DOCSLIB.ORG

Indian Entertainment and Media Outlook

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text

Load more

pwc.com/india Indian entertainment and media outlook Indian entertainment and media outlook 2009 2009 © 2009 PricewaterhouseCoopers. All rights reserved. “PricewaterhouseCoopers”, a registered trademark, refers to PricewaterhouseCoopers Private Limited (a limited company in India) or, as the context requires, other member firms of PricewaterhouseCoopers International Limited, each of which is a separate and independent legal entity. About PricewaterhouseCoopers PricewaterhouseCoopers Pvt. Ltd. (www.pwc.com/india) provides industry - focused tax and advisory services to build public trust and enhance value for its clients and their stakeholders. PwC professionals work collaboratively using connected thinking to develop fresh perspectives and practical advice. Complementing our depth of industry expertise and breadth of skills is our sound knowledge of the local business environment in India. PricewaterhouseCoopers is committed to working with our clients to deliver the solutions that help them take on the challenges of the ever-changing business environment. PwC has offices in Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Bhubaneshwar, Chennai, Delhi NCR, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai and Pune. Contents Introduction................................................................................................................................... 4 Executive Summary ..................................................................................................................... 5 Television ................................................................................................................................... 29 Print Media ................................................................................................................................. 49 Filmed Entertainment ................................................................................................................. 61 Radio .......................................................................................................................................... 71 Emerging Segments ................................................................................................................... 79 Music ...................................................................................................................................... 80 Internet Advertising ................................................................................................................ 84 Out-Of-Home Advertising ....................................................................................................... 93 Animation, Gaming and VFX Industry ..................................................................................... 97 Sports Entertainment ............................................................................................................ 103 Tax and Regulatory issues impacting the Indian E&M industry ............................................... 109 PricewaterhouseCoopers Entertainment & Media Practice-contacts and office addresses ................................................................................. 122 Glossary of terms and abbreviations ....................................................................................... 124 Glossary of tables and charts .................................................................................................. 125 3 July 29, 2009 Dear Friends, Welcome to the 2009 edition of PricewaterhouseCoopers’ Indian Entertainment and Media (E&M) Outlook, covering the forecast period of 2009–2013. Our forecasts and analysis for this edition focus on eight major E&M industry segments. To reflect the current slow-pace in the industry, we have included in the executive summary, a section on how E&M companies can cope with the slowdown and prepare for the upturn. We have also included a chapter on the tax and regulatory impact on the various E&M segments, incorporating the Union Budget 2009 recommendations Although the global economy was showing signs of weakness, the performance of many of the E&M sector companies in India during the first nine months of 2008 was buoyant. However, after October 2008, the negative impact of the economic downturn on the E&M industry became apparent. The prevailing slowdown is expected to reduce growth rates in the near future. Moreover, the pace of change is likely to increase with greater economic pressure, as consumers seek higher value from the content they consume and advertisers seek more accountability. Nevertheless, the India E&M growth story continues to provide excellent opportunities. Media segments that are currently experiencing declining revenues are not necessarily because of declining demand. In fact, demand for E&M offerings appears