ITV

Tag: Lokhandwala

  • Balaji Telefilms forms movie business subsidiary

    Balaji Telefilms forms movie business subsidiary

    MUMBAI: In a significant move, Balaji Telefilms Ltd. has decided to set up a wholly owned subsidiary company to manage its movie business.

    The company has tentatively been titled Balaji Motion Pictures. “The entire business related to movies will be transferred to the subsidiary company,” a company statement says.

    Balaji Telefilms has so far taken a cautious approach to the movie business and has no releases this fiscal. The company produced two films in the last fiscal and raked in a revenue of Rs 104 million, incurring a minor loss. While Kya Kool Hai Hum was a success, the second film Koi Aap Sa didn’t fare well in the box office.

    The leading TV content company then decided to venture into co-production deals as a de-risk strategy. Balaji tied up with White Feather Films, a company started by Sanjay Dutt and Sanjay Gupta, for producing Shoot Out at Lokhandwala at Rs 120 million which is expected to release in the next financial year.

    Balaji Telefilms has posted a 49.26 per cent jump in net profit to Rs 214.76 in the third quarter ended 31 December. Income from operations rose 21.49 per cent to Rs 850.30 million.

    Revenue mix from commissioned and sponsored programing

    Commissioned category continues to drive Balaji’s revenues.

    How the channels stack up

    The channel-wise revenue distribution during the third quarter of the current fiscal is as follows:

     

    Programming split

    The hour wise programming distribution during the quarter breaks up in favour of the commissioned category.

     

    Change in Programming during the quarter 
    The following serial/s went off air during the quarter ended 31 December 2006.

    Serials on air

    As on 31 December 2006 the following 15 serials were on air on various channels.

  • Balaji Telefilms takes co-production route for films; plans to enter distribution

    Balaji Telefilms takes co-production route for films; plans to enter distribution

    MUMBAI: Balaji Telefilms Ltd. is venturing into co-production deals as part of a strategy to de-risk its movie business.

    The leading TV content company has tied up with White Feather Films, a company started by Sanjay Dutt and Sanjay Gupta, for producing Shoot Out at Lokhandwala at Rs 120 million which is expected to release by March-end or the first quarter of the next financial year.

    Two other movies are planned which will be co-produced and released only in FY08. Balaji is in talks with several producers including Neeraj Vohra. “By co-producing, we will be limiting our risk. Besides, the partner will bring in its filmmaking expertise,” says a source in the company.

    Balaji is also planning to foray into film distribution. The company may take the territory of Mumbai for distributing Shoot Out at Lokhandwala.

    “The movie with Gupta is estimated to cost Rs 120 million and will have a multi-star cast. We are part-financing this film. We have plans for two other co-produced movies but the budgets are yet to be finalised,” the source says.

    Balaji Telefilms produced two films in the last fiscal and raked in a revenue of Rs 104 million, incurring a minor loss. While Kya Kool Hai Hum was a success, the second film Koi Aap Sa didn’t fare well in the box office.

    The company is adopting a cautious approach and will not be releasing any movie this year. “We expect Shoot Out at Lokhandwala to happen only next year,” says the source.
    Balaji Telefilms saw a robust growth in FY06 with topline increasing 43 per cent to Rs 2.8 billion. Net profit rose 44 per cent to Rs 594 million on the back of a rate revision from Star and an increase in programming hours.