The dream run of tech giants in India could soon be over as the government has unveiled a new set of guidelines. Content will now be regulated. Dispute resolution will be swift and trouble-makers will not be protected. This is India's playbook to rein in big tech. It's a template that you will probably see more and more countries adopt.&nbsp;

The battles lines have been drawn after more than a decade of unchecked expansion. The walls are closing in on tech giants. The latest blow was dealt by India. New guidelines have been introduced. These tough ones will rein in the likes of Facebook and Twitter. Three months from now, the new digital regime will take effect.&nbsp;

it will make the Indian state, a stakeholder in content regulation. The full draft is yet to be released but a few provisions stand out.&nbsp;

First, the removal of objectionable content and complaints will have to be registered in 24 hours. Following which, there is a 15-day deadline for redressal but if the content is highly provocative or hurtful as it must be taken down in 24 hours.&nbsp;

These complaints will be compiled by a grievance officer, who must reside in India. All social media companies will have to produce a monthly compliance report. How many complaints were registered? In how many cases action was taken?&nbsp;

They can't protect the trouble-makers as well. If an Indian court or the government wants to trace content on social media, the companies will have to take names. Where did the objectionable content emerge? Which accounts amplified it? Information that they have always denied. Big tech does not have a fixed yardstick. In Europe and the US, they often submit to government scrutiny.&nbsp;

Elsewhere, they run riot, stealing private data and fuelling propaganda.&nbsp;

Ravi Shankar Prasad, law minister, India said, "Every social media platforms are welcome in India, but, with utmost respect, I would like to say that there shouldn't be double standards. If an attack is there on Capitol Hill in Congress, then social media supports the police action but if there's an aggressive attack on the Red Fort, the symbol of India's freedom where our Prime Minister hoists the National Flag, you have double standards. this is plainly unacceptable."&nbsp;

There are new rules for streaming services as well. They will be overseen by a self-regulatory body headed by a retired supreme court or high court judge.&nbsp;

The content will no longer be one size fits all. There will be five categories based on age, such as universal, aged 7+, 13+, 16+ and adult. There will be an exhaustive age verification process for adult content. &nbsp;

These guidelines are in a way unprecedented in most parts of the world. Social media is internet's wilderness, a land beyond laws. For years, tech giants have fought against checks but now the movement has gone global. Compliance is the only option. Facebook's reaction to the new guidelines says it all. "We have always been clear as a company that we welcome regulations that set guidelines for addressing today’s toughest challenges on the internet," it said.&nbsp;

India's new guidelines could become a global playbook. One thing's for sure, tech giants are no more the darlings of the internet but the question is can they avoid becoming its scourge?&nbsp;

The dream run of tech giants in India could soon be over as the government has unveiled a new set of guidelines. Content will now be regulated. Dispute resolution will be swift and trouble-makers will not be protected.

The dream run of tech giants in India could soon be over as the government has unveiled a new set of guidelines. Content will now be regulated. Dispute resolution will be swift and trouble-makers will not be protected. This is India's playbook to rein in big tech. It's a template that you will probably see more and more countries adopt. The battles lines have been drawn after more than a decade of unchecked expansion. The walls are closing in on tech giants. The latest blow was dealt by India. New guidelines have been introduced. These tough ones will rein in the likes of Facebook and Twitter. Three months from now, the new digital regime will take effect. it will make the Indian state, a stakeholder in content regulation. The full draft is yet to be released but a few provisions stand out. First, the removal of objectionable content and complaints will have to be registered in 24 hours. Following which, there is a 15-day deadline for redressal but if the content is highly provocative or hurtful as it must be taken down in 24 hours. These complaints will be compiled by a grievance officer, who must reside in India. All social media companies will have to produce a monthly compliance report. How many complaints were registered? In how many cases action was taken? They can't protect the trouble-makers as well. If an Indian court or the government wants to trace content on social media, the companies will have to take names. Where did the objectionable content emerge? Which accounts amplified it? Information that they have always denied. Big tech does not have a fixed yardstick. In Europe and the US, they often submit to government scrutiny. Elsewhere, they run riot, stealing private data and fuelling propaganda. Ravi Shankar Prasad, law minister, India said, "Every social media platforms are welcome in India, but, with utmost respect, I would like to say that there shouldn't be double standards. If an attack is there on Capitol Hill in Congress, then social media supports the police action but if there's an aggressive attack on the Red Fort, the symbol of India's freedom where our Prime Minister hoists the National Flag, you have double standards. this is plainly unacceptable." There are new rules for streaming services as well. They will be overseen by a self-regulatory body headed by a retired supreme court or high court judge. The content will no longer be one size fits all. There will be five categories based on age, such as universal, aged 7+, 13+, 16+ and adult. There will be an exhaustive age verification process for adult content. These guidelines are in a way unprecedented in most parts of the world. Social media is internet's wilderness, a land beyond laws. For years, tech giants have fought against checks but now the movement has gone global. Compliance is the only option. Facebook's reaction to the new guidelines says it all. "We have always been clear as a company that we welcome regulations that set guidelines for addressing today’s toughest challenges on the internet," it said. India's new guidelines could become a global playbook. One thing's for sure, tech giants are no more the darlings of the internet but the question is can they avoid becoming its scourge?

India's new guidelines could become a global playbook 

Indian government on Thursday announced new guidelines aimed at curbing misuse of social media and covered OTT platforms. The prominent feature of these guidelines was government's direction to platforms to appoint grievance mechanisms and for them to disclose first originator of mischievous information. The rules also asked the platforms to remove content depicting nudity or morphed pictures of women after receiving complaints and following procedures set up by the grievance redressal mechanism.

The rules were laid out in a press conference addressed by Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar and Electronics and Information Technology Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad.&nbsp;

Both the ministers said that the guidelines were prepared after widespread consultations.

Prasad said that social media intermediaries will be categorised into two categories

1. Intermediaries 
2. Significant social media intermediaries

Prasad said that the classification has been done based on number of users and that the government will soon notify the exact number of users based on which the classification will be done. Significant social media intermediaries will have greater obligations.

As per the new rules, social media intermediaries have to appoint a grievance officer, who shall register complaints in 24 hours. The grievance redressal official must be resident in India, and monthly compliance reports will have to be filed by social media platforms.

Social media platforms on being asked by court or government will be required to disclose the first originator of the mischievous information.

Significant social media intermediaries will have to appoint a chief compliance officer in India. In addition to this, the platform will be required to have nodal contact person-resident in India-for coordination with law enforcement agencies, and have resident grievance officer for grievance redressal

"If there are complaints against dignity of users, particularly women - expose private parts of individuals or nudity or sexual act or impersonation etc - you'll be required to remove that within 24 hrs after complaint made. This is designed to respect dignity of women," said Ravi Shankar Prasad

"The laws made for significant social media will be implemented within 3 months so that they can improve their mechanism. The rest will come into effect from the day the rules are notified," he said.

During his address, Prasad said that every social media platform was "welcome" in India but added that there should not be "double standards"

"...If attack takes place on Capitol Hill, then social media&nbsp;supports police action but if there's aggressive attack on Red Fort, then you've double standards. This is plainly not acceptable," he said.

He also said that social media platforms should have provision for a "voluntary verification mechanism of the users"

'3-stair mechanism for OTT platforms'

I&amp;B Minister Prakash Javadekar spoke about mechanism for OTT platforms.

"We have decided to have a 3-stair mechanism for OTT platforms. OTT and digital news media will have to disclose their details. We are not mandating registration, we are seeking information," he said

"There should be a grievance redressal system in OTT platforms and digital portals. OTT platforms will have to have a self-regulating body, headed by retired Supreme Court or High Court judge or very eminent person in this category"

Javadekar made a case for self-classification of content on OTT platforms

"For OTT, there should be self-classification of content -- 13+, 16+ and A categories. There has to be a mechanism of parental lock and ensuring compliance that children don't see that," he said.

(With inputs from ANI and PTI)

Indian government on Thursday announced new guidelines aimed at curbing misuse of social media and covered OTT platforms. The prominent feature of these guidelines was government's direction to platforms to appoint grievance mechanisms and for them to disclose first originator of mischievous information.

