Category: Film Production

Cinestaan Film Company to produce three films

MUMBAI: Cinestaan Entertainment has unveiled its plans to produce films and shall soon foray into television and internet services as well. Rohit Khattar is the founder and chairman of Cinestaan, while Anand Mahindra is a major investor.

Cinestaan’s first subsidiary, the Cinestaan Film Company has announced its foray into film production with a three film agreement with Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra’s ROMP Pictures.

Rohit Khattar said, “I am delighted to announce the launch of Cinestaan Entertainment in partnership with Anand Mahindra. We share a common vision and similar tastes in story telling which shall, we hope, manifest in some good films. Cinestaan is committed to preserving the rich legacy of our cinema heritage for which we are working on several initiatives including an oral histories television project that shall celebrate the memories and contributions of our screen legends.”

He added, “To begin our film slate with a prodigal talent like Rakeysh Mehra is an incredible high and we are excited about developing these films with him. Cinestaan shall announce some more projects soon.”

Cinestaan Film Company’s first film as a co-production with ROMP Pictures will be the Rakeysh Mehra directed ‘Mirziya’. The second film ‘FanneyKhan’ is an official remake of an Oscar nominated film to be directed by Nitin Kakkar, the National Award Winner for Best Film “Filmistan” in 2013. The third film (yet untitled) shall again be directed by Rakeysh Mehra.

July 29, 2014
Indus Media Entertainment to enter film and TV production in India

MUMBAI: The film and television industry in the country is all set to get fresh infusion of funds from Singapore’s Indus Media and Entertainment (IME) in the form of a venture capital (VC) fund worth Rs 75 crore. IME is looking at raising capital to invest in Hollywood films, south Indian films and producing TV content, with Rs 300 crore as the target and 75 per cent (Rs 225 crore) of it being invested in Hollywood. “Hollywood has a more structured work environment. There is a completion bond as to when will the film be completed as well as the exact amount of expenditure. So it makes sense to enter Hollywood,” says IME co-founder Naveen Chathappuram.

IME founding director Devarajan Venkat is of the view that India cannot be ignored. “South Indian films, Tamil and Malayalam, are our first targets and eventually after we make some profit, we will explore the Telugu market as well. Initially we will work with small budgets before moving to larger projects,” he says. Venkat adds that unlike other film producers and private equity funds, IME is here to look at opportunities that make commercial sense rather than pick projects driven by creative compulsion.

Soft commitments worth Rs 90 crore have already been obtained from investors based mainly in the Middle East. Venkat is aware that people are apprehensive of VC funds, especially because this is the first off shore fund in India. Investors are being promised returns of 18 to 20 per cent.

IME’s other focus is TV production on a global scale. “The American sitcom market is booming in India, especially amongst the teenage audience. We are looking at creating original concepts that could be adapted into every language,” adds Venkat. IME aims to be genre agnostic but it knows that drama, reality and sitcom are the types that work here informs Venkat. Again, the aim is not on creativity but on commercial viability, he further informs. His own experience of 20 years in finance with the Reliance Group and Balaji Telefilms will ensure that only financially viable projects would be undertaken.

Shows that will be created will be in English but with Indian sensibilities and Indian actors. Venkat believes that just as Indians can connect with American shows with American sensibilities, shows with Indian sensibilities will be gobbled up across the world, especially by the non-resident Indians as well as by Indians themselves. One such show Brown Nation is already under production.

“The objective is dual- to reach out to Indians across the world and also target the niche in India. We don’t want an India exclusive product,” he adds. The show costs are in the rage of approximately Rs 60 lakh per episode or USD 1 lakh. The fact that IME is a global fund will ensure that revenues come from across the globe as only Indian revenues may not be able to sustain the costs.

The fund is expected to launch by September 2014 with nearly 20 investors from across the globe and fund deployment will begin by this year end. Venkat believes that TV is not a business where one could incur loss since IME is looking at creating shows and then selling them. But IME’s focus is higher on films because of the glamour factor.

IME’s offices are currently located in Singapore, Chicago and Chennai with an extension being made to Mumbai shortly. The fund will be based out of Mauritius. On the board of directors are Venkat, Chathappuram, Charles Leslie, Ramu Veerappan, T Jeyananth and PAR Subramaniam.

Projects currently being worked upon are Night of the Living Dead which will see actor R Madhavan enter Hollywood and a Malayali movie featuring Fahad Fazil.

Other existing domestic VC funds are Third Eye Cinema Fund and soon to launch Bend It Media Fund.

