iWorld
UFO Moviez reports increase in numbers for first quarter
BENGALURU: Indian digital cinema distribution network and in-cinema advertising platform, UFO Moviez Limited (UFO) reported a 24.2 percent year-over-year (y-o-y) growth in advertising revenue for the quarter ended 30 June 2016 (Q1-18, current quarter). The company reported advertising revenue of Rs 493 million in Q1-18 as compared to Rs 39.7 million in the corresponding quarter of the previous year (Q1-17). Average advertisement minutes sold per show per screen decreased to 4.65 minutes (Q1-17 – 3.97 minutes) during Q1-18.
The company’s consolidated operating revenues improved by 13.9 percent y-o-y in Q1-18 to Rs 1536.8 million (Q1-17 – Rs 1,349.3 million). EBIDTA increased 10 percent y-o-y in the current quarter to Rs 408.6 million (26.5 percent of Total operating income) as compared to Rs 371.5 million (27.4 percent of Total operating income). Profit for the period almost doubled to Rs 140.2 million (9.1 percent of Total operating income) as compared to Rs 70.8 million (5.2 percent of Total operating income).
Company speak
“We delivered healthy operating and financial performance in the first quarter of fiscal 2018,”said UFO Moviez joint managing director Kapil Agarwal. “Our advertisement revenue grew by 24 percent despite continuing impact of demonetization and roll out of GST. Our hyperlocal advertisement business – UFO Framezcontinued to witnesshealthy traction.Caravan Talkies also witnessed marked improvement during the quarter.”
“Our advertisement network surpassed 4,000 screens with over 1,000 multiplex screens. Our performance continues to reflect the strength of this in-cinema advertising platform,” said founder and managing director Sanjay Gaikwad. “We are also excited about the future of our strategic initiatives – Caravan Talkies and UFO Framez. Going forward, we believe that there is significant headroom for growth and we remain confident that our strategic focus, strong execution and proficient team will continue to drive market leading performance.”
Let us look at the other numbers reported by UFO Moviez
Total Expense in Q1-18 increased 15.6 percent y-o-y to Rs 1,135.4 million from Rs 982.4 million in Q1-17. Ad revenue share (expense) in Q1-18 increased 24.9 percent y-o-y to Rs 151 million from Rs 120.9 million in the corresponding quarter of the previous year. Visual Print Fees sharing expense in Q1-18 declined 24.5 percent y-o-y to Rs 138.8 million from Rs 183.9 million in Q1-17.
The company’s expense towards purchase of digital cinema equipment and lamps in the current quarter increased 77.5 percent y-o-y to Rs 244.4 million as compared to Rs 137.7 million in Q1-17.
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iWorld
Hari Om OTT bets on AI-first filmmaking after Bharat Next Gen takeover
Platform plans six devotional series yearly, with Dronacharya set for June 2026 release.
MUMBAI: Lights, camera… algorithm. In a move that blends mythology with machine learning, devotional streaming platform Hari Om OTT is placing artificial intelligence at the heart of its filmmaking playbook. Founded by media entrepreneur Vibhu Agarwal and recently acquired by Bharat Next Gen Digital Pvt Ltd, the platform has announced a full scale AI first content strategy that positions artificial intelligence as the backbone of its film production model. The company plans to launch six original devotional series annually, beginning in the upcoming financial year.
Rather than treating AI as a post production shortcut, Hari Om OTT says it has spent the past 14 months building a full 360 degree in house AI ecosystem designed to power the entire creative pipeline. The platform has assembled a specialised internal team that includes AI Creative Directors, devotional content researchers and dedicated scriptwriters, bringing everything from concept development to execution under one roof.
The studio already has multiple films in production and is targeting at least three theatrical releases in the coming financial year. Leading the slate is Dronacharya, scheduled for release in June 2026, followed by Khatushyam Ji, Salasar Balaji and Rani Dadi Sati. Additional projects in development include stories centred on Agrasen Maharaj Ji and Chatthi Maiya.
Beyond feature films and series, Hari Om OTT is also expanding into a documentary vertical that explores the cultural heritage and temples of different Indian states. Designed as a state wise tourism promotional series, the project will use AI driven visual tools to offer immersive glimpses into India’s spiritual and architectural legacy, aiming to connect devotional storytelling with heritage tourism for global audiences.
Bharat Next Gen director Kanhiya Mittal described the upcoming slate as the start of what he calls a new cinematic movement powered by artificial intelligence.
“With Dronacharya, we are initiating a new cinematic movement powered by AI. This technology allows us to present India’s sacred history and cultural legacy with greater scale and authenticity. Our vision aligns with the prime minister’s emphasis on AI first innovation for India’s growth. We believe storytelling rooted in tradition, enhanced by technology, can position India as a global leader in human centric AI creativity,” he said.
Backed by Bharat Next Gen, Hari Om OTT is now positioning itself as a technology forward devotional content studio operating at the intersection of artificial intelligence and culturally rooted storytelling, where epics from the past may soon be shaped as much by code as by creativity.