Indian government on Thursday announced new guidelines aimed at curbing misuse of social media and covered OTT platforms. The prominent feature of these guidelines was government's direction to platforms to appoint grievance mechanisms and for them to disclose first originator of mischievous information. The rules also asked the platforms to remove content depicting nudity or morphed pictures of women after receiving complaints and following procedures set up by the grievance redressal mechanism. The rules were laid out in a press conference addressed by Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar and Electronics and Information Technology Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad. Both the ministers said that the guidelines were prepared after widespread consultations. Prasad said that social media intermediaries will be categorised into two categories 1. Intermediaries 2. Significant social media intermediaries Prasad said that the classification has been done based on number of users and that the government will soon notify the exact number of users based on which the classification will be done. Significant social media intermediaries will have greater obligations. As per the new rules, social media intermediaries have to appoint a grievance officer, who shall register complaints in 24 hours. The grievance redressal official must be resident in India, and monthly compliance reports will have to be filed by social media platforms. Social media platforms on being asked by court or government will be required to disclose the first originator of the mischievous information. Significant social media intermediaries will have to appoint a chief compliance officer in India. In addition to this, the platform will be required to have nodal contact person-resident in India-for coordination with law enforcement agencies, and have resident grievance officer for grievance redressal "If there are complaints against dignity of users, particularly women - expose private parts of individuals or nudity or sexual act or impersonation etc - you'll be required to remove that within 24 hrs after complaint made. This is designed to respect dignity of women," said Ravi Shankar Prasad "The laws made for significant social media will be implemented within 3 months so that they can improve their mechanism. The rest will come into effect from the day the rules are notified," he said. During his address, Prasad said that every social media platform was "welcome" in India but added that there should not be "double standards" "...If attack takes place on Capitol Hill, then social media supports police action but if there's aggressive attack on Red Fort, then you've double standards. This is plainly not acceptable," he said. He also said that social media platforms should have provision for a "voluntary verification mechanism of the users" '3-stair mechanism for OTT platforms' I&B Minister Prakash Javadekar spoke about mechanism for OTT platforms. "We have decided to have a 3-stair mechanism for OTT platforms. OTT and digital news media will have to disclose their details. We are not mandating registration, we are seeking information," he said "There should be a grievance redressal system in OTT platforms and digital portals. OTT platforms will have to have a self-regulating body, headed by retired Supreme Court or High Court judge or very eminent person in this category" Javadekar made a case for self-classification of content on OTT platforms "For OTT, there should be self-classification of content -- 13+, 16+ and A categories. There has to be a mechanism of parental lock and ensuring compliance that children don't see that," he said. (With inputs from ANI and PTI)

India announces new guidelines for social media, OTT platforms

Out of sight, out of mind is a term we only know too well. Human memory is dangerously short &amp; in today’s nano-second times, when the here n’ now rules and impatience, impulsiveness &amp; promiscuity is the name of the game, this adage takes on ominous dimensions. &nbsp;

The nine-month closure of theatres &amp; releases, now slowly limping back but with pandemic still around and vaccine entering the frame with hope &amp; relief, presents a whole new Hitchcock-ian screenplay. &nbsp;In this sanitised world, fear, confusion and uncertainty reigns. Also, second and even third thoughts about entering movie theatres plague movie-junkies. &nbsp;

The nine-month interval however had one dramatic fallout; It allowed OTT, the streaming platform to usurp this space, offering sensationally varied, quality content that can be comfortably and securely enjoyed in the comforts of their home! &nbsp;For the traditional fans of the Bollywood-manufactured masala, this template started out by appearing to be weirdly different.&nbsp;

No high-pitched razzle-dazzle, dance, romance, glamour, tension, dialogue-baazi ignited by sexy, larger-than-life stars ... but soon [due to a lack of option, curiosity &amp; conditioning] and after a longish session of hide n’ seek, the OTT menu grew addictive. &nbsp;Over time, the Bollywood product seemed to move into soft focus, with fresh and absorbing OTT content slowly romancing their mind. [When was the last time you heard anyone excitedly recount or discuss mainstream films or stars?] Sure the media is warming up to usher their comeback – SRK’s Pathan heading the list – but isn’t the old hysteria missing?

Has OTT and their fantastically gifted actors converted a substantial section of the viewers in terms of sensibilities, taste &amp; quality control? Has this period unlocked a new side for audiences bred and buttered on cheap thrills, cardboard cut-out stars &amp; armpit rhetoric designed for instant gratification? &nbsp;Do all of this translate to the end of the blissed-out honeymoon of the superstars affair with their bhakts? Is this new and exciting version of David versus Goliath the latest show in town?

Tempting as it is to be carried away with the OTT-wave, perspective is the need of the day. &nbsp;Can stars really be so easily forgotten or relegated to the background after forever inhabiting the hearts and minds of the masses?&nbsp;

Remember, wherever films are made, stars are made too. &nbsp;Stardom is the characteristic of film industries, the world over. &nbsp;Unlike European and our regional films, which have a long tradition of expressing the viewpoints of their individual makers, Bollywood – like Hollywood – is totally star-driven. &nbsp;

They are the direct/indirect reflection of the needs, drives, dreams of the masses. &nbsp;In the darkened hall of a movie theatre, where wilful suspension of disbelief rules, stars seduce fans to participate in a collective experience that has more in common with tribal worship, myth and primitive magic.&nbsp;

No wonder, hardened film critic Anupama Chopra was once inspired to confess that “despite my long stint as a journo &amp; critic, I haven’t been able to be immune to their magical charms, their amazing ability to imbue inane scripts with heft, their innate talent for fuelling the fantasies of billions of people and their magical power to always provide hope. &nbsp;

Life may be nasty, brutish and short, but we can forever find comfort in the soothing image of SRK’s sexy wide-spread arms, Salman’s flamboyant bhai-giri, Aamir’s charming humour &amp; affection to find our own moral centre. Stars are a source of beauty, pleasure &amp; joy ... and totally irresistible. &nbsp;We in India enjoy a uniquely reverential, unthreatening but obsessive and overblown relationship with stars that remain totally unapologetic!”

So, as the clash between stars and actors is all set to zoom centre-stage very soon, the battle-lines will be drawn between the loyalists &amp; the converts. Will the amazing Pankaj Tripathi and his gifted co-actors or Criminal Justice, Sir, Patal Lok, Kagaz, Panchayat, Family Man or Bandish Bandits be able to match the fire power of the mighty Khans, Ajay, Akshay, Ranveer, Ranbir or the to-die-for wet dreams like Kat Kaif, Priyanka Chopra, Deepika Padukone?&nbsp;

As emotional responses go, stardom unleashes a different kind of fervour from the ones that greet actors. Actors invite respect and admiration. &nbsp;Stars attract craze and madness!

Furthermore, the star opens up doors to advantages galore. Stars have tangible features which can be advertised and marketed – face, body, voice, a certain kind of presence – and can be easily typed: Hero, Heroine, Comedian, Villain, Sexy Siren, Sweetie Pie, Neurotic, etc. The system provides a formula easy to understand and the use of this formula serves to protect Production House biggies from having to pay attention to such intangibles as the quality of the story or acting.&nbsp;

Here is a standardised product which the Bankers &amp; the Trade can easily connect with and regard as insurance for profits. &nbsp;

The Big Banners can then promise the junta of a SRK, Salman, Aamir, Akshay, Ajay, Hrithik, Ranveer, Ranbir, Deepika, Priyanka, Katrina starrer which traditionally spell profit. Star Power in action! Dramatically opposed to this perspective is a view presented by the legendary Marlon Brando.&nbsp;

“The idea is to be real, not to try and act out an emotion that you don’t feel or experience during the performance. Mostly, one has the popular and successful Personality Actors, totally predictable with manners well-loved. Acting is supposed to be a calling redolent with magic and mystique, a leap into the unknown, a voyage of discovery. It’s not about easy-to-digest junk food that guarantees inane feel-good smiles”.&nbsp;

Famous French Director Roger Vadim is up next. “Actors need gardeners more than professors. &nbsp;They are flowers that need to be watered, not cut. Actors, at the end of the day, don’t fantasise about the yellow brick road in the Wizard of Oz. &nbsp;Actors, like fire, are not meant to be hoarded, but spent!” 
&nbsp;&nbsp; 
So the question is: In this more mature environment, will cinema race past movies? &nbsp;Will content defeat glamour? &nbsp;Will realism confront escapism? Will actors challenge stars?

The heat is on and your time starts now!

Out of sight, out of mind is a term we only know too well. Human memory is dangerously short & in today’s nano-second times, when the here n’ now rules and impatience, impulsiveness & promiscuity is the name of the game, this adage takes on ominous dimensions.

