Hindi
Higher numbers push up financials; ‘Padmaavat’ top grosser for PVR
BENGALURU: Higher box office, food and beverages (F&B) and sponsorship revenues, higher occupancy, higher average ticket prices (ATP) have helped push up Indian exhibitor PVR Ltd’s (PVR) overall numbers for the quarter and year ended 31 March 2018 (Q4-2018, quarter under review, FY-2018, year under review) as compared with the corresponding year ago quarter (Q4-2017) and financial year (FY-2017) respectively. Net box office collections (NBO) at Rs 75.15 crore for Padmaavat, the top grosser for PVR in Q4-2018 were more than double the NBO of the Q4-2017 top grosser Dangal, which had netted Rs 32.23 crore. This was despite lower theatre admits in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Gujarat which were impacted due to non-release of Padmaavat in these states, says the company.
PVR reported 19 per cent yoy increase in consolidated revenue for the quarter under review at Rs 572.88 crore as compared to Rs 483.01 crore in Q4-2017. Profit after tax for Q4-2018 increased to Rs 25.89 crore as compared to Rs 0.01 crore in Q4-2017. EBITDA (including other income) in the quarter under review increased 60 per cent to Rs 101.93 crore from Rs 63.84 crore in the corresponding year ago quarter.
For FY-2018, the exhibitor reported an eight per cent increase in revenue at Rs 2365.45 crore as compared to Rs 2181.68 crore in FY-2017. PAT for FY-2018 was 29 percent higher at Rs 124.02 crore as compared to Rs 95.84 crore in FY-2017. EBITDA for the year under review increased 15 per cent to Rs 433.17 crore from Rs 375.87 crore in FY-2017.
Q4-2018 revenue numbers
Total NBO collections increased 18 per cent yoy in Q4-2018 to Rs 312.40 crore from Rs 264.60 crore. Revenue from F&B increased 22 per cent yoy to Rs 157.10 crore from Rs 128.49 crore. Advertising revenue increased 37 per cent yoy in Q4-2018 to Rs 72 crore from Rs 52.74 crore in Q4-2017. Convenience income declined two per cent yoy to Rs 14.46 crore from Rs 15.72 crore. Other operating income declined 19 per cent yoy to Rs 13.95 crore from Rs 17.24 crore. The company says that other operating income in Q4-2017 included government subsidy of Rs 7.62 crore provided by various state governments. In Q4-2018, this component has not been accounted for on due to lack of clarity on refund mechanism for the tax exemptions under GST regime claims the company in it investor presentation. Other income declined 43 per cent yoy to Rs 2.97 crore from Rs 5.22 crore.
FY-2018 revenue numbers
Total NBO collections increased 11 per cent yoy in FY-2018 to Rs 1248.06 crore from Rs 1125.64 crore. Revenue from F&B increased 10 per cent to Rs 607.66 crore from Rs 550.54 crore. Advertising revenue increased 20 per cent in FY-2018 to Rs 294.86 crore from Rs 245.02 crore in Q4-2017. Convenience income increased three per cent to Rs 59.71 crore from Rs 58.15 crore. Other operating income declined 14 per cent to Rs 55.14 crore from Rs 64.26 crore. Other income declined 45 per cent to Rs 10.22 crore from Rs 18.58 crore.
Box-office numbers
Admits in Q4-2018 increased by five per cent to 1.90 crore from 1.82 crore in corresponding quarter of fiscal 2017. Occupancy was fractionally lower in Q4-2018 at 31.5 percent as compared to 31.6 percent in Q4-2017. ATP increased by Rs 19 during the year under review to Rs 209 as compared to Rs 190 in Q4-2017. The company says that the top five movies in Q4-2018 contributed to 52 percent of the gross box office with an occupancy rate of 38 per cent.
Admits in FY-2018 increased by one per cent to Rs 7.61 crore from Rs 7.52 crore in fiscal 2017. Occupancy was up at 32.9 per cent in FY-2018 as compared to 31.3 per cent in the previous year. ATP increased by Rs 15 during the year under review to Rs 210 as compared to Rs 196 in FY-2017.
Hindi
Shekhar Suman opens acting academy in Mumbai
The veteran actor-presenter launches SSFA, promising immersive, mentorship-led training for aspiring actors and storytellers
Mumbai: Forty years in front of the camera, and Shekhar Suman still isn’t done. The actor, host, writer and director, one of Indian entertainment’s most restless polymaths, is now training his sights on the next generation, launching the Shekhar Suman Film Academy (SSFA) in Mumbai on 22nd April 2026. Registrations for the inaugural batch are already open.
SSFA pitches itself squarely against formula-driven acting schools, leading with an intensive three-month programme that Suman says he personally designed and will largely conduct himself. The curriculum blends voice and speech work, emotional access, body awareness and camera technique with the Linklater Voice Method, film language and on-set discipline, and rounds off with a student film, giving trainees their first taste of a real set.
Masterclasses with actors, casting directors and filmmakers sit alongside the core course. The academy is conceived as a platform that will eventually sprawl into screenwriting, direction, cinematography, music production and post-production: a full creative ecosystem rather than a single acting school.
“For me, this academy is not just an institution. It is a very personal way of giving back to the craft that has given me everything,” said Suman. “Over the years, acting has taught me discipline, imagination, resilience, and the importance of truth in performance. Through this academy, I hope to create something that goes beyond training and becomes a true creative journey for every student who walks in.”
Behind the scenes, the academy is backed by GBM Studios. Dharmesh Sangani, founder and visionary, is the driving force, bringing what the academy describes as “a focused approach to creating meaningful opportunities within the industry.” Adhyayan Suman, founder and director and Shekhar’s son, adds a performer’s perspective honed across acting, music and direction. Ekant Babani, partner and chief operating officer, handles strategy and operations.
Entry is deliberately low-barrier. No prior training is needed: applicants sit a basic self-audition test, shifting the focus firmly to potential rather than polish. The academy says it aims to stay accessible while delivering a premium, hands-on experience.
In a country where acting schools multiply almost as fast as OTT platforms, Suman’s personal stamp and his willingness to stand in the room and teach may be the sharpest edge SSFA has. For those ready to test that promise, the curtain is already up. Apply at shekharsumanfilmacademy.com
