Latest news with #VivekSoni
Forbes
03-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
India's ‘Mandala Murders' Debuts On Netflix Global Top 10
The new Hindi web show Mandala Murders made space for itself on Netflix's weekly list of most-watched non-English shows in its debut week. The Netflix India original ranks ninth on the list for the week ending July 27. R Madhavan's Hindi film Aap Jaisa Koi also made it to the list for the third week in a row. Netflix global top 10: Aap Jaisa Koi, Mandala Murders chart new list With the latest list of most-watched content on Netflix out for the week, India has two originals making it to the top ten. The Hindi film Aap Jaisa Koi was the sixth most-watched film and Mandala Murders was the ninth most-watched show for non-English content on Netflix for the week ending July 27. Meanwhile, Ajay Devgn's Raid 2 was the second most-watched film in India on Netflix in its fifth week on the platform. The Hindi romantic saga Aap Jaisa Koi retained its sixth position on the latest weekly list of most-watched non-English films on Netflix for the second consecutive week. This is the third week for the film on the list, and on the platform. Directed by Vivek Soni, the film recorded 2.6 million watch hours and 1.4 million views on the platform for the week ending July 27. It was the most-watched film on Netflix in Bangladesh, Pakistan and India. It also ranked among top ten most-watched films in six countries across the globe. After ranking at fourth slot in its debut week, Aap Jaisa Koi slid two positions to rank sixth on Netflix's most-watched non-English films' list last week. It was the most-watched film in five countries including Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Maldives, and Bangladesh. It also ranked among the top ten most-watched movies in thirteen countries worldwide. Aap Jaisa Koi was also the most-watched film across all OTT platforms in India last week. The Netflix India original features R Madhavan and Fatima Sana Shaikh in lead roles. The star cast also includes Namit Das, Manish Chaudhari, and Ayesha Raza. It was the fourth most-watched film online in India for the week ending July 27, registering 2 million views in the country, according to Ormax Media. Directed by Gopi Putharan, Mandala Murders made its debut on Netflix on July 25. Within days, it registered 1.9 million views and 9.6 million watch hours to become the ninth most-watched non-English show on the platform. It also ranked among top ten most-watched shows in 13 countries across the world and was the most-watched show in Pakistan, India and Bangladesh. Manan Rawat co-directed Mandala Murders with Putharan who has previously directed Mardaani 2. The show features Surveen Chawla, Shriya Pilgaonkar and Vaani Kapoor along with Vaibhav Raj Gupta and Jameel Khan. Set in a fictional town wrapped in mystery and spine-chilling traditions, Mandala Murders is a blend of mythology and crime thriller genres. In India, the show was the third most-watched original web series for the week ending July 27 recording 2.5 million views in the country.
Entrepreneur
31-07-2025
- Business
- Entrepreneur
PE/VC Investments Dip in 2025 Amid Volatility, Start-Ups and FinTech Show Resilience
Private equity and venture capital investments in India increased by 11 per cent in 1H2025 compared to 2H2024 in value terms, according to a new EY-IVCA report. You're reading Entrepreneur India, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media. Private equity and venture capital investments in India increased by 11 per cent in 1H2025 compared to 2H2024 in value terms, according to a new EY-IVCA report. In the first half of 2025, PE/VC investments totaled USD 26.4 billion, marking a 19 per cent decline year-on-year (USD 32.4 billion in 1H2024), but an 11 per cent increase over the second half of 2024 (USD 23.8 billion). This represents 47 per cent of the total investment value recorded in 2024. Deal activity also slowed, with 593 deals in the first half of 2025 (1H2025), down 16 per cent from 704 in the first of of 2024 and 9 per cent from 649 in 2H2024. Pure-play investments reached USD 18.3 billion in 1H2025, 3 per cent lower than 1H2024 (USD 18.9 billion) but 13 per cent higher than 2H2024 (USD 16.2 billion), accounting for 69 per cent of overall PE/VC activity. Vivek Soni, Partner and National Leader, Private Equity Services, EY India, said, "PE/VC investment activity has largely remained subdued in the first half of 2025, characterized by month-on-month volatility and a notable decline in both deal value and volume. Investor sentiment continues to be weighed down by a combination of macroeconomic factors and heightened geopolitical headwinds." Real Estate and Infrastructure sectors attracted USD 8.1 billion in 1H2025, reflecting a 40 per cent drop from 1H2024 (USD 13.5 billion) but a 6 per cent rise from 2H2024 (USD 7.6 billion). First half of saw 60 large deals aggregating USD 19.4 billion, a 15 per cent decrease from USD 22.7 billion across 69 deals in 1H2024. However, this