Out of sight, out of mind is a term we only know too well. Human memory is dangerously short & in today’s nano-second times, when the here n’ now rules and impatience, impulsiveness & promiscuity is the name of the game, this adage takes on ominous dimensions. The nine-month closure of theatres & releases, now slowly limping back but with pandemic still around and vaccine entering the frame with hope & relief, presents a whole new Hitchcock-ian screenplay. In this sanitised world, fear, confusion and uncertainty reigns. Also, second and even third thoughts about entering movie theatres plague movie-junkies. The nine-month interval however had one dramatic fallout; It allowed OTT, the streaming platform to usurp this space, offering sensationally varied, quality content that can be comfortably and securely enjoyed in the comforts of their home! For the traditional fans of the Bollywood-manufactured masala, this template started out by appearing to be weirdly different. No high-pitched razzle-dazzle, dance, romance, glamour, tension, dialogue-baazi ignited by sexy, larger-than-life stars ... but soon [due to a lack of option, curiosity & conditioning] and after a longish session of hide n’ seek, the OTT menu grew addictive. Over time, the Bollywood product seemed to move into soft focus, with fresh and absorbing OTT content slowly romancing their mind. [When was the last time you heard anyone excitedly recount or discuss mainstream films or stars?] Sure the media is warming up to usher their comeback – SRK’s Pathan heading the list – but isn’t the old hysteria missing? Has OTT and their fantastically gifted actors converted a substantial section of the viewers in terms of sensibilities, taste & quality control? Has this period unlocked a new side for audiences bred and buttered on cheap thrills, cardboard cut-out stars & armpit rhetoric designed for instant gratification? Do all of this translate to the end of the blissed-out honeymoon of the superstars affair with their bhakts? Is this new and exciting version of David versus Goliath the latest show in town? Tempting as it is to be carried away with the OTT-wave, perspective is the need of the day. Can stars really be so easily forgotten or relegated to the background after forever inhabiting the hearts and minds of the masses? Remember, wherever films are made, stars are made too. Stardom is the characteristic of film industries, the world over. Unlike European and our regional films, which have a long tradition of expressing the viewpoints of their individual makers, Bollywood – like Hollywood – is totally star-driven. They are the direct/indirect reflection of the needs, drives, dreams of the masses. In the darkened hall of a movie theatre, where wilful suspension of disbelief rules, stars seduce fans to participate in a collective experience that has more in common with tribal worship, myth and primitive magic. No wonder, hardened film critic Anupama Chopra was once inspired to confess that “despite my long stint as a journo & critic, I haven’t been able to be immune to their magical charms, their amazing ability to imbue inane scripts with heft, their innate talent for fuelling the fantasies of billions of people and their magical power to always provide hope. Life may be nasty, brutish and short, but we can forever find comfort in the soothing image of SRK’s sexy wide-spread arms, Salman’s flamboyant bhai-giri, Aamir’s charming humour & affection to find our own moral centre. Stars are a source of beauty, pleasure & joy ... and totally irresistible. We in India enjoy a uniquely reverential, unthreatening but obsessive and overblown relationship with stars that remain totally unapologetic!” So, as the clash between stars and actors is all set to zoom centre-stage very soon, the battle-lines will be drawn between the loyalists & the converts. Will the amazing Pankaj Tripathi and his gifted co-actors or Criminal Justice, Sir, Patal Lok, Kagaz, Panchayat, Family Man or Bandish Bandits be able to match the fire power of the mighty Khans, Ajay, Akshay, Ranveer, Ranbir or the to-die-for wet dreams like Kat Kaif, Priyanka Chopra, Deepika Padukone? As emotional responses go, stardom unleashes a different kind of fervour from the ones that greet actors. Actors invite respect and admiration. Stars attract craze and madness! Furthermore, the star opens up doors to advantages galore. Stars have tangible features which can be advertised and marketed – face, body, voice, a certain kind of presence – and can be easily typed: Hero, Heroine, Comedian, Villain, Sexy Siren, Sweetie Pie, Neurotic, etc. The system provides a formula easy to understand and the use of this formula serves to protect Production House biggies from having to pay attention to such intangibles as the quality of the story or acting. Here is a standardised product which the Bankers & the Trade can easily connect with and regard as insurance for profits. The Big Banners can then promise the junta of a SRK, Salman, Aamir, Akshay, Ajay, Hrithik, Ranveer, Ranbir, Deepika, Priyanka, Katrina starrer which traditionally spell profit. Star Power in action! Dramatically opposed to this perspective is a view presented by the legendary Marlon Brando. “The idea is to be real, not to try and act out an emotion that you don’t feel or experience during the performance. Mostly, one has the popular and successful Personality Actors, totally predictable with manners well-loved. Acting is supposed to be a calling redolent with magic and mystique, a leap into the unknown, a voyage of discovery. It’s not about easy-to-digest junk food that guarantees inane feel-good smiles”. Famous French Director Roger Vadim is up next. “Actors need gardeners more than professors. They are flowers that need to be watered, not cut. Actors, at the end of the day, don’t fantasise about the yellow brick road in the Wizard of Oz. Actors, like fire, are not meant to be hoarded, but spent!” So the question is: In this more mature environment, will cinema race past movies? Will content defeat glamour? Will realism confront escapism? Will actors challenge stars? The heat is on and your time starts now!

Opinion: Is 2021 the year of Actor vs Star showdown?

Fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe have been eagerly awaiting the next phase - officially known as Phase 4 - ever since the culmination of previous movies in the franchise in 'Avengers: Endgame'.

"It’s going to be freaky" - 'WandaVision' breaks mold of MCU

Netflix has big plans for 2021. The streamer says it will debut 71 films this year, which averages out to at least one per week.

Netflix vows to release a new movie every week in 2021

With the changing cinema landscape amid the coronavirus pandemic, director Patty Jenkins says it is "questionable" whether a third film in the "Wonder Woman" franchise will be made following Warner Bros' decision to opt for a theatrical-and-digital model to release its films. 
 
Earlier this month, Warner Bros, the studio behind DC's "Wonder Woman" movies, announced a "unique one-year plan" as a strategic response to the impact of the pandemic, particularly in the US, where its entire slate of films for the year 2021 will be released both theatrically and on its streamer HBO Max. 
 
Gal Gadot-starrer "Wonder Woman 1984", a sequel to 2017 blockbuster "Wonder Woman", will debut on HBO Max as well as movie theatres on Christmas in the US. 
 
Jenkins, who also directed the original, said she would love to come back for a third installment only when Warner Bros "goes back to being a full theatrical studio". 
 
"Before the pandemic, the world would have gone along. We probably would have even made a deal for 'Wonder Woman 3' and figured out when and how I could fit that into my schedule. 
 
"Now it all really is much more questionable whether we will do it at all and how we will do it. So, that's going to be an interesting thing. I would still love to do it but only (if) Warner Bros goes back to being a full theatrical studio," the director told PTI in an exclusive telephonic interview from Los Angeles. 
 
Like all industries, entertainment too bore the brunt of the health crisis with productions halting and theatres shut earlier this year everywhere. Many studios postponed the releases, went the digital way or took the hybrid route of virtual-and-selected theatrical screenings, like "Wonder Woman 1984". 
 
Asked if the pandemic had altered the cinema experience, Jenkins said COVID-19 has been a "nail in the coffin of things that some people wanted to change". 
 
"However, I don't think this is a done deal. People love the theatrical experience and I feel like there's going to be an interesting backlash from a lot of artistes in the filmmaking community, including myself, to just changing things for the sake of it. A lot of us are going to fight pretty hard to go back to the theatrical experience only when this is over," she added. 
 
Directors Christopher Nolan, whose latest movie "Tenet" was released by Warner Bros in theatres, and Denis Villeneuve, whose upcoming "Dune" is among 17 films that are set to be available both theatrically and on the streamer, have criticised the studio for the decision. 
 
This line-up that Warner Bros plans to release in 2021 will be available to HBO Max subscribers for 31 days in the US. After the one-month mark, the films will only play in theatres. 
 
The studio had originally dated Villeneuve's "Dune", which is an official adaptation of author Frank Herbert's classic 1965 novel, for December 18 this year but the pandemic forced it to postpone the release to October 1, 2021. 
 
Other big-budget tentpoles that are part of the studio's list are "The Suicide Squad", monster movie "Godzilla vs Kong", and Keanu Reeves-starrer "The Matrix 4". 
 
Meanwhile, "Wonder Woman 1984" is slated to be released in Indian theatres by Warner Bros on December 24 in English, Hindi, Tamil and Telugu. It also stars Kristen Wiig, Pedro Pascal, Chris Pine, Robin Wright and Connie Nielson. 
 
Presented by Warner Bros Pictures, the film is an Atlas Entertainment/Stone Quarry Production.&nbsp;

With the changing cinema landscape amid the coronavirus pandemic, director Patty Jenkins says it is "questionable" whether a third film in the "Wonder Woman" franchise will be made following Warner Bros' decision to opt for a theatrical-and-digital model to release its films.

