Trending Box Office: From Vivek Agnihotri’s The Kashmir Files crossing Rs. 300 cr at the Worldwide Box Office, to Ram Charan – Jr. NTR’s RRR surpassing The Batman, to the SS Rajamouli film entering the Rs. 100 crore Club, here are some of the latest box office trends this week

Over past two years the box office window has been a ghost town thanks to the covid pandemic either shutting down theatres, or filmmakers opting to release their ventures on OTT platforms. But now, with the lockdown being lifted and threatres reopening we see a plethora of films hitting the big screen. From last year’s release Sooryavanshi to the latest film in the form of the Alia Bhatt starrer Gangubai Kathiawadi, the audience have been patronising new releases. If that wasn’t all, even regional films, viz. Pushpa – The Rise have found acceptance among the audience. In this compendium, Bollywood Hungama takes a look at some of the latest and most rending box office reports this week, from Vivek Agnihotri’s The Kashmir Files crossing Rs. 300 cr at the Worldwide Box Office, to Ram Charan – Jr. NTR’s RRR surpassing The Batman, to the SS Rajamouli film entering the Rs. 100 crore Club, here are this week’s top trending and latest box office updates.

The Kashmir Files Box Office: Vivek Agnihotri directorial crosses the Rs. 300 cr mark at worldwide box office; collects Rs. 303.27 cr in 19 Days
The Vivek Agnihotri directorial featuring Anupam Kher, The Kashmir Files, was released a while back. After opening on a modest note, the business of the film witnessed exponential growth in collections over its opening weekend and the first week in theatres. If that wasn’t enough, with positive critic reviews and strong audience word of mouth, the makers of the film who had opted for a limited release across 650 screens, increased the total number of screens to 2000 to accommodate audience demand. Now, after a run of 19 days, The Kashmir Files has managed to hold its own at the box office despite releases in the form of Bachchhan Paandey and RRR has managed to cross the Rs. 300 cr mark at the worldwide box office. Read More.

RRR Worldwide Box Office: Film beats The Batman to occupy the no. 1 spot globally; collects nearly Rs. 480 cr. in opening weekend
The SS Rajamouli directed film RRR was released last week on Friday. Starring, Ram Charan, Jr. NTR, Alia Bhatt, and Ajay Devgn the film has been raking in the moolah at the domestic and international box office alike. In fact, RRR which has been one of the most talked-about and keenly anticipated releases of recent times opened with a bang with positive reviews from the critics and audience. If that wasn’t enough, the film also features one of the widest releases in both markets post the pandemic. Now, after a stellar opening weekend, RRR has emerged as a leader at the worldwide box office, even managing to surpass the business of the Hollywood release The Batman. See details Here.

RRR Box Office: SS Rajamouli’s film enters Rs. 100 cr club; collects Rs. 107.59 cr in 5 Days
The much-talked-about and keenly anticipated release RRR directed by SS Rajamouli was released last week on Friday. After receiving positive reviews from the critics, the business of the film opened with a bang. In fact, RRR starring Ram Charan, Jr. NTR, Alia Bhatt, and Ajay Devgn stormed the box office on its opening weekend raking in Rs. 74.50 cr in just three days. On Day 4, its first Monday, the business of the film remained steady drawing in a further Rs. 17 cr, taking the total collections to Rs. 91.50 cr. Continue Reading.

The Kashmir Files Box Office: Files beats Bajrangi Bhaijaan & Bahubali; ranks as the 9th all-time highest 3rd Tuesday grosser
The Vivek Agnihotri directed film The Kashmir Files that released over two weeks ago is still going strong. After a stellar opening weekend and first week, the business of the film saw yet another spurt in collections on its second weekend. Following this, despite new releases hitting screens the collections of The Kashmir Files has been rock steady. Now in its third week, the business of the film has begun to show signs of slowing down. Click here for More.

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Jada Pinkett Smith breaks silence after Will Smith slapping Chris Rock at Oscar 2022; daughter Willow talks about “going through a lot”

Jada Pinkett Smith has broken her silence after the outcry over her husband Will Smith slapping Chris Rock for making a joke at her expense. The actress spoke out through social media, two days after the controversial night unfolded at the 94th Academy Awards ceremony.

Jada took to her Instagram to share a brief post talking about “season for healing” in an apparent reference to the Oscars incident that took place March 27 at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood. The actress shared a quote that read, “This is a season for healing and I'm here for it.”

Meanwhile, their daughter Willow Smith also shared a cryptic post about kindness on her Instagram story. "You know who's going through a lot right now? Literally everyone. Just be kind," the March 29 post read.

 

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A post shared by Jada Pinkett Smith (@jadapinkettsmith)

Previously, Willow's brother Jaden Smith also shared a tweet right after that evening. “And That's How We Do It,” the 23-year-old musician wrote seemingly addressing father Will's heated exchange with Chris Rock.

And That’s How We Do It

— Jaden (@jaden) March 28, 2022

On March 27, comedian-actor Chris Rock was left stunned at the 2022 Oscar night after Will Smith stormed to the Academy Awards stage and slapped the comedian across the face as he poked fun at Smith’s spouse, Jada Pinkett Smith, about her shaved head. In his subsequent acceptance speech for winning Best Actor Oscar, Smith apologized to the Academy and his fellow nominees, though he did not address Rock during the evening. However, Smith later released an apology to Rock through social media on March 28 afternoon, expressing remorse over his actions.

“Violence in all of its forms is poisonous and destructive. My behavior at last night’s Academy Awards was unacceptable and inexcusable. Jokes at my expense are part of the job, but a joke about Jada’s medical condition was too much for me to bear and I reacted emotionally,” Smith wrote. “I would like to publicly apologize to you, Chris. I was out of line and I was wrong. I am embarrassed and my actions were not indicative of the man I want to be. There is no place for violence in a world of love and kindness.”

Also Read: Jim Carrey ‘sickened’ by standing ovation for Will Smith after Oscar Slap – “Hollywood is just spineless”

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Diana Penty to star opposite Shahid Kapoor in Ali Abbas Zafar's next

It’s raining film announcements and releases this year, and the movie lovers are having the time of our life! Recently, filmmaker Ali Abbas Zafar announced the wrap of his yet-to-be-titled film with Shahid Kapoor through an Instagram post, leaving fans super excited for his next action drama.

