News Broadcasting
Eros finds some relief with Rs 13 lakh profit in rocky first half
MUMBAI: Loss to gloss? Eros Media scrapes into the black, thanks to a property sale. From a cinematic cliffhanger to a financial plot twist, Eros International Media has posted a modest standalone profit of Rs 13 lakh for the half year ended 30 September 2024 thanks almost entirely to a Rs 2,303 lakh gain from selling office premises. But behind the positive headline figure lies a tangled script of unpaid dues, regulatory heat, and an eroded net worth.
As per the company’s unaudited results approved on 31 July 2025, total income stood at Rs 5,390 lakh for the April–September period, of which only Rs 3,079 lakh came from actual operations. The remaining Rs 2,311 lakh largely stemmed from the one-time property deal, bumping up the bottom line just enough to dodge a red mark. For context, Eros had reported a loss of Rs 9,970 lakh in the same period last year and a full-year loss of Rs 47,973 lakh in FY24.
Despite this slim profit, Eros continues to operate under significant financial strain. Its net worth remains negative at Rs (48,572) lakh, and liabilities exceed assets. The company is staring at long-overdue receivables of Rs 14,893 lakh from Eros Worldwide FZE, its former parent, apart from another Rs 7,303 lakh from Eros UK and Rs 3,183 lakh from Eros USA. A provision of Rs 25,150 lakh has been made towards these in FY24.
Moreover, the company is entangled in a regulatory saga. The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) issued an ex-parte order in June 2023 and later a confirmatory order in October 2023, citing irregularities including suspect content advances. These advances Rs 5,253 lakh (net of impairment) out of a whopping Rs 1,07,201 lakh remain under SEBI scrutiny. The watchdog has since issued a show-cause notice, and the next Securities Appellate Tribunal (SAT) hearing is slated for 22 September 2025.
Adding to the drama, the Enforcement Directorate conducted a search at Eros’ Mumbai office earlier this year under the Foreign Exchange Management Act, with proceedings still pending.
Eros’ auditors, Haribhakti & Co LLP, have flagged a “material uncertainty” over its ability to continue as a going concern. While the company says it’s pursuing overdue collections, restructuring loans, and exploring long-term monetisation of its film and music library, the road ahead is anything but smooth.
Despite the small profit reprieve, this may not be the interval, let alone the climax. Eros still needs a major plot twist to turn the tide. For now, it’s banking more on nostalgia and asset sales than a strong box office-style comeback.
News Broadcasting
Induction cooktop demand spikes 30× amid LPG supply concerns
Supply worries linked to West Asia tensions push households and restaurants to turn to electric cooking alternatives
MUMBAI: As geopolitical tensions in West Asia ripple through global energy supply chains, the familiar blue flame in Indian kitchens is facing an unexpected challenger: electricity.
What began as concerns over the availability of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) has quickly evolved into a technology-driven shift in cooking habits. Households across India are increasingly turning to induction cooktops and other electric appliances, initially as a backup but now, for many, a necessity.
A sudden surge in demand
Recent data from quick-commerce and grocery platform BigBasket highlights the scale of the shift. According to Seshu Kumar Tirumala, the company’s chief buying and merchandising officer, demand for induction cooktops has risen dramatically.
“Induction cooktops have seen a significant surge in demand, recording a fivefold jump on 10 March and a thirtyfold spike on 11 March,” Tirumala said.
The increase stands out sharply when compared with broader kitchen appliance trends. Most appliance categories are growing within 10 per cent of their typical demand levels, while induction cooktops have witnessed explosive growth as households rush to secure an alternative cooking option.
Major e-commerce platforms including Amazon and Flipkart have reported rising searches and orders for induction stoves. Quick-commerce apps such as Blinkit and Zepto have also witnessed stock shortages in major metropolitan areas including Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru.
What was once considered a convenient appliance for hostels, small kitchens or occasional use has suddenly become an essential addition in many homes.
A crisis thousands of miles away
The trigger for this shift lies far beyond India’s kitchens.
Escalating conflict in the Middle East has disrupted shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical energy corridors. Nearly 85 to 90 per cent of India’s LPG imports pass through this narrow waterway, making the country particularly vulnerable to supply disruptions.
The ripple effects have been swift.
India currently meets roughly 60 per cent of its LPG demand through imports, and tightening global supply has already begun to affect domestic availability and prices.
Earlier this month, the price of domestic LPG cylinders increased by Rs 60, while commercial cylinders rose by more than Rs 114.
To discourage panic buying and hoarding, the government has also extended the mandatory waiting period between domestic refill bookings from 21 days to 25 days.
Restaurants feel the pressure
The strain is not limited to households. Restaurants, hotels and roadside eateries are also grappling with supply constraints as commercial LPG availability tightens under restrictions imposed through the Essential Commodities Act.
In cities such as Bengaluru and Chennai, restaurant associations report that commercial LPG availability has dropped by as much as 75 per cent, forcing many establishments to rethink their kitchen operations.
Some restaurants have reduced menu offerings, while others are rapidly installing high-efficiency induction systems, creating hybrid kitchens where electricity now shares the workload with gas.
For smaller eateries and roadside dhabas, the shift is less about sustainability and more about survival.
A potential structural shift
The government has maintained that there is no nationwide LPG crisis and has directed refineries to increase production to stabilise supply.
Nevertheless, the developments of March 2026 may already be triggering a longer-term behavioural shift.
For decades, LPG has been the backbone of cooking in Indian households. However, recent disruptions have highlighted the risks of relying on a single fuel source.
Increasingly, households appear to be hedging against uncertainty by adopting electric cooking options to guard against price volatility and delivery delays.
If the current trend continues, the induction cooktop, once viewed as a niche appliance, could emerge as a quiet symbol of India’s evolving kitchen economy.