July 12, 2014
Eros international to raise over $96 million from sales on NYSE

NEW DELHI: Eros International, arguably the largest overseas distributor of Indian films, will raise more than $96 million from the sale of shares on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE).

The company transferred its listing from London’s second tier Alternative Investment Market to the main board of the NYSE, recently, and the shares are a component of the Russell 3000 index.

The share issue is characterised as a ‘follow-on equity offering,’ according to a report in ‘Variety’.

The company, this week, announced that it would sell 6.675 million A ordinary shares, while existing shareholders would sell 325,000, for a minimum total of seven million shares. The company set the price at $14.5 per share earlier this week for a total offering of $101.5 million, and new capital for the company of $96.5.

In the event that the issue is heavily subscribed, both Eros and the existing shareholders may sell a combined total of 1.05 million additional A ordinary shares.

Shares fell from $14.9 to $14.12 on the pricing news on 10 July, the report said.

July 12, 2014
Eros International Announces Pricing of Follow-on Equity Offering

MUMBAI: Eros International, a leading global company in the Indian film entertainment industry, today announced the pricing of an underwritten public offering of 7,000,000 A ordinary shares at a price of $14.50. The offering consists of 7,000,000 A ordinary shares offered by Eros and certain existing shareholders, which consists of 6,675,000 shares offered by Eros and 325,000 shares offered by the selling shareholders. Eros will not receive any proceeds from the sale of shares by the selling shareholders. In addition, Eros and an existing shareholder have granted the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 1,050,000 A ordinary shares in total, which will be equally split between Eros and the existing shareholder at the offering price less underwriting discounts and commissions. The offering is expected to close on 15 July 2014.

BofA Merrill Lynch, Jefferies, Wells Fargo Securities and Macquarie Capital are acting as joint book running managers and EM Securities is acting as co-manager for the offering.

Copies of the prospectus may be obtained from BofA Merrill Lynch, 222 Broadway, New York, NY 10038, Attn: Prospectus Department, or via email, at dg.prospectus_requests@baml.com and from Jefferies LLC, Attn: Prospectus Department, 520 Madison Avenue, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10022, or via e-mail at Prospectus_Department@Jefferies.com .

A registration statement relating to the offering has been filed with, and has been declared effective by, the Securities and Exchange Commission. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.

July 10, 2014
Despite lesser releases, Eros FY-2014 PAT up by 29 per cent to Rs 199.69 crore!

BENGALURU: It missed hitting Rs 200 crore PAT by just around Rs 31 lakh in the recently concluded FY-2014. The Sunil Lulla led Eros International Media Limited (Eros) belongs to a select league of a handful of publicly listed Indian media and entertainment companies that have only grown bigger and bigger in terms of bottom line as well as topline as compared to rest that have made it a norm to show blood across their balance sheets. And all this despite a 10.4 per cent drop in the number of films released to 69 in FY-2014 from 77 in FY-2013!

Last year, the company entered the Rs 1000 Total Income club. This year, it continued its membership in that select peerage and how! In FY-2014, Eros reported a growth of just 6.1 per cent in Total Income (Tot Inc) to Rs 1139.64 crore from Rs 1074.35 crore in FY-2013. As mentioned above, the company recorded a PAT of Rs 199.69 crore (17.5 per cent of Tot Inc) in FY-2014, which was a whopping 29.2 per cent more than the Rs 154.53 crore (14.4 per cent of Tot Inc) in FY-2013.

Note : (1)100,00,000=100 lakh = 1 crore = 10 million.

Eros released 30 Hindi films, 37 Tamil/Telugu films and 2 other regional language films in FY-2014 as compared to the 30 Hindi, 44 Tamil and 3 other regional language films in FY-2013.

Let us look at the other numbers reported by Eros in FY-2014 and Q4-2014

Tot Inc in Q4-2014 at Rs 280.97 crore was 8.9 per cent less than the Rs 308.36 crore in Q3-2014 and 83.3 per cent more than the year ago quarter Q4-2013.

PAT in Q4-2014 at Rs 34.54 crore (12.3 per cent of Tot Inc) was 31.2 per cent less than the Rs 50.18 crore (16.3 per cent of Tot Inc) in Q3-2014 and more than triple (3.6 times) the Rs 9.58 crore (6.2 per cent of Tot Inc) in Q4-2013.