to be increasing. What has changed in some cases is the ability to monetise that demand. Industry must create new models to restore that ability which is why there will be “no place to hide” from new models and dynamics across the industry. Whatever the revenue model be it ad-funded, subscription-based or a combination of both the key to sustainable revenue streams lie in providing a ‘content experience’ that cannot be readily duplicated. Monetising the increasing demand for E&M content, capitalising on evolving consumption habits, and developing diverse new advertising revenue models are challenges that companies will need to address. The slowdown presents an ideal time to differentiate through innovation of and capitalization on new forms of collaboration across the entertainment, media and communications value chains. At PricewaterhouseCoopers, we continue to monitor trends and developments that may impact your business now and in the future, and we look forward to further sharing our thoughts with you. We appreciate your feedback and ask that you continue to tell us what we can do to make the Indian E&M Outlook more useful to you. If you wish additional clarification on any matters included in the Indian E&M Outlook, or you believe we can be of service to your business in any way, please contact one of the PricewaterhouseCoopers E&M professionals listed in the report. Finally, we thank you for your support and wish you an exciting and rewarding year ahead. Sincerely, Jairaj Purandare Timmy Kandhari Country Leader - Markets & Industries Leader - Entertainment and Media PricewaterhouseCoopers India PricewaterhouseCoopers India 4 PricewaterhouseCooopers I Indian entertainment and media outlook 2009 Executive Summary GDP and the Indian E&M Industry: Impact of the Global Economic Crisis Managing downturn and preparing for the upturn Performance of Indian E&M Industry in 2008 Key developments in the Indian E&M Industry in 2008 Key developments in the Global E&M Industry in 2008 Outlook for the Indian E&M Industry 2009-2013 We are pleased to present our annual edition of the optimistic growth forecast of 7%-7.5% by the Prime Indian Entertainment and Media (E&M) Outlook, 2009. Minister’s Economic Advisory Council to 4% by the Our forecasts and analyses for this edition focus on World Bank. The Reserve Bank of India, the country’s eight major E&M industry segments. central bank, has placed the growth rate at around 6%. IMF expects India’s growth rate to decelerate to As we prepare the Indian E&M Outlook, the full extent 4.5% in 2009 before recovering to 5.6% in 2010. of the impact of the international financial crisis on the economy, the credit crunch and cutbacks in India’s E&M industry has witnessed remarkable consumer spending are yet to be determined. It is not buoyancy in growth in recent years and has clear whether and to what extent the various stimulus consistently outpaced growth in domestic GDP. While packages and bailout plans will halt, slow, or reverse annual average growth in nominal GDP was 14.48% the slide. We do know that the Indian E&M industry over the period 2004-08, the E&M industry grew by is more interrelated than ever to the global economy 16.6 % over this period. and that developments globally can quickly affect the this industry. Historical precedent—the benchmark In the wake of the global economic crisis, the trend from which forecasts are developed—is now a less has been reversed in 2008 and is expected to reliable guide because the economic climate in most continue in 2009, with the growth of the Indian E&M countries, including India, is more volatile than at industry moderating to a larger extent relative to the any other time in recent past. While it is clear that overall economic activity. changes in the economic environment in 2009 could significantly affect the projections, we believe that After registering a growth of around 16.6% many of the underlying trends we identify in the compounded annually over the period 2004-08, Indian E&M Outlook, that are driving change in the growth in the E&M industry is set to decelerate to industry, will remain on course. 8.0% in 2009. The CAGR projection for the E&M industry over the period 2009-13 is just 10.5% from GDP and the Indian E&M Industry: Impact the earlier growth rates which have been close to of the Global Economic Crisis 20%. This has largely been influenced by a marked slowdown in the advertising outlays with growth India has experienced a significant loss in the growth expected to moderate to 9.2% in 2009 after posting a momentum due to the pervasive effects of the global CAGR of close to 17.3% during 2004-08. financial contagion. The rapid deterioration in the global economic environment has pushed India off its high growth trajectory of close to 9%
Recommended publications
  • Mumbai Macbeth: Gender and Identity in Bollywood Adaptations Rashmila Maiti University of Arkansas, Fayetteville

