As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 29 , 2013

Registration Number 333-180469

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 


 

Amendment No.  5 to

 

FORM F-1

 

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 


 

EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 


Isle of Man   7822   Not Applicable

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(Primary Standard Industrial

Classification Code Number)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

         
   

550 County Avenue

Secaucus, New Jersey 07094

(201) 558-9021

   

(Address, including zip code and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)

 

 

 


Ken Naz

550 County Avenue

Secaucus, New Jersey 07094

(201) 558-9021

(Name, address and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

 


 

Copies to:

 

Ruth E. Fisher

Peter Wardle

Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP

2020 Century Park East Suite 4000

Los Angeles, CA 90067

(310) 552-8500

 

Steven L. Grossman

William B. Kuesel
O’Melveny & Myers LLP

1999 Avenue of the Stars, 7th Floor

Los Angeles, CA 90067

(310) 553-6700

 


 

As soon as practicable after this Registration Statement becomes effective.

(Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public)

 


 

If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, check the following box.     o

 

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.     o

 

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.     o

 

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.     o

 


 

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

                 
Title of Each Class of
Securities to be Registered
  Amount to Be
Registered(1)
  Proposed Maximum
Offering Price
Per Share(2)
  Proposed Maximum
Aggregate Offering
Price (1)(2)
  Amount of
Registration Fee
 
A Ordinary Shares, GBP 0.30 par value     14,375,000   $ 17.00   $ 244,375,000.00   $ 31,476 (3)

 

(1) Includes 1,875,000 A ordinary shares that the underwriters have the option to purchase. See “Underwriting.”
(2) Estimated solely for the purpose of computing the amount of the registration fee, in accordance with Rule 457(a) promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933.
(3) $28,650 previously paid.

 


 

THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(a) OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, OR UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(a), MAY DETERMINE.

 

 

 

 
 

The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

Subject to Completion

Preliminary Prospectus dated October 29, 2013

P R O S P E C T U S

12,500,000 Shares

 

 

 

Eros International Plc

A Ordinary Shares

 


 

This is Eros International Plc’s initial public offering in the United States. We are selling 7,812,500 A ordinary shares , Beech Investments Limited, an entity controlled by our founder, Chairman and certain directors, is selling 4,512,500 A ordinary shares and Jyoti Deshpande, our Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, is selling 175,000 A ordinary shares. We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of A ordinary shares to be offered by the selling shareholder s .

We expect the public offering price to be between $ 15.00 and $ 17.00 per share. Currently, no public market in the United States exists for the A ordinary shares. We have applied to list our A ordinary shares on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “EROS.” Prior to this offering our shares have traded, and immediately subsequent to this offering will continue to trade, on the Alternative Investment Market of the London Stock Exchange under the symbol “EROS.” We intend to cancel admission of our ordinary shares to the Alternative Investment Market of the London Stock Exchange as soon as practicable following the listing of our A ordinary shares on the New York Stock Exchange.

We are an “emerging growth company” under federal securities laws and may elect to comply with reduced public company reporting requirements.

 


Investing in our A ordinary shares involves risks that are described in “Risk Factors” beginning on page  11 of this prospectus.


 

    Per Share   Total  
Public offering price   $     $    
Underwriting discount(1)   $     $    
Proceeds, before expenses, to us   $     $    
Proceeds, before expenses, to the selling shareholder s   $     $    

_______________

(1) See “Underwriting” for a description of compensation payable to the underwriters.

The underwriters may also exercise their option to purchase up to an additional 468,750 A ordinary shares from us, and up to an additional 1,406,250 A ordinary shares from one of the selling shareholders , at the public offering price, less the underwriting discount, for 30 days after the date of this prospectus to cover overallotments, if any.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

The A ordinary shares will be ready for delivery on or about                     , 2013.


 

Deutsche Bank Securities   BofA Merrill Lynch UBS Investment Bank

 

Jefferies Credit Suisse

 

  EM Securities  

 

The date of this prospectus is                     , 2013.

 

 
 

 

 

 
 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

  Page
EXCHANGE RATES ii
INDUSTRY DATA ii
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS iii
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY 1
RISK FACTORS 11
USE OF PROCEEDS 29
DIVIDEND POLICY 30
CAPITALIZATION 31
DILUTION 32
EXCHANGE RATES 33
MARKET INFORMATION 35
ENFORCEABILITY OF CIVIL LIABILITIES 36
SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA 37
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS 40
INDUSTRY 59
BUSINESS 66
REGULATION 83
MANAGEMENT 87
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS 93
PRINCIPAL AND SELLING SHAREHOLDERS 98
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS 10 0
DESCRIPTION OF SHARE CAPITAL 10 3
SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE 11 4
MATERIAL TAX CONSIDERATIONS 11 5
UNDERWRITING 12 0
LEGAL MATTERS 12 6
EXPERTS 12 6
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM 12 6
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION 12 6
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS F-1

 

We have not authorized anyone, including the selling shareholder s , to provide you with any information other than that contained in this prospectus or in any free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of us or to which we have referred you. We take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may give you. The information in this prospectus is only accurate as of the date of the prospectus.

 

Until                     , 2013, all dealers that buy, sell or trade in our A ordinary shares, whether or not participating in this offering, may be required to deliver a prospectus. This is in addition to the dealers’ obligation to deliver a prospectus when acting as underwriters and with respect to their unsold allotments or subscriptions.

 

i
 

 

EXCHANGE RATES

 

This prospectus contains translations of certain Indian Rupee, or INR, and British pound sterling, or sterling, amounts into U.S. dollars, or $, at specified rates solely for your convenience. A significant portion of our revenues are denominated in Indian Rupees and certain contracts are or may be denominated in foreign currencies, including the British pound sterling. We report our financial results in U.S. dollars. Transactions in foreign currencies are translated at the exchange rate ruling at the date of the transaction. Monetary assets and liabilities in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rates at the date of the applicable statement of financial position. For the purposes of consolidation, all income and expenses are translated at the average rate of exchange during the period covered by the applicable statement of income and assets and liabilities are translated at the exchange rate ruling on the date of the applicable statement of financial position.

 

Except for figures presented in or based on the audited and unaudited financial statements contained in this prospectus or as otherwise stated in this prospectus, all translations from Indian Rupees or British pounds sterling to U.S. dollars are based on the noon buying rates of INR 62.58  per $1.00 and GBP 0. 62  per $1.00 in the City of New York for cable transfers of Indian Rupees and British pounds sterling, respectively, based on the rates certified for customs purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on September  30, 2013. No representation is made that the Indian Rupee or British pound sterling amounts represent U.S. dollar amounts or have been, could have been or could be converted into U.S. dollars at such rates, any other rates or at all.

 

INDUSTRY DATA

 

We derive certain industry data set forth in this prospectus from third party sources, including Business Monitor International, or BMI, the McKinsey Global Institute, PricewaterhouseCoopers, or PWC, Euromonitor International, Edelweiss, Rentrak and other publicly available information. References to BoxOfficeIndia.com and bollywoodhungama.com refer to third party websites that report box office receipts for Hindi films using various sources and contacts, other than producers or distributors, who do not generally publicly report such data in India. Websites such as these do not control, represent, or endorse the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any of the information available on their sites. References to the FICCI Report 2013 refer to the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI)-KPMG Indian Media and Entertainment Report 2013 (reporting through calendar year 2012), references to the FICCI Report 2012 refer to the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI)-KPMG Indian Media and Entertainment Industry Report 2012 (reporting through calendar year 2011) and references to the FICCI Report 2010 refer to the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI)-KPMG Indian Media and Entertainment Industry Report 2010 (reporting through calendar year 2009). The data may have been re-classified by us for the purpose of presentation. Neither we nor any other person connected with the offering has verified the third party information provided in this prospectus. Although we cannot guarantee the accuracy, completeness, reliability or underlying assumptions of the information contained in industry sources and publications and have not undertaken any independent verification of such sources and publications, the information contained therein is consistent with our understanding of the Indian media and entertainment industry, and we believe, and this prospectus assumes, that the information contained therein is reliable and accurate.

 

ii
 

 

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This prospectus includes forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are identified by terms and phrases such as “aim,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “feel,” “contemplate,” “intend,” “estimate,” “expect,” “continue,” “should,” “could,” “may,” “plan,” “project,” “predict,” “will,” “future,” “goal,” “objective” and similar expressions and include references to assumptions and relate to our future prospects, developments and business strategies. Similarly, statements that describe our strategies, objectives, plans or goals are also forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by the relevant statement. Factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to:

 

  · our dependence on our relationships with theater operators and other industry participants to exploit our film content;

 

  · our ability to successfully and cost-effectively source film content;

 

  · delays, cost overruns, cancellation or abandonment of the completion or release of our films;

 

  · the impact of our HBO Asia collaboration;

 

  · our ability to predict the popularity of our films, or changing consumer tastes;

 

  · our ability to maintain existing rights, and to acquire new rights, to film content;

 

  · our dependence on the Indian box office success of our Hindi and high budget Tamil films;

 

  · our ability to recoup the full amount of box office revenues to which we are entitled due to underreporting of box office receipts by theater operators;

 

  · fluctuation in the value of the Indian Rupee against foreign currencies;

 

  · the monetary and fiscal policies of India and globally, inflation, deflation, unanticipated turbulence in interest rates, foreign exchange rates, equity prices or other rates or prices;

 

  · anonymous letters to regulators or business associates making allegations regarding our business practices, accounting practices and/or officers and directors;

 

  · our ability to compete in the Indian film industry;

 

  · our ability to protect our intellectual property;

 

  · our ability to successfully respond to technological changes;

 

  · contingent liabilities that may materialize, including our exposure to liabilities on account of unfavorable judgments/decisions in relation to legal proceedings involving us or our subsidiaries and certain of our directors and officers; and

 

  · regulatory changes in the Indian film industry and our ability to respond to them.

 

We undertake no obligation to revise the forward-looking statements included in this prospectus to reflect any future events or circumstances, except as required by law. Our actual results, performance or achievements could differ materially from the results expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences are discussed in this prospectus under the caption “Risk Factors” as well as elsewhere in this prospectus.

 

 

iii
 

PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

 

The following summary should be read together with, and is qualified in its entirety by, the more detailed information and financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus. The following summary does not contain all of the information you should consider before investing in our A ordinary shares. For a more complete understanding of this offering, we encourage you to read this entire prospectus, including the “Risk Factors” section, before investing in our A ordinary shares.

 

Unless otherwise indicated or required by the context, as used in this prospectus, the terms “Eros,” “we,” “us,” “our” and the “Company” refer to Eros International Plc and all its subsidiaries that are consolidated under International Financial Reporting Standards, or IFRS, as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board. Our fiscal year ends on March 31 of each year. When we refer to a fiscal year, such as fiscal 2013, we are referring to the fiscal year ended on March 31 of that year. The “Founders Group” refers to Beech Investments Limited, Olympus Foundation, Arjan Lulla, Kishore Lulla, Vijay Ahuja and Sunil Lulla. References to “ordinary shares” refer to our outstanding ordinary shares, par value GBP 0.30, issued prior to this offering. Upon the closing of this offering, our ordinary shares held by the Founders Group and their affiliates will be converted into “B ordinary shares,” par value GBP 0.30, which will be entitled to ten votes each on all matters upon which the ordinary shares are entitled to vote. B ordinary shares will convert automatically, on a one-for-one basis, if such shares are transferred to a person other than a permitted holder as set forth in our articles of association, into “A ordinary shares,” par value GBP 0.30, which are the shares offered in this offering and are entitled to one vote each on all such matters. All other rights of the A and B ordinary shares will be the same. Unless otherwise indicated or required by the context, as used in this prospectus, all references to our articles of association refer to the articles of association that will become effective upon the closing of this offering.

 

“High budget” films refer to Hindi films with direct production costs in excess of $8.5 million and Tamil films with direct production costs in excess of $7.0 million, in each case translated at the historical average exchange rate for the applicable fiscal year. “Low budget” films refer to both Hindi and Tamil films with less than $1.0 million in direct production costs, in each case translated at the historical average exchange rate for the applicable fiscal year. “Medium budget” films refer to Hindi and Tamil films within the remaining range of direct production costs. With respect to low budget films, references to “film releases” refer to theatrical releases or, for films that we did not theatrically release, to our initial DVD, digital or other non-theatrical exhibition.

 

Overview

 

We are a leading global company in the Indian film entertainment industry, and we co-produce, acquire and distribute Indian language films in multiple formats worldwide. Our success is built on the relationships we have cultivated over the past 30 years with leading talent, production companies, exhibitors and other key participants in our industry. Leveraging these relationships, we have aggregated rights to over 2,000 films in our library, plus approximately 700 additional films for which we hold digital rights only, including recent and classic titles that span different genres, budgets and languages, and we have distributed a portfolio of over 230 new films over the last three completed fiscal years, and 26 in the six months ended September 30, 2013. New film distribution across theatrical, television and digital channels along with library monetization provide us with diversified revenue streams.

 

Our goal is to co-produce, acquire and distribute Indian films that have a wide audience appeal. We have released internationally or globally Hindi language films which were among the top grossing films in India in 2012, 2011 and 2010. In each of the fiscal years ending in 2012 and 2011, we released at least ten Hindi language films globally and in the fiscal year ending in 2013, we released 16 Hindi language films globally. In the six months ended September 30, 2013, we released five Hindi language films globally. These Hindi films form the core of our annual film slate and constitute a significant portion of our revenues and associated content costs. The balance of our typical annual slate for these years of over 60 other films was comprised of Tamil and other regional language films.

 

Our distribution capabilities enable us to target a majority of the 1.2 billion people in India, our primary market for Hindi language films, where, according to bollywoodhungama.com, we released two of the top ten grossing Hindi language films in India in 2012. Further, according to BoxOfficeIndia.com, we released four out of the top ten grossing Hindi language films in India in 2011 and three out of the top ten Hindi language films in India in 2010. Our distribution capabilities further enable us to target consumers in over 50 countries internationally, including markets with large South Asian populations, such as the United States and the United Kingdom, where according to Rentrak we had a market share of over 40% of all theatrically released Indian language films in 2012 based on gross collections in each of these two markets. Other international markets that exhibit significant demand for subtitled or dubbed Indian-themed entertainment include Europe and Southeast Asia. Depending on the film, the distribution rights we acquire may be global, international or India only. Recently, as demand for regional film and other media has increased in India, our brand recognition in Hindi films has helped us to grow our non-Hindi film business by targeting regional audiences in India and beyond. With our distribution network for Hindi and Tamil films and additional distribution support through our majority owned subsidiary, Ayngaran International Limited, or Ayngaran, we believe we are well positioned to expand our offering of non-Hindi content.

 

1
 

We distribute our film content globally across the following distribution channels: theatrical , which includes multiplex chains and stand-alone theaters; television syndication , which includes satellite television broadcasting, cable television and terrestrial television; and digital , which includes primarily internet protocol television, or IPTV, video on demand, or VOD, and internet channels. Eros Now, our on-demand entertainment portal accessible via internet-enabled devices, was launched in 2012 and now has a selection of over 500 movies and over 3,000 music videos available. We expect that Eros Now eventually will include our full film library, as well as further third party content.

 

Our total revenues for fiscal 2013 increased to $215.3 million from $206.5 million for fiscal 2012 and decreased to $ 85 .0 million for the six months ended September 30, 2013 from $ 91.9 million for the six months ended September 30, 2012. EBITDA decreased to $48.8 million for fiscal 2013 from $56.2 million for fiscal 2012 and increased to $ 20.3 million for the six months ended September 30, 2013 from $ 8.7 million for the six months ended September 30, 2012. Our net income decreased to $33.7 million for fiscal 2013 from $43.6 million for fiscal 2012 and increased to $ 11.6 million for the six months ended September 30, 2013 from $ 5.5 million for the six months ended September 30, 2012.

 

Our Competitive Strengths

 

We believe the following competitive strengths position us as a leading global company in the Indian film entertainment industry.

 

Leading co-producer and acquirer of new Indian film content, with an extensive film library.

 

As one of the leading participants in the Indian film entertainment industry, we believe our size, scale and leading market position will continue contributing to our growth in India and internationally, and this positions us to capitalize on the Indian media and entertainment industry, which has grown in recent years and we believe will continue to grow. We have established our size and scale with a film library of over 2,000 films, plus approximately 700 additional films for which we hold digital rights only, and releasing over 230 new films over the last three fiscal years. We have demonstrated our leading market position by releasing, internationally or globally, Hindi language films which were among the top grossing films in India in 2012, 2011 and 2010. We believe that we have strong relationships with the Indian creative community and a reputation for quality productions. We believe that these factors, along with our worldwide distribution platform, will enable us to continue to attract talent and film projects of a quality that we believe is one of the best in our industry, and build what we believe is a strong film slate for fiscal 2014 with some of the leading actors and production houses with whom we have previously delivered our biggest hits. We believe that the combined strength of our new releases and our extensive film library positions us well to build new strategic relationships.

 

Established, worldwide, multi-channel distribution network.

 

We distribute our films to the Indian population in India, the South Asian diaspora worldwide and to non-Indian consumers who view Indian films that are subtitled or dubbed in local languages. Internationally, our distribution network extends to over 50 countries, such as the United States, the United Kingdom and throughout the Middle East, where we distribute films to Indian expatriate populations, and to Germany, Poland, Russia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, China and Arabic speaking countries, where we release Indian films that are subtitled or dubbed in local languages. Through this global distribution network, we distribute Indian entertainment content over the following primary distribution channels — theatrical, television syndication and digital platforms. Our primarily internal distribution network allows us greater control, transparency and flexibility over the regions in which we distribute our films which we believe will result in higher profit margins as a result of the direct exploitation of our films without the payment of significant commissions to sub-distributors.

 

Diversified revenue streams and pre-sale strategies mitigate risk and promote cash flow generation.

 

Our business is driven by three major revenue streams:

 

  · theatrical distribution;

 

  · television syndication; and

 

  · digital distribution and ancillary products and services.

 

2
 

In fiscal 2013, theatrical distribution accounted for nearly 46% of revenues, and television syndication and digital distribution and ancillary products and services accounted for 35% and 19%, respectively, reflecting our diversified revenue base that reduces our dependence on any single distribution channel. We bundle library titles with new releases to maximize cash flows and we also utilize a pre-sale strategy to mitigate new production project risks by obtaining contractual commitments to recover a portion of our capitalized film costs through the licensing of television, music and other distribution rights prior to a film’s completion. For example, for the four high budget Hindi films that we released in fiscal 2013, we had contractual revenue commitments in place prior to their release that allowed us to recoup between 25% and 77% of our direct production costs for those films. In the case of high budget Tamil films that we released in fiscal 2013, we recouped 100% or more of our direct production costs for each film through contractual commitments prior to the release of those films.

 

In addition, we further seek to reduce risk to our business by building a diverse film slate, with a mix of films by budget, region and genre that reduces our reliance on “hit films.” This broad-based approach also enables us to bundle old and new titles for our television and digital distribution channels to generate additional revenues long after a film’s theatrical release period is completed. We believe our multi-pronged approach to exploiting content through theatrical, television syndication and digital distribution channels, our pre-sale strategies and our portfolio approach to content sourcing and exploitation mitigates our dependence on any one revenue stream and promotes cash flow generation.

 

Strong and experienced management team.

Our management team has substantial industry knowledge and expertise, with a majority of our executive officers and executive directors having been involved in the film, media and entertainment industries for 20 or more years, and has served as a key driver of our strength in content sourcing. In particular, several members of our management team have established personal relationships with leading talent, production companies, exhibitors and other key participants in the Indian film industry, which have been critical to our success. Through their relationships and expertise, our management team has also built our global distribution network, which has allowed us to effectively exploit our content globally.

 

Our Strategy

 

Our strategy is driven by the scale and variety of our content and the global exploitation of that content through diversified channels. Specifically, we intend to pursue the following strategies:

 

Co-produce, acquire and distribute high quality content to augment our library.

We will continue to leverage the longstanding relationships with creative talent, production houses and other key industry participants that we have built since our founding to source a wide variety of content. Our focus will be on investing in future slates comprised of a diverse portfolio mix ranging from high budget global theatrical releases to lower budget movies with targeted audiences. We intend to maintain our focus on high and medium budget films. We also plan to augment our library of over 2,000 films, plus approximately 700 additional films for which we hold digital rights only, with quality content for exploitation through our distribution channels and explore new bundling strategies to monetize existing content.

 

Capitalize on positive industry trends in the Indian market.

Propelled by the economic expansion within India and the corresponding increase in consumer discretionary spending, the FICCI Report 2013 projects that the dynamic Indian media and entertainment industry will grow at a 15.2% compound annual growth rate, or CAGR, from $ 13.1 billion in 2012 to $ 26.5 billion by 2017, and that the Indian film industry will grow from $1. 8 billion in 2012 to $ 3.1 billion in 2017. India is one of the largest film markets in the world. According to FICCI Report 2013, ticket prices in multiplexes increased by 15%-20% in 2012. The average ticket price for multiplexes was $2. 56 compared with $0. 96 at single screens in 2012.

 

The Indian television market is one of the largest in the world, reaching an estimated 154 million television, or TV households in 2012, of which over 121 million were cable households. FICCI Report 2013 projects that the Indian television industry will grow from $5.9 billion in 2012 to $13.5 billion in 2017. The growing size of the TV industry has led television satellite networks to provide an increasing number of channels, resulting in competition for quality feature films for home viewing in order to attract increased advertising and subscription revenues.

 

Broadband and mobile platforms present growing digital avenues to exploit content. According to FICCI Report 2013, the number of internet users in India reached 124 million in 2012 and is projected to reach 386 million by 2017. Smartphone usage is projected to rapidly increase from 36 million active internet enabled smart phones in 2012 to 241 million in 2017. The $ 144 million Indian music industry, of which 70% came from film music in 2011, is projected to grow to $ 360 million by 2017, although music publishing activities accounted for less than 1% of our fiscal 2013 net revenues. While these projections generally align with management’s expectations for industry growth, there is no guarantee that such future growth will occur.

3
 

We will take advantage of the opportunities presented by these trends within India to monetize our library and distribute new films through existing and emerging platforms, including by exploring new content options for expanding our digital strategy such as filming exclusive short form content for consumption through emerging channels such as mobile and internet streaming devices.

 

Further extend the distribution of our content outside of India to new audiences.

 

We currently distribute our content to consumers in more than 50 countries, including markets where there is significant demand for subtitled or dubbed Indian-themed entertainment, such as Europe and Southeast Asia, as well as to markets where there is a significant concentration of South Asian expatriates, such as the Middle East, the United States and the United Kingdom. We intend to promote and distribute our films in additional countries, and further expand in countries where we already distribute, when we believe that demand for Indian filmed entertainment exists or the potential for such demand exists. For example, we have entered into arrangements with local distributors in Taiwan, Japan, South Korea and China to distribute dubbed or subtitled Eros films through theatrical release, television broadcast or DVD release. Additionally, we believe that the general population growth in India experienced over recent years will eventually lead to increasing migration of Indians to other regions, resulting in increased demand for our films internationally.

 

Increase our distribution of content through digital platforms globally.

 

We intend to continue to distribute our content on existing and emerging digital platforms, which includes primarily internet protocol television, or IPTV, video on demand, or VOD, and internet channels. We also have an ad-supported YouTube portal site on Google that hosts an extensive collection of clips of our content and has generated 1.6 billion aggregate views and more than 1.3 million free subscribers. In North America, we have an agreement with International Networks, a subsidiary of Comcast, to provide a subscription video on demand, or SVOD, service called “Bollywood Hits On Demand” that is currently carried on Comcast, Cox Communications, Rogers Communication, Cablevision and Time Warner Cable. In August 2012, we expanded our digital presence with the launch of our on-demand entertainment portal Eros Now, through which we leverage our film and music libraries by providing ad-supported and subscription-based streaming of film and music content via internet-enabled devices. Furthermore, through a collaboration with HBO Asia, two premium television channels, HBO Defined and HBO Hits, were launched on the DISH and Airtel DTH digital platforms in February 2013 and on Hathway and GTPL digital cable platforms in August 2013, with anticipated launches on other DTH and cable platforms during the remainder of the 2014 fiscal year. We are currently generating no revenue from the HBO Asia collaboration and do not anticipate any revenues from this collaboration until fiscal 2015. We expect to provide approximately 110 titles per year, including ten to twelve new release titles or first run films, and a combination of exclusive and non-exclusive library titles, to the two HBO channels to complement Hollywood film and television content from HBO Asia. Both channels are advertising-free and available as standard and high definition channels. HBO Asia and Eros will both provide content in the first window after theatrical release to these two channels . We intend to pursue similar models utilizing our extensive film library to gain access to similar partners throughout the world. We believe new offerings and emerging distribution channels such as DTH satellite, VOD, mobile and internet streaming services will also provide us with significant growth opportunities and potentially generate recurring subscription revenues.

 

Expand our regional Indian content offerings.

 

According to the FICCI Report 2013, regional media production in India is expected to be a growth driver in the Indian film entertainment industry for several years into the future. We will utilize our resources, international reputation and distribution network to continue expanding our non-Hindi content offerings to reach the substantial Indian population whose main language is not Hindi. While Hindi films retain a broad appeal across India, the diversity of languages within India allows us to treat regional language markets as distinct markets where particular regional language films have a strong following. In fiscal 2013, we increased our Tamil global releases to three films, as compared to none in fiscal 2012. In fiscal 2013, two of our six high budget films were Tamil films. In addition to Tamil, we plan to expand our content for selected regional languages such as Marathi, Telegu and Punjabi. We intend to use our existing distribution network across India to distribute regional language films to specific territories. Where opportunities are available and where we have the rights, we also intend to exploit re-make rights to some of our popular Hindi movies into non-Hindi language content targeted towards these regional audiences.

 

4
 

Summary Risk Factors

 

An investment in our A ordinary shares involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the risks summarized below, the risks described under “Risk Factors” and the other information contained in this prospectus, including our consolidated financial statements and the related notes, before deciding to purchase any of our A ordinary shares:

 

  · any disputes or failure to enter into agreements with multiplex or theater operators could have a material adverse effect on our ability or willingness to release our films as scheduled;

 

  · any failure to source film content will have a material and adverse impact on our business;

 

  · delays, cost overruns, cancellation or abandonment of the completion or release of films may have an adverse effect on our business;

 

  · the impact of our HBO Asia collaboration;

 

  · the popularity and commercial success of our films are subject to numerous factors beyond our control;

 

  · the success of our business depends on our ability to consistently create and distribute filmed entertainment that meets the changing preferences of the broad consumer market both within India and internationally;

 

  · our ability to exploit our content is limited to the rights that we own or are able to continue to license from third parties;

 

  · we depend on the Indian box office success of our Hindi and Tamil films for a significant portion of our revenues;

 

  · we may not be paid the full amount of box office revenues to which we are entitled as a result of underreporting of box office receipts by theater operators;

 

  · fluctuation in the value of the Indian Rupee against foreign currencies, such as the 10. 4 % decline in the value of the Indian Rupee in the two-month period from July 1, 2013 to August 30, 2013, could materially and adversely affect our results of operations, financial condition and ability to service our debt;

 

  · the monetary and fiscal policies of India and globally, inflation, deflation, unanticipated turbulence in interest rates, foreign exchange rates, equity prices or other rates or prices could materially and adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition;

 

  · anonymous letters to regulators or business associates making allegations regarding our business practices, accounting practices and/or officers and directors, regardless of merit, could have a resultant material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations and could negatively impact the market price of our A ordinary shares;

 

  · piracy of our content, including digital and internet piracy, may adversely impact our revenues and business;

 

  · you may be subject to Indian taxes on income arising through the sale of our A ordinary shares;

 

  · our board of directors may determine that you meet the criteria of a “prohibited person” and subject your shares to forced divestiture;

 

  · our Indian subsidiary is publicly listed and we may lose our ability to control its activities; and

 

  · the Founders Group, including our Chairman Kishore Lulla, will continue to hold a substantial interest after the offering and through our dual class ordinary share structure will continue to have the ability to exercise a controlling influence over our business, which will limit your ability to influence corporate matters.

 

Company Information

 

Eros International Plc is a company limited by shares incorporated in the Isle of Man, company number 007466V. We maintain our registered office at Fort Anne, Douglas, Isle of Man IM15PD, and our principal executive office in the U.S. is at 550 County Avenue, Secaucus, New Jersey 07094, and our telephone number is +1(201) 558-9021. We maintain a website at www.erosplc.com . Information contained in our website is not a part of, and is not incorporated by reference into, this prospectus. You should only rely on the information contained in this prospectus when making a decision as to whether or not to invest in our A ordinary shares.

5
 

Our Corporate Structure

 

We are a company which was incorporated in the Isle of Man in 2006 and currently our shares are admitted for trading on the Alternative Investment Market of the London Stock Exchange, or AIM. On April 24, 2012, our shareholders approved a resolution authorizing us to cancel admission of our ordinary shares from AIM as soon as practicable following the listing of our A ordinary shares on the NYSE. We conduct our global operations through our Indian and international subsidiaries, including our majority-owned subsidiary Eros International Media Limited, or Eros India, a public company incorporated in India and listed on the BSE Limited and National Stock Exchange of India Limited, or the Indian Stock Exchanges. Our agent for service of process in the United States is Ken Naz, located at 550 County Avenue, Secaucus, New Jersey.

 

Beech Investments Limited, or Beech Investments, Olympus Foundation, Arjan Lulla, Kishore Lulla, Vijay Ahuja and Sunil Lulla are referred to herein as the “Founders Group.” The Founders Group holds approximately 59% of our issued share capital, which, upon the closing of this offering, will comprise all of our B ordinary shares. Beech Investments, a company incorporated in the Isle of Man, is owned by discretionary trusts that include Eros founder Arjan Lulla and Eros directors Kishore Lulla, Vijay Ahuja and Sunil Lulla as potential beneficiaries.

 

The following diagram summarizes the corporate structure of our consolidated group of companies as of September 30, 2013:

 

 

  (a) Eros India holds at least 99% of each of its Indian subsidiaries other than Big Screen Entertainment Private Limited (India).
  (b) Eros Digital Private Limited (India) holds the remaining 0.35% of Eros India’s Indian subsidiary Eros International Films Private Limited.
  (c) Ayngaran International Limited (Isle of Man) holds 51% of Ayngaran Anak Media Private Limited and 100% of each of its other subsidiaries.

 

6
 

The Offering

 

Issuer   Eros International Plc, incorporated in the Isle of Man.
     
A ordinary shares offered by us   7,812,500 shares.
     
A ordinary shares offered by the selling shareholder s   4,687,500 shares.
     
Overallotment option   We and Beech Investments, one of the selling shareholder s, have granted the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to additional 468,750 A ordinary shares from us and up to an additional 1,406,250 A ordinary shares from Beech Investments at the initial public offering price less underwriting discounts and commissions. The option may be exercised only to cover any overallotments.
     
A ordinary shares outstanding after this offering   30,079,599 shares (or 31,954,599 shares if the underwriters exercise their overallotment option in full).
     
B ordinary shares outstanding after this offering   21,042,719 shares (or 19,636,469 if the underwriters exercise their overallotment option in full). B ordinary shares will be entitled to ten votes each on all matters upon which the A ordinary shares are entitled to vote. B ordinary shares will convert automatically, on a one-for-one basis, if such shares are transferred to a person other than a permitted holder under our articles of association, into A ordinary shares. See “Description of Share Capital” and “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Our A Ordinary Shares and This Offering.”
     
Use of proceeds   We intend to use the net proceeds from this offering to fund new co-productions and acquisitions, including library content, to grow our digital and other distribution channels and for general corporate purposes. We intend to use any net proceeds we receive from any shares sold by us, if any, pursuant to the underwriters’ overallotment option for general corporate purposes. We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of shares by the selling shareholder s . See “Use of Proceeds.”
     
Dividend policy   We have not declared any dividend since our incorporation in 2006, and all profits have been retained and utilized to grow our business. We currently intend to retain any future earnings and do not expect to pay any dividends in the foreseeable future. See “Dividend Policy.”
     
Risk factors   See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 11 of this prospectus for a discussion of factors you should carefully consider before deciding to invest in our A ordinary shares.
     
Proposed NYSE symbol   EROS

 

Unless otherwise noted, all information in this prospectus assumes:

 

  · no exercise of the underwriters’ overallotment option;

 

  · the completion of a one-for-three reverse stock split of our ordinary shares immediately prior to the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, including reflection of this reverse stock split in all historical information, except for the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus;

 

  · that the $2.0 million of our A ordinary shares issuable to Jyoti Deshpande within seven days of our A ordinary shares being listed on the NYSE (based on the average price of our A ordinary shares listed on the NYSE on the date of such issuance), and the issuance of 299,812 of our A ordinary shares to satisfy the Share Awards, have not been issued.

 

  · the conversion of all of our outstanding ordinary shares into 18,037,548 A ordinary shares and 25,555,219 B ordinary shares immediately prior to the listing of our A ordinary shares on the New York Stock Exchange; and
  · a public offering price of $ 16.00 per share of our A ordinary shares, which is the mid-point of the range set forth on the front cover of this prospectus.

 

7
 

Summary Historical Consolidated Financial and Operating Data

 

The following table sets forth our summary historical consolidated financial data for the periods and at the dates indicated. The summary historical consolidated income statement and other consolidated financial data for the three years ended March 31, 2013 and the summary historical consolidated statement of financial position data for the two years ended March 31, 2013 are derived from our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus, except for net income per share and weighted average number of ordinary shares, determined using the one-for-three reverse stock split. The summary historical consolidated income statement and other consolidated financial data for the six months ended September  30, 2013 and 2012 are derived from our unaudited consolidated financial statements appearing elsewhere in this prospectus except for net income per share and weighted average number of ordinary shares, determined using the one-for-three reverse stock split. We have prepared the unaudited financial data on the same basis as the audited financial statements and in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards for Interim Financial Reporting. We have included, in our opinion, all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, which we consider necessary for a fair presentation of the financial information set forth in those statements. Our interim results for the six months ended September  30, 2013 are not necessarily indicative of the results that should be expected for the full year.

