Veteran actor Kota Srinivasa Rao passes away at 83
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Hindustan Times
41 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Niharika Bijli, Lead Strategist, PVR INOX: ‘Box office success of re-releases shows theatres are not dying'
The eulogies of theatrical cinema in India have been written every decade. First, it was the VHS boom that threatened it. Then it was cable television. And the newest Boogeyman is the streaming world. But theatres are still alive, at least in India, where housefull boards may have become less common, but they haven't vanished. And as Niharika Bijli, Lead Strategist at PVR INOX, argues, the success of re-releases alone is proof that theatres are here to stay. Niharika Bijli, Lead Strategist at PVR INOX, talks to HT about re-releases and more. On Umrao Jaan re-release We meet Niharika on the sidelines of the grand re-release of Muzaffar Ali's Umrao Jaan. Many in the audience saw it in theatres for the first time ever. Talking about the re-release, Niharika says, "We can't take solo credit for this at all. Something like this is a collaboration with the NFDC, the film restoration committee. They have been absolutely amazing. They made it their mission to bring certain films back to the big screen. We are delighted to be able to host these films. And then there are the filmmakers themselves. So a lot of people come together." When asked if she and the PVR-INOX group consider themselves facilitators of this trend, she responds, "We consider ourselves facilitators but also movers. Ever since this entire strategy of re-releases became more than just festivals, a lot of people have also been encouraged to bring films back." How the re-release became a trend The trend of re-releases began last summer in India. For years, Tamil and Telugu hits have re-released on important anniversaries or stars' birthdays. But they were sporadic. It was only the summer of 2024 that made it a widespread trend, even in the north. Talking about how it all began, Niharika tells us, "In Delhi, we did have a period in time where we showed this one-off show in an Anupam (now PVR Saket), or Priya. This was a classic being re-screened. It ranged from a Bollywood movie to Hollywood hits, but in a very limited capacity. We did these experiments, but at that time, none of these properties performed. The genesis of this happened last summer, with Laila Majnu. We did it as an experiment in one property. The kind of response that it got made us take a step back and turn that experiment into a strategy. But it's too early to just even figure out what this beast is. It's still growing." As films like Tumbbad, Sanam Teri Kasam, and Laila Majnu outdid their original runs upon re-release, the industry took notice. Many films shed the 'flop' tag and became profitable after re-release. That a film which is available on streaming still manages to do well in theatres is no mean feat, something Nihariks points out. "It's a testament to two things. Firstly, these films are a major testament to the makers because they have made pieces that are transcending time. There's that nostalgic pull. But it's not just them. New people are discovering these. So definitely it's a testament to the big screen experience, because these films are available everywhere. There is something about experiencing them in this format with people, with other people in this shared space that is doing something," she says. Theatres are not dying This success and feedback are what convince her that she does not need to respond to the 'theatres are dying' jibe. "Theatres are not dying. There are a lot of people who are putting their effort and their entire might behind theatrical - a lot of brilliant producers, actors, etc, who have devoted their careers to making theatrical films, not just within Bollywood, but across India. And a lot of the films are doing well. So I think it's not a statement to really feel. And I really think we're in a place where theatrical and OTT can co-exist and it should," she says. Niharika adds that some of the classics have worked because of how the 'social media generation' functions. Giving an example of the Raj Kapoor Film Festival, she says, "We live in a generation of social media. So basically, it is somewhere FOMO. But it's also this curiosity that 'Why are the previous generations still talking about these movies?'" The business of re-releases But are re-releases just about nostalgia, or does it make business sense too? "It is definitely a combination of both," responds Niharika, adding, "It's not that there is no business in it. If you look at the footfalls of some of our highest-collecting films, like Tumbbad, they are unbelievable. It is a big number, especially for a film that is widely available (on streaming). So that is where we are encouraged in our drive to keep this going." Niharika informs that collections from re-releases account for 8.5% of PVR-INOX's total revenue."It's not a very big number, but it's also very decent," she says, adding that it was just 4% a few years ago. "It's a market that's growing, and people are enjoying this momentum," she concludes.
