Production House
3B Films appoints Niki Tiwari as company secretary after Urvi Poriya exit
Board clears key compliance changes, postal ballot and scrutiniser role
MUMBAI: 3B Films Limited has appointed Niki Tiwari as its new company secretary and compliance officer, following the resignation of Urvi Poriya.
The decision was approved at a board meeting held on April 6, 2026. Tiwari’s appointment takes immediate effect, bringing in over a decade of post-qualification experience in corporate compliance and governance.
Poriya, a qualified company secretary, has stepped down from the role with effect from March 10, 2026. The company did not disclose further reasons beyond the formal resignation.
Alongside the leadership change, the board also approved the issuance of a postal ballot notice to seek shareholder approval on key matters. The company secretary has been authorised to oversee the process and ensure regulatory compliance in line with guidelines issued by the Securities and Exchange Board of India.
In a related move, the board appointed Kushal Rao, practising company secretary at K H Rao & Co, as the scrutiniser for the postal ballot process, including e-voting, to ensure a fair and transparent exercise.
The developments were confirmed in a communication signed by Ashokbhai Dhanjibhai Babariya, chairman and managing director of the company.
The changes reflect routine corporate governance updates, but also underline the company’s focus on strengthening compliance and shareholder engagement processes as it moves forward.
Film Production
Lionsgate Play to bring Hollywood blockbusters to Indian cinemas before streaming
The American studio bets that Indian audiences will pay for the big screen before settling for the sofa
CALIFORNIA: Hollywood is coming to Indian multiplexes. Lionsgate Play announced it will release 10 to 12 major Hollywood films in Indian cinemas every year starting September 2026, before moving them to its streaming platform. The message is simple: see it on the big screen first, or wait.
The opening theatrical slate is starry. Russell Crowe leads Billion Dollar Spy, Gerard Butler fronts Empire City, Robert Pattinson stars in Primetime, and Mark Wahlberg leads By Any Means. A creature feature, Titan (Snake), rounds out the early titles. None are small bets.
The platform is also bringing back one of its signature series. Heated Rivalry, which built a strong following after its debut, returns in 2027. The show, noted for its character-driven storytelling, will continue exploring its central relationships in a second season drawn from Reid’s follow-up novel.
Rohit Jain, founder of Lionsgate Play Asia, said the theatrical-first approach gives films the cinematic scale they deserve while creating a cleaner transition to streaming. “We’re embracing a more integrated approach across theatrical and digital windows,” he said. “From big screen experiences to premium streaming, this is our most ambitious chapter yet.”
The ambitions stretch well beyond a dozen titles. Jain says more than 100 premieres are lined up for 2026 on the platform. The broader catalogue already carries crowd-pleasers including John Wick, Den of Thieves 2 and The Beekeeper, alongside series such as Normal People and Paris Has Fallen. Regional content also features, with titles including Dakshina, Eleven, Soothravakyam and Racharikam.
The upcoming pipeline is equally loaded. Greenland 2: Migration brings Butler back, Jason Statham leads Mutiny, Angelina Jolie stars in Couture, Zac Efron fronts Famous, and Matthew McConaughey heads The Rivals of Amziah King. The Has Fallen franchise is also expanding, with new instalments and returning series adding bulk to the slate.
For Indian audiences weaned on Bollywood spectacle, Lionsgate is making a straightforward pitch: Hollywood blockbusters deserve a darkened hall, a large screen and overpriced popcorn. With a roster this deep, it is hard to argue otherwise.