Now, the reports have it that Diana Penty is the female lead in Ali Abbas Zafar's film opposite Shahid Kapoor. A source revealed, "Diana Penty will be a surprise package in this action drama. She has a crucial role and plays a very strong character in the film's narrative."

Meanwhile, Diana Penty announced her next project, Selfiee, with Akshay Kumar, Emraan Hashmi, and Nushrat Bharucha. She also has Adbhut, a psychological thriller, with Nawazuddin Siddiqui.

On the other hand, Shahid Kapoor is gearing up for his big release, Jersey.

Also Read: Diana Penty follows this go-to ‘low maintenance’ routine for her flawless and glowing skin

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Zoë Kravitz calls out Will Smith for slapping Chris Rock onstage at Oscars 2022 - "We are apparently assaulting people on stage now"

Zoë Kravitz reacted to Will Smith's outburst at the 94th annual Academy Awards Sunday night. The Batman star took to social media to share her thoughts on the controversial evening and criticized Smith’s actions at the awards ceremony where he slapped comedian Chris Rock onstage.

On Tuesday, Zoë shared her looks from the Oscars in a pair of posts on Instagram, making her feelings about the incident clear. “Here's a picture of my dress at the show where we are apparently assaulting people on stage now,” she captioned her first post.

 

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A post shared by Zoë Kravitz (@zoeisabellakravitz)

In a follow-up post of her after-party look, further alluding to the altercation, Zoë added, “And here is a picture of my dress at the party after the award show -where we are apparently screaming profanities and assaulting people on stage now.”

 

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A post shared by Zoë Kravitz (@zoeisabellakravitz)

On Sunday March 27, at the 94th Academy Awards, comedian-actor Chris Rock was left stunned at the 2022 Oscar night after Will Smith stormed to the Academy Awards stage and slapped the comedian across the face as he poked fun at Smith’s spouse, Jada Pinkett Smith, about her shaved head. In his subsequent acceptance speech for winning Best Actor Oscar, Smith apologized to the Academy and his fellow nominees, though he did not address Rock during the evening. However, Smith later released an apology to Rock through social media on Monday afternoon, expressing remorse over his actions.

“Violence in all of its forms is poisonous and destructive. My behavior at last night’s Academy Awards was unacceptable and inexcusable. Jokes at my expense are part of the job, but a joke about Jada’s medical condition was too much for me to bear and I reacted emotionally,” Smith wrote. “I would like to publicly apologize to you, Chris. I was out of line and I was wrong. I am embarrassed and my actions were not indicative of the man I want to be. There is no place for violence in a world of love and kindness.”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Will Smith (@willsmith)

Also Read: Zoë Kravitz recalls being turned down for Christopher Nolan’s ‘Dark Knight Rises’ audition for being too ‘urban’

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Lionsgate Play announces the first Indian Gaming show: ‘Gamer Log’ as part of its diverse slate of Originals

Lionsgate Play, a premium streaming platform is home to blockbuster content that has provided viewers with a well-rounded slate across genres for its Indian Originals – from quirky comedy with Hiccups & Hookups to college drama with Jugaadistan. Taking this forward, Lionsgate Play is gearing up for yet another exciting show ‘Gamer Log’; an uproarious, coming-of-age sitcom set against the backdrop of competitive E-sports. This will be a first-of-a-kind Indian gaming show that will follow the adventures and misadventures of a team of professional gamers.

Gamer Log is produced by RDP Pulp Fiction Entertainment, which is headed by Abhinay Deo & Neeta Shah, who believe that content is the king. This high-spirited production house has developed “out-of-the-box”, dynamic & versatile content of various genres ranging from romantic, slice-of-life, and thriller films to action-packed web series. The company now arms itself for another exhilarating series “Gamer Log”. The show has been created by Karmanya Ahuja.

Speaking on the title announcement, Rohit Jain, Managing Director South Asia and Networks - Emerging Markets Asia at Lionsgate said, “It’s an exciting moment for Lionsgate Play as we add yet another feather in the growing list of impressive originals with Gamer Log. This announcement reiterates our mission to bring compelling stories and new content for viewers across the globe. E-sports is a booming industry in India; 350+ million online gamers were recorded last year, and it’s an upward growth from here. Gamer Log will essentially showcase the lives of these very Gamers. We look forward to working with Abhinay and Neeta on a show that will be funny, youthful, and mainstream.”

Mrinalini Khanna, VP, Originals, Lionsgate Play said, “Gamer Log embodies the exact principles of content coming out of Lionsgate stable – innovation blended with entertainment. The series is placed in an enthralling universe but has the classical challenges of a coming of age”

Abhinay Deo, Producer & Showrunner of “Gamer Log” said, “We are thrilled to be working with Lionsgate Play for Gamer Log. E-sports in India is growing in popularity with each passing year, but that’s an untouched subject in terms of Entertainment. With Gamer Log, we plan to tap into an unexplored world, bringing audiences a story about friendship, camaraderie, hopes, dreams, and ambition.”

Neeta Shah, Producer of “Gamer Log” said, “Gamer Log is a unique concept with peculiar characters who are quirky yet extremely relatable, managing internal dysfunction and navigating the competitive world of E-sports with comedy, drama, entertainment, and a lot of gaming. Abhinay & I believe that Lionsgate Play’s ethos works best for ‘Gamer Log’ – it’s a story for the mass with an innovative thought. I’m glad that Rohit & Mrinalini are in complete sync with our vision of the show.”

Lionsgate Play will announce a lot more information on Gamer Log soon – watch out the space for the cast, release date in the upcoming months

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Varun Dhawan and Janhvi Kapoor pair up for the first time for Nitesh Tiwari's Bawaal, set to release on April 7, 2023

Post their successful innings with Chhichhore (which bagged Best Hindi Feature Film National Award), Sajid Nadiadwala and filmmaker Nitesh Tiwari announce their new project- Bawaal, featuring Varun Dhawan & Janhvi Kapoor, to release on 7th April, 2023.

The award winning producer-director duo are collaborating forces yet again for Bawaal, which will see Varun and Janhvi sharing screen space opposite each other for the first time.