Eros reported Total Expense (Tot Exp) for FY-2014 at Rs 641.44 crore (56.3 per cent of Tot Inc), which was 13.9 per cent lower than the Rs 744.81 crore (69.3 per cent of Tot Inc) in FY-2013. Eros Q4-2014 Tot Exp at Rs 209.86 crore (74.7 per cent of Tot Inc) was 4.4 per cent less than the Rs 219.47 crore (71.2 per cent of Tot Inc) in Q3-2014 and 54.1 per cent more than the Rs 136.20 crore (88.9 per cent of Tot Inc) in Q4-2013.

Eros Finance cost in FY-2014 was 3.48 times at Rs 32.71 crore (2.9 per cent of Tot Inc) as compared to the Rs 9.39 crore (0.9 per cent of Tot Inc) in FY-2013. The company’s finance cost in Q4-2014 at Rs 14.52 crore (5.2 per cent of Tot Inc) was almost double (1.97 times) the Rs.7.38 crore (2.4 per cent of Tot Inc) in Q3-2014 and 7.4 times the Rs 1.96 crore (1.3 per cent of Tot Inc) in Q4-2013.

The company’s trade payables and receivables have both gone down in FY-2014 as compared to FY-2013.

Here are the figures: Trade Payables FY-2014 – Rs 36.98 crore (3.2 per cent of Tot Inc) – down 15.5 per cent from Rs 43.74 crore (4.1 per cent of Tot Inc) in FY-2013.

Trade Receivables – FY-2014 – Rs 151.45 crore (13.3 per cent of Tot Inc) – down 11.1 per cent from Rs 170.44 crore (15.9 per cent of Tot Inc) in FY-2013.

In its press release, Eros has indicated the breakup of revenue for FY-2014 as: Theatrical revenue – Rs 474.9 crore (42 per cent of Total revenue); Overseas Revenue –Rs 293.4 crore (26 per cent of Total revenue) and Other Revenue –Rs 366.4 crore (32 per cent of Total Revenue).

Eros managing director Sunil Lulla said, “This has been an excellent year for the company with strong operational and financial performance. Our strategy to focus on a diversified mix of high, medium and low budget movies, emphasis on regional language films along with monetisation of our catalogue across various platforms has enabled us to deliver such strong performance.”

“We are confident that our leadership position within the industry, monetization of our extensive movie library and positive structural sector trends should enable us to create huge value for all stakeholders going forward. On the back of a well-funded movie slate scheduled for FY-2015, we expect to deliver yet another strong financial performance in the coming year,” added Lulla.

Click here for detailed financial report

Click here for detailed earning result

June 2, 2014
FY-2014: Mukta Arts pays producers, distributors share Rs 234 crore; reports loss at Rs 7.34 crore.

BENGALURU: Mukta Arts Limited (Mukta Arts) paid Rs 234.09 crore (76 per cent of consolidated net total income from operations or Op Inc of Rs 234.09 crore) as producers and distributors share in FY-2014. The company has reported a consolidated loss of Rs 7.34 crore in FY-2014, which was 5.36 times the loss of Rs 1.37 crore the company had reported in FY-2013. Other Income in FY-2014, which included the proceeds of a keyman insurance policy, cushioned the loss by Rs 4.63 crore, else loss would have been nearly Rs10 crore in the year.

In FY-2013, Mukta Arts paid Rs 269.91 crore or 95 per cent of Op Inc on a consolidated basis towards producers and distributors share. In FY-2013, other income reduced the loss by Rs 2.25 crore.

Note : (1)100,00,000=100 lakh = 1 crore = 10 million.

(2) Annual figures are on a consolidated basis.

Let us look at the other numbers reported by Mukta Arts for FY-2014 and Q4-2014

Mukta Arts reported Total Income from operations (net) excluding other income in Q4-2014 as Rs 57.07 crore which was 25.6 per cent lower than the Rs 76.67 crore in Q3-2014 and 3.1 per cent less than the Rs 61.91 crore in the year ago quarter Q4-2013.

Consolidated Total Expense for FY-2014 at Rs 313.83 crore (102 per cent of Op Inc) was 14.7 per cent more than the Rs 273.65 crore (98.9 per cent of Op Inc) in FY-2013. Mukta Arts total expense in Q4-2014 at Rs 60.21 crore (105.5 per cent of Op Inc) was 21.4 per cent less than the Rs 76.61 crore (99.9 per cent of Op Inc) in Q3-2014 and 2.7 per cent less than the Rs 61.91 crore (105 per cent of Op Inc) in Q4-2013.

