Reliance Industries, led by billionaire Mukesh Ambani, has sought approval from the Competition Commission of India (CCI) for an $8.5 billion merger between Viacom18 and Star India Pvt Ltd (SIPL). The merger aims to combine the entertainment businesses of Viacom18, part of Reliance Industries, with SIPL, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company (TWDC). Post-merger, SIPL will become a joint venture held by RIL, Viacom18, and TWDC subsidiaries.