With the changing cinema landscape amid the coronavirus pandemic, director Patty Jenkins says it is "questionable" whether a third film in the "Wonder Woman" franchise will be made following Warner Bros' decision to opt for a theatrical-and-digital model to release its films. Earlier this month, Warner Bros, the studio behind DC's "Wonder Woman" movies, announced a "unique one-year plan" as a strategic response to the impact of the pandemic, particularly in the US, where its entire slate of films for the year 2021 will be released both theatrically and on its streamer HBO Max. Gal Gadot-starrer "Wonder Woman 1984", a sequel to 2017 blockbuster "Wonder Woman", will debut on HBO Max as well as movie theatres on Christmas in the US. Jenkins, who also directed the original, said she would love to come back for a third installment only when Warner Bros "goes back to being a full theatrical studio". "Before the pandemic, the world would have gone along. We probably would have even made a deal for 'Wonder Woman 3' and figured out when and how I could fit that into my schedule. "Now it all really is much more questionable whether we will do it at all and how we will do it. So, that's going to be an interesting thing. I would still love to do it but only (if) Warner Bros goes back to being a full theatrical studio," the director told PTI in an exclusive telephonic interview from Los Angeles. Like all industries, entertainment too bore the brunt of the health crisis with productions halting and theatres shut earlier this year everywhere. Many studios postponed the releases, went the digital way or took the hybrid route of virtual-and-selected theatrical screenings, like "Wonder Woman 1984". Asked if the pandemic had altered the cinema experience, Jenkins said COVID-19 has been a "nail in the coffin of things that some people wanted to change". "However, I don't think this is a done deal. People love the theatrical experience and I feel like there's going to be an interesting backlash from a lot of artistes in the filmmaking community, including myself, to just changing things for the sake of it. A lot of us are going to fight pretty hard to go back to the theatrical experience only when this is over," she added. Directors Christopher Nolan, whose latest movie "Tenet" was released by Warner Bros in theatres, and Denis Villeneuve, whose upcoming "Dune" is among 17 films that are set to be available both theatrically and on the streamer, have criticised the studio for the decision. This line-up that Warner Bros plans to release in 2021 will be available to HBO Max subscribers for 31 days in the US. After the one-month mark, the films will only play in theatres. The studio had originally dated Villeneuve's "Dune", which is an official adaptation of author Frank Herbert's classic 1965 novel, for December 18 this year but the pandemic forced it to postpone the release to October 1, 2021. Other big-budget tentpoles that are part of the studio's list are "The Suicide Squad", monster movie "Godzilla vs Kong", and Keanu Reeves-starrer "The Matrix 4". Meanwhile, "Wonder Woman 1984" is slated to be released in Indian theatres by Warner Bros on December 24 in English, Hindi, Tamil and Telugu. It also stars Kristen Wiig, Pedro Pascal, Chris Pine, Robin Wright and Connie Nielson. Presented by Warner Bros Pictures, the film is an Atlas Entertainment/Stone Quarry Production.

Patty Jenkins on 'Wonder Woman 3' future: Much more questionable whether we will do it at all and how

After five gruelling days of presentations, zoom and conference calls, it’s time for the two most-eagerly awaiting days – Saturday and Sunday. After all, that’s when we binge the planned, newest series and movies in order to unwind. If you’re looking to watch something new this coming weekend, how about something different like docuseries?&nbsp;&nbsp;They’re as real as you could possibly expect with each one of them being as engrossing as ever, chances of you getting up from your couch are absolutely nil.&nbsp;So without any further ado, here are five&nbsp;docuseries that will be motivating and surely make you feel high and good.&nbsp;

1) Cricket Fever: Mumbai Indians (Netflix) 
 
 
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hqJQf014paE" width="560"></iframe> 
This series is a sneak peek into what goes behind the making of the current IPL champions that is the Mumbai Indians. The docuseries takes us back to the 2018 season where the defending champions faced a season full of ups and downs. Spanning 8 engrossing seasons, we saw how team owner Nita and Akash Ambani treat the team filled with talent aplenty like their family and motivate them to give it their best shot. Watching a completely different side to household names such as Rohit Sharma, Kieran Pollard, the Pandya brothers makes you respect these cricketing icons even more after this fascinating watch.

2) Sons of Soil: Jaipur Pink Panthers (Amazon Prime Video) 
 
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hqJQf014paE" width="560"></iframe> This docu-series is unique. It truly focuses on a sport which has taken birth from the mitti, Kabaddi. After the IPL, premier leagues started happening for football and kabaddi to create an awareness about these sports and rekindle the passion one has for them. This series is releasing on the 4th of December exclusively on Amazon Prime Video. Jaipur Pink Panthers is a kabaddi team owned by Abhishek Bachchan. This series has all of it right from team practice sessions and meetings, fights, and the gripping sport that has fascinated each one of us.. It showcases the state of Indian Players who are not a part of mainstream sport and their struggles. This series also sheds light on Abhishek Bachchan as an owner, an influential person who seems to overturn his side’s poor form and motivate them towards victory.&nbsp;

3) Roar of the Lion (Disney+Hotstar) 
 
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/T7mDgE3qFBM" width="560"></iframe> If a team wins, it wins together. If it falls, it will fall together. Produced by Kabir Khan, Road of the Lion talks about Chennai Super Kings and the hurdles they had to face as a team. With some members of the team accused of match-fixing, CSK had to face a two-year ban from the IPL. This series talks about the emotional downfall and accusations players like MS Dhoni, Ravindra Jadeja, Shane Watson, Suresh Raina, amongst others, had to face. It’s a story of how they coped up with the accusations and how they came back in IPL in 2018 to win.&nbsp;

4) Kashmir The Story (Amazon Prime Video) 
 
This digital docu-series offers a captivating perspective on the strife-ridden regions in the Kashmir valley This fact-based docuseries made an honest attempt to showcase life in the valley as it is without any tampering. Here is a series that will surely give you chills down the spine as you watch the story of one of the most beautiful places on earth that have been ravaged by war and conflict.

5) Period. End of Sentence. (Netflix) 
 
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Lrm2pD0qofM" width="560"></iframe> 
 
This docuseries is an eye-opener for many of us who take personal hygiene and menstrual tools like pads, tampons for granted. There are so many women in across the length and breadth of the country who are unaware of the W’s of periods. Why do they happen, When do they start and stop? What should be done to maintain hygiene during those times? It will make you conscious that a strong taboo and stigma is attached to periods. People don’t like to talk about it, be aware and make others aware. This illiteracy and shame have taken up many serious health complications in women. This documentary is a tool to make people aware of periods and how important it is to address it.&nbsp;

After five gruelling days of presentations, zoom and conference calls, it’s time for the two most-eagerly awaiting days – Saturday and Sunday. After all, that’s when we binge the planned, newest series and movies in order to unwind.

After five gruelling days of presentations, zoom and conference calls, it’s time for the two most-eagerly awaiting days – Saturday and Sunday. After all, that’s when we binge the planned, newest series and movies in order to unwind. If you’re looking to watch something new this coming weekend, how about something different like docuseries? They’re as real as you could possibly expect with each one of them being as engrossing as ever, chances of you getting up from your couch are absolutely nil. So without any further ado, here are five docuseries that will be motivating and surely make you feel high and good. 1) Cricket Fever: Mumbai Indians (Netflix) This series is a sneak peek into what goes behind the making of the current IPL champions that is the Mumbai Indians. The docuseries takes us back to the 2018 season where the defending champions faced a season full of ups and downs. Spanning 8 engrossing seasons, we saw how team owner Nita and Akash Ambani treat the team filled with talent aplenty like their family and motivate them to give it their best shot. Watching a completely different side to household names such as Rohit Sharma, Kieran Pollard, the Pandya brothers makes you respect these cricketing icons even more after this fascinating watch. 2) Sons of Soil: Jaipur Pink Panthers (Amazon Prime Video) This docu-series is unique. It truly focuses on a sport which has taken birth from the mitti, Kabaddi. After the IPL, premier leagues started happening for football and kabaddi to create an awareness about these sports and rekindle the passion one has for them. This series is releasing on the 4th of December exclusively on Amazon Prime Video. Jaipur Pink Panthers is a kabaddi team owned by Abhishek Bachchan. This series has all of it right from team practice sessions and meetings, fights, and the gripping sport that has fascinated each one of us.. It showcases the state of Indian Players who are not a part of mainstream sport and their struggles. This series also sheds light on Abhishek Bachchan as an owner, an influential person who seems to overturn his side’s poor form and motivate them towards victory. 3) Roar of the Lion (Disney+Hotstar) If a team wins, it wins together. If it falls, it will fall together. Produced by Kabir Khan, Road of the Lion talks about Chennai Super Kings and the hurdles they had to face as a team. With some members of the team accused of match-fixing, CSK had to face a two-year ban from the IPL. This series talks about the emotional downfall and accusations players like MS Dhoni, Ravindra Jadeja, Shane Watson, Suresh Raina, amongst others, had to face. It’s a story of how they coped up with the accusations and how they came back in IPL in 2018 to win. 4) Kashmir The Story (Amazon Prime Video) This digital docu-series offers a captivating perspective on the strife-ridden regions in the Kashmir valley This fact-based docuseries made an honest attempt to showcase life in the valley as it is without any tampering. Here is a series that will surely give you chills down the spine as you watch the story of one of the most beautiful places on earth that have been ravaged by war and conflict. 5) Period. End of Sentence. (Netflix) This docuseries is an eye-opener for many of us who take personal hygiene and menstrual tools like pads, tampons for granted. There are so many women in across the length and breadth of the country who are unaware of the W’s of periods. Why do they happen, When do they start and stop? What should be done to maintain hygiene during those times? It will make you conscious that a strong taboo and stigma is attached to periods. People don’t like to talk about it, be aware and make others aware. This illiteracy and shame have taken up many serious health complications in women. This documentary is a tool to make people aware of periods and how important it is to address it.