Producers and distributors share expense in Q4-2014 at Rs 48.93 crore (85.7 per cent of Op Inc) was 29 per cent less than the Rs 68.98 crore (90 per cent of Op Inc) in Q3-2014 and 8.9 per cent less than the Rs 53.73 crore (91.2 per cent of Op Inc) in the fourth quarter of last year.

Other expense for FY-2014 at Rs 30.6 crore (9.9 per cent of Op Inc) was 32.3 per cent more than the Rs 23.12 crore (8.35 per cent of Op Inc). In FY-2013, Mukta Arts reported other expense in Q4-2014 at Rs 6.33 crore (11.1 per cent of Op Inc) was 62.7 per cent more than the Rs 3.89 crore (5.1 per cent of Op Inc) and 30.1 per cent more than the Rs 4.87 crore (8.3 per cent of Op Inc) in Q4-2013.

Finance cost is FY-2104 at Rs 6.64 crore (2.2 per cent of Op Inc) was 16.7 per cent more than the Rs 5.69 crore (2.1 per cent of Op Inc) in FY-2013. Mukta Arts spent Rs1.97 crore (3.45 per cent of Op Inc) towards finance cost, which was 31.5 per cent more than the Rs 1.5 crore (1.95 per cent of Op Inc) in Q3-2014 and 53.7 per cent more than the Rs 1.28 crore (2.2 per cent of Op Inc) in Q4-2013.

Mukta Arts reported depreciation of tangible assets as Rs 7.09 crore (2.3 per cent of Op Inc) in FY-2014, which was 1.3 per cent more than the Rs 6.99 crore (2.5 per cent of Op Inc) in FY-2013. Depreciation for Q3-2014 at Rs1.33 crore (2.3 per cent of Op Inc) was 27.1 per cent more than the Rs 1.05 crore (1.4 per cent of Op Inc) in Q3-2014 and was 32.7 per cent more than the Rs1 crore (1.7 per cent of Op Inc) in Q4-2013.

Operating Results for the quarters were: Q4-2014 – loss of Rs 33.5 crore; Q3-2014 – Profit of Rs 0.92 crore; Q4-2013 loss of Rs 2.49 crore.

May 30, 2014
PVR enters the Rs 1000 crore revenue club; FY-2014 PAT up 26 per cent

BENGALURU: Indian motion picture exhibition, production and distribution house PVR Limited (PVR) reported a 26 per cent jump in PAT in FY-2014 to Rs 56.05 crore (4.15 per cent of net total income from operations or Op Inc) in FY-2014 as compared to the Rs 44.50 crore (5.5 per cent of Op Inc) in FY-2013. The company’s Op Inc in FY-2014 increased 66.67 per cent to Rs 1351.23 crore, hence becoming another media and entertainment company to cross the Rs 1000 crore (Rs 10 billion) mark. PVR had reported revenues of Rs 810.70 crore in FY-2013.

PVR’s consolidated revenue for Q4-2014 was Rs 316 crore as compared to Rs 240 crore during the corresponding period of last year, up by 32 per cent. Consolidated EBITDA for the quarter was Rs 35 crore as against Rs 18 crore in the same period last year, up by 92 per cent.

Note : 100,00,000=100 lakh = 1 crore = 10 million.

PVR Limited has three main revenue streams – Movie Exhibition; Movie Production and Distribution and ‘Others’ which includes bowling, gaming and restaurant services.

Let us look at the other Q4-2014 and FY-2014 numbers reported by PVR

PVR reported more than double (2.01 times) operating profit in Q4-2014 at Rs 33.06 crore in Q4-2014 as compared the Rs16.44 crore in Q4-2013. EBIDTA in Q4-2014 was 92 per cent more at Rs 35.18 crore as compared to the Rs 18.36 crore in Q4-2013. However, in Q4-2014, the company has reported a loss of Rs 5.14 crore as compared to a profit of Rs 11.46 crore in Q4-2013.

PVR’s exhibition business revenue grew by 74 per cent in FY-2014 to Rs 1271.43 crore from Rs 730.05 crore in FY-2013. PAT from this business grew 32 per cent in FY-2014 to Rs 57.87 from Rs 43.84 crore in FY-2013.

In Q4-2014, PVR’s exhibition business revenue grew by 29 per cent to Rs 288.96 crore from Rs 223.68 crore in the year ago quarter. PAT during the quarter was 19 per cent down to Rs 7.11 crore from Rs 8.75 crore in Q4-2013.

PVR’s net box office collection including Cinemax numbers went up 13 per cent to Rs 795.16 crore in FY-2014 as compared to the Rs701.26 crore in FY-2013. Net box collection during Q4-2014 was 20 per cent more at Rs 174.23 crore as compared to the Rs 144.28 crore in Q4-2013.

