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The Hindu
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Trump's decision to impose 100% tariff on non-U.S. movies will impact revenue of Indian films in U.S. market, says Producers Guild of India
The Indian diaspora in the U.S. spent approximately $100 million a year to watch Telugu, Hindi, Tamil, Malayalam, Punjabi, Bengali and other Indian language movies released in Uncle Sam's country, said, Producers Guild of India on Monday (May 5, 2025) in its response to Donald Trump's decision to impose 100% tariff on non-U.S. movies. Indians are the largest single-origin Asian group in the U.S., at some 5.2 million, accounting for 1.6% of the country's total population. U.S. President Donald Trump's announcement of a 100% Tariff on feature films made outside of the U.S. has dampened the spirit of Bollywood and rest of the cinema fraternity across the country. Shibasish Sarkar, President, Producers Guild of India told The Hindu that: 'President Trump's 100% tariff will impact any revenue which Indian films generate in the U.S. market. Indian films do approximately $100 million annually. Definitely there will be impact in footfall if ticket prices go up and it will also cut into the share of producers.' According to Mr. Sarkar, not only theatrical but any other streams of revenue or business coming from digital or satellite or any other platforms of revenue or business from U.S. will be impacted. Telugu commands the largest share of Indian movies released in the U.S., followed by Hindi, Tamil, Malayalam, Punjabi and all major Indian languages films have theatrical and other kinds of releases in the U.S. Ashish Kulkarni, an AVGC (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, and Comics) industry expert and founder of Pune-based production house, Screenyug Creations said such unreasonable hike in tariff was quite unfair and one should not deprive the Indian diaspora of the soft power (entertainment content) of their origin country. 'Under such a high tariff regime, all channels of movie showing and movie viewing will be impacted and become more costly. It will overall increase the cost of content consumption for the Indian diaspora,' added Mr. Kulkarni.
Deccan Herald
06-05-2025
- Business
- Deccan Herald
If implemented, Trump's tariff threat will impact business of Indian films in US: Producers
Though there is little clarity just yet, the fear is that it will impact the footfall for Indian movies screened in the US, according to a section of industry insiders, including Shibasish Sarkar, president of the Producers Guild of India.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Indian Producers' Associations Warn of Box Office Bloodbath After Donald Trump's 100% Tariff Bombshell
Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Generate Key Takeaways Indian producers associations are sounding the alarm over President Donald Trump's recent proposal to implement a 100% tariff on foreign-produced films entering the U.S. market, a move that threatens the $100 million theatrical business that Indian cinema currently enjoys in America. Shibashish Sarkar, president of the Producers Guild of India, cautions that it's still early to fully assess the situation. 'It is a little early to comment as global film industries and stakeholders are still processing what is the objective of the statement by President Trump, and what exactly it will solve for Hollywood. Also as we see from his other announcements on tariffs, things change till it's implemented,' Sarkar tells Variety. More from Variety If implemented, Sarkar believes the immediate impact would be on theatrical distribution. 'Indian films do about $100 million dollar +/- at the gross box office level in the U.S. If this tariff gets implemented, either the exhibitors will increase the ticket prices and make it expensive for the consumers, because of which even the footfalls will come down dramatically,' he explains. Indian films have been making significant strides at the North American box office. Among the top performers, 'Baahubali 2: The Conclusion' leads with a gross of $22 million, followed by 'Kalki 2898 AD' at $18.5 million, 'Pathaan' at $17.4 million, 'RRR' at $15.3 million, 'Jawan' at $15.2 million, 'Pushpa 2: The Rule' at $15.08 million, and 'Animal' at $15.01 million. The alternative scenario could be equally problematic for Indian producers. 'If the exhibitors want to absorb the price, then they will pass on that loss to the producers, so the producers share will also come down dramatically. Either way, there will be an impact on the Indian producer's share from a theatrical point of view,' Sarkar says. The ripple effects would extend beyond theatrical releases to digital platforms as well. 'Also, digital or pay TV deals that Indian producers do for global rights will be impacted. That may be post theatrical rights or direct to digital films,' Sarkar notes, adding that any revenue generated by Indian content in the U.S. would likely be subject to the tariff. Sarkar also points out potential consequences for Hollywood productions shooting in India, suggesting they would face tariffs when bringing content back to the U.S. for release. Abhay Sinha, president of the Indian Motion Pictures Producers' Association (IMPPA), which represents 25,000 Indian producers and distributors, also warns of mutual damage. 'The sanctions imposed on foreign films by the President Trump administration are going to have far reaching consequences on Indian films releasing in the U.S.,' Sinha tells Variety, noting that U.S. exhibition chains also rely on Indian content for survival. Hollywood films have a significant presence in the Indian market, accounting for approximately 10% of the annual $2 billion box office. Top-performing Hollywood films in India include 'Avatar: The Way of Water' with $59.5 million, 'Avengers: Endgame' at $62.6 million, and 'Avengers: Infinity War' with $43.5 million. The producers' bodies are planning coordinated action in response. 'All our producers and distributors bodies will have to meet in order to resolve the issue using government deliberations first. IMPPA and FFI (Film Federation of India) will approach the government to announce our joint stand on the issue,' Sinha says. Best of Variety Sign up for Variety's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Time of India