    Mumbai Macbeth: Gender and Identity in Bollywood Adaptations Rashmila Maiti University of Arkansas, Fayetteville

    University of Arkansas, Fayetteville ScholarWorks@UARK Theses and Dissertations 8-2018 Mumbai Macbeth: Gender and Identity in Bollywood Adaptations Rashmila Maiti University of Arkansas, Fayetteville Follow this and additional works at: http://scholarworks.uark.edu/etd Part of the Asian Studies Commons, Comparative Literature Commons, and the Literature in English, British Isles Commons Recommended Citation Maiti, Rashmila, "Mumbai Macbeth: Gender and Identity in Bollywood Adaptations" (2018). Theses and Dissertations. 2905. http://scholarworks.uark.edu/etd/2905 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by ScholarWorks@UARK. It has been accepted for inclusion in Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks@UARK. For more information, please contact [email protected], [email protected]. Mumbai Macbeth: Gender and Identity in Bollywood Adaptations A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Comparative Literature and Cultural Studies by Rashmila Maiti Jadavpur University Bachelor of Arts in English Literature, 2007 Jadavpur University Master of Arts in English Literature, 2009 August 2018 University of Arkansas This dissertation is approved for recommendation to the Graduate Council. M. Keith Booker, PhD Dissertation Director Yajaira M. Padilla, PhD Frank Scheide, PhD Committee Member Committee Member Abstract This project analyzes adaptation in the Hindi film industry and how the concepts of gender and identity have changed from the original text to the contemporary adaptation. The original texts include religious epics, Shakespeare’s plays, Bengali novels which were written pre- independence, and Hollywood films. This venture uses adaptation theory as well as postmodernist and postcolonial theories to examine how women and men are represented in the adaptations as well as how contemporary audience expectations help to create the identity of the characters in the films.
  • Indian Entertainment and Media Outlook 2010 2 Indian Entertainment and Media Outlook 2010 Message

    Indian Entertainment and Media Outlook 2010 2 Indian Entertainment and Media Outlook 2010 Message

    Indian entertainment and media outlook 2010 2 Indian entertainment and media outlook 2010 Message To our clients and friends both in and beyond the entertainment and media industry : Welcome to the 2010 edition of PricewaterhouseCoopers’ Indian Entertainment and Media (E&M) Outlook, covering the forecast period of 2010–2014. Our forecasts and analysis for this edition focus on eight major E&M industry segments and one emerging segment. Each segment details out the key trends observed and challenges faced apart from providing the prospects for the segment. In the industry overview section, we have highlighted the key theme observed during 2009 and what we perceive as future trends in the coming years. We have a chapter on the tax and regulatory impact on the various E&M segments and for the very first time we have included a chapter on how technology can be leveraged in the E&M industry. In 2009, the economy severely impacted the world, translating into steep declines in advertisement as well as consumer spending. India though impacted, did manage to show growth with increased consumer spending as well as innovative action on the part of the industry. Against this backdrop, across the world, except certain markets, speed of digital spending increased due to changing consumer behavior as well as technology available to deliver the same. In India, while the spend on digital media is likely to grow, it is unlikely that it will dominate in the forecast period. This is largely due to the relative unavailability as well as unaffordability of the broadband and mobile infrastructure.
  • Bollywood Talkies

    Bollywood Talkies

    INDIA Bollywood Talkies ©Vanessa Vettorello Rahul Bose, actor, at the premiere of “Margarita with a straw” at the Inox multiplex in Nariman Point (Mumbay) The historic single screen cinemas are recently experiencing a deep identity and economic crisis, leading them to a fast disappearance. Simultaneously, multiple modern screen centers are at the peak of their development and success. As well as the entire Indian film industry. The videos parlour instead - big rooms without any comfort and equipped only with a projector - were born in provincial areas where the old cinemas were closing down, trying to keep alive the traditional movie theaters market in a cheaper way. But today, due to growing piracy, the spread of new technologies (smartphones, tablets, laptops) - and last but not least because of their intrinsic illegality (very few video rooms are fully licensed) – they are experiencing themselves also a major crisis. Thus in a few years the world of cinemas in the country could change radically. Even in India then, in rural areas as in large cities, small theaters are being replaced constantly by more advanced but anonymous video centers. Today these three types of theaters - video parlour, single screen halls and modern multiplex - are still attended by different kind of people in a very exclusive way: each one in fact has its own typical goer that identifies it under a social and economic category. Today they represent a perfect picture of India social complexity to be studied and considered under a light-blue Bollywood twilight. Waiters of the Inox multiplex located inside the Amanora Town Centre mall (Hadapsar - Pune) Matinee show at the New Roshan (Grant Road - Mumbai) Maratha Mandir cinema entrance.
  • Press Release Reliance Industries Limited