Net Food and Beverage (F&B) revenue in FY-2014 at Rs 298.08 crore was 29 per cent more than the Rs 231.48 crore in FY-2013. IN Q4-2014, F&B income at Rs 71.28 crore was 46 per cent more than the Rs 48.84 crore in Q4-2013.

Sponsorship revenue went up by 44 per cent from Rs 98.61 crore in FY-2013 to Rs 141.86 crore in FY-2014. In Q4-2014, sponsorship revenue went up 48 per cent to Rs 32.85 crore from Rs 22.14 crore in Q4-2013.

Expenditure

Total Expenditure (Tot Exp) in FY-2014 at Rs 1230.22 crore (91.04 per cent of Op Inc) was 65.02 per cent more than the Rs 745.52 crore (91.96 per cent of Op Inc) in FY-2013. Tot Exp in 4-2014 at Rs 315.58 crore (100.43 per cent of Op Inc) was 2.38 per cent more than the Rs 308.24 crore (91.82 per cent of Op Inc) in Q3-2014 and 32 per cent more than the Rs 239.15 crore (101.24 per cent of Op Inc) in Q4-2013.

PVR’s film exhibition cost in FY-2014 at Rs 329.49 crore (24.38 per cent of Op Inc) was 64.4 per cent more than the Rs 200.43 crore (24.72 per cent of Op Inc) in FY-2013. Film exhibition cost in Q4-2014 at Rs 68.6 crore (21.83 per cent of Op Inc) was 17.7 per cent less than the Rs 83.34 crore in Q3-2014 and 14.5 per cent more than the Rs 59.91 crore (25.4 per cent of Op Inc) in Q4-2013.

PVR Ltd chairman and managing director Ajay Bijli said, “FY 2014-15 has started well with strong performance of films like 2 States, Bhootnath Returns, Captain America and the strength of the film line up for the remaining part of the year underpins our confidence that we are on track with our plans for the full year. Our differentiated strategy, heightened brand awareness, and guest engagement tactics will further enhance the customer experience in 2014 and beyond. During the year the company also surpassed an important milestone of 400 screens in India further consolidating its leadership position in multiplex space in India. The merger of Cinemax with PVR also got completed and the management will continue to focus on driving synergies from the combined scale of operations which is reflecting in the market share and the reported results.”

PVR operates multiplex theatres under two mother brands – PVR and Cinemax. In January 2013 the Company acquired 93.19 per cent of controlling stake in Cinemax India, a Cinema Exhibition Company having 135 screens spread across 38 locations in India, through its wholly owned subsidiary Cine Hospitality Private Limited to become the undisputed leader in the cinema exhibition business in India. Post aforesaid acquisition PVR together with Cinemax currently operates a cinema circuit consisting of 421 screens spread across 97 cinemas covering 41 cities in India. The company claims to be the dominant leader with 30-35 per cent share of box office collections for Hollywood movies in India and 20-25 per cent share of Bollywood movies.

PVR claims to commands a phenomenal 70 per cent of the advertising revenue in the cinema medium space and delivers 360 degree exposure & innovative opportunities to brands, both on-screen and off-screen. The Company says that it is associated with the top 100 brands in the country. PVR is expected to add 70-80 screens every year.

PVR has informed BSE that the Board of Directors of the Company at its meeting held on 29 May 2014, inter alia, has recommended payment of Final Dividend @ Rs 2.50 each share subject to the approval by the members of the Company in the forthcoming Annual General Meeting.

May 29, 2014
FY-2014: BAG Films reports Rs 6.09 crore PAT: Radio segment operating loss widens by 68 per cent

BENGALURU: B.A.G. Films & Media Limited (Bag Films) reported consolidated PAT of Rs 6.09 crore (4.14 per cent of Total Income) in FY-2014 as compared to a loss of Rs (-82.16) crore in FY-2013. Overall, even for FY-2014, the company has reported a loss of Rs (-9.13) crore, however, contribution from minority interest of Rs 15.22 crore has resulted in the positive PAT for the year mentioned above.

Note : 100,00,000=100 lakh = 1 crore = 10 million.

For Q4-2014, Bag Films reported a (-90.91) per cent drop in PAT to Rs 0.67 crore (1.61 per cent of Total Income) as compared to the Rs 7.02 crore (17.85 per cent of Total Income) in Q3-2014 and a loss of Rs (-7.29) crore in Q4-2013.