 

You should read the summary historical consolidated financial data presented below in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes appearing elsewhere in this prospectus as well as “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”

 

    Six months ended
September 30,
    Year ended March 31,  
    2013     2012     2013     2012     2011  
    (in thousands, except net income per share)  
INCOME STATEMENT DATA                                        
Revenue   $ 84,987     $ 91,919     $ 215,346     $ 206,474     $ 164,613  
Cost of sales     (54,664 )     (62,862 )     (134,002 )     (117,044 )     (88,017 )
Gross profit     30,323       29,057       81,344       89,430       76,596  
Administrative costs     (15,791 )     (11,341 )     (26,308 )     (27,992 )     (20,518 )
Operating profit     14,532       17,716       55,036       61,438       56,078  
Net finance costs     (4,159 )     (496 )     (1,469 )     (1,009 )     (1,584 )
Other gains/(losses)     5,177       (9,786 )     (7,989 )     (6,790 )     1,293  
Profit before tax     15,550       7,434       45,578       53,639       55,787  
Income tax expense     (3,908 )     (1,943 )     (11,913 )     (10,059 )     (8,237 )
Net income(1)   $ 11,642     $ 5,491     $ 33,665     $ 43,580     $ 47,550  
Net income per share                                        
Basic   $ 0.22     $ 0.10     $ 0.69       0.96       1.16  
Diluted   $ 0.22     $ 0.09     $ 0.68       0.94       1.14  
Weighted average number of ordinary shares                                        
Basic     39,579       39,439       39,439       39,076       38,711  
Diluted     39,764       39,448       39,456       39,138       38,773  
                                         
OTHER DATA                                        
EBITDA(2)   $ 20,318     $ 8,674     $ 48,765     $ 56,202     $ 58,574  
Adjusted EBITDA(2)   $ 21,985     $ 17,864     $ 56,320     $ 66,985     $ 59,501  

 

    Six months ended
September 30,
    Year ended March 31,  
    2013     2012     2013     2012     2011  
OPERATING DATA                                        
High budget film releases(3)     0       3       6       5       3  
Medium budget film releases(3)     11       5       13       5       10  
Low budget film releases(3)     15       34       58       67       64  
Total new film releases(3)     26       42       77       77       77  

 

8
 
    As of September 30, 2013  
    Actual     As
Adjusted(4)
 
    (in thousands)  
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION DATA                
Intangible assets – content   $ 531,853     $ 531,853  
Cash and cash equivalents     106,076       221,301  
Trade and other receivables     104,575       97,125  
Total assets     802,895       910,670  
Trade and other payables     29,801       29,801  
Total borrowings     257,762       257,762  
Total liabilities     318,182       318,182  
Total equity     484,713       592,488  

_______________

  (1) References to “net income” in this prospectus correspond to “profit for the period” or “profit for the year” line items in our consolidated financial statements appearing elsewhere in this prospectus.

 

  (2) We use EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA as a supplemental financial measure. EBITDA is defined by us as net income before interest expense, income tax expense and depreciation and amortization (excluding amortization of capitalized film content and debt issuance costs). Adjusted EBITDA is defined as EBITDA adjusted for impairments of available-for-sale financial assets, profit/loss on held for trading liabilities (including profit/loss on derivatives) and share based payments. EBITDA, as used and defined by us, may not be comparable to similarly-titled measures employed by other companies and is not a measure of performance calculated in accordance with GAAP. EBITDA should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for operating income, net income, cash flows from operating investing and financing activities, or other income or cash flow statement data prepared in accordance with GAAP. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA provide no information regarding a company’s capital structure, borrowings, interest costs, capital expenditures and working capital movement or tax position. However, our management team believes that EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are useful to an investor in evaluating our results of operations because these measures:

 

  · are widely used by investors to measure a company’s operating performance without regard to items excluded from the calculation of such term, which can vary substantially from company to company depending upon accounting methods and book value of assets, capital structure and the method by which assets were acquired, among other factors;

 

  · help investors to evaluate and compare the results of our operations from period to period by removing the effect of our capital structure from our operating structure; and

 

  · are used by our management team for various other purposes in presentations to our board of directors as a basis for strategic planning and forecasting.

 

There are significant limitations to using EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA as a measure of performance, including the inability to analyze the effect of certain recurring and non-recurring items that materially affect our net income or loss, the lack of comparability of results of operations of different companies and the different methods of calculating EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA reported by different companies.

 

9
 

The following table sets forth the reconciliation of our net income to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA:

 

    Six months ended
September 30,
    Year ended March 31,  
    2013     2012     2013     2012     2011  
    (in thousands)  
Net income   $ 11,642     $ 5,491     $ 33,665     $ 43,580     $ 47,550  
Income tax expense     3,908       1,943       11,913       10,059       8,237  
Net finance costs     4,159       496       1,469       1,009       1,584  
Depreciation     359       484       1,003       1,275       928  
Amortization(a)     250       260       715       279       275  
                                         
EBITDA   $ 20,318     $ 8,674     $ 48,765     $ 56,202     $ 58,574  
Impairment of available-for-sale financial assets                       1,230        
(Profit)/loss on derivatives     (5,002 )     8,352       5,667       4,264        
Share based payments(b)     6,669       838       1,888       5,289       927  
Adjusted EBITDA   $ 21,985     $ 17,864     $ 56,320     $ 66,985     $ 59,501  

_______________

  (a) Includes only amortization of intangible assets other than intangible content assets.

 

  (b) Consists of compensation costs recognized with respect to all outstanding plans and all other equity settled instruments.

 

  (3) Includes films that were released by us directly and licensed by us for release.

 

  (4) The as adjusted column gives effect to the sale by us of 7,812,500 A ordinary shares in this offering at an assumed initial public offering price of $ 16.00 per share, which is the midpoint of the range reflected on the cover page of this prospectus, after deducting estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us.

 

10
 

RISK FACTORS

 

An investment in our A ordinary shares involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties described below and all of the other information in this prospectus before deciding to purchase our A ordinary shares. Our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected by any of these risks. The trading price of our A ordinary shares could decline due to any of these risks, and you may lose all or part of your investment. It is not possible for us to assess the impact of all factors on our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations, or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement.

 

Risks Related to Our Business

 

We depend on our relationships with theater operators and other industry participants to exploit our film content. Any disputes with multiplex operators in India could have a material adverse effect on our ability or willingness to release our films as scheduled.

 

We generate revenues from the exploitation of Indian film content in various distribution channels through agreements with commercial theater operators, in particular multiplex operators, and with retailers, television operators, telecommunications companies and others. Our failure to maintain these relationships, or to establish and capitalize on new relationships, could harm our business or prevent our business from growing, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations.

 

We have had disputes with multiplex operators in India that required us to delay our film releases and disrupted our marketing schedule for future films. These disputes were subsequently settled pursuant to settlement agreements that expired in June 2011. We now enter into agreements on a film-by-film and exhibitor-by-exhibitor basis instead of entering into long-term agreements. To date, our film-by-film agreements have been on commercial terms that are no less favorable than the terms of the prior settlement agreements; however, we cannot guarantee such terms can always be obtained. Accordingly, without a long-term commitment from multiplex operators, we may be at risk of losing a substantial portion of our revenues derived from our theatrical business. We may also have similar future disruptions in our relationship with multiplex operators, the operators of single-screen theaters or other industry participants, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations. Further, the theater industry in India is rapidly growing and evolving and we cannot assure you that we will be able to establish relationships with new commercial theater operators.

 

We may fail to source adequate film content on favorable terms or at all through acquisitions or co-productions, which could have a material and adverse impact on our business.

 

We generate revenues by exploiting Indian film content that we primarily co-produce or acquire from third parties, and then distribute through various channels. Our ability to successfully enter into co-productions and to acquire content depends on our ability to maintain existing relationships, and form new ones, with talent and other industry participants. The pool of quality talent in India is limited and as a result, there is significant competition to secure the services of certain actors, directors, composers and producers, among others. Competition can increase the cost of such talent, and hence the cost of film content. These costs may continue to increase, making it more difficult for us to access content cost-effectively and reducing our ability to sustain our margins and maximize revenues from distribution and exploitation. Further, we may be unable to successfully maintain our long-standing relationships with certain industry participants and continue to have access to content and/or creative talent and may be unable to establish similar relationships with new leading creative talent. If any such relationship is adversely affected, or we are unable to form new relationships or our access to quality Indian film content otherwise deteriorates, or if any party fails to perform under its agreements or arrangements with us, our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely effected.

 

Delays, cost overruns, cancellation or abandonment of the completion or release of films may have an adverse effect on our business.

 

There are substantial financial risks relating to film production, completion and release. Actual film costs may exceed their budgets and factors such as labor disputes, unavailability of a star performer, equipment shortages, disputes with production teams or adverse weather conditions may cause cost overruns and delay or hamper film completion. When a film we have contracted to acquire from a third party experiences delays or fails to be completed, we may not recover advance monies paid for the proposed acquisition. When we enter into co-productions, we are typically responsible for paying all production costs in accordance with an agreed upon budget and while we typically cap budgets in our contracts with our co-producer, given the importance of ongoing relationships in our industry, longer-term commercial considerations may in certain circumstances override strict contractual rights and we may feel obliged to fund cost over-runs where there is no contractual obligation requiring us to do so. To date, we have completed only one sole production, and this is not our preferred choice for sourcing content. Production delays, failure to complete projects or cost overruns could result in us not recovering our costs and could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations.

 

11
 

 

Our entry into premium television broadcasting with our HBO Asia collaboration may adversely affect our existing television licensing revenues.

 

Our collaboration with HBO Asia requires us to provide them with new release films for the first television window after theatrical release of such films and also a number of library films. While our arrangement with HBO allows us to license our titles to other television networks after they have premiered on the HBO channels, we may not be able to maximize the revenue potential from these films and realize their full market value from other broadcasters once these films have premiered on the HBO channels. In the short to medium run, as our HBO Asia collaboration is still negotiating with digital DTH and cable platforms and subscriber numbers are still building up, such opportunity cost may adversely affect our results of operations and cash flows.

 

The popularity and commercial success of our films are subject to numerous factors, over which we may have limited or no control.

 

The popularity and commercial success of our films depends on many factors including, but not limited to, the key talent involved, the timing of release, the promotion and marketing of the film, the quality and acceptance of other competing programs released into the marketplace at or near the same time, the availability of alternative forms of entertainment, general economic conditions, the genre and specific subject matter of the film, its critical acclaim and the breadth, timing and format of its initial release. We cannot predict the impact of such factors on any film, and many are factors that are beyond our control. As a result of these factors and many others, our films may not be as successful as we anticipate, and as a result, our results of operations may suffer.

 

The success of our business depends on our ability to consistently create and distribute filmed entertainment that meets the changing preferences of the broad consumer market both within India and internationally.

 

Changing consumer tastes affect our ability to predict which films will be popular with audiences in India and internationally. As we invest in a portfolio of films across a wide variety of genres, stars and directors, it is highly likely that at least some of the films in which we invest will not appeal to Indian or international audiences. Further, where we sell rights prior to release of a film, any failure to accurately predict the likely commercial success of a film may cause us to underestimate the value of such rights. If we are unable to co-produce and acquire rights to films that appeal to Indian and international film audiences or to accurately judge audience acceptance of our film content, the costs of such films could exceed revenues generated and anticipated profits may not be realized. Our failure to realize anticipated profits could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations.

 

Our ability to exploit our content is limited to the rights that we acquire from third parties or otherwise own.

 

We have acquired over 90% of our film content through contracts with third parties, which are primarily fixed-term contracts that may be subject to expiration or early termination. Upon expiration or termination of these arrangements, content may be unavailable to us on acceptable terms or at all, including with respect to technical matters such as encryption, territorial limitation and copy protection. In addition, if any of our competitors offer better terms, we will be required to spend more money or grant better terms, or both, to acquire or extend the rights we previously held. If we are unable to renew the rights to our film library on commercially favorable terms and to continue exploiting the existing films in our library or other content, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations. Based on our agreements in effect as of September  30, 2013, if we do not otherwise extend or renew our existing rights, we anticipate the rights we currently license in Hindi and regional languages, excluding our Kannada digital rights library, will expire as summarized in the table below.

 

12
 

 

 

Term Expiration Dates   Hindi
Film Rights
    Regional
Film Rights(1)
 
    (approximate percentage of films whose
licensed rights expire in the 
period indicated)
 
Prior to January 1, 2016     18%       2%  
2016-2020     31       3  
2021-2025     29       20  
2026-2030     3        
2031-2045     3       1  
Perpetual(2)     16       74  

_______________

  (1) Excludes the Kannada digital rights library.

 

  (2) Subject to limitations imposed by Indian copyright law, which restricts the term to 60 years from the beginning of the calendar year following the year in which the film is published.

 

In addition, we typically only own certain rights for the exploitation of content, which limits our ability to exploit content in certain media formats. In particular, we do not own the audio music rights to the majority of the films in our library and to certain new releases. See “Business—Slate Profile—Our Film Library” for detail regarding our rights. To the extent we do not own the music or other media rights in respect of a particular film, we may only exploit content through those channels to which we do own rights, which could have an adverse effect on our ability to generate revenue from a film and recover our costs from acquiring or producing content.

 

We depend on the Indian box office success of our Hindi and high budget Tamil films from which we derive a significant portion of our revenues.

 

In India, a relatively high percentage of a film’s overall revenues are derived from theater box office sales and, in particular, from such sales in the first week of a film’s release. Indian domestic box office receipts are also an indicator of a film’s expected success in other Indian and international distribution channels. As such, poor box office receipts in India for our films, even for those films for which we obtain only international distribution rights, could have a significant adverse impact on our results of operations in both the year of release of the relevant films and in the future for revenues expected to be earned through other distribution channels. In particular, we depend on the Indian box office success of our Hindi films and high budget Tamil films.

 

We may not be paid the full amount of box office revenues to which we are entitled.

 

We derive revenues from theatrical exhibition of our films by collecting a specified percentage of box office receipts from multiplex and single screen theater operators. The Indian film industry continues to lack full exhibitor transparency. There is limited independent monitoring of such data in India or the Middle East, unlike the monitoring services provided by Rentrak in the United Kingdom and the United States. We therefore rely on theater operators and our sub-distributors to report relevant information to us in an accurate and timely manner. While some multiplex and single-screen operators have moved to a digital distribution model that provides greater clarity on the number of screenings given to our films, other multiplex operators and single-screen operators retain the traditional print model. We expect that our films will continue to be exhibited primarily on screens that either do not have computerized tracking systems for box office receipts or screening information, or in relation to which we do not have access to audit compliance data. Because we do not have a reliable system to determine if our box office receipts are underreported, box office receipts and sub-distribution revenues may be inadvertently or purposefully misreported or delayed, which could prevent us from being compensated appropriately for exhibition of our films. If we are not properly compensated, our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations could be negatively impacted.

 

A downturn in the Indian and international economies or instability in financial markets, including a decreased growth rate and increased Indian price inflation, could materially and adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.

 

Global economic conditions may negatively impact consumer spending. Prolonged negative trends in the global or local economies can adversely affect consumer spending and demand for our films and may shift consumer demand away from the entertainment we offer. The GDP growth rate of India decelerated to 6.5% in the 12 month period ended March 31, 2012 compared with 8.4% growth in the 12 month period ended March 31, 2011. ( Source: Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy, November 2012 ). According to the RBI’s First Quarter Review of Monetary Policy 2013-2014, the baseline projection of GDP growth rate from the 12 month period ended March 31, 2013 to the 12 month period ended March 31, 2014 was revised downwards from 5.7% to 5.5%. The Central Statistics Office has estimated that the growth rate in GDP in the first quarter of the 12 month period ended March 31, 2014 was 4.4% over the corresponding quarter of the previous year ( Source: Press release dated August 30, 2013 on “Estimates of Gross Domestic Product for the First Quarter (April-June) of 2013-14” released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme

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Implementation, Government of India ). A decline in attendance at theaters may reduce the revenues we generate from this channel, from which a significant proportion of our revenues are derived. If the general economic downturn continues to affect the countries in which we distribute our films, discretionary consumer spending may be adversely affected, which would have an adverse impact on demand for our theater, television and digital distribution channels. Economic instability and the continuing weak economy in India may negatively impact the Indian box office success of our Hindi and Tamil films, on which we depend for a significant portion of our revenues. Further, a sustained decline in economic conditions could result in closure or downsizing by, or otherwise adversely impact, industry participants on whom we rely for content sourcing and distribution. Any decline in demand for our content could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, global financial uncertainty has negatively affected the Indian financial markets. Continued financial disruptions may limit our ability to obtain financing for our films. For example, any adverse revisions to India’s credit ratings for domestic and international debt by domestic or international rating agencies may adversely impact our ability to raise additional financing and the interest rates and other commercial terms at which such additional financing is available. Any such event could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations. India has recently experienced fluctuating wholesale price inflation compared to historical levels. An increase in inflation in India could cause a rise in the price of wages, particularly for Indian film talent, or any other expenses that we incur. If this trend continues, we may be unable to accurately estimate or control our costs of production. Because it is unlikely we would be able to pass all of our increased costs on to our customers, this could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations.

 

Fluctuation in the value of the Indian Rupee against foreign currencies could materially and adversely affect our results of operations, financial condition and ability to service our debt.

 

While a significant portion of our revenues are denominated in Indian Rupees, certain contracts for our film content are or may be denominated in foreign currencies. Additionally, we report our financial results in U.S. dollars and most of our debt is denominated in U.S. dollars. We expect that the continued volatility in the value of the Indian Rupee against foreign currency will continue to have an impact on our business. The Indian Rupee experienced an approximately 15.4% drop in value as compared to the U.S. dollar in the first nine months of 2013, which included a drop of 10. 4 % in the two-month period from July 1, 2013 to August 30, 2013 alone. In August 2013, the Indian Rupee had dropped by as much as 26.9% relative to the U.S. dollar from the beginning of 2013. A continued slowdown in the growth of the Indian economy, coupled with this depreciation of the Indian Rupee and continued volatility in these areas, may adversely affect our business.

 

Further, at the end of fiscal 2013, $191 million, or 78% of our debt, was denominated in U.S. dollars, and we may not generate sufficient revenue in U.S. dollars to service all of our U.S. dollar-denominated debt. Consequently, we may be required to use revenues generated in Indian Rupees to service our U.S. dollar-denominated debt. Any devaluation or depreciation in the value of the Indian Rupee, compared to the U.S. dollar, could adversely affect our ability to service our debt. See “Exchange Rates” for historical exchange rates between Indian Rupees and U.S. dollars.

 

Although we have not historically done so, we may, from time to time, seek to reduce the effect of exchange rate fluctuations on our operating results by purchasing derivative instruments such as foreign exchange forward contracts to cover our intercompany indebtedness or outstanding receivables. However, we may not be able to purchase contracts to insulate ourselves adequately from foreign currency exchange risks. In addition, any such contracts may not perform effectively as a hedging mechanism. See “Exchange Rates” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Conditions and Results of Operations—Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.”

 

We face increasing competition with other films for movie screens, and our inability to obtain sufficient distribution of our films could have a material adverse effect on our business.

 

A substantial majority of the theater screens in India are typically committed at any one time to a limited number of films, and we compete directly against other producers and distributors of Indian films in each of our distribution channels. If the number of films released in the market as a whole increases it could create excess supply in the market, in particular at peak theater release times such as school and national holidays and during festivals, which would make it more difficult for our films to succeed. Where we are unable to ensure a wide release for our films, or where we are unable to provide theater operators with sufficient prints of our films to allow them to maximize screenings in the first week of a film’s release, it may have an adverse impact on our revenues. Further, failure to release during peak periods, or the inability to book sufficient screens, could cause us to miss potentially higher gross box-office receipts and/or affect subsequent revenue streams, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations.

 

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We face increasing competition from other forms of entertainment, which could have a material adverse effect on our business.

 

We also compete with all other sources of entertainment and information delivery, including television, the internet and sporting events such as the Indian Premier League, for cricket. Technological advancements such as VOD, mobile and internet streaming and downloading have increased the number of entertainment and information delivery choices available to consumers and have intensified the challenges posed by audience fragmentation. The increasing number of choices available to audiences could negatively impact consumer demand for our films, and there can be no assurance that occupancy rates at theaters or demand for our other distribution channels will not fall.

 

Competition within the Indian film industry is growing rapidly, and certain of our competitors are larger, have greater financial resources and are more diversified.

 

The Indian film industry’s rapid growth is changing the competitive landscape, increasing competition for content, talent and release dates. Growth in the Indian film industry has attracted new Indian and foreign industry participants and competitors, including standalone operators, such as Reliance Entertainment, as well as others aligned with internationally diversified film companies, such as Sony Pictures, Viacom Inc., The Walt Disney Company and Warner Bros., many of which are substantially larger and have greater financial resources, including competitors that own their own theaters and/or television networks. These larger competitors may have the ability to spend additional funds on production of new films, which may require us to increase our production budgets beyond what we originally anticipated in order to compete effectively. In addition, these competitors may use their financial resources to gain increased access to movie screens and enter into exclusive content arrangements with key talent in the Indian film industry. Unlike some of these major competitors that are part of larger diversified corporate groups, we derive substantially all of our revenue from our film entertainment business. If our films fail to perform to our expectations we are likely to face a greater adverse impact than would a more diversified competitor. In addition, other larger entertainment distribution companies may have larger budgets to exploit growing technological trends. If we are unable to compete with these companies effectively, our business prospects, results of operations and financial condition could suffer. With generally increasing budgets of Hindi and Tamil films, we may not have the resources to distribute the same level of films as competitors with greater financial strength.

 

Piracy of our content, including digital and internet piracy, may adversely impact our revenues and business.

 

Our business depends in part on the adequacy, enforceability and maintenance of intellectual property rights in the entertainment products and services we create. Motion picture piracy is extensive in many parts of the world and is made easier by technological advances and the conversion of motion pictures into digital formats. This trend facilitates the creation, transmission and sharing of high quality unauthorized copies of motion pictures in theatrical release on DVDs, CDs and Blu-ray discs, from pay-per-view through set top boxes and other devices and through unlicensed broadcasts on free television and the internet. Although DVD and CD sales represent a relatively small portion of Indian film and music industry revenues, the proliferation of unauthorized copies of these products results in lost revenue and significantly reduced pricing power, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations. In particular, unauthorized copying and piracy are prevalent in countries outside of the United States, Canada and Western Europe, including India, whose legal systems may make it difficult for us to enforce our intellectual property rights and in which consumer awareness of the individual and industry consequences of piracy is lower. With broadband connectivity improving and 3G internet penetration increasing in India, digital piracy of our content is an increasing risk. In addition, the prevalence of third-party hosting sites and a large number of links to potentially pirated content make it difficult to effectively monitor and prevent digital piracy of our content. Existing copyright and trademark laws in India afford only limited practical protection and the lack of internet-specific legislation relating to trademark and copyright protection creates a further challenge for us to protect our content delivered through such media. According to FICCI Report 2013, it is estimated that the Indian film industry loses as much as $1.1 billion annually due to piracy. Additionally, we may seek to implement elaborate and costly security and anti-piracy measures, which could result in significant expenses and revenue losses. Even the highest levels of security and anti-piracy measures may fail to prevent piracy.

 

We may be unable to adequately protect or continue to use our intellectual property. Failure to protect such intellectual property may negatively impact our business.

 

We rely on a combination of copyrights, trademarks, service marks and similar intellectual property rights to protect our name and branded products. The success of our business, in part, depends on our continued ability to use this intellectual property in order to increase awareness of the Eros name. We attempt to protect these intellectual property rights through available copyright and trademark laws. Despite these precautions, existing copyright and trademark laws afford only limited practical protection in certain countries, and the actions taken by us may be inadequate to prevent imitation by others of the Eros name and other Eros intellectual property. In addition, if the applicable laws in these countries are drafted or interpreted in ways that limit the extent or duration of our rights, or if existing laws are changed, our ability to generate revenue from our intellectual property may decrease, or the cost of obtaining and maintaining rights may increase. Further, many existing laws governing property ownership, copyright and other

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intellectual property issues were adopted before the advent of the internet and do not address the unique issues associated with the internet, personal entertainment devices and related technologies, and new interpretations of these laws in response to emerging digital platforms may increase our digital distribution costs, require us to change business practices relating to digital distribution or otherwise harm our business. We also distribute our branded products in some countries in which there is no copyright or trademark protection. As a result, it may be possible for unauthorized third parties to copy and distribute our branded products or certain portions or applications of our branded products, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, results of operations and financial condition. If we fail to register the appropriate copyrights, trademarks or our other efforts to protect relevant intellectual property prove to be inadequate, the value of the Eros name could be harmed, which could adversely affect our business and results of operations.

 

We may be unable to continue to use the domain names that we use in our business, or prevent third parties from acquiring and using domain names that infringe on, are similar to or otherwise decrease the value of our brand or our trademarks or service marks.

 

We have registered several domain names for websites that we use in our business, such as erosplc.com and erosentertainment.com , and although our Indian subsidiaries currently own over 50 registered trademarks, we have not obtained a registered trademark for any of our domain names. If we lose the ability to use a domain name, whether due to trademark claims, failure to renew the applicable registration or any other cause, we may be forced to market our products under a new domain name, which could cause us to lose users of our websites, or to incur significant expense in order to purchase rights to such a domain name. In addition, our competitors and others could attempt to capitalize on our brand recognition by using domain names similar to ours. Domain names similar to ours have been registered in the United States, India and elsewhere. We may be unable to prevent third parties from acquiring and using domain names that infringe on, are similar to or otherwise decrease the value of our brand, trademarks or service marks. Protecting and enforcing our rights in our domain names may require litigation, which could result in substantial costs and diversion of management’s attention.

 

Litigation may be necessary to enforce our intellectual property rights or to determine the validity and scope of the proprietary rights of others or to defend against claims of infringement or invalidity. Regardless of the validity or the success of the assertion of any claims, we could incur significant costs and diversion of resources in enforcing our intellectual property rights or in defending against such claims, which could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations. Our services and products could infringe upon the intellectual property rights of third parties.

 

Other parties, including our competitors, may hold or obtain patents, trademarks, copyright protection or other proprietary rights with respect to their previously developed films, characters, stories, themes and concepts or other entertainment, technology and software or other intellectual property of which we are unaware. In addition, the creative talent that we hire or use in our productions may not own all or any of the intellectual property that they represent they do, which may instead be held by third parties. Consequently, the film content that we produce and distribute or the software and technology we use may infringe the intellectual property rights of third parties, and we frequently have infringement claims asserted against us. Any claims or litigation, justified or not, could be time-consuming and costly, harm our reputation, require us to enter into royalty or licensing arrangements that may not be available on acceptable terms or at all or require us to undertake creative changes to our film content or source alternative content, software or technology. Where it is not possible to do so, claims may prevent us from producing and/or distributing certain film content and/or using certain technology or software in our operations. Any of the foregoing could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations.

 

Our ability to remain competitive may be adversely affected by rapid technological changes and by an inability to access such technology.

 

The Indian film entertainment industry continues to undergo significant technological developments, including the ongoing transition from film to digital media. We may be unsuccessful in adopting new digital distribution methods or may lose market share to our competitors if the methods that we adopt are not as technologically sound, user-friendly, widely accessible or appealing to consumers as those adopted by our competitors. For example, our recently launched on-demand entertainment portal accessible via internet-enabled devices, Eros Now, may not be well-received by consumers. Further, advances in technologies or alternative methods of product delivery or storage, or changes in consumer behavior driven by these or other technologies, could have a negative effect on our home entertainment market in India. If we fail to successfully exploit digital and other emerging technologies, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations.

 

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We are currently migrating to an SAP ERP system, which could substantially disrupt our business, and our failure to successfully integrate our IT systems across our international operations could result in substantial costs and diversion of resources and management attention.

 

We are currently in the process of migrating to an SAP ERP system to replace several of our existing IT systems. We have completed this accounting migration in India, but the process is ongoing in the rest of the world and the implementation has been delayed. This migration may lead to unforeseen complications and expenses, and our failure to efficiently migrate our IT systems could substantially disrupt our business. We will implement further modules within SAP ERP once the initial worldwide integration has been completed. The SAP ERP system will be implemented globally in our different office locations and will need to accommodate our multilingual operations, resulting in further difficulties in such implementation. Our failure to successfully integrate our IT systems across our international operations could result in substantial costs and diversion of resources and management attention, which could harm our business and competitive position.

 

The music industry is highly competitive and many of our competitors in the music industry focus more exclusively on music distribution and have greater resources than we have.

 

The music industry, including the market for music licensing and related services in the film and broadcast industry, is intensely competitive. Many companies focus exclusively on music distribution and have greater resources and a larger depth and breadth of library, distribution capabilities and current repertoire than we do. We expect competition to persist and to intensify as the markets for Indian music continue to develop and as additional competitors enter the Indian music industry. To remain competitive, we may be forced to reduce our prices and increase costs.

 

Our business and activities are regulated by the Competition Act.

 

The Competition Act of India, 2002, as amended, or the Competition Act, seeks to prevent practices that could have an appreciable adverse effect on competition in the relevant market in India. Under the Competition Act, any arrangement, understanding or action between enterprises, whether formal or informal, which causes or is likely to cause an appreciable adverse effect on competition is void and will be subject to substantial penalties. Any agreement that directly or indirectly determines purchase or sale prices, limits or controls production, or creates market sharing by way of geographical area or number of customers in the market is presumed to have an appreciable adverse effect on competition. Provisions relating to the regulation of certain acquisitions, mergers or amalgamations which have or are likely to have an appreciable adverse effect on competition and regulations issued by the Competition Commission of India with respect to notification requirements for such combinations were effective June 1, 2011. In December 2012, a proposed amendment to the Competition Act was introduced in the Indian Parliament. This amendment would empower the Government of India to ascribe different values for assets and turnover for a particular class of enterprises, in order to determine whether they breach the threshold limits currently prescribed under the Competition Act (instead of the audited book value of such assets). This amendment is currently under consideration by the houses of the Indian Parliament. The impact on our business of this proposed amendment and other regulations under the Competition Act is therefore unclear.

 

If we or any member of our group, including Eros India, are further affected, directly or indirectly, by the application or interpretation of any provision of the Competition Act, or any enforcement proceedings initiated by, or claims made to the Competition Commission of India or any other similar authority, our business, results of operations and reputation may be materially and adversely affected. For a discussion of Competition Commission actions, see “Business—Litigation.”

 

Our financial condition and results of operations fluctuate from period to period due to film release schedules and other factors and may not be indicative of results for future periods.

 

Our financial condition and results of operations for any period fluctuate due to film release schedules in that period, none of which we can predict with reasonable certainty. Theater attendance in India has traditionally been highest during school holidays, national holidays and during festivals, and we typically aim to release big-budget films at these times. This timing of releases also takes account of competitor film releases, Indian Premier League cricket matches and the timing dictated by the film production process. As a result, our quarterly results can vary from one year to the next, and the results of one quarter are not necessarily indicative of results for the next or any future quarter. Additionally, the distribution window for the theatrical release of films, and the window between the theatrical release and distribution in other channels, have each been compressing in recent years and may continue to change. Further shortening of these periods could adversely impact our revenues if consumers opt to view a film on one distribution platform over another, resulting in the cannibalizing of revenues across distribution platforms. Additionally, because our revenue and operating results are seasonal in nature due to the impact of the timing of new releases, our revenue and operating results may fluctuate from period to period, and which could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

 

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Our accounting practices and management judgments may accentuate fluctuations in our annual and quarterly operating results and may not be comparable to other film entertainment companies.

 

For first release film content, we use a stepped method of amortization and a first twelve months amortization rate based on management’s judgment taking into account historic and expected performance, typically amortizing 50% of the capitalized cost together with print and advertising costs for high budget films released during or after fiscal 2014, and 40% of the capitalized cost together with print and advertising costs for all other films, in the first 12 months of their initial commercial exploitation, and then the balance evenly over the lesser of the term of the rights held by us and nine years. Management determined to adjust the first-year amortization rate for high budget films because of the high contribution of theatrical revenue. Similar management judgment taking into account historic and expected performance is used to apply a stepped method of amortization on a quarterly basis within the first 12 months, within the overall parameters of the annual amortization. Typically 25% of capitalized cost together with print and advertising costs for high budget films released during or after fiscal 2014, and 20% of capitalized cost together with print and advertising costs for all other films, is amortized in the initial quarter of their commercial exploitation. In fiscal 2009 and fiscal years prior to 2009 , the balance of capitalized film content costs were amortized evenly over a maximum of four years rather than nine. Because management exercises its judgment regarding amortization amounts, our amortization practices may not be comparable to other film entertainment companies. In the case of film content that we acquire after its initial exploitation, commonly referred to as library, amortization is spread evenly over the lesser of ten years after our acquisition or our license period. At least annually, we review film and content rights for indications of impairment in accordance with IAS 36: Impairment of Assets , an International Accounting Standard, or IAS.

 

If we fail to achieve or maintain an effective system of internal control over financial reporting, our ability to accurately and timely report our financial results or prevent fraud may be adversely affected.

 

Upon the completion of this offering, we will become a public company in the United States that is subject to certain requirements under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and will become subject to additional requirements under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act when we cease to qualify as an “emerging growth company” under the new Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, or the JOBS Act. Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, or Section 404, will require that we include a report from management on our internal control over financial reporting in our Annual Report on Form 20-F beginning as early as our annual report for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2015. In addition, our independent registered public accounting firm must attest to and report on management’s assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. However, because we qualify as an “emerging growth company” under the JOBS Act, these attestation requirements may not apply to us for up to five years after the date of this offering unless we cease to qualify as an “emerging growth company.” Our management may conclude that our internal controls are not effective. Moreover, even if our management concludes that our internal control over financial reporting is effective, our independent registered public accounting firm may disagree and may decline to attest to our management’s assessment or may issue an adverse opinion. In preparing the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus, significant deficiencies and a material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting were identified. In fiscal 2013, our auditors identified significant deficiencies in our financial statement review process regarding derivative instruments and reconciliation of bank charges, while in fiscal 2012, our auditors identified a material weakness involving hedge accounting and significant deficiencies in the documentation of our management review of advances and amortization schedules. We have worked to improve and remedy these deficiencies, including through the completed implementation of SAP ERP within India and the on-going implementation in the rest of the world. If we identify additional control deficiencies as a result of the assessment process in the future, we may be unable to conclude that we have effective internal controls over financial reporting, which are necessary for us to produce reliable financial reports and are important to help prevent fraud. As a result, our failure to achieve and maintain effective internal controls over financial reporting could result in the loss of investor confidence in the reliability of our financial statements, which in turn could harm our business and negatively impact the market price of our A ordinary shares.

 

Our revenue is subject to significant variation based on the timing of certain licenses and contracts we enter into that may account for a large portion of our revenue in the period in which it is completed, which could adversely affect our operating results.

 

From time to time, we license film content rights to a group of films pursuant to a single license that constitutes a large portion of our revenue for the fiscal year in which the revenue from the license is recognized. In fiscal 2012 and 2011, 11.8% and 23.0% of our revenue, respectively, came from one customer in our television syndication channel, Dhrishti Creations Pvt. Limited, an aggregator of television rights. In the six months ended September 30, 2013 as well as in the six months ended September 30, 2012, no single customer accounted for more than 10% of our revenues . In the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013, however, we did not depend on any single customer for more than 10% of our revenue. The timing and size of similar licenses subjects our revenue to uncertainties and variability from period to period, which could adversely affect our operating results. We expect that we will continue to enter into licenses with customers that may represent a significant concentration of our revenues for the applicable period and we cannot guarantee that these revenues will recur.

 

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We have entered into certain related party transactions and may continue to rely on our founders for certain key development and support activities.

 

We have entered, and may continue to enter, into transactions with related parties. We also rely on the Founders Group, which consists of Beech Investments, Arjan Lulla, Kishore Lulla, Vijay Ahuja and Sunil Lulla and associates and enterprises controlled by certain of our directors and key management personnel for certain key development and support activities. While we believe that the Founders Group’s interests are aligned with our own, such transactions may not have been entered into on an arm’s-length basis, and we may have achieved more favorable terms had such transactions been entered into with unrelated parties. If future transactions with related parties are not entered into on an arm’s-length basis, our business may be materially harmed. Further, because certain members of the Founders Group are controlling shareholders of or have significant influence on both us and our related parties, conflicts of interest may arise in relation to dealings between us and our related parties and may not be resolved in our favor. For further information, see “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions.”