 

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A post shared by VarunDhawan (@varundvn)

Though further details of the project have been kept under wraps by the makers, the big announcement is exciting enough for the fans of Varun and Janhvi who can’t wait to watch the two young superstars sizzle on the big screen together soon for a love story, you can't expect anything short of maximum fun and entertainment.

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Jim Carrey 'sickened' by standing ovation for Will Smith after Oscar Slap - "Hollywood is just spineless"

Jim Carrey slammed Will Smith for slapping Chris Rock at the Oscars 2022 night and disagrees with how Smith's outburst at the Oscars was immediately handled as the audience of A-listers subsequently gave the actor a standing ovation.

While speaking on CBS Mornings about his new movie Sonic the Hedgehog 2, the legendary actor-comic reacted to what unfolded, saying he felt Hollywood is “spineless” for applauding Will after what had transpired. “I was sickened. I was sickened by the standing ovation. I felt like Hollywood is just spineless, en masse,” Jim said. “It really felt like, 'Oh, this is a really clear indication that we're not the cool club anymore."

As for Chris Rock not choosing to file assault charges, Jim said he “would've announced this morning that I was suing Will for $200 million, 'cause that video is gonna be there forever. It's gonna be ubiquitous. That insult is gonna last for a very long time. If you wanna yell from the audience and disapprove or show disapproval or say something on Twitter or whatever — you do not have the right to walk up onstage and smack somebody in the face because they said words.”

As People magazine reports, talks for “having Will removed was definitely discussed seriously,” a source shared with the outlet. “You can't plan for something like this and make a split-second decision that needs everyone's buy-in, and in any iteration that would have consequences.”

Jim Carrey made it clear that he believes the “selfish” outburst “came out of nowhere because Will has something going on inside him that's frustrated, and I wish him the best, I really do. I don't have anything against Will Smith. He's done great things. But that was not a good moment.”

On Sunday March 27, at the 94th Academy Awards, comedian-actor Chris Rock was left stunned at the 2022 Oscar night after Will Smith took to stage and slapped the comedian across the face Chris poked fun at Smith’s spouse Jada Pinkett Smith about her shaved head. For the unversed, Jada is suffering from auto-immune disease alopecia which results in hair loss.

Not only was Will Smith not removed from the event, but he got a standing ovation shortly thereafter when he won the Best Actor Oscar for King Richard. Smith issued an apology on social media Monday, March 28. Rock, who declined to press charges on Smith, has yet to publicly address the matter. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will conduct a formal review.

Also Read: The Weeknd’s new album Dawn FM features Jim Carrey in ‘Phantom Regret’ track honouring Prince

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Vivek Agnihotri denies signing film with Kangana Ranaut; says, “My films don’t need stars. They need actors”

Vivek Agnihotri is currently the most sought-after filmmaker in India. A-listers may be shy of publicly acknowledging his stupendous success with The Kashmir Files. But secretly many of them now want to work with him. One story doing the rounds is that Kangana Ranaut and Vivek Agnihotri will be working together when in truth there is no such project in the pipeline.

Vivek is currently going around the country and the globe promoting The Kashmir Files, after which The Delhi Files which is complete, will be released. He has not even started to think of what he would like to make thereafter.

Speaking generally about working with stars Vivek Agnihotri in an interview with me this weekend said, “My films don’t need stars. They need actors. When I started my journey 12 years ago I decided I will make my kind of films and I will never make a star-driven film. I firmly believe cinema is the writer and director’s medium.”

Also Read: The Kashmir Files director Vivek Agnihotri says he owes a lot to Varun Dhawan; here’s why

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Yas Island brand ambassador Ranveer Singh and his family receive UAE Golden Visas

Following the announcement of Ranveer Singh as the brand ambassador of Yas Island Abu Dhabi, one of the world’s leading leisure and entertainment destinations, the Bollywood icon and his family have been awarded UAE Golden Visas by the Abu Dhabi Department of Culture & Tourism. Mohamed Abdalla Al Zaabi, CEO of Miral, handed Ranveer the prestigious 10-year residence visa at the Island’s Yas Marina Circuit HQ in the presence of Abdulaziz Al Dosari, Chief Support Services, and Badreyya Al Mazrooei, Head of Government & Travel Services from TwoFour54.

With the aim of inviting travellers from India to experience a vacation like no other, Yas Island recently launched the viral marketing campaign, ‘Yas Hai Khaas’ with Bollywood’s most boundary-pushing star, Ranveer Singh in a mesmerizing video showcasing an electrifying journey of the destination’s plethora of attractions, diversity of offerings and the warm Yas Island welcome.

Upon receiving the UAE Golden Visa, Ranveer Singh said, “My family and I are honoured to receive our UAE Golden Visas right here on Yas Island and I would like to thank the Abu Dhabi Department of Culture & Tourism for this privilege. As the Island’s brand ambassador, I hope to spread its message of fun and excitement while highlighting Abu Dhabi as a must-visit destination.”

On the work front, Ranveer Singh will next star in Jayeshbhai Jordaar, Cirkus, Anniyan remake, and Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani.

ALSO READ: "Ranveer Singh has delivered the performance of a lifetime" - Maneesh Sharma reveals how the special screening of Jayeshbhai Jordaar at YRF left everyone speechless

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Stray Kids debut on Billboard 200 with 'ODDINARY' as No. 1 album; become third Korean artist to top the chart

South Korean group Stray Kids have set their own record by topping the Billboard 200, marking their first ever extra-ODDINARY entry on the chart. The K-Pop group made their way to the No. 1 position with its album ‘ODDINARY’ and created history by becoming only the third Korean artist to top the chart.

On March 28, Billboard announced that Stray Kids’ latest mini album ‘ODDINARY’ had debuted at No. 1 on its famous Top 200 Albums chart, its weekly ranking of the most popular albums in the United States. Additionally, Stray Kids has now become only the third Korean artist in history ever to reach the milestone, after BTS and SuperM. Moreover, ‘ODDINARY’ is only the 13th mostly non-English-language album in Billboard history ever to reach No. 1.