Cricket Fever to Sons of Soil: 5 docuseries to watch on OTT platforms

Lucasfilm has teamed up with Lego to create a new holiday special titled 'The Lego Star Wars Holiday Special'. It pokes fun at the original while carrying on the story from 'Star Wars Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker'.

Star Wars teams up with Lego to create new holiday special

Disney+ has dropped the first trailer for 'WandaVision', the first look at the television spin-offs of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).

Disney+ drops first trailer for Avengers spin-off TV show 'WandaVision'

Akshay Kumar's 'Sooryavanshi' and Ranveer Singh's '83' are the two high-budget films that are still waiting for a theatrical release, but looking at the COVID-19 situation, looks like the theatrical release will not happen any time soon.

In a recent interview with a news agency Reliance Entertainment CEO Shibasish Sarkar has opened about the movie release and said, ''We are 100% inclined to take theatrical route. However, at the same time, we don't want to delay the release further than practically possible. That means we will not like to push release dates beyond Diwali / Christmas. So the first option is to go theatrical if cinemas open up and audiences are back''. &nbsp;'Sooryavanshi' was originally scheduled to release on March 24, while '83' was set to hit the cinema houses on April 10. 
 
By further talking, he said, "We are looking at the possibility of releasing Rohit Shetty’s 'Sooryavanshi' and Kabir Khan’s '83' on the digital platform. If either cinema halls don't open or corona impact increases many folds and audiences are not coming.&nbsp;or in some states theatres open and some states they won't in those scenarios, we will have to explore all options.&nbsp;Either pure SVOD (video on demand) routes or TVOD/PPV (pay per view)'' 
 
''Basically, we will not like to shift release date further…. and ideally, look for theatrical or any other hybrid measure for the best possible release.'' Both of the films are produced by Reliance Entertainment.&nbsp; 
 
Other films that changed their way due to the pandemic are: 'Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl', 'Dil Bechara', 'Sadak 2', and Akshay starrer 'Laxmmi Bomb' will&nbsp;also release on the digital screens soon

Akshay Kumar's 'Sooryavanshi' and Ranveer Singh's '83' are the two high-budget films that are still waiting for a theatrical release, but looking at the COVID-19 situation, looks like the theatrical release will not happen any time soon.

Akshay Kumar's 'Sooryavanshi' and Ranveer Singh's '83' are the two high-budget films that are still waiting for a theatrical release, but looking at the COVID-19 situation, looks like the theatrical release will not happen any time soon. In a recent interview with a news agency Reliance Entertainment CEO Shibasish Sarkar has opened about the movie release and said, ''We are 100% inclined to take theatrical route. However, at the same time, we don't want to delay the release further than practically possible. That means we will not like to push release dates beyond Diwali / Christmas. So the first option is to go theatrical if cinemas open up and audiences are back''. 'Sooryavanshi' was originally scheduled to release on March 24, while '83' was set to hit the cinema houses on April 10. By further talking, he said, "We are looking at the possibility of releasing Rohit Shetty’s 'Sooryavanshi' and Kabir Khan’s '83' on the digital platform. If either cinema halls don't open or corona impact increases many folds and audiences are not coming. or in some states theatres open and some states they won't in those scenarios, we will have to explore all options. Either pure SVOD (video on demand) routes or TVOD/PPV (pay per view)'' ''Basically, we will not like to shift release date further…. and ideally, look for theatrical or any other hybrid measure for the best possible release.'' Both of the films are produced by Reliance Entertainment. Other films that changed their way due to the pandemic are: 'Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl', 'Dil Bechara', 'Sadak 2', and Akshay starrer 'Laxmmi Bomb' will also release on the digital screens soon

Akshay Kumar's 'Sooryavanshi' and Ranveer Singh's '83' may get a digital release

Actor Akshay Kumar on Monday said theatres have the "first birth right" over movies and though he's excited his upcoming 'Laxmmi Bomb' will stream digitally, he feels sad it couldn't release on the big screen. 
 
The horror-comedy is set to stream on Disney+Hotstar, bypassing a theatrical release as screens remain closed due to the coronavirus pandemic. 
 
The streamer announced its slate of seven film which will have a direct-to-digital release, including Ajay Devgn's 'Bhuj: The Pride of India', Abhishek Bachchan starrer 'The Big Bull', and 'Sadak 2', featuring Alia Bhatt. 
 
In a virtual press conference, Akshay said OTT release was the only wise option in the current scenario. 
 
"To be honest, today I am excited for this platform. But yes, I'll say that I am also sad for theatres. After all, movies are theatres first birth right. But in the current situation, everyone's safety is of utmost priority. 
 
"Today with theatres being shut and people watching movies on OTT platforms, if I can make my fans happy by releasing film on Disney+Hotstar which is a big platform with a massive reach then I am glad," Akshay told reporters. 
 
'Laxmmi Bomb' would be the actor's first digital release in a career of nearly three decades. 
 
His 'Sooryavanshi' co-star and longtime friend, Devgn, said he was equally thrilled to see his patriotic drama 'Bhuj: The Pride of India' release on the platform. 
 
"First thing that you want when you make a film is that more and more people get to watch it. The base of Disney+Hotstar is so huge that when 'Bhuj' will come every person will try to watch the film, besides the fact that the film should be good. We have tried to make a good film," the actor told reporters. 
 
Adding to Akshay's comments, Uday Shankar, President, The Walt Disney Company APAC and Chairman, Star and Disney India, said no one but only fans of artistes have the right over films. 
 
"If anyone has birth right over films, it's the film goers and film fans. Fans of the actors, directors who want to see these films and it is our duty to show them films. 
 
"What's going to happen now is that our industry will grow bigger, be more successful, more people will be able to work, we will be able to produce more films. Theatres as well digital screens will survive and grow together with films." 
 
Shankar was of the view that a similar debate arose when TV first started airing films, with many fearing that people would stop going to cinema halls. 
 
"But that didn't happen. Cinema halls grew, more people started watching films, our screens grew, the economics of our films also grew.

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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CCBOLSEn_5K/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">Watch First day First show of #LaxmmiBomb from the comfort of your homes. Do baatein guaranteed hai : hassoge bhi aur darroge bhi 👻 Only on @disneyplushotstarvip with #DisneyPlusHotstarVIPMultiplex. @kiaraaliaadvani @tusshark89 @offl_lawrence @shabskofficial @foxstarhindi #TussharEntertainmentHouse #CapeOfGoodFilms @zeemusiccompany</a>

<p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/akshaykumar/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px;" target="_blank"> Akshay Kumar</a> (@akshaykumar) on <time datetime="2020-06-29T12:31:22+00:00" style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;">Jun 29, 2020 at 5:31am PDT</time>
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"The digital premiere will give the industry a new lease of life. It's going to create a completely new world. Theatres will continue to be very important because it's an experience in itself to go there," he added. 
 
As theatres continue to remain shut, release of many films have been affected. 'Gulabo Sitabo' and 'Shakuntala Devi' biopic were among the first films to opt for a digital release on Amazon Prime Video, a move that had irked theatre owners and exhibitors. 
 
Shankar said the digital medium will become an essential outlet for the industry. 
 
"People visit a cinema hall maximum five times a year but watch more number of films on their TV and mobile phones... This will become a huge outlet for our industry to showcase more work. We should see this as big leap for our film industry today," he added.

Actor Akshay Kumar on Monday said theatres have the "first birth right" over movies and though he's excited his upcoming 'Laxmmi Bomb' will stream digitally, he feels sad it couldn't release on the big screen.