 

We may encounter operational and other problems relating to the operations of our subsidiaries, including as a result of restrictions in our current shareholder agreements.

 

We operate several of our businesses through subsidiaries. Our financial condition and results of operations significantly depend on the performance of our subsidiaries and the income we receive from them. Our business may be adversely affected if our ability to exercise effective control over our non-wholly owned subsidiaries is diminished in any way. Although we control these subsidiaries through direct or indirect ownership of a majority equity interest or the ability to appoint the majority of the directors on the boards of such companies, unanimous board approval is required for major decisions relating to certain of these subsidiaries. To the extent there are disagreements between us and our various minority shareholders regarding the business and operations of our non-wholly owned subsidiaries, we may be unable to resolve them in a manner that will be satisfactory to us. Our minority shareholders may:

 

  · be unable or unwilling to fulfill their obligations, whether of a financial nature or otherwise;
  · have economic or business interests or goals that are inconsistent with ours;
  · take actions contrary to our instructions, policies or objectives;
  · take actions that are not acceptable to regulatory authorities;
  · have financial difficulties; or
  · have disputes with us.

 

Any of these actions could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations.

 

Additionally, we have entered into shareholder agreements with the minority shareholders of two of our non-wholly-owned subsidiaries, Big Screen Entertainment and Ayngaran, and may enter into similar agreements. These agreements contain various restrictions on our rights in relation to these entities, including restrictions in relation to the transfer of shares, rights of first refusal, put options, reserved board matters and non-solicitation of employees by us. We may also face operational limitations due to restrictive covenants in such shareholders agreements. In addition, under the terms of our shareholder agreement in relation to Big Screen Entertainment, disputes between partners are required to be submitted to arbitration in Mumbai, India. These restrictions in our current shareholder agreements, and any restrictions of a similar or more onerous nature in any new or amended agreements into which we may enter, may limit our control of the relevant subsidiary or our ability to achieve our business objectives, as well as limiting our ability to realize value from our equity interests, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations.

 

Some of the parties to the shareholder agreements are companies that have duties to their own shareholders, and the interests of these shareholders with respect to the operation of Big Screen Entertainment and Ayngaran may not be aligned with your interests. As a result, although we own a majority of the ownership interest in each of Big Screen Entertainment and Ayngaran, taking actions that require approval of the minority shareholders (or their representative directors), such as entering into related party transactions, selling material assets and entering into material contracts, may be more difficult to accomplish.

 

We depend on the services of senior management.

 

We have, over time, built a strong team of experienced professionals on whom we depend to oversee the operations and growth of our businesses. We believe that our success substantially depends on the experience and expertise of, and the longstanding relationships with key talent and other industry participants built by, our senior management. Any loss of our senior management, any conflict of interest that may arise for such management or the inability to recruit further senior managers could impede our growth by impairing our day-to-day operations and hindering development of our business and our ability to develop, maintain and expand relationships, which would have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations. In recent years, we have experienced additions to our senior management team, and our success depends in part on our ability to

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successfully integrate these new employees into our organization. In 2012, we hired Sean Hanafin as Chief Corporate & Strategy Officer, and appointed two new directors, one effective upon consummation of this offering, and we anticipate hiring additional senior management in connection with the expansion of our digital business. While some of our senior management have entered into employment agreements that contain non-competition and non-solicitation provisions, these agreements may not be enforceable in the Isle of Man, India or the United Kingdom, whose laws govern these agreements or where our members of senior management reside. Even if enforceable, these non-competition and non-solicitation provisions are for limited time periods.

 

Some viewers or civil society organizations may find our film content objectionable.

 

Some viewers or civil society organizations in India or other countries may object to film content produced or distributed by us based on religious, political, ideological or any other positions held by such viewers. This applies in particular, to content that is graphic in nature, including violent or romantic scenes and films that are politically oriented or targeted at a segment of the film audience. Viewers or civil society organizations, including interest groups, political parties, religious or other organizations may assert legal claims, seek to ban the exhibition of our films, protest against us or our films or object in a variety of other ways. Any of the foregoing could harm our reputation and could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations. The film content that we produce and distribute could result in claims being asserted, prosecuted or threatened against us based on a variety of grounds, including defamation, offending religious sentiments, invasion of privacy, negligence, obscenity or facilitating illegal activities, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition or results of operations.

 

Our films are required to be certified in India by the Central Board of Film Certification.

 

Pursuant to the Indian Cinematograph Act, 1952, or the Cinematograph Act, films must be certified for adult viewing or general viewing in India by the Central Board of Film Certification, or CBFC, which looks at factors such as the interest of sovereignty, integrity and security of the relevant country, friendly relations with foreign states, public order and morality. There may be similar requirements in the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia, among other jurisdictions. We may be unable to obtain the desired certification for each of our films and we may have to modify the title, content, characters, storylines, themes or concepts of a given film in order to obtain any certification or a desired certification for broadcast release that will facilitate distribution and exploitation of the film. Any modification or receipt of an undesirable certification could reduce the appeal of any affected film to our target audience and reduce our revenues from that film, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations.

 

Litigation and negative claims about us or the Indian film entertainment industry generally could have a material adverse impact on our reputation, our relationship with distributors and co-producers and our business operations.

 

We and certain of our directors and officers are subject to various legal proceedings in India. In addition, there have been certain public allegations made against the Indian film entertainment industry generally, as well as against certain of the entities and individuals currently active in the industry about purported links to organized crime and other negative associations. As our success in the Indian film industry partially depends on our ability to maintain our brand image and corporate reputation, in particular in relation to our dealings with creative talent, co-producers, distributors and exhibitors, any such proceedings or allegations, public or private, whether or not routine or justified, could tarnish our reputation and cause creative talent, co-producers, distributors and exhibitors not to work with us. In addition, the nature of our business and our reliance on intellectual property and other proprietary rights subjects us to the risk of significant litigation. Litigation, or even the threat of litigation, can be expensive, lengthy and disruptive to normal business operations, and the results of litigation are inherently uncertain and may result in adverse rulings or decisions. We may enter into settlements or be subject to judgments that may, individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition or results of operations.

 

Anonymous letters to regulators or business associates making allegations regarding our business practices, accounting practices and/or officers and directors could have a resultant material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operation and could negatively impact the market price for our A ordinary shares.

 

In the past, when we have publicly filed a prospectus relating to a proposed transaction in either United Kingdom, India or the United States, we have received anonymous letters sent either to us, a banker, and/or the regulator, making allegations about our business practices and/or officers and directors. Every time we have received such a letter we have undertaken what we believe to be a reasonably prudent review, such as extensive due diligence to investigate the allegations, and where necessary our board of directors has engaged third party professional firms to report to them directly and cleared the matter from a corporate governance point of view. Having conducted these investigations in each instance we found the allegations were without merit.

 

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However, if we receive similar letters, it could result in a diversion of management resources, time and energy, potential costs to defend ourselves, a decline in the market price for our A ordinary shares, increased share price volatility, an increased directors and officers liability insurance premiums and could have a material adverse effect upon our business, financial condition and results of operations, and ability to access the capital markets.

 

Our performance in India is linked to the stability of its policies, including taxation policy, and the political situation.

 

The role of Indian central and state governments in the Indian economy has been and remains significant. Since 1991, India’s government has pursued policies of economic liberalization, including significantly relaxing restrictions on the private sector. The rate of economic liberalization could change, and specific laws and policies affecting companies in the media and entertainment sector, foreign investment, currency exchange rates and other matters affecting investment in our securities could change as well. A significant change in India’s economic liberalization and deregulation policies could disrupt business and economic conditions in India and thereby affect our business.

 

Taxes generally are levied on a state-by-state basis for the Indian film industry. Recently, there has been interest in rationalizing the industry’s taxes by instituting a uniform set of entertainment taxes administered by the Indian government. Such changes may increase our tax rate, which could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations. Furthermore, in certain states, theater multiplexes have enjoyed entertainment tax benefits that may be disrupted or discontinued if India moves to a uniform entertainment tax system. This could slow the construction of new multiplexes, which are projected to be a key driver for domestic theatrical revenue growth according to the FICCI Report 2013. Separately, there are certain deductions available to film producers for expenditures on production of feature films released during a given year. These tax benefits may be discontinued and impact current and deferred tax liabilities. In addition, the government of India has issued and may continue to issue tariff orders setting ceiling prices for distribution of content on cable television service charges in India. Such tariff orders could place pricing pressures on cable television service providers and broadcasters, which may, among other things, restrict the ability and willingness of cable television broadcasters in India to pay for content acquisition, including for our films. Any of the foregoing could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations.

 

Natural disasters, epidemics, terrorist attacks and other acts of violence or war could adversely affect the financial markets, result in a loss of business confidence and adversely affect our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations.

 

Numerous countries, including India, have recently experienced community disturbances, strikes, terrorist attacks, riots, epidemics and natural disasters. These acts and occurrences may result in a loss of business confidence and could cause a temporary suspension of our operations if, for example, local authorities closed theaters and could have an adverse effect on the financial markets and economies of India and other countries. Such closures have previously and could in the future impact our ability to exhibit our films and have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, travel restrictions as a result of such events may interrupt our marketing and distribution efforts and have an adverse impact on our ability to operate effectively.

 

Our insurance coverage may be inadequate to satisfy future claims against us.

 

While we believe that we have adequately insured our operations and property in a way that we believe is customary in the Indian film entertainment industry and in amounts that we believe to be commercially appropriate, we may become subject to liabilities against which we are not adequately insured or against which we cannot be insured, including losses suffered that are not easily quantifiable and cause severe damage to our reputation. Film bonding, which is a customary practice for U.S. film companies, is rarely used in India. Even if a claim is made under an existing insurance policy, due to exclusions and limitations on coverage, we may not be able to successfully assert our claim for any liability or loss under such insurance policy.

 

In addition, in the future, we may not be able to maintain insurance of the types or in the amounts that we deem necessary or adequate or at premiums that we consider appropriate. The occurrence of an event for which we are not adequately or sufficiently insured, the successful assertion of one or more large claims against us that exceed available insurance coverage, the successful assertion of claims against our co-producers, or changes in our insurance policies could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations.

 

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Our Indian subsidiary, Eros India, from which we derive a substantial portion of our revenues, is publicly listed and we may lose our ability to control its activities.

 

Our Indian subsidiary, Eros India, from which we derive a substantial portion of our revenues, is publicly listed on the Indian stock exchanges. As such, under Indian law, minority stockholders have certain rights and protections against oppression and mismanagement. Further, we own approximately 74.88% of this entity. Over time, we may lose control over its activities and, consequently, lose our ability to consolidate its revenues.

 

Dividend distributions by our subsidiaries are subject to certain limitations under local laws, including Indian and Dubai law and other contractual restrictions .

 

As a holding company, we rely on funds from our subsidiaries to satisfy our obligations. Dividend payments by our subsidiaries, including Eros India and Eros Worldwide FZ-LLC, or Eros Worldwide, are subject to certain limitations under local laws. For example, under Indian law, dividends other than in cash are not permitted and cash dividends are only permitted to be paid out of distributable profits. Dubai law imposes similar limitations on dividend payments. An Indian company paying dividends is also liable to pay dividend distribution tax at an effective rate of 17%, including cess (additional Indian education tax) and surcharges. In addition, the Shareholders Agreement of Ayngaran, limits the ability of that entity to pay dividends without shareholder approval.

 

The Relationship Agreement with our subsidiaries may not reflect market standard terms that would have resulted from arm’s length negotiations among unaffiliated third parties and may include terms that may not be obtained from future negotiations with unaffiliated third parties.

 

The 2009 Relationship Agreement among Eros India, Eros Worldwide and us, or the Relationship Agreement, exclusively assigns to Eros Worldwide certain intellectual property rights and all distribution rights for Indian films (other than Tamil films) held by Eros India or any of its subsidiaries other than Ayngaran and its subsidiaries, or the Eros India Group, in all territories other than India, Nepal and Bhutan, the rights for which are retained by Eros India and its subsidiaries. In return, Eros Worldwide provides a lump sum minimum guarantee fee for each assigned film to the Eros India Group plus certain additional contingent amounts. The Relationship Agreement may not reflect terms that would have resulted from arm’s-length negotiations among unaffiliated third parties, and our future operating results may be negatively affected if we do not receive terms as favorable in future negotiations with unaffiliated third parties. Further, as we do not own 100% of Eros India, we may lose control over its activities and, consequently, our ability to ensure its continued performance under the Relationship Agreement.

 

Although our tax and transfer pricing methodology are audited annually by our Indian auditors as part of our statutory audits, the transfer pricing arrangements in the Relationship Agreement are not binding on the applicable taxing authorities, and may be subject to scrutiny by such taxing authorities. Accordingly, there may be material and adverse tax consequences if the applicable taxing authorities challenge these arrangements, and they may adjust our income and expenses for tax purposes for both present and prior tax years, and assess interest on the adjusted but unpaid taxes.

 

Our indebtedness could adversely affect our operations, including our ability to perform our obligations, fund working capital and pay dividends.

 

As of September  30, 2013, we had $ 260.3 million of borrowings outstanding. We may also be able to incur substantial additional indebtedness.

 

Our indebtedness could have important consequences to you, including the following:

 

  · we could have difficulty satisfying our debt obligations, and if we fail to comply with these requirements, an event of default could result;
  · we may be required to dedicate a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations to required payments on indebtedness, thereby reducing the cash flow available to fund working capital, capital expenditures and other general corporate activities or to pay dividends;
  · covenants relating to our indebtedness may restrict our ability to make distributions to our shareholders;
  · covenants relating to our indebtedness may limit our ability to obtain additional financing for working capital, capital expenditures and other general corporate activities, which may limit our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and the industry in which we operate;
  · our lenders are able to require us to repay certain secured loans to each of Eros India and Eros International Limited prior to their maturity, which as of September  30, 2013, represented $ 63.3 million of the outstanding indebtedness of Eros India and $ 19.7 million of the outstanding indebtedness of Eros International Limited;
  · certain Eros India loan agreements are currently being considered for their annual renewal, and until these renewals are obtained, the lenders under these loan agreements may at any time require repayment of amounts outstanding, which as of September 30, 2013, totaled $29.9 million of the $63.3 million outstanding under the aforementioned Eros India indebtedness;
  · we may be more vulnerable to general adverse economic and industry conditions;

 

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  · we may be placed at a competitive disadvantage compared to our competitors with less debt; and
  · we may have difficulty repaying or refinancing our obligations under our senior credit facilities on their respective maturity dates

 

If any of these consequences occur, our financial condition, results of operations and ability to pay dividends could be adversely affected. This, in turn, could negatively affect the market price of our ordinary shares, and we may need to undertake alternative financing plans, such as refinancing or restructuring our debt, selling assets, reducing or delaying capital investments or seeking to raise additional capital. We cannot assure you that any refinancing would be possible, that any assets could be sold, or, if sold, of the timing of the sales and the amount of proceeds that may be realized from those sales, or that additional financing could be obtained on acceptable terms, if at all.

 

We face risks relating to the international distribution of our films and related products.

 

We derived approximately 37.2% of our fiscal 2013 net revenues, and 48.9 % of our revenues for the six months ended September  30, 2013, from the exploitation of our films in territories outside of India. Accordingly, our business is subject to risks inherent in international trade, many of which are beyond our control. These risks include:

 

  · fluctuating foreign exchange rates;
  · laws and policies affecting trade, investment and taxes, including laws and policies relating to the repatriation of funds and withholding taxes and changes in these laws;
  · differing cultural tastes and attitudes, including varied censorship laws;
  · differing degrees of protection for intellectual property;
  · financial instability and increased market concentration of buyers in other markets;
  · the increased difficulty of collecting trade receivables across multiple jurisdictions;
  · the instability of other economies and governments; and
  · war and acts of terrorism.

 

Events or developments related to these and other risks associated with international trade could adversely affect our revenues from non-Indian sources, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations.

 

We may pursue acquisition opportunities, which could subject us to considerable business and financial risk.

 

We evaluate potential acquisitions of complementary businesses on an ongoing basis and may from time to time pursue acquisition opportunities. We may not be successful in identifying acquisition opportunities, assessing the value, strengths and weaknesses of these opportunities or consummating acquisitions on acceptable terms. Future acquisitions may result in near term dilution to earnings, including potentially dilutive issuances of equity securities or issuances of debt. Acquisitions may expose us to particular business and financial risks that include, but are not limited to:

 

  · diverting of financial and management resources from existing operations;
  · incurring indebtedness and assuming additional liabilities, known and unknown, including liabilities relating to the use of intellectual property we acquire;
  · incurring significant additional capital expenditures, transaction and operating expenses and non-recurring acquisition-related charges;
  · experiencing an adverse impact on our earnings from the amortization or impairment of acquired goodwill and other intangible assets;
  · failing to successfully integrate the operations and personnel of the acquired businesses;
  · entering new markets or marketing new products with which we are not entirely familiar; and
  · failing to retain key personnel of, vendors to and clients of the acquired businesses.

 

If we are unable to address the risks associated with acquisitions, or if we encounter expenses, difficulties, complications or delays frequently encountered in connection with the integration of acquired entities and the expansion of operations, we may fail to achieve acquisition synergies and may be required to focus resources on integration of operations rather than on our primary business activities. In addition, future acquisitions could result in potentially dilutive issuances of our A ordinary shares, the incurrence of debt, contingent liabilities or amortization expenses, or write-offs of goodwill, any of which could harm our financial condition.

 

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Risks Related to our A Ordinary Shares and this Offering

 

There has been no prior public market in the United States for our A ordinary shares, and an active, liquid and orderly trading market for our A ordinary shares may not develop or be maintained in the United States, which could limit your ability to sell shares of our A ordinary shares.

 

There has been no public market in the United States for our A ordinary shares prior to this offering. Although we have applied to list our A ordinary shares on the NYSE, an active U.S. public market for our shares may not develop or be sustained after this offering. If an active market does not develop, you may experience difficulty selling the A ordinary shares that you purchase in this offering. The initial public offering price for our A ordinary shares will be determined by negotiations between us and representatives of the underwriters and may not be indicative of the market price at which our A ordinary shares will trade after this offering. In particular, you may be unable to resell your A ordinary shares at or above the initial public offering price.

 

Our A ordinary share price may be highly volatile after the offering and, as a result, you could lose a significant portion or all of your investment or we could become subject to securities class action litigation.

 

Since 2006, our ordinary shares have been admitted on AIM. The trading price of our ordinary shares on AIM has been highly volatile. For example, the highest price that our ordinary shares traded in the period beginning September 28 , 2012 and ending September 30 , 2013 was $ 4.48 and the lowest price was $2. 96 , prior to giving effect to the proposed one-for-three reverse stock split to be effectuated prior to pricing. On April 24, 2012, our shareholders approved a resolution authorizing us to cancel admission of our ordinary shares from AIM as soon as practicable following the listing of our A ordinary shares on the NYSE. The market price of the A ordinary shares on the NYSE may fluctuate after listing as a result of several factors, including the following:

 

  · variations in our quarterly operating results;
  · volatility in our industry, the industries of our customers and the global securities markets;
  · risks relating to our business and industry, including those discussed above;
  · strategic actions by us or our competitors;
  · adverse judgments or settlements obligating us to pay damages;
  · actual or expected changes in our growth rates or our competitors’ growth rates;
  · investor perception of us, the industry in which we operate, the investment opportunity associated with the A ordinary shares and our future performance;
  · adverse media reports about us or our directors and officers;
  · addition or departure of our executive officers;
  · changes in financial estimates or publication of research reports by analysts regarding our A ordinary shares, other comparable companies or our industry generally;
  · trading volume of our A ordinary shares;
  · sales of our ordinary shares by us or our shareholders;
  · domestic and international economic, legal and regulatory factors unrelated to our performance; or
  · the release or expiration of lock-up or other transfer restrictions on our outstanding A ordinary shares.

 

Furthermore, the stock markets recently have experienced significant price and volume fluctuations that have affected and continue to affect the market prices of equity securities of many companies. These fluctuations often have been unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance of those companies. These broad market and industry fluctuations, as well as general economic, political and market conditions such as recessions or interest rate changes may cause the market price of ordinary shares to decline. If the market price of our A ordinary shares after this offering does not exceed the initial public offering price, you may not realize any return on your investment in us and may lose some or all of your investment.

 

In addition, companies that have experienced volatility in the market price of their stock have been subject to securities class action litigation. We may become the target of this type of litigation. Securities litigation against us could result in substantial costs and divert our management’s attention from other business concerns, which could seriously harm our business.

 

As a new investor, you will incur immediate and substantial dilution.

 

The initial public offering price of our A ordinary shares is substantially higher than the net tangible book value per share of our A ordinary shares immediately after this offering. Therefore, if you purchase our A ordinary shares in this offering, you will incur an immediate dilution of $ 0.97 in net tangible book value per ordinary share from the price you paid, based on a public offering price of $ 16.00 per share of our A ordinary shares. The exercise of outstanding stock options will result in further dilution. For a further description of the dilution that you will experience immediately after this offering, see “Dilution.”

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Additional equity issuances will dilute your holdings, and sales by the Founders Group could adversely affect the market price of our A ordinary shares.

 

Upon completion of this offering, we will have an issued share capital of 51,405,267 ordinary shares, including 30,079,599 A ordinary shares. All A ordinary shares sold in this offering will be freely transferable without restriction or additional registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act. All remaining B ordinary shares outstanding after this offering and certain A ordinary shares will be available for sale upon the expiration of certain lock-up arrangements entered into between us, the underwriters and other shareholders as further described under “Underwriting” and “Shares Eligible for Future Sale.” In addition, A ordinary shares that certain option holders will receive when they exercise their share options will not be available for sale until the expiration of any relevant lock-up periods, subject to volume and other restrictions that may be applicable under Rule 144 and Rule 701 under the Securities Act. Sales of a large number of our ordinary shares by the Founders Group could adversely affect the market price of our A ordinary shares. Similarly, the perception that any such primary or secondary sale may occur could adversely affect the market price of our A ordinary shares. Any future issuance of our A ordinary shares by us may dilute your shareholdings as well as the holdings of our existing shareholders, causing the market price of our A ordinary shares to decline. In addition, any perception by potential investors that such issuances or sales might occur could also affect the trading price of our A ordinary shares.

 

The Founders Group, which includes our Chairman, Kishore Lulla, will continue to hold a substantial interest after the offering and through the voting rights afforded to our B ordinary shares and held by the Founders Group, will continue to have the ability to exercise a controlling influence over our business, which will limit your ability to influence corporate matters.

 

After our offering, our B ordinary shares will have ten votes per share and our A ordinary shares, which are the ordinary shares we are selling in this offering, will have one vote per share. We anticipate that the Founders Group will collectively own approximately 41.2 % of our issued share capital in the form of 282,949 A ordinary shares, representing approximately 0.1 % of the voting power of our outstanding ordinary shares, and 100 % of our B ordinary shares, representing approximately 87.4 % of the voting power of our outstanding ordinary shares, assuming the underwriters do not exercise their overallotment option to purchase additional A ordinary shares. Due to the disparate voting powers attached to our two classes of ordinary shares, the Founders Group will continue to have significant influence over management and affairs and over all matters requiring shareholder approval, including our management and policies and the election of our directors and senior management, the approval of lending and investment policies, revenue budgets, capital expenditure, dividend policy, significant corporate transactions, such as a merger or other sale of our company or its assets and strategic acquisitions, for the foreseeable future. In addition, because of this dual class structure, the Founders Group will continue to be able to control all matters submitted to our shareholders for approval until they come to own less than 10 % of the outstanding ordinary shares, when all B ordinary shares held by the Founders Group will automatically convert into A ordinary shares on a one-for-one basis .

 

This concentrated control could delay, defer or prevent a change in control of our company, impede a merger, consolidation, takeover or other business combination involving our company, or discourage a potential acquirer from making a tender offer, initiating a potential merger or takeover or otherwise attempting to obtain control of the Company even though other holders of A ordinary shares may view a change in control as beneficial. Many of our directors and senior management also serve as directors of, or are employed by, our affiliated companies, and we cannot guarantee that any conflicts of interest will be resolved in our favor. As a result of these factors, members of the Founders Group may influence our material policies in a manner that could conflict with the interests of the Company’s shareholders. As a result, the market price of our A ordinary shares could be adversely affected.

 

We will incur increased costs as a result of being a U.S. public company.

 

As a U.S. public company, we will incur significant legal, accounting and other expenses that we did not incur previously, particularly after we no longer qualify as an “emerging growth company.” We will incur costs associated with our U.S. public company reporting requirements. We also anticipate that we will incur costs associated with recently adopted corporate governance requirements, including requirements under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act as well as new rules implemented by the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, and the NYSE. We expect these rules and regulations to increase our legal and financial compliance costs and to make some activities more time-consuming and costly. We also expect these new rules and regulations may make it more difficult and more expensive for us to obtain director and officer liability insurance, and we may be required to accept reduced policy limits and coverage or incur substantially higher costs to obtain the same or similar coverage. As a result, it may be more difficult for us to attract and retain qualified individuals to serve on our board of directors or as executive officers. We are currently evaluating and monitoring developments with respect to these new rules, and we cannot predict or estimate the amount of additional costs we may incur or the timing of such costs.

 

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As a foreign private issuer, we are subject to different U.S. securities laws and NYSE governance standards than domestic U.S. issuers. This may afford less protection to holders of our A ordinary shares, and you may not receive corporate and company information and disclosure that you are accustomed to receiving or in a manner in which you are accustomed to receiving it.

 

As a foreign private issuer, the rules governing the information that we disclose differ from those governing U.S. corporations pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act. Although we intend to report quarterly financial results and report certain material events, we are not required to file quarterly reports on Form 10-Q or provide current reports on Form 8-K disclosing significant events within four days of their occurrence and our quarterly or current reports may contain less information than required under U.S. filings. In addition, we are exempt from the Section 14 proxy rules, and proxy statements that we distribute will not be subject to review by the SEC. Our exemption from Section 16 rules regarding sales of ordinary shares by insiders means that you will have less data in this regard than shareholders of U.S. companies that are subject to the Securities Exchange Act. As a result, you may not have all the data that you are accustomed to having when making investment decisions. For example, our officers, directors and principal shareholders are exempt from the reporting and “short-swing” profit recovery provisions of Section 16 of the Exchange Act and the rules thereunder with respect to their purchases and sales of our A ordinary shares. The periodic disclosure required of foreign private issuers is more limited than that required of domestic U.S. issuers and there may therefore be less publicly available information about us than is regularly published by or about U.S. public companies. See “Where You Can Find More Information.”

 

As a foreign private issuer, we will be exempt from complying with certain corporate governance requirements of the NYSE applicable to a U.S. issuer, including the requirement that a majority of our board of directors consist of independent directors. Although upon our listing on the NYSE we will be in compliance with the current NYSE corporate governance requirements imposed on U.S. issuers, including with respect to the composition of our board, our charter does not require that we meet these requirements. As the corporate governance standards applicable to us are different than those applicable to domestic U.S. issuers, you may not have the same protections afforded under U.S. law and the NYSE rules as shareholders of companies that do not have such exemptions. It is also possible that the significant ownership interest of the Founders Group could adversely affect investor perception of our corporate governance.

 

We are an “emerging growth company,” and if we decide to comply only with reduced disclosure requirements applicable to emerging growth companies, our A ordinary shares could be less attractive to investors and our share price may be more volatile.

 

We are an “emerging growth company,” as defined in the JOBS Act, and, for as long as we continue to be an “emerging growth company,” we may choose to take advantage of exemptions from various reporting requirements applicable to other public companies but not to “emerging growth companies,” including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. We will cease to be an “emerging growth company” upon the earliest of (1) the first fiscal year following the fifth anniversary of this offering, (2) the first fiscal year after our annual gross revenue is $1 billion or more, (3) the date on which we have, during the previous three-year period, issued more than $1 billion in non-convertible debt securities or (4) the end of any fiscal year in which the market value of our common stock held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of the end of the second quarter of that fiscal year. We cannot predict if investors will find our A ordinary shares less attractive if we choose to rely on these exemptions. If some investors find our A ordinary shares less attractive as a result of any choices to reduce future disclosure, there may be a less active trading market for our A ordinary shares and our share price may be more volatile.

 

You may be subject to Indian taxes on income arising through the sale of our A ordinary shares.

 

The Indian Income Tax Act, 1961 has been amended to provide that income arising directly or indirectly through the sale of a capital asset, including shares of a company incorporated outside of India, will be subject to tax in India, if such shares derive indirectly or directly their value substantially from assets located in India and whether or not the seller of such shares has a residence, place of business, business connection, or any other presence in India. The term “substantially” has not been defined under the amendment. Further, the applicability and implications of the amendment are largely unclear. If the Indian tax authorities determine that our A ordinary shares derive their value substantially from assets located in India, you may be subject to Indian income taxes on the income arising directly or indirectly through the sale of our A ordinary shares. For additional information, see “Material Tax Considerations—Summary of Material Indian Tax Considerations.”

 

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We are an Isle of Man company and, because judicial precedent regarding the rights of shareholders is more limited under Isle of Man law than under U.S. law, you may have less protection of your shareholder rights than you would under U.S. law.

 

Our constitution is set out in our memorandum and articles of association, and we are subject to the Isle of Man Companies Act 2006, as amended, or the 2006 Act, and Isle of Man common law. The rights of shareholders to take action against the directors, actions by minority shareholders and the fiduciary responsibilities of our directors to us under Isle of Man law are to an extent governed by the common law of the Isle of Man. The common law of the Isle of Man is derived in part from comparatively limited judicial precedent in the Isle of Man as well as from English common law, which has persuasive, but not binding, authority on a court in the Isle of Man. The rights of our shareholders and the fiduciary responsibilities of our directors under Isle of Man law are not as clearly established as they would be under statutes or judicial precedent in some jurisdictions in the United States. In particular, the Isle of Man has a less developed body of securities laws than the United States. In addition, some U.S. states, such as Delaware, have more fully developed and judicially interpreted bodies of corporate law than the Isle of Man. Furthermore, shareholders of Isle of Man companies may not have standing to initiate a shareholder derivative action in a federal court of the United States. As a result, shareholders may have more difficulties in protecting their interests in the face of actions taken by management, members of the board of directors or controlling shareholders than they would as shareholders of a U.S. company.

 

Our board of directors may determine that you meet the criteria of a “prohibited person” and subject your shares to forced divestiture.

 

Our articles of association permit our board of directors to determine that any person owning shares (directly or beneficially) constitutes a “prohibited person” and is not qualified to own shares if such person is in breach of any law or requirement of any country and, as determined solely by our board of directors, such ownership would cause a pecuniary or tax disadvantage to us, another shareholder or holders of our other securities. If our board of directors determines that you meet the above criteria of a “prohibited person,” they may direct you to transfer all A ordinary shares you own to another person. Under the provisions of our articles of association, such a determination by our board of directors would be conclusive and binding on you. If our board of directors directs you to transfer all A ordinary shares you own, you may recognize taxable gain or loss on the transfer. See “Material Tax Considerations—Summary of Material United States Federal Income Tax Considerations—Sale or Other Disposition of A Ordinary Shares” for a more detailed description of the tax consequences of a sale or exchange or other taxable disposition of your A ordinary shares.

 

Judgments obtained against us by our shareholders may not be enforceable.

 

We are an Isle of Man company and substantially all of our assets are located outside of the United States. A substantial part of our current operations are conducted in India. In addition, substantially all of our directors and executive officers are nationals and residents of countries other than the United States and we believe that a substantial portion of the assets of these persons may be located outside the United States. As a result, it may be difficult for you to effect service of process within the United States upon these persons. It may also be difficult for you to enforce in U.S. courts judgments obtained in U.S. courts based on the civil liability provisions of the U.S. federal securities laws against us and our officers and directors. Moreover, there is uncertainty as to whether the courts of the Isle of Man or India would recognize or enforce judgments of United States courts against us or such persons predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the securities laws of the United States or any state. In addition, there is uncertainty as to whether such Isle of Man or Indian courts would be competent to hear original actions brought in the Isle of Man or in India against us or such persons predicated upon the securities laws of the United States or any state. See “Enforceability of Civil Liabilities.”

 

We have not determined a specific use for a portion of our net proceeds from this offering, and we may use these proceeds in ways with which you may not agree.

 

We have not determined a specific use for a portion of our net proceeds of this offering and intend to use them for general corporate purposes. Our management will have considerable discretion in the application of these proceeds received by us. You will not have the opportunity, as part of your investment decision, to assess whether the proceeds are being used appropriately. You must rely on the judgment of our management regarding the application of the net proceeds of this offering. The net proceeds may be used for corporate purposes that do not improve our profitability or increase the market price of our A ordinary shares. The net proceeds from this offering may also be placed in investments that do not produce income or lose value.

 

If securities or industry analysts do not publish research or publish unfavorable or inaccurate research about our business, our share price and trading volume could decline.

 

The trading market for our ordinary shares will depend, in part, on the research and reports that securities or industry analysts publish about us or our business. We may be unable to sustain coverage by well-regarded securities and industry analysts. If either none or only a limited number of securities or industry analysts maintain coverage of our company, or if these securities or industry analysts are not widely respected within the general investment community, the trading price for our ordinary shares would be negatively impacted. In the event we obtain securities or industry analyst coverage, if one or more of the analysts who cover us downgrade our ordinary shares or publish inaccurate or unfavorable research about our business, our share price would likely decline. If one or more of these analysts cease coverage of our company or fail to publish reports on us regularly, demand for our ordinary shares could decrease, which might cause our share price and trading volume to decline.

 

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We do not currently intend to pay dividends on our ordinary shares. Our ability to pay dividends in the future will depend upon satisfaction of the 2006 Act solvency test, future earnings, financial condition, cash flows, working capital requirements and capital expenditures.

 

We currently intend to retain any future earnings and do not expect to pay dividends on our ordinary shares. The amount of our future dividend payments, if any, will depend upon our satisfaction of the solvency test contained in the 2006 Act, our future earnings, financial condition, cash flows, working capital requirements and capital expenditures. The 2006 Act provides that a company satisfies the solvency test if it is able to pay its debts as they become due in the normal course of the company’s business and where the value of the company’s assets exceeds the value of its liabilities. There can be no assurance that we will be able to pay dividends. Additionally, we may be restricted by the terms of any future debt financing in relation to the payment of dividends.

 

We may be classified as a passive foreign investment company, or PFIC, under United States tax law, which could result in adverse United States federal income tax consequences to U.S. investors.

 

Based upon the past and projected composition of our income and valuation of our assets, we do not believe we will be a PFIC for our taxable year ending December 31, 2013, and we do not expect to become one in the future, although there can be no assurance in this regard. The determination of whether or not we are a PFIC for any taxable year is made on an annual basis and will depend on the composition of our income and assets from time to time. Specifically, we will be classified as a PFIC for United States federal income tax purposes if either:

 

  · 75% or more of our gross income in a taxable year is passive income, or
  · 50% or more of the average quarterly value of our gross assets in a taxable year is attributable to assets that produce passive income or are held for the production of passive income.

