Hindi
E&Y pegs South Indian film industry at Rs 17.3 billion
CHENNAI: The South Indian cinema industry, which is heavily dependent on domestic theatrical revenues, is pegged at Rs 17.3 billion.
Telugu and Tamil movies contribute around Rs 7.7 billion each (45 per cent each), according to an Ernst & Young-Ficci report.
Malayalam movies make Rs 1.4 billion, or eight per cent share of the South Indian film market, while Kannada films earn Rs 0.5 billion (two per cent).
Almost 65 per cent of the revenues in the South Indian Film industry come from films exceeding budgets of Rs 70 million, the report, which looked at the fiscal ended 31 March 2009, said.
Forty per cent of the films made during FY‘09 didn’t get released. There is a need for better marketing of films which could start right from the inception of the film, especially in the international territories.
The domestic theatrical revenue stream is the most dominant, accounting for nearly three-fourth (around Rs 12.6 billion) of the total kitty. Efforts must be made to increase non-theatrical revenues, the report suggested.
“The four states have 50 per cent of the theatres in India. Almost 25 per cent (1,200 theatres) of the 5,000 theaters in the south are digital, a figure that is far higher than that of the rest of the country,” the report said.
Revenue from cable and satellite (C&S) television rights come next in the list, accounting for 17 per cent, or around Rs 3 billion, of the total revenue pie.
Also, there is a large untapped international market which is made up of the large global diaspora of people from South India who have to sometimes resort to viewing pirated copies because of unavailability of original copies. Thus revenues from international theatrical rights are confined to Rs 0.9 billion, or five per cent, of the total revenue pie.
Other revenue streams, which include music rights, domestic home video rights, Internet and mobile rights account for Rs 0.8 billion (5 per cent of the total revenue).
Among the top markets, Tamil Nadu is much dependent on the domestic theatrical releases as Rs 6.2 billion comes from this stream. The C&S TV rights in Tamil Nadu contribute just Rs 0.8 billion as the market has not seen new channel launches and is greatly dominated by Sun TV network.
Telugu movies earn more from the sale of TV telecast rights, perhaps led by the fact that the market has seen more channel launches. About Rs 1.8 billion comes from the sale of TV rights, according to the report.
The industry has immensely talented actors, artistes, technicians and crew members and adopts a disciplined approach, preplanning processes and adheres to schedules right from script to screen which leads to high productivity levels and overall lower costs of film making. “Spiralling production costs, however, need to be brought down,” the report said.
Hindi
Shekhar Suman opens acting academy in Mumbai
The veteran actor-presenter launches SSFA, promising immersive, mentorship-led training for aspiring actors and storytellers
Mumbai: Forty years in front of the camera, and Shekhar Suman still isn’t done. The actor, host, writer and director, one of Indian entertainment’s most restless polymaths, is now training his sights on the next generation, launching the Shekhar Suman Film Academy (SSFA) in Mumbai on 22nd April 2026. Registrations for the inaugural batch are already open.
SSFA pitches itself squarely against formula-driven acting schools, leading with an intensive three-month programme that Suman says he personally designed and will largely conduct himself. The curriculum blends voice and speech work, emotional access, body awareness and camera technique with the Linklater Voice Method, film language and on-set discipline, and rounds off with a student film, giving trainees their first taste of a real set.
Masterclasses with actors, casting directors and filmmakers sit alongside the core course. The academy is conceived as a platform that will eventually sprawl into screenwriting, direction, cinematography, music production and post-production: a full creative ecosystem rather than a single acting school.
“For me, this academy is not just an institution. It is a very personal way of giving back to the craft that has given me everything,” said Suman. “Over the years, acting has taught me discipline, imagination, resilience, and the importance of truth in performance. Through this academy, I hope to create something that goes beyond training and becomes a true creative journey for every student who walks in.”
Behind the scenes, the academy is backed by GBM Studios. Dharmesh Sangani, founder and visionary, is the driving force, bringing what the academy describes as “a focused approach to creating meaningful opportunities within the industry.” Adhyayan Suman, founder and director and Shekhar’s son, adds a performer’s perspective honed across acting, music and direction. Ekant Babani, partner and chief operating officer, handles strategy and operations.
Entry is deliberately low-barrier. No prior training is needed: applicants sit a basic self-audition test, shifting the focus firmly to potential rather than polish. The academy says it aims to stay accessible while delivering a premium, hands-on experience.
In a country where acting schools multiply almost as fast as OTT platforms, Suman’s personal stamp and his willingness to stand in the room and teach may be the sharpest edge SSFA has. For those ready to test that promise, the curtain is already up. Apply at shekharsumanfilmacademy.com
