News Broadcasting
Padmalaya Q1 net profit down 14.4%
MUMBAI: The board of Padmalaya Telefilms has announced its financial results for the first quarter results ended 30 June 2004. The company has posted a net revenue of Rs 22.8 billion as compared to Rs 26.6 billion in the corresponding period last year, which shows a decline of 14.4 per cent.
Net profit before tax showed a decline of 19 per cent, to Rs 6240.50 million in comparison to the previous year’s net profit which was Rs 7722.20 million.
The 14.4 per cent decrease in sales, is attributed to one regional feature film release in the first quarter of last year, whereby the company achieved higher revenue in film division according to Padmalaya Telefilms CFO Sarasuram.The company has although released one regional film in July 2004 which will contribute to the second quarter turnover. One Hindi movie is also slated for release in the month of September.
Also, in the television division, the library encashment was high in the previous year hence the turnover of the first quarter in the previous year is more.
Staff costs have gone up by eight per cent as the company has recruited new employees for the envisaged expansion projects. Also, the existing employees were given yearly due increments.
Coming to segment wise revenue and results one sees, that although no films have been released, the profit from the films division is Rs 315.8.60 million vis a vis Rs 2250.60 million in the previous corresponding period; the margin of profit up by 10 per cent.
Sarasuram explains, “The film division comprises of Film Production, Distribution and Exhibition activities. Though there have been no releases, the distribution activity went well during the last quarter. Of the total 22 movies distributed during the first quarter, 12 movies were hits and others were average. This has contributed to higher revenue and higher profit margins.”
Also in the exhibition activity, the total number of theatres increased. This was also a significant contributor to higher revenues and profits.
TV profits have decreased dramatically at Rs 763.70 million, the margin of profit showing a decline of a whopping 24 per cent. This was because the current year’s library encashment was very nominal. The previous year saw library encashment contribute 43 per cent of the total Television turnover. However, the fall in TV arena of the company is noteworthy.
Animation seems to have spruced up the company by almost an 80 per cent jump in profits. The last year saw an addition of the animation education division (from April 2004 onwards) and visual effects division for the existing animation division. The re-establishment of the brand name of ZICA , worked wonders for the lost stand ZICA had in the market. The expansion of the business to Mumbai, Kolkatta and Hyderabad also played a vital factor. Sarasuram adds, “The company is eyeing to enter into other major cities also and apart from ZICA, the company has started media training center with the association of Apple Computers Inc. The Apple authorised training center is first time in India.”
The company has also increased the 3D animation department capacity to 200 per cent and thus the contribution from 3D animation is also more.
News Broadcasting
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.