 

The calculation of the value of our assets will be based, in part, on the then market value of our A ordinary shares, which is subject to change. We cannot assure you that we were not a PFIC for the 2013 taxable year or that we will not be a PFIC for this or any future taxable year. Moreover, the determination of our PFIC status is based on an annual determination that cannot be made until the close of a taxable year and involves extensive factual investigation. This investigation includes ascertaining the fair market value of all of our assets on a quarterly basis and the character of each item of income we earn, which cannot be completed until the close of a taxable year, and therefore, our U.S. counsel expresses no opinion with respect to our PFIC status. If we were to be or become classified as a PFIC, a U.S. Holder (as defined in “Material Tax Considerations—Summary of Material United States Federal Income Tax Considerations”) may be subject to burdensome reporting requirements and may incur significantly increased United States income tax on gain recognized on the sale or other disposition of the shares and on the receipt of distributions on the shares to the extent such gain or distribution is treated as an “excess distribution” under the United States federal income tax rules. Further, if we were a PFIC for any year during which a U.S. Holder held our shares, we would continue to be treated as a PFIC for all succeeding years during which such U.S. Holder held our shares. Each U.S. Holder is urged to consult its tax advisors concerning the United States federal income tax consequences of acquiring, holding and disposing of shares if we are or become classified as a PFIC. See “Material Tax Considerations—Summary of Material United States Federal Income Tax Considerations—Passive Foreign Investment Company” for a more detailed description of the PFIC rules.

 

Upon the completion of this offering, our A ordinary shares will for a time be listed on two separate stock markets and investors seeking to take advantage of price differences between such markets may create unexpected volatility in our share price; in addition, investors may not be able to easily move ordinary shares for trading between such markets.

 

Our ordinary shares are currently admitted to AIM and will now be additionally listed and traded on the NYSE. However, on April 24, 2012, our shareholders approved a resolution authorizing us to cancel the admission of our ordinary shares from AIM as soon as practicable following the listing of our A ordinary shares on the NYSE. While our shares are traded on both markets, price levels for our ordinary shares could fluctuate significantly on either market, independent of our share price on the other market. Investors could seek to sell or buy our shares to take advantage of any price differences between the two markets through a practice referred to as arbitrage. Any arbitrage activity could create unexpected volatility in both our share prices on either exchange, and the shares available for trading on either exchange. In addition, holders of shares in either jurisdiction will not be immediately able to transfer such shares for trading on the other market without effecting necessary procedures with our transfer agent. This could result in time delays and additional cost for our shareholders.

 

28
 

 

USE OF PROCEEDS

 

We estimate that the net proceeds from this offering will be approximately $ 108 million, after deducting underwriter discounts and estimated expenses. We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of our ordinary shares by the selling shareholder s in this offering. We currently intend to use approximately $ 75 million of the net proceeds from this offering to fund new co-productions and acquisitions of Hindi and regional film library content and film-related content, approximately $ 15 million to grow our digital distribution channel, approximately $ 10 million to maintain and further strengthen our other distribution channels, and the balance for other general corporate purposes. These amounts are estimates only and are subject to change as we currently do not have firm agreements for using the net proceeds.

 

29
 

 

DIVIDEND POLICY

 

We have not declared any dividend since our incorporation in 2006, and all profits have been retained and utilized to grow our business. We currently intend to retain any future earnings and do not expect to pay any dividends in the foreseeable future.

 

In the event we pay dividends in the future, however, our paying agent in the United States will be Computershare Investor Services.

 

The amount of our future dividend payments, if any, will depend upon our satisfaction of the solvency test contained in the 2006 Act, our future earnings, financial condition, cash flows, working capital requirements and capital expenditures. The 2006 Act provides that a company satisfies the solvency test if it is able to pay its debts as they become due in the normal course of the company’s business and where the value of the company’s assets exceeds the value of its liabilities. There can be no assurance that we will be able to pay dividends. Additionally, we may be restricted by the terms of any future debt financing in relation to the payment of dividends.

 

Under our articles of association, all dividends and interest are paid to shareholders whose names are on the register on the date on which such dividend is declared, the date on which such interest is payable or on such other date as we or our board of directors may determine. There are currently no additional procedures required for shareholders not resident in the Isle of Man to claim dividends.

 

30
 

 

CAPITALIZATION

 

The following table sets forth our unaudited consolidated cash and cash equivalents and capitalization as of September  30, 2013. Our capitalization is presented:

 

  · on an actual basis; and

 

  · as adjusted to reflect the following:

 

  · the co nv e rs ion of all of our outstanding ordinary shares into 30,362,548 A ordinary shares and 21,042,719 B  ordinary shares immediately prior to the listing of our A ordinary shares on the New York Stock Exchange ;

 

  · the receipt of net proceeds from the sale of 7,812,500 A ordinary shares by us in this offering at an assumed initial public offering price of $16.00 per share, the mid-point of the assumed public offering price set forth on the cover of this prospectus, after deducting estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us;

 

  · the conversion of 4,512,500 B ordinary shares into 4,512,500 A ordinary shares upon sale by the selling shareholders in this offering;

 

  · the issuance of $2.0 million of our A ordinary shares to Jyoti Deshpande within seven days of our A ordinary shares being listed on the NYSE (based on the average price of our A ordinary shares listed on the NYSE on the date of such issuance, which is assumed to be $16.00 per share, the mid-point of the assumed public offering price set forth on the cover of this prospectus);

 

  · the issuance of 299,812 of our A ordinary shares to satisfy the Share Awards.

 

     

 

     

 

You should read this table along with our consolidated financial statements and related notes and the other financial information appearing elsewhere in this prospectus.

 

    September 30, 2013  
    Actual     As Adjusted  
    (in thousands, except share data)  
Cash and cash equivalents   $ 106,076     $ 221,301  
Indebtedness:                
Secured revolving credit facilities   $ 23,451     $ 23,451  
Secured asset and term loans     34,991       34,991  
Overdrafts     19,722       19,722  
Commercial paper     4,788       4,788  
Revolving facilities     167,500       167,500  
Other     9,809       9,809  
Total indebtedness     260,261       260,261  
Ordinary shares, at par value of GBP 0.10 per share, authorized share capital of 200,000,000 ordinary shares, issued share capital of 43,592,767 ordinary shares, actual; no authorized or issued share capital, as adjusted     23,674        
A ordinary shares, at par value of GBP 0.30 per share, no authorized or issued share capital, actual; 56,116,448 authorized and 30,504,411 issued, as adjusted           13,499  
B ordinary shares, par value of GBP 0.30 per share, no authorized or issued share capital, actual; 27,216,885 authorized and 21,042,719 issued, as adjusted           14,032  
Total shareholders’ equity     484,713       592,488  
Total capitalization   $ 744,974     $ 852,749  

 

31
 

 

DILUTION

 

If you purchase our A ordinary shares, you will experience immediate and substantial dilution. Dilution is the amount by which the offering price paid by the purchasers of our A ordinary shares to be sold in this offering will exceed the net tangible book value per share of our A ordinary shares after the offering and reclassification. Net tangible book value per share represents the amount of total tangible assets (total assets less intangible assets) less total liabilities, divided by the number of our A and B ordinary shares in issue on a pro forma basis to give effect to the offering, as of that date. The adjusted net tangible book value per share presented below is equal to the amount of our total tangible assets (total assets less intangible assets) less total liabilities, divided by the number of our A and B ordinary shares in issue on a pro forma basis to give effect to the offering and reclassification as of September 30, 2013. After giving effect to the foregoing and our sale of 7,812,500 A ordinary shares in this offering at an assumed initial public offering price of $ 16.00 per share, our as adjusted net tangible book value as of September 30, 2013 would have been $50,403,000 , or $ 0.97 per ordinary share. This represents an immediate increase in net tangible book value of $ 2.47 per share to the existing shareholders and an immediate dilution in net tangible book value of $ 11.04 per share to new investors.

 

The following table illustrates this dilution on a per share basis :

 

Assumed initial public offering price per share   $ 16.00  
Net tangible book value per ordinary share at September 30, 2013   $ (1.50 )
Increase in net tangible book value per share attributable to new investors   $ 2.47  
Adjusted net tangible book value per A ordinary share   $ 0.97  
Adjusted net tangible book value per B ordinary share   $ 0.97  
Dilution per share to new investors   $ 15.03  

 

Our as adjusted net tangible book value after the consummation of this offering, and the dilution to new investors in this offering, will change from the amounts shown above if the underwriters exercise their overallotment option.

 

A $1.00 increase or decrease in the assumed initial public offering price of $ 16.00 per A ordinary share would increase or decrease our adjusted net tangible book value by $ 7.3 million, the net tangible book value per A ordinary share after the consummation of this offering by $ 0.14 , the net tangible book value per B ordinary share after the consummation of this offering by $ 0.14 and the dilution per A ordinary share to new investors by $ 0.86 , assuming the number of A ordinary shares offered by us, as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, remains the same, and after deducting the estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us. Similarly, any increase or decrease in the number of A ordinary shares that we (but not the selling shareholder) sell in this offering will increase or decrease our net proceeds by such increase or decrease, as applicable, multiplied by the offering price per share, less underwriting discounts and commissions and offering expenses. Any exercise by the underwriters of their overallotment option, whether in full or part will impact our adjusted net tangible book value and corresponding dilution per share to new investors similarly.

 

The following table summarizes, on the same as adjusted basis as of September 30, 2013 , the total number of A ordinary shares purchased from us or from the selling shareholder, the total consideration paid and the average price per share paid by the existing shareholders and by new investors purchasing A ordinary shares in this offering:

 

    Shares Purchased     Total Consideration     Average Price  
    Number     Percent     Amount     Percent     Per Share  
Existing Shareholders     43,592,767       84.8%     $ 188,670,000       60.1%     $ 4.33  
New Investors     7,812,500       15.2       125,000,000       39.9     $ 16.00  
Total     51,405,267       100.0%     $ 313,670,000       100.0%     $ 6.10  

 

32
 

 

EXCHANGE RATES

 

Our functional and reporting currency is the U.S. dollar. Transactions in foreign currencies are translated at the exchange rate ruling at the date of the transaction. Monetary assets and liabilities in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rates at the date of the applicable statement of financial position. For the purposes of consolidation, all income and expenses are translated at the average rate of exchange during the period covered by the applicable statement of income and assets and liabilities are translated at the exchange rate ruling on the date of the applicable statement of financial position.

 

Solely for your convenience, this prospectus contains translations of certain Indian Rupee and British Pound sterling amounts into U.S. dollars at specified rates. Except for figures presented in or based on the audited and unaudited financial statements contained in this prospectus or as otherwise stated in this prospectus, all translations from Indian Rupees or British pounds sterling to U.S. dollars are based on the noon buying rates of INR 62.58  per $1.00 and GBP 0. 62  per $1.00 in the City of New York for cable transfers of Indian Rupees and British pounds sterling, respectively, based on the rates certified for customs purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on September  30, 2013. No representation is made that the Indian Rupee or British pound sterling amounts represent U.S. dollar amounts or have been, could have been or could be converted into U.S. dollars at such rates, any other rates or at all. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business—A downturn in the Indian and international economies or instability in financial markets, including a decreased growth rate and increased Indian price inflation, could materially and adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.” Any discrepancies in any table between totals and sums of the amounts listed are due to rounding.

 

The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, information concerning the exchange rates between Indian Rupees and U.S. dollars based on the noon buying rate in the City of New York for cable transfers of Indian Rupees as certified for customs purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. These rates are provided solely for your convenience and are not necessarily the exchange rates that were used in this prospectus or will be used in the preparation of periodic reports or any other information to be provided to you.

 

    Period End     Average(1)     High     Low  
Fiscal Year Ended:                                
2009     INR  50.87       INR  46.32       INR  51.96       INR  39.73  
2010     44.95       47.18       50.48       44.94  
2011     44.54       45.46       47.49       43.90  
2012     50.89       48.01       53.71       44.00  
2013     54.52       54.36       57.13       50.64  
2014 (through September 30, 2013)     62.58       58.92       68.80       53.65  
                                 
Quarter Ended September 30:                                
2012     INR  52.92       INR  55.13       INR  56.22       INR  52.92  
2013     62.58       62.02       68.80       59.01  
                                 
Month:                                
April 2013     53.68       54.32       54.91       53.68  
May 2013     56.50       54.98       56.50       53.65  
June 2013     59.52       58.38       60.70       56.43  
July 2013     60.77       59.76       60.80       59.01  
August 2013     65.71       62.81       68.80       60.34  
September 2013     62.58       63.65       67.71       61.68  

_______________

  (1) Represents the average of the exchange rates on the last day of each month during the period for all fiscal years presented and the average of the noon buying rate for all days during the period for all months presented.

 

33
 

 

The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, information concerning the exchange rates between British pounds sterling and U.S. dollars based on the noon buying rate in the City of New York for cable transfers of British pounds sterling as certified for customs purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. These rates are provided solely for your convenience and are not necessarily the exchange rates that were used in this prospectus or will be used in the preparation of periodic reports or any other information to be provided to you.

 

    Period End   Average(1)   High   Low
Fiscal Year:                                
2009     GBP  0.6993       GBP  0.5980       GBP  0.7322       GBP  0.4991  
2010     0.6585       0.6261       0.6943       0.5890  
2011     0.6231       0.6428       0.6511       0.6102  
2012     0.6256       0.6233       0.6536       0.5991  
2013     0.6202       0.6277       0.6320       0.6202  
2014 (through September  30, 2013)     0. 6181       0.64 78       0.6740       0. 6181  
                                 
Quarter ended September  30:                                
2012     GBP  0. 6199       GBP  0.63 2 9       GBP  0.6 48 3       GBP  0.61 49  
2013     0. 6181       0. 6447       0.6 74 0       0. 6181  
                                 
Month:                                
April 2013     0.6435       0.6531       0.6617       0.6435  
May 2013     0.6585       0.6537       0.6650       0.6419  
June 2013     0.6575       0.6455       0.6575       0.6366  
July 2013     0.6589       0.6588       0.6740       0.6507  
August 2013     0.6465       0.6449       0.6603       0.6378  
September 2013     0.6181       0.6295       0.6433       0.6181  

_______________

  (1) Represents the average of the exchange rates on the last day of each month during the period for all fiscal years presented and the average of the noon buying rate for all days during the period for all months presented.

 

34
 

 

MARKET INFORMATION

 

Our ordinary shares are currently admitted to AIM. We intend to cancel the admission of our shares from AIM following the consummation of this offering.

 

As of September 30, 2013, our issued share capital was 43,592,767 ordinary shares.

 

Historical Market Prices

 

The following represents historic trading on AIM, as published by Bloomberg, adjusted to reflect the one-for-three reverse stock split. The table below reflects a translation from British pound sterling to U.S. dollars based on the prevailing exchange rate between the British pound sterling and the U.S. dollar at the time of the applicable trade:

 

    High   Low   Average
Daily
Trading
Volume
    (in dollars)   (shares)
Month Ended:                        
September 30 , 2013     13.45       11.16       49,087  
August  31, 2013      12 .37        9.44        51,939  
July 31 , 2013     9.69       9.06       74,870  
June 30 , 2013     11. 36       8.79       62,349  
May 31 , 2013     11. 21       10. 52       9,656  
April 30 , 2013     11.30       10. 39       36,976  
                         
Quarter Ended:                        
September 30, 2013       13.45         9.06         59,131  
June 30, 2013     11. 36       8.79       35,907  
March 31, 2013     12. 16       10.44       75,116  
December 31, 2012     11. 81       8. 90       59,185  
September 30, 2012     11. 53       8. 05       51,717  
June 30, 2012     15. 02       8. 50       226,259  
March 31, 2012     11. 78       10.20       96,332  
December 31, 2011     13.11       9.54       92,125  
September 30, 2011     11.43       9. 68       63,745  
                         
Fiscal Year Ended(1):                        
March 31, 2014 (through September  30, 2013)       13.45         8.79         47,794  
March 31, 2013     15. 02       8. 05       101,322  
March 31, 2012     13.11       9.54       74,421  
March 31, 2011     13. 37       7. 51       49,679  
March 31, 2010     10.50       3. 14       70,814  
March 31, 2009     19. 67       2.25       74,239  

_______________

  (1) Eros was admitted to AIM in July 2006.

 

35
 

 

ENFORCEABILITY OF CIVIL LIABILITIES

 

We are a limited company incorporated under the laws of the Isle of Man. The majority of our assets are located outside of the United States. Currently, none of the members of our board of directors is a citizen or resident of the United States, and upon listing of our A ordinary shares on the NYSE, only one member of our board of directors will be a citizen or resident of the United States.

 

Certain of our subsidiaries, including Eros India, are incorporated under the laws of India or other foreign jurisdictions. The majority of the directors and executive officers of such subsidiaries are not residents of the United States, and we believe that substantially all of the assets of such subsidiaries and their officers and directors may be located outside the United States.

 

As a result, it may not be possible for investors to effect service of process within the United States upon us or such persons or to enforce outside the United States judgments obtained against us or such persons in the United States, except, with respect to us, by effecting service on our agent in the United States, including, without limitation, judgments based upon the civil liability provisions of the United States federal securities laws or the laws of any state or territory of the United States. In addition, awards of punitive damages in actions brought in the United States or elsewhere may be unenforceable outside the United States. Investors may also have difficulties enforcing, in original actions brought in courts in jurisdictions outside the United States, liabilities under U.S. securities laws.

 

We have been advised by Cains Advocates Limited, our Isle of Man counsel, that there is no statutory procedure in the Isle of Man for the recognition or enforcement of judgments of the U.S. courts. However, under Isle of Man common law, a judgment in personam given by a U.S. court may be recognized and enforced by an action for the amount due under it provided that the judgment: (i) is for a debt or definite sum of money (not being a sum payable in respect of taxes or other changes of a like nature or in respect of a fine or other penalty); (ii) is final and conclusive; (iii) was not obtained by fraud; (iv) is not one whose enforcement would be contrary to public policy in the Isle of Man; and (v) was not obtained in proceedings which were opposed to natural justice in the Isle of Man.

 

A judgment or decree of a court in the United States may be enforced in India only by filing a fresh suit on the basis of the judgment or decree and not by proceedings in execution. Further, such enforcement would be subject to the restrictions set forth in the Indian Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, as amended, including under Section 13 thereof. Section 13 provides that a foreign judgment is conclusive as to any matter directly adjudicated upon except (i) where the judgment has not been pronounced by a court of competent jurisdiction, (ii) where the judgment has not been given on the merits of the case, (iii) where the judgment appears on the face of the proceedings to be founded on an incorrect view of international law or a refusal to recognize the law of India in cases where such law is applicable, (iv) where the proceedings in which the judgment was obtained were opposed to natural justice, (v) where the judgment has been obtained by fraud or (vi) where the judgment sustains a claim founded on a breach of any law in force in India.

 

A suit for enforcement of a foreign judgment is required to be filed in India within three years from the date of the judgment. It is difficult to predict whether a suit brought in an Indian court will be disposed of in a timely manner or be subject to untimely delay. Moreover, it is unlikely that a court in India would award damages on the same basis as a foreign court if an action were brought in India, or that an Indian court would enforce a foreign judgment if it viewed the amount of damages awarded as excessive or inconsistent with public policy in India. A party seeking to enforce a foreign judgment in India is also required to obtain prior approval from the Reserve Bank of India to repatriate any amount recovered pursuant to such enforcement, and any such amount may be subject to income tax in accordance with applicable laws. Any judgment in a foreign currency is required to be converted into Indian Rupees on the date of judgment and not on the date of payment.

 

36
 

 

SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA

 

The following table sets forth our selected historical consolidated financial data for the periods and at the dates indicated. The selected historical consolidated income statement and other consolidated financial data for the three years ended March 31, 2013 and the summary historical consolidated statement of financial position data for the two years ended March 31, 2013 are derived from our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus, except for net income per share and weighted average number of ordinary shares, determined using the one-for-three reverse stock split. The selected historical consolidated income statement and other consolidated financial data for the two years ended March 31, 2010 and 2009 are derived from our audited consolidated financial statements not included in this prospectus . The selected historical consolidated financial data for the six months ended September  30, 2013 and 2012 are derived from our unaudited consolidated financial statements appearing elsewhere in this prospectus except for net income per share and weighted average number of ordinary shares, determined using the one-for-three reverse stock split. We have prepared the unaudited financial data on the same basis as the audited financial statements. We have included, in our opinion, all adjustments, which we consider necessary for a fair presentation of the financial information set forth in those statements. Our interim results for the six months ended September  30, 2013 are not necessarily indicative of the results that should be expected for the full year.

 

You should read the selected consolidated financial data presented on the following pages in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes appearing elsewhere in this prospectus as well as our “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”

 

    Six Months Ended
September 30,
    Year ended March 31,  
    2013     2012     2013     2012     2011     2010     2009  
    (in thousands, except net income per share)  
                                           
INCOME STATEMENT DATA                                                        
Revenue   $ 84,987     $ 91,919     $ 215,346     $ 206,474     $ 164,613     $ 149,729     $ 156,697  
Cost of sales     (54,664 )     (62,862 )     (134,002 )     (117,044 )     (88,017 )     (81,402 )     (84,892 )
Gross profit     30,323       29,057       81,344       89,430       76,596       68,327       71,805  
Administrative costs     (15,791 )     (11,341 )     (26,308 )     (27,992 )     (20,518 )     (17,294 )     (20,816 )
Operating profit     14,532       17,716       55,036       61,438       56,078       51,033       50,989  
Net finance costs     (4,159 )     (496 )     (1,469 )     (1,009 )     (1,584 )     (2,309 )     (1,261 )
Other gains/(losses)     5,177       (9,786 )     (7,989 )     (6,790 )     1,293       823       (1,330 )
Profit before tax     15,550       7,434       45,578       53,639       55,787       49,547       48,398  
Income tax expense     (3,908 )     (1,943 )     (11,913 )     (10,059 )     (8,237 )     (7,152 )     (7,571 )
Net income   $ 11,642     $ 5,491     $ 33,665     $ 43,580     $ 47,550     $ 42,395     $ 40,827  
Net income per share                                                        
Basic   $ 0.22     $ 0.10     $ 0.69     $ 0.96     $ 1.16     $ 1.11     $ 1.05  
Diluted   $ 0.22     $ 0.09     $ 0.68     $ 0.94     $ 1.14     $ 1.08     $ 1.05  
Weighted average number of ordinary shares                                                        
Basic     39,579       39,439       39,439       39,076       38,711       38,611       38,411  
Diluted     39,764       39,448       39,456       39,138       38,773       38,673       38,690  
                                                         
OTHER DATA                                                        
EBITDA(1)   $ 20,318     $ 8,674     $ 48,765     $ 56,202     $ 58,574     $ 53,194     $ 51,153  
Adjusted EBITDA(1)   $ 21,985     $ 17,864     $ 56,320     $ 66,985     $ 59,501     $ 53,509     $ 53,630  

 

37
 

 

 

    As of
September 30,
    As of March 31,  
    2013     2013     2012     2011     2010     2009  
    (in thousands)  
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION DATA                                    
Intangible assets – content   $ 531,853     $ 535,304     $ 473,092     $ 421,901     $ 349,228     $ 311,772  
Cash and cash equivalents     106,076       107,642       145,422       126,167       87,613       55,812  
Trade and other receivables     104,575       93,327       78,650       57,659       54,795       55,930  
Total assets     802,895       798,657       765,966       669,841       545,577       475,500  
Trade and other payables     29,801       28,979       27,239       23,197       28,397       19,570  
Short-term borrowings     81,403       79,902       68,527       49,611       40,478       61,379  
Current liabilities     111,673       110,727       105,134       77,816       74,366       87,292  
Long-term borrowings     176,359       165,898       180,768       149,310       151,441       123,866  
Non-current liabilities     206,509       201,754       206,584       166,650       164,022       130,782  
Total liabilities     318,182       312,481       311,718       244,466       238,388       218,074  
Total equity     484,713       486,176       454,248       425,375       307,189       257,426  

_______________

  (1) We use EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA as a supplemental financial measure. EBITDA is defined by us as net income before interest expense, income tax expense and depreciation and amortization (excluding amortization of capitalized film content and debt issuance costs). Adjusted EBITDA is defined as EBITDA adjusted for impairments of available-for-sale financial assets, profit/loss on held for trading liabilities (including profit/loss on derivatives) and share based payments. EBITDA, as used and defined by us, may not be comparable to similarly-titled measures employed by other companies and is not a measure of performance calculated in accordance with GAAP. EBITDA should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for operating income, net income, cash flows from operating investing and financing activities, or other income or cash flow statement data prepared in accordance with GAAP. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA provide no information regarding a company’s capital structure, borrowings, interest costs, capital expenditures and working capital movement or tax position. However, our management team believes that EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are useful to an investor in evaluating our results of operations because these measures:

 

  · are widely used by investors to measure a company’s operating performance without regard to items excluded from the calculation of such term, which can vary substantially from company to company depending upon accounting methods and book value of assets, capital structure and the method by which assets were acquired, among other factors;

 

  · help investors to evaluate and compare the results of our operations from period to period by removing the effect of our capital structure from our operating structure; and

 

  · are used by our management team for various other purposes in presentations to our board of directors as a basis for strategic planning and forecasting.

 

There are significant limitations to using EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA as a measure of performance, including the inability to analyze the effect of certain recurring and non-recurring items that materially affect our net income, the lack of comparability of results of operations of different companies and the different methods of calculating EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA reported by different companies.

 

 

38
 

 

The following table sets forth the reconciliation of our net income to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA:

 

    Six Months ended
September 30,
    Year ended March 31,  
    2013     2012     2013     2012     2011     2010     2009  
    (in thousands)  
Net income   $ 11,642     $ 5,491     $ 33,665     $ 43,580     $ 47,550     $ 42,395     $ 40,827  
Income tax expense     3,908       1,943       11,913       10,059       8,237       7,152       7,571  
Net finance costs     4,159       496       1,469       1,009       1,584       2,309       1,261  
Depreciation     359       484       1,003       1,275       928       1,030       1,196  
Amortization(a)     250       260       715       279       275       308       298  
EBITDA   $ 20,318     $ 8,674     $ 48,765     $ 56,202     $ 58,574     $ 53,194     $ 51,153  
Impairment of available-for-sale financial assets   $     $     $     $ 1,230     $     $ 6     $ 1,347  
(Profit)/loss on derivatives     (5,002 )     8,352       5,667       4,264                    
Share based payments(b)     6,669       838       1,888       5,289       927       309       1,130  
Adjusted EBITDA   $ 21,985     $ 17,864     $ 56,320     $ 66,985     $ 59,501     $ 53,509     $ 53,630  

_______________

  (a) Includes only amortization of intangible assets other than intangible content assets.
  (b) Consists of compensation costs recognized with respect to all outstanding plans and all other equity settled instruments.

 

39
 

 

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF

FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2011, 2012 and 2013 and the six months ended September  30, 2012 and 2013 should be read together with our audited consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus. Some of the information contained in this discussion and analysis or set forth elsewhere in this prospectus, including information with respect to our plans and strategies for our business, includes forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. You should review the “Risk Factors” section of this prospectus for a discussion of important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results described in, or implied by, the forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus.

 

Overview

 

Our Business

 

We are a leading global company in the Indian film entertainment industry, and we co-produce, acquire and distribute Indian language films in multiple formats worldwide. Our success is built on the relationships we have cultivated over the past 30 years with leading talent, production companies, exhibitors and other key participants in our industry. Leveraging these relationships, we have aggregated rights to over 2,000 titles in our library, plus approximately 700 additional films for which we hold digital rights only, including recent and classic titles that span different genres, budgets and languages, and we have distributed a portfolio of over 230 new films over the last three completed fiscal years and 26 in the six months ended September  30, 2013. New film distribution across theatrical, television and digital channels along with library monetization provide us with diversified revenue streams.

 

Our goal is to co-produce, acquire and distribute Indian films that have a wide audience appeal. We have released internationally or globally Hindi language films which were among the top grossing films in India in 2012, 2011 and 2010. In each of the fiscal years ending in 2012 and 2011, we released at least ten Hindi language films globally, and in the fiscal year ending in 2013, we released 16 Hindi language films globally. In the six months ended September  30, 2013, we released five Hindi language films globally. These Hindi films form the core of our annual film slate and constitute a significant portion of our revenues and associated content costs. The balance of our typical annual slate for these years of over 60 other films was comprised of Tamil and other regional language films.

 

Our distribution capabilities enable us to target a majority of the 1.2 billion people in India, our primary market for Hindi language films, where, according to bollywoodhungama.com, we released two of the top ten grossing Hindi language films in India 2012. Further, according to BoxOfficeIndia.com, we released four of the top ten grossing Hindi language films in India in 2011 and three out of the top ten Hindi language films in India in 2010. Our distribution capabilities further enable us to target consumers in over 50 countries internationally, including markets with large South Asian populations, such as the Middle East and the United States, and the United Kingdom, where according to Rentrak, we had a market share of over 40% of all theatrically released Indian language films in 2012 based on gross collections in each of these two markets. Other international markets that exhibit significant demand for subtitled or dubbed Indian-themed entertainment include Europe and Southeast Asia. Depending on the film, the distribution rights we acquire may be global, international or India only. Recently, as demand for regional film and other media has increased in India, our brand recognition in Hindi films has helped us to grow our non-Hindi film business by targeting regional audiences in India and beyond. With our distribution network for Hindi and Tamil films and additional distribution support through our majority owned subsidiary, Ayngaran International Limited, or Ayngaran, we believe we are well positioned to expand our offering of non-Hindi content.

 

We distribute our film content globally across the following distribution channels: theatrical , which includes multiplex chains and stand-alone theaters; television syndication , which includes satellite television broadcasting, cable television and terrestrial television; and digital , which includes primarily internet protocol television, or IPTV, video on demand, or VOD, and internet channels. Eros Now, our on-demand entertainment portal accessible via internet-enabled devices, was launched in 2012 and now has a selection of over 500 movies and over 3,000 music videos available. We expect that Eros Now eventually will include our full film library, as well as further third party content.

 

40
 

Revenues

 

The primary geographic areas from which we derive revenue are India, Europe and North America, with the remainder of our revenue generated from an area that we report as the rest of the world. Outside of India, we distribute films to South Asian expatriate populations and in countries where we release Indian films that are subtitled or dubbed in local languages. Although we expect the portion of our revenue attributable to India to continue to grow, we will continue to opportunistically pursue new global distribution opportunities.

 

Our primary revenue streams are derived from three channels: theatrical, television syndication and digital and ancillary. For fiscal 2013, the aggregate revenue from theatrical, television syndication and digital and ancillary was $101.0 million, $74.4 million and $40.0 million, respectively, and for the six months ended September  30, 2013, $ 36.7 million, $ 32.0 million and $ 16.3 million, respectively. In fiscal 2012, the aggregate revenue from theatrical, television syndication and digital and ancillary was $90.6 million, $64.6 million and $51.3 million, respectively and for fiscal 2011, the aggregate revenue from theatrical, television syndication and digital and ancillary was $56.9 million, $60.6 million and $47.1 million, respectively. The contribution from these three distribution channels can fluctuate year over year based on, among other things, our mix of films and budget levels, the size of our television syndication deals and our ability to license music in any particular year.

 

In the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013, we did not depend on any single customer for more than 10% of our revenue. In fiscal 2012 and 2011, 11.8% and 23.0% of our revenue, respectively, came from one customer in our television syndication channel, Dhrishti Creations Pvt. Limited, an aggregator of television rights. In fiscal 2013, we moved away from using aggregators and entered into a licensing transaction with Viacom 18 Media Private Limited that covered a number of new, forthcoming and library titles and also entered into an agreement with Zee TV. Some of the releases falling in the quarter ended September  30, 2013 were also covered under the Viacom agreement and delivered as per the contractual commitment. In the six months ended September 30, 2013 as well as in the six months ended September 30, 2012, no single customer accounted for more than 10 % of our revenues.

 

Direct Production Costs

 

We classify our films based on three categories of direct production costs. “High budget” films refer to Hindi films with direct production costs in excess of $8.5 million and Tamil films with direct production costs in excess of $7.0 million, in each case translated at the historical average exchange rate for the applicable fiscal year. “Low budget” films refer to both Hindi and Tamil films with less than $1.0 million in direct production costs, in each case translated at the historical average exchange rate for the applicable fiscal year. “Medium budget” films refer to Hindi and Tamil films within the remaining range of direct production costs.

 

Expenses

 

Our expenses are comprised of cost of sales, administrative and net finance costs. Cost of sales generally include amortization of intangibles including capitalized film costs consisting of direct production and content acquisition costs, associated overhead and interest cost, print and advertising costs and home entertainment, participations and other costs. We expense pre-release print and advertising costs immediately upon a film’s release and subsequent print and advertising costs as incurred. Administrative expenses include salaries, employee benefits including share based compensation expense, facility costs, depreciation expense, foreign exchange loss and other routine overhead. Net finance costs consist of interest expense on borrowings net of interest income and recognized loss or gain on interest rate hedging transactions. Amortization of intangible film costs represents the charge to write down the cost of completed rights over the estimated useful lives, except where the asset is not yet available for exploitation. For first release film content, we use a stepped method of amortization and a first twelve months amortization rate based on management’s judgment taking into account historic and expected performance, typically amortizing 50% of the capitalized cost together with print and advertising costs for high budget films released during or after fiscal 2014, and 40% of the capitalized cost together with print and advertising costs for all other films, in the first 12 months of their initial commercial exploitation, and then the balance evenly over the lesser of the term of the rights held by us and nine years. Management determined to adjust the first-year amortization rate for high budget films because of the high contribution of theatrical revenue. Similar management judgment taking into account historic and expected performance is used to apply a stepped method of amortization on a quarterly basis within the first 12 months, within the overall parameters of the annual amortization. Typically 25% of capitalized cost together with print and advertising costs for high budget films released during or after fiscal 2014, and 20% of capitalized cost together with print and advertising costs for all other films, is amortized in the initial quarter of their commercial exploitation . In fiscal 2009 and fiscal years prior to 2009, the balance of capitalized film content costs were amortized evenly over a maximum of four years rather than nine. In the case of film content that we acquire after its initial exploitation, commonly referred to as library, amortization is spread evenly over the lesser of ten years after our acquisition or our license period. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Critical Accounting Policies — Intangible Assets.”

 

41
 

Taxation

 

The provision (benefit) for income taxes is comprised of domestic and foreign taxes. Our effective tax rate has varied and may continue varying year-to-year based on numerous factors, including our overall profitability, the geographic mix of income before taxes, the related tax rates in the jurisdictions where we operate, withholding taxes and changes in valuation allowances, as well as discrete events such as distributions, acquisitions or payment of dividends by subsidiaries. The applicable statutory tax rates in the primary jurisdictions in which we operate generally range from 0% in the United Arab Emirates and the Isle of Man to 28%-35% in India, the United States and the United Kingdom. Deferred tax liability principally arises on temporary differences between the tax bases of film content assets and their carrying amount as a result of taxation laws in India.

