Paramount-Warner deal set to reshape Indian cinema

Netflix is backing away from its proposal to buy Warner Bros Discovery

- Lata Jha

The merged Hollywood giant may also reshape distribution strategies.

(AFP)

With Netflix backing away from its proposal to buy Warner Bros Discovery, paving the way for Paramount Skydance to take over the legacy studio, the merged Hollywood giant may be set to dominate the Indian theatrical space and reshape distribution strategies. In the English-language streaming ecosystem in India, there will be less disruption but heightened competition.

"The merged entity would command considerable distribution clout in India, given their significantly enlarged slate, enabling it to command a larger share of the Hollywood box office pie," said Rahul Puri, managing director of Mukta Arts and Mukta A2 Cinemas.

Warner Bros owns franchises such as The Conjuring, Harry Potter and Godzilla, which, coupled with Paramount titles Mission: Impossible and Transformers, give the merged entity better bargaining power with exhibitors.

However, according to Raheel Patel, a partner at Gandhi Law Associates, if Paramount Global takes over Warner Bros. Discovery, there will be stronger studio consolidation in India, not market domination. The combined entity would control major Hollywood IP, giving it sharper bargaining power with exhibitors like PVR Inox.