear labelling and accountability essential in the age of generative AI. Source: PTI

Mandatory Labelling of AI-Generated Content Likely Soon After Industry Consultations: IT Secretary Read More »

OTT Platforms to Stay Outside CBFC Oversight, Government Tells Lok Sabha

Leave a Comment / / Media Entertainment & Art Community

The Centre has reaffirmed that content streamed on over-the-top (OTT) platforms will not fall under the purview of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). The clarification was given in the Lok Sabha in response to a query raised by MP Dr. M K Vishnu Prasad. Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Dr. L. Murugan stated that digital streaming content is regulated under the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, and not through the film certification body. Under the existing framework, OTT platforms are mandated to adhere to a prescribed Code of Ethics. This includes complying with all applicable laws, refraining from prohibited content, and adopting age-based content classification to guide viewers. To monitor compliance, the IT Rules provide for a three-level regulatory mechanism. At the first level, publishers are responsible for self-regulation and addressing complaints related to their content. The second level involves oversight by self-regulatory bodies constituted by the publishers themselves. The third and final level empowers the Central Government to intervene when necessary. Complaints related to OTT content are initially handled by the concerned platform, allowing publishers to resolve issues internally in accordance with the IT Rules, 2021. Dr. Murugan highlighted that this multi-tier system is designed to strike a balance between safeguarding creative expression and ensuring legal accountability, with digital content regulation being managed through a structured grievance redressal process rather than CBFC certification. Source: Economic Times

OTT Platforms to Stay Outside CBFC Oversight, Government Tells Lok Sabha Read More »

BCCI still not a national sports federation, Mandaviya tells Lok Sabha

Leave a Comment / / Media Entertainment & Art Community

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is not recognised as a National Sports Federation (NSF), Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya informed the Lok Sabha on Monday, reaffirming a long-standing position that is likely to change after the National Sports Governance Act is fully implemented next year. Responding to a question from Trinamool Congress MP Mala Roy, who sought clarity on whether the government plans to step in to oversee major sports bodies such as the BCCI and the financially strained All India Football Federation (AIFF), Mandaviya said NSFs are autonomous, voluntary organisations expected to adhere to sound governance practices. He clarified that the BCCI has so far remained outside the NSF framework because it does not depend on government funding. However, once the new law comes into force, the BCCI will be required to register as an NSF, as cricket has been included in the Olympics and is scheduled to feature in the 2028 Los Angeles Games in the T20 format. Passed in August, the National Sports Governance Act provides for the creation of a National Sports Board (NSB), which will introduce stricter accountability norms. Under the new system, all NSFs must secure NSB recognition to be eligible for central government funding. Addressing concerns related to transparency, Mandaviya noted that the government has eased provisions related to the Right to Information (RTI) Act. Only sports bodies that receive government grants or assistance will fall under the RTI framework, offering relief to the BCCI, which has consistently opposed RTI coverage. The minister also told the House that NSFs receiving annual grants exceeding ₹1 crore are subject to audits by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India. Source: PTI

BCCI still not a national sports federation, Mandaviya tells Lok Sabha Read More »

Music Tourism Surges as Over 5.6 Lakh Indians Travel for Concerts in 2025: Report

