Sony Pictures sharpens India focus amid M&E shake-up
Sony Pictures Entertainment is increasing its investment in the Indian media and entertainment sector, driven by economic and population growth. Following a failed merger with Zee Entertainment, SPNI is focusing on strengthening content production, digital platforms like SonyLIV, and distribution partnerships under new leadership. Recent investments include cricket rights and a revamp of Sony Entertainment Television's programming to boost viewership.
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Hindustan Times
29 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
'Ram ne bana di jodi': AR Rahman, Hans Zimmer share selfie as they unite for Ramayana, fans have a cute hashtag for them
Anticipation is steadily building for Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana, one of the most eagerly awaited films in Indian cinema. While the makers recently unveiled a gripping first look featuring the lead characters, what truly stole the limelight was the mesmerising background score by Oscar-winning composers AR Rahman and Hans Zimmer. Now, a selfie shared by the duo has sent the internet into a frenzy. AR Rahman and Hans Zimmer collaborate for Ramayana. AR Rahman and Hans Zimmer selfie On Friday, AR Rahman took to Instagram to share a selfie with Hans Zimmer, captioning the post, 'With @hanszimmer #ramayanamovie.' The photo quickly gained traction, drawing reactions from celebrities and fans alike. Actor Lauren Gottlieb called them "iconic", while singer Armaan Malik commented, "legends". The image soon made its way to Reddit, sparking a wave of admiration and amusement. One user wrote, 'Cute. This is such a dad-coded selfie.' Another quipped, 'Ram milayi jodi.' Others chimed in with, 'Ram ne bana di jodi (Ram made the pair)', 'Too much talent in one frame', and 'Two Hans-on ka joda (A pair of two swans).' One witty fan even coined a hashtag for the pair: '#Zimmerman'. Hans Zimmer is widely regarded as one of Hollywood's most iconic film score composers, known for his powerful work in films such as Interstellar, Inception, and Dune. He has won two Academy Awards for The Lion King (1994) and Dune (2021). AR Rahman, known as the "Mozart of Madras", bagged two Oscars at the 81st Academy Awards for Slumdog Millionaire in 2009. The collaboration of the duo on Ramayana has significantly raised audience expectations. About Ramayana Directed by Nitesh Tiwari and produced by Namit Malhotra, Ramayana stars Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram, Sai Pallavi as Sita, Yash as Ravana, Sunny Deol as Lord Hanuman, and Ravie Dubey as Lakshman. At the first glimpse launch on Thursday, director Nitesh Tiwari said, 'I'll react not as a director but as an audience, because I am also an avid movie watcher. For me, the most important thing is the emotions and the pride for the great cultural heritage in our country. If we can evoke that and show it to the whole world—that is what we stand for—to me, that would be an achievement.' The film will be released in two parts, with the first set to arrive in cinemas on Diwali 2026 and the second on Diwali 2027.
Business Standard
34 minutes ago
- Business Standard
India's Non-GMO Soy Sector Prepares for EUDR Compliance with Support from SOPA and TRST01
India PR Distribution New Delhi [India], July 5: India, one of the leading producers of Non-GMO soybeans, is taking significant steps to align with the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), which mandates full traceability and zero-deforestation sourcing for agricultural commodities like soy. The regulation, enforced from June 2023 with compliance deadlines approaching by end of 2024, is set to impact global trade flows. In FY 2023-24, India produced approximately 113 lakh metric tons (11.3 million MT) of soybeans. As global demand for traceable, deforestation-free Non-GMO soy rises, especially from European markets, Indian stakeholders are strategically positioning the country as a key supplier. India's competitive advantage lies in its largely Non-GMO soy cultivation, unlike major producers such as Brazil and the USA where GMO crops dominate. This makes Indian soy a natural fit for EU buyers seeking sustainable and clean-label sourcing. To facilitate this shift, the Soybean Processors Association of India (SOPA) Is partnering with TRST01, a sustainability technology leader, to enable exporters and farmers to comply with EUDR requirements efficiently and affordably. Key Features of TRST01's EUDR Solution: -Geo-mapping of soy cultivation areas -Digital traceability from farm to port -Immutable blockchain records for audit trail -Automated generation of GeoJSON files and Due Diligence Statements (DDS) -Farmer onboarding, training, and field support Strategic Vision: SOPA and TRST01 are committed to building India as a Non-GMO soy export powerhouse. Through this collaboration, the target is to facilitate traceability and certification for over 10 lakh metric tons of soy in the coming export cycles. Field-level mapping initiatives, exporter training workshops, and data standardization drives have already begun across major soy-producing regions--Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Telangana. Why Indian Non-GMO Soy Matters: -GMO-free by default: India's soy production is Non-GMO, aligning naturally with EU regulations. -Sustainable cultivation practices -Higher trust quotient in global markets -Opportunity for premium pricing and market preference in the EU About SOPA: The Soybean Processors Association of India (SOPA) is the apex body representing soybean processors, exporters, and stakeholders, dedicated to the growth and global competitiveness of India's soy industry.
