Hindi
Akshay Kumar tops advance tax payment in B’wood
MUMBAI: After the deadline for paying the final installment of advance tax for both corporates and individuals expired on 15 March, Akshay Kumar has emerged as Bollywood‘s top advance taxpayer for the sixth consecutive year when he paid Rs 180 million.
Last year Akshay gave a series of hits in films like Special 26, Khiladi 786, Housefull 2, Rowdy Rathore and Oh My God!
Close on the heels of Akshay Kumar was Salman Khan who paid Rs 110 million. The actor had two big releases viz Ek Tha Tiger and Dabangg 2 that totally made more than Rs 2.5 billion at the box office in 2012.
While Shah Rukh Khan paid Rs 105 million, Aamir Khan returned with a seven-fold year-on-year increase by paying Rs 75 million. Shahid Kapoor‘s tax payout remained unchanged at Rs 10 million this year.
Among Bollywood‘s leading ladies, Katrina Kaif paid the highest tax of Rs 45 million while Kareena Kapoor Khan is said to have paid Rs 40 million. Priyanka Chopra paid Rs 20 million.
About 1.35 million returns were filed between 10 February and 10 March, an increase of more than 15 per cent over the 1.08 million returns filed in the year-ago period.
Hindi
Rajesh Ramaswamy exits The Script Room to focus on filmmaking journey
Ad filmmaker steps away from own venture to pursue direction and storytelling
MUMBAI: In a move that has caught the attention of the advertising and creative community, Rajesh Ramaswamy has announced his exit from The Script Room, the company he co-founded, marking the end of a seven-year stint at the helm.
The decision, which came into effect earlier this month, signals a shift in focus for Ramaswamy, who is now looking to immerse himself fully in filmmaking and direction as an independent creative.
Known for blending sharp advertising insight with storytelling craft, Ramaswamy has been instrumental in shaping The Script Room into a creative hub that delivered campaigns, branded content, and original storytelling formats. Over the years, the company collaborated with agencies, directors, and a wide network of writers, while also experimenting with formats such as short films and web series.
Sharing his thoughts on the transition, Ramaswamy indicated that the move is driven by a desire to focus and explore stories he has been developing over time. While he acknowledged the unconventional nature of stepping away from one’s own venture, he also framed it as a necessary leap toward clarity and creative pursuit.
Importantly, The Script Room will continue its operations with its current team and leadership, with Ramaswamy expressing confidence in the group that helped build the company’s identity. The studio, he noted, remains well-positioned to evolve further with fresh talent and ideas.
His exit also reflects a wider industry trend, where experienced advertising professionals are increasingly transitioning into independent filmmaking, tapping into the growing opportunities across digital and long-form content platforms.
As Ramaswamy steps into this new phase, the move underscores a familiar creative instinct, sometimes, the boldest ideas begin with a clean break.
