All posts tagged: universal

Bon Jovi Biopic In The Works At Universal After Studio Wins Major Bidding War | Hollywood News

Bon Jovi Biopic In The Works At Universal After Studio Wins Major Bidding War | Hollywood News

Published by Parlour News

Last Updated:March 11, 2026, 04:05 IST Universal has secured a biopic on legendary rock band Bon Jovi, with a screenplay by Cody Brotter and producers from Religion of Sports attached. The New Jersey-based Bon Jovi was formed in 1983 by Jon Bongiovi (a.k.a. Jon Bon Jovi). Legendary rock band Bon Jovi is set to get the big-screen treatment as Universal Pictures has won a competitive bidding war to develop a feature film based on the group’s remarkable journey in music. The upcoming movie will chronicle the story of the band behind some of the most iconic rock anthems of the 1980s and beyond, including “Livin’ on a Prayer,” “You Give Love a Bad Name” and “It’s My Life.” Screenwriter Cody Brotter, known for penning the upcoming crypto thriller Killing Satoshi starring Pete Davidson and Casey Affleck, has been tapped to write the screenplay. However, the project is still in its early stages, with no director or cast members announced yet. Story of an Iconic Rock Band The film will likely draw from the band’s decades-long …

Zero tolerance for terrorism must be universal : S Jaishankar at India-Arab meet

Zero tolerance for terrorism must be universal : S Jaishankar at India-Arab meet

Published by Webster

Urging the need to strengthen international cooperation to combat the “global scourge” of terrorism, External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar on Saturday said that zero-tolerance for terrorism must be an uncompromising universal norm. In his opening remarks at the 2nd India Arab Foreign Ministers meeting in the capital, EAM Jaishankar asserted that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations remains a common threat in both the regions. “Cross-border terrorism is particularly unacceptable because it violates the basic principles of international relations and diplomacy. Societies targeted by terrorism have the right to defend themselves and will understandably exercise it. It is essential that we strengthen international cooperation to combat what is a global scourge. Zero-tolerance for terrorism must be an uncompromising universal norm,” he said. India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are co-chairing the 2nd India-Arab Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (IAFMM) which is happening after a gap of 10 years and is being attended by the Foreign Ministers of other Arab League Member States and the Arab League Secretary General. EAM Jaishankar stated that the meeting …

Farhan Akhtar’s Excel Entertainment sells Rs 800 cr stake to Universal Music Group; how it’s different from Karan Johar’s Rs 1000 cr Dharma deal | Bollywood News

Farhan Akhtar’s Excel Entertainment sells Rs 800 cr stake to Universal Music Group; how it’s different from Karan Johar’s Rs 1000 cr Dharma deal | Bollywood News

Published by Webster

On Monday, Dutch-American music giant Universal Music Group acquired equity in Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani’s production house Excel Entertainment in Indian entertainment’s biggest minority stakes deal. That prompted many on the internet to compare it to much-talked about equity deal between Adar Poonawalla-led Serene Productions and Karan Johar’s banner Dharma Productions two years ago. However, both the deals are significantly different on multiple fronts. Serene Productions acquired a majority stake in Dharma Productions at 50% of the company’s stakes. That allows Poonawalla equal ownership and control over Dharma Productions as its existing co-owners — Executive Chairman Karan Johar and CEO Apoorva Mehta, in that order. On the other hand, the extent of equity that UMG holds in Excel Entertainment is only a minority one, at 30%, after the deal. Karan Johar’s Dharma sold 50% stake for Rs 1,000 cr Johar opted for a majority deal because he wanted a hefty amount in return. While Dharma Productions was initially also in talks with Reliance for the equity deal, they ultimately went ahead with the company …

Universal Music India Takes Significant Minority Stake In Excel Entertainment

Universal Music India Takes Significant Minority Stake In Excel Entertainment

Published by Parlour News

Universal Music India Takes Significant Minority Stake In Excel Entertainment (Photo Credit – UMG) Universal Music India (UMI), a division of Universal Music Group (UMG), announced today that it has entered into a definitive agreement with Excel Entertainment, a leading Indian film and digital content studio. Under the agreement, which values Excel Entertainment at ₹2,400 crores ($265.89 million), UMI will become a significant minority shareholder in Excel with a 30% equity stake. Details Of UMI’s Deal With Excel Entertainment The deal will provide the foundation for a new strategic partnership between UMI and Excel, accelerating Excel’s growth and further enhancing UMI’s position in the Indian market. Excel has consistently broken new ground in storytelling and brought global standards to Indian cinema and original digital content. In addition to its focus on movies and digital content, the company, founded by Ritesh Sidhwani and Farhan Akhtar, has a strong track record in music and musical dramas. With this agreement, UMG will gain global distribution rights for all future original soundtracks created for projects either owned or controlled …

Universal Music Group acquires stake in Excel Entertainment; Farhan Akhtar, Ritesh Sidhwani to retain creative control

Universal Music Group acquires stake in Excel Entertainment; Farhan Akhtar, Ritesh Sidhwani to retain creative control

Published by Parlour News

Updated on: Jan 03, 2026 01:50 pm IST The partnership will be formally announced in a press conference where Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis will also be present. Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani’s Excel Entertainment has joined hands with Hollywood giant Universal Music Group (International). The international conglomerate has acquired a minority stake in Excel, according to information received by HT. According to sources, talks between the two companies have been ongoing for months. Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani began Excel Entertainment in 2001. Excel to partner with Universal Music The new partnership would help Universal strengthen its presence in the Indian film market. It also allows Excel to expand the scale of its productions, with several big ideas already in the pipeline. Notably, the new partnership will be formally announced soon at a press conference, where Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis will also be present. Both parties refer to the collaboration as being in alignment with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision to create Indian content for global audiences. Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani retain creative …

