Convergence Bill to
be tabled in Winter Session
The Convergence Bill promised by I&B minister, Arun Jaitley, is still going through a ring of changes. It was converted into the Information, Communication and Entertainment Bill (ICE) and now the same bill has been renamed as the Communications Bill (Carriage and Content) 2000. According to Jaitley, the bill is expected to be tabled in Parliament during the Winter Session.


Ayesha in Star Wars’ next episode
In what may be best described as a huge achievement for an Indian actor, Mumbai-bred Ayesha Dharker has landed herself a role in George Lucas’s latest Star Wars instalment, the fifth part of which is easily the world’s most successful film franchise of all time.

Now it’s official: Lower ETs mean increased revenues!
The abnormal fear that the Maharashtra Government stand to lose revenue if Entertainment Tax (ET) was reduced, has been found to be a myth. While the government had reduced ET tax in 1998-99 to 50 per cent from the 100 percent prevailing since 1997. But surprisingly, the revenue to government coffers by way of ET didn’t register any fall. On the contrary, the government was a beneficiary as most of the cinemas in the state had greater collections during this period.

Hema Malini takes over as NFDC chairperson
Hema Malini took over as the chairperson of the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) on July 12 when the new board of directors met in Mumbai. The quorum comprising officials from the ministry of information and broadcasting, is yet to decide on appointing a managing director and other board members from the film industry.

Parlours seek to legalise screening videos
The Association of Maharashtra Video Mini Theatres which have a membership of 2200 in the state, has sought permission from producers represented by the All India Film Producers Council to legalise the screening of Hindi films in their video parlours which are granted licences by the government.

Boyzone’s Stephen Gately to visit Mumbai
Stephen Gately, one of the singers of the highly successful UK boyband, Boyzone, will be in India on July 31. The singer is among the first of the group to make his solo debut with the album aptly titled New Beginning, and he will be in India to promote his solo effort. During his visit, Stephen will give a couple of private performances before selected invitees.

Ghai launches Yaadein in London
Subhash Ghai created one more record when he launched his new film, Yaadein in London. Among the showman’s guests at the launch were Keith Vaz, minister at UK’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Samir Jain, director Bennett & Coleman who were the chief guests. Shekhar Kapur directed the first shot which was faced by Jacki Shroff.

Kerala filmdom objects to mega publicity
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala film industry has objected to the indiscriminate screening of pre-release clippings on the various Malayalam channels. They also want film artistes, earning more than Rs 50,000 in films, to stop working in TV serials.