#ByInvitation: From Berlin to the red carpet: a front-row seat to the year's biggest movies
ETimes March 26, 2026 07:40 PM
Even temperatures of minus two degrees celsius and heavy snowfall cannot keep a dedicated movie enthusiast from braving the challenging conditions to soak up the unique atmosphere of the Berlinale, the Berlin Film Festival . This year’s event featured an intriguing selection of films available for screening and sale, and I was lucky enough to view several movies we had previously acquired and will soon release in India. For us, these festivals are the heartbeat of what we do; they give us the chance to handpick stories that we know will truly touch the hearts of Indian moviegoers.
A24 kicked things off with the romantic comedy The Drama , featuring Robert Pattinson and Zendaya. Known as one of today’s most innovative independent studios, A24 continues to support unique and compelling films. This year, they found remarkable success with Marty Supreme , which earned over $160 million worldwide and secured nine Oscar nominations. On a personal note, seeing an independent studio find such a warm global embrace is wonderful, as it reminds us that a great story told with passion still has the power to bring people together in a cinema.
Set for release in April, The Drama offers a playful look at a couple’s upcoming wedding and the chaos that ensues when a hidden secret from their past comes to light. With two exceptionally talented and beloved actors leading the cast, it’s easy to enjoy the film. It’s also refreshing to see a romantic comedy on the big screen, a genre that was highly popular in the 1980s and 1990s but has become increasingly rare today.
Guy Ritchie’s Wife and Dog , with the supremely talented star cast of Anthony Hopkins, Rosamund Pike, and Benedict Cumberbatch, was another festival darling soon to hit theatres. Family, politics, and intrigue make this thriller a great watch.
I never tire of a great popcorn comedy and managed to get those laughs by watching Spa Weekend , starring Anna Faris and Isla Fisher. It’s a hilarious comedy about three friends who visit a spa retreat, only for chaos to ensue when their reckless fourth friend arrives. The Invite , directed by and starring Olivia Wilde, was another surprisingly fun film I got to screen. With a supremely talented ensemble cast including Penélope Cruz, Ed Norton, and Seth Rogen, the film, shot entirely in an apartment, reminded me of Woody Allen films for their simplicity and focus on complex human relationships. It is a very well-written and directed film with stellar performances by the entire cast.
Berlin remains a premier global market despite its cold winters, offering a chance to network with global industry professionals and preview upcoming independent films. Like other festivals, Berlinale features competitive screenings, and this year’s top prize, the Golden Bear for Best Film, went to Yellow Letters , directed by Ilker Cataz.
The awards season has now come to an end with the Oscars, the highest accolades, which were announced earlier this month. For those of us who live and breathe cinema, the Oscars are more than just an event; they create a beautiful second life for these films, inviting audiences back to our screens to share in the joy of world-class storytelling.
Historically, Oscar-nominated and winning films have been deeply loved and celebrated by Indian audiences, as our moviegoers have a profound perspective and appreciation for global cinematic excellence. Regardless of the trophy, Sinners has been a favourite with our audiences; Michael B Jordan has such an incredible way of connecting with people through the screen, and that energy has been felt in every one of our cinemas. Both Sinners and One Battle After Another represent the kind of movie magic we love to host, one is a thrilling ride that everyone wanted to see, and the other is a beautiful work of art that had people talking long after they left the theatre.
Seeing a filmmaker like Paul Thomas Anderson finally recognised with his well-deserved win is so special for everyone who loves the craft, and it’s been a joy to see our audiences in India appreciate the care and vision he puts into every frame.
Similarly, Jessie Buckley’s Oscar-winning performance in Hamnet is exactly why we believe in the big screen; it lets you feel every emotion and every tiny detail in a way that truly honors the actress’s work.
For me, the most beautiful part of this season isn’t the final tally or the gold statues, it’s that magic moment when the lights dim and a room full of strangers starts to dream together, the fashion that celebrates the evening, and those heartfelt speeches that remind us why we fell in love with movies in the first place.
And what a year for movies this has been.