Actor Akshay Kumar on Monday said theatres have the "first birth right" over movies and though he's excited his upcoming 'Laxmmi Bomb' will stream digitally, he feels sad it couldn't release on the big screen. The horror-comedy is set to stream on Disney+Hotstar, bypassing a theatrical release as screens remain closed due to the coronavirus pandemic. The streamer announced its slate of seven film which will have a direct-to-digital release, including Ajay Devgn's 'Bhuj: The Pride of India', Abhishek Bachchan starrer 'The Big Bull', and 'Sadak 2', featuring Alia Bhatt. In a virtual press conference, Akshay said OTT release was the only wise option in the current scenario. "To be honest, today I am excited for this platform. But yes, I'll say that I am also sad for theatres. After all, movies are theatres first birth right. But in the current situation, everyone's safety is of utmost priority. "Today with theatres being shut and people watching movies on OTT platforms, if I can make my fans happy by releasing film on Disney+Hotstar which is a big platform with a massive reach then I am glad," Akshay told reporters. 'Laxmmi Bomb' would be the actor's first digital release in a career of nearly three decades. His 'Sooryavanshi' co-star and longtime friend, Devgn, said he was equally thrilled to see his patriotic drama 'Bhuj: The Pride of India' release on the platform. "First thing that you want when you make a film is that more and more people get to watch it. The base of Disney+Hotstar is so huge that when 'Bhuj' will come every person will try to watch the film, besides the fact that the film should be good. We have tried to make a good film," the actor told reporters. Adding to Akshay's comments, Uday Shankar, President, The Walt Disney Company APAC and Chairman, Star and Disney India, said no one but only fans of artistes have the right over films. "If anyone has birth right over films, it's the film goers and film fans. Fans of the actors, directors who want to see these films and it is our duty to show them films. "What's going to happen now is that our industry will grow bigger, be more successful, more people will be able to work, we will be able to produce more films. Theatres as well digital screens will survive and grow together with films." Shankar was of the view that a similar debate arose when TV first started airing films, with many fearing that people would stop going to cinema halls. "But that didn't happen. Cinema halls grew, more people started watching films, our screens grew, the economics of our films also grew. View this post on Instagram Watch First day First show of #LaxmmiBomb from the comfort of your homes. Do baatein guaranteed hai : hassoge bhi aur darroge bhi 👻 Only on @disneyplushotstarvip with #DisneyPlusHotstarVIPMultiplex. @kiaraaliaadvani @tusshark89 @offl_lawrence @shabskofficial @foxstarhindi #TussharEntertainmentHouse #CapeOfGoodFilms @zeemusiccompany A post shared by Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar) on Jun 29, 2020 at 5:31am PDT × "The digital premiere will give the industry a new lease of life. It's going to create a completely new world. Theatres will continue to be very important because it's an experience in itself to go there," he added. As theatres continue to remain shut, release of many films have been affected. 'Gulabo Sitabo' and 'Shakuntala Devi' biopic were among the first films to opt for a digital release on Amazon Prime Video, a move that had irked theatre owners and exhibitors. Shankar said the digital medium will become an essential outlet for the industry. "People visit a cinema hall maximum five times a year but watch more number of films on their TV and mobile phones... This will become a huge outlet for our industry to showcase more work. We should see this as big leap for our film industry today," he added.

Sad for theatres, but fans' safety priority: Akshay Kumar on OTT release of 'Laxxmi Bomb'

Owing to the coronavirus pandemic, movie theatres and public spaces have been shut down as a precautionary measures. Several films have taken the digital route in these past months. And now, Mahesh Bhatt's film 'Sadak 2' will also be premiering directly on digital. 
 
The much anticipated film marks the comeback of Mahesh Bahtt as a director and features his two daughters Alia and Pooja Bhatt along with Aditya Roy Kapur and Sanjay Dutt. 
 
The film was originally scheduled to be released in cinemas on July 10. 
 
"It (number of COVID-19 cases) is increasing day-by-day instead of subsiding. In this situation do you think the theatres will open? And even if they do and 'Sadak 2' is released, will people go to watch it? People have to protect their families. Today, life is more important," the film's producer Mukesh Bhatt told a news agency.

'Sadak 2' is a sequel of sorts to the 1991 film starring Pooja Bhatt and Dutt. The two actors have reportedly revived their characters in the 2020 version. 
 
The makers stated that while the ambitious project was created for the big screen they have no option but to release it on a digital platform. 
 
"I am compelled to come (on the digital platform) because I don't see any light in the near future. This is the best I can do to survive. There are certain things that you do, not out of choice but out of compulsion. This is the only option left. It is a no-brainer," Mukesh Bhatt added. 
 
Shoojit Sircar's 'Gulabo Sitabo', featuring megastar Amitabh Bachchan and Ayushmann Khurrana, was the first big Hindi movie to release on a streaming platform.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/movie-review-gulabo-sitabo-review-amitabh-bachchan-gives-a-master-class-in-acting-ayushmann-holds-his-own-305275">'Gulabo Sitabo' review: Amitabh Bachchan gives a master class in acting, Ayushmann holds his own</a>

Vidya Balan-led 'Shakuntala Devi', Janhvi Kapoor's 'Gunjan Saxena - The Kargil Girl', and actor Sushant Singh Rajput's last film 'Dil Bechara' are all headed for direct-to-digital release- <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/digital-release-of-gulabo-sitabo-makes-multiplex-chain-inox-cry-foul-298777">a decision that has been opposed by several cinema hall owners.</a> 
 
Mukesh Bhatt said both filmmakers and audiences would prefer a big-screen experience and the trend of the digital premiere is 'temporary'. 
 
"Now that films are releasing on OTT, it doesn't mean theatres will shut down. People need the outing, big-screen entertainment is fun. It is a temporary phase. We need to understand it rationally and not blast or put each other down. We should lift each other up.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/how-ott-and-cinema-halls-can-co-exist-in-post-covid-world-298875">How OTT and cinema halls can co-exist in post COVID world</a>

"I have got no option, so I will definitely consider OTT. We have not made this film to put it in lock and key. We want to bring it to people so that they enjoy the film," he added. 
 
Interestingly, the filming of 'Sadak 2' still remains. Mukesh Bhatt stated that two-day shoot was left when the lockdown was announced. The shoot will now begin next month and post production work will take place simultaneously to release the film digitally.

&nbsp;

Owing to the coronavirus pandemic, movie theatres and public spaces have been shut down as a precautionary measures. Several films have taken the digital route in these past months.

Owing to the coronavirus pandemic, movie theatres and public spaces have been shut down as a precautionary measures. Several films have taken the digital route in these past months. And now, Mahesh Bhatt's film 'Sadak 2' will also be premiering directly on digital. The much anticipated film marks the comeback of Mahesh Bahtt as a director and features his two daughters Alia and Pooja Bhatt along with Aditya Roy Kapur and Sanjay Dutt. The film was originally scheduled to be released in cinemas on July 10. "It (number of COVID-19 cases) is increasing day-by-day instead of subsiding. In this situation do you think the theatres will open? And even if they do and 'Sadak 2' is released, will people go to watch it? People have to protect their families. Today, life is more important," the film's producer Mukesh Bhatt told a news agency. 'Sadak 2' is a sequel of sorts to the 1991 film starring Pooja Bhatt and Dutt. The two actors have reportedly revived their characters in the 2020 version. The makers stated that while the ambitious project was created for the big screen they have no option but to release it on a digital platform. "I am compelled to come (on the digital platform) because I don't see any light in the near future. This is the best I can do to survive. There are certain things that you do, not out of choice but out of compulsion. This is the only option left. It is a no-brainer," Mukesh Bhatt added. Shoojit Sircar's 'Gulabo Sitabo', featuring megastar Amitabh Bachchan and Ayushmann Khurrana, was the first big Hindi movie to release on a streaming platform. 'Gulabo Sitabo' review: Amitabh Bachchan gives a master class in acting, Ayushmann holds his own Vidya Balan-led 'Shakuntala Devi', Janhvi Kapoor's 'Gunjan Saxena - The Kargil Girl', and actor Sushant Singh Rajput's last film 'Dil Bechara' are all headed for direct-to-digital release- a decision that has been opposed by several cinema hall owners. Mukesh Bhatt said both filmmakers and audiences would prefer a big-screen experience and the trend of the digital premiere is 'temporary'. "Now that films are releasing on OTT, it doesn't mean theatres will shut down. People need the outing, big-screen entertainment is fun. It is a temporary phase. We need to understand it rationally and not blast or put each other down. We should lift each other up. How OTT and cinema halls can co-exist in post COVID world "I have got no option, so I will definitely consider OTT. We have not made this film to put it in lock and key. We want to bring it to people so that they enjoy the film," he added. Interestingly, the filming of 'Sadak 2' still remains. Mukesh Bhatt stated that two-day shoot was left when the lockdown was announced. The shoot will now begin next month and post production work will take place simultaneously to release the film digitally.

Mahesh Bhatt's film 'Sadak 2' to premiere directly on OTT platform

The leading US movie theater chain said Tuesday it will no longer play any Universal Pictures movies on its screens as a row over the record-breaking release of "Trolls World Tour" on streaming platforms sharply escalated. 
 