Bag Films reported 24.34 per cent higher total income in FY-2014 at Rs 147.15 crore as compared to the Rs 118.35 crore in FY-2013. Total Income for Q4-2014 at Rs 41.87 crore was 6.45 per cent more than the Rs 39.35 crore in the immediate trailing quarter and 27.21 per cent more than the Rs 32.92 crore in the year ago quarter –Q4-2013.

Despite a much lower operating q-o-q loss in Q4-2014, the company’s radio segment reported a loss of Rs (-2.18) crore in FY-2014 as compared to an operating loss of Rs (-1.3) crore in FY-2013. The segment reported an operating loss of Rs (-0.10) crore which was about one ninth the loss of Rs (-88.43) crore in Q3-2014 and about one twelfth the loss of Rs (-117.46) crore in Q4-2013.

Bag Films radio segment reported (-1.22) per cent drop in operating revenue in FY-2014 to Rs 5.09 crore from Rs 5.15 crore in FY-2013. In Q4-2014, the segment’s operating revenue jumped 84.24 per cent to Rs 1.63 crore from Rs 0.89 crore in Q3-2014 and was 30.1 per cent more than the Rs 1.25 crore in Q4-2013.

Bag Films FM Radio segment operates under the brand name ‘Radio dhamaal’ and is available at the frequency of 106.4 and is present in seven states and 10 towns of India.

Bag Films has informed the stock exchanges that the Board of Directors of the Company at its meeting held on 26 May 2014, inter alia, has not proposed any dividend for the Financial Year ended 31 March 2014.

Let us look at the other FY-2014 and Q4-2014 numbers reported by Bag Films

Bag Films Total Expense in FY-2014 at Rs 137.23 crore (93.26 per cent of Total Income) was (-6.13) per cent lower than the Rs 146.19 crore (123.53 per cent of Total Income) in FY-2013. Total Expense in Q4-2014 at Rs 33.63 crore (80.32 per cent of Total Income) was (-6.99) per cent lower than the Rs 36.16 crore (91.93 per cent of Total Incoms) and (-8.20) per cent lower than the Rs.36.64 crore (111.3 per cent of Total Income) in Q4-2013.

The company’s finance cost in FY-2014 was 73.55 per cent more at Rs 19.48 crore (13.25 per cent of Total Income) as compared to the Rs 11.23 crore (9.49 per cent of Total Income) in FY-2013. In Q4-2014 finance cost at Rs 7.65 crore (18.27 per cent of Total Income) was 60.01 per cent more than the Rs 4.53 crore (11.51 per cent of Total Income) in Q3-2014 and more than double (2.08 times) the Rs 3.68 crore (11.19 per cent of Total Income) in Q4-2013.

Bag Films reported lower depreciation numbers for FY-2014 at Rs 18.66 crore (-10.39) per cent lower than the Rs 20.82 crore in FY-2013. Depreciation for Q4-2014 at Rs 4.61 crore was (-2.06) per cent lower than the Rs 4.71 crore in Q3-2014 and (-18.23) per cent lower than the Rs 5.64 crore in Q4-2013.

During FY-2014, the company has pared its employee cost to Rs 17.95 crore from Rs 19.72 crore in FY-2013.

Segments Results

The following segments contribute to Bag Films revenue: Audio-visual production, movies, leasing, FM radio and television broadcasting. FM radio results have been mentioned above. The company has mentioned revenue and result from movies as NIL. We shall look at two other segments – Audio-visual production and television broadcasting in this report.

Bag Films Audio-visual production segment reported revenue of Rs 48.59 crore in FY-2014 which was 76.51 per cent more than the Rs 27.53 crore in FY-2013. Revenue from this segment in Q4-2014 at Rs 11.17 crore was (-23.66) per cent lower than the Rs 14.64 crore in Q3-2014 but more than double (2.16 times) the revenue of Rs 5.17 crore in Q4-2013.

Audio-visual production segment reported operating profit of Rs 9.31 crore in FY-2014, as compared to a loss of Rs (-2.78) crores in FY-2013. In Q4-2014, Audio-visual production segment reported 50.08 per cent growth in operating results to Rs 4.92 crore as compared to the Rs 3.28 crore in Q3-2014 and a loss of Rs (-1.89) crore in Q4-2013.

