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Frames to examine the different financing options for the entertainment industry
MUMBAI: The convention for the business of entertainment Frames takes place in Mumbai from 22-24 March. One session will look at Financing Options for Indian Entertainment industry.
The Indian entertainment industry is one of the fastest growing sectors recording a growth rate of 18-20 per cent each year. How do the investors and the financial community view this sector? What will be the various financing options that could be made available to this sector.
Seeking to provide answers are JP Morgan MD Vedika Bhandarkar, HSBC Securities (USA) global sector head for media and entertainment Sandeep Pahwa, Carlyle Asia Investment Advisors MD Rajeev Gupta, Enam Financial Consultants partner and MD Munesh Khanna, GW Capital partner Vikram Narula and Waygate Capital MD Rajesh Jog.
On 23 March there will be a plenary session on Emerging revenue options for the Indian Entertainment Industry. Indian cinema is still less than one per cent of worldwide movie revenues. Digital distribution of content provides unprecedented and timely reach to consumers of Indian content in markets, which are non-traditional clusters. New markets, better distribution and broadband at home open up significant opportunities for digital distribution of movie and music content with the enhanced security of content protection and advanced payment mechanism.
The session will be moderated by Nasscom president Kiran Karnik. The opening address will be given by Kamal Haasan who will dwell on The Interplay of Technology and Entertainment. Intel will make a presentation.
Another plenary session will look at the Marketing & Distribution of Films: The Global Perspective. How is it that a global product is communicated locally keeping in mind the specifics of that particular region.
The session will be moderated by UTV chairman Ronnie Screwvala. The speakers include Buena Vista International president Mark Zoradi. He will deal with the challenges in marketing a film in different countries and across various regions. Hollywood has found India a tough nut to crack as it is faced with an audience who is loyal towards Indian cinema. Hollywood accounts for around seven to eight per cent to total film revenues in India. How can Universal, Paramount and other Hollywood studios increase revenues in India?
Meanwhile Indian filmmakers are looking at how they can tap the overseas market better. Looking to tackle these two issues is United International Pictures chairman and CEO Stewart Till who also serves as chairman of the UK Film Council.
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UDF poised to return to power in Kerala, says Manorama-CVoter survey
Massive opinion poll projects shift in Kerala politics ahead of 2026 Assembly elections.
MUMBAI: The winds of change appear to be blowing through Kerala’s political landscape and this time, they seem to favour the United Democratic Front. A comprehensive mega opinion survey conducted by Manorama News in partnership with CVoter projects a potential comeback for the UDF in the upcoming Kerala Legislative Assembly Elections 2026. The survey, covering all 140 constituencies with a massive sample size of nearly 90,000 respondents, predicts the UDF could win between 69 and 81 seats.
The ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) is expected to secure 57 to 69 seats, a significant drop from the 99 seats it won in the 2021 elections. This would mean the LDF losing 30 to 42 of its sitting seats. Meanwhile, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), which drew a blank in 2021, is projected to open its account with 1 to 5 seats.
Region-wise, the UDF is expected to make strong gains in Malabar, winning 25 to 34 out of 48 seats, and in Central Kerala, where it could bag 29 to 33 out of 53 seats. In South Kerala, the LDF is likely to retain an edge with 21 to 25 seats, while the UDF may improve to 12 to 16 seats. The NDA could pick up 1 to 3 seats in the southern region.
The survey was conducted between 14 and 26 March 2026, with additional tracker and snap polls carried out from December 2025 to March 2026. A total of 89,693 respondents participated, ensuring representation across all demographics and social segments.
Manorama News has a strong track record of accuracy, with its previous projections closely matching the actual results of the 2019 and 2024 Lok Sabha elections as well as the 2021 Kerala Assembly polls.
In Kerala’s famously fierce political battles, this survey suggests the pendulum may be swinging back. Whether the final verdict matches these numbers or throws up another surprise, one thing is clear, the 2026 Assembly elections are shaping up to be one of the most keenly watched contests in the state’s history.