05-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
If implemented, Trump's tariff threat will impact business of Indian films in US: Producers
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel US President Donald Trump's announcement threatening 100 per cent tariff on movies produced outside and coming to the US will impact the box office business of Indian films and may lead to a dramatic reduction in footfall in theatres in that country, say producers in India. Though there is little clarity just yet, the fear is that ticket prices for Indian films will go up and therefore impact business, according to a section of industry insiders, including Shibasish Sarkar, president of the Producers Guild of India , filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri and exhibitor-distributor Akshay Rathi."It is a little early to comment on this because whatever kind of tariff got announced in the last 30 to 45 days is going through various changes and discussions... But if it gets implemented, the first impact I foresee is on the theatrical business of our films in the US market," Sarkar told films gross around USD 100 million (over Rs 800 crore) at the US box office, he said."If this tariff is implemented, exhibitors will increase ticket prices and make it expensive for consumers because of which even footfalls will drop dramatically. If the exhibitors want to absorb the price, they will pass on that loss to producers, so their share will also come down drastically. Either way, there will be an impact on the producer's share from a theatrical point of view," Sarkar a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump said on Sunday that he has authorised the Department of Commerce and the Office of the US Trade Representative to slap a 100 per cent tariff "on any and all Movies coming into our Country that are produced in Foreign Lands".Agnihotri, known for films such as "The Kashmir Files" and "The Tashkent Files", agreed with Sarkar and said ticket prices of Indian movies will increase in the US if these tariffs come into effect."The diaspora market, which is price sensitive, became a revenue source for Indian films. Movies such as 'Jawan' and 'Baahubali' did good business outside of India. If ticket prices are doubled (in the US), I don't think anybody will watch them in theatres, especially when the films will be available on Netflix, Amazon, etc. Films such as 'RRR' and 'The Kashmir Files' did great numbers in non-diaspora markets," Agnihotri told added that other than an impact on the theatrical releases of local films in the US, these tariffs will have a bearing on global digital and pay TV deals for Indian producers."If US consumers are seeing Indian content and identified cost (price increase) towards that, then it will have an impact. From plain reading, it seems any revenue of Indian content, which is generated in the US, will attract the tariff, so that will have an impact on us."Indian films releasing in the US will face higher taxation so the contribution from the North American box office of Indian films will reduce, said exhibitor-distributor Rathi."The way he played the tariff war on various countries, it was different tariffs for different countries. For all you know, it may be a more fluid thing given India's good relations with the US and vice versa, so it may be a little more favourable for India than other countries," Rathi Trump's tariff threat may not influence the movie production as most Indian producers find US an expensive location to shoot."The primary objective of President Trump is that if US films are getting shot outside the US, then they're losing the opportunity. Some films do come to India to shoot. That also will be impacted," Sarkar Mukesh Bhatt of Vishesh Films had a slightly different his view, Trump's new announcement will have little impact on Indian movie shoots and business in the US as the country is just one of the many markets for diaspora audiences."There's a presence of Indians in the UK, the Middle East, Singapore, Australia, and all over the world. If my film doesn't release in one market (the US), it doesn't make that much of a difference. It is a ridiculous thing he is doing. He doesn't even realise he is killing Hollywood. We are talking for a reciprocal time, and this has happened," Bhatt told to the veteran filmmaker, most Indian films are not even shot in the US because it's an expensive affair."Hindi films are usually shot in the UK because they give us a subsidy, and in other places around the world," he major Indian producer, who didn't wish to be named, echoed Bhatt."Our films are not shot in the US. Indian films are usually shot in the UK, Mauritius or Malaysia, and other countries. Wherever we get a subsidy, we go and shoot there," he to director Shekhar Kapur, Trump's move could backfire and instead push Hollywood filmmakers to leave the known for films such as "Mr India", the "Elizabeth" franchise starring Cate Blanchett and "What's Love Got to Do with It?", said over "75% of box office" of Hollywood films comes from outside the US."And significant part of the budget of those films are spent outside the US. President Trump's imposition of 100% tarif on all films imported into the US may encourage Hollywood to move outside the US! Quite the opposite of what he intended. #Hollywood #tarrif #DonaldTrump #tarrifonfilm (sic)" the director wrote on X.
