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TV producers haunted by rental costs
MUMBAI: The pandemic may have halted production activities, but the costs are mounting, especially the rent, according to ANM Global managing partner Nidhish Mehrotra.
He was speaking at a virtual round table conference organised by indiantelevision.com that included some of the television eminent producers who came together to discuss the challenges faced by TV producers during the Covid2019 pandemic.
"I possibly see that currently and post Covid2019, the major concern is of rentals. We are commissioned by the channel and then we produce the show and bring the artists and crew together. We have the privity of contract with broadcasters and artists and crew have the privity of contract with producers. Most of the producers hire studios on rental; very few producers own their intellectual properties (IPs). Rentals are expensive at Rs 15 to 25 lakh per month,” he said.
He added that nobody had thought of adding pandemic as force majeure clause in the contract globally. If your insurance talks about a pandemic in your contract then you're covered, but if it doesn't mention it, then you are not eligible for the same. And to include force majeure in your insurance cover, one needs to pay a premium price.
He mentioned that a couple of lawyers have filed a petition in the supreme court saying that their earning has gone for a toss and that they are unable to pay rentals. But the apex court has denied any intervention in this matter. The supreme court in the hearing clarified that it cannot give any favours to the lawyers as every organisation would come to them. There are people in India whose livelihood is completely dependent on real estate and rentals.
The order, passed on 30 April 2020, stated that it depends on the understanding between the licensor and the licensee.
Mehrotra suggested that if the licensee feels that the licensor can terminate the contract or may reduce the rental fee by 50 per cent, it is essential to immediately make the contract.
“Producers are left with no option, either they can pay the rent or they cannot. You can suspend or waive off only when it is written in your contract otherwise you will have to pay the rent,” he concluded.
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