“It earns the group its first career No. 1 album and first entry on the chart,” according to Billboard Charts Twitter account. Of the 110,000 units, 103,000 were album sales, which is the “largest sales week of any album this year.” Billboard added that “Oddinary” also debuted at No. 1 on Top Album Sales chart, making it the “first album released in 2022 to debut at No. 1 on both the #Billboard200 and #TopAlbumSales charts in the same week.”

.@Stray_Kids' 'Oddinary' is the first album released in 2022 to debut at No. 1 on both the #Billboard200 and #TopAlbumSales charts in the same week.

— billboard charts (@billboardcharts) March 29, 2022

'Oddinary' debuts with 110,000 equivalent album units earned in the March 18-24 tracking week, according to Luminate (formerly MRC Data).

— billboard charts (@billboardcharts) March 28, 2022

‘ODDINARY’ features seven tracks including their highly acclaimed lead single ‘Maniac’. The mini album comes ahead of their MANIAC world tour which begins this April in Seoul, followed by concerts across Japan and the U.S. Meanwhile, the group is set to make a re-comeback after the members’ recovery from Covid-19.

Also Read: Stray Kids embrace ODDINARY energy in explosive ‘Maniac’ music video 

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Chris Rock not pressing charges against Will Smith for the Oscars' slap; The Academy launches investigation for his actions

The Los Angeles Police Department said comedian Chris Rock declined to file a report against Will Smith after the actor slapped him during the live broadcast of the annual Academy Awards ceremony.

According to NBC News, comedian Chris Rock declined to press charges against Will Smith after the Oscar-winning actor stormed the stage at the 2022 Academy Awards Sunday (March 27) and smacked Rock across the face with an open hand following a distasteful joke about Smith’s wife, actress Jada Pinkett Smith.

“LAPD investigative entities are aware of an incident between two individuals during the Academy Awards program,” the department said in a statement. “The incident involved one individual slapping another. The individual involved has declined to file a police report. If the involved party desires a police report at a later date, LAPD will be available to complete an investigative report.”

That means the Los Angeles Police Department, which has basic jurisdiction where the show was produced Sunday (March 27), will not investigate or pursue possible charges against the actor. However, the stunning altercation was condemned by the film academy and it announced Monday (March 28) that it is conducting a formal review of Smith’s conduct.

“The Academy condemns the actions of Mr. Smith at last night’s show,” the organization said. “We have officially started a formal review around the incident and will explore further action and consequences in accordance with our Bylaws, Standards of Conduct and California law.”

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences enacted a code of conduct for its members in 2017 in the wake of the Harvey Weinstein sexual harassment scandal. “There is no place in the Academy for people who abuse their status, power or influence in a manner that violates recognized standards of decency,” the group said at the time. “If any member is found by the Board of Governors to have violated these standards or to have compromised the integrity of the Academy by their actions, the Board of Governors may take any disciplinary action permitted by the Academy’s bylaws, including suspension or expulsion.”

After the incident, the Academy tweeted a short statement stating they do not "condone violence of any form. Tonight we are delighted to celebrate our 94th Academy Awards winners, who deserve this moment of recognition from their peers and movie lovers around the world."

The Academy does not condone violence of any form.

Tonight we are delighted to celebrate our 94th Academy Awards winners, who deserve this moment of recognition from their peers and movie lovers around the world.

— The Academy (@TheAcademy) March 28, 2022

Will Packer, who produced the Academy Awards this year, also shared his thoughts. “Welp, I said it wouldn’t be boring. #Oscars,” he tweeted shortly after the awards night ended. On Monday, in response to a Twitter user who had criticized his initial response, he tweeted, “Black people have a defiant spirit of laughter when it comes to dealing with pain because there has been so much of it. I don’t feel the need to elucidate that for you. But I also don’t mind being transparent and say that this was a very painful moment for me. On many levels.”

Black people have a defiant spirit of laughter when it comes to dealing with pain because there has been so much of it. I don’t feel the need to elucidate that for you. But I also don’t mind being transparent and say that this was a very painful moment for me. On many levels. https://t.co/zzgeKIqrHm

— Will Packer (@willpowerpacker) March 28, 2022

Also Read: Chris Rock tests Covid-19 positive, urges people to get vaccinated

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EXCLUSIVE: The British Parliament invites Vivek Agnihotri; filmmaker to speak about the plight of Kashmiri Pandits

After conquering the Indian box office The Kashmir Files director Vivek Agnihotri now heads to British parliament to speak of the plight of Kashmiri Pandits. Sharing this startling information—do we know of any other Indian filmmaker to have been extended this honour?—Vivek says, “That’s right, my wife Pallavi and I have been invited to the British parliament. We will be heading there next month. The Kashmir Files was made with the express purpose of taking the message of the Kashmir Pandits’ genocide to every corner of the world. I am glad we are getting there.”

In addition, there is talk now of dubbing The Kashmir Files in multiple South Indian languages to extend its reach. According to box office sources the Hindi version of The Kashmir Files has done far better business than the recent Tamil releases in Chennai.

Says Vivek, “The reach of the film is growing. We have nothing to do with it. The power to influence mind-sets is not in our hands. It comes from God. We are just the medium.”

Also Read: The Kashmir Files to release on Zee5 only after completing 8 weeks in cinemas; OTT premiere might be delayed if the film continues its golden run at the box office

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Will Smith apologises to Chris Rock for slapping him at Oscars 2022: 'I was out of line and I was wrong'

Will Smith has issued a public apology to Chris Rock after slapping the comedian on stage at the 94th Academy Awards on Sunday night. In one of the most shocking turns of events on stage, comedian-actor Chris Rock was left stunned at the 2022 Academy Awards after Will Smith came on onstage and slapped the comedian across the face. The incident occurred after Rock, who was introducing the award for Best Documentary, poked fun at Jada Pinkett Smith about her hairdo. For unversed, Pinkett is suffering from auto-immune disease alopecia which results in hair loss.

Rock mocked Pinkett Smith’s baldness and made a reference to the 1997 movie G.I. Jane (which features a bald Demi Moore). Rock said, "Jada, I love ya. G.I. Jane 2, can't wait to see ya." While Smith laughed from his seat at first. Pinkett Smith was unamused and eye-rolled at the joke. Then, Smith took the stage and smacked Rock. "Oh wow," said Rock. "Will Smith just smacked the s--- out of me."

