‘POTTER’ PERSISTS
“Harry Potter and the Cursed Child“ marks nine years at London’s Palace Theatre July 30, continuing its successful West End run. The original two-part production, currently booking through Feb. 15, 2026, remains the only worldwide venue showcasing the complete experience with nine exclusive characters including Hagrid, Bane, and Young Harry.
The production boasts a 45-strong cast, 66 backstage crew members, 650 costumes, and 700 lighting cues per performance. Having earned nine Olivier Awards and six Tony Awards among 60 major honors, the show has enchanted over two million West End patrons and 11 million globally.
Producers Sonia Friedman and Colin Callender celebrated the milestone, emphasizing London’s “unique theatrical experience.” With five international productions currently running and a ninth launching in the Netherlands in 2026, the magical franchise continues expanding worldwide.
FORMAT FLIES
Banijay Entertainment is bringing adventure reality format “Shaolin Heroes” to France via M6, with Endemol France producing the fourth international adaptation. The format, originally created by Banijay Nordic’s Metronome, follows seven celebrities mastering ancient Shaolin warrior monk disciplines under two masters’ guidance.
The show has proven successful internationally, surpassing TV2’s primetime slot average by 31% in Denmark and launching strongly in Belgium and the Netherlands. “It’s raw, emotional, and deeply inspiring; exactly the kind of content audiences are looking for today,” says Jean-Louis Blot, CEO Endemol France. Lucas Green, Banijay’s chief content officer, praised the format’s “universal themes of transformation and resilience.”
CONTENT CONVERGENCE
Banijay Asia has partnered with Collective Artists Network to launch an Indian creator-driven content ecosystem. The collaboration will develop creator-first properties across scripted, unscripted, branded, and digital formats, spanning long-form shows to vertical social content.
The partnership has onboarded creators including Aisha Ahmed, Dolly Singh, and Kashish for brand-friendly content development. “This partnership marks a bold new chapter in content creation — where creators are no longer just participants but become the driving force behind the narrative,” said Deepak Dhar, founder and group CEO, Banijay Asia. Mrinalini Jain, group chief development Officer, called it “a creator-powered revolution.”
ANNIVERSARY APPEAL
India’s Vinod Chopra Films and multiplex chain and distributor PVR Inox are re-releasing “Parineeta” on Aug. 29 across the country to celebrate the romantic drama’s 20th anniversary. The film, directed by the late Pradeep Sarkar and starring Vidya Balan, Saif Ali Khan, and Sanjay Dutt, has been restored in 8K resolution with remastered 5.1 surround sound.
“‘Parineeta’ has always held a special place in my heart. It’s more than just a film – it’s a journey of love, elegance, and soulful music,” said producer Vidhu Vinod Chopra. The restoration took four years, with work partly done at L’Immagine Ritrovata in Bologna, Italy. The week-long theatrical run celebrates both the film’s legacy and Balan’s Bollywood debut.