 

Profit attributable to non-controlling interest

 

In October 2010, shares of Eros India, our primary Indian subsidiary, were listed on the Indian stock exchanges in an initial public offering in India. As a result of that offering, our ownership in Eros India’s shares was reduced from 100% to approximately 78.1%. This resulted in an increase in the portion of our profits attributable to a non-controlling interest for the remainder of fiscal 2011, which continued in fiscal 2012 and 2013, and will continue in future periods to account for a full fiscal year. Share issuances and sales subsequent to October 2010, which were related to Eros India’s Employee Share Option Scheme and our compliance with applicable Indian Law which required that our ownership be 75% or below to retain our Indian stock exchange listings, have further reduced our ownership in Eros India to approximately 74.88%.

 

Seasonality

 

Our revenues and operating results are significantly affected by the timing, number and breadth of our theatrical releases and their budgets and our amortization policy for the first 12 months of commercial exploitation. The timing of releases is determined based on several factors. A significant portion of the films we distribute are delivered to Indian theaters at times when theater attendance has traditionally been highest, including school holidays, national holidays and the festivals. This timing of releases also takes into account competitor film release dates, major cricket events in India and the timing dictated by the film production process. As a result, although our revenues are typically highest in the second and third quarters of our fiscal year, quarterly results can vary from one year to the next, and the results of one quarter are not necessarily indicative of results for the next or any future quarter. Our revenue and operating results are therefore seasonal in nature due to the impact on income of the timing of new releases.

 

Exchange Rates

 

Our reporting currency is the U.S. dollar. Transactions in foreign currencies are translated at the exchange rate prevailing at the date of the transaction. Monetary assets and liabilities in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rates at the date of the applicable statement of financial position. For the purposes of consolidation, all income and expenses are translated at the average rate of exchange during the period covered by the applicable statement of income and assets and liabilities are translated at the exchange rate prevailing on the date of the applicable statement of financial position. When the U.S. dollar strengthens against a foreign currency, the value of our sales and expenses in that currency converted to U.S. dollars decreases. When the U.S. dollar weakens, the value of our sales and expenses in that currency converted to U.S. dollars increases.

 

Recently, there have been periods of higher volatility in the Indian Rupee and U.S. dollar exchange rate, including the six months ended September  30, 2013. This volatility is illustrated in the table below for the periods indicated:

 

    Period End   Average(1)   High   Low
Six  Months ended  September  30:                                
2012     52.92       54.56       57.13       50.64  
2013     62.58       58.92       68.80       53.65  
                                 
Fiscal Year                                
2011     44.54       45.46       47.49       43.90  
2012     50.89       48.01       53.71       44.00  
2013     54.52       54.36       57.13       50.64  

_______________

(1) Represents the average of the exchange rates on the last day of each month during each period presented.

 

42
 

 

This volatility in the Indian Rupee as compared to the U.S. dollar and the increasing exchange rate has impacted our results of operations as shown in the table below comparing the reported results against constant currency comparables based upon the average rate of exchange for the six months ended September  30, 2013, of INR 59.07 to $1.00. In addition to the impact on gross profit, the volatility during the six months ended September  30, 2013 also led to a non-cash foreign exchange gain of $0. 2 million principally on our Indian subsidiaries’ foreign currency loans in the six months ended September  30, 2013 compared to a non-cash foreign exchange loss of $ 1.2 million in the six months ended September  30, 2012 reflected in other gains and losses.

 

    Six months ended September 30,     Year ended March 31,  
    2013     2012     2013     2012     2011  
    (in thousands)  
    Reported     Constant
currency
    Reported     Constant
currency
    Reported     Constant
currency
    Reported     Constant
currency
    Reported     Constant
currency
 
Revenue   $ 84,987     $ 84,987     $ 91,919     $ 85,002     $ 215,346     $ 201,416     $ 206,474     $ 184,046     $ 164,613     $ 137,124  
Cost of sales     (54,664 )     (54,664 )     (62,862 )     (59,508 )     (134,002 )     (127,268 )     (117,044 )     (103,094 )     (88,017 )     (75,368 )
Gross profit   $ 30,323     $ 30,323     $ 29,057     $ 25,494     $ 81,344     $ 74,148     $ 89,430     $ 80,951     $ 76,596     $ 61,756  

 

The percentage change for the data comparing the constant currency amounts against the reported results referenced in the table above:

 

    Six months ended
September 30,
    Year ended March 31,  
    2013     2012     2013     2012     2011  
Revenue           7.5%       6.5%       10.9%       16.7%  
Cost of sales           5.3       5.0       11.9       14.4  
Gross profit           12.3%       8.8%       9.5%       19.4%  

 

Outlook

 

The largest component of our revenue is attributable to the theatrical distribution of our films in India. We anticipate that as additional multiplex theaters are built in India, there will be increased opportunities to exploit our film content theatrically. We expect that this multiplex theater growth coupled with the rise in ticket prices and the anticipated increase in the number of high budget Hindi and Tamil films in our slate will result in increased revenue. We expect this increase in revenue to be partially offset by increased distribution costs associated with broader distribution of film content, including increased print costs. In addition, in India, we cannot predict the share of theatrical revenue we will receive, as we currently negotiate film-by-film and exhibitor-by-exhibitor. Increasing the number of Tamil global releases in our film mix allows us to release multiple films simultaneously to the Hindi and Tamil market taking a greater combined share of the box office for that week. In November 2012 (Diwali), we released Son of Sardaar , a high budget Hindi film, as well as Thuppakki , a high budget Tamil film targeting different audiences in the same market. As we expand into other regional languages such as Telegu, we may see the composition of our film mix changing over time in order to allow us to successfully scale our business around Hindi as well as regional language content. At the same time, the distribution window for the theatrical release of films, and the window between the theatrical release and distribution in other channels, have each been compressing in recent years and may continue to change. Further shortening of these periods could adversely impact our revenues if consumers opt to view a film on one channel over another, resulting in channels cannibalizing revenue from each other.

 

We expect that the continued volatility in the value of the Indian Rupee against foreign currency will continue to have an impact on our business.  The Indian Rupee experienced an approximately 15.4 % drop in value as compared to the U.S. dollar in the first nine months of 2013, and dropped a further 10.4% in the two-month period from July 1, 2013 to August 30, 2013.  The continued slowdown in the growth of the Indian economy, coupled with this depreciation of the Indian Rupee and continued volatility in these areas, may adversely affect our business.

 

A substantial portion of our revenue is also derived from television syndication. Because of increased demand for Indian film content on television in India as the number of direct to home, or DTH, subscribers increases and the cable industry migrates toward digital technology, resulting in a significant increase in demand for premium content such as movies and sports and a resultant increase in licensing fees payable to us by satellite and cable television operators. However, as competitors with compelling products, including international content providers, expand their content offerings in India, we expect competition for television syndication revenues to increase, and license fees for such content could decrease.

 

43
 

 

In December 2012, we announced an exclusive collaboration with HBO Asia to launch two new premium television channels in India, purely on digital platforms such as DTH and digital cable. The channels were launched on the DISH and Airtel DTH platforms in February 2013 and on Hathway and GTPL digital cable platforms in August 2013 with anticipated launches on other DTH and cable platforms during the remainder of fiscal 2014. We are currently generating no revenue from the HBO Asia collaboration and do not anticipate any revenues from this collaboration until fiscal 2015. We expect to provide approximately 110 titles per year, including ten to twelve new release titles or first run films, and a combination of exclusive and non-exclusive library titles, to the two HBO channels to complement Hollywood film and television content from HBO Asia. Both the channels are advertising-free and available as standard as well as high definition channels. Both HBO Asia and Eros will provide content in the first window after theatrical release to these two channels . However in a competitive environment we may not be able to attract as many subscribers as we would have hoped to for the premium channels and it may also adversely affect our ability to maximize licensing revenues from other television channels.

 

Currently, the remainder of our revenue is derived from digital distribution and ancillary products and services. With a significant portion of the Indian and international population moving toward adoption of digital technology, we are increasing our focus on providing on-demand services. We have expanded our digital presence with the launch of our on-demand entertainment portal Eros Now, which leverages our film and music libraries by providing ad-supported and subscription-based streaming of film and music content via internet-enabled devices. We also have an ad-supported YouTube portal site on Google that hosts an extensive collection of clips of our content. Accordingly, we anticipate that our revenue and costs associated with digital distribution are likely to increase over time.

 

We anticipate that our costs associated with the co-production and acquisition of film content are likely to increase over time as we continue to focus more on investing in high budget Hindi films as well as high budget Tamil films. In addition, increased competition in the Indian film entertainment industry, including from international film entertainment providers such as Disney, Time Warner Cable and Viacom, is likely to cause the cost of film production and acquisition to increase. In fiscal 2013, we invested approximately $ 186.7 million in film content, in the six months ended September  30, 2013, we invested approximately $ 61.2 million in film content, and in fiscal 2014 we expect to invest approximately $180 million in film content.

 

We anticipate our administrative costs will increase as we expand our management team, especially to support the expansion of our digital businesses. In addition, our administrative costs will increase due to the costs of this offering and the costs associated with being a U.S.-listed public company. Although aggregate spending will increase, we do not anticipate that this will result in a material change in aggregate administrative costs as a percentage of revenue.

 

44
 

 

Results of Operations

 

You should read the information contained in the table below in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus. The tables below set forth our results of operations and also set forth, for the periods indicated, the percentage of certain items in our consolidated statement of operations data, relative to revenue. Period over period comparisons are not adjusted for the fluctuations in exchange rates described above.

 

    Six months ended
September 30,
    Year ended March 31,  
    2013     2012     2013     2012     2011  
    (in thousands)  
Revenue   $ 84,987     $ 91,919     $ 215,346     $ 206,474     $ 164,613  
Cost of sales     (54,664 )     (62,862 )     (134,002 )     (117,044 )     (88,017 )
Gross profit     30,323       29,057       81,344       89,430       76,596  
Administrative costs     (15,791 )     (11,341 )     (26,308 )     (27,992 )     (20,518 )
Operating profit     14,532       17,716       55,036       61,438       56,078  
Net finance costs     (4,159 )     (496 )     (1,469 )     (1,009 )     (1,584 )
Other gains/(losses)     5,177       (9,786 )     (7.989 )     (6,790 )     1,293  
Profit before tax     15,550       7,434       45,578       53,639       55,787  
Income tax expense     (3,908 )     (1,943 )     (11,913 )     (10,059 )     (8,237 )
Net income   $ 11,642     $ 5,491     $ 33,665     $ 43,580     $ 47,550  

 

    Six months ended
September 30,
    Year ended March 31,  
    2013     2012     2013     2012     2011  
Revenue     100.0 %     100.0 %     100.0 %     100.0 %     100.0 %
Cost of sales     64.3       68.4       62.2       56.7       53.5  
Gross profit     35.7       31.6       37.8       43.3       46.5  
Administrative costs     18.6       12.3       12.2       13.5       12.4  
Operating profit     17.1       19.3       25.6       29.8       34.1  
Net finance costs     4.9       0.5       0.7       0.5       1.0  
Other gains/(losses)     6.1       10.7       3.7       3.3       0.8  
Profit before tax     18.3       8.1       21.2       26.0       33.9  
Income tax expense     4.6       2.1       5.5       4.9       5.0  
Net income     13.7 %     6.0 %     15.7 %     21.1 %     28.9 %

 

The tables below set forth, for the periods indicated, the revenue by primary geographic area based on customer location, and the percentage share of the total revenue.

 

    Six months ended
September 30,
    Year ended March 31,  
    2013     2012     2013     2012     2011  
    (in thousands)  
India   $ 43,401     $ 65,768     $ 135,292     $ 136,942     $ 108,339  
Europe     9,555       14,011       35,147       26,852       21,787  
North America     5,913       3,419       12,678       8,379       8,617  
Rest of world     26,118       8,721       32,229       34,301       25,870  
Total revenue   $ 84,987     $ 91,919     $ 215,346     $ 206,474     $ 164,613  

 

    Six months ended
September 30,
    Year ended March 31,  
    2013     2012     2013     2012     2011  
India     51.1 %     71.6 %     62.8 %     66.3 %     65.8 %
Europe     11.2       15.2       16.3       13.0       13.2  
North America     7.0       3.7       5.9       4.1       5.2  
Rest of world     30.7       9.5       15.0       16.6       15.8  
Total revenue     100.0 %     100.0 %     100.0 %     100.0 %     100.0 %

 

45
 

Six Months Ended September  30, 2013 Compared to the Six Months Ended September30 , 2012

 

Revenue . Revenue was $ 85 .0 million in the six months ended September 30, 2013, compared to $ 91.9 million in the six months ended September 30, 2012, a decrease of $ 6.9 million, or 7.5 %. We released 26 new films in the six months ended September 30, 2013, of which there were no high budget films and eleven medium budget films compared to 42 films in the six months ended September 30, 2012 , of which three were high budget films and five were medium budget films .

 

Revenue by customer location from India was $43.4 million in the six months ended September 30, 2013, compared to $65.8 million in the six months ended September 30, 2012, a decrease of $22.4 million, or 34.0% , principally reflecting lower theatrical revenues due to the change in the mix of film releases and the strong performance in the six months ended September 30, 2012 of certain high budget films. Revenue from Europe was $ 9.6 million in the six months ended September 30, 2013, compared to $ 14.0 million in the six months ended September 30, 2012, a decrease of $ 4 .4 million, or 31.4 %, principally reflecting a decline in television and production services revenue in the six months ended September 30, 2013. Revenue from North America was $ 5.9 million in the six months ended September 30, 2013, compared to $ 3.4 million in the six months ended September 30, 2012, an increase of $2 .5 million, or 73.5 %, principally reflecting increased digital and syndication revenues. Revenue from the rest of the world was $ 26.1 million in the six months ended September 30, 2013, compared to $ 8 .7 million in the six months ended September 30, 2012, an increase of $ 17.4 million, or 200.0 %, principally reflecting an increase in catalogue sales with respect to television as well as digital and ancillary rights .

 

Cost of sales . Cost of sales was $ 54.7 million in the six months ended September 30, 2013, compared to $ 62.9 million in the six months ended September 30, 2012 , a decreased of $8.2 million, or 13.0%. Cost of sales for the six months ended September 30, 2012 was higher than the six months ended September 30, 2013 in part due to a $5.5 million charge in respect of a rescinded sales contract. In addition, amortization in the six months ended September 30, 2013 decreased by $ 4.6 million due in part to the lower capitalized cost of our released slate in the period as compared to the released slate in the six months ended September 30, 2012.

 

Gross profit . Gross profit was $ 30.3 million in the six months ended September 30, 2013 compared to $ 29 .1 million in the six months ended September 30, 2012, an increase of $ 1.2 million, or 4.1 %, driven primarily by the decrease in cost of sales , which was partially offset by a decrease in revenue . As a percentage of revenue, our gross profit margin increased to 35.6 % in the six months ended September 30, 2013 from 31.7 % in the six months ended September 30, 2012.

 

Administrative costs. Administrative costs, including rental, legal, travel and audit expenses, were $ 15.8 million in the six months ended September 30, 2013, compared to $ 11.3 million in the six months ended September 30, 2012, an increase of $ 4.5 million, or 39 .8%, which was driven by an increase of $ 5.8 million in share based payments in the six months ended September 30, 2013 partially offset by a reduction in rent and other administrative costs associated with EyeQube, our visual effect studio which closed in August 2012. The increase in share based payments was primarily due to the charge arising from the restricted and unrestricted share grants in the six months ended September 30, 2013. As a percentage of revenue, administrative costs were 18.6 % in the six months ended September 30, 2013, compared to 12.3 % in the six months ended September 30, 2012.

 

Net finance costs . Net finance costs in the six months ended September 30, 2013 were $ 4.2 million, compared to $0. 5 million in the six months ended September 30, 2012, an increase of $ 3.7 million, or 740.0 %. The increase was primarily attributable to a reduction in finance income due to lower bank deposits together with higher finance costs reflecting an overall increase in net debt as a result of increased working capital and continued investment in content .

 

Other gains and losses. Other gains in the six months ended September 30, 2013 were $5. 2 million, principally comprised of a $ 5 .0 million interest rate derivative gain and a net foreign exchange gain of $0. 2 million, compared to a loss of $ 9.8 million in the six months ended September 30, 2012, principally arising from a foreign exchange loss of $ 1.2 million and a $ 8.4 million interest rate derivative loss . The foreign exchange gain for the six months ended September 30, 2013 was mainly caused by the fall of the U.S dollar as compared to the sterling which impacted Sterling deposits, offset by the fall of India Rupee as compared to the U.S. Dollar which impacted U.S. Dollar denominated loans in one of our Indian subsidiaries .

 

Income tax expense. Income tax expense in the six months ended September 30, 2013 was $3. 9 million, compared to $1. 9 million in the six months ended September 30, 2012, an increase of $ 2.0 million, or 105.3 %. Our effective tax rate was 25 .1% in the six months ended September 30, 2013 and 26.1% in the six months ended September 30, 2012.

 

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Year Ended March 31, 2013 Compared to Year Ended March 31, 2012

 

Revenue . Revenue was $215.3 million in fiscal 2013, compared to $206.5 million in fiscal 2012, an increase of $8.8 million, or 4.3%. We released 77 films in each of fiscal 2013 and fiscal 2012. In fiscal 2013, six were high budget films (two of which were Tamil films) and 13 were medium budget films, compared to five high budget films and five medium budget films in fiscal 2012. In fiscal 2013, we released three Tamil films globally.

 

Our revenue growth was primarily attributable to an increase in Indian theatrical revenue in fiscal 2013, resulting from increased average ticket prices. The growth in our theatrical revenues reflected in particular the success of our globally released Hindi films, Housefull 2 , Cocktail , Son of Sardaar , Khiladi 786 , Teri MeriKahanni , Vicky Donor and English Vinglish , as well as Thuppakki , Maattrraan and Kadal , which were notable Tamil film releases in fiscal 2013. Television syndication revenue remained strong in fiscal 2013, with our high budget films helping us continue to syndicate attractive bundles of new and library films. While we released six high budget films in fiscal 2013 compared to five high budget films in fiscal 2012, in fiscal 2013 we increased our medium budget films from five to 13. Also in fiscal 2013, two of our high budget films were Tamil films as compared to none in fiscal 2012.

 

Revenue by customer location from India was $135.3 million in fiscal 2013, compared to $136.9 million in fiscal 2012, a decrease of $1.6 million, or 1.2%, principally reflecting impact of foreign exchange fluctuation and lower television sales because we did not monetize certain assets through television syndication in preparation for our collaboration with HBO Asia offset by the growth in theatrical revenue. Revenue from Europe was $35.1 million in fiscal 2013, compared to $26.9 million in fiscal 2012, an increase of $8.2 million, or 30.5%, principally reflecting an increase in television sales. Revenue from North America was $12.7 million in the year ended March 31 2013, compared to $8.4 million in fiscal 2012, an increase of $4.3 million, or 51.2%, principally reflecting increased digital and syndication revenues. Revenue from the rest of the world was $32.2 million in fiscal 2013, compared to $34.3 million in fiscal 2012, a decrease of $2.1 million, or 6.1%, principally reflecting a decrease in digital and ancillary revenues.

 

Cost of sales . Cost of sales was $134.0 million in fiscal 2013, compared to $117.0 million in fiscal 2012, an increase of $17.0 million, or 14.5%. The increase was primarily due to an increase in film amortization costs of $15.4 million in the period, driven by an increased investment in our new release slate as well as library films in fiscal 2013 and the cumulative impact of amortization costs associated with our larger film library. Other costs of sales, which principally consist of advertising and print costs, increased by $1.6 million, reflecting a $5.5 million charge to costs of sales in fiscal 2013 due to the rescinding of a sales contract, partially offset by a reduction in print costs and associated costs as we continued to increase globally the usage of digital prints as opposed to other physical formats.

 

Gross profit . Gross profit was $81.3 million in fiscal 2013, compared to $89.4 million in in fiscal 2012, a decrease of $8.1 million, or 9.1%, driven primarily by the increase in cost of sales, which was partially offset by an increase in revenue. As a percentage of revenue, our gross profit margin decreased to 37.8% in fiscal 2013 from 43.3% in fiscal 2012.

 

Administrative costs. Administrative costs, including rental, legal, travel and audit expenses, were $26.3 million in fiscal 2013, compared to $28.0 million in in fiscal 2012, a decrease of $1.7 million, or 6.1%, which was attributable to a decrease of $3.4 million in share based payment charges compared to fiscal 2012, and partially offset by $1.7 million of additional overhead in fiscal 2013 which includes an increase of personnel costs of $0.6 million. As a percentage of revenue, administrative costs were 12.2% in fiscal 2013, compared to 13.6% in in fiscal 2012. The share based payment charges are ongoing charges arising from the Indian Initial Public Offering, or Indian IPO, share option scheme and the Joint Share Ownership Plan, or JSOP, scheme adopted in April 2012. Costs incurred for the anticipated listing on the New York Stock Exchange during fiscal 2012, excluding costs for employee share grants which have been included in profit or loss in accordance with IFRS, were deferred and recorded as prepaid charges in trade and other receivables.

 

Net finance costs . Net finance costs in fiscal 2013 were $1.5 million, compared to $1.0 million in in fiscal 2012, an increase of $0.5 million, or 50.0%. The increase was primarily attributable to continued investment in our film slate, which impacted net debt levels during fiscal 2013.

 

Other gains and losses. Other losses in fiscal 2013 were $8.0 million, compared to a loss of $6.8 million in fiscal 2012, an increase of $1.2 million, or 17.6%. Other losses in fiscal 2013 were principally comprised of a $5.7 million interest rate derivative charge, a net foreign exchange loss of $1.9 million and loss on sale of assets of $0.4 million, compared to a loss of $6.8 million in fiscal 2012, principally arising from a foreign exchange loss of $1.1 million, a $4.3 million interest rate hedging charge and $1.3 million in respect of a provision for our available-for-sale equity investments. The foreign exchange loss in fiscal 2013 was mainly caused by the fall of the Indian Rupee and sterling as compared to the U.S. dollar, which impacted U.S. dollar denominated loans to our Indian subsidiary and sterling deposits.

 

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Income tax expense. Income tax expense in fiscal 2013 was $11.9 million, compared to $10.1 million in fiscal 2012, an increase of $1.8 million, or 17.8%. Our effective tax rate was 26.1% in fiscal 2013, compared to 18.8% in fiscal 2012. The increase in our effective rate reflects the increase in the amount of profits subject to taxation within India in fiscal 2013 compared to fiscal 2012, together with the impact of hedging charges, which are not deductible for income tax purposes. Our income tax expense in fiscal 2013 included $7.1 million of estimated current tax expense and $4.8 million of estimated deferred tax expense. The increase in income tax expense was also impacted by the dividend distribution income tax payable on the dividend declared by our Indian subsidiary in fiscal 2013.

 

Year Ended March 31, 2012 Compared to Year Ended March 31, 2011

 

Revenue . Revenue was $206.5 million in fiscal 2012, compared to $164.6 million in 2011, an increase of $41.9 million, or 25.5%. We released 77 new films in each of fiscal 2012 and fiscal 2011. Of the films released in fiscal 2012, five were high budget films and five were medium budget films, compared to three high budget films and ten medium budget films in fiscal 2011.

 

Our revenue growth was primarily attributable to an increase in theatrical revenue in fiscal 2012, resulting from increased number of high budget films that generated higher Indian and international revenue. The higher revenue in India was a result of wider screen releases, increased average ticket prices resulting from the continued increase in multiplex and digital screens in India and premiums charged for box office tickets for one 3D film release in fiscal 2012, and the timing of theatrical releases. Our high budget films in fiscal 2012 were released on more screens than our high budget films in fiscal 2011. The growth in our theatrical revenues reflected in particular the success of our globally released films, Ra.One , Zindagi Na Milengi Dobara , Ready , Rockstar and Desi Boyz , all of which were high budget films. Television syndication revenue remained strong in fiscal 2012, with our high budget films helping us continue to syndicate attractive bundles of new and library films. Ra.One , Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara and Rockstar were premiered on Star TV, while Desi Boyz was premiered on Zee TV.

 

Revenue by customer location from India was $136.9 million in fiscal 2012, compared to $108.3 million in fiscal 2011, an increase of $28.6 million, or 26.4%, principally reflecting growth in theatrical revenue. Revenue from Europe was $26.9 million in fiscal 2012, compared to $21.8 million in fiscal 2011, an increase of $5.1 million, or 23.4%, principally reflecting growth in theatrical revenue and other syndication revenues. Revenue from North America was $8.4 million in fiscal 2012, compared to $8.6 million in fiscal 2011, a decrease of $0.2 million, or 2.3%, principally reflecting lower syndication revenues, partially offset by growth in theatrical revenue. Revenue from the rest of the world was $34.3 million in fiscal 2012, compared to $25.9 million in fiscal 2011, an increase of $8.4 million, or 32.4%, principally reflecting additional revenue from distribution in new territories and increased revenues from the United Arab Emirates.

 

Cost of sales . Cost of sales was $117.0 million in fiscal 2012, compared to $88.0 million in fiscal 2011, an increase of $29.0 million, or 33.0%. This increase was primarily due to an increase in film amortization costs of $18.7 million in fiscal 2012, driven by the increased film release slate cost for five high budget films in fiscal 2012, as compared to three high budget films in fiscal 2011, and the cumulative impact of amortization costs associated with our larger film library. This increase also reflected a $5.5 million increase in advertising costs due to wider advertising of our high budget releases in fiscal 2012, offset by increased marketing tie-ups. Print costs remained consistent in the two periods as wider screen releases and higher budget larger scale releases were offset by increased usage of lower cost digital prints as opposed to other physical formats.

 

Gross profit . Gross profit was $89.4 million in fiscal 2012, compared to $76.6 million in fiscal 2011, an increase of $12.8 million, or 16.7%, driven primarily by the increase in revenue, which was partially offset by an increase in cost of sales. As a percentage of revenue, our gross profit margin decreased to 43.3% in fiscal 2012 from 46.5% in fiscal 2011.

 

Administrative costs . Administrative costs, including rental, legal, travel and audit expenses, were $28.0 million in fiscal 2012, compared to $20.5 million in fiscal 2011, an increase of $7.5 million, or 36.6%, principally as a result of an increase of $4.4 million in share based payment charges in fiscal 2012 compared to fiscal 2011, offset by a $1.1 million reduction in other personnel costs. The remaining increase of $4.2 million reflected overall increases in other administrative expenses including depreciation, legal and other overheads. As a percentage of revenue, administrative costs were 13.6% in fiscal 2012, compared to 12.5% in fiscal 2011, an increase of 1.1 percentage points . The share based payment charges are ongoing charges arising from the Indian IPO share option scheme, employee share grants and share grants in respect of charitable donations. Costs incurred for the anticipated listing on the NYSE during fiscal 2012, excluding costs for employee share grants which have been included in profit or loss in accordance with IFRS, were deferred and recorded as prepaid charges in trade and other receivables.

 

Net finance costs . Net finance costs for fiscal 2012 were $1.0 million, compared to $1.6 million in fiscal 2011, a decrease of $0.6 million, or 37.5%. The decrease is primarily attributable to an increase in interest income as a result of additional funds on deposit following the initial public offering of Eros India.

 

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Other gains and losses . Other losses in fiscal 2012 were $6.8 million, principally comprised of a $4.3 million interest rate derivative charge, a net foreign exchange loss of $1.1 million and a $1.3 million charge related to our available-for-sale equity investments, compared to a gain of $1.3 million in fiscal 2011, principally arising from a foreign exchange gain of $1.1 million, and $0.2 million gain on a sale of assets.

 

Income tax expense.  Income tax expense for fiscal 2012 was $10.1 million, compared to $8.2 million in fiscal 2011, an increase of $1.9 million, or 23.2%. Our effective tax rate was 18.8% for fiscal 2012, compared to 14.7% in fiscal 2011. The increase in our effective rate reflects the increase in the amount profits subject to taxation within India fiscal 2012 as compared to fiscal 2011, together with the impact of hedging charges which are not deductible for tax purposes. Our income tax expense in fiscal 2012 included $5.0 million of estimated current tax expense and $5.1 million of estimated deferred tax expense.

 

Selected Quarterly Results of Operations

 

The table below presents our selected unaudited quarterly results of operations for the four quarters in the twelve month period ended September  30, 2013. This information should be read together with our audited and unaudited consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus. We have prepared the unaudited financial data for the quarters presented on the same basis as our audited consolidated financial statements. We have included, in our opinion, all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, which we consider necessary for a fair presentation of the financial information set forth in those statements. The historical quarterly results presented below are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for any future quarters or periods.

 

    Three Months Ended  
    December 31,
2012
    March 31,
2013
    June 30,
2013
    September 30,
2013
 
    (dollars in thousands)  
Revenue   $ 71,272     $ 52,155     $ 40,963     $ 44,024  
Cost of sales     (36,198 )     (34,941 )     (28,368 )     (26,296 )
Gross profit     35,074       17,214       12,595       17,728  
Administrative costs     (6,237 )     (8,731 )     (4,425 )     (11,366 )
Operating profit     28,837       8,483       8,170       6,362  
Net finance costs     (750 )     (223 )     (1,704 )     (2,455 )
Other gains/(losses)     657       1,140       5,500       (323 )
Profit before tax     28,774       9,400       11,966       3,584  
Income tax expense     (7,514 )     (2,456 )     (3,123 )     (785 )
Net Income   $ 21,230     $ 6,944     $ 8,843     $ 2,799  
                                 
OTHER DATA                                
EBITDA(1)   $ 29,897     $ 10,195     $ 13,981     $ 6,337  
Adjusted EBITDA (1)   $ 29,411     $ 9,046     $ 8,458     $ 13,527  
                                 
OPERATING DATA                                
High budget film releases(2)     3       0       0       0  
Medium budget film releases(2)     2       1       6       5  
Low budget film releases(2)     19       21       10       5  
Total new film releases(2)     24       22       16       10  

_______________

  (1) We use EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA as a supplemental financial measure. EBITDA is defined by us as net income before interest expense, income tax expense and depreciation and amortization (excluding amortization of capitalized film content and debt issuance costs). Adjusted EBITDA is defined as EBITDA adjusted for impairments of available-for-sale financial assets, profit/loss on held for trading liabilities (including profit/loss on derivatives), and share based payments. EBITDA, as used and defined by us, may not be comparable to similarly-titled measures employed by other companies and is not a measure of performance calculated in accordance with GAAP. EBITDA should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for operating income, net income, cash flows from operating investing and financing activities, or other income or cash flow statement data prepared in accordance with GAAP. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA provide no information regarding a company’s capital structure, borrowings, interest costs, capital expenditures and working capital movement or tax position. However, our management team believes that EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are useful to an investor in evaluating our results of operations because these measures:

 

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  · are widely used by investors to measure a company’s operating performance without regard to items excluded from the calculation of such term, which can vary substantially from company to company depending upon accounting methods and book value of assets, capital structure and the method by which assets were acquired, among other factors;

 

  · help investors to evaluate and compare the results of our operations from period to period by removing the effect of our capital structure from our operating structure; and

 

  · are used by our management team for various other purposes in presentations to our board of directors as a basis for strategic planning and forecasting.

 

There are significant limitations to using EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA as a measure of performance, including the inability to analyze the effect of certain recurring and non-recurring items that materially affect our net income or loss, the lack of comparability of results of operations of different companies and the different methods of calculating EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA reported by different companies.

 

The following table sets forth the reconciliation of our net income to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA:

 

    Three Months Ended  
    December 31,
2012
    March 31,
2013
    June 30,
2013
    September 30,
2013
 
    (in thousands)  
Net income   $ 21,230     $ 6,944     $ 8,843     $ 2,799  
Income tax expense     7,514       2,456       3,123       785  
Net finance costs     750       223       1,704       2,455  
Depreciation     205       314       184       175  
Amortization(a)     198       258       127       123  
EBITDA   $ 29,897     $ 10,195     $ 13,981     $ 6,337  
Share based payments(b)     533       517       466       6,203  
(Profit)/loss on derivatives     (1,019 )     (1,666 )     (5,989 )     987  
Adjusted EBITDA   $ 29,411     $ 9,046     $ 8,458     $ 13,527  

_______________

  (a) Includes only amortization of intangible assets other than intangible content assets.
  (b) Consists of compensation costs recognized with respect to all outstanding plans and all other equity settled instruments.
  (2) Includes films that were released by us directly and licensed by us for release.

 

Our revenues and operating results are significantly affected by the timing, number and breadth of our theatrical releases and their budgets, the timing of television syndication agreements, and our amortization policy for the first 12 months of commercial exploitation for a film. The timing of releases is determined based on several factors. A significant portion of the films we distribute are delivered to Indian theaters at times when theater attendance has traditionally been highest, including school holidays, national holidays and the festivals. This timing of releases also takes into account competitor film release dates, major cricket events in India and film production schedules. Significant holidays and festivals, such as Diwali, Eid and Christmas, occur during July to December each year, and the Indian Premier League cricket season generally occurs during April and May of each year. The Tamil New Year, called Pongal, falls in January each year making the quarter ending March an important one for Tamil releases.

 

In the four quarters ended September  30, 2013 revenue fluctuations primarily reflected the timing of major theatrical releases, with the three months ended December 31, 2012 enjoying the highest quarterly revenues of $71.3 million as a result of the high budget theatrical releases of Son of Sardaar , Khiladi 786 and Thuppakki . Quarterly television syndication fluctuations led to the lowest quarterly revenues in the three months ended June  30, 201 3 of $ 41.0 million. Other gains and losses fluctuations reflect the changes in mark to market values of our interest derivative liabilities.

 

Although our revenues are typically highest in the third quarter of our fiscal year (i.e., the quarter ended December 31), quarterly results can vary from one year to the next, and the results of one quarter are not necessarily indicative of results for the next or any future quarter. Our revenue and operating results are therefore seasonal in nature due to the impact on income of the timing of new releases.

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Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Our operations and strategic objectives require continuing capital investment, and our resources include cash on hand and cash provided by operations, as well as access to capital from bank borrowings and access to capital markets. Management believes that cash generated by or available to us should be sufficient to fund our capital and liquidity needs for at least the next 12 months. Our future financial and operating performance, ability to service or refinance debt and ability to comply with covenants and restrictions contained in our debt agreements will be subject to future economic conditions, the financial health of our customers and suppliers and to financial, business and other factors, many of which are beyond our control.

 

Indebtedness

 

As of September  30, 2013, we had aggregate outstanding indebtedness of $ 260.3 million, and cash and cash equivalents of $ 106.1 million. At September  30,2013 the total available facilities were comprised of (i) revolving credit facilities, secured term loans, and overdraft facility of $ 225.9 million at Eros India and Eros Worldwide, (ii) other facilities of $ 9.8 million at Eros International USA Inc., Eros Worldwide, and Eros International Films Private Limited, or Eros Films, and (iii) a committed $ 19.7  million secured overdraft facility at Eros International Limited. In addition, at September  30, 2013, $ 4.8 million of unsecured commercial paper had been issued by Eros India.

 

    As of
September 30, 2013
 
    (in thousands)  
Eros India        
Secured revolving credit facilities   $ 23,451  
Secured term loans     34,991  
Unsecured overdraft      
Unsecured commercial paper     4,788  
Vehicle loans     20  
Total     63,250  
Eros Films        
Vehicle loans      
Eros International Limited        
Secured overdraft     19,722  
Eros International USA Inc.        
Vehicle loans     32  
Eros Worldwide        
Revolving credit facility(1)     167,500  
Interest swap financing facility     9,757  
Total     177,257  
Total   $ 260,261  

_______________

  (1) Borrowers under the revolving credit facility are Eros International Plc, Eros Worldwide, and Eros International USA Inc.