"Keep my wife's name out your f---ing mouth!" Will Smith, seemingly angry yelled back at Rock from his seat. "Wow, dude, it was a G.I. Jane joke," said Rock, to which Smith repeated again, "Keep my wife's name out your f---ing mouth!"

While the actor went on to win the Best Actor award for King Richard, The Academy has launched an investigation even when Chris Rock chose not to file a police report. Will Smith, on Monday, issued an apology via his Instagram account and said, "Violence in all of its forms is poisonous and destructive. My behavior at last night’s Academy Awards was unacceptable and inexcusable. Jokes at my expense are a part of the job, but a joke about Jada’s medical condition was too much for me to bear and I reacted emotionally."

"I would like to publicly apologize to you, Chris. I was out of line and I was wrong. I am embarrassed and my actions were not indicative of the man I want to be. There is no place for violence in a world of love and kindness," he continued.

"I would also like to apologize to the Academy, the producers of the show, all the attendees and everyone watching around the world. I would like to apologize to the Williams Family and my King Richard Family. I deeply regret that my behavior has stained what has been an otherwise gorgeous journey for all of us. I am a work in progress," he concluded his statement.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Will Smith (@willsmith)

Will Smith, later in the night, won the Best Actor award for King Richard. Taking the stage, he was overwhelmed. In the tear-filled speech, he said, "In this time in my life, in this moment, I am overwhelmed by what God is calling on me to do and be in this world. ... I'm being called on in my life to love people and to protect people and to be a river to my people."

"I know to do what we do you gotta be able to take abuse; you gotta be able to have people talk crazy about you. In this business, you gotta be able to have people disrespecting you, and you gotta smile and pretend like that's okay," he said, before comparing himself to his character from King Richard, who was a "fierce defender of his family."

It was also reported by the press in the auditorium that after the altercation, Denzel Washington had gone to speak to Will Smith. In his speech, the actor said what Denzel told him, "at your highest moments, be careful because that's when the devil comes for you."

Addressing The Academy for the incident, he said, "I want to apologize to the Academy. I want to apologize to all my fellow nominees."

Smith then said, "Art imitates life: I look like the crazy father. Just like they said about Richard Williams. But love will make you do crazy things." He later added, "Being able to love and care for my mother and my family, my wife ... Thank you for this honor. Thank you for this moment. ... I hope the Academy invites me back."

This marked Will Smith's first Oscar win and his third nomination. He was previously nominated for Best Actor in 2002 for Ali and in 2007 for The Pursuit of Happyness.

ALSO READ: Chris Rock not pressing charges against Will Smith for the Oscars' slap; The Academy launches investigation for his actions

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BTS' Jungkook tests positive for COVID-19 upon arriving in Las Vegas for Grammys 2022, under self-quarantine

South Korean juggernaut BTS' member Jungkook has been diagnosed with COVID-19. The announcement was made on March 29, 2022 following which the musician has been getting treated and is under self-quarantine in the US. The musician arrived in Las Vegas this past weekend for Grammys 2022.

BIG HIT Music, on Tuesday, took their social media platform Weverse to release the statement that read, "Jung Kook was tested negative on a PCR test in Korea, and he departed for the United States on Sunday, March 27 (KST) in preparation for the Grammy Awards performance.  After arriving in Las Vegas, he felt a slight discomfort in his throat and promptly took a rapid PCR test (COVID-19 molecular PCR test) and a standard PCR test (COVID-19 quantitative PCR test) on the afternoon of Sunday, March 27 (PT). While being under self-quarantine as a proactive measure, the result of both tests came back positive, and Jung Kook was confirmed with COVID-19 on Monday, March 28 (PT)."

"Jung Kook has been currently under self-quarantine and treatment, following the guidelines of health authorities in the United States. He is not exhibiting any symptoms other than a mild sore throat, and we will attentively monitor his health during the quarantine. Jung Kook's participation in the later schedule in the United States will be determined by the local regulations on COVID-19, while we are actively in discussion with the awards organizer," it further read.

"We would like to extend our sincerest apologies to our fans for causing you concern despite our effort to take all necessary measures for our artists’ health prior to and throughout the schedule in the United States. We ask for your generous understanding and support from all our fans. We will continue to provide support for the rapid recovery of Jung Kook, placing our highest priority on the health and safety of our artists. We will also continue to fully cooperate with the requests and guidelines of healthcare authorities," the statement concluded.

Jungkook becomes the seventh member to contract COVID-19 following SUGA, RM, Jin, Jimin, V, and J-Hope.

BTS are set to attend Grammys 2022 as nominees and performers. This marks the second year in a row that BTS, the first Korean pop act to be nominated and perform at the GRAMMYs, are considered for an award, and presenting a solo performance on the stage. Last year, the GRAMMY nominees staged a dazzling performance of their smash hit “Dynamite,” taking their dynamic gig from the GRAMMY stage to a rooftop overseeing a breathtaking night view of Seoul.

ALSO READ: BTS’ J-Hope diagnosed with COVID-19, undergoing treatment at home in self-quarantine

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The Flash actor Ezra Miller arrested in Vermont for disorderly conduct & harassment

Hollywood actor Ezra Miller, who stars as DC superhero The Flash in the movie universe, has been arrested in Vermont for disorderly conduct & harassment. Hawaii County police arrested and charged the actor after he made a scene at a karaoke bar.

According to a report in Hawaii News Now, Police said, "The arrest stemmed from an incident at a karaoke bar along Silva Street Sunday. Miller was allegedly yelling obscenities and he became agitated when people began singing karaoke. At one point, police say he grabbed the microphone from a 23-year-old woman who was mid-song, and he later lunged at a 32-year-old man playing darts."

This led to disorderly conduct and harassment offense. The bar owner had asked Ezra Miller to calm down several times, as per cops. He was arrested and charged with total bail set at $500. The actor was released post receiving bail.

Ezra Miller has been currently shooting for the standalone The Flash movie which will release on June 23, 2023.

ALSO READ: The Flash and Aquaman 2’ pushed to 2023; Shazam sequel moved up for Christmas release; Wonka, Black Adam and more release dates changed by Warner Bros

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Snoop Dogg confirms collaboration with BTS - "It's official like a referee with a whistle'

American rapper Snoop Dogg will officially collaborate with South Korean juggernaut BTS on an upcoming project. During the American Song Contest red carpet, Snoop Dogg revealed that collaboration is indeed in the works.