marked a 26 per cent increase in value over 2H2024 (USD 15.4 billion across 57 deals). Large deals made up 73 per cent of total PE/VC investments in 1H2025. The largest deal was New Mountain Capital's USD 1.5 billion investment in Access Healthcare Services. Start-ups led investment activity with USD 6.8 billion across 366 deals, up 41 per cent by value from 1H2024 (USD 4.8 billion across 323 deals) and 32 per cent from 2H2024 (USD 5.2 billion across 322 deals). Financial services have consistently attracted the highest pure-play PE/VC investments over the last decade, receiving USD 75.4 billion since 2015. Notably, 61 per cent of this total has come in the past five years (since 2020). "The upcoming quarterly corporate earnings announcements will be a key indicator for market direction. While early signals such as strong GST collections, the recent rate cut by the Reserve Bank of India, and the IPO pipeline are encouraging, the outlook is cautiously optimistic given the concerns on earnings growth and the US-India FTA discussions that are stretching timelines. We expect that deal activity could gain momentum in the second half of the year as earnings performance and US-India FTA is behind us," said Soni. FinTech has emerged as the most favored sub-sector since 2020, drawing USD 16.5 billion, 36 per cent of total PE/VC funding since 2019. The sector continues to scale profitably, driven by rising incomes and the increasing formalization of savings. Asset and wealth management, in particular, is at a pivotal growth stage and is expected to expand exponentially over the coming decade.
News18
29-07-2025
- Business
- News18
PE/VC investments in India drop 19 pc to USD 26.4 bln in Jan-June
Mumbai, Jul 29 (PTI) Private equity and venture capital funds' bets on India have declined 19 per cent on-year to USD 26.4 billion in January-June 2025 as against USD 32.4 billion recorded in the same period last year, a report said on Tuesday. The investments were higher when compared with the July-December 2024 period's USD 23.8 billion, as per the report by industry lobby grouping IVCA and consultancy firm EY. In terms of number of transactions, 593 deals in January-June 2025 were lower than the 704 in the year-ago period and 649 transactions in the second half of 2024, it said. 'While early signals such as strong GST collections, the recent rate cut by the Reserve Bank of India, and the IPO pipeline are encouraging, the outlook is cautiously optimistic given the concerns on earnings growth and the US-India FTA discussions that are stretching timelines," the consultancy firm's partner Vivek Soni said. He opined that the second half of 2025 could see higher investment activity on better earnings performance by companies and also on culmination of the India-US free trade agreement. Pure-play PE/VC investments excluding the real estate and infrastructure sectors came at USD 18.3 billion, which was 3 per cent lower compared to the USD 18.9 billion in year-ago period, and 13 per cent higher compared to the USD 16.2 billion in July-December 2024. There were 60 large deals of USD 100 million and above during the reporting period, with the USD 1.5 billion buy of New Mountain Capital into Access Healthcare Services being the largest, the report said. The six months saw USD 11.6 billion of exits by such funds, which was almost the same as the year-ago period, but 31 per cent down when compared to the USD 16.8 billion in second half of 2024. PE and VC funds raised USD 8.4 billion across 54 funds during the six months, which was higher both on-year and also from the preceding half of 2024. PTI AA HVA (This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed - PTI) view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Hindustan Times
26-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Let's try that again, shall we?: Simran Mangharam on the double-standards in online dating
The Netflix film Aap Jaisa Koi, starring R Madhavan and directed by Vivek Soni, does more than tackle bias against the unwed. It also explores, rather interestingly, the challenges faced by women in the dating world today. The story follows Shrirenu Tripathi, a middle-aged Sanskrit professor, who falls in love with Madhu Bose, a teacher of French. Their seemingly traditional, serendipitous romance takes an unexpected turn when he learns that their 'arranged-love' match was actually initiated by Bose after she found him on an app for lonely people. This unsettles Tripathi because he has already embraced the many ways in which her outlook is different from his. The idea that she used this app is, to him, a step too far. The irony, of course, is that he was on the app too. Looking to connect with a woman. Perhaps, as with so many men in the real world, he was hoping to find that one true pearl who would blush in horror at the idea of such a platform, plead with her brother not to make her go on this 'date', and eventually confess that she knew nothing about it all; some well-meaning friend must have signed her up. Good lord, when we are going to grow up about this? In the film, this confounding contradiction of a man on an app upset that the women he loves was on it too is explored with subtlety and nuance. In the real world, things can go far less smoothly. I have had numerous woman clients complain that, even though many men are looking for long-term partners on these platforms, their first assumption is that any woman on a dating app is promiscuous. As a result, a man will often pop up in the chat window of a woman he barely knows, to ask if she is interested in having sex. This can happen to a single woman user over and over in the same week. Those who don't start out with such questions often have other intrusive ones to pose on a first date. 