INDIA MUSIC INDUSTRY

DDLJ returns after 30 years: Shah Rukh Khan meets new Raj and Simran as he visits Aditya Chopra's UK production set
Shah Rukh Khan made a surprise visit to the London rehearsals of Come Fall In Love – The DDLJ Musical, a stage adaptation of the iconic 1995 film Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge. Directed by Aditya Chopra, the musical is set to premiere in Manchester from May 29 to June 21, 2025. Khan's unexpected appearance deeply moved the cast, including leads Jena Pandya and Ashley Day, who play Simran and Roger.

Prime Video to introduce limited ads in India from June 17
Amazon Prime Video in India will introduce limited advertisements starting June 17, 2025, while offering an ad-free option for ?699 annually or ?129 monthly. This shift aims to sustain content investment without impacting existing Prime benefits like free delivery, access to originals, and other Prime perks.

Snow White on OTT : When and where to watch Rachel Zegler’s fairy-tale on streaming and digital
The 2025 Snow White film marks another entry in Disney’s ongoing slate of live-action reinterpretations. With high production value, a globally recognized cast, and a strong digital rollout, the film is set to engage longtime fans and new audiences.

Why Salman Khan never married? Actor once blamed director Sooraj Barjatya for his bachelorhood
Salman Khan, at 59, remains unmarried despite being linked to several actresses over the years. In a 2018 event, he humorously cited the extravagant costs of modern weddings as a key reason for staying single, saying he “can’t afford” such grand events. He also shared that people often ask him for money to fund weddings, which he declines. His father, Salim Khan, later revealed that Salman seeks qualities of his mother in his partners—an unrealistic expectation that complicates his relationships.

'Bura toh lagta hi hai’: Suniel Shetty opens up on Anil Kapoor’s ‘50% heroes’ dig at him and Akshay Kumar after Mohra poster release
Suniel Shetty recently addressed a decades-old remark by Anil Kapoor, who allegedly called him and Akshay Kumar “50% waale heroes” after Mohra’s poster release. Reflecting on the comment, Suniel admitted it hurt but remained respectful, crediting Mohra as a turning point in his career. The film’s massive success proved that resilience and belief can outshine early doubts.

