Hindi
Major sops to encourage foreign filmmakers shoot in Israel
MUMBAI: The legislative wing of the Government of Israel has approved a law that would encourage production of foreign films in Israel through a tax benefit of up to 20 per cent on goods and services purchased within the country.
However, the benefits by the law accrue to an Israeli production company which is expected to pass on these benefits to the foreign production company.
Passed by the Israeli Knesset, the law recognises two models.
The first model deals with productions by foreign filmmakers in Israel that retain the services of an Israeli production company. In this, an Israeli film production company that purchases Israeli goods and services on behalf of a foreign production company can withhold tax payments of 17 per cent. However, this benefit pertains to films in which the local production costs exceed $2 million.
The other model is for films with Israeli co-producers and co-financiers who own certain rights in the film. In order to qualify for the benefits, the total production cost in Israel should be at least 4 million shekels (approximately $1.0 million).
Terming the formulation of the law as a positive move towards better international relations, Israel consul general Orna Sagiv says, “Israel offers film producers a cost-effective professional filming package along with a vast variety of beautiful locations. Availability of 5 star hotels and an advanced telecommunications network clubbed with the 20 per cent reduction in cost makes Israel one of the most sought-after places for filming.”
The new law positions Israel in line with most advanced countries in the world. The tax benefits complement Israel‘s competitive advantages of favourable climate, varied sceneries within short driving distances, experienced crews, first-rate infrastructure and more.
Hindi
Dhurandhar the revenge storms past Rs 1,000 crore in a week, rewrites box office records
Aditya Dhar’s spy thriller sets fastest run to Rs 1,000 crore with record-breaking weekday hold
MUMBAI: The box office has a new juggernaut—and it is moving at breakneck speed. Dhurandhar the revenge has smashed past the Rs 1,000 crore mark worldwide in just a week, clocking a staggering Rs 1,088 crore and resetting the rules of the blockbuster game.
Backed by Jio Studios and B62 Studios, and directed by Aditya Dhar, the spy action sequel opened to the biggest weekend ever for an Indian film globally—and then refused to slow down. Unlike typical tentpole releases that taper off after Sunday, this one powered through the weekdays with rare muscle, posting Rs 64 crore on Monday, Rs 58 crore on Tuesday, Rs 49 crore on Wednesday and Rs 53 crore on Thursday.
The numbers stack up to a formidable first-week haul. India collections stand at Rs 690 crore nett and Rs 814 crore gross, while overseas markets have chipped in Rs 274 crore, taking the worldwide total to Rs 1,088 crore in just eight days.
The film’s opening weekend alone delivered Rs 466 crore, laying the foundation for what is now being billed as the fastest climb to the Rs 1,000 crore club in Indian cinema. Every single day of its first week has set fresh benchmarks, from the highest opening weekend to the strongest weekday hold—metrics that typically separate hits from phenomena.
A sequel to the earlier hit Dhurandhar, the film has not just built on its predecessor’s momentum but obliterated previous records, emerging as the biggest global blockbuster run by an Indian film to date.
At this pace, the film is not merely riding a wave—it is creating one.