'Why are you on a dating app?' 'How come you're still single?' 'How many 'dates' do you go on?' These inquiries feel aggressive and insulting, women say. When this happens often enough, it can become difficult not to internalise a sense of being at-fault. Some start to justify themselves with answers like 'A friend signed me up on the app' or 'I'm actually a very traditional person'. I generally offer a piece of advice at this point, and it is simply this: Stop it. You have no chance of building the future you want with a man who treats women in this way. What you do have a chance of doing is shifting the narrative, at least a little. I know it is unfair and no one should ask this of you, but you are the vanguards of a new phase in this struggle. Push back and it might be possible to force a certain kind of man to finally acknowledge the absurdity of what he is doing. Do not hesitate. Do not explain. Simply demand answers to the questions you have been asked. Perhaps on his next date, he will hesitate. Perhaps he will eventually ask himself why he treats potential partners in this way. At the very least, you will have activated a new filter for yourself: men who quickly shift to a more balanced, respectful conversation are the ones genuinely worth considering. In the film, Bose challenges the absurdity and inherent double-standard that makes Tripathi so surly about how they found each other. In his case, he is willing to reflect, adapt and evolve. And what human hasn't had some evolving to do? Often, it happens in the face of an unmoving challenge. As with Tripathi, something goes terribly awry and you take a step back and think: 'Well, clearly I did that wrong. Let me see if I can do better.' And you do. It really can be that simple. (Simran Mangharam is a dating and relationship coach and can be reached on simran@
Time of India
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Fatima Sana Shaikh shares candid BTS moments with director Vivek Soni from 'Aap Jaisa Koi': ‘I still don't fully het…'
Fatima Sana Shaikh praised Aap Jaisa Koi director Vivek Soni on Instagram, sharing behind-the-scenes photos and expressing gratitude for his trust. The film, featuring R Madhavan and Fatima, explores love and equality against societal norms. Produced by Karan Johar's Dharmatic Entertainment, it premiered on Netflix on July 11. Fatima Sana Shaikh has captured the audience's admiration with her recent releases, 'Aap Jaisa Koi' and 'Metro… In Dino'. Celebrating the positive response to both films, she posted several pictures on Instagram with Aap Jaisa Koi director Vivek Soni , expressing heartfelt thanks for entrusting her with the role. Playful Tribute to Director Vivek Soni Posting some behind-the-scenes glimpses from the set, she reflected, 'From our daily selfies to your strange sense of humour that I still don't fully get… working with you has been a ride. You're a walking, talking Bollywood encyclopaedia (I still don't know how you remember every song, every scene. You are mad!) and then there is this monk-like calmness in you." She further added, 'Thank you for creating Madhu and trusting me with her. It's been such a joy being part of your cinematic and magical little world @ Behind-the-Scenes Photos Capture The Duo's Bond In some pictures, Fatima is seen talking with Vivek, as well as photos of them taking sweet selfies together. About 'Aap Jaisa Koi' In 'Aap Jaisa Koi', R Madhavan portrays Shrenu Tripathi, a 42-year-old man, while Fatima Sana Shaikh plays the role of Madhu Bose. The movie presents a touching family drama that highlights the importance of bonds, companionship, and the surprising discovery of 'Barabari Wala Pyaar'—a love built on equality—in the most unlikely situations. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo The film is set in the cities of Jamshedpur and Kolkata and follows Shrenu, who lives by tradition and routine. When he meets Madhu, a lively woman who doesn't follow society's rules, he starts to rethink his ideas about being a man, friendship, and showing emotions. The story is more than just a love story—it shows how Madhu fights to be herself despite family and social pressures. The movie was produced by Karan Johar 's Dharmatic Entertainment and others, and released on Netflix on July 11.