The children's film sequel from Universal Pictures -- one of Hollywood's largest and oldest studios -- was released directly to on-demand platforms last month after its theatrical release was hit by the coronavirus. 
 
At the time the studio indicated the move was an exceptional response to the pandemic. 
 
But a report Tuesday quoted a Universal boss saying the studio's movies would now be released "on both formats" even once theaters reopen, due to the film's record $95 million streaming haul. 
 
AMC, the largest theater chain with 8,000 screens across North America, responded with a letter to Universal stating that "effectively immediately AMC will no longer play any Universal movies in any of our theatres in the United States, Europe or the Middle East." 
 
"AMC believes that with this proposed action to go to the home and theatres simultaneously, Universal is breaking the business model and dealings between our two companies," CEO Adam Aron added in the letter carried by US media. 
Before the pandemic, studios typically waited 90 days to release films digitally after their theatrical opening. 
 
The row comes at a time of dire warnings over the future of the theater industry, as streaming soared in popularity even before the onset of the coronavirus pandemic. 
 
Theaters around the world took in an all-time record $42.5 billion last year -- boosted by a string of Disney mega-hits -- but most of the growth came outside North America. 
 
- 'Winning strategy' - 
 
The Wall Street Journal on Tuesday reported "Trolls" earned a huge $95 million from nearly five million domestic customers, citing "a person familiar with the matter." 
 
According to the report, "its performance has convinced Universal executives that digital releases can be a winning strategy, and may diminish the role of theaters even after the pandemic passes." 
 
"As soon as theaters reopen, we expect to release movies on both formats," NBCUniversal head Jeff Shell told the newspaper, adding the film had "exceeded our expectations and demonstrated the viability" of streaming. 
 
Theater owners quickly downplayed the report. 
 
"Universal does not have reason to use unusual circumstances in an unprecedented environment as a springboard to bypass true theatrical releases," said National Association of Theatre Owners head John Fithian. 
 
Neither Universal Pictures nor AMC responded to request for comment. 
 
"Trolls World Tour" is one of many studio titles -- in particular, family films -- to recently skip the traditional "theatrical window" due to coronavirus.

Warner Bros will release "Scoob!" direct to streaming next month, Disney has earmarked "Artemis Fowl" for Disney+, and Paramount title "Lovebirds" is headed straight to Netflix, in another industry first. 
 
Major US movie theaters do not plan on reopening until the summer, despite some states authorizing cinemas to resume business.

The leading US movie theater chain said Tuesday it will no longer play any Universal Pictures movies on its screens as a row over the record-breaking release of "Trolls World Tour" on streaming platforms sharply escalated.

The leading US movie theater chain said Tuesday it will no longer play any Universal Pictures movies on its screens as a row over the record-breaking release of "Trolls World Tour" on streaming platforms sharply escalated. The children's film sequel from Universal Pictures -- one of Hollywood's largest and oldest studios -- was released directly to on-demand platforms last month after its theatrical release was hit by the coronavirus. At the time the studio indicated the move was an exceptional response to the pandemic. But a report Tuesday quoted a Universal boss saying the studio's movies would now be released "on both formats" even once theaters reopen, due to the film's record $95 million streaming haul. AMC, the largest theater chain with 8,000 screens across North America, responded with a letter to Universal stating that "effectively immediately AMC will no longer play any Universal movies in any of our theatres in the United States, Europe or the Middle East." "AMC believes that with this proposed action to go to the home and theatres simultaneously, Universal is breaking the business model and dealings between our two companies," CEO Adam Aron added in the letter carried by US media. Before the pandemic, studios typically waited 90 days to release films digitally after their theatrical opening. The row comes at a time of dire warnings over the future of the theater industry, as streaming soared in popularity even before the onset of the coronavirus pandemic. Theaters around the world took in an all-time record $42.5 billion last year -- boosted by a string of Disney mega-hits -- but most of the growth came outside North America. - 'Winning strategy' - The Wall Street Journal on Tuesday reported "Trolls" earned a huge $95 million from nearly five million domestic customers, citing "a person familiar with the matter." According to the report, "its performance has convinced Universal executives that digital releases can be a winning strategy, and may diminish the role of theaters even after the pandemic passes." "As soon as theaters reopen, we expect to release movies on both formats," NBCUniversal head Jeff Shell told the newspaper, adding the film had "exceeded our expectations and demonstrated the viability" of streaming. Theater owners quickly downplayed the report. "Universal does not have reason to use unusual circumstances in an unprecedented environment as a springboard to bypass true theatrical releases," said National Association of Theatre Owners head John Fithian. Neither Universal Pictures nor AMC responded to request for comment. "Trolls World Tour" is one of many studio titles -- in particular, family films -- to recently skip the traditional "theatrical window" due to coronavirus. Warner Bros will release "Scoob!" direct to streaming next month, Disney has earmarked "Artemis Fowl" for Disney+, and Paramount title "Lovebirds" is headed straight to Netflix, in another industry first. Major US movie theaters do not plan on reopening until the summer, despite some states authorizing cinemas to resume business.

Top US theater chain pulls Universal films over streaming row

The organizers of the Oscars said on Tuesday that films released only on streaming platforms or video on demand while movie theaters are closed due to the coronavirus pandemic would be eligible for Academy Awards next year. 
 
The temporary change, which will apply only for next year`s Oscars and will lapse when movie theaters reopen across the nation, was announced in a statement by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. 
 
Previously, a movie had to be screened in a movie theater in Los Angeles for at least seven days in order to be eligible for Oscar consideration. 
 
"The Academy firmly believes there is no greater way to experience the magic of movies than to see them in a theater. Our commitment to that is unchanged and unwavering. Nonetheless, the historically tragic COVID-19 pandemic necessitates this temporary exception to our awards eligibility rules," President David Rubin and Chief Executive Dawn Hudson said, referring to the disease caused by the virus. 
 
Streaming platforms like Netflix have upended Hollywood, drawing A-list stars such as Robert De Niro and Martin Scorsese and producing award-winning content like 2019 best foreign language winner "Roma" that have rivaled what traditional movie studios can offer. 
 
Movie theaters across the United States shut their doors in mid-March, forcing the postponement of major film releases. The three main movie theater chains - AMC, Regal and Cinemark - have said they do not expect to reopen until late June or July. 
 
Some films, including Universal Pictures animated "Trolls World Tour," have been released directly to streaming platforms or video on demand. 
 
Universal will do the same with the upcoming Judd Apatow comedy "The King of Staten Island," while Walt Disney has announced it will release children`s fantasy film "Artemis Fowl" on its Disney+ streaming platform rather than wait for theaters to reopen. Others are expected to follow. 
 
The Oscars, the highest awards in the movie industry, are still scheduled to take place in Hollywood on Feb. 28, 2021.

&nbsp;

The organizers of the Oscars said on Tuesday that films released only on streaming platforms or video on demand while movie theaters are closed due to the coronavirus pandemic would be eligible for Academy Awards next year.

The organizers of the Oscars said on Tuesday that films released only on streaming platforms or video on demand while movie theaters are closed due to the coronavirus pandemic would be eligible for Academy Awards next year. The temporary change, which will apply only for next year`s Oscars and will lapse when movie theaters reopen across the nation, was announced in a statement by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Previously, a movie had to be screened in a movie theater in Los Angeles for at least seven days in order to be eligible for Oscar consideration. "The Academy firmly believes there is no greater way to experience the magic of movies than to see them in a theater. Our commitment to that is unchanged and unwavering. Nonetheless, the historically tragic COVID-19 pandemic necessitates this temporary exception to our awards eligibility rules," President David Rubin and Chief Executive Dawn Hudson said, referring to the disease caused by the virus. Streaming platforms like Netflix have upended Hollywood, drawing A-list stars such as Robert De Niro and Martin Scorsese and producing award-winning content like 2019 best foreign language winner "Roma" that have rivaled what traditional movie studios can offer. Movie theaters across the United States shut their doors in mid-March, forcing the postponement of major film releases. The three main movie theater chains - AMC, Regal and Cinemark - have said they do not expect to reopen until late June or July. Some films, including Universal Pictures animated "Trolls World Tour," have been released directly to streaming platforms or video on demand. Universal will do the same with the upcoming Judd Apatow comedy "The King of Staten Island," while Walt Disney has announced it will release children`s fantasy film "Artemis Fowl" on its Disney+ streaming platform rather than wait for theaters to reopen. Others are expected to follow. The Oscars, the highest awards in the movie industry, are still scheduled to take place in Hollywood on Feb. 28, 2021.