Tariffs could wreck what Bangladesh's garment workers have gained
Bangladesh faces economic uncertainty following political upheaval and potential tariffs imposed by the United States. The garment industry, a vital source of employment and economic growth for the nation, is particularly vulnerable.
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WAVES Bazaar concludes with business deals worth Rs 1,328 crore
WAVES Bazaar, as part of WAVES 2025 in Mumbai, concluded with over Rs 1,328 crore in business transactions and 3,000 B2B meetings. The Maharashtra government signed MoUs worth Rs 8,000 crore to boost the M&E sector. WAVEX also selected 30 M&E startups for investment opportunities, fostering innovation and growth within the industry.
Andhra govt signs MoU for Creator Land, India's first transmedia city; promises 25,000 jobs
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu announced the launch of Creator Land, India's first transmedia entertainment city, in Amaravati. The project aims to generate 25,000 jobs and attract significant foreign investment, transforming the state into a global creative and digital hub. Creator Land will focus on storytelling, films, gaming, and AI-driven content, fostering innovation and economic growth.
Andhra govt signs MoU for Creator Land, India's first transmedia city; promises 25,000 jobs
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu announced the launch of Creator Land, India's first transmedia entertainment city, through an MoU, with the goal of generating 25,000 jobs. This project aims to transform the state into a global creative and digital hub, attracting substantial foreign investment and empowering local talent.
AI adoption can boost revenue by 10%, cut costs by 15% for media industry: EY
An EY report highlights that AI adoption can significantly aid media and entertainment companies. AI is projected to increase revenues by 10% and reduce costs by 15%. India, with its talent pool and AI ecosystem, is positioned to lead this transformation, leveraging AI for content creation, optimisation, and audience engagement.
'Tourist Family' coming on OTT soon: When and where to watch emotional Tamil family drama
Tamil film Tourist Family, starring M. Sasikumar and Simran, will soon stream on JioHotstar. The movie released in cinemas on May 1, 2025. It is expected to be available online by May 31, 2025. The film, directed by Abishan Jeevinth, tells the story of a Sri Lankan Tamil family relocating to India. The movie earned Rs 6.
Brands may see reruns of the 14-year-old’s eye-popping performance — but will they ‘Tendulkar’?
Vaibhav Suryavanshi's success mirrors startups disrupting established markets. Minimalist was acquired by HUL. Mamaearth faces legal issues with Lakme. Campa Cola's relaunch challenges Coca-Cola and PepsiCo. The Postcard Hotel inspires IHCL and ITC to launch similar concepts. Airbnb and Spotify thrive by filling market gaps. Failures like BluSmart and Dunzo offer lessons.
British Indian minister Lisa Nandy clinches India-UK cultural pact in Delhi
UK's Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy and India's Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat signed a cultural cooperation agreement in New Delhi, aiming to enhance cultural exchanges and partnerships between creative businesses. The initiative involves the British Council and major UK cultural institutions, focusing on heritage conservation, museum management, and combating illicit trafficking of cultural artifacts.
NSE launches Nifty Waves Index at WAVES 2025 to track India's creative economy
The National Stock Exchange (NSE) has introduced the Nifty Waves Index, designed to monitor the performance of India's media, entertainment, and gaming sectors. Launched at the WAVES 2025 summit in Mumbai, the index comprises 43 listed companies and aims to provide a transparent benchmark for investors.
PM Narendra Modi pitches India as global M&E hub at WAVES 2025
India is becoming a global hub for creative industries. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (Waves). He highlighted the potential of India's creative economy. The government will launch Waves Awards. Ashwini Vaishnaw announced the Indian Institute of Creative Technology (IICT) in Mumbai. Several tech companies are partnering with IICT for training programs.
From Mumbai to global stage: Mukesh Ambani’s $100 billion vision for India's entertainment sector
Mukesh Ambani, at WAVES 2025, envisioned India's media and entertainment sector growing to $100 billion within a decade with strategic investments in infrastructure, talent, and technology. He emphasized India's potential to become a global entertainment hub, leveraging its rich storytelling tradition, young population, and technological advancements. Ambani urged for incentivizing IP creation and fostering a globally-minded approach among content creators.
"Today, India is emerging as global hub for film production, digital content, gaming": PM Modi at Waves Summit
PM Modi highlighted that this presents a significant opportunity for India's animation and graphics industry, urging stakeholders to leverage this expansion for greater international reach. He called upon India's young creators to drive the nation's Orange Economy forward, acknowledging that their passion and hard work are shaping a new wave of creativity.
Sonu Nigam shuts down student’s Kannada demand at Bengaluru concert: 'Not even as old as my career'
