Urban, youth-centric films such as Saiyaara and F1: The Movie are setting cinema cash registers ringing, bringing returns for multiplexes that are trying to attract audiences with discounts and buy-one-get-one offers. However, there is a downside to this trend: lower spending by individuals on food and beverages. Multiplex chain PVR Inox reported a 1.4% dip…
The Union government is finalising a new ‘model concession agreement’ (MCA) for build-operate-transfer toll (BoT-toll) highway projects that introduces a major policy shift: an automatic buyback of tolled highways once traffic crosses a defined saturation point. The move by the ministry of road transport and highways aims to ensure timely expansion of high-density corridors, protect…
As part of the new approach, government think tank NITI Aayog plans to host a Global EV Summit in March-April, an event that may see participation from leading global EV firms and top government functionaries, according to two people aware of the development and a concept note reviewed by Mint. Preparatory consultations have begun with…
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman introduced two Bills in Lok Sabha on Monday, the first day of the Winter session of Parliament, aimed at levying cess on tobacco products and their manufacturing. The finance minister introduced the Central Excise (Amendment) Bill, 2025, and the Health Security se National Security Cess Bill, 2025, in the Lok Sabha…
As banks worldwide double down on digital transformation, Reserve Bank of India (RBI) deputy governor Swaminathan J. has cautioned lenders that they cannot simply rely on third-party service providers for outsourced solutions. “Banks cannot simply rely on the assurance of service providers,” he said in a speech at an annual banking event organized by Standard…
New Delhi: Buoyed by higher exports, India’s agrochemical industry is set to consolidate its revenues with a likely 6-7% growth this fiscal year, Crisil Ratings said in report on Monday. A revival in global demand and the gradual clearing of excess stocks across key markets have perked up exports in the sector, the report said….
The success of Mahavatar Narsimha, an animated mythological epic that was released without promotions or marketing this July and eventually grossed ₹300 crore, has proven to be a turning point, given animation’s long history of poor theatrical performance in the country. So far synonymous with cartoons, theatre owners and trade experts say the combination of…
As monetization gets trickier, over-the-top (OTT) content platforms are also working to earn more from each subscriber—without raising subscription prices—by blocking password sharing, as Netflix has done, and by introducing cheaper advertising-supported video-on-demand plans, like Amazon Prime Video. “For us, watch time and user engagement are as important as subscription numbers. Without strong engagement, subscriber…
The renewed push aims to create fewer, larger institutions with the balance-sheet strength of global-scale banks, capable of supporting India’s expanding investment and credit requirements. However, a deeper concentration of banking activity within a handful of mega lenders raises concerns over diluted regional priorities and heightened systemic risks should stress build up in one or…
According to two people aware of the matter, the Union heavy industries ministry is weighing extensions and easier localization norms for the beneficiaries of the ₹18,100-crore PLI-ACC scheme that was announced in 2021. This comes in the backdrop of the scheme’s limited success. The plan was to have 50 gigawatt-hour (GWh) of output capacity ready…