Event Coverage
Govt to accept revenue share for FM radio: Reddy
MUMBAI: Information and broadcasting minister Jaipal Reddy’s inaugural address at Ficci-Frames 2005 today gave the entertainment industry at large a reason to smile as he reiterated initiates being undertaken by the government, including ways to curb piracy, tax sops and having a regulator
for the broadcast sector.
Reddy also said that there might be some relief for private FM radio players as the government is poised to agree to revenue share model for the players concerned, who had been lobbying for migration to such a regime from the existing model of annual license fee payment.
“At the outset, I wish to reiterate that my ministry is committed to growth of the entertainment sector,” Reddy said, emphasizing the need for laying out a clear road map for the entertainment industry where international standards and the localized markets would be the focus areas.
According to him, technology would propel the entertainment sector into the next decade. “There was a time when the world looked at the west, now the east is looking a lot more interesting,” he said.
Elaborating on this aspect, the minister said the global animation industry today is growing at the rate of 25 per cent every year and is going to be a $ 1.5 billion dollar industry in 2008. “Studios around the world are looking at cost effective and quality labour, which is our big advantage. Also our IT and labour skills make us the preferred destination for animation work,” Reddy said.
Dwelling on the global scenario, the minister said the next global economic powers would be China and India and this is definitely going to have an effect in the entertainment segment as well. ” I believe that India will stand to gain from outsourcing that is taking place and will soon become the studio for the world,” he added.
If backers of stringent anti-piracy laws were expecting some support, they got it too as Reddy vociferously condemned piracy, terming it as not only criminal, but an ‘ethical and aesthetic offense,’ which gives a moral blow to the creativity business.
While on the subject of piracy, the minister, making his maiden appearance at Frames, stated that the central government was determined to deal with piracy with an iron hand. In this regard, a state information ministers’ meet has been convened on 16-17 April to set the agenda rolling. Entertainment tax, which seems to be a big issue with the industry, will also be tackled at the meeting.
“Entertainment tax will be reduced to its minimum. And the fringe benefit tax, which is under scrutiny, will be taken up with the finance minister (PC Chidambaram) on behalf of the entertainment sector,” Reddy said.
In response to Zee Telefilms CMD Subhash Chandra’s plea for a level playing field, Reddy offered some solace when he said, “A level playing field will definitely be provided, and India will remain an open country where competition will be encouraged.”
Stressing on his pet subject of the need for a regulatory body for the broadcast sector, on the lines of those existing in the US and the UK, Reddy reiterated a Bill to this effect would be introduced in the monsoon session of Parliament. He also said that pubcaster DD’s DTH free to air DTH platform will increase channel offering by July.
Dwelling on the radio front, Reddy did not seem to budge from his known stand and said that the medium would be strengthened and expanded. The new twist came in the form of hints that a new radio broadcast policy formulated by his ministry envisages doses of liberal measures and he projected that in the near future, 300-odd private radio stations, both FM and community, might come up.
However, Reddy did admit that for the FM radio sector, Telecom regulatory Authority of India’s suggestion on migration to a revenue share model would be accepted. Reddy said, “We are going to be accepting a revenue sharing model for the FM radio stations.”
The I&B ministry is also laying emphasis on co-production treaties with other countries that will not only give a boost to the film industry, but also give a fillip to the emerging animation sector in India.
Event Coverage
Anime India announces Amazon MX Player as co-presenting partner for Anime India Kolkata 2026
MUMBAI: Riding high on the success of its blockbuster Mumbai debut, Anime India is accelerating its nationwide expansion with the announcement of Amazon MX Player as the co-presenting partner for Anime India Kolkata. The partnership marks a significant step forward in the festival’s mission to deliver large-scale, accessible, and fan-first anime experiences across the country.
Scheduled for 14 and 15 February 2026 at the iconic Biswa Bangla Mela Prangan, Anime India Kolkata will launch the first regional chapter of what is set to be a year-long, multi-city tour. As the curtain-raiser for the 2026 circuit, the Kolkata edition aims to fuse the energy of global Japanese pop culture with India’s fast-growing community of anime, manga, and pop-culture fans.
A household name in digital entertainment, Amazon MX Player brings unmatched reach and cultural relevance to the Anime India platform. With its expanding focus on anime and youth-driven content, Amazon MX Player’s involvement as co-presenting partner reinforces Anime India’s vision of making anime culture more inclusive breaking barriers of language, geography, and accessibility to connect with fans nationwide.
Anime India Kolkata 2026 will showcase cosplay competitions, interactive zones led by the Indian Gunpla Community, India-39 Vocaloid Community, The Japan Curry, and Adda-o-Otaku by The Otaku Guild. Fans can join tournaments across fighting games, Pokémon VGC, and more. Acclaimed Japanese director Susumu Mitsunaka (Haikyu!!) will attend as guest of honour, appearing in panels and live sessions. Positioned as an immersive celebration of fan culture and industry collaboration, the Kolkata edition marks the beginning of Anime India’s nationwide expansion.
Sharing their perspective on the partnership, Amazon MX Player director Aruna Daryanani expressed, “Anime in India has evolved from a niche interest into a mainstream cultural movement, driven by an increasingly engaged and passionate fanbase. At Amazon MX Player, our focus is on expanding access by bringing anime to audiences across the country for free and in multiple local languages. Our association with Anime India reflects our commitment to supporting the growth of anime in India and deepening connections with fans, while continuing to build Amazon MX Player as a trusted destination for free, high-quality entertainment.”
“Anime India Kolkata is a celebration of how anime has grown beyond entertainment into a powerful cultural and creative force. By bringing fans, creators, and industry leaders onto one shared platform, the festival is helping define the future of pop culture in India,” said Anime India co-founder and director Neha Mehta.
The debut edition of Anime India 2025 in Mumbai attracted over 29,000 fans, quickly cementing its status as a landmark celebration of anime and Japanese pop culture. Riding on this overwhelming response, the Kolkata chapter is projected to draw more than 40,000 visitors across two days, positioning it as one of the biggest anime conventions ever held in eastern India.
Anime India is focused on bringing together fans from across the country to create a truly pan-India celebration of anime, manga, cosplay, gaming, and Japanese culture. With plans to expand into four key metropolitan hubs in 2026—east (Kolkata), north (Delhi), west (Mumbai), and south (Hyderabad)—the festival seeks to deliver globally benchmarked experiences while supporting and uplifting creators, artists, and fan communities throughout India.
