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Time of India
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Big Budgets, Thin Crowds: Around ₹1,000cr in the red! Tollywood's costly first half of 2025
As Tollywood steps into the second half of 2025, the industry is staring at an uncomfortable truth: the year so far has been a washout. The box office has stayed stubbornly dry, with few films managing to draw crowds or recover costs. Producers, exhibitors and trade insiders say soaring ticket prices, poor planning, piracy and content fatigue are keeping audiences away — a mix that analysts say reflects shifting audience behaviour and evolving industry challenges. The numbers that tell the story (Jan–June 2025) ₹2,000–₹2,500 Cr Estimated investments in film production and distribution across AP & Telangana ₹1,200–₹1,500 Cr Approximate gross collections from theatres during the same period Industry voices: What's behind the slump? Stakeholders across the board agree that a shift in audience expectations is reshaping Tollywood. Price sensitivity, real-time feedback via social media, and the convenience of OTT viewing are contributing to declining theatre footfalls—even for star-driven films. 'For a normal man, cinema is entertainment. But we've turned it into luxurious entertainment by increasing the ticket prices,' says Producer Prasanna Kumar. 'Theatres must bring back the middle class — families who used to make cinema outings a weekly affair. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Florida: Gov Will Cover Your Cost To Install Solar If You Live In These Zip Codes SunValue Learn More Undo Now it's only the elite and hardcore fans who show up.' Another concern is the lack of all-age content. 'We haven't had many films that you can comfortably watch with the entire family,' Reddy points out. 'That's one of the reasons Sankranthiki Vasthunam worked. It filled that void. The rest have largely targeted specific audiences, like youth or mass centres.' What's ahead: Eyes on the biggies Despite the grim first half, there's cautious optimism for the rest of 2025. A slate of big-ticket films is expected to hit screens between July and December, including Hari Hara Veera Mallu, Coolie, War II, Kingdom, and The Raja Saab, which could potentially change the narrative. 'In 2022 and 2023, we saw how Telugu films like RRR and Karthikeya 2 dominated even the Hindi market,' says TS Ram Prasad. 'We're hopeful that the second half of this year will bring back that momentum.' With several star-driven, pan-India projects in the pipeline, the industry is banking on these titles to bring audiences back to theatres and revive the box office after a lacklustre first half. Until then, all eyes are firmly on what the second half of 2025 has in store. Looking back at the last six months, I can only name about six movies that actually did well at the box office and that clearly explains how the industry has been so far. OTT revenues add 20–30% to a film's overall success, but that's not enough to bridge the wide gap. – Anupam Reddy, Former Secretary of the Telangana State Film Chamber of Commerce Today's audience is selective. Content is king. Within hours of a film's release, opinions start flooding social media platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and even YouTube. That real-time feedback heavily influences theatre footfalls. Audiences are very clear about their choices—if they're investing in a theatre ticket, they want to be sure it's worth their time and money. – Producer and Exhibitor Suniel Narang Within five hours of a film's release, pirated versions are available online. Add to that the fact that most films drop on OTT within 50 days, and you've got little incentive for the audience to visit a theatre. – TS Ram Prasad, Chairman of the Exhibitors Sector of the Telugu Film Chamber of Commerce Tollywood's first half of 2025 has been anything but smooth. Despite a steady stream of releases, only a handful managed to perform at the box office, with most films falling short of expectations. Factors like high ticket prices, production delays, weak content, piracy, and rapid OTT turnarounds have kept audiences away from theatres. As losses mount and investments fall short of recovery, industry stakeholders are now pinning their hopes on big upcoming releases to turn the tide in the months ahead. – Divya Shree
Time of India
27-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Operation Midnight Hammer: Tehran confirms nuclear sites suffered 'serious' damage; mulls ending IAEA access
Iran's foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, on Thursday publicly admitted that the country's nuclear sites sustained 'significant and serious damages' in last weekend's US airstrikes on three facilities, the first such official acknowledgement from Tehran. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now 'The losses have not been small, and our facilities have been seriously damaged,' Araghchi said on Iran's state television, confirming the full impact of Operation Midnight Hammer, reported the New York Times. The strikes, launched by US B-2 bombers using bunker-busting bombs, targeted Iran's nuclear facilities at Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan. Araghchi's remarks contrasted sharply with Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who earlier in the day had dismissed US President Donald Trump's claims of 'obliteration' as 'exaggerated.' While Khamenei insisted in a prerecorded video that the attacks 'were unable to do anything important,' Araghchi painted a far more serious picture and also warned that Iran may end its cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). 