Indian Express
36 minutes ago
- Indian Express
Amid impasse over India deal, Trump says tariff letters for 12 nations signed
Amid uncertainty over whether India and the US will sign an interim trade deal before July 9, American President Donald Trump has said that the US has begun the process of informing countries of the reciprocal tariffs they must pay, and that he has already signed 12 letters scheduled to be dispatched on Monday. However, Trump had stated that the reciprocal tariffs would come into effect on August 1, indicating a potential extended window for negotiations with countries, including possibly India, which have not struck a deal with the US before the July 9 deadline. The US had originally announced a 26 per cent reciprocal tariff on India. A government official told The Indian Express that agriculture has been a major sticking point in negotiations, particularly because India has adopted an unwavering stance on this sector. However, India has shown willingness to reduce duties across a broad range of tariff lines. Traditionally, India has been defensive in trade pacts concerning agriculture. 'I signed some letters and they'll go out on Monday, probably 12. Different amounts of money, different rates of tariff,' Trump told reporters on July 4, adding that the names of the countries to receive the letters would only be revealed on Monday. This comes as Indian negotiators, led by Chief Negotiator and Special Secretary Rajesh Aggarwal, returned on Friday after nearly a week of talks with the US. A government official indicated that the likely interim deal will involve only goods, as services and labour issues are not currently part of the negotiations. While India is seeking greater market access for its textiles, leather and footwear, the US is pushing for access to India's agricultural and dairy markets—a major hurdle, since Indian farmers often operate on small land parcels with limited technological support. In contrast, the US has demanded India to drop GM regulation. Notably, there is significant resistance to genetically modified (GM) crops in India. Only one GM crop—Bt cotton—is approved for cultivation. No GM food crop is commercially grown, although experimental trials continue. However, imports of GM soybean oil and canola oil are permitted. A 2013 report by the European Network of Scientists for Social and Environmental Responsibility (ENSSER) emphasised that many studies deeming GM foods safe were industry-funded and that long‑term, independent studies were lacking. 'Environmental studies have shown that widespread use of Bt crops can lead to pest resistance, such as in the pink bollworm, and pose risks to non‑target species such as monarch butterflies, as suggested in a 1999 Nature study. Additionally, the overuse of glyphosate with herbicide-tolerant GM crops has led to 'superweeds' and increased herbicide use,' the New Delhi‑based think tank GTRI said. GTRI further said that GM and non‑GM crops may intermingle at various stages of the supply chain—during transport, storage or processing. 'Once GM material enters, there is a high risk it could leak into local farming systems or processed food chains, posing risks to food safety, environmental integrity, and India's export reputation—especially in GM‑sensitive markets such as the EU,' the think tank warned. The think tank added that the import of GM products, like animal feed, could negatively affect India's agricultural exports to the European Union, which enforces strict GM labelling rules and faces strong consumer opposition to GM‑linked products. Although GM feed is permitted, many European buyers prefer fully GM‑free supply chains. India's fragmented agri‑logistics and lack of segregation infrastructure increase the likelihood of cross‑contamination and trace GM presence in export consignments. This could result in shipment rejections, higher testing costs, and erosion of India's GM‑free image—particularly in sectors like rice, tea, honey, spices and organic foods, GTRI said. Ravi Dutta Mishra is a Principal Correspondent with The Indian Express, covering policy issues related to trade, commerce, and banking. He has over five years of experience and has previously worked with Mint, CNBC-TV18, and other news outlets. ... Read More