Leave a Comment / / Media Entertainment & Art Community

India is no longer just consuming entertainment — it’s packing its bags for it. According to BookMyShow’s Throwback 2025 report, music tourism witnessed an exceptional upswing this year, with more than 5.6 lakh Indians travelling across cities to attend concerts. This surge created booming micro-economies around each event, driving business for airlines, hotels, cabs and local eateries. Premium live experiences also saw a major leap, with attendance nearly doubling in 2025. Fans increasingly favoured VIP zones, elevated viewing decks and curated hospitality, signalling a clear shift toward experience-driven entertainment. Several state governments helped fuel this rise. BookMyShow inked MoUs with tourism departments in Assam, Telangana, Gujarat and Delhi to attract global artists, improve event infrastructure and generate local employment—cementing live entertainment as a growing economic contributor. Live events on the rise Overall, live entertainment consumption grew by 17%, with more than 34,000 events—from concerts and comedy shows to cultural festivals—held nationwide. Tier-2 cities like Visakhapatnam, Vadodara, Indore, Shillong and Rajkot recorded explosive triple-digit growth, highlighting a widespread appetite for diverse experiences. Notably, solo attendance soared, with 1.8 million people choosing to enjoy events on their own. Cinema continues to unite India Despite the live-event boom, cinema retained its position as India’s favourite collective pastime. Regional films strengthened their presence, while nostalgia re-runs brought 58 lakh viewers back to theatres. Hyderabad shone as the re-release hub, with Interstellar leading the revival wave after selling out multiple runs. The Dussehra weekend delivered the highest footfall of 2025 with 6.8 million tickets sold. Kantara: A Legend Chapter–1 became the year’s biggest repeat-watch title, drawing more than 6 lakh returning fans. Meanwhile, Coolie topped advance bookings with 2.4 million pre-sold tickets. BookMyShow notes that 2025 marked a year of deliberate engagement—Indians didn’t just watch entertainment; they pursued it, travelled for it and made it a part of their weekly lifestyle. Source: Economic Times

Music Tourism Surges as Over 5.6 Lakh Indians Travel for Concerts in 2025: Report Read More »

Australia Enforces World’s First Social Media Ban for Under-16s

Leave a Comment / / Media Entertainment & Art Community

Australia has officially become the first country in the world to ban social media access for children and teenagers under 16. Under the new legislation, major platforms — including Instagram, Facebook, Threads, X, Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Reddit, Twitch and Kick — must prevent users below the age threshold from accessing their services. While parents and minors won’t face penalties for violations, tech companies risk fines of up to 32 million dollars if they fail to comply. The government says the move is aimed at shielding young people from harmful online content, but critics warn it may unintentionally push vulnerable teens toward unsafe, unregulated digital spaces. The decision has sparked debate across Australia, drawing concern from tech giants and free-speech advocates, even as many parents and child-safety organisations have welcomed the policy. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese had first signalled plans for an age-based restriction last September. Source: newsonair  

Australia Enforces World’s First Social Media Ban for Under-16s Read More »

Netflix Strikes $72bn Deal to Acquire Warner Bros’ Film & Streaming Units, Reshaping Global Entertainment

Leave a Comment / / Media Entertainment & Art Community

Netflix has announced a landmark agreement to acquire Warner Bros Discovery’s film and streaming divisions for $72bn (£54bn), marking one of Hollywood’s biggest-ever consolidation moves. The streaming giant outbid Comcast and Paramount Skydance after a prolonged contest, securing control of iconic franchises such as Harry Potter, Game of Thrones, and the HBO Max platform. The acquisition—still subject to regulatory approval—signals Netflix’s ambition to dominate the evolving entertainment landscape. Co-CEO Ted Sarandos said merging Warner Bros’ century-old storytelling legacy with Netflix originals like Stranger Things would help “define the next century of entertainment.” Netflix expects to save $2bn to $3bn by removing overlaps in technology and support operations. Warner Bros films will continue to release in cinemas, and its TV studio will remain open to third-party production. While both companies’ boards approved the deal unanimously, Hollywood unions and cinema groups have voiced strong opposition. The Writers Guild of America urged regulators to block the merger, warning of job losses, reduced content diversity, and higher consumer costs. Cinema United also cautioned that the tie-up could harm movie theatres worldwide. Analysts say the acquisition underscores Netflix’s aggressive push for global supremacy but could present challenges in integrating two massive entertainment ecosystems. If approved, the deal is expected to drive significant industry shifts, including reduced film and TV output and potentially higher subscription prices. Warner Bros will complete an internal split into two separate companies—its streaming and studios arm, and Discovery Global—before the takeover closes next year. Source: BBC

Netflix Strikes $72bn Deal to Acquire Warner Bros’ Film & Streaming Units, Reshaping Global Entertainment Read More »