    Press Release Reliance Industries Limited

    Press Release Reliance Industries LImited March 30, 2020 Ratings Amount Facilities Rating1 Rating Action (Rs. crore) CARE AAA; Non-Convertible Debentures 10,386 Stable(Triple A; Assigned Outlook: Stable) Details of instruments/facilities in Annexure-1 Other Ratings Instruments Amount (Rs.Crore) Ratings Non-Convertible Debenture 40,000 CARE AAA; Stable Commercial Paper 34,500 CARE A1+ Detailed Rationale& Key Rating Drivers On March 18, 2020, the company announced that the Hon’ble National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT), Ahmedabad Bench has approved the Scheme, for transfer of certain identified liabilities from Reliance Jio Infocomm Limited (RJIL; rated CARE AAA; Stable/ CARE A1+, CARE AAA (CE); Stable) to Reliance Industries Limited (RIL). Pursuant to the Scheme of Arrangement amongst RJIL and certain classes of its creditors (the “Scheme”) as sanctioned by the Hon’ble National Company Law Tribunal, Ahmedabad Bench, vide its order dated March 13, 2020, RIL has assumed the NCDs issued by RJIL. The rating continues to factor in the immensely experienced and resourceful promoter group, highly integrated nature of operations with presence across the entire energy value chain, diversified revenue streams, massive scale of downstream business with one of the most complex refineries, established leadership position in the petrochemical segment as well as strong financial risk profile characterized by robust capital structure, stable cash flows and healthy liquidity position. The rating also factors in the increasing wireless subscriber base which has led its digital services business to attain a leadership position in the industry as well as the various steps announced by the management to reduce the debt on a consolidated level.
  • Ficci Baf Awards 2015 - Nomination List

    Ficci Baf Awards 2015 - Nomination List

    FICCI BAF AWARDS 2015 - NOMINATION LIST CATEGORY ENTRANT ENTRY TITLE COUNTRY Hochschule Luzern - Design & Kunst The Sound of Crickets Switzerland Communication University of China Fly China Animated Short Film - Student Communication University of China My Daddy China [International] Communication University of China HideSeek China The Arts University at Bournemouth Do Us Part United Kingdom The Arts University at Bournemouth The Shipping Forecast United Kingdom National Institute of Design Her long nails India National Institute of Design Horn Ok Scream India Animated Short Film - Student [Indian] DSK Supinfocom International Campus Magarwasi India National Institute of Design Death of a Mosquito India Thought Cloud Studio Rise of the Valiant INDRAJEET India Animated Promos [International] Climb Media India Pvt Ltd Jugnoo India 19th Day Pictures Vincent the Artist USA | India Thought Cloud Studio Rise of the Valiant INDRAJEET India Animated Promos [Indian] Climb Media India Pvt Ltd Jugnoo India Nestle | Paperboat Design Studios Pvt Ltd Superbabies India Climb Media India Pvt Ltd BSE Fishing India Animated Ad Film Mit Institute of Design ICRC India [International] Syu Design BSE APP India Studio Eeksaurus Productions Pvt Ltd Rotary Lifeline India Studio Eeksaurus Productions Pvt Ltd Rotary Heartline India Animated Ad Film [Indian] Studio Eeksaurus Productions Pvt Ltd Rotary Fateline India FutureWorks Integrated Advertising | Welspun-world of hygrocotton India Futureworks Media Ltd Studio Eeksaurus Productions Pvt Ltd Fisherwoman and Tuk Tuk India Animated Short Film - Professional Mud n Water Production Pvt Ltd Talking Walls India [International] Aroop Dwivedi Aai India Studio Eeksaurus Productions Pvt Ltd Fisherwoman and Tuk Tuk India Animated Short Film - Professional Figment Films Sonali Pakhi India [Indian] Mud n Water Production Pvt Ltd Talking Walls India Bluepixels Animation Studios Pvt Ltd Ande Pirki India Studio 100 | Visual Computing Labs - Tata Heidi Belgium | India Animated TV Episode Elxsi Ltd.
  • ENTERTAINMENT November 2010 ENTERTAINMENT November 2010