Bag Films runs News 24 and E24 television channels. Its Television broadcasting (TV) segment reported operating revenue of Rs 89.44 crore in FY-2014, which was 6.57 per cent more than the Rs 83.93 crore in FY-2013. The company’s TV segment reported revenue of Rs 26.47 crore in Q4-2014, which was 12.16 per cent more than the Rs 23.60 crore in Q3-2014 and 2.2 per cent more than the Rs 25.90 crore in Q4-2013.

Bag Films TV segment reported more than triple (3.17 times) operating profit at Rs 31.09 crore in FY-2013 as compared to the Rs 9.80 crore in FY-2013. Operating profit by this segment in Q4-2014 at Rs 9.43 crore was 10.12 per cent more than the Rs 8.56 crore in Q3-2014 and 3.04 per cent more than the Rs 9.15 crore in Q4-2013.

Bag Films has informed BSE that the Board of Directors of the Company at its meeting held on 26 May 2014, has approved the preferential issue of 80,000,000 (Eight crore only) warrants convertible into equity shares at a later date, on a preferential basis, to Promoters/Promoter Group and Non Promoters subject to approval of the shareholders in the forthcoming Annual General Meeting and such regulatory or statutory approvals as may be necessary/required.

May 27, 2014
Other income cushions Balaji Telefims FY-2014 loss; board recommends dividend of Rs 0.4 per equity share

BENGALURU: Balaji Telefilms Limited (Balaji) reported consolidated loss of Rs (-17.2124) crore in FY-2014, a loss that was lowered by other income to the extent of Rs17.984 crore. The company had reported PAT of Rs14.58 crore in FY-2013. Other income includes proceeds of Rs 6.73 crore from a Keyman Insurance Policy taken by the company in earlier years. Other Income in FY-2013 at Rs 18.38 crore was 2.17 per cent more than the current year.

Three major segments contribute to Balaji’s revenue – Commissioned Programs, Sponsored Programs and Films according to the results the company has submitted to the bourses. The board of directors of Balaji have recommended a dividend of Rs 0.40 per (20 per cent) equity share of face value of Rs 2- each for FY-2014 as compared to a dividend of Rs 0.20 (10 per cent) in FY-2013.

The company reported Rs133.48 crore as the revenue from Commissioned Programs in FY-2014, (-1.63) per cent lower as compared to the Rs 135.69 crore in FY-2013. Commissioned programs reported an operating profit of Rs 21.21 crore in FY-2014 as compared to a profit of Rs19.32 crore in FY-2013.

Revenue from Sponsored Programs in FY-2014 was nil as compared to the Rs 4 crore in FY-2013. This segment result in FY-2014 was nil as compared to a loss of Rs (-2.04) crore in FY-2013.

Balaji’s Films reported consolidated revenue of Rs 273.43 crore in FY-2014 more than six times as compared to revenue of Rs 44.63 crore in FY-2013. This segment reported an operating loss of Rs (-27.72) crore in FY-2014 as compared to an operating profit of Rs 2 crore in FY-2013.

Let us look at the other numbers reported by the company.

Balaji Telefilms reported consolidated revenue of Rs 407.46 crore in FY-2014, more than double (2.19 times) the Rs185.97 crore in FY-2013.

The company’s total expense in FY-2014 at Rs 435.97 crore was 2.34 times more than the Rs185.96 crore in FY-2013.

Higher marketing and distribution expense, decrease in stock in trade are some of the major reasons for the increase in total expenditure.

Balaji spent 6.125 times more money towards marketing and distribution expense at Rs 76.18 crore in FY-2014 as compared to the Rs 12.38 crore is FY-2013. The company showed a reduction in stock-in-trade of Rs 80.60 crore in FY-2014 which showed an increase in total expenditure as compared to an increase in stock-in-trade of Rs107.59 crore which resulted in a reduction in total expenditure in FY-2013.

The company has paid higher finance costs at Rs13.731 crore in FY-2014 as compared to the Rs 8.52 crore in FY-2013.

Let us look at Balaji’s subsidiary companies

Three companies – Balaji Telefilms (BTL), Balaji Motion Pictures Limited (BMPL) and Bolt Media Limited (Bolt) are a part of Balaji. Cost of Production / Acquisition and Telecast Fees is the highest expense head for all the three companies.

BTL’s income from operations in FY-2014 was Rs131.54 crore, and the company reported a profit of Rs 10.02 crore in FY-2014. BTL paid Rs 100.60 crore in FY-2014 towards Cost of Production / Acquisition and Telecast Fees.

BMPL had income from operation of Rs 271.69 crore in FY-2014 and the company reported a loss of Rs (-26.27) crore during the period. Cost of Production / Acquisition and Telecast Fees for BMPL was Rs 281.13 crore.