Farhan Akhtar’s Excel Entertainment sells minority stake to Universal Studios amid Don 3, Jee Le Zaraa delays: report | Bollywood News

Farhan Akhtar’s Excel Entertainment sells minority stake to Universal Studios amid Don 3, Jee Le Zaraa delays: report | Bollywood News

Published by Webster

In October 2024, Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions made headlines when it sold 50% stake in their production house to Adar Poonawalla, CEO of the Serum Institute of India (SII). The news was as surprising as it was significant. Now, it is being reported that another major Bollywood studio, Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani’s Excel Entertainment, is entering into a partnership with Hollywood giant Universal Studios. As per a report in Mid-day, Excel Entertainment and Universal Studios have been in talks for a while as the international studio is keen on entering the Indian market. The report also claims that Universal Studios has acquired a minority stake in Excel Entertainment, with the larger share remaining with Farhan and Ritesh. Adding further, the source said, “Excel wants to expand the scale of its productions going ahead. There are big ideas in the pipeline.” Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani’s Excel Entertainment made its debut with 2001’s Dil Chahta Hai. Over the years, the studio has delivered landmark films such as Lakshya, Don, Rock On Luck By Chance, Zindagi …

Was Adam the Woo banned from Universal Studios? Revisiting late YouTuber’s 2017 controversy

Was Adam the Woo banned from Universal Studios? Revisiting late YouTuber’s 2017 controversy

Published by Parlour News

Popular YouTuber Adam the Woo, or Adam Williams, who has died at the age of 51, was banned from Universal Studios in 2017 for filming inside two abandoned buildings at the premises. Universal Studios Orlando banned Adam on April 6, 2017, from their premises. He captured the moment he was escorted out of the theme park by a guard. Was Adam the Woo banned from Universal Studios? Revisiting late YouTuber’s 2017 controversy(Adam The Woo/Facebook) Adam took to YouTube to post a video about the ban. The video description reads, “In July 2012 I recorded two videos at Universal Studios Orlando of past attractions no longer open to the public . A lot has changed since those days both in my approach to documenting as well as the way I go about gaining access . Although I technically did not sneak into the locations alone and unnoticed as it may appear in the clips I do understand how posting the footage is frowned upon and can appreciate their concern. After nearly 5 years and countless return …

IND vs SA: An agniveer aspirant & Virat Kohli fan, Dhoni-RoKo jersey vendor, stadium’s golgappa seller – why cricket is India’s universal mood-lifter | Cricket News

IND vs SA: An agniveer aspirant & Virat Kohli fan, Dhoni-RoKo jersey vendor, stadium’s golgappa seller – why cricket is India’s universal mood-lifter | Cricket News

Published by Webster

About an hour back, Rakesh Prajapati had lost the race that could have changed his life. But still the 20-year-old held hope. The boy from Bhadohi in Uttar Pradesh, in a discoloured and dusty shirt torn at the shoulder, was 16th among the 100 ‘agniveers’ he was competing with. A Top-8 finish, he says, would have made him an Indian Army soldier and the first from his poor farming family to have a stable job. Crestfallen while dragging his feet out of the BSF ground, the armed forces recruitment venue that had attracted thousands from around the country, Rakesh says his mood changed dramatically as he walked past the cricket stadium next door. The shining laminated faces of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli on the huge poster made him, and hundreds of other tired and famished army hopefuls, sprawl outside the venue on newspapers and wait for the Indian stars. On the eve of the second ODI, Team India were training late in the evening under lights. Kohli’s hundred had give them a 1-0 start …

Banu Mushtaq, Heart Lamp: “Emotional Explosions, Turmoil Are Universal”: International Booker Winner

Banu Mushtaq, Heart Lamp: “Emotional Explosions, Turmoil Are Universal”: International Booker Winner

Published by Webster

New Delhi: Journalist, lawyer, author and activist Banu Mushtaq, whose “Heart Lamp” won the International Booker Prize, said her stories of Muslim women from traditional south Indian families had resonated with the global audience because they think they reflect the universal condition of women.  Asked about the matter in an exclusive interview with NDTV Banu Mushtaq said her readers feel that the stories “can be applied to wherever women are there”. “These types of issues, turmoil, emotional explosions – it can be traced universally in all parts of the world. — that is their opinion,” she said. As to why her anthology of 12 short stories appealed to the Booker Committee, she said from what the members said at various press conferences they attended with her, she has come to the conclusion that it is a “new thing” they have experienced.  “The stories in heart lamp are socially committed pieces. They are individual experiences which have been documented by me,” she said.  But at the same time, they are not just experiences. “It has grown …

Google Outlines Vision for Universal AI Assistant, Expands Project Astra and Project Mariner

Google Outlines Vision for Universal AI Assistant, Expands Project Astra and Project Mariner

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Google announced a multitude of artificial intelligence (AI) updates and new features at I/O 2025 on Tuesday. Alongside, the company also shared its long-term vision with AI, and the way it wants to evolve its current line of AI products. Demis Hassabis, the Co-Founder and CEO of Google DeepMind, highlighted the new developments with Project Astra and Project Mariner, as well as the tech giant’s plans with Gemini Robotics. Google said that it eventually wants to build a universal AI assistant. Project Astra, Mariner Is Rolling Out to Select Users In a blog post, Hassabis highlighted the company’s vision of creating a universal AI assistant. This assistant is described as a “more general and more useful kind of AI,” which can understand the context of the user, can plan tasks proactively, and take actions on their behalf, across devices. While that is a long-term project of Google DeepMind, a significant step was taken with new capabilities in Project Astra and Project Mariner. Project Astra deals with the real-time capabilities of Gemini models. The first wave …