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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.
News Broadcasting
Rising Bharat Summit 2026 spotlights India’s global ascent
PM Modi keynotes two-day event with ministers, diplomats and icons in New Delhi.
MUMBAI: India didn’t just host a summit, it threw a coming-out party for a nation ready to own the global stage. The News18 Rising Bharat Summit 2026, held on 27–28 February in New Delhi, emerged as a high-octane platform for ideas, vision and strategic dialogue, uniting national leadership, global policymakers, industry titans, defence strategists and cultural icons under the theme “Strength Within”.
Prime minister Narendra Modi set the tone with a keynote that framed India’s resurgence as a reclaiming of lost potential built over generations. “In previous industrial revolutions, India and the Global South were merely followers,” he said. “But in the era of Artificial Intelligence, India is a partner in decisions and shaping them.” He highlighted the country’s thriving AI startup ecosystem and the recent AI Impact Summit attended by over 100 nations.
Union minister Piyush Goyal (Commerce & Industry) stressed India’s readiness to scale exports and deepen manufacturing, while Ashwini Vaishnaw (Railways, I&B, Electronics & IT) positioned technology and infrastructure as twin engines of growth, especially in AI and digital trust. Jyotiraditya Scindia (Communications & North East Development) revealed India’s ambition to lead in 6G through the Bharat 6G Alliance and partnerships with over 30 countries.
Global voices added depth: former Singapore Foreign Minister George Yeo called India’s development “self-sustaining” and strategically vital; ex-UK Chief of Defence Staff General Sir Nick Carter asserted India deserves a seat at the great powers’ table; and former US Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez joined ambassadors from Norway, Germany and Sweden in discussions on geopolitical realignment, sustainability and defence preparedness.
Other speakers included veteran investor Ramesh Damani, World Gold Council CEO David Tait, Vianai Systems founder Dr Vishal Sikka, DeepTech Bharat Foundation co-founder Shashi Shekhar Vempati, defence experts Rajesh Kumar Singh, Sunil Ambekar, Patrick McGee, Tom Cooper and Adrian Fontanellaz, plus cultural and sporting icons Kangana Ranaut, Saina Nehwal, PR Sreejesh, Mohammed Shami, Yuzvendra Chahal, Mithali Raj, Anil Kapoor and Yami Gautam.
The summit was supported by Jio Financial Services (Presenting Partner), Phonepe and DS Group (Co-Presenting Partners), Pernod Ricard India and Kia Seltos (Powered By & Driven By), state governments of Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Uttarakhand (State Partners), and associate partners including NSE, M3M Foundation and Reliance Industries.
Broadcast live across News18 Network, CNBC-TV18 and CNBC Awaaz, the event reinforced India’s image as a confident democracy and emerging global power proving that when strength comes from within, the world can’t help but watch.
