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UTV plans to launch US $25 million film fund in 2003
MUMBAI: With Indian filmdom, gradually getting a modicum of corporatisation, the coming year is going to see a gaggle of film funds to take it further up the professional path and bring clean money into it.
Multimedia firm UTV is aiming to be the front runner in film funds. It is planning the launch of a film fund in early 2003. The fund is in its final planning stages.
UTV Group CEO and Ronnie Screwvala claimed that the fund will have a targeted corpus of US$ 25 million. Initially, US$ 5 Million will be raised by the first quarter of 2003.
UTV officials claim that the fund is directed at those individuals and entities, who are looking at investing in the motion picture space in India. These prospective investors include high net worth individuals, in India and globally; VCC and private equity funds; overseas filmfunds and banking institutions and corporates making forays into the industry.
The fund will allow prospective investors, who are looking for transparency and a relatively de-risked model plus, to hedge their interests amongst multiple projects. The existing funds invite people to invest in a specific movie, rather than on a ‘project to project’ basis.
UTV officials also claim the fund will be the first fund of its kind because of its carefully designed structure; not as a private company attracting equity investment. It will also be registered with the relevant security and exchange bodies.
UTV, which began as a TV commercial and corporate film producer, has been building its core competencies in motion picture production over the past three to four years.
It has distributed close to 14 movies, and co-produced one movie in the past two and a half years. 11 of the 14 have been hits. These include titles like Lagaan, Sarfarosh, Mission Kashmir, Hera Pheri and many others.
News Broadcasting
Kamlesh Singh receives Haldi Ghati Award from MMCF
India Today Group editor honoured for three decades of journalism at Udaipur ceremony.
MUMBAI- Kamlesh Singh just turned a lifetime of sharp words into a shiny shield because when journalism wakes up a society, even the Maharana of Mewar wants to pin a medal on it.
The Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation (MMCF) conferred its prestigious Haldi Ghati Award on Kamlesh Singh, a senior editor at the India Today Group, during a ceremony in Udaipur on 15 March 2026. The national award, instituted in 1981-82, recognises “work of permanent value that initiates an awakening in society through the medium of journalism.”
Singh, who leads several editorial initiatives including Aaj Tak Radio, the Teen Taal community and The Lallantop, was presented the honour by Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar, Managing Trustee of MMCF. The citation highlighted his three decades of contributions to Indian media, innovations in digital journalism, mentoring young reporters, and his popular podcast persona “Tau” on Teen Taal, which fosters thoughtful public discourse.
The Haldi Ghati Award, named after the historic Battle of Haldighati symbolising valour and resilience, is one of four national awards given annually by MMCF. Past recipients include Tavleen Singh, Piyush Pandey and Raj Chengappa.
Other honourees this year included Padma Vibhushan Pt Hari Prasad Chaurasia, Vedamurti Devvrat Rekhe, Treeman of India Marimuthu Yoganathan, Vir Chakra Capt Rizwan Malik, and US-based researcher Molly Emma Aitken, who received the Colonel James Tod Award for contributions to understanding Mewar’s spirit and values.
In an era where headlines often shout louder than substance, the MMCF quietly reminded everyone that real journalism isn’t about noise, it’s about the quiet, persistent work that stirs society awake, one thoughtful story at a time.