During a talk with The A.V. Club, he confirmed that he would be collaborating with BTS on new music but that he was waiting for BTS to reveal the details to the public. “The BTS experience you keep talking about. I’m going to let them tell you about it. It’s official, like a referee with a whistle.”

“I love that entertainment world,” he added emphasizing on his love for K-Pop. “It’s good music. It’s [a] vibe. I make good music. They make good music. And we end up doing this. This is what it’s always about, bringing our worlds together.”

Earlier in January, Snoop Dogg revealed that BTS had contacted him about a potential collaboration. “I got a group named BTS that’s waiting on me to do a song with them right now. And I’m trying to figure out if I got time to do that,” said the rapper in an interview with the Mogul Talk podcast.

The 50-year-old global rapper has previously collaborated with various Korean artists including Girls’ Generation, 2NE1, PSY, and MONSTA X while musical sensation BTS has also collaborated with a number of solo artists from Hollywood including Steve Aoki, The Chainsmokers, Nicki Minaj, Halsey, Lauv, Coldplay, Megan Thee Stallion among others.

Also Read: Snoop Dogg sued over alleged sexual assault and battery ahead of Super Bowl Halftime performance

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BREAKING: The Kashmir Files to release on Zee5 only after completing 8 weeks in cinemas; OTT premiere might be delayed if the film continues its golden run at the box office

Before the pandemic struck, it was mandatory that all Bollywood films can be released on digital platforms only after completing 8 weeks in cinemas. This rule was relaxed in the pandemic era. As a result, films were allowed to be streamed only after 4 weeks of release on the big screen. Nevertheless, a few films are going the pre-pandemic way. Alia Bhatt’s hit film, Gangubai Kathiawadi, will be released on Netflix 8 weeks after its theatrical release. Interestingly, the makers had decided upon this strategy even before it was released in cinemas. Meanwhile, this week’s big-budget film, RRR, will be released on Netflix 75 to 90 days later.

And now, Bollywood Hungama has learnt that The Kashmir Files too shall follow suit. There were reports that the blockbuster flick will be released on Zee5 in the third week of April, that is, in its 6th week. A source, however, told, Bollywood Hungama, “The Kashmir Files will not be out on Zee5 before completing 8 weeks in cinemas.”

When prodded for details, the source said, “Even before the film was out, it was decided that it’ll not premiere on OTT before 8 weeks. Now that the film is doing extraordinary business, the idea is to keep pushing it in cinemas as much as possible. Not just the usual moviegoing audience, many who haven’t stepped in a cinema hall for years have gone to see The Kashmir Files. The film is in the third week and even right now, there’s a lot of demand for the film, with the makers getting requests even from far-flung areas. It has managed to sustain itself despite the release of the much loved film, RRR. Hence, Zee Studios and the other stakeholders haven’t decided on a date for the digital release. However, it won’t be out on Zee5 before 8 weeks. There’s no need to compromise on the blockbuster theatrical run.”

The Kashmir Files was released in cinemas on March 11. It’ll complete 8 weeks on April 29. In other words, the film will be out on digital not before May 2022.

Starring Anupam Kher, Mithun Chakraborty, Pallavi Joshi and Darshan Kumaar, The Kashmir Files is directed by Vivek Agnihotri. The film is in the news thanks to its unbelievable box office collections. Its day 1 earnings were just Rs. 3.55 crore. But the collections jumped dramatically from day 2 and in no time, it got an entry into the Rs. 100 crore club and even Rs. 200 crore club, After 17 days, its collections stand at around Rs. 228.18 crore. The trade expects The Kashmir Files to hit the Rs. 250 crore mark soon.

Also Read: The Kashmir Files Box Office: Film surpasses Tiger Zinda Hai; becomes 9th all-time highest 3rd Sunday grosser

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After Radhe Shyam debacle, makers of Prabhas starrer Salaar to undergo script revisions, reshoots and re-edits?

Not yet a panic attack; but there is definitely a sense of anxiety among the producers and directors of Prabhas starrers in Andhra Pradesh after the abysmal non-performance of Radhe Shyam at the Indian box office. Radhe Shyam, touted as the Baahubali superstar’s first unalloyed love story, sank not only in the Hindi belt but also in Prabhas home-state Andhra and Telangana, thereby sending shock waves in the distribution business.

The most immediately affected project is Prabhas’ next Salaar, directed by Prashanth Neel the Kannada director of the cult hit KGF. According to sources from Hyderabad, Salaar has gone back to the drawing board for some serious script revision. Some scenes will be re-shot. Some will be edited out; Salaar is going through a pre-release revamp.

The informed source reveals, “Prabhas cannot afford any risks at this sensitive juncture of his career. He now knows his fans want him doing action. Salaar is being modified accordingly.”

Also Read: Will RRR’s Hindi version BREAK the Rs. 510.99 crore record of Baahubali 2 – The Conclusion? Here’s what trade experts have to say

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Saif Ali Khan and Jacqueline Fernandez announced as brand ambassadors for Goldmedal Electricals

Goldmedal Electricals today announced that it has onboarded Bollywood superstars Saif Ali Khan and Jacqueline Fernandez as its brand ambassadors. The duo will be the new faces for the brand and play a pivotal role in consolidating Goldmedal’s foothold across the nation.

Over the last decade, Goldmedal has displayed an impressive growth trajectory to become a prominent brand in the sector. The brand has built a reputation in the industry for manufacturing high-quality and innovative electrical products. Goldmedal’s extensive product portfolio includes switches, home automation systems, LEDs, wires & cables, DBs, PVC pipes, electrical accessories, and more. Goldmedal has recently ventured into the fans segment and launched a range of premium and standard fans.

Goldmedal has a pan-India presence through its branches and a wide and established network of dealers and retailers. To connect with their consumers more closely, Goldmedal is collaborating with two of Bollywood’s most stylish and popular actors, Saif Ali Khan and Jacqueline Fernandez. This association with the attractive pair will not only strengthen Goldmedal’s connection with its consumers but also emphasize the amazing aesthetics of their products. The announcement is part of Goldmedal’s brand outreach plans.