 

Certain of our borrowings and loan agreements , including our new credit facility, contain customary covenants, including covenants that restrict our ability to incur additional indebtedness, create or permit liens on our assets or engage in mergers and acquisitions. Such agreements also contain various customary events of default with respect to the borrowings, including the failure to pay interest or principal when due and cross default provisions, and, under certain circumstances, lenders may be able to require repayment of loans to Eros India or Eros Films prior to their maturity. If an event of default occurs and is continuing, the principal amounts outstanding, together with all accrued unpaid interest and other amounts owed may be declared immediately due and payable by the lenders. If such an event were to occur , we would need to pursue new financing that may not be on as favorable terms as our current borrowings. We are currently in full compliance with all of our agreements governing indebtedness.

 

Borrowings under our revolving credit facility maturing in 2017 bear interest at LIBOR, or in the case of future borrowings in Euros, EURIBOR, floating rates with margins between 1.9% and 2.9% plus mandatory cost. Borrowings under our term loan facilities, overdraft facility and revolving credit facilities at Eros India and Eros Films mature between 2012 and 2017 and bear interest at fluctuating interest rates pursuant to the relevant sanction letter governing such loans. As of September 30, 2013, our unsecured commercial paper issued by Eros India bore discount rate s between 11.3% and 13.0% and has maturity dates ranging from one month to six months of the date of issuance thereof.

 

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We expect to renew or extend our borrowings as they reach maturity. As at September  30, 2013 there were no undrawn amounts on our existing financing arrangements.

 

Sources and Uses of Cash

 

    Six Months Ended September 30,     Year Ended March 31,  
    2013     2012     2013     2012     2011  
    (in thousands)  
Net cash from operating activities   $ 40,637     $ 58,759     $ 137,447     $ 123,690     $ 108,835  
Net cash used in investing activities   $ (59,799 )   $ (94,687 )   $ (182,328 )   $ (147,654 )   $ (147,506 )
Net cash from financing activities   $ 21,953     $ (4,791 )   $ 11,471     $ 51,756     $ 77,443  

 

Six months ended September 30, 2013 Compared to Six months ended September 30, 2012

 

Net cash from operating activities in the six months ended September 30, 2013 was $ 40.6 million compared to $ 58.8 million in the six months ended September 30, 2012, a decrease of $ 18.2 million, or 31.0% , notwithstanding a decrease in interest paid and a reduction in taxes in the six months ended September 30, 2013 of $0.3 million and $1.4 million respectively. In addition, there was an increase in working capital of $ 18.6 million in the six months ended September 30, 2013 , primarily due to a $ 2.9 million decrease in trade payables and an increase in trade receivables of $15.7 million, compared to a $3.2 million increase in trade receivables and a $3 .1 million increase in trade payables in the six months ended September 30, 2012.

 

Net cash used in investing activities in the six months ended September 30, 2013 was $ 59.8 million, compared to $ 94.7 million in the six months ended September 30, 2012, a decrease of $ 34.9 million, or 36.9 %, reflecting a lower investment in film content. Our investment in film content in the six months ended September 30, 2013 was $ 61.2 million, compared to $ 98.0 million in the six months ended September 30, 2012 , a decrease of $ 36.8 million, or 37.6%, reflecting the lower comparable overall cost of films released in the two periods.

 

Net cash from financing activities in the six months ended September 30, 2013 was $ 22.0 million, compared to a net cash outflow of $4.8 million in the six months ended September 30, 2012, principally due to the additional net proceeds of long-term borrowings of $12.9 million as well as short-term borrowings of $ 8.2 million.

 

Year Ended March 31, 2013 Compared to Year Ended March 31, 2012

 

Net cash from operating activities in fiscal 2013 was $137.5 million, compared to $123.7 million in fiscal 2012, an increase of $13.8 million, or 11.2%, notwithstanding an increase in income taxes and interest paid in fiscal 2013 of $9.1 million and $4.7 million, respectively. In addition, there was an increase in working capital of $7.4 million in fiscal 2013 primarily due to an increase in trade receivables of $21.3 million and a decrease of $13.6 million in trade payables compared to a decrease of $5.9 million in trade payables and an increase in trade receivables of $27.7 million in fiscal 2012.

 

Net cash used in investing activities in fiscal 2013 was $182.3 million, compared to $147.7 million in fiscal 2012, an increase of $34.6 million, or 23.4%, reflecting an increase in our investment in film content in fiscal 2013 and future years, offset by proceeds from our sale of some of our Eros India shares. In December 2012, we sold 2.8% of our holding in Eros India to meet the minimum public shareholding requirement of 25% under Indian law for $9.4 million in net proceeds. Our investment in film content in fiscal 2013 was $186.7 million, compared to $148.7 million in fiscal 2012, an increase of $38.0 million, or 25.6%, reflecting ongoing investments in our film library.

 

Net cash from financing activities in fiscal 2013 was $11.5 million, compared to $51.8 million in fiscal 2012, a decrease of $40.3 million, or 77.8%, attributable to a repayment of net short-term borrowings of $7.0 million and proceeds of net long-term borrowings of $9.1 million, offset by proceeds from the sale of Eros India shares.

 

Year Ended March 31, 2012 Compared to Year Ended March 31, 2011

 

Net cash from operating activities in fiscal 2012 was $123.7 million, compared to $108.8 million in fiscal 2011, an increase of $14.9 million, or 13.7%, notwithstanding an increase in income taxes and interest paid in fiscal 2012 of $2.1 million and $2.7 million, respectively. In addition, there was an increase in working capital in fiscal 2012 of $21.5 million due to an increase of $5.9 million in trade payables and an increase in trade receivables of $27.7 million, compared to decrease of $7.9 million in trade payables and an increase in trade receivables of $2.6 million in fiscal 2011.

 

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Net cash used in investing activities in fiscal 2012 was $147.7 million, compared to $147.5 million in fiscal 2011, an increase of $0.2 million, or 0.1%, reflecting an increase in our investment in film content in fiscal 2011 and future years offset by a decline in investment in property, plant and equipment combined with an increase in interest received. Our investment in film content in fiscal 2012 was $148.7 million, compared to $138.0 million in fiscal 2011, an increase of $10.7 million, or 7.8%, reflecting a change in the mix of acquired and co-produced films, both for films released in the period and for films scheduled for future release, a change to more high budget Hindi films and ongoing investments in our film library. Our purchase of property, plant and equipment in fiscal 2012 was $1.2 million, compared to $10.0 million in fiscal 2011, a decrease of $8.8 million, or 88.0%, which related principally to the purchase of a property for our main Mumbai offices, which was previously leased in fiscal 2011.

 

Net cash from financing activities in fiscal 2012 was $51.8 million, compared to $77.4 million in fiscal 2011, a decrease of $25.6 million, or 33.1%, principally reflecting additional proceeds from short-term and long-term borrowings of $50.2 million in fiscal 2012.

 

Capital Expenditures

 

In fiscal 2013, we invested $186.7 million in film content, in the six months ended September  30, 2013, we invested approximately $ 61.2 million in film content, and in fiscal 2014 we expect to invest approximately $180 million in film content.

 

Contractual Obligations

 

We have commitments under certain firm contractual arrangements, or firm commitments, to make future payments. These firm commitments secure future rights to various assets and services to be used in the normal course of our operations. The following table summarizes our firm commitments as of September  30, 2013.

 

    As of September 30, 2013  
Payments due by Period   Total     Less than
1 year
    1-3
years
    3-5
years
    More
than
5 years
 
    (in thousands)  
Recorded Contractual Obligations                                        
Debt(1)   $ 257,762     $ 81,403     $ 49,278     $ 127,081     $  
Film entertainment rights purchase obligations(2)     225,950       108,209       109,961       7,780        
Unrecorded Contractual Obligations                                        
Operating leases     3,033       1,041       1,239       753        
Interest payments on debt(3)     27,058       10,247       13,608       3,203        
Total   $ 513,803     $ 200,900     $ 174,086     $ 138,817     $  

_______________

  (1) HSBC acceded as a lender to the revolving credit facility. HSBC's participation in the facility is $25.0 million. This increased the total facility amount to $167.5 million, following the amortization of $7.5 million which occurred in July 2013. The facility matures in 2017 and borrowers are Eros International Plc, Eros Worldwide, and Eros International USA Inc.
  (2) Filmed entertainment rights purchase obligations include agreements for the purchase of film content where all significant terms have been agreed, for both co-production and acquisition.
  (3) The amounts shown in the table include future interest payments on variable and fixed rate debt at current interest rates ranging from 0 .75 % to 15 %.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

From time to time, to satisfy our filmed content purchase contracts, we obtain guarantees or other contractual arrangements, such as letters of credit, as support for our payment obligations. As of September  30, 2013, we had entered into letters of credit in an aggregate amount of $ 78.2 million and guarantees of $ 9.1 million in favor of certain film producers securing our obligations with respect to certain filmed entertainment rights which we are under contractual obligation to purchase upon the occurrence of certain specified events. We have no other off-balance sheet arrangements that currently have or are reasonably likely to have a material effect on our consolidated financial condition, changes in financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources.

 

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Concentration of Customer Credit Risk

 

From time to time, we have significant concentration of credit risk under certain individual television syndication deals or music licenses. Where we determine the magnitude of the risk associated with a particular customer to be high, we seek to minimize this risk through contractual terms that require payment before the airing or usage of the applicable content. By requiring payment prior to airing or usage of our content, if the customer does not make payments pursuant to the contract terms, we can seek to sell the content to another party.

 

Critical Accounting Policies

 

Our consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with IFRS as issued by the IASB, which requires management to make estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying notes. Management considers the following accounting policies to be critical because they are important to our financial condition and results of operations and require significant judgment and estimates on the part of management in their application. The development and selection of these critical accounting policies have been determined by our management and the related disclosures have been reviewed with the Audit Committee of our board of directors. For a summary of all our accounting policies, see Note 3 to our audited Consolidated Financial Statements appearing elsewhere in this prospectus.

 

Use of estimates

 

Estimates and judgments are evaluated on a regular basis and are based on historical experience and other factors, such as expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the present circumstances. We make estimates and assumptions concerning the future, and these estimates, by definition, may differ materially from actual results.

 

Revenue

 

Revenue is measured by reference to the fair value of consideration received or receivable from customers. Revenue arising from the distribution or other exploitation of films and other content produced by third parties or by us, is recognized, net of sales taxes, when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, the fees are fixed or determinable, the product or service is available for delivery and collectability is reasonably assured. Cash received and amounts invoiced in connection with contractual arrangements for which revenue is not yet recognizable pursuant to these criteria, such as pre-sale amounts, is classified as deferred revenue. We consider the terms of each specific arrangement to determine the appropriate accounting treatment for revenue recognition. The following additional criteria apply to certain of our specific revenue streams:

 

  · Theatrical : We recognize revenue based on our share of third party reported box office receipts for the measurement period. In instances where we have a minimum guarantee, we recognize that amount if due on or prior to the measurement date, but never prior to delivery or on the release date.

 

  · Television : Revenues are recognized when the content is available for delivery. Royalty and other revenues from premium pay television are recognized based on reporting to us by the counterparty such as a television operator for providing programming services on mutually negotiated contractual terms.

 

  · Digital and ancillary : Where we distribute through a sub-distributor, we recognize DVD, CD and video minimum guarantee revenues on the contract date and we recognize additional revenues as reported by third party licensees. Provision is made for returns where applicable. Digital and ancillary revenues are recognized at the earlier of when the content is accessed or reported by the contractual counterparty. Visual effects, production and other fees for services rendered by us and overhead recharges are recognized in the period in which they are earned, and the stage of production is used to determine the proportion recognized in the period.

 

Intangible assets

 

We are required to identify and assess the income generating life of each intangible asset. Judgment is required in making these determinations and setting an amortization rate for such assets. We test annually whether there are any indications of impairment of our intangible assets in accordance with IAS 36: Impairment of Assets. Management also regularly reviews and revises its estimates when necessary, which may result in a change in the rate of amortization and/or a write down of the asset to fair value.

 

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Accounting for film content under IFRS requires management’s judgment regarding total revenues to be received on such film content and costs to be incurred throughout the income generating life of such film or its license period, whichever is the shorter. Where we make an advance to secure film content or the services of talent associated with a film product, we also consider the recoverability of such advance, or the likelihood that such advance will result in a saleable asset. Judgments are also used to determine the amortization of capitalized film content costs where management seeks to write down the capitalized cost of content in line with the expected revenues arising from the content. For first release film content, we use a stepped method of amortization based on management’s judgment taking into account historic and expected performance, writing off a significant portion of the capitalized cost for such films in the first 12 months of their initial commercial exploitation, and then the balance over the lesser of the term of the rights held by us and nine years. Similar management judgment taking into account historic and expected performance is used to apply a stepped method of amortization on a quarterly basis within the first 12 months, writing off a significant portion of the capitalized cost in the quarter of theatrical release and the subsequent quarter. In fiscal 2009 and prior fiscal years, the balance of capitalized film content costs were amortized over a maximum of four years rather than nine. In the case of film content that we acquire after its initial exploitation, commonly referred to as library, amortization is spread evenly over the lesser of ten years after our acquisition or our license period. Management applies this method by using its judgment to write down the capitalized cost of film content during its first 12 months of commercial exploitation and in line with the expected revenues arising from the content over its estimated useful life. Each of these calculations requires judgments and estimates to be made, and, as with goodwill, an unforeseen event could cause us to revise these judgments and assumptions affecting the value of the intangible assets. There may be instances where the useful life of an asset is shortened to reflect the uncertainty of its estimated income generating life. This is particularly the case when acquiring assets in markets that we have not previously exploited.

 

Valuation of available-for-sale financial assets.

 

We follow the guidance of IAS 39: Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement, or IAS 39 to determine, where possible, the fair value of its available-for-sale financial assets. This determination requires significant judgment. In making this judgment, we evaluate, among other factors, the duration and extent to which the fair value of an investment is less than its cost and the financial health of and near-term business outlook for the investee, including factors such as industry and sector performance, changes in technology and operational and financing cash flow.

 

Derivative financial instruments

 

We use derivative financial instruments to reduce its exposure to interest rate movements.

 

Derivatives are initially recognized at fair value at the date the derivative contracts are entered into and are subsequently re-measured to their fair value at the end of each reporting period. The resulting gain or loss is recognized in profit or loss immediately unless the derivative is designated and effective as a hedging instrument, in which event the timing of the recognition in the profit or loss depends on the nature of the hedge relationship.

 

Income taxes and deferred taxation

 

We are subject to income taxes in various jurisdictions. Judgment is required in determining the worldwide provision for income taxes, taking into account management’s analysis of future taxable income, reversing temporary differences and preparing ongoing tax planning strategies. During the normal course of business, there are many transactions and calculations for which the ultimate tax determination is uncertain. Judgment is also used when determining whether we should recognize a deferred tax asset and tax credit, based on whether management considers that there is sufficient certainty in future earnings to justify the carry forward of assets created by tax losses and tax credit.

 

Where the ultimate outcome of a transaction is different than was initially recorded, there may be an impact on the income tax and deferred tax provisions.

 

Share-based payments

 

We are required to evaluate the terms to determine whether share based payment is equity or cash settled. Further, we are required to measure the fair value of equity settled transactions with employees at the grant date of the equity instruments. The fair value is determined principally using the Black-Scholes model which requires assumptions regarding interest free rates, share price volatility and the expected life of an employee equity instrument. For further discussion of the basis and assumptions used to determine fair value, see Note 24 to our audited consolidated financial statements appearing elsewhere in this prospectus.

 

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Goodwill and trade name

 

Our management tests annually whether goodwill and our trade name has suffered impairment, in accordance with our accounting policies and practices. In respect of goodwill, in accordance with IFRS rules, the recoverable amount of cash-generating units has been determined based on value in use calculations. These calculations require estimates to be made which are based on management assumptions. However, if there is an unforeseen event which materially affects these assumptions, such event could lead to a write down of goodwill.

 

While assessing any impairment of goodwill as at March 31, 2013, the value in use was determined using a discounted cash flow method. Estimated cash flows based on internal five year forecasts were developed and a pre-tax discount rate of 11.5% and a terminal growth rate of 4.0% were applied. The assessment of impairment of the trade name was based on a value in use measurement using the relief from royalty method and by then applying similar discount and terminal growth rates as with goodwill.

 

Basis of consolidation

 

We evaluate arrangements with special purpose vehicles in accordance with IFRS 10: Consolidated Financial Statements, or IFRS 10, to establish how transactions with such entities should be accounted for. This requires judgment over control and the balance of the risks and rewards attached to the arrangements.

 

New Accounting Pronouncements

 

For fiscal 2014, we adopted IFRS 10, which replaces consolidation requirements in IAS 27: Consolidated and Separate Financial Statements and SIC-12: Consolidation-Special Purpose Entities, and builds on existing principles by identifying the concept of control as the determining factor in whether an entity should be included within the consolidated financial statements of the parent company.

 

For fiscal 2014, we adopted IFRS 11: Joint Arrangements, or IFRS 11, which replaces IAS 31: Interests in Joint Ventures and SIC-13: Jointly Controlled Entities—Non-monetary Contributions by Ventures, and requires a single method, known as the equity method, to account for interests in jointly controlled entities. The proportionate consolidation method in joint ventures is prohibited. IAS 28: Investments in Associates and Joint Ventures, was amended as a consequence of the issuance of IFRS 11. In addition to prescribing the accounting for investment in associates, it now sets out the requirements for the application of the equity method when accounting for joint ventures. The application of the equity method has not changed as a result of this amendment.

 

For fiscal 2014, we adopted IFRS 12: Disclosure of Interest in Other Entities, or IFRS 12, a new and comprehensive standard on disclosure requirements for all forms of interests in other entities, including joint arrangements, associates, special purpose vehicles and other off balance sheet vehicles. The standard includes disclosure requirements for entities covered under IFRS 10 and IFRS 11.

 

For fiscal 2014, we adopted Consolidated Financial Statements, Joint Arrangements and Disclosure of Interests in Other Entities: Transition Guidance as amendments to IFRS 10, IFRS 11 and IFRS 12. These amendments provide additional transition relief by limiting the requirement to provide adjusted comparative information to only the preceding comparative period. The adoption of these standards did not have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.

 

For fiscal 2014, we adopted IFRS 13: Fair Value Measurements, or IFRS 13. IFRS 13 defines fair value, provides a single IFRS framework for measuring fair value and requires disclosure about fair value measurements. IFRS 13 is effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013, with earlier application permitted. The adoption of this standard did not have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.

 

For fiscal 2014, we adopted the amendments issued by the IASB which amended the accounting requirements and disclosures related to offsetting of financial assets and financial liabilities by issuing an amendment to IAS 32: Financial Instruments: Presentation and IFRS 7: Financial Instruments: Disclosure, or IFRS 7. The amendment to IFRS 7 requires companies to disclose information about rights of offset and related arrangements for financial instruments under an enforceable master netting agreement or similar arrangement. It requires retrospective application for comparative periods.

 

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In November 2009, the IASB issued IFRS 9: Financial Instruments: Classification and Measurement, or IFRS 9. This standard introduces certain new requirements for classifying and measuring financial assets and liabilities and divides all financial assets that are currently in the scope of IAS 39 into two classifications, those measured at amortized cost and those measured at fair value. In October 2010, the IASB issued a revised version of IFRS 9: Financial Instruments, or IFRS 9 R. IFRS 9 R adds guidance on the classification and measurement of financial liabilities. IFRS 9 R requires entities with financial liabilities designated at fair value through profit or loss to recognize changes in the fair value due to changes in the liability’s credit risk in other comprehensive income. However, if recognizing these changes in other comprehensive income creates an accounting mismatch, an entity would present the entire change in fair value within profit or loss. There is no subsequent recycling of the amounts recorded in other comprehensive income to profit or loss, but accumulated gains or losses may be transferred within equity. IFRS 9 R is effective for fiscal years beginning on or after January 1, 2015.

 

In May 2013, the IASB amended Recoverable Amount Disclosures for Non-Financial Assets (Amendments to IAS 36). These narrow-scope amendments to IAS 36 Impairment of Assets address the disclosure of information about the recoverable amount of impaired assets if that amount is based on fair value less costs of disposal. This amendment is effective for the annual period beginning on or after January 1, 2014, early adoption is permitted provided IFRS 13 is also adopted together. We do not believe the adoption of this amendment will have a material impact on its financial statements.

 

In June 2013, the IASB issued “Novation of Derivatives and Continuation of Hedge Accounting” (Amendments to IAS 39). Under the amendments, there would be no need to discontinue hedge accounting if a hedging derivative was novated provided certain criteria are met. The amendments are effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2014. We do not believe that the adoption of this amendment will have a material impact on our financial statements.

 

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

 

We are exposed to financial risks, including interest rate risk, foreign currency risk and equity risk:

 

Interest Rate Risk

 

We are exposed to interest rate risk because our subsidiaries borrow funds at both fixed and floating interest rates. The risk is managed by the maintaining an appropriate mix between fixed, capped and floating rate borrowings, and by the use of interest rate swap contracts and forward interest rate contracts. Hedging activities are evaluated to align with interest rate views to ensure the most cost effective hedging strategies are applied.

 

2012 Interest Rate Swap

 

We entered into an interest rate swap contract related to our borrowings with an interest cap with a notional value of $100 million. Two written floor contracts each with $100 million notional value were also entered into during the previous year. The effect of these instruments in combination is that the maximum cash outflow is 6% although the written floors mean that should market rates fall below the floor rate, then the interest charged would be twice the floor rate, although never exceeding 6%.

 

Under the interest swap contracts, we have agreed to exchange the difference between fixed and floating rate interest amounts calculated on an agreed notional principal amount. Such contracts enable us to mitigate the risk of changing interest rates on the cash flow of issued variable rate debt. The fair value of interest rate derivatives which comprise derivatives at fair value through profit and loss is determined at the present value of future cash flows estimated and discounted based on the applicable yield curves derived from quoted interest rates.

 

Details of derivative instruments are as follows:

 

    Average
contract rate
  Notional
principal
amount
  Fair value of
derivative
instrument
as at
September  30,
2013
  Fair value of
derivative
instrument
as at
March 31,
2013
            (in thousands)
2012 Interest Rate Cap                 $ 2, 513     $ 2,200  
2012 Interest Rate Floor   0.5% - 3%       100,000       ( 7,085 )     (9,430 )
2012 Interest Rate Collar   Cap of 6% and Floor of 0.5% - 3%       100,000       ( 7,085 )     (9,430 )
Total asset/(liability)                 $ ( 11,657 )   $ (16,660 )

 

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None of the above derivative instruments is designated in a hedging relationship. In the six months ended September  30, 2013, a profit of $ 5 .0 million in respect of the above derivative instruments has been taken to the income statement within other gains and losses. The amounts in fiscal 2013 and fiscal 2012 were losses of $5.7 million and $4.3 million respectively.

 

As at September  30, 2013, a loss amounting to $3. 4 million on account of cash flow hedges entered into prior to the 2012 Interest Rate Swap and now closed out is expected to be reclassified from other comprehensive income to profit or loss over the period of five years.

 

Foreign Currency Risk

 

We operate throughout the world with significant operations in India, the British Isles, the United States of America and the United Arab Emirates. As a result, we face both translation and transaction currency risks which are principally mitigated by matching foreign currency revenues and costs wherever possible.

 

A majority of our revenues are denominated in U.S. Dollars, Indian Rupees and British pounds, which are matched where possible to our costs so that these act as an automatic hedge against foreign currency exchange movements.

 

We have to date not entered into any currency hedging transactions, and we have managed foreign currency exposure to date by seeking to match foreign currency inflows and outflows to the extent possible.

 

A uniform decrease of 10% in exchange rates against all foreign currencies in position as of March 31, 2013 would have decreased our net income by approximately $1.2 million. An equal and opposite impact would be experienced in the event of an increase by a similar percentage. Our sensitivity to foreign currency has increased during the year ended March 31, 2013 as a result of an increase in the percentage of liabilities denominated in foreign currency over the comparative period. In management’s opinion, the sensitivity analysis is unrepresentative of the inherent foreign exchange risk because the exposure at the end of the reporting period does not reflect the exposure during the year.

 

Equity Risk

 

We are exposed to market risk relating to changes in the market value of our investments, which we hold for purposes other than trading. We invest in equity instruments of private companies for operational and strategic business reasons. These securities are subject to significant fluctuations in fair market value due to volatility in the industries in which they operate. As at September  30, 2013, the aggregate value of all such equity investments was $30.4 million. For further discussion of our investments see Note 16 to our audited Consolidated Financial Statements appearing elsewhere in this prospectus.

 

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INDUSTRY

 

As a leading global company in the Indian film entertainment industry, we operate both in the domestic Indian film industry and the global film industry as it relates to Indian film content. Since no reliable third party data exists for the Indian film content portion of the global film industry, and since our revenues from India have represented an average of approximately 65% of our aggregate revenues over the past three fiscal years and 51.1 % over the first six months in fiscal year 2014, we have included a discussion of only the domestic Indian film industry. Although the following discussion describes historical growth in the Indian film industry as well as projections for future growth, there is no guarantee that any such future growth will occur.

 

The Macroeconomic Environment in India

 

With a population of 1.2 billion and real gross domestic product, or GDP, of $1.3 trillion(1), India was the second most populous country and the eighth largest economy by GDP in the world in 2012 according to Business Monitor International. India’s real GDP experienced a compound annual growth rate, or CAGR, of 7.2% from 2007 through 2012, and, despite a recent slowdown in macroeconomic conditions, is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6. 0 % from 2012-2017, according to Business Monitor International.

 

Projected GDP Growth in Selected Countries, 2012-2017

 

    Real  GDP
Growth
  China       6.4 %
  India       6. 0  
  Brazil       2.9  
  US       2.4  
  UK       2. 1  

 

According to CIA’s World Factbook , India has one of the youngest demographics in the world with a median age of 26.7 years, which is among the lowest in the world, and 47 % of the population below age 24.

 

Growth of the Indian Media and Entertainment Industry

 

The Indian media and entertainment industry has benefited from India’s recent economic expansion and demographic trends. This industry is projected to more than double from $ 13.1 billion in 2012 to $ 26.5 billion in 2017, reflecting a CAGR of 15.2%. This growth is being driven, in part, by favorable demographic trends in India, including the growth of the Indian middle class.

 

_______________

(1) Calculated using a baseline exchange rate as of 2005 across all countries.

 

 

Overall Indian media and entertainment industry revenue outlook(a)

 

_______________

  (a) Other includes Radio, Music, Out of Home, Animation / VFX, Gaming and Digital advertising.

 

Source: FICCI Report 2013

 

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Theatrical

 

The Indian film entertainment industry, a subset of the Indian media and entertainment industry, is the largest in the world in terms of the total movies released theatrically. According to a 2010 report by Investec Securities, over 1,000 movies are released theatrically in India each year. By comparison, 535 movies were released theatrically in the U.S. in 2010 according to boxofficemojo.com. Of the overall Indian media and entertainment industry’s $ 13.1 billion in revenues in 2012, film entertainment constituted 13.7%, or $1. 8 billion, and is projected to grow to $ 3.1 billion by 2017, reflecting an 11.5% CAGR, according to the FICCI Report 2013.

 

However, as compared to the film industry in many developed economies, the Indian market is underpenetrated as determined by the significantly lower number of screens per million population, representing an opportunity for growth.

 

Screens per million population

 

Source: “India Entertainment and Media Outlook 2011,” PWC

 

Additional new multiplex screens, which are typically located in urban areas and generally sell tickets at higher average ticket prices than single screen theaters, have supported and are projected to continue to support film industry growth. According to FICCI Report 2013, 87% of the new 152 screens added during 2012 in the country were multiplex screens. Also, according to the same report, the South Indian exhibition industry added 41 screens with 90 percent of them being multiplex screens, in 2012.

 

As a result, digitization of prints can increase potential revenue opportunities since, according to this report, distributors are able to broaden their reach to more theaters and capture revenues in a shorter time frame by having same day releases across theatres.

 

India’s diverse regional cultures also present growth opportunities for regional content. The number of regional films has increased in recent years and is expected to continue to grow. According to the FICCI Report 2011, non-Hindi films were projected to represent 83% of the total number of films distributed in India in 2010, while accounting for a minority of total Indian box office revenues. Industry growth drivers, such as increased multiplex penetration, digitization of single screen theaters, focus on marketing, and improvement in production quality, suggest an increase in market opportunities for regional films.

 

With a limited number of screens and a large number of films entering the market each year, a film’s opening weekend performance is a crucial factor in determining a film’s economic success. According to the FICCI Report 2013, box office success in the first week is considered critical and most Indian films now achieve between 60% and 80% of their revenue in the first week of release. Based on information from BoxOfficeIndia.com, opening week box office revenue in India for the top fifty films as a percentage of such films’ total theatrical revenue increased from approximately 60% in 2009 to 68% in 2011. Based on BoxOfficeIndia.com’s data, earning a higher of percentage of total revenue in the first week of releases is expected to help distributors recoup costs in a shorter timeframe.

 

Multiplexes like PVR Cinemas, INOX Movies and Reliance, Big Cinemas are rapidly expanding their footprint into smaller towns. According to the FICCI Report 2013, Cinepolis plans to expand its footprint in the south by opening 11 screens in 2013 and opening 500 screens across the country by 2016. INOX is planning to launch around 50 screens by the end of 2013. PVR Talkies is looking to add 50 screens in Tier II cities (as defined in the FICCI Report 2013) in the next three years.

 

Despite this historic growth, India’s film industry, when compared with film industries in more developed economies, is a relatively underserved market that presents substantial opportunities for additional growth. According to the FICCI Report 2013, ticket prices in multiplexes increased by 15%-20% in 2012. The average ticket price for multiplexes was $2. 56 compared with $0. 96 at single screens in 2012.

 

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Number of films with box office collections >Rs 1bn

 

 

Source: FICCI Report 2013

 

Participants in the Indian film entertainment industry are also investing in newer technologies such as digital theatrical distribution. Film companies are increasingly adopting digital prints instead of physical prints, which in turn are increasing the number of available prints. Also according to the same report, digital prints represented 80%-90% of all prints in 2012 vs. 50% in 2010. Digital technology enables Indian film distributors to increase their distribution efficiency and reduce costs.

 

According to the FICCI Report 2013, the number of screens available for releasing a film is also rising, aided by greater use of digital prints. It is estimated that close to 77% of screens have been digitized. Big budget movies are now released more widely across as many as 3,500 screens as compared to 1,000 screens three years ago, mainly due to affordability of digital prints as compared to physical prints. The industry is expected to be 100% digitized in the next 18-24 months.

 

Opening week box office revenue as a percentage of total theatrical revenue

 

 

Source: Based on information from BoxOfficeIndia.com for the top fifty films as measured by India-based revenue in each calendar year.

 

Separately, as clarification, according to the FICCI 2012 Report, Indian theatrical exhibition, which includes gross revenue from ticket sales, advertising, concessions and other, accounted for 74% of 2011 Indian film industry revenues, and Indian non-ticket revenues at multiplex chains typically accounted for approximately 30% of that total. However, the percentage of Indian theatrical exhibition revenues identified in the FICCI 2012 Report is significantly higher than the percentage of revenue we generate from theatrical exhibition. This is because we do not benefit from any non-ticket revenues, and we report our revenue net of entertainment taxes and a revenue share with exhibitors in India.

 

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Television

 

Television industry size

 

 

Source: FICCI Report 2013

 

India is one of the world’s largest television markets as measured by number of households, with an estimated 154 million television households in 2012, of which more than 121 million households had cable or satellite service, according to FICCI Report 2013. According to the FICCI Report 2012, television household penetration in India in 2011 was low at ~61% as compared to penetration in China and Brazil which was estimated to be at 98% and 90%, respectively. Driven by favorable macroeconomic conditions and both subscription and advertising revenue growth, India’s television industry is projected to more than double between 2012 to 2017, growing from $5.9 billion in 2012 to $13.5 billion in 2017, reflecting a CAGR of 18%. We expect that television industry growth will significantly increase demand for quality content such as films.

 

Factors such as the digitization of television, growth in advertising spend, increased viewership penetration and the proliferation of niche and regional content have contributed to the rapid rise in the number of channels in India over the past few years that compete for quality programming in order to attract advertising and subscription revenues. The government of India passed a bill for the mandatory digitization of cable television networks by December 31, 2014. As a result, an estimated 55 million primarily analog cable homes in India will convert to digital platforms over the next 5 years and pay television average revenue per user, or ARPU, levels will increase. This will likely further spur demand for quality content, presenting additional opportunities for content monetization through services such as on-demand films.

 

Pay TV subscriber base India Pay TV ARPU Per Month
(in millions)  
   

 

Source: FICCI Report 2013

 

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India TV Viewership Share (%)(a)   Number of TV  channels(b)
     
 

 

Source: FICCI Report 2013

 

_______________

  (a) For calendar year 2012

 

  (b) Represents total number of unique channels available in India carried by DTH, broadcast multi system cable operators and local cable operators.

 

Television licensing is an important component of a film’s revenue lifecycle. Feature films are vital to India’s TV programming lineup, as reflected by television ratings points on GEC channels, or TRPs, for films. Additionally, we believe that premium films along with sports will be some of the key contents driving growth of premium television within India as more and more homes become digital.

 

Digital and ancillary

 

Following international trends, digital media is playing an increasingly important role in the Indian media industry. With the rapid convergence of media and technology, entertainment companies are digitizing their content and leveraging digital platforms such as mobile and broadband to exploit their content.

 

Broadband and mobile

 

Within India, the number of individuals utilizing electronic devices with internet connectivity is rapidly expanding and is projected to continue. Despite significant growth in users, internet penetration is still in its relatively early stages with the number of internet users in India as a percentage of the population at 10%. According to FICCI Report 2013, the number of internet connections in India is projected to grow at a CAGR of 25.5% from an estimated 124 million connections in 2012 to 386 million connections in 2017.

 

Internet Users

 

    Internet users as a
percentage of
total population
India     10 %
Brazil     41 %
China     36 %
USA     81 %
UK     85 %

 

Source: McKinsey: The Internet’s Impact on India 2012

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Indian internet connections

(in millions)

 

Indian internet users

(in millions)

 

Indian e-commerce market

( $ in billions)

         
   

 

Source: FICCI Report 2013, eMarketer

 

As broadband penetration continues to increase, streaming media content over the internet is projected to increase among consumers, driving further demand for premium content, and becoming an important advertising medium for advertisers. According to market research firm eMarketer, India’s e-commerce market(2) is projected to grow at a CAGR of 43.8% from $2. 2 billion in 2012 to $ 13.3 billion in 2017, highlighting the potential for the digital commerce in India.

 

According to the research firm, eMarketer, a significant percentage of the population spends online time on videos and music. The Indian Department of Telecommunications investment in seeking to connect 160 million people to high-speed internet is expected to further attract online viewership. As the number of people having access to high-speed internet increases, time spent online on video / music viewership can be expected to also increase.

 

_______________

(2) Includes digital downloads and event tickets; excludes gambling and travel.