'Without a doubt, we are obliged to enforce this law,' he said, referring to a bill passed by hard-liners and approved by the Guardian Council that would suspend all collaboration with the UN nuclear watchdog. He added, 'Our relationship with the agency will take a different shape,' and noted that a visit by IAEA chief Rafael Grossi 'would not be welcomed' at this time. Iran has also hinted that it may no longer permit IAEA inspections and will stop filing monitoring reports, a move that has drawn global concern. Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei had earlier admitted the nuclear sites were 'badly damaged.' Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Israeli military officials and American intelligence have similarly assessed that the strikes significantly degraded Iran's nuclear program, with Brig Gen Effie Defrin stating it has been 'set back by years.' US President Trump has defended the strikes, comparing them to the end-of-World War II atomic bombings in Japan. 'I don't want to use an example of Hiroshima or Nagasaki… but that was essentially the same thing. That ended that war. This ended the war,' he said. However, key questions remain unresolved. Iran has not revealed the fate of its 400 kilograms of enriched uranium, enough for nearly 10 nuclear bombs, nor has it confirmed the status of its advanced centrifuges. These details could be clarified by IAEA inspectors, should Tehran allow access. Analysts, including Sina Azodi of George Washington University, believe Tehran is using the confusion to its advantage. 'Iran wants to keep everything in the dark… to play the diplomatic game of poker,' Azodi was quoted as saying by the New York Times. Despite Araghchi saying 'no agreement has yet been reached' to resume talks, the White House has maintained a tone of cautious optimism. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt reiterated the administration's commitment to diplomacy, saying, 'The president wants peace. He always has… and we're on a diplomatic path with Iran'. Talks are tentatively expected next week, with special envoy Steve Witkoff continuing behind-the-scenes negotiations, supported by regional partners like Qatar. However, Araghchi warned, saying, 'Going through a war changes many realities… diplomacy must adjust itself to this new reality.'
The Print
22-05-2025
- Science
- The Print
US is facing brain drain. India must decide if it's ready to welcome back scholars
In the 1930s, many of the displaced scientists from Germany went on to make ground-breaking contributions—only now, on foreign soil. Among them, Albert Einstein, James Franck, and Erwin Schrodinger were already Nobel laureates, while five more won the Nobel Prize later for the work they did abroad. Their acceptance in the UK and the US was partly helped by dedicated organisations set up specifically to support their relocation. It is an undisputed fact that the innovation culture in the US and Western Europe in the post-war period led to their rapid economic growth, and this group of migrants played an important role in promoting such culture. In recent times, reports have emerged that many academicians are looking to migrate from the US to other parts of the world. The present geopolitical situation may not be as grave, or as delicate as it was in 1933 Germany, but a perceived threat to academic freedom is prompting many academicians to consider relocating. A recent survey carried out by Nature magazine confirms that the brain drain may already be underway in the US. More than 75 per cent of a large number of scientists said that they were looking to move at the earliest opportunity. The year 1933 witnessed the beginning of an exodus of scientists, academicians, and intellectuals from Germany. The scale of the exodus, and the quality of people who left Germany, mostly to the US and Western Europe, was so significant that they deeply influenced the development of Western Europe and America in the post-World War II period. History might repeat itself, again. Inviting scholars to India Interestingly, some of the leading academicians had even considered migrating to India in the 1930s. One such person was Max Born, who went on to win the Nobel Prize in physics in 1954 and was American physicist J Robert Oppenheimer's mentor. Born spent six months during 1935-1936 at the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, at the invitation of Indian physicist CV Raman. Raman had recently moved to IISc and was keen to attract global talent to the institute. When Raman offered Born to move to Bengaluru in 1935, initially for six months and later permanently, Born had no hesitation in accepting the invitation. Indeed, Born's six months in Bengaluru were marked by a series of lectures by him and deep academic discussions with Raman and his colleagues. Similarly, when Pt Madan Mohan Malaviya understood the plight of intellectuals in Germany, foreseeing the immediate need to act, he offered Albert Einstein to visit the newly established Banaras Hindu University. This was in anticipation that Einstein would be pleased with the academic environment at the BHU, and eventually might be persuaded to accept a faculty position there. Both Raman and Malaviya had exceptional foresight on the contemporary situation and were willing to invite outstanding individuals to their institutions. Also read: Who's responsible for the state of India's history? Propaganda, profits & influencers US brain brain If the brain drain does happen now, it could undermine the US' position as the world's most innovation-friendly country—and as its largest economy. Independent analysts have commented on both these aspects. Consequently, countries in Europe have taken swift action on the perceived brain drain from the US. For example, the French President Emmanuel Macron has already extended an open invitation to the best brains to relocate to France. Is India prepared to accept a large number of talented academicians—and that too, at short notice? The situation in the 1930s was quite different than that of today. Back then, a few