Commenting on the new brand ambassadors, Kishan Jain, Director at Goldmedal Electricals said, “We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Saif and Jacqueline to the Goldmedal family. Our focus has always been on innovation, design, and uncompromising quality. Saif Ali Khan and Jacqueline Fernandez, with their talent, stylish demeanour, iconic on-screen chemistry, and wide appeal, were an obvious choice to represent our brand.”

Commenting on the association, Saif Ali Khan said, “My association with Goldmedal goes way back and it is good to collaborate with them again. Goldmedal’s brand philosophy of innovation in design and performance is truly amazing and I am looking forward to working with the brand.”

Commenting on the collaboration, Jacqueline Fernandez said, “I am thrilled to collaborate with a brand like Goldmedal that has such an incredible line of products. To me, hi-tech products should be as stylish as they are functional and Goldmedal products perfectly aligned with that ideology. I am excited to work with Saif and the Goldmedal team.”

Saif Ali Khan and Jacqueline Fernandez will feature across Goldmedal brand and product communication in the form of advertisements on television, print, outdoor and social media.

ALSO READ: John Abraham teaches dance to Shilpa Shetty, Jacqueline Fernandez and Rakul Preet; watch

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Lee Minho and Gong Hyo Jin confirmed to star in new space romance comedy drama Ask The Stars

South Korean star Lee Minho will reportedly share screen with Gong Hyo Jin for an upcoming romanctic space comedy drama titled Ask The Stars.

According to Soompi, Ask The Stars will follow the story of an astronaut and a tourist who meet and fall in love at a space station. On March 28, it was confirmed that Lee Minho will play the lead role of Gong Ryong, a responsible OB-GYN (obstetrician-gynecologist) who arrives at the space station as a tourist. Gong Hyo Jin will transform into a Korean-American astronaut Eve Kim.

Currently slated to premiere in 2023, the upcoming romantic comedy is penned by writer Seo Sook Hyang and helmed by It’s Okay to Not Be Okay’s Park Shin Woo. Ask the Stars reportedly also has a massive filming budget with a filming set of a space station costing around 40 billion KRW (approximately 33.8 million USD), and is scheduled to begin filming in April.

Lee Minho is currently starring in the Apple TV+ original series Pachinko, based on the best-selling novel of the same name. Meanwhile, Gong Hyo Jin last appeared in the smash hit drama When the Camellia Blooms. The new drama will mark the first project together for the two stars.

Also Read: EXCLUSIVE: Pachinko actor Lee Minho – “I tried to just immerse myself in Hansu’s emotions and feelings”

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Vidyut Jammwal to star in and as Sher Singh Raana directed by Shree Narrayan Singh and produced by Vinod Bhanushali

After conquering the action genre, Vidyut Jammwal is all set to step into the shoes of Sher Singh Raana in his very first biopic, directed by Shree Narrayan Singh and produced by Vinod Bhanushali. Sher Singh Raana will be the real story of an unreal man in this edge-of-the-seat thriller about a staunch Rajput who undertook the most dangerous journey of bringing back the 800-year-old pride of India - the ashes of Prithviraj Chauhan. It is a story about a young man, who escaped the high-security Tihar jail not with violence but with mind tactics.

Excited to join the team of Sher Singh Raana, Vidyut Jammwal says, “Sher Singh Raana marks my first biopic. I think destiny connected the dots when the role of the fearless Sher Singh Raana came to me. I look forward to working with Vinod Bhanushali and Shree Narrayan Singh.”

Talking about the casting, director Shree Narrayan Singh says, “When you hear tales of Sher Singh Raana you know that his life and his experiences were filled with adventure and intrigue. While Vidyut has conquered the action space, in this film we see him take on a character he has never attempted before. It is about this man whose sole focus was to do something for his nation.”

It’s time to be #SherSinghRaana!#ShreeNarrayanSingh @vinodbhanu @ranashersingh17 @BSL_Films #MatargashtiFilms #KamleshBhanushali @vishalgurnani5 #VishalTyagi #MohmmedImranKhan @HitzMusicoff @abbassayyed771 pic.twitter.com/3USiobezdD

— Vidyut Jammwal (@VidyutJammwal) March 28, 2022

Talking about his collaboration with Vidyut Jammwal, producer Vinod Bhanushali says, “Sher Singh Raana will shed light on a story that created a stir in India years ago. Audiences will witness Vidyut in a never seen before character and the vision Shree will bring on screen is definitely going to be gripping.”

The biopic on Sher Singh Raana is produced by Vinod Bhanushali, Kamlesh Bhanushali & Vishal Gurnani of Bhanushali Studios Ltd and Vishal Tyagi & Mohammed Imran Khan of Matargashti Films.

ALSO READ: After the success of The Kashmir Files, Anupam Kher begins shooting for his 523rd film along with Vidyut Jammwal

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SCOOP: Akshay Kumar starrer Mission Cinderella to premiere on Disney+ Hotstar on April 29, 2022

Akshay Kumar, who was recently seen in Bachchhan Paandey, will next star in Mission Cinderella. He has already wrapped the film and it is set for direct-to-digital release. The film is the Hindi remake of the Tamil film Ratsasan. Reportedly, the film will see Akshay play the role of a cop. This is the first time that Akshay and Rakul Preet Singh will be seen sharing screen. The film is being produced by Jackky and Vashu Bhagnani. As the film is set to release on Disney+ Hotstar, we have a scoop.

According to the grapevine, "Mission Cinderella will arrive on Disney+ Hotstar in April 2022 and the makers have decided the release date. The film will be premiering directly on April 29, 2022. This marks Akshay Kumar's second film to hit the platform after Laxmmi."

The satellite and music rights too have been pre-sold and overall, the packaged deal of Mission Cinderella has fetched the producers an approximate profit of Rs 20 crore. "Mission Cinderella isn't exactly a big-screen spectacle that can get the audience on board in big numbers. Both Akshay and the producers know it. On the other hand, the overall budget including Akshay's acting fees was in the range of Rs 175 crore. While the producers did lose out on money in Bell Bottom, they didn't want a deja-vu and hence, after analysing all business models, they finally decided on a direct to digital premiere," the source earlier told Bollywood Hungama.