    ENTERTAINMENT November 2010 ENTERTAINMENT November 2010

    ENTERTAINMENT November 2010 ENTERTAINMENT November 2010 Contents Advantage India Market overview Industry Infrastructure Investments Policy and regulatory framework Opportunities Industry associations 2 ADVANTAGE INDIA Entertainment November 2010 Advantage India - capital Increasing investments by the private sector and foreign media and entertainment (M&E) majors have enhanced India‘s entertainment infrastructure such as new multiplexes and digitization of TV distribution and theatre infrastructure. • Digitisation and technological advancements Improving across the value chain are improving the quality • Producing more than 1,000 films entertainment of content and reach, and also leading to new annually, India is the largest infrastructure business models. For example rural DTH producer of films in the world. penetration is three times higher than in urban Digital High • There are more than 500 TV areas, with digital TV penetration rate of 34% in revolution production channels in the country, requiring rural areas as compared to 12% in urban areas volumes 30 hours of fresh programming per week. • A liberalised foreign investment regime Advantage and other regulatory initiatives are resulting in a conducive business India environment for Indian M&E. Large and under • FDI upto 100 per cent is allowed in film Liberal penetrated • In 2008, there were as many as 3.3 billion and advertising, TV broadcasting (except government consumer theatre admissions in India. news) and 26 per cent in newspaper policies base • With the TV segment reaching as many as publishing. Favourable 134 million households in the country, • Migration from fixed to revenue sharing demographics India is one of the largest TV markets in license fee regime in radio segment and the world.
  • Media Release Dreamworks Studios, Participant Media

    Media Release Dreamworks Studios, Participant Media

    MEDIA RELEASE DREAMWORKS STUDIOS, PARTICIPANT MEDIA, RELIANCE ENTERTAINMENT AND ENTERTAINMENT ONE FORM AMBLIN PARTNERS, A NEW FILM, TELEVISION AND DIGITAL CONTENT CREATION COMPANY Steven Spielberg Also an Investor in Amblin Partners Mumbai, December 17, 2015: Steven Spielberg, Principal Partner, DreamWorks Studios, Jeff Skoll, Chairman, Participant Media, Anil Ambani, Chairman, Reliance Group and Darren Throop, President and Chief Executive Officer, Entertainment One (eOne) announced today the formation of Amblin Partners, a new film, television and digital content creation company. The new company will create content using the Amblin, DreamWorks Pictures and Participant brands and leverage their power and broad awareness to tell stories that appeal to a wide range of audiences. Participant Media will remain a separate company that continues to independently develop, produce and finance projects with socially relevant themes. Amblin Partners will be led by CEO Michael Wright and President and COO Jeff Small. In addition, Amblin Television will become a division of Amblin Partners and continues to be run by co- presidents Justin Falvey and Darryl Frank, who maintain their longtime leadership roles. They join Producer Kristie Macosko Krieger and President of Production Holly Bario on the film side, to complete Amblin Partners’ senior management team. David Linde, Chief Executive Officer of Participant Media, and Participant’s narrative feature team, led by Executive Vice President Jonathan King, will work closely with Amblin Partners to develop and produce specific content for the new venture in addition to exploring opportunities for co-productions and other content. In making the announcement about Amblin Partners, Mr. Spielberg said, “We are thrilled to partner with Jeff Skoll, Participant Media, and to continue our prolific relationship.
  • Make Caldor Your 10Y Store!

    Make Caldor Your 10Y Store!