responsible individuals had the foresight and courage to make such decisions. Moreover, universities and institutions in India had just begun to be established, creating space and opportunity for many to find a place within them. Despite this, Raman had faced serious hurdles in bringing Max Born on a long-term engagement. On the other hand, the academic organisations are much more mature now compared to the 1930s. The maturity has also brought unintended bureaucratic hurdles in spotting outstanding talent and offering positions in our institutions. A new and innovative approach may be necessary if India truly wants to take advantage of the situation and attract the best global talent. The government can set up special-purpose mechanisms and rapidly implement decisions on exceptionally talented academics to return. Many newly established private universities, possibly free of the bureaucratic processes, may take the lead. Undoubtedly, attracting such outstanding individuals, considering the current peculiar geopolitical situation, will only have a positive long-term impact on the growth of the Indian economy. Only time will tell if India seizes the opportunity or lets it slip away once again. Shekhar C Mande is the retired Director General of CSIR and currently a professor at the Savitribai Phule Pune University. He tweets @shekhar_mande. Views are personal. (Edited by Ratan Priya)
Canada Standard
06-05-2025
- Business
- Canada Standard
Canadas Carney set for high-stakes meeting with US President Trump
Tensions between the two leaders have been high, particularly due to Trumps tariffs and his past calls for Canada to join the US as the 51st state. Carney, who replaced Justin Trudeau as Prime Minister, has vowed to reshape Canadas relationship with the US and fight for better trade deals. Canadian Prime MinisterMark CarneymeetsDonald Trumpon Tuesday for the first time since he won reelection on a pledge to stand up to the US presidents tariffs and threats to annex the United States northern neighbor. The 60-year-old Liberal Party leader has said that things cannot be the same with the United States under Trump, and warned not to expect any immediate agreements from the meeting at theWhite House. Trump has sparked a major trade war with Canada, which counts the United States as its main ally and trading partner, while repeatedly making extraordinary calls forCanadato become the 51st US state. Republican Trump called Carney a very nice gentleman after they spoke last week but said on Monday that he was not sure what Carney wanted to talk about. Hes coming to see me. I'm not sure what he wants to see me about, but I guess he wants to make a deal. Everybody does, Trump told reporters in the Oval Office. Trump is set to welcome Carney at 11:30 am (1530 GMT), followed by lunch and then a meeting in the Oval Office. Trump slapped general tariffs of 25 percent on Canada andMexicoand sector-specific levies on autos, some of which have been suspended pending negotiations. He has also imposed similar duties on steel and aluminum. Carney has vowed to remake Canadas ties with the United States in perhaps its biggest political and economic shift sinceWorld War II. Our old relationship based on steadily increasing integration is over. The questions now are how our nations will cooperate in the future, Carney said on Friday. The Canadian leader said he would also fight to get the best deal on thetariffs. But Trumps ultra-loyal Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said it would be really complex to reach a deal. They have their socialist regime and its basically feeding off of America, he told Fox Business on Monday. I just dont see how it works out perfectly. Important moment The US president inserted himself into Canadas election early on with a social media post saying Canada would face ZERO TARIFFS if it becomes the cherished 51st state. Pierre Poilievres Conservative Party had been on track to win the vote but Trumps attacks, combined with the departure of unpopular former premierJustin Trudeau, transformed the race. Carney, who replaced Trudeau as prime minister in March, convinced voters that his experience managing economic crises made him the ideal candidate to defy Trump. The political newcomer previously served as governor of the Bank of Canada and the Bank ofEngland, and in the latter post he played a key role reassuring markets after the 2016Brexitvote. Carney is known for weighing his words carefully but he will face a challenge dealing with the confrontational Trump on the US presidents home turf. This is a very important moment for him, since he insisted during the campaign that he could take on Mr Trump, Genevieve Tellier, a political scientist at the University of Ottawa, told AFP. The Canadian premier would also have to avoid the fate of Ukrainian PresidentVolodymyr Zelensky, who walked into a brutal tongue-lashing from Trump and Vice PresidentJD Vancein February. Everyone obviously remembers the altercation with Zelensky, said Tellier. One point in Carneys favor is that he is not Trudeau, the slick former prime minister whom Trump famously loathed and belittled as governor of Canada, she added. The world will also be watching, with Carneys victory one of two by left-leaning leaders in the past week in elections that Trumps stance may have swayed. Carneys victory came just days before Australian Prime MinisterAnthony Albanesealso won reelection in a vote that was overshadowed by Trumps tariff threats. On arrival in the US capital, the Canadian PM struck a confident tone. Canada and the United States are strongest when we work together -- and that work starts now, he said on social media. (FRANCE 24 with AFP) Originally published on France24
Business Insider
03-05-2025
- Business Insider
I'm an American who visited Poland for the first time. I was surprised by how affordable, beautiful, and walkable it was.