Ratsasan starred Vishnu Vishal, Amala Paul and Sarvanan. The film narrates the story of a psycho killer who makes young girls his victims and repeatedly escapes from the police.

ALSO READ: SCOOP: Akshay Kumar starrer Mission Cinderella sold to Hotstar for Rs. 135 crore; Direct to digital premiere for THIS reason

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Anupam Kher says Salman Khan called him up to congratulate for the success of The Kashmir Files

Vivek Agnihotri's directorial The Kashmir Files has taken the box-office by storm. The film which opened to limited screens and minimal promotions surprised everyone with its performance at the box office. The Kashmir Files narrates the story of the exodus of the Kashmiri Pandits during the Kashmir Insurgency stars Anupam Kher, Mithun Chakraborty, Darshan Kumaar, Pallavi Joshi, among others.

Several Hindi film celebrities, too, have praised the film. After Aamir Khan and Akshay Kumar, Salman Khan, too, has reportedly congratulated Anupam Kher on the success of the film. On Times Now Navbharat's Frankly Speaking, Kher spoke about the celebs who personally reached out to him after watching the film. But individually, I must say, Salman Khan called me the other day and congratulated me," he said.

Kher also spoke about the Hindi film industry's silence over the success of the film. The senior actor brushed it off saying that everyone was just surprised at the film's performance at the box office.

“As far as the Hindi film industry is concerned, I think they're too much in a shock. Aisa kabhi hua nahi hai. Whenever a shocking thing happens, it's a very very strange reaction. Like ab Sholay bani thi, yeh mujhe Ramesh Sippy ji ne khud bataya, toh pehle teen week chali hi nahi qki logon ko samajh nahi aaya ki Hindustan me aisi film bhi ban sakti hai. Pehle teen week, it was declared a flop, but then it became a cult film. Hum Aapke Hain Kaun, premiere huwa tha toh the industry was saying, 'Oh my God! Yeh kya banaya diya hai, yeh toh shaadi ka video hai'. But it turned out to be the biggest grosser," said the actor.

ALSO READ: Akshay Kumar praises Vivek Agnihotri’s The Kashmir Files- “The wave of the film has drowned my film Bachchhan Paandey as well”

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INOX Leisure Limited and PVR Limited announce merger

The Board of Directors of INOX Leisure Limited (INOX) and the Board of Directors of PVR Limited (PVR), at their respective meetings held today, have approved an all stock amalgamation of INOX with PVR. The amalgamation is subject to approval of the shareholders of INOX and PVR respectively, stock exchanges, SEBI and such other regulatory approvals as may be required. Upon obtaining all approvals, when the merger becomes effective, INOX will merge with PVR. Shareholders of INOX will receive shares of PVR in exchange of shares in INOX at the approved share exchange (“swap”) ratio.

Merger Terms
Post the merger, the promoters of INOX will become co-promoters in the merged entity along with the existing promoters of PVR. Upon effectiveness of the scheme, the Board of Directors of the merged company would be re-constituted with total board strength of 10 members and both the promoter families having equal representation on the Board with 2 board seats each. Pavan Kumar Jain would be appointed as the Non- Executive Chairman of the Board. Ajay Bijli would be appointed as the Managing Director and Sanjeev Kumar would be appointed as the Executive Director. Siddharth Jain would be appointed as Non-Executive Non-Independent Director in the combined entity. The combined entity will be named as PVR INOX Limited with branding of existing screens to continue as INOX and PVR respectively. New cinemas opened post the merger will be branded as PVR INOX.

Drushti Desai, Registered Valuer, Partner at Bansi S. Mehta & Co. and SSPA & Co Chartered Accountants, the Independent Valuers appointed by INOX and PVR respectively, have recommended a share exchange ratio, which has been accepted by the respective Boards. Ernst & Young Merchant Banking Services LLP provided the Fairness Opinion to INOX, while Axis Capital Limited provided a Fairness Opinion to PVR on the share exchange ratio. Accordingly, INOX shareholders will receive 3 shares of PVR for 10 shares of INOX.

Post the merger, INOX Promoters will have 16.66% stake while PVR Promoters will have 10.62% stake in the combined entity. Strategic rationale and benefits With INOX operating 675 screens across 160 properties in 72 cities and PVR currently operating 871 screens across 181 properties in 73 cities and, the combined entity will become the largest film exhibition company in India operating 1546 screens across 341 properties across 109 cities. The combination would augur well for the growth of the Indian cinema exhibition industry, besides
ensuring tremendous value creation for all stakeholders, including customers, real estate developers, content producers, technology service providers, the state exchequer and above all, the employees. With consumers at the core of the decision, the merger would focus on using the
strengths of both the organisations to provide an exceptional customer service and cinema experience to Indian moviegoers. While strongly countering the adversities posed by the advent of various OTT platforms and the after-effects of the pandemic, the combined entity would also
work towards taking world-class cinema experience closer to the consumers in Tier 2 and 3 markets.

Commenting on the announcement, Siddharth Jain, Director – INOX Leisure Ltd said, “Coming together of two iconic cinema brands, which are driven by passion, is certainly the most historic moment in the Indian cinema exhibition industry. Both companies have set high service benchmarks in an endeavor to offer the best cinema experience in the world, to the most passionate moviegoers, and would continue to do so as a unified entity. As we head into the industry’s revival amidst headwinds, this decisive partnership would bring in enhanced
productivity through scale, a deeper reach in newer markets and numerous cost optimization opportunities, and continue to delight cinema fans with world-class experiences and landmark innovations.”

Commenting on the announcement, Ajay Bijli, Chairman and Managing Director of PVR said – “This is a momentous occasion that brings together two companies with significantly complementary strengths. The partnership of these two brands will put consumer at the center of its vision and deliver an unparalleled movie going experience to them. The film exhibition sector has been one of the worst impacted sectors on account of the pandemic and creating scale to achieve efficiencies is critical for the long-term survival of the business and fight the
onslaught of digital OTT platforms.”

EY is the exclusive financial advisor on the transaction. Dhruva Advisors and Khaitan & Co acted as the transaction tax advisors and legal advisors respectively to INOX.

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