    20 - EVENING HERALD. Fri.. Nov. 16,197» Experts Say Solar Power Is Efficient HARTFORD (UPI) - Putting the sun to work is an ef­ The] ubllc has been very receptive to the idea of aolar should expect a return in about five to 10 years. ficient and economically feasible way to tackle the power but needs to learn more of the facts, Ms. Friedland "The real issue is out of pocket expenses. In a very current energy crisis, specialists told a solar power said. short period of time it’s costing you less and less every workshop for the financial community Thursday. "I think the whole issue of ‘heating or eathig' in this month to pay your beat,” Hollander said. Luggage Consultants with a federally funded solar research and part of the country will raise the consciousness about solar,” she said. information group also said the long-term advantages of LooMm to r e AMT The Nr Tari solar power will far outweigh the initial investment as A hot water heating system is the moat practical and learryai the cost of fuel increases. economical solar system an average family can install in DENTIST? ■Mi iM), MMMe, I “Solar power is a pretty simple technology. It’s func­ an existing home, Hollander said. The type of system Try ut for the poraonal touohl SamnL tional now. It works now. And it la economically depends on the location and construction of &e home, and Our modern office Is conveniently located In East rinl Fw feasible,” said Gayle Friedland, a financial analyst for and W to 120 gallon Unk can cost from $1,000 to $4 000.
  • Massanimaldeathunknow N 2 0 1 1

    Massanimaldeathunknow N 2 0 1 1

    Copernic Agent Search Results Search: mass animal death unknown 2011 (All the words) Found: 321 result(s) on All.Web Date: 3/27/2011 8:21:53 PM 1. Mass animal deaths in winter 2010-2011 | INFOgraphics | RIA ... Large groups of birds, fish and other animals have been found dead in different parts of the world. In many cases, the cause of death remains unknown. http://en.rian.ru/infographics/20110112/162112641.html 92% 2. Mass animal deaths: Social nonsense or scientific unknown? Jan 24, 2011 ... Are the recent reports of mass animal deaths nothing but spurious drivel? Or is there something unseen occurring? If so, what could it be, ... http://gleaner.rutgers.edu/2011/01/24/mass-animal-deaths-social-nonsense-or-scientific-unknown/ 91% 3. Sudden global death of birds & fishes! - Explore, Experience ... UPDATE: You can see the latest updates on the Mass Animal Death Database page that ... Actual Cause : Unknown Date: Jan 3, 2011 at 5:24 PM CST News. Louisiana QTY: 500 http://simontay78.com/paranormal/sudden-global-death-of-birds-fishes/ 91% 4. Mass Animal Deaths: Who is The Killer? | Scienceray Who is the killer that is responsible for each mass animal death ... However, this time the source is unknown. Let us take ... End of The World on March 31 ,2011; Ten Greatest and ... http://scienceray.com/biology/mass-animal-deaths-who-is-the-killer/ 90% 5. Mass kill of Dolphins, Manatees, Penguins, Bats, Blackbirds ... Quebec bird deaths January 2011 North Carolina US Mass Death among ... Italy, around 3 January 2011 300 doves Cause unknown at this ..
  • BIGFLIXTO BRING in PREMIUM ORIGINAL PROGRAMMING on ITS OTT PLATFORM Collaborates with Sir Howard Stringer Led Atrium TV As Its Exclusive India Partner

    BIGFLIXTO BRING in PREMIUM ORIGINAL PROGRAMMING on ITS OTT PLATFORM Collaborates with Sir Howard Stringer Led Atrium TV As Its Exclusive India Partner

    BIGFLIXTO BRING IN PREMIUM ORIGINAL PROGRAMMING ON ITS OTT PLATFORM Collaborates with Sir Howard Stringer led Atrium TV as its exclusive India Partner MUMBAI, NOV 2, 2017: Anil D. Ambani led Reliance Entertainment's pioneering OTT Platform, BIGFLIX announced its innovative content partnership in Atrium TV. Atrium TV, founded by former Sony Chairman Sir Howard Stringer and DRG Chairman Jeremy Fox is a new content “commissioning club”. Atrium TV sources and develops high-end drama series and shares them with Club members, who then decide if they wish to acquire and invest. Jeremy Fox, CEO of Atrium TV said "Reliance Entertainment was our number one choice for partner in India so we are delighted that it has joined the Atrium TV commissioning club and that its impressive BIGFLIX platform will be the exclusive Indian home to our drama series going forward. Asia is an exciting growth region and within it, India is a dynamic and fast-growing market with a healthy appetite for excellent content. We have known the team at Reliance for some time now and look forward to working together for mutual benefit." With 3.9 million registrations, BIGFLIX is already amongst the leading SVOD (Subscription Video on Demand) provider. BIGFLIX has more than 2000 HD movies in Nine Indian languages, including Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Punjabi, Malayalam, Gujarati, Marathi, Bhojpuri and Bengali. The indigenously developed technology of BIGFLIX will deliver a personalized theatre experience to users who can stream and download movies advertisement-free, on any Internet-connected device including personal computers, tablets, smartphones, smart TVs and game consoles.
  • Television and Media Concentration