.

Bolt reported Operating revenue of Rs 4.75 crore in FY-2014 and an operating loss of Rs 0.93 crore. Cost of Production / Acquisition and Telecast for Bolt was Rs 3.76 crore.

Balaji says that its revenue per commissioned hour for BTL in Q4-2014 was Rs 21.66 lakh as compared to Rs 21.18 lakh in Q3-2014 and Rs 22.30 lakh in Q4-2013. Excluding regional segment, event business and incentives, the company commissioned 173 hours in Q4-2014 which was same as the number of hours commissioned in Q3-2014 and 28.1 per cent more as compared to the 135 hours in Q4-2013.

Balaji also says that two movies were released in Q4-2014 and six movies in FY-2014. It adds that Production cost comprises old films inventory amortisation and marketing and distribution expenses of films releasing in FY-2015.

May 19, 2014
Relativity Media & B4U forge broad partnership

MUMBAI: Another large US independent global film and TV production studio-cum-distributor-cum financier is making its way into India. At least it has announced its intentions to do so. The Ryan Kavanaugh headed Relativity Media – which has 200 Hollywood films with a claimed box office revenue of $17 billion worldwide- has chosen to partner with steel baron Lakshmi Mittal-Kishore Lulla-Gokul Binani -backed B4U in a joint venture.  The announcement was made in Cannes by Kavanaugh and B4U CEO Ishan Saksena just as the week was ending and the Cannes Film Festival was going past the half way mark.

The joint venture will – according to a press release – “leverage their combined expertise, relationships and resources to create and distribute highly-engaging long and short form entertainment and sports content in India that will span a variety of mediums including film, television and digital.”

It clearly elucidates what the duo will do through the new initiative:

·Distribute future Relativity films and other select entertainment content in India and the surrounding regions

·Co-finance, co-produce and distribute Indian language films and television shows as well as acquire projects in the U.S. and Indian markets

·Distribute third-party content in India and select Bollywood films in the U.S.

·Create and launch a new pay television channel in India focused on Hollywood content in both English and Hindi

·Launch RelaTV– a digital streaming technology platform to deliver compelling short and long form content to Indian consumers

·Co-produce a slate of Hollywood films including The Best of Me

Around $100 million will be available to the joint venture to roll out its ambitions.

But Hollywood-Bollywood collaborations have not been something to write home about. UTV tried to forge partnerships with Will Smith’s Overbrook Entertainment and with M Night Shyamalan but did not get too far. Reliance Entertainment’s partnership with Dreamworks has done reasonably well. The YRF Entertainment co-produced  – withPierre-Ange Le Pogam and writer Arash Amel – Grace of Monaco premiered at the Cannes Film Festival  last week, but has got scathing reviews as being poorly directly and scripted.

Both Kavanaugh and Saksena believe their coming together will be fruitful. Says Kavanaugh:  “This strategic partnership represents an exciting opportunity for Relativity to significantly expand our presence in this vibrant and growing marketplace while creating a bridge for developing and sharing content between Hollywood and Bollywood.”

“By 2020, India is set to become the world’s youngest country, and its citizens are adopting new technology platforms – from smartphones to smart TVs – at a dramatic rate. Thejoint venture positions us well to deliver enthralling content across rapidly emerging distribution channels.”

Added Saksena: “B4U has always been at the helm for delivering Bollywood content in India and internationally. This joint venture with Relativity is the natural step in our progression to build a creative film studio and unique technology platform. Our joint venture provides a platform to bring the best of Relativity’s intellectual property, production skills, and unique monetizing strategies to India, while also providing Indian talent access to global audiences.”

The $100 million fund will be under Saksena’s management who is reportedely close to Mittal’s son-in-law Amit Bhatia and is a managing director at  the latter’s  investment company Swordfish Investments. He worked very closely with Bhatia and helped him turn around the Queens Park Rangers football club in 2010.

Thanks to Lulla’s involvement with B4U, the joint venture is likely to have access to the Eros International’s  large Hindi film catalogue – probably the largest for Indian films. Which should help it build up the pay television channel  and streaming media service – RelaTV – for India along with Relativity Media’s slate  of films and TV shows. Lulla has in recent times forged alliances with HBO for two local pay TV channels – HBO Hits and HBO defined – and with Endemol for production of films in India.

Saksena – who has had experience managing Queens’ Parks Rangers – will in all probability be bringing all that to bear on the sports side as he tries to get the best expertise out of Relativity Sports.

May 19, 2014