Subhash K Jha (DNA; October 5, 2017)

Onir’s film about a bunch of people in heterosexual and gay relationships in Shab has been denied the right to a television screening.

Producer Sheetal Talwar says, “We had an ‘A’ for theatrical release. This was fine. Shab deals with adult topics. We know children should not watch films with sexual content. So, before we applied for a new censor certificate for the home medium, we made suitable modifications. To our shock, we were told the film cannot be granted a ‘U/A’ because of its adult theme. This means we can’t show the film on television. For a small film, that did not do well at the box office, this is a huge financial blow.”

Sheetal reveals he was open to a dialogue to see how Shab could be altered for telecast. “But, now, according to a new policy at the CBFC, producers can’t have any dialogue or discussion with the panelists after they view a film. This basically means, once you are given a certification, you have to take it or appeal to the Tribunal.”

Bharati Dubey & Subhash K Jha (DNA; October 2, 2017)

The Hindi film industry is going through tough times, reeling under the impact of fewer hits and big-budget films failing. Amidst this, the Tamil Nadu government has slapped local body tax on the Hindi films. As per the new notification, non-Tamil films need to pay 20 per cent local body tax from this week. The film industry is unwilling to accept this burden, and plans to make a representation to the TN government. The concern is that other states will follow suit, further damaging the industry that has had a terrible year at the BO. Distributor Ramesh Sippy says, “Today, TN has levied this tax and if we don’t object, other states like Rajasthan, Bengal and Andhra Pradesh will do the same. We don’t need to look at the value but as a principle, we cannot allow this to happen to us.’’

High tax rate
Producer Ramesh Taurani says, “What has happened is unfair to us and we’ll be making a representation to the TN government soon.’’ Hindi film industry is already paying an entertainment tax of 48 per cent and an additional 28 per cent of GST. Kulmeet Makkar, CEO, Indian Film and Television Producers Guild says, “The additional tax would mean that audiences in Chennai will now have to pay 53.6 per cent as an effective gross tax on tickets for non-Tamil films. How can an industry survive with tax at this rate? Unless the state government wants to ensure that either the TN film industry is forced to shut down or the attempt is to make sure the audience in Chennai is deprived of films in other languages.’’ Apoorva Mehta, CEO, Dharma Production, adds, “I think this is not correct because the idea of GST was that it would be the one and only tax that’ll prevail. The film industry is already going through pressures in terms of the number of films that are doing well, this is only going to burden the whole business of films and everyone involved. This is something that needs to be avoided completely.”

A meeting soon
President of the South Indian Film Chamber of Commerce, L Suresh, said that Tamil films have to pay 10 per cent local body tax and they’re upset with the government, too. He said, “We are convening a meeting on Wednesday to request the government to withdraw this notification.’’

Will hamper footfalls
While the film industry plans to make a representation, some film trade people say that TN is not a big territory and one should not bother as it’s only five per cent business, and films with big star cast run in cinemas in that state. Unless they’re dubbed, the business is not big. T P Aggarwal says, “South Indian states had a cap on ticket pricing and it was affordable to everyone, but after additional taxation, the rates will go up and affect footfalls. As an industry, we’ll come together and fight against this. If we don’t resist, other states will also do the same. As it is, films are not doing well, and now, the local body taxation.”

Films that will suffer
“The Hindi industry must take a cue from this and put ideas together for its own benefit and protection. We’ve seen that governments do little to protect or promote us; it’s time we looked after ourselves and made sure governments did too,” stresses Anubhav Sinha. Films up for release in the coming months — Golmaal Again, Secret Superstar, Tiger Zinda Hai and Padmavati — will be affected.

Shailendra Singh: United we stand, divided we fall. This move makes this even truer. Why use entertainment as a political agenda? Sad new low in political strategy.

Nishikant Kamat: It is unfortunate... art should be above languages and provinces. It might instigate other states to emulate.

Sheetal Talwar: It’s protectionism at its best. Whereas Tamil cinema has its strength in the quality and style of storytelling, there is no reason that English, Hindi and Telugu cinema should not be given equal opportunity in a state where cinema and cinema viewing is a religion.

The actor snuck into Mumbai last weekend and placed an order with Narendra Kumar for almost a dozen jackets
Subhash K Jha (DNA; December 30, 2015)


Bloom was in Mumbai last Sunday, and expressed a desire to own jackets like the ones worn by the Indian PM.

Designer Narendra Kumar was summoned to producer Sheetal Talwar’s residence where Orlando was a house guest and orders were placed for the jackets. Sheetal confirms, “Yes, Orlando wanted the kind of jackets our Prime Minister has made famous across the world. I called the designer home and we are getting around 10-12 of those jackets in different colours custom-made for Orlando.”

The English actor left India last Sunday night. His jackets will follow as soon they are are ready.

Subhash K Jha (DNA; April 29, 2015)


For those came in late, Jaya Prada and Sridevi both reigned in Bollywood at around the same time and were rivals. That status quo remained constant 25 years. When they worked together in Tohfa and Maqsad in 1984, not a word was spoken between the two on the sets.

During Maqsad, leading men Rajesh Khanna and Jeetendra locked the two ladies together in one make-up room. When the door was opened an hour later, they were sitting in different corners, staring in opposite directions. Over two-odd decades, they didn’t share screen space and or acknowledge each other’s presence in public.

That was, until this Monday evening. Says an eyewitness, “Both actresses walked into Amar Singh’s party within 15 minutes of one another. Sridevi with husband Boney Kapoor and Jaya Prada with the host (and her political mentor) himself. To everyone’s shock, they shared the same table. Within minutes, the two ladies smiled at one another and were talking. The 25-year-old cold war was over.”

According to producer Sheetal Talwar in whose pub the cold war ended, the Sri-Jaya reunion was on the cards for a while. “Amar Singh, who is very close to the Kapoors and to Jaya Prada must have been instrumental in the rapprochement. To see them chatting together was a sight for sore eyes.”

Vickey Lalwani (MUMBAI MIRROR; May 28, 2014)

Vickey Lalwani (MUMBAI MIRROR; March 31, 2014)

It was in September 2011 that Sahara One bought the seven-year satellite rights of 100 films, including Aamir Khan's Delhi Belly, Shahid Kapoor's Mausam, Ekta Kapoor's Ragini MMS and Shoaib Mansoor's Bol for Rs 70 crore.

The big buy was part of an effort to spruce up their entertainment wing after four years during which they did not acquire any satellite rights.Though they invested Rs 500 crore, many of the films are yet to air on the small screen, including the Shahid-Sonam Kapoor starrer Mausam. Now, the film’s producer Sheetal Talwar is alleging that Sahara is yet to make the full payment.

“I have yet to receive Rs 1 crore on the satellite deal that I struck with Sahara. And despite several reminders, the officials at the channel are showing no signs of paying up,” he said. “They showed great interest while buying the satellite rights of my film. I wish they would show half that interest in making the full payment,” added Talwar.