Yahoo
04-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
India's Screen Sector Booms to $61 Billion Economic Contribution, MPA Reports at WAVES Summit
India's booming film, television and streaming industry generated $61.2 billion in total economic contribution during 2024, according to a new report from the Motion Picture Association (MPA) in collaboration with Deloitte. The findings, unveiled at Mumbai's inaugural World Audio Visual Entertainment Summit (WAVES), paint a picture of a thriving creative ecosystem supporting 2.64 million jobs nationwide. More from Variety Netflix's Ted Sarandos Addresses 'Outdated' Movie Theater Model Comment, Highlights $2 Billion Economic Impact in India at WAVES Summit Prime Video Inks Major Deal With CJ ENM at India's WAVES Market to Expand Korean Content Globally Aamir Khan Sees 'Win-Win' Future for Indian-Chinese Film Partnerships at WAVES Summit The report, supported by the India's Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, India's top streamer JioStar, the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), the Producers Guild of India, and Creative First, reveals the sector's direct gross output reached $16.8 billion in 2024, demonstrating resilience following pandemic challenges. Looking ahead, researchers project 6-7% compound annual growth over the next four years, potentially reaching combined revenues of approximately $17.5 billion by 2029. More optimistically, with effective regulatory measures, growth could accelerate to 9-10%, pushing revenues to nearly $20 billion. MPA chair and CEO Charles Rivkin addressed the gathering of industry leaders and government officials, underscoring the strategic importance of the Indian market to American studios. 'India is a critical global market for MPA members – and its dynamic film, television, and streaming industry is a powerful driver of jobs, cultural influence, and the country's overall creative economy,' Rivkin said. 'Our members are proud to invest in developing local stories that reflect the unmatched imagination of creators from every corner of India and sharing them with international audiences.' In the report's foreword, Kevin Vaz, CEO of entertainment at JioStar and FICCI M&E chair, underlined the importance of broadening India's storytelling landscape beyond traditional production hubs. 'To evolve, the next phase of storytelling must reflect the full breadth of India's cultural fabric,' Vaz wrote. 'Rather than relying solely on the metros, the industry must now channel its resources and ambition toward uncovering the rich creative potential in places as far and disparate as Bilaspur in Chhattisgarh or Ranchi in Jharkhand.' Producers Guild of India president Shibasish Sarkar highlighted recent developments in skills, training, and production quality as foundations for future growth, noting that 'the film and television industry could well become a flagship sector in India's global trade ambitions.' The report launch was followed by a high-powered MPA panel featuring government and industry heavyweights, including MIB Secretary Sanjay Jaju, Disney's head of corporate development Justin Warbrooke, and Prime Video's VP international Kelly Day, with Urmila Venogopalan, president and MD of MPA Asia Pacific, serving as moderator, focusing on India's aspirations as a global entertainment powerhouse. Best of Variety Oscars Predictions 2026: 'Sinners' Becomes Early Contender Ahead of Cannes Film Festival New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week What's Coming to Netflix in May 2025
