ENTERTAINMENT
2025 records new footfall low in theatres: Dhurandhar rocks box office, but not enough housefull shows
The low footfalls are a concern for the theatre industry as high movie ticket prices are driving the box office business. Last year, average ticket prices in cinemas were the highest in the last decade.
TECHNOLOGY
Gaming, esports industry seeks support, tax framework clarity in Budget 2026
Stakeholders also seek clarity of some aspects of the Online Gaming Act and said a formal acknowledgment from the government would be an important signal for the ecosystem
ENTERTAINMENT
Why Indians are skipping cinemas for streaming on Netflix, Prime and other OTTs
Indian audiences are choosing patience over popcorn with many waiting for new releases to premier on streaming platforms, skipping a trip to theatre to watch movies on the big screen.
TECHNOLOGY
New (AI)nnings: ChatGPT, Gemini prompt a new wave in cricket sponsorship
Cricket, with this huge following in the country, is the fastest way to make an AI brand feel mainstream, say marketers
TECHNOLOGY
WPL 2026 on a strong sponsorship wicket after the World Cup high
Franchises not only saw higher inquiries ahead of this season but also wider brand participation from across sectors
ENTERTAINMENT
South superstar Vijay’s final film Jana Nayagan's release delay deals a blow to exhibitors
The delay follows the Central Board of Film Certification (Central Board of Film Certification) withholding the censor certificate and seeking a fresh review by another revising committee.
ENTERTAINMENT
Ads ache hain: How micro-dramas are turning commercial breaks into games, rewards
Micro-dramas are emerging as a new format that combines narrative, gamification and interactivity, offering brands a more engaging way to capture attention and drive consumer action
BUSINESS
Why merchants prefer UPI Autopay despite a lower success rate than cards
Merchants are prioritising UPI Autopay over cards despite lower success rates, betting on its scale, lower costs and strong user adoption. As recurring payments surge, even partial execution through UPI Autopay delivers more value than higher-success but limited card mandates
BUSINESS
The greatest gift I gave myself: Samantha Prabhu on how entrepreneurship rewired her mindset
While Prabhu has been stealing the spotlight for her roles in movies and series like Raji in The Family Man 2 or as Honey in Citadel, she says her foray into the business world has opened up new possibilities for her.
TECHNOLOGY
ChatGPT, Gemini draw ad dollars as AI chatbots give search engines a run for their money
Google which has 75 percent market share is the go-to option for brands if they want to be seen. AI chatbots have captured about 11 percent search share in just two years.
ENTERTAINMENT
Bollywood rings in the New Year on a high with 'Ikkis'; 'Dhurandhar' keeps box office buzzing
Despite facing strong competition from spy action film Dhurandhar that released on December 5 but continues its strong run in theatres, Ikkis has managed to stand tall so far.
ENTERTAINMENT
Bigger crowds at National Centre for Performing Arts signal demand; but funding, infra gaps persist
Live arts demand is rising, but scaling the ecosystem remains difficult without adequate resources.
TRENDS
Lights, Camera, Creators: Influencers drove Rs 250 crore movie marketing buzz in 2025
Big films like Chhaava, Coolie, Kantara: Chapter 1, and more recently Dhurandhar are leading the engagement game on social media.
TRAVEL
India’s hospitality sector ends 2025 on a high, FY26 poised for strength
Steady business travel drove occupancy and rates in 2025, setting the stage for another strong year ahead.
ENTERTAINMENT
Here's how Gujarati cinema had its decade high box office run in 2025
Filmmakers and producers are betting big on the growing market for Gujarati films not only in India but also overseas with dubbed versions and wider iternational release.
ENTERTAINMENT
Influencers, IPs: Dharma Productions' talent arm reworks playbook post buyout
The film studio, co-owned by Karan Johar and Adar Poonawalla, is now betting on influencers and IP creation to drive the agency’s next chapter of growth.
TRAVEL
More Gen Z, added personalisation: How India flew, stayed and planned holidays in 2025
The domestic tourism growth story continues during the year-end and New Year holiday period, with sustained demand across leisure and pilgrimage destinations, said MakeMyTrip's Rajesh Magow.
BUSINESS
PVR INOX, Miraj see December driving profits as Dhurandhar delivers, Avatar builds buzz
Dhurandhar is turning out to be a bigger franchise than Shah Rukh Khan's Jawan and Pathaan, said exhibitors.
BUSINESS
Hilton’s India play: Doubling luxury portfolio, monthly hotel launches in early 2026
India is one of one of the top five global economies and for Hilton, one of the fastest growing markets, said its SVP and Regional Head, South Asia, Hilton, Zubin Saxena.
BUSINESS
Saregama reworks playbook -- steps away from film production, banks on Bhansali
The intense bidding war for marquee film songs was the reason behind Saregama starting its video business.
BUSINESS
All 11 Dhurandhar songs top Spotify charts; 'a first', says Saregama’s Vikram Mehra
Dhurandhar in theatres is having a blockbuster run while its soundtrack is living a life of its own. At the centre of this buzz are songs including its title track, Ishq Jalakar - Karvaan, FA9LA.
ENTERTAINMENT
Closure of Bengaluru’s Urvashi Theatre reflects single screens’ toughest script yet
By February 2026, another single screen cinema in Bengaluru will go dark after Urvashi Theatre will drop the curtains. Not long ago, another iconic property in the city had met the same fate.
TECHNOLOGY
DPDP Act is here: New rules to rewire how brands and ad agencies collect, use, and prove data consent
Complying with the DPDP Act isn’t coming cheap with operational costs climbing, fuelled by the need for legal vetting, data audits, secure data storage, consent-management technology and workforce training.
TRAVEL
International routes see prices surge amid IndiGo crisis, despite caps on airfares
Flight rates for a round trip to Denpasar, Indonesia, from Delhi is currently anywhere around Rs 1 lakh versus around Rs 36,000 earlier.