I was surprised by how well some of its cities mix old and new architecture. I had always imagined Poland as a stark, gray country with a sterile Cold War feel — perhaps because much of what I know about it is based on its roles throughout history. Instead, I was astonished to find that its cities, like Kraków and Warsaw, which I visited, had a modern vibe, charming neighborhoods, and a fascinating mix of old and new that blended seamlessly. Although the cities I visited in Poland have plenty of nondescript Cold War-era buildings, they are interspersed with a handful of ornate pre-World War II buildings, charming old towns, ultra-modern glass skyscrapers, and impressive Soviet-designed structures. The country's landscape is also more diverse than I imagined. Although Poland is surrounded by land on three sides, it still has beaches and a beautiful range of landscapes. I was particularly astonished by the beauty of Zakopane, a town at the base of the Tatra Mountains. After taking a cable car up thousands of feet, I was greeted by incredible views of Zakopane's aqua-blue lakes and verdant valleys that impressed me more than the Swiss Alps. When I visited in the summer, this mountain town seemed like a true haven for hikers and nature lovers. Public transportation options also impressed me. I was especially impressed by the local public transportation systems in the two major cities I visited in Poland. Warsaw's public transportation network includes buses, trams, and subways. I used an easy-to-use app to seamlessly navigate around the city throughout the trip. In my opinion, the public transportation options in Warsaw were as good as those in my hometown of Washington, DC, and Philadelphia, where I grew up. Kraków felt very walkable, but I also appreciated the city's robust bus and tram system. Trains connect Kraków to several popular nearby sites, including the Wieliczka Salt Mine and the Auschwitz-Birkenau memorial and museum. I came across many communal spaces and loved seeing them filled with people. Many stereotypes I'd heard painted Poland as a cold place, but I was pleasantly surprised by the friendliness and numerous communal spaces I encountered in the country. Places I visited, like Kraków, had many lively parks and town squares filled with restaurants, shops, and open spaces where people could gather. I saw families playing and groups taking yoga classes in parks. One evening, I visited a vibrant open-air food market and enjoyed seeing many people lingering over drinks to chat and listen to live music. Even smaller towns, like Zakopane, had main streets designed for pedestrians and promenades with seating areas that seemed perfect for gathering. The food was great and fairly affordable. Before my trip, I wasn't super familiar with Polish cuisine beyond pierogi, the country's beloved dumplings that are often boiled and filled with mashed potatoes. I ate plenty of them throughout my stay, and was delighted to find that most of the food I ate in Poland wasn't as beige or basic. In reality, the country surprised me with its wide selection of diverse and modern cuisine. I found many high-end restaurants, some serving Polish fusion cuisine and others serving classics like pasta and steak that I'd find back home. One Middle Eastern-inspired restaurant served me dishes that looked almost too pretty to eat. Because Poland is a relatively affordable country compared to the US, I felt like I could eat like a queen here, even though I was traveling on a budget. It was awesome to dine at Michelin-starred restaurants that I would never have been able to afford in the United States. For example, a five-course tasting meal in Kraków's Michelin-starred Bottiglieria 1881 starts at about 60 euros, or $68. A similar dining experience in the US can easily cost more than double that. With the exception of one mediocre fast-food restaurant
