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NBCUniversal veteran Sumithra Barry is leaving the company after almost two decades. For the past three years, she served as SVP, Content and Consumer Insights, Entertainment Networks at NBCUniversal Television and Streaming.

Barry’s departure is part of a round of layoffs within the NBCUniversal Research and Decision Sciences operations, which we hear impacted less under 20 people. The cuts are part of a restructuring that follows NBCU’s January decision to Integrate research and decision sciences (data) teams across television and streaming under Will Gonzalez who was promoted to EVP & Chief Data Officer.

The restructuring kicked off in August with the appointment of Zoë Friend as EVP of Consumer Insights. More new hires are expected.

In much the same way that NBCUniversal no longer has a content team specifically focused on NBC, Peacock or its cable networks — it works across platforms — the Research and Decision Sciences division also will now operate across areas,...

ReviewThe stunts are indeed valimai (powerful/strong) but the film becomes a kodumai (atrocity) with its wonky script and poor characterisation.Sowmya RajendranValimai is Tamil cinema’s attempt to pull off something like The Fast and the Furious franchise but with Ajith’s tempered version of the hero. So, lots of fast vehicles but not as much fury. Seemingly inspired by the real-life Satan’s Slaves Motorcycle Club of 1960s England, Valimai is about a gang of bikers who indulge in criminal activities. Written and directed by H Vinoth, the film shows off Ajith’s skills with the bike admirably but if you go looking for the story, you’ll only meet with potholes. The film’s budget runs to Rs 150 crore, and you can see where exactly they’ve spent it and where they haven’t. Ajith plays Acp Arjun, an upright middle-class police officer who is against encounters...

Kollywood “Despite hard times, people kept showering their love. It gave us more strength, hope and confidence,” the makers expressed in the making video of ‘Valimai’ released on December 14. Tnm StaffScreengrab/ YouTube- Zeestudios The makers of actor Ajith’s much-anticipated Tamil movie Valimai unveiled a new making video from the film, featuring glimpses from the sets. Apart from Ajith, the H Vinoth directorial also stars actors Huma S Qureshi, Karthikeya, Bani, Sumithra, Achyunth Kumar, Yogi Babu, Raj Ayyappa, Pugazh and others in pivotal roles. Sharing the making video, Boney Kapoor, who is bankrolling the film, wrote: “Get ready with Ur Earphones Here comes the action-packed #ValimaiMakingVideo!(sic).” The three-minute-long video opens with visuals of different members from the cast. Ajith can be seen getting drenched in rain, while Huma Qureshi sports a stern look. The video also includes workout videos of actor Karthikeya to show the kind of preparation that went into the role.

KollywoodThe emotional number has lyrics by director Vignesh Shivan and is set to tune by Yuvan Shankar Raja. Tnm StaffScreengrab/YouTubePutting an end to the long wait for fans, the makers of actor Ajith’s much anticipated film Valimai dropped the second single from the project on Sunday, December 5. Titled ‘Mother Song’, the track has lyrics by filmmaker Vignesh Shivan and is set to tune by Yuvan Shankar Raja. It is sung by popular playback singer Sid Sriram. As the title suggests, the song talks about the relationship between a mother and her children. The song is trending at number two on YouTube in India and also has been trending on Twitter since the lyric video was unveiled on Sunday. The lyric video opens with a dialogue from Ajith Kumar, who plays the lead role in the film. “Naan paartha mudhal mugam nee, naan ketta mudhal kural nee,” Ajith is...

Coronavirus The 86-year-old filmmaker is currently stable.Tnm StaffFile image/TwitterVeteran filmmaker and producer Sp Muthuraman has been admitted to Medway Hospitals in Kodambakkam, Chennai with suspected pneumonia and Covid-19 symptoms. In a press release issued by the hospital on April 7, the management said that the director was admitted with Covid-19 signs and symptoms and is currently in a stable condition. The director celebrated his birthday on April 7. “He is suspected to have Covid pneumonia. He is under the observation of a medical team at Medway Hospitals. He is stable at present,” their press release dated April 7 stated. Sp Muthuraman, who has worked with top stars like Jaishankar, Sivaji Ganesan and Kamal Haasan, is a native of Karaikudi. His closest associate is Rajinikanth. Some of Rajini’s best films from the early years were by Muthuraman. This includes films like Aadu Puli Attam, Priya, Murattu Kaalai, Kazhugu, Netrikann, Pokkiri Raja,...

KollywoodRajinikanth was as effortless playing a godman as he was in playing a raw, frightening villain. Kavitha MuralidharanRajinikanth wanted to be a villain and as one, he looked effortless on screen. He decidedly revelled in roles that had a shade of negativity. Infusing style with menace, Rajinikanth brought to his negative characters an elan not many villains of Tamil cinema could boast of. If only he had his way, Rajinikanth would have perhaps gone on to become Tamil cinema’s quintessential villain. But, Tamil cinema had different plans for him. Despite his admission that he preferred doing ‘commercial’ roles which eventually boxed him into a stereotype, Rajinikanth was a fine actor. He was as effortless playing a godman as he was in playing a raw, frightening villain. He could be a rustic village head as also the suave educated man. From comedy to melodrama, he was comfortable in many genres.