Karnataka faces language-related tensions. Sonu Nigam paused a Bengaluru concert after a demand for Kannada songs. He expressed disappointment, referencing intolerance. Nigam highlighted his respect for Kannada and its people. Similar issues involve auto drivers and shop signs. Nigam, known for Kannada hits, emphasized mutual respect. The incident underscores ongoing language debates in the state.
'Right time for create in India, create for world': PM Modi's message at WAVES 2025
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the WAVES summit in Mumbai, emphasizing the creator economy's growing contribution to India's future. He urged creators to embrace the 'create in India, create for world' initiative, highlighting India's vast potential for storytelling. Modi described WAVES as a cultural wave encompassing film, music, gaming, and narrative.
AI is about enabling pros to do more with their time: Nvidia's Kerris
Richard Kerris, Vice President - Media & Entertainment, Nvidia, said that filmmakers and production houses are already seeing cost benefits in complex tasks like creating smoke, fire, or explosions, once requiring entire teams, can now be done more quickly using AI-powered tools.
Coldplay concert in Ahmedabad generated economic impact of Rs 641 crore
A Coldplay concert in Ahmedabad generated a Rs 641 crore economic impact, including Rs 392 crore direct infusion, showcasing the potential of India's concert economy. The event drew attendees from across India, boosting tourism and reshaping perceptions of Ahmedabad as a cultural destination. The report highlights the need for Public-Private Partnerships to streamline event approvals and infrastructure development.
MFs, FIIs load up defence stocks in Q4. Time for retail to act amid Indo-Pak tensions?
Amidst rising India-Pakistan tensions, defence stocks have surged, attracting heightened investor interest. Mutual funds increased holdings in 11 of 18 Nifty India Defence Index stocks in the March quarter, with BEML, Solar Industries, and MTAR Technologies leading the pack. While FIIs also increased stakes in several defence companies, some stocks experienced profit booking and selling pressure.
IIMs revising curricula faster to keep pace with AI, business disruptions
Indian Institutes of Management are rapidly updating their curricula to incorporate AI, GenAI, and ESG principles, driven by evolving corporate demands. New courses like 'Token Economy' and AI-powered case discussions are being introduced. The focus is on equipping graduates with tech-savviness, strategic thinking, and practical skills for a digital-first, sustainable business landscape.
VCs should understand that AI is a ‘product’, not a ‘company’: Ronnie Screwvala
Screwvala believes India will become the largest consuming market for AI globally. “Not the hyper-advanced AI, but that base-level, accessible AI. Look at the Ghibli trend. Think of how platforms like Facebook grew their largest non-US user base in India. That’s going to happen with AI too. The native Indian user will learn AI faster than most, leapfrog the curve, and adapt quickly.”
Padma Parade: From L Subramaniam to Ravichandran Ashwin & Osamu Suzuki, India honours trailblazers; check full list
President Droupadi Murmu conferred the prestigious Padma Awards at Rashtrapati Bhavan, honoring 71 individuals for their exceptional contributions across diverse fields. Violinist L Subramaniam and the late Osamu Suzuki received the Padma Vibhushan. Dr. D Nageshwar Reddy and M T Vasudevan Nair were also posthumously honored. Noteworthy Padma Shri recipients include Arundhati Bhattacharya and cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin.
This 22-year-old left California for Bengaluru in 2012 — Now he owns a 100-restaurant chain generating a $23 million business
Bert Mueller, a music and public policy graduate, opened California Burrito in India. Inspired by a study abroad experience, he saw the potential for Mexican food. The first restaurant was in Bangalore. Despite challenges, the chain expanded to 103 locations. In 2024, California Burrito earned $23 million. Mueller plans to stay in India indefinitely and is investing in local sourcing.
Brands play it loud but pay it light, leaving music industry in the red
India's music industry faces significant revenue loss, estimated at ?8,000-10,000 crore annually, due to copyright infringements in branded content on social media. Corporations often neglect royalty payments to music labels and independent artists for using their music in promotional videos. The misconception that social media content is primarily user-generated further exacerbates the issue, leading brands to overlook licensing requirements.
What scares Akshay Kumar more than falling from a helicopter? Actor's answer might surprise you
Akshay Kumar, currently seen in Kesari Chapter 2, opened up about how audience feedback shapes his career. While positive reactions motivate him, he admitted that criticism, though painful, helps him improve. In a candid conversation, Akshay revealed that his biggest fear is waking up one day to no work messages, making him feel his time is over. He expressed his desire to keep working without rest, believing that life is too short to slow down.
JioStar posts Rs 229 crore net profit in first post-merger results
JioStar, the merged entity of Reliance, Disney, and Bodhi Tree, reported a net profit of Rs 229 crore on revenues of Rs 10,006 crore since the merger in November 2024. JioHotstar quickly amassed 280 million paid subscribers, becoming the world's second-largest platform.
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