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AS
DOMESTIC COLLECTIONS CONTINUE TO DWINDLE...
Export earnings set to break Rs 400 cr barrier
By MSM Desai
The export earnings of Indian films have gone up from
Rs 250 crore in 1998-99 to Rs 300 crores in 1999-2000. Since
a number of hit films had been exported in the current financial
year, export earnings in 2000-2001 appear almost certain to
cross the Rs 400a crore mark.
In fact the Arthur Anderson report on the Indian entertainment
industry had predicted that the export of films from India
is expected to cross Rs 11,890 crore (approximately US$ 2,765
million) thanks to a spiral increase in demand, with the overseas
market consisting of the expatriate Indian community clamouring
for software in their native languages.
Consequently, regional films too have started netting big
money from exports especially from exports to the UAE, USA
and UK. It is not only the expatriates but also the locals
of the UAE, USA, UK, Russia and East Asian countries who are
showing interest in Indian films dubbed in English and the
local languages.
Projecting such a brighter picture, outgoing president of
the Indian Film Exporters Association (IFEA), Pahlaj Nihalani,
told the general body at its annual meet on September 29 that
Indian producers were looking to consolidate markets in new
regions like New Zealand, Japan, Australia, Fiji, Singapore,
Hong Kong, Mauritius, Tanzania, Kenya, Malaysia and Indonesia
besides the traditional markets like USA, Canada, UK, UAE
and South Africa.
Regarding export earnings, Nihalani clarified that though
Rs 300 crore export earnings included the export of television
serials, the major chunk of export earnings are from feature
films, as more than 100 prints of Indian films were exported
mainly to the UK-USA circuit.
Pahlaj Nihalani observed that the finance minister had extended
exemptions on income tax on export earnings from 1998-99.
But penalties were imposed for non-payment of income tax prior
to this period under 80 HHC. This has now been sorted out,
following the meeting with the income tax commissioner in
Mumbai. He hoped the penalty would be waived.
It may be recalled that when the film industry jointly set
up an anti-piracy film cell last year, the IFEA was the first
one to implement its decision to contribute Rs 1000 per print
exported abroad. This is the reason why IFEA is richer by
Rs 3 crore. This amount is to be utilised in curbing the piracy
of DVDs of Indian films, a menace now rampant in USA, UK and
the Gulf countries.
Regarding unauthorised exploitation of Indian films through
DVD in the overseas market, Pahlaj stated that efforts are
on to become member of London based Federation of Against
Copyright Theft (FACT) which is well-known for nabbing pirates.
“We have contacted various embassies in Malaysia, Singapore,
U.K.,USA, UAE and South Africa where piracy of DVD is rampant.
All embassies have promised to extend their help in controlling
the piracy,” he pointed out.
The annual general body re-elected the existing members of
the committee including Pahlaj Nihalani, Ganesh Jain, Mohan
Chabria, Hirachand Dand, Amar Asrani, Chandrakant Mehta, Govardhan
Tanwani, Jhamu Sugandh, Arjun Lulla, Rajendra Singh Hora,
Sundar F.Rai and S.C.Mittal.
The election of office-bearers will be held on September 27.
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