    Television and Media Concentration

    •• IRIS Special Edited by the European Audiovisual Observatory TelevisionTelevision andand MediaMedia ConcentrationConcentration Regulatory Models on the National and the European Level TELEVISION AND MEDIA CONCENTRATION IRIS Special: Television and Media Concentration Regulatory Models on the National and the European Level European Audiovisual Observatory, Strasbourg 2001 ISBN 92-871-4595-4 Director of the Publication: Wolfgang Closs, Executive Director of the European Audiovisual Observatory E-mail: [email protected] Editor and Coordinator: Dr. Susanne Nikoltchev (LL.M. EUI and U of M) Legal Expert of the European Audiovisual Observatory E-mail: [email protected] Partner Organisations that contributed to IRIS Special: Television and Media Concentration IViR – Institute of European Media Law EMR – Institute of European Media Law Rokin 84, NL-1012 KX Amsterdam Nell-Breuning-Allee 6, D-66115 Saarbrücken Tel.: +31 (0) 20 525 34 06 Tel.: +49 (0) 681 99275 11 Fax: +31 (0) 20 525 30 33 Fax: +49 (0) 681 99275 12 E-Mail: [email protected] E-Mail: [email protected] CMC – Communications Media Center MMLPC – Moscow Media Law and Policy Center New York Law School Mokhovaya 9, 103914 Moscow 57 Worth Street, New York, NY 10013 Russian Federation USA Tel./Fax: +7 (0) 503 737 3371 Tel.: +1 212 431 2160 E-Mail: [email protected] Fax: +1 212 966 2053 [email protected] E-Mail: [email protected] Proofreaders: Florence Pastori, Géraldine Pilard-Murray, Candelaria van Strien-Reney Translators: Brigitte Auel, France Courrèges, Christopher
  • In India, Gods Rule the 'Toon' Universe

    In India, Gods Rule the 'Toon' Universe

    In India, Gods Rule The 'Toon' Universe http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/01/08/AR... In India, Gods Rule The 'Toon' Universe Hindu Myth a Fount of Superheroes By Rama Lakshmi Washington Post Foreign Service Wednesday, January 9, 2008; A11 NEW DELHI -- Eight-year-old Tejas Vohra is used to spending most of his after-school hours watching "Power Rangers," "Transformers" and "Looney Tunes." But these days, one of his favorite superheroes is a cool cartoon version of Hanuman, the monkey-headed Hindu god. For thousands of years, Hindus have prayed to Hanuman in times of trouble, beseeching him to perform miraculous feats in their lives. Last week, the god was revealed to Tejas in a movie theater. In "The Return of Hanuman," the adored deity is reborn as a boy who goes to school in khaki shorts, uses a computer, combats pollution and, most important, smashes the bad guys to pulp. "I loved the film because Hanuman is a boy like me and saves planet Earth," said Tejas, a tall, wide-eyed second-grader. "It was awesome to see the gods laughing, singing and flying planes. The fights were really good, and in the end Hanuman sets everything right." A number of haloed Hindu gods and goddesses have debuted in the frenetic world of animation over the past five years. Their appearance marks a shift from a decades-long period in which Indian children grew up almost exclusively on American TV and movie characters, including Mickey Mouse, Tom and Jerry, and Spider-Man. To many parents, though, the "mytho-cartoons" are more than a novelty; they are a way to introduce the ancient tales to a generation that seems to be losing touch with its 5,000-year heritage.