Oscars to admit streamed films next year as coronavirus upends movie going

Coronavirus has now put Disney+ plans in the backburner s they have now indefinitely delayed the launch.&nbsp;

It was to launch in India on March 29 as part of Disney’s India streaming service Hotstar, coinciding with the beginning of this year’s Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket tournament which is a major crowd puller.&nbsp;

Ever since the tournament was postponed because of coronavirus scare, Disney officials have also stalled their plans for now. Uday Shankar, president of The Walt Disney Company APAC, and chairman of Star and Disney India, said in a statement: “We recently announced that Disney Plus would launch in India through the Hotstar service in conjunction with beginning of the Indian Premier League cricket season. Given the delay of the season, we have made the decision to briefly pause the roll-out of Disney Plus and will announce a new revised premiere date for the service soon.”

Earlier, on March 11, Disney+ went live in India. It was taken back after the company declared that they were merely beta testing.&nbsp;

Coronavirus has been having quite an impact on OTT platforms with Netflix also taking some measures given that more number of people are self isolating and are at home. With more people in their homes, there is more consumption of the internet. Thus, Netflix has announced that it will slightly reduce the video quality on its service in Europe for the next 30 days, to reduce the strain on internet service providers.

The video-streaming provider said lowering the picture quality would reduce Netflix data consumption by 25%. But movies will still be high-definition or ultra-high definition 4K. The change will apply to the UK as well as other European countries.

Coronavirus has now put Disney+ plans in the backburner s they have now indefinitely delayed the launch. It was to launch in India on March 29 as part of Disney’s India streaming service Hotstar, coinciding with the beginning of this year’s Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket tournament which is a major crowd puller.

Coronavirus has now put Disney+ plans in the backburner s they have now indefinitely delayed the launch. It was to launch in India on March 29 as part of Disney’s India streaming service Hotstar, coinciding with the beginning of this year’s Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket tournament which is a major crowd puller. Ever since the tournament was postponed because of coronavirus scare, Disney officials have also stalled their plans for now. Uday Shankar, president of The Walt Disney Company APAC, and chairman of Star and Disney India, said in a statement: “We recently announced that Disney Plus would launch in India through the Hotstar service in conjunction with beginning of the Indian Premier League cricket season. Given the delay of the season, we have made the decision to briefly pause the roll-out of Disney Plus and will announce a new revised premiere date for the service soon.” Earlier, on March 11, Disney+ went live in India. It was taken back after the company declared that they were merely beta testing. Coronavirus has been having quite an impact on OTT platforms with Netflix also taking some measures given that more number of people are self isolating and are at home. With more people in their homes, there is more consumption of the internet. Thus, Netflix has announced that it will slightly reduce the video quality on its service in Europe for the next 30 days, to reduce the strain on internet service providers. The video-streaming provider said lowering the picture quality would reduce Netflix data consumption by 25%. But movies will still be high-definition or ultra-high definition 4K. The change will apply to the UK as well as other European countries.

Disney+ postpones launch, Netflix reduces video quality in times of coronavirus

With the advent of multiple OTT platforms, actor Leonardo DiCaprio has expressed concern at the falling practice and popularity of traditional film-making and said that it is on the verge of extinction. 
 
DiCaprio who appeared on Variety at Monday`s premiere of `Once Upon a Time in Hollywood` said "We`re entering this age of streaming where things are so immediate and all of a sudden you have a new show, eight episodes of a new brilliant show that comes on that you can watch almost every other day. So when you`re talking about a movie that`s shot on film where you have all of Hollywood Boulevard that like physically transformed into 1969 with no CGI, this is kind of a real throwback to an era of film-making we`re not going to see anymore." 
 
"In a way, it is a bit of a dinosaur, I just hope we`re going to have this communal theatrical experience of going to see a great piece of art altogether and enjoy it," he added. 
 
Other Hollywood stars including Steven Spielberg who had been quite outspoken about the matter and denounced the streaming movie trend now and then reckoned with Leo on this. 
 
Spielberg told Variety, "I hope all of us really continue to believe that the greatest contributions we can make as filmmakers is to give audiences the motion picture theatrical experience," Spielberg said in February while accepting the Filmmaker Award at the Cinema Audio Society`s CAS Awards. 
 
"I`m a firm believer that movie theaters need to be around forever." 
 
Set in the backdrop of 1969 Los Angeles, Dicaprio will next be featured in`Once Upon a Time in Hollywood` as a fading Hollywood star with Brad Pitt as his loyal stuntman, who is now his driver. 
 
The movie is slated to release on August 15 in India this year.&nbsp;

With the advent of multiple OTT platforms, actor Leonardo DiCaprio has expressed concern at the falling practice and popularity of traditional film-making and said that it is on the verge of extinction.

With the advent of multiple OTT platforms, actor Leonardo DiCaprio has expressed concern at the falling practice and popularity of traditional film-making and said that it is on the verge of extinction. DiCaprio who appeared on Variety at Monday`s premiere of `Once Upon a Time in Hollywood` said "We`re entering this age of streaming where things are so immediate and all of a sudden you have a new show, eight episodes of a new brilliant show that comes on that you can watch almost every other day. So when you`re talking about a movie that`s shot on film where you have all of Hollywood Boulevard that like physically transformed into 1969 with no CGI, this is kind of a real throwback to an era of film-making we`re not going to see anymore." "In a way, it is a bit of a dinosaur, I just hope we`re going to have this communal theatrical experience of going to see a great piece of art altogether and enjoy it," he added. Other Hollywood stars including Steven Spielberg who had been quite outspoken about the matter and denounced the streaming movie trend now and then reckoned with Leo on this. Spielberg told Variety, "I hope all of us really continue to believe that the greatest contributions we can make as filmmakers is to give audiences the motion picture theatrical experience," Spielberg said in February while accepting the Filmmaker Award at the Cinema Audio Society`s CAS Awards. "I`m a firm believer that movie theaters need to be around forever." Set in the backdrop of 1969 Los Angeles, Dicaprio will next be featured in`Once Upon a Time in Hollywood` as a fading Hollywood star with Brad Pitt as his loyal stuntman, who is now his driver. The movie is slated to release on August 15 in India this year.

Traditional film-making becoming a Dinosaur in age of streaming: Leonardo DiCaprio

Comcast Corp`s NBCUniversal will pull popular workplace comedy 'The Office'&nbsp;from Netflix Inc in the United States in 2021 and make the show available on its own streaming service, the company said on Tuesday. 
 
'The Office'&nbsp;is the No. 1 series on subscription video-on-demand services such as Netflix when measured by the number of minutes streamed, according to a statement from NBCU. The show was streamed for more than 52 billion minutes in 2018, twice as many as the next-viewed programme, NBCU said. 
 
Netflix has not publicly released viewership data for 'The Office,'&nbsp;which ran for nine seasons on the NBC broadcast network from 2005 to 2013 and generated 200 episodes. The show was an American remake of a British comedy and starred Steve Carell, Jenna Fischer, John Krasinski and others. 
 
NBCU is following other media companies such as Disney that have decided to stop licensing programming to Netflix in order to build competing digital services of their own.&nbsp;

The new streaming service from NBCU is set to launch in 2020 with a library of film and TV franchises plus original content. Unlike Netflix, the NBCU service will include advertising. 
 
"We`re sad that NBC has decided to take `The Office` back for its own streaming platform," a Netflix spokesman said, "but members can binge watch the show to their hearts content, ad-free, on Netflix until January 2021, plus the many other great TV series we`ve got coming."&nbsp;

Comcast Corp`s NBCUniversal will pull popular workplace comedy 'The Office' from Netflix Inc in the United States in 2021 and make the show available on its own streaming service, the company said on Tuesday.

Comcast Corp`s NBCUniversal will pull popular workplace comedy 'The Office' from Netflix Inc in the United States in 2021 and make the show available on its own streaming service, the company said on Tuesday. 'The Office' is the No. 1 series on subscription video-on-demand services such as Netflix when measured by the number of minutes streamed, according to a statement from NBCU. The show was streamed for more than 52 billion minutes in 2018, twice as many as the next-viewed programme, NBCU said. Netflix has not publicly released viewership data for 'The Office,' which ran for nine seasons on the NBC broadcast network from 2005 to 2013 and generated 200 episodes. The show was an American remake of a British comedy and starred Steve Carell, Jenna Fischer, John Krasinski and others. NBCU is following other media companies such as Disney that have decided to stop licensing programming to Netflix in order to build competing digital services of their own. The new streaming service from NBCU is set to launch in 2020 with a library of film and TV franchises plus original content. Unlike Netflix, the NBCU service will include advertising. "We`re sad that NBC has decided to take `The Office` back for its own streaming platform," a Netflix spokesman said, "but members can binge watch the show to their hearts content, ad-free, on Netflix until January 2021, plus the many other great TV series we`ve got coming."

'The Office' to leave Netflix in 2021, head to NBCU streaming service

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