Economic Times
an hour ago
- Economic Times
Connie Francis, ‘Pretty Little Baby' singer, dies at 87; all about her life and career
Connie Francis's personal life and career Live Events International Success (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel Singer Connie Francis has died at 87, her close friend Ron Roberts confirmed on the social media platform Facebook on Thursday, July 17, 2025. She was an iconic singer known for 'Pretty Little Baby' and 'Everybody's Somebody's Fool.' Francis died two weeks after it was revealed that she'd been hospitalized due to "extreme pain," according to media reports. "It is with a heavy heart and extreme sadness that I inform you of the passing of my dear friend Connie Francis last night," Roberts wrote on Facebook. "I know that Connie would approve that her fans are among the first to learn of this sad news," he close friend, Ron Roberts, is the president of the musician's label, Concetta Records. More details will follow later," the message, which was also shared on Francis' official Facebook profile, concluded. This comes after Francis confirmed on July 4, 2025 (Friday), in a Facebook post that she was "feeling much better after a good night," two days after it was confirmed that she had been musician revealed that she was "back in hospital" on July 2, telling fans she'd been "undergoing tests and checks to determine the cause(s) of the extreme pain I have been experiencing." Francis was back in the news because her 1962 song " Pretty Little Baby " became a big hit on TikTok, 63 years after she recorded it as a a contemporary of Elvis Presley and Brenda Lee, was one of the most popular singers of the 1950s and early 1960s. She had Top 10 singles like "Who's Sorry Now?' "My Heart Has A Mind Of Its Own," "Where the Boys Are," and "Don't Break The Heart That Loves You."Francis was the first woman to have a No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 with her 1960 track 'Everybody's Somebody's Fool.' Born in Newark, New Jersey, in 1937, Francis began taking part in talent contests and pageants at the age of 4 at her father's encouragement, singing and playing accordion. Later, she began appearing on TV shows. She was a featured performer on NBC's Startime Kids. She went on to choose Connie Francis as her stage 1955, she signed a recording contract with MGM Records, but most of her early singles did not achieve success. She was on the verge of being dropped by the label, but her father convinced her to record a version of "Who's Sorry Now?" as a final attempt at a hit in 1957. The track became a hit after it debuted on Dick Clark's American Bandstand in 1958. It then became a hit in both the U.S. and the U.K., and Francis and Clark would form a lifelong there, the singer tasted more success and her career grew with follow-up hits like "My Happiness," "Lipstick on Your Collar," and "Among My Souvenirs." Her 1959 album Connie Francis Sings Italian Favorites became her most successful, and 1960's 'Everybody's Somebody's Fool' became her first No. 1 in the United States—and the first ever by a solo female artist on the Billboard Hot 100, which had launched in also became popular worldwide, partly because she recorded her songs in different languages. She had two more No. 1 hits, with 'My Heart Has A Mind Of Its Own' (which hit the top spot just three months after "Everybody's Somebody's Fool") and 'Don't Break The Heart That Loves You.'According to she had a relationship with singer Bobby Darin early in her career, but her father kept them apart. The singer considered Darin, who died in 1973 at age 37, the love of her life.
Pink Villa
an hour ago
- Pink Villa
Will Ram Charan kickstart New Year with next movie? Peddi's November 2025 wrap-up plans raise questions
Ram Charan is currently working on Peddi, directed by Buchi Babu Sana. The film, slated to release on March 27, 2026, is likely to wrap up the RRR actor's portions by November this year. Ram Charan to finish Peddi by November 2025? According to a report by Telugu Chitralu, Peddi is expected to wrap the shoot, including patchworks, by the end of November 2025. The first copy edit of the film will be ready by the 4th week of December this year. With Ram Charan finishing the works for his sports action drama, he is expected to kickstart his next movie at the beginning of 2026. While working on his new film, he will also be attending the promotional works for Peddi. However, as of now, this is just a report, and an official confirmation is to be made by the makers. Which movie will Ram Charan work on next? Initially, it was reported that Ram Charan will be appearing in the lead role next for director Sukumar's movie, tentatively titled RC17. However, in a recent interview, producer Naga Vamsi revealed Charan will work with him on a movie. While more details about the venture haven't been revealed, the film will be a quick venture as the Sukumar directorial needs more time to be materialized. With an official announcement pending, we'll have to wait and see what Charan's next flick would be. Ram Charan's next movie Ram Charan was last seen in Game Changer. Directed by Shankar, the political action drama told the story of an honest IAS officer who goes head-to-head with a corrupt politician. Charan played dual roles alongside an ensemble cast featuring Kiara Advani, Anjali, SJ Suryah, Srikanth, Sunil, Jayaram, and others. The movie is currently available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video. Talking about Peddi, the sports actioner directed by Buchi Babu Sana features Janhvi Kapoor as the female lead, marking her second venture in Telugu after Devara. Apart from the leads, the film has Kannada superstar Shiva Rajkumar playing a pivotal role.