 

Leading Online and Mobile Activities
Among Internet Users Ages 18-28 in India, July 2011

 

 

In addition to the proliferation of the internet, mobile platforms present further opportunities for content consumption. The proliferation of digital devices with internet connectivity has created a new market for digital on-demand and premium add-on mobile services, also known as value added services, such as ring-tones. As can be seen from the FICCI Report 2013, as smartphone usage increases, it is likely to increase opportunities for consumers to view videos, download ringtones etc. on such devices, thereby potentially boosting associated revenue potential for content disseminators.

 

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Indian mobile subscribers

(in millions)

 

Indian active smartphones

(in millions)

     
 

 

Source: Business Monitor International   Source: FICCI Report 2013

 

Music

 

Music is an integral part of Indian film promotion and generates additional revenue streams for film companies. The Indian music industry generally is dominated by music from films. In 2011, the Indian music industry generated approximately $ 144 million in revenue, of which 70%, according to industry sources, was derived from film soundtracks. The Indian music industry is projected to grow to $ 360 million by 2017, reflecting a CAGR of 16.2% according to the FICCI Report 2013. Digital distribution made up almost 57% of India’s total music industry revenue in 2012. As digital music distribution continues to grow, opportunities to reach a larger audience base should increase.

 

2012 Indian Music Industry Distribution

 

 

2012 total revenue: $ 169.4 million

 

Source: FICCI Report 2013

 

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BUSINESS

 

Overview

 

We are a leading global company in the Indian film entertainment industry, and we co-produce, acquire and distribute Indian language films in multiple formats worldwide. Our success is built on the relationships we have cultivated over the past 30 years with leading talent, production companies, exhibitors and other key participants in our industry. Leveraging these relationships, we have aggregated rights to over 2,000 films in our library, plus approximately 700 additional films for which we hold digital rights only, including recent and classic titles that span different genres, budgets and languages, and we have distributed a portfolio of over 230 new films over the last three completed fiscal years and 26 in the six months September 30, 2013. New film distribution across theatrical, television and digital channels along with library monetization provide us with diversified revenue streams.

 

Our goal is to co-produce, acquire and distribute Indian films that have a wide audience appeal. We have released internationally or globally Hindi language films which were among the top grossing films in India in 2012, 2011 and 2010. In each of the fiscal years ending in 2012 and 2011, we released at least ten Hindi language films globally and in the fiscal year ending in 2013, we released 16 Hindi language films globally. In the six months September 30, 2013, we released five Hindi language films globally. These Hindi films form the core of our annual film slate and constitute a significant portion of our revenues and associated content costs. The balance of our typical annual slate for these years of over 60 other films was comprised of Tamil and other regional language films.

 

Our distribution capabilities enable us to target a majority of the 1.2 billion people in India, our primary market for Hindi language films, where, according to bollywoodhungama.com, we released two of the top ten grossing Hindi language films in India in 2012. Further, according to BoxOfficeIndia.com, we released four out of the top ten grossing Hindi language films in India in 2011 and three out of the top ten Hindi language films in India in 2010. Our distribution capabilities further enable us to target consumers in over 50 countries internationally, including markets with large South Asian populations, such as the Middle East, and the United States and the United Kingdom, where according to Rentrak we had a market share of over 40% of all theatrically released Indian language films in 2012 based on gross collections in each of these two markets. Other international markets that exhibit significant demand for subtitled or dubbed Indian-themed entertainment include Europe and Southeast Asia. Depending on the film, the distribution rights we acquire may be global, international or India only. Recently, as demand for regional film and other media has increased in India, our brand recognition in Hindi films has helped us to grow our non-Hindi film business by targeting regional audiences in India and beyond. With our distribution network for Hindi and Tamil films and additional distribution support through our majority owned subsidiary, Ayngaran International Limited, or Ayngaran, we believe we are well positioned to expand our offering of non-Hindi content.

 

We distribute our film content globally across the following distribution channels: theatrical , which includes multiplex chains and stand-alone theaters; television syndication , which includes satellite television broadcasting, cable television and terrestrial television; and digital , which includes primarily internet protocol television, or IPTV, video on demand, or VOD, and internet channels. Eros Now, our on-demand entertainment portal accessible via internet-enabled devices, was launched in 2012 and now has a selection of over 500 movies and over 3,000 music videos available. We expect that Eros Now eventually will include our full film library, as well as further third party content.

 

Our total revenues for fiscal 2013 increased to $215.3 million from $206.5 million for fiscal 2012 and decreased to $  85 .0 million for the in the six months September 30, 2013 from $ 91.9 million for the six months September 30, 2012. EBITDA decreased to $48.8 million for fiscal 2013 from $56.2 million for fiscal 2012 and increased to $ 20.3 million for the in the six months September 30, 2013 from $ 8.7 million for the six months September 30, 2012. Our net income decreased to $33.7 million for fiscal 2013 from $43.6 million for fiscal 2012 and increased to $ 11.6 million for the in the six months September 30, 2013 from $ 5.5 million for the six months September 30, 2012.

 

Our Competitive Strengths

 

We believe the following competitive strengths position us as a leading global company in the Indian film entertainment industry.

 

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Leading co-producer and acquirer of new Indian film content, with an extensive film library.

 

As one of the leading participants in the Indian film entertainment industry, we believe our size, scale and leading market position will continue contributing to our growth in India and internationally, and this positions us to capitalize on the Indian media and entertainment industry, which has grown in recent years and we believe will continue to grow. We have established our size and scale by aggregating a film library of over 2,000 films, plus approximately 700 additional films for which we hold digital rights only, and releasing over 230 new films over the last three fiscal years. We have demonstrated our leading market position by releasing, internationally or globally, Hindi language films which were among the top grossing films in India in 2012, 2011 and 2010. We believe that we have strong relationships with the Indian creative community and a reputation for quality productions. We believe that these factors, along with our worldwide distribution platform, will enable us to continue to attract talent and film projects of a quality that we believe is one of the best in our industry, and build what we believe is a strong film slate for fiscal 2014 with some of the leading actors and production houses with whom we have previously delivered our biggest hits. We believe that the combined strength of our new releases and our extensive film library positions us well to build new strategic relationships .

 

Established, worldwide, multi-channel distribution network.

 

We distribute our films to the Indian population in India, the South Asian diaspora worldwide and to non-Indian consumers who view Indian films that are subtitled or dubbed in local languages. Internationally, our distribution network extends to over 50 countries, such as the United States, the United Kingdom and throughout the Middle East, where we distribute films to Indian expatriate populations, and to Germany, Poland, Russia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, China and Arabic speaking countries, where we release Indian films that are subtitled or dubbed in local languages. Through this global distribution network, we distribute Indian entertainment content over the following primary distribution channels — theatrical, television syndication and digital platforms. Our primarily internal distribution network allows us greater control, transparency and flexibility over the regions in which we distribute our films will result in higher profit margins as a result of the direct exploitation of our films without the payment of significant commissions to sub-distributors.

 

Diversified revenue streams and pre-sale strategies mitigate risk and promote cash flow generation.

 

Our business is driven by three major revenue streams:

 

  · theatrical distribution;

 

  · television syndication; and

 

  · digital distribution and ancillary products and services.

 

In fiscal 2013, theatrical distribution accounted for nearly 46% of revenues, and television syndication and digital distribution and ancillary products and services accounted for 35% and 19%, respectively, reflecting our diversified revenue base that reduces our dependence on any single distribution channel. We bundle library titles with new releases to maximize cash flows and we also utilize a pre-sale strategy to mitigate new production project risks by obtaining contractual commitments to recover a portion of our capitalized film costs through the licensing of television, music and other distribution rights prior to a film’s completion. For example, for the four high budget Hindi films that we released in fiscal 2013, we had contractual revenue commitments in place prior to their release that allowed us to recoup between 25% and 77% of our direct production costs for those films. In the case of high budget Tamil films that we released in fiscal 2013, we recouped 100% or more of our direct production costs for each film through contractual commitments prior to the release of those films.

 

In addition, we further seek to reduce risk to our business by building a diverse film slate, with a mix of films by budget, region and genre that reduces our reliance on “hit films.” This broad-based approach also enables us to bundle old and new titles for our television and digital distribution channels in order to generate additional revenues long after a film’s theatrical release period is completed. We believe our multi-pronged approach to exploiting content through theatrical, television syndication and digital channels, our pre-sale strategies and our portfolio approach to content sourcing and exploitation mitigates our dependence on any one revenue stream and promotes cash flow generation.

 

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Strong and experienced management team.

 

Our management team has substantial industry knowledge and expertise, with a majority of our executive officers and executive directors having been involved in the film, media and entertainment industries for 20 or more years and has served as a key driver of our strength in content sourcing. In particular, several members of our management team have established personal relationships with leading talent, production companies, exhibitors and other key participants in the Indian film industry, which have been critical to our success. Through their relationships and expertise, our management team has also built our global distribution network, which has allowed us to effectively exploit our content globally.

 

Our Strategy

 

Our strategy is driven by the scale and variety of our content and the global exploitation of that content through diversified channels. Specifically, we intend to pursue the following strategies:

 

Co-produce, acquire and distribute high quality content to augment our library.

 

We will continue to leverage the longstanding relationships with creative talent, production houses and other key industry participants that we have built since our founding to source a wide variety of content. Our focus will be on investing in future slates comprised of a diverse portfolio mix ranging from high budget global theatrical releases to lower budget movies with targeted audiences. We intend to maintain our focus on high and medium budget films. We also plan to augment our library of over 2,000 films, plus approximately 700 additional films for which we hold digital rights only, with quality content for exploitation through our distribution channels and explore new bundling strategies to monetize existing content.

 

Capitalize on positive industry trends in the Indian market.

 

Propelled by the economic expansion within India and the corresponding increase in consumer discretionary spending, FICCI Report 2013 projects that the dynamic Indian media and entertainment industry will grow at a 15.2% compound annual growth rate, or CAGR, from $12.5 billion in 2012 to $25.3 billion by 2017, and that the Indian film industry will grow from $1. 8 billion in 2012 to $ 3.1 billion in 2017. India is one of the largest film markets in the world. According to FICCI Report 2013, ticket prices in multiplexes increased by 15%-20% in 2012. The average ticket price for multiplexes was $2. 56 compared with $0. 96 at single screens in 2012.

 

The Indian television market is one of the largest in the world, reaching an estimated 154 million television, or TV, households in 2012, of which over 121 million were cable or satellite households. FICCI Report 2013 projects that the Indian television industry will grow from $5.9 billion in 2012 to $13.5 billion in 2017. The growing size of the TV industry has led television satellite networks to provide an increasing number of channels, resulting in competition for quality feature films for home viewing in order to attract increased advertising and subscription revenues.

 

Broadband and mobile platforms present growing digital avenues to exploit content. According to FICCI Report 2013, the number of internet connections reached 124 million in 2012 and is projected to reach 386 million by 2017. Smartphone usage is expected to rapidly increase from 36 million active internet enabled smartphones in 2012 to 241 million in 2017. The $ 144 million Indian music industry, of which 70% came from film music in 2011, is projected to grow to $ 360 million by 2017, although music publishing activities accounted for less than 1% of our fiscal 2013 net revenues. While these projections generally align with management’s expectations for industry growth, there is no guarantee that such future growth will occur.

 

We will take advantage of the opportunities presented by these trends within India to monetize our library and distribute new films through existing and emerging platforms, including by exploring new content options for expanding our digital strategy such as filming exclusive short form content for consumption through emerging channels such as mobile and internet streaming devices.

 

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Further extend the distribution of our content outside of India to new audiences.

 

We currently distribute our content to consumers in more than 50 countries, including markets where there is significant demand for subtitled or dubbed Indian-themed entertainment, such as Europe and Southeast Asia, as well as to markets where there is a significant concentration of South Asian expatriates, such as the Middle East, the United States and the United Kingdom. We intend to promote and distribute our films in additional countries, and further expand in countries where we already distribute, when we believe that demand for Indian filmed entertainment exists or the potential for such demand exists. For example, we have entered into arrangements with local distributors in Taiwan, Japan, South Korea and China to distribute dubbed or subtitled Eros films through theatrical release, television broadcast or DVD release. Additionally, we believe that the general population growth in India experienced over recent years will eventually lead to increasing migration of Indians to other regions, resulting in increased demand for our films internationally.

 

Increase our distribution of content through digital platforms globally.

 

We intend to continue to distribute our content on existing and emerging digital platforms, which includes primarily internet protocol television, or IPTV, video on demand, or VOD, and internet channels. We also have an ad-supported YouTube portal site on Google that hosts an extensive collection of clips of our content and has generated 1.6 billion aggregate views and more than 1.3 million free subscribers. In North America, we have an agreement with International Networks, a subsidiary of Comcast, to provide a subscription video on demand, or SVOD, service called “Bollywood Hits On Demand” that is currently carried on Comcast, Cox Communications, Rogers Communication, Cablevision and Time Warner Cable. In August 2012, we expanded our digital presence with the launch of our on-demand entertainment portal Eros Now, through which we leverage our film and music libraries by providing ad-supported and subscription-based streaming of film and music content via internet-enabled devices. Furthermore, through a collaboration with HBO Asia, two premium television channels, HBO Defined and HBO Hits, were launched on the DISH and Airtel DTH digital platforms in February 2013 and on Hathway and GTPL digital cable platforms in August 2013, with anticipated launches on other DTH and cable platforms during the remainder of the 2014 fiscal year. We are currently generating no revenue from the HBO Asia collaboration and do not anticipate any revenues from this collaboration until fiscal 2015. We expect to provide approximately 110 titles per year, including ten to twelve new release titles or first run films, and a combination of exclusive and non-exclusive library titles, to the two HBO channels to complement Hollywood film and television content from HBO Asia. Both channels are advertising-free and available on standard as well as high definition channels. HBO Asia and Eros will both provide content in the first window after theatrical release to these two channels . We intend to pursue similar models utilizing our extensive film library to gain access to similar partners throughout the world. We believe new offerings and emerging distribution channels such as DTH satellite, VOD, mobile and internet streaming services will also provide us with significant growth opportunities and potentially generate recurring royalty revenues from subscription.

 

Expand our regional Indian content offerings.

 

According to the FICCI Report 2013, regional media production in India is expected to be a growth driver in the Indian film entertainment industry for several years into the future. We will utilize our resources, international reputation and distribution network to continue expanding our non-Hindi content offerings to reach the substantial Indian population whose main language is not Hindi. While Hindi films retain a broad appeal across India, the diversity of languages within India allows us to treat regional language markets as distinct markets where particular regional language films have a strong following. In fiscal 2013, we increased our Tamil global releases to three films, as compared to none in fiscal 2012 . In fiscal 2013, two of our six high budget films were Tamil films. In addition to Tamil, we plan to expand our content for selected regional languages such as Marathi, Telegu and Punjabi. We intend to use our existing distribution network across India to distribute regional language films to specific territories. Where opportunities are available and where we have the rights, we also intend to exploit re-make rights to some of our popular Hindi movies to develop profitable non-Hindi language content with proven audience appeal targeted towards these regional audiences.

 

Slate Profile

 

The success of our film distribution business lies in our ability to acquire content. Each year, we focus on the acquisition and distribution of a diverse portfolio of Indian language and themed films that we believe will have a wide audience appeal. In each of the past three fiscal years, we have released over 77 films per year, and for fiscal 2013, our releases included 30 new Hindi films, of which four were high budget films, and 47 Tamil and other regional language films, of which two were Tamil high budget films. In addition, we currently have six high budget films scheduled for release for fiscal 2014.

 

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Our typical annual slate of new releases consists of both Hindi language films as well as films produced specifically for audiences whose main language is not Hindi, primarily Tamil, and to a lesser extent other regional Indian languages. Our most expensive films are generally the 11 to 12 films (mainly Hindi and a few Tamil films) that we release globally each year. Of these Hindi and Tamil films, we generally have three to six high budget films. The remainder of the films (mainly Hindi but also Tamil) included in each annual release slate is built around these high budget films to create a slate that will attract varying segments of the audience, and typically includes five to thirteen medium budget films. The remainder of the slate consists of Hindi, Tamil and other language films of a lower budget.

 

We have maintained our focus on high and medium budget Hindi films because these films typically have better production values and more recognizable stars that typically attract larger theatrical audiences. These high and medium budget films also typically drive higher revenues from television syndication in India. We seek to mitigate the risks associated with these higher budget films through the use of our extensive pre-sale strategies. We have increased our focus on high and medium budget Tamil films for similar reasons. In addition, we can release a Tamil and Hindi film on the same date as they cater to different audiences, which allows us to effectively schedule releases for our film portfolio and to take a greater combined share of the box office on those release dates. Our slate contained three high budget Hindi films in fiscal 2011, five high budget Hindi films in fiscal 2012 and six high budget films in fiscal 2013, of which four were Hindi and two were Tamil.

 

Rentrak reports our 2012 market share as 40% of all theatrically released Indian language films in the United Kingdom, including releases by Ayngaran, our majority-owned subsidiary based on gross collections, and 43% in the United States on the same basis, and from 1980 to 2012 we had the highest market share of all theatrically released Indian language films in the United Kingdom based on gross collections.

 

Hindi Film Content . Our typical annual slate of films is comprised of high or medium budget films in the popular comedy and romance genres, supported by lower budget films.

 

Selected Hindi Releases in six months ended September 30, 2013(a)

 

Film   Cast/Director   Production/
Co-production/
Acquisition
  Genre   Actual Month 
of Release
 
                   
Go Goa Gone   Saif Ali Khan, Kunal Khemu (Raj Nidimoru & Krishna D.K.)   Co-production   Horror comedy   May-13  
                   
Shoot out at Wadala   John Abraham, Anil Kapoor (Sanjay Gupta)   Acquisition (International only)   Action   May-13  
                   
Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani   Ranbir Kapoor, Deepika Padukone (Ayan Mukerji)   Acquisition
(International only)
  Romance   May-13  
                   
Raanjhanaa   Dhanush, Sonam Kapoor (Anand Rai)   Production   Romance   Jun-13  
                   
Lootera   Ranveer Singh, Sonakshi Sinha (Vikramaditya Motwane)   Acquisition (International only)   Romance   July -13  
                   
Grand Masti   Ritesh Deshmukh, Vivek Oberoi (Indra Kumar)   Acquisition   Comedy   Sep-13  
                   
Phata Poster Nikla Hero   Shalid Kapoor , Ileana D’Cruz (Rajkumar Santoshi )   Acquisition (International only)   Comedy   Sep -13  

_______________

(a) The list of films set forth in the table above is not a complete list of all the films released in the period by us. We released a total of 26 films in the six months ended September 30, 2013.

 

Tamil and Other Regional Film Content . In order to respond to consumer demand for regional films, we have a slate of films produced in languages other than Hindi, such as Tamil, Marathi, Kannada, Telegu and Punjabi.

 

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Our typical annual slate includes between 50 and 90 Tamil films, of which three were global Tamil releases in fiscal 2013 compared to none in fiscal 2012, and two were high budget films, with the rest of the Tamil films being mainly composed of low budget films. Tamil films are predominantly star-driven action or comedy films, which appeal to audiences distinct from audiences for more romance-focused Hindi films. Our Tamil language production, acquisition and distribution activities used to be primarily conducted through our majority owned subsidiary, Ayngaran. We have begun to source, distribute and exploit Tamil films directly. We believe that a Tamil film and a Hindi film can be released simultaneously on the same date without adversely affecting business for either film as each caters to a different audience. For example, we successfully released Son of Sardaar in Hindi and Thuppakki in Tamil on the same festive date of Diwali, November 13, 2012.

 

We believe we can capitalize on the demand for regional films and replicate our success with Tamil films for other distinct regional language films, including Marathi and Punjabi. In addition, the key Indian release dates for films, during school and other holidays, vary by region and therefore the ability to release films on different holidays in various regions, in addition to being able to release films in different regional languages simultaneously, expands the likely periods in which films can be successfully released. We intend to build up our portfolio of films targeting other regional language markets gradually.

 

Selected Major Releases in Fiscal Year Ending March 31, 2014(a)

 

Film   Cast/Director   Co-Production/
Acquisition
  Genre   Anticipated Quarter
of Release
                 
Kochadaiyaan (Tamil)   Rajinikanth, Soundarya R Ashwin (director)   Co-production   Mythological   Q3 FY 2014
                 
Ram Leela   Ranvir Singh, Deepika Padukone, Sanjay Leela Bhansali (director)   Co-production   Romance   Q3 FY 2014
                 
R... Rajkumar   Shahid Kapur, Sonakshi Sinha, Prabhudeva (director)   Co-production   Action/Romance   Q3 FY 2014
                 
Krishh 3   Hrithik Roshan, Priyanka Chopra, Rakesh Roshan (director)   Acquisition (International only)   Action/Drama   Q3 FY 2014
                 
Singh Saheb The Great   Sunny Deol, Anil Sharma (director)   Co-production   Drama   Q3 FY 2014
                 
Happy Ending   Saif Ali Khan, Ileana D Cruz, Raj Nidimoru & D.K. Krishna (directors)   Co-production   Romance/Comedy   Q4 FY 2014
                 
1-Nenokkadine (Telegu)   Mahesh Babu, Sukumar (director)   Co-production   Action/drama   Q4 FY 2014

_______________

  (a) The list of films set forth in the table above is for illustrative purposes only, is not complete and only includes anticipated future releases. Due to the uncertainties involved in the development and production of films, the date of their completion can be significantly delayed, planned talent can change and, in certain circumstances, films can be cancelled or not approved by the Indian Central Board of Film Certification. See “Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Our Business—Our films are required to be certified in India by the Central Board of Film Certification.”

 

Content Development and Sourcing

 

We currently acquire films using two principal methods — by acquiring rights for films produced by others, generally through a license agreement, and by co-producing films with a production house, typically referred to as a banner, that is usually owned by a top Indian actor, director or writer, on a project by project basis. We regularly co-produce and acquire film content from some of the leading banners in India, including Red Chillies Entertainment Private Limited, Illuminati Films, Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment Pvt. Limited, Excel Entertainment, affiliates of Vinod Chopra Films Private Limited and Alumbra Entertainment Media Private Limited. Regardless of the acquisition method, over the past five years, we have typically obtained exclusive global distribution rights in all media for a minimum period of five to 20 years from the Indian initial theatrical release date, although the term can vary for certain films for which we may only obtain international or only Indian distribution rights, and occasionally soundtrack or other rights are excluded from the rights acquired. On co-produced films, we typically have exclusive distribution rights for at least 20 years, co-own the copyright in such film in perpetuity and, after the exclusive distribution right period, share control over the further exploitation of the film.

 

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We believe producers bring proposed films to us not only because of established relationships, but also because they want to leverage our proven distribution and marketing capabilities. Our in-house creative team also directly develops film ideas and contracts with writers and directors for development purposes. When we originate a film concept internally, we then approach appropriate banners for co-production. Our in-house creative team also participates in the selection of our slate with other members of our management through our analysis focused on the likelihood of the financial success of each project. Our management is extensively involved in the selection of our high budget films in particular. Regardless of whether a film will be acquired or co-produced, we determine the likely value to us of the rights to be acquired for each film based on a variety of factors, including the stars cast, director, composer, script, estimated budget, genre, track record of the production house, our relationship with the talent and historical results from comparable films.

 

Our primary focus is on sourcing a diversified portfolio of films expected to generate commercial success. We generally co-produce our high budget films and acquire rights to more medium and low budget films. Our model of acquiring or co-producing films rather than investing in significant in-house production capability allows us to work on more than one production with key talent simultaneously, since the producer or co-producer takes the lead on the time intensive process of production, allowing us to scale our film slate more effectively. The following table summarizes typical terms included in our acquisition and co-production contracts.

 

    Acquisition   Co-production
Film Cost   Negotiated “market value”   Actual cost of production or capped budget and 10-15% production fee
         
Rights   5-20 years   Exclusive distribution rights for at least 20 years after which Eros shares control over the further exploitation of the film, and co-owned copyright in perpetuity, subject to applicable copyright laws
         
Payment Terms   10-30% upon signature
Balance upon delivery or in installments between signing and delivery
  In accordance with film budget and production schedule
         
Recoupment Waterfall   “Gross” revenues
Less 10-20% Eros distribution fee (% of cost or gross revenues)
Less print, advertising costs (actuals)
Less cost of the film
Net revenues generally shared equally
  Generally same as Acquisition except sometimes Eros also charges interest and/or a production or financing fee for the cost of capital and overhead recharges

 

Where we acquire film rights, we pay a negotiated fee based on our assessment of the expected value to us of the completed film. Although the timing of our payment of the negotiated fee for an acquired film to its producer varies, typically we pay the producer between 10% and 30% of a film’s negotiated acquisition cost upon signing the acquisition agreement, and the remainder upon delivery of the completed film or in installments paid between signing and delivery. In addition to the negotiated fee, the producer usually receives a share of the film’s revenue stream after we recoup a distribution fee on all revenues, the entire negotiated fee and distribution costs, including prints and ads. After we sign an acquisition agreement, we do not exercise any control over the production process, although we do retain complete control over the distribution rights we acquire.

 

For films that we co-produce, in exchange for our commitment to finance typically 100% of the agreed-upon production budget for the film and agreed budget adjustments, we typically share ownership of the intellectual property rights in perpetuity and secure exclusive global distribution rights for all media for at least 20 years. After we recoup our expenses, we and the co-producers share in the proceeds of the exploitation of the intellectual property rights. Pending determination of the actual production cost of the film, we also agree to a pre-determined production fee to compensate the co-producer for his services, which typically ranges from 10%-15% of the total budget. We typically also provide a share of net revenues to our co-producers. Net revenues generally means gross revenues less our distribution fee, distribution cost and the entire amount we have paid as committed financing for production of the film. Our distribution fee varies from co-produced film to co-produced film, but is generally either a continuing 10% to 20% fee on all revenues, or a capped amount that is calculated as a percentage of the committed financing amount for production of the film. In some cases, net revenues also deduct an overhead charge and an amount representing an interest charge on some or all of the committed financing amount. Typically, once we agree with the co-producer on the script, cast and main crew including the director, the budget and expected cash flow through a detailed shooting schedule, the co-producer takes the lead in production and execution. We normally have an Eros executive producer on the film to oversee the project.

 

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We reduce financing risk for both acquired and co-produced films by capping our obligation to pay or advance funds at an agreed-upon amount or budgeted amount. We also frequently reduce financial risk on a film to which we have committed funds by pre-selling rights in that film. Pre-sales give us advance information about likely cash flows from that particular film product, and accelerate cash flow realizable from that product. Our most common pre-sale transactions are the following:

 

  · pre-selling theatrical rights for certain geographic areas, such as theaters outside the main theater circuits in India or certain non-Indian territories, for which we generally get nonrefundable minimum guarantees plus a share of revenues above a specified threshold;

 

  · pre-selling television rights in India, generally by bundling releases in a package that is licensed to satellite television operators for a specified run; and

 

  · pre-selling certain music rights, including for movie soundtracks and ringtones.

 

From time to time we also acquire specific rights to films that have already been released theatrically. We typically do not acquire global all-media rights to such films, but instead license limited rights to distribution channels, like television, audio and home entertainment only, or rights within a certain geographic area. As additional rights to these films become available, we frequently seek to license them as well, and our package of distribution rights in a particular film may therefore vary over time. We work with producers not only to acquire or co-produce new films, but also to license from them other rights they hold that would supplement rights we hold or have previously held related to older films in our library. In certain cases, we may not hold full sequel or re-make rights or may share these rights with our co-producers.

 

Our Film Library

 

We currently own or license rights to films currently comprising over 2,700 titles. Of these titles, over 700 films comprise a library of Kannada films for which we have only digital rights. Our film library has been built up over more than 30 years and includes hits from across that time period, including Devdas , Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam , Lage Raho Munna Bhai and Om Shanti Om . We have acquired most of our film content through fixed term contracts with third parties, which may be subject to expiration or early termination. We own the rights to the rest of our film content as co-producers or, with respect to one film, sole producer of those films. Through such acquisition and co-production arrangements, we seek to acquire rights to at least 70 additional films each year. While we typically hold rights to exploit our content through various distribution channels, including theatrical, television and new media formats, we may not acquire rights to all distribution channels for our films. In particular, we do not own or license the music rights to a majority of the films in our library. We expect to maintain more than half of the rights we presently own through at least 2015.

 

In an effort to reach a wide range of audiences, we maintain rights to a diverse portfolio of films spanning various genres, generations and languages. More than half of our library is comprised of films first released ten or more years ago, including films released as early as the 1940s. We own or license rights to films produced in several regional languages, including Tamil, Kannada, Marathi, Telegu and Punjabi.

 

We treat our new releases as part of our film library one year from the date of their initial theatrical release. We believe our extensive film library provides us with unique opportunities for content exploitation, such as our dedicated Eros content channel carried by various cable companies outside India. Our extensive film library provides us with a reliable source of recurring cash flow after the theatrical release period for a film has ended. In addition, because our film library is large and diversified, we believe that we can more effectively leverage our library in many circumstances by licensing not just single films but multiple films.

 

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A summary of certain key features of our film library rights as of September  30, 2013 follows below.

 

    Hindi Films   Regional Language Films
(excluding Kannada films)
  Kannada Films
Approximate Percentage of Total Library   23%   53%   24%
             
Approximate Percentage of
Co-Production Films
  1%   Less than 1%   Less than 1 %
             
Minimum Remaining Term of Exclusive Distribution Rights for Co-Production   ·    2015 or earlier: 11 %
·    2016-2020: 8 %
  Perpetual rights, subject to applicable copyright law   Not applicable
Films (approximate percentage of rights expiring at the earliest in the periods indicated)  

·    2021-2025: 0%
·    2026-2030: 0%
·    2031-2045: 6%

·    Perpetual rights, subject to applicable copyright law limitations: 75 %

  limitations: 100%    
             
Remaining Term of Exclusive Distribution Rights for Acquisitions (approximate percentage of rights expiring earliest in the periods indicated)  

·    2015 or earlier: 18 %
·    2016-2020: 31%
·    2021-2025: 29%
·    2026-2030: 3%
·    2031-2045: 3%

·    Perpetual rights, subject to applicable copyright law limitations: 16 %

 

·    2015 or earlier: 2 %
·    2016-2020: 3%
·    2021-2025: 20%
·    2026-2030: 0%
·    2031-2045: 1%

·    Perpetual rights, subject to applicable copyright law limitations: 74 %

  Perpetual rights, subject to applicable copyright law limitations: 100%
             
Date of First Release (by Eros or prior rights owner)   1943-2013   1958-2013   *
             
Rights in Major Distribution Channels   Theatrical: 63 %
Television syndication:
63 %
Digital: 63 %
  Theatrical: 52 %
Television syndication:
73%
Digital: 60%
  Digital: 100%
             
Music Rights (approximate percentage of films)   58 %   24%   0%
             
Production Years (approximate percentage of films produced in the periods indicated)   1943-1965: 2%
1966-1990: 6%
1991-2013: 92 %
  1943-1965: 0%
1966-1990: 2%
1991-2013: 98%
  *

_______________

(*) Our Kannada digital rights library was acquired in September 2010, subsequent to the production and date of first release for these films, and consequently this information is not in our records.

 

“High budget” films refer to Hindi films with direct production costs in excess of $8.5 million and Tamil films with direct production costs in excess of $7.0 million, in each case translated at the historical average exchange rate for the applicable fiscal year. “Low budget” films refer to both Hindi and Tamil films with less than $1.0 million in direct production costs, in each case translated at the historical average exchange rate for the applicable fiscal year. “Medium budget” films refer to Hindi and Tamil films within the remaining range of direct production costs.

 

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Distribution Network and Channels

 

We distribute film content primarily through the following distribution channels:

 

  · theatrical , which includes multiplex chains and stand-alone theaters;

 

  · television syndication , which includes satellite television broadcasting, cable television and terrestrial television; and

 

  · digital , which primarily includes IPTV, VOD and internet channels.

 

We generally monetize each new film we release through an initial 12 month revenue cycle commencing after the film’s theatrical release date. Thereafter, the film becomes part of our film library where we seek to continue to monetize the content through various platforms. The diagram below illustrates a typical distribution timeline through the first twelve months following theatrical release of one of our films.

 

Film release first cycle timeline

 

 

We currently acquire films both for global distribution, which includes the Indian domestic market as well as international markets and for international distribution only. Certain information regarding our initial distribution rights to films initially released in the three fiscal years ended March 31, 2013 and the in the six months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 is set forth below:

 

    Six  months ended
September  30,
  Year ended
March  31,
    2013   2012   2013   2012   2011
    (number of films)            
Global (India and International)                                        
Hindi films     5       8       16       11       10  
Regional films (excluding Tamil films)     1       2       3       2       3  
Tamil films     5       1       3       —         1  
International Only                                        
Hindi films     6       —         14       16       6  
Regional films (excluding Tamil films)     —         —         —         1       —    
Tamil films     9       28       38       46       57  
India Only                                        
Hindi films     —         —         —         —         —    
Regional films (excluding Tamil films)     —         —         —         —         —    
Tamil films     —         3       3       1       —    
Total     26       42       77       77       77  

 

We distribute content in over 50 countries through our own offices located in key strategic locations across the globe, including separate offices maintained by Ayngaran for distribution of Tamil films that we do not distribute directly, and through our distribution partners. In response to Indian cinema’s continued growth in popularity across the world, especially in non-English speaking markets, including Germany, Poland, Russia, Southeast Asia and Arabic speaking countries, we offer dubbed and/or subtitled content in over 25 different languages. In addition to our internal distribution resources, our global distribution network includes relationships with distribution partners, sub-distributors, producers, directors and prominent figures within the Indian film industry and distribution arena.

 

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Theatrical Distribution and Marketing

 

Indian Theatrical Distribution . The Indian theatrical market is comprised of both multiplex and single screen theaters that utilize both prints and in some cases, digital formats and is divided into six circuits. We distribute our content in all of the circuits through our internal distribution offices in Mumbai, Delhi and Punjab or through sub-distributors in other circuits. Our primarily internal distribution network allows us greater control, transparency and flexibility over the core regions in which we distribute our films, and allows us to retain a greater portion of revenues per picture as a result of direct exploitation instead of using sub-distributors, which requires the payment of additional fees or commissions.

 

The largest number of screens in India that we book for a particular film will be booked for the first week of theatrical release, because a substantial portion of box office revenues are collected in the first week of a film’s theatrical exhibition. We entered into agreements with certain key multiplex operators to share net box office collections for our theatrical releases with the exhibitor for a predetermined fee of 50% of net box office collections for the first week, after which the split decreases over time. These agreements expired in June 2011, and we now enter into agreements on a film-by-film and exhibitor-by-exhibitor basis instead of entering into long-term agreements. To date, our film-by-film agreements have been on terms that are no less favorable than the terms of the prior settlement agreements; however, we cannot guarantee such terms can always be obtained. For highly anticipated new releases, we typically also receive an advance payment from multiplex operators which is credited against the predetermined fee, and we typically obtain non-refundable minimum guarantees from single screen exhibitors and agree to a revenue sharing arrangements above the minimum guarantee.

 

The broad theatrical distribution during the first week after initial release of a film requires that a significant number of prints be made available at the outset of the theatrical run. As the Indian film industry is moving towards digital film distribution, we are increasing our focus on this opportunity which we anticipate will continue to reduce our distribution and print production costs. In India, the cost of distributing a digital film print is lower than the cost of distributing a digital film print in the United States. The cost of producing a digital film print is lower than the cost of producing a physical film print. Utilization of digital film media also provides additional protection against unauthorized copying, which enables us to capture incremental revenue that we believe are at risk of loss through content piracy.

 

Pursuant to the Cinematograph Act, Indian films must be certified for adult viewing or general viewing by the Central Board of Film Certification, or CBFC, which looks at factors such as the interest of sovereignty, integrity and security of India, friendly relations with foreign states, public order and morality. Obtaining a desired certification may require us to modify the title, content, characters, storylines, themes or concepts of a given film.

 

Theatrical Distribution Outside India . Outside India, we distribute our films theatrically through our offices in Dubai, Singapore, the U.S., the United Kingdom, Australia and Fiji and through sub-distributors. In our international markets, instead of focusing on wide releases, we select a smaller number of theaters that play films targeted at the expatriate South Asian population or the growing international audiences for Indian films. We generally theatrically release subtitled versions of our films internationally on the release date in India, and dubbed versions of films in countries outside India 12-24 weeks after their initial theatrical release in India.

 

Marketing . The pre-release marketing of a film is an integral part of our theatrical distribution strategy. Our marketing team creates marketing campaigns tailored to market and movie, utilizing print, brand tie-ups, music pre-releases, outdoor advertising and online advertising to generate momentum for the release of a film. We generally begin print media public relations as soon as a film commences shooting, with full marketing efforts commencing two to three months in advance of a film’s release date, starting with a theatrical trailer for the film promoted as part of another film currently playing in theaters. In addition, usually between six to eight weeks before the initial Indian theatrical release date, we separately release clips from the films featuring musical numbers. Those clips and the accompanying music tracks are separately available for purchase and add to consumer awareness and anticipation of the upcoming film release. We also maintain a Facebook page, which supplies background detail, chat opportunities and photos of upcoming films as well as links to our YouTube content.

 

We also use promotional agreements and integrated television marketing to subsidize marketing costs and expand our marketing reach. We partner with leading consumer companies in India which support our marketing campaigns in exchange for including their brands in promotional billboards, print ads and other marketing materials for our new film releases. Our marketing teams also work with our film stars to coordinate promotional appearances on popular television programming, timed to coincide with the marketing period for upcoming theatrical releases.

 

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Our marketing efforts are primarily managed by employees located in offices across India or in one of our international offices in Dubai, Singapore, the U.S., the United Kingdom, Australia and Fiji. Occasionally, sub-distributors manage marketing efforts in regions that do not have a dedicated Eros or Ayngaran marketing team, using the creative aspects developed by us for our marketing campaigns. Managing marketing locally permits us to more easily identify appropriate local advertising channels and results in more effective and efficient marketing.

 

Television Distribution

 

India Distribution. We believe that the increasing television audience in India creates new opportunities for us to license our film content, and expands audience recognition of the Eros name and film products. We license Indian film content (usually a combination of new releases and existing films in our library), to satellite television broadcasters operating in India under agreements that generally allow them to telecast a film over a stated period of time in exchange for a specified license fee. We have, directly or indirectly, licensed content for major Indian television channels such as Sony, the Star Network and Zee TV. There are several models for satellite television syndication in India. In the “syndication model,” a group of channels share the broadcast of a specified set of films between them in a certain order and pay us separate license fees. In the alternative “licensing model,” which is currently the predominant model in India, we grant an exclusive license in favor of one particular channel for broadcast on its channels for a specified period of time. In fiscal 2012, we negotiated terms with Sahara One Media and Entertainment Limited for broadcast on their general entertainment channel that entitle us to additional license fees based on box office performance, over and above the minimum guarantee license fee. Regardless of the model, following the first cycle license period, we seek to continue to license the content for the subsequent cycles.

 

Television pre-sales in India are an important factor in enhancing revenue predictability for our business. Where we do pre-sales, we negotiate a set license fee which is payable over time with the last payment due on delivery of the film. For example, for the four high budget Hindi films that we released in fiscal 2013, we had contractual revenue commitments in place prior to their release that allowed us to recoup between 25% and 77% of our direct production costs for those films. In the case of high budget Tamil films that we released in fiscal 2013, we recouped 100% of our direct production costs through contractual commitments prior to the release of those films. From time to time, we also sell television syndication rights indirectly through companies that aggregate television rights for resale. While a large part of our revenues came from such licensing of television rights through aggregators in fiscal 2011 and fiscal 2012 such as Dhrishti Creations Private Limited, in 2013 we moved away from using aggregators and entered into a licensing transaction with Viacom 18 Media Private Limited that covered a number of new, forthcoming and library titles and also entered into an agreement with Zee TV. Some of the releases up to the six months ended September  30, 2013 were also covered under the Viacom transaction and delivered when those films were released, demonstrating the strength of our pre-sales strategy.

 

Our content is typically released on satellite television three to six months after the initial theatrical release. In India there are currently six direct to home, or DTH, providers. The new release films that we will offer to HBO Defined and HBO Hits as part of our collaboration with HBO Asia will be provided in the first window after theatrical release . We have offered some of our films through DTH service providers, but we have also licensed these rights with the satellite TV rights to satellite channel providers. As the number of DTH subscribers increase in India, we anticipate that we will have an opportunity to license directly for DTH exploitation. We have also provided content to regional cable operators. Although DTH distribution is still relatively small in India, with Indian telecom networks and DTH platforms expanding their services, we are beginning to see an increased interest for video on demand in India. We also sub-license some of our films for broadcast on Doordarshan, the sole terrestrial television broadcast network, which is government owned. The Indian cable system is currently highly fragmented and predominantly an analog platform, although there are companies that are leading the cable digitization and consolidation such as DEN and Hathway. While local cable operators are unwilling and unable to pay standard licensing rates for our content, and cable television licensing has not been a material source of revenue for us, we are beginning to see early signs of growth in cable television licensing. We believe that as the cable industry migrates towards digital technology and moves toward consolidation, cable television licensing will represent a more significant revenue stream for our business.

 

International Distribution. Outside of India, we license Indian film content for broadcasting on major channels and platforms around the world, such as Channel 4 and SBS Australia. We also license dubbed content to Europe, Arabic-speaking countries and in Southeast Asia and other parts of the world. Often such licenses include not just new releases, but films grouped around the same star, director or genre. International pre-sales of television, music and other distribution rights are a significant component of our overall pre-sale strategy. We believe that our international distribution capabilities and large library of content enable us to generate a larger portion of our revenue through international distribution than the film entertainment industry average in India as reported by the FICCI Report 2013.

 

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Digital Distribution

 

In addition to our theatrical and television distribution networks, we have a global network for the digital distribution of our content, which consists of full length films, music, music videos, clips and other video content. Through our digital distribution channel we distribute content primarily in IPTV, VOD (including SVOD and DTH) and online internet channels. Our film content is distributed in original language, subtitled into local languages or dubbed, in each case as driven by consumer or regional market preferences. With our large library of content and slate of new releases, we have sought to capitalize on changes in consumer demand through early adoption of new formats and services, which we believe enables us to generate a larger portion of our revenue through digital distribution than the film entertainment industry average in India as reported by the FICCI Report 2013.

 

With a significant portion of the Indian and international population rapidly moving toward digital technology, we are increasing our focus on providing on demand services, although the platforms and strategies differ by region. Under current Indian law, the Indian cable providers will be required to transfer from analog to digital formats by December 31, 2014. Outside of India, there is a proliferation of cable, satellite and internet services that we supply. In addition, with the proliferation of internet users, we are increasing our online distribution presence as well. These platforms enable us to continue to monetize a film in our library long after its theatrical release period has ended. In addition, the speed, ease of availability and prices of digital film distribution diminish incentives for unauthorized copying and content piracy.

 

In North America, we have an agreement with International Networks, a subsidiary of Comcast, to provide a SVOD service called “ Bollywood Hits On Demand. ” The service is now carried on Comcast, Cox Communications, Rogers Communication, Cablevision and Time Warner Cable. We provide all programming for this film and music channel, and we share revenues with the cable provider. We also provide content to other VOD service providers, including Pan Universe International and Efacet Enterprises Limited.

 

We currently supply internet streaming ad-supported sites such as our Eros channel on YouTube with short form film and audio visual content and our own www.erosentertainment.com website. On YouTube, where we have exceeded 1.6 billion views to date since our launch in 2007 and have over 1.3 million free subscribers, we sell banner and pre-roll advertisements, and share these advertising revenues with Google.

 

In order to capitalize on emerging trends like growing Internet usage, increased broadband internet penetration and availability of faster 3G/4G mobile networks, in August 2012, we launched Eros Now, our on-demand entertainment portal accessible via internet-enabled devices, with a limited number of movies and music videos. We expect that Eros Now, which is already accessible via tablets such as the iPad and Android devices, will eventually include our full film library. We expect Eros Now to be supported by both advertising and subscription revenues. Fees from advertisers will support the website’s free content, while the premium plan will be a subscription, fee-based service. The premium service will allow subscribers greater access to ad-free media content from multiple devices in addition to playback options. We believe that Eros Now will serve as a platform to further exploit our extensive library content, as well as increase the depth and penetration of our user base. In the future, we believe the combination of this digital distribution platform, coupled with our film library, will offer a comprehensive and attractive outlet for advertisers.

 

Physical and Other Distribution

 

We also distribute globally our film content through physical formats (DVDs and Video Compact Discs, or VCDs), in hotels and on airlines, and for use on mobile networks. We distribute and license content on physical media throughout the world, including on Blu-ray and DVDs, and in India on VCD and DVD. In India, and to service South Asian consumers internationally, we distribute to major retail chains (such as Planet-M) and internet platforms such as Amazon, as well as supplying local wholesalers and retailers. We also license content to third party distributors internationally to provide content dubbed into local languages for consumption by non-South Asian audiences. We also have direct sales to corporate customers, primarily in India, who bundle our DVDs or VCDs with their own products for promotional purposes. This aspect of our business works on a volume basis, with the low margins being offset by large confirmed orders. We have provided content for various mobile platforms such as Singtel and Shotformats Digital Productions.

 

Music

 

Music is integral to our films, and when we obtain global, all-media rights in our acquired or co-produced films music rights typically are included. Film music rights are often marketed and monetized separate from the underlying film, both before and after the release of the related films. In addition, we act as a music publisher for third party owned music rights within India. Through our internal resources and network of licensees, we are able to provide our consumers with music content directly, through third party platforms or through licensing deals. The content is primarily taken from our film content and the revenues are derived from mobile rights, MP3 tracks, sold via third party platforms such as iTunes and Rhapsody as well as streaming services such as Spotify and Rdio, digital streaming, physical CDs and publishing/master rights licensing.

 

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We also exploit the music publishing and master rights we own, which involves directly licensing songs to radio and television channels in India, synchronizing of music content to film, television and advertisers globally, as well as receiving royalties from public performance of these songs when they are played at public events. Ancillary revenues from public performances in India are collected and paid over to us through Phonographic Performance Limited and The Indian Performing Rights Society, which monitor, collect and distribute royalties to their members.

 

LMB Holdings Limited —“B4U”

 

As of September  30, 2013, we owned approximately 24% of B4U. We have no board representation, no involvement in policy decision making, we do not provide input in respect to technical know-how and have no material contract with B4U. As a result we do not exercise significant influence over it. B4U is a global television network that provides Indian programming across two digital television channels, B4U Music and B4U Movies. B4U is available in many countries around the world including India, the US, UK, Canada, countries in the Middle East and Africa.

 

Valuable Technologies Limited

 

As of September  30, 2013, we owned 7.21% of Valuable Technologies Limited, or Valuable. Valuable manages and operates a number of companies in the media and entertainment, technology and infrastructure industries, including UFO Moviez, a digital cinema network in India; Boxtech, a division that provides technology backed service support for digital movie rentals; and ImPACT, a settlement platform for computerized theatrical ticketing and sales data.

 

Intellectual Property

 

As our revenue is primarily generated from commercial exploitation of our films and related content, our intellectual property rights are a critical component of our business. Unauthorized use of intellectual property, particularly piracy of DVDs and CDs, is widespread in India and other countries, and the mechanisms for protecting intellectual property rights in India and such other countries are not as effective as those of the United States and certain other countries. We participate directly and through industry organizations in actions against persons who have illegally pirated our content, and we also deal with piracy by promoting a film to ensure maximum revenues early in its release and shortening the period between the theatrical release of a film and its legitimate availability on DVD and VCD. This is supported by the trend in the Indian market for a significant percentage of a film’s box office receipts to be generated in the first few weeks after release.

 

The Indian Copyright Act, 1957, or the Copyright Act provides for registration of copyrights, transfer of ownership and licensing of copyrights and infringement of copyrights and remedies available in that respect. The Copyright Act affords copyright protection to cinematographic films and sound recordings. For cinematographic films, copyright is granted for a certain period of time, usually for a period of 60 years from the beginning of the calendar year following the year in which such film is published, subsequent to which the work falls in the public domain and any act of reproduction of the work by any person other than the author would not amount to infringement. Following the issuance of the International Copyright Order, 1999, subject to certain conditions and exceptions, certain provisions of the Copyright Act apply to nationals of all member states of the World Trade Organization, the Berne Convention and the Universal Copyright Convention.

 

The Parliament of India is considering the (Indian) Copyright (Amendment) Bill, 2010 or the Copyright Amendment Bill. The amendments proposed to the Copyright Act through the Copyright Amendment Bill include allowing authors of literary and musical works (which may be included as part of a cinematograph film) to retain the right to receive royalty for the utilization of such work (other than as part of the cinematograph film).

 

Although the state governments in India serve as the enforcing authorities of the Copyright Act, the Indian government serves an advisory role in assisting with enforcement of anti-piracy measures. In December 2009, the Union Information & Broadcasting Ministry established a task force to recommend measures to combat film, video and cable piracy, which submitted recommendations in September 2010, including:

 

  · as a condition to licenses being granted to theaters and multiplexes by district authorities, theater and multiplex operators should be required to prohibit viewers from carrying a cam-cording device inside the theater;

 

  · encouraging state governments to enact legislation providing for preventive detention of video and audio pirates and bring video pirates under the Goonda Act; and

 

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  · undertaking measures to ensure high fidelity in genuine DVDs to discourage the public from buying pirated versions.

 

However, these are recommendations of the task force, and there can be no assurance that any of these recommendations will be accepted and become binding law or regulation in a timely manner, or at all.

 

While copyright registration is not a prerequisite for acquiring or enforcing such rights, registration creates a presumption favoring the ownership of the right by the registered owner. Registration may expedite infringement proceedings and reduce delay caused due to evidentiary considerations. Neither we nor our Indian subsidiaries currently have any registered copyrights in India. The registration of certain types of trademark is prohibited, including where the property sought to be registered is not distinctive.

 

We use a number of trademarks in our business, all of which are owned by our subsidiaries. Our Indian subsidiaries currently own over 50 Indian registered trademarks and domain names, which are used in their business, including the registered trademark “Eros,” “Eros International,” “Eros Music,” and “B on Demand.” However, we have not yet received Indian trademark registration for certain of our trademarks used in India. A majority of these registrations, and certain applications for registrations, are in the name of our subsidiaries Eros India, Eros Films or Eros Digital Private Limited, with whom we have an informal arrangement with respect to the use of such trademarks. The registration of any trademark in India is a time-consuming process, and there can be no assurance that any such registration will be granted.

 

The Indian Trade Marks Act, 1999, or the Trademarks Act, governs the registration, acquisition, transfer and infringement of trademarks and remedies available to a registered proprietor or user of a trademark. The registration of a trademark is valid for a period of ten years but can be renewed in accordance with the specified procedure.

 

Until recently, to obtain registration of a trademark in multiple countries, an applicant was required to make separate applications in different languages and disburse different fees in the respective countries. However, the Madrid Protocol enables nationals of member countries, including India, to secure protection of trademarks by filing a single application with one fee and in one language in their country of origin. The Trademarks Act was amended by the Trade Marks (Amendment) Act 2010, or the Trademarks Amendment Act. The Trademarks Amendment Act will come into force on such date that the Central Government in India may appoint by notification in the official gazette. As of the date of this prospectus, the Trademarks Amendment Act has not been notified. The Trademarks Amendment Act empowers the Registrar of Trade Marks to deal with international applications originating from India as well as those received from the International Bureau and to maintain a record of international registrations. This amendment also removes the discretion of the registrar to extend the time for filing a notice of opposition of published applications and provides for a uniform time limit of four months in all cases. Further, it simplifies the law relating to transfer of ownership of trademarks by assignment or transmission and brings the law generally in line with international practice. Pursuant to the Madrid Protocol and the Trademarks Act, we have obtained trademarks in Egypt, the European Community, United Arab Emirates, Australia and the United States.

 

The remedies available in the event of infringement under the Copyright Act and the Trademarks Act include civil proceedings for damages, account of profits, injunction and the delivery of the infringing materials to the owner of the right, as well as criminal remedies including imprisonment of the accused and the imposition of fines and seizure of infringing materials.

 

Competition

 

The Indian film industry’s rapid growth is changing the competitive landscape. We believe we were one of the first companies in India to create an integrated business of sourcing new Indian film content through co-productions and acquisitions while building a valuable library of rights in existing content and also distributing Indian film content globally across formats. Some of our direct competitors, such as UTV Motion Pictures, Reliance Entertainment and Viacom Studio 18, have moved toward similar models in addition to their other business lines within the Indian entertainment industry. We also face competition from the direct or indirect presence in India of significant global media companies, including the major Hollywood studios. The Walt Disney Company, or Disney, has acquired UTV and Viacom has ownership interests in Viacom Studio 18, while other Hollywood studios, such as Warner, News Corporation and Sony, have established local operations in India for film distribution, and have released a limited number of Indian films. Our primary competitors for Indian film content in the markets outside of India are UTV, Reliance Entertainment and Viacom Studio 18. We believe our experience and understanding of the Indian film market positions us well to compete with new and existing entrants to the Indian media and entertainment sector. Rentrak reports our 2012 market share as 40% of all theatrically released Indian language films in the United Kingdom, including releases by Ayngaran, our majority-owned subsidiary, based on gross collections, and 43% in the United States on the same basis, and from 1980 to 2012 we had the highest market share of all theatrically released Indian language films in the United Kingdom based on gross collections. Competition within the industry is based on relationships, distribution capabilities, reputation for quality and brand recognition.

 

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Properties

 

Our properties consist primarily of studios, office facilities, warehouses and distribution offices, most of which are located in Mumbai, India. We own our corporate and registered offices in Mumbai and rent our remaining properties in India. Five of these leased properties are owned by members of the Lulla family. The leases with the Lulla family were entered into at what we believe were market rates. See “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions” and “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business—We have entered into certain related party transactions and may continue to rely on our founders for certain key development and support activities.” We also own or lease four properties in the United Kingdom, the United States and Dubai in connection with our international operations outside of India. There are no major encumbrances on any of our properties, and we currently do not have any significant plans to construct new properties or expand or improve our existing properties.

 

The following table provides detail regarding our properties in India and globally.

 

Location   Size   Primary Use   Leased Owned
Mumbai, India   13,992 sq. ft.   Corporate Office   Owned
Mumbai, India   2,750 sq. ft.   Studio Premises   Leased(1)
Mumbai, India   8,094 sq. ft.   Executive Accommodation   Leased(1)
Mumbai, India   120 sq. ft.   Film Negatives Warehouse   Leased
Mumbai, India   120 sq. ft.   Film Prints Warehouse   Leased
Mumbai, India   2,750 sq. ft.   Corporate   Owned
Delhi, India   2200 sq. ft.   Film Distribution Office   Leased
Punjab, India   437.5 sq. ft.   Film Distribution Office   Leased
Mumbai, India   2926 sq. ft.   DVD warehouse   Leased
Dubai, United Arab Emirates   536 sq. ft.   Corporate Office   Leased
Secaucus, New Jersey, U.S.   10,000 sq. ft.   Corporate Office   Leased(1)
London, England   7,549 sq. ft.   DVD Warehouse   Owned
London, England   4,506 sq. ft.   Corporate Office   Leased(1)

_______________

(1) Leased directly or indirectly from a member of the Lulla family.

 

Employees and Employer Relations

 

As of September  30, 2013, we had 259 employees, with 19 4 employed by Eros India and based in India, 28 by Ayngaran and its subsidiaries and based in India and the United Kingdom, and the remainder employed by our international subsidiaries. All are full time employees. In the last three years, the only significant change in the number of our employees was a result of the closing of EyeQube's visual special effects studio with effect from August 31, 2012. EyeQube has had no employees for its business activities since September 1, 2012.

 

Litigation

 

From time to time, we and our subsidiaries are involved in various lawsuits and legal proceedings that arise in the ordinary course of business. The following discussion summarizes examples of such matters. Although the results of litigation and claims cannot be predicted with certainty, we currently believe that the final outcome of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on our business. Regardless of the outcome, litigation can have an adverse impact on us because of defense and settlement costs, diversion of management resources and other factors.

 

In December 2009, the Director General of the Competition Commission of India, or the CCI, issued a report alleging formation of a cartel in contravention of the Competition Act by, among others, Mr. Sunil Lulla and our Chief Executive Officer, Ms. Jyoti Deshpande and Mr. Nandu Ahuja, on account of their participation at certain media meetings in Mumbai in March through April 2009 during a deadlock between film producers/distributors and multiplex owners over revenue-sharing. In May 2011, the CCI issued an order directing Mr. Lulla, Ms. Deshpande and Mr. Ahuja subsequently, to refrain from indulging in anticompetitive practices in the future and to provide an undertaking to the effect, and imposing a penalty of $1,522 on each of them. The CCI has also directed the Secretary of the CCI to initiate proceedings under the Competition Act against Mr. Lulla, Ms. Deshpande and Mr. Ahuja for alleged failure to cooperate in the course of enquiries. In July 2011, Mr. Lulla, Ms. Deshpande and Mr. Ahuja filed three separate appeals before the Competition Appellate Tribunal challenging this order. The Competition Appellate Tribunal issued an order on July 28, 2011 granting interim stay on realization of the penalty imposed and on the direction to provide an undertaking. In October 2011, the CCI imposed a penalty of $472 against Mr. Lulla, Ms. Deshpande and Mr. Ahuja, on account of their failure to cooperate with certain inquiries, each of whom filed separate appeals challenging this order. The Competition Appellate Tribunal, by an order passed in July 2013, dismissed these appeals. The Company has supported these individuals in contesting these proceedings.

 

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In September 2010, Eros India filed two separate suits before the CCI against certain Indian film industry organizations requesting injunctive relief to restrict the organizations from acting in a cartel-like manner and enforcing anti-competitive rules and agreements so that Eros India’s forthcoming films in certain territories in India would be exhibited and distributed without restriction. In February 2012, the CCI issued two separate orders directing certain Indian film industry organizations to refrain from indulging in such anticompetitive practices and imposed a penalty on the associations. Subsequently , these organizations filed appeals before the Competition Appellate Tribunal challenging the orders passed by the CCI. The Competition Appellate Tribunal dismissed the appeals in May 2013. Subsequently, the organizations filed a special leave petition before the Supreme Court of India challenging the order of the Competition Appellate Tribunal, which is pending.

 

Eros India and its subsidiaries are involved in ordinary course government tax audits and assessments, which typically include assessment orders for previous tax years including on account of disallowance of certain claimed deductions.

 

Eros is also named in various lawsuits challenging its ownership of some of its intellectual property or its ability to distribute these films in India. A number of these lawsuits seek injunctive relief restraining Eros from releasing or otherwise exploiting various films, including Toonpur ka Superhero, Om Shanti Om, Anjaana Anjaani , Kochadaiiyaan and Bhoot Returns. While the lawsuits continue, the films have all been released.

 

Unlike in the United States, in India, private citizens are permitted to initiate criminal complaints against companies and other individuals. Eros and certain executives have been named in certain criminal complaints from time to time. If, as a result of such complaints, criminal proceedings are initiated by the relevant authorities in India and the Company or any of its executives are found guilty in such criminal proceedings, our executives could be subject to imprisonment as well as monetary penalties. We believe the claims brought to date are without merit and we intend to defend them vigorously.

 

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REGULATION

 

The following description is a summary of various sector-specific laws and regulations applicable to Eros.

 

Material Isle of Man Regulations

 

Companies Regime

 

The Isle of Man is an internally self-governing dependent territory of the British Crown. It is politically and constitutionally separate from the United Kingdom and has its own legal system and jurisprudence based on English common law principles.

 

Isle of Man company law is largely based on that of England and Wales. There are two separate codes of company law, embodied in the Companies Acts of 1931-2004 (commonly referred to as the 1931 Act as the principal Act is the Companies Act 1931) and the Companies Act 2006 (commonly referred to as the 2006 Act), respectively. Our company was incorporated on March 31, 2006 under the 1931 Act. Effective September 29, 2011, it re-registered as a company incorporated under the 2006 Act.

 

The 2006 Act updates and modernizes Isle of Man company law by introducing a new simplified corporate vehicle into Isle of Man law. The new corporate vehicle follows the international business company model available in a number of other jurisdictions. Companies incorporated or re-registered under the 2006 Act are governed solely by its provisions and, except in relation to liquidation and receivership, are not subject to the provisions of the 1931 Act.

 

The following are some of the key characteristics of companies incorporated under the 2006 Act:

 

Share Capital

 

Under the 2006 Act, there is no longer the concept of authorized capital. Therefore, shares may be issued with or without par value.

 

Dividends, Redemptions and Buy-Backs

 

Subject to compliance with the memorandum and articles of association, the 2006 Act allows a company to declare and pay dividends, and to purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire its own shares subject only to meeting a solvency test set out in the 2006 Act. A company satisfies the solvency test if it is able to pay its debts as they become due in the normal course of business and where the value of the company’s assets exceeds the value of its liabilities.

 

Capacity and Powers

 

Companies incorporated under the 2006 Act have separate legal personality and perpetual existence. In addition, such companies have unlimited capacity to carry on or undertake any business or activity; this is so regardless of corporate benefit and regardless of whether or not it is in the best interests of the company to do so. The 2006 Act specifically states that no corporate act is beyond the capacity of a company incorporated under the 2006 Act by reason only of the fact that the relevant company has purported to restrict its capacity in any way in its memorandum or articles or otherwise. A person who deals in good faith with a company incorporated under the 2006 Act is entitled to assume that the directors of the company are acting without limitation.

 

Miscellaneous

 

In addition to the foregoing, the following other points should be noted in relation to companies incorporated under the 2006 Act:

 

  (a) there are no prohibitions in relation to the company providing financial assistance for the purchase of its own shares;

 

  (b) there is no differentiation between public and private companies, but a company may adopt a name ending in the words “Public Limited Company” or “public limited company” or the abbreviation “PLC” or “plc”;

 

  (c) there are simple share offering/prospectus requirements;

 

  (d) there are reduced compulsory registry filings;

 

  (e) the statutory accounting requirements are simplified; and

 

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  (f) the 2006 Act allows a company to indemnify and purchase professional indemnity insurance for its directors.

 

Shareholders should note that the above list is not exhaustive.

 

Exchange Controls

 

No foreign exchange control regulations are in existence in the Isle of Man in relation to the exchange or remittance of sterling or any other currency from the Isle of Man and no authorizations, approvals or consents will be required from any authority in the Isle of Man in relation to the exchange and remittance of sterling and any other currency whether awarded by reason of a judgment or otherwise falling due and having been paid in the Isle of Man.

 

Material Indian Regulations

 

We are subject to other Indian and international regulations which may impact our business. In particular, the following regulations have a significant impact on our business.

 

Notification of Industry Status

 

The Indian film industry was conferred industry status by a press release issued by the MIB on May 10, 1998.

 

Film Certification

 

The Cinematograph Act authorizes the CBFC, in accordance with the Cinematograph (Certification) Rules, 1983, or the Certification Rules, for sanctioning films for public exhibition in India. Under the Certification Rules, the producer of a film is required to apply in the specified format for certification of such film, with the prescribed fee. The film is examined by an examining committee, which determines whether the film:

 

  · is suitable for unrestricted public exhibition;

 

  · is suitable for unrestricted public exhibition, with a caution that the question as to whether any child below the age of 12 years may be allowed to see the film should be considered by the parents or guardian of such child;

 

  · is suitable for public exhibition restricted to adults;

 

  · is suitable for public exhibition restricted to members of any profession or any class of persons having regard to the nature, content and theme of the film;

 

  · is suitable for certification in terms of the above if a specified portion or portions be excised or modified therefrom; or

 

  · that the film is not suitable for unrestricted or restricted public exhibitions, or that the film be refused a certificate.

 

A film will not be certified for public exhibition if, in the opinion of the CBFC, the film or any part of it is against the interests of the sovereignty, integrity or security of India, friendly relations with foreign states, public order, decency or morality, or involves defamation or contempt of court or is likely to incite the commission of any offence. Any applicant, if aggrieved by any order of the CBFC either refusing to grant a certificate or granting a certificate that restricts exhibition to certain persons only, may appeal to the Film Certification Appellate Tribunal constituted by the Central Government in India under the Cinematograph Act.

 

A certificate granted or an order refusing to grant a certificate in respect of any film is published in the Official Gazette of India and is valid throughout India for ten years from the date of grant. Films certified for public exhibition may be re-examined by the CBFC if any complaint is received. Pursuant to grant of a certificate, film advertisements must indicate that the film has been certified for such public exhibition.

 

The Central Government in India may issue directions to licensees of cinemas generally or to any licensee in particular for the purpose of regulating the exhibition of films, so that scientific films, films intended for educational purposes, films dealing with news and current events, documentary films or indigenous films secure an adequate opportunity of being exhibited. The Central Government in India, acting through local authorities, may order suspension of exhibition of a film, if it is of the opinion that any film being publicly exhibited is likely to cause a breach of peace. Failure to comply with the Cinematograph Act may attract imprisonment and/or monetary fines.

 

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Separately, the Cable Television Networks Rules, 1994 require that no film or film song, promotional material, trailer or film music video, album or their promotional materials, whether produced in India or abroad, shall be carried through cable services unless it has been certified by the CBFC as suitable for unrestricted public exhibition in India.

 

The Cinematograph Bill 2010, or the Cinematograph Bill, is proposed to be introduced in the Parliament of India to supersede the Cinematograph Act, 1952, to bring the process of certification of films for exhibition in line with the present technological and social scenario and to implement effective systems to combat piracy. The Government of India, or GoI is proposing an additional multiple certification system for feature films by amending the Cinematograph Act, 1952 to conform to the international norms. The Cinematograph Bill proposes different groups of rating for various age groups of film viewers Films could also be classified as ‘S,’ suitable for exhibition restricted to members of any profession or any class of persons. The Cinematograph Bill would empower the GoI to establish advisory panels at all the regional centers of Central Board of Film Certification, which could consist of members qualified to judge the effects of films on the public. The Cinematograph Bill proposes to deal with issues relating to piracy by imposing penalties for unauthorized issue of negatives or copies of the film or making duplicate prints/copies.

 

Financing

 

In October 2000, the Ministry of Finance, GOI notified the film industry as an industrial concern in terms of the Industrial Development Bank of India Act, 1964, pursuant to which loans and advances to industrial concerns became available to the film industry.

 

The Reserve Bank of India, or the RBI, by circular dated May 14, 2001, permitted commercial banks to finance up to 50.0% of total production cost of a film. Further, by an RBI circular dated June 8, 2002, bank financing is now available even where total film production cost exceeds approximately $1.5 million. Banks which finance film productions customarily require borrowers to assign the film’s intellectual property or music audio/video/CDs/DVDs/internet, satellite, channel, export/international rights as part of the security for the loan, such that the banks would have a right in negotiation of valuation of such intellectual property rights.

 

Labor Laws

 

Depending on the nature of work and number of workers employed at any workplace, various labor related legislations may apply. Certain significant provisions of such labor related laws are provided below.

 

Employees (Provident Fund and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1952 . The Employees (Provident Fund and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1952, or the EPF Act, applies to factories employing 20 or more employees and such other establishments as notified by the Government from time to time. It requires all such establishments to be registered with the relevant Provident Fund Commissioner. Also, such employers are required to contribute to the employees’ provident fund the prescribed percentage of the basic wages and certain cash benefits payable to employees. Employees are also required to make equal contributions to the fund. A monthly return is required to be submitted to the relevant Provident Fund Commissioner in addition to the maintenance of registers by employers.

 

Competition Act

 

The Competition Act aims to prevent anti-competitive practices that cause or are likely to cause an appreciable adverse effect on competition in the relevant market in India. The Competition Act regulates anti-competitive agreements, abuse of dominant position and combinations. The Competition Act, although enacted in 2002, is being phased into effectiveness. Provisions relating to anti-competitive agreements and abuse of dominant position were effective May 20, 2009 and thereafter the Competition Commission of India, or the Competition Commission, became operational on May 20, 2009. The sections dealing with combinations, mergers and acquisitions were notified by the GoI in March 2011, and have become effective from June 1, 2011. In addition, the Competition Act is proposed to be amended to empower the Government of India to ascribe different value for assets and turnover for a particular class of enterprises, in order to determine whether they breach the threshold limits currently prescribed under the Competition Act (instead of the audited book value of such assets). This amendment bill was introduced in the Indian Parliament in December 2012, but currently no date has been fixed for its consideration by the houses of the Indian Parliament.

 

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Under the Competition Act, the Competition Commission has powers to pass directions/impose penalties in cases of anti-competitive agreements, abuse of dominant position and combinations. In the event of failure to comply with the orders or directions of the Competition Commission, without reasonable cause, such person is punishable with a fine extending to approximately $1,522 for each day of such non-compliance, subject to a maximum of approximately $1.5 million. If there is a continuing non-compliance the person may be punishable with imprisonment for a term extending up to three years or with a fine which may extend up to approximately $3.8 million or with both as the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate, Delhi may deem fit. In case of offences committed by companies, the persons responsible to the company for the conduct of the business of the company will be liable under the Competition Act, except when the offense was committed without their knowledge or when they had exercised due diligence to prevent it. Where the contravention committed by the company took place with the consent or connivance of, or is attributable to any neglect on the part of, any director, manager, secretary or other officer of the company, such person is liable to be punished. The Competition Act also provides that the Competition Commission has the jurisdiction to inquire into and pass orders in relation to an anti-competitive agreement, abuse of dominant position or a combination, which even though entered into, arising or taking place outside India or signed between one or more non-Indian parties, but causes or is likely to cause an appreciable adverse effect in the relevant market in India. Recently, the Competition Act was amended, and cases which were pending before the Monopolies and Restrictive Trade Practice Commission were transferred to the Competition Commission of India.

 

Indian Takeover Regulations

 

The Takeover Regulations came into effect on October 22, 2011, superseding the earlier takeover regulations. The Takeover Regulations provide the process, timing and disclosure requirements for a public announcement of an open offer in India and the applicable pricing norms.

 

Pursuant to the Takeover Regulations, a requirement to make a mandatory open offer by an “acquirer” (together with persons acting in concert with it) for at least 26% of the total shares of the Indian listed company, to all shareholders of such company (excluding the acquirer, persons acting in concert with it and the parties to any underlying agreement including persons deemed to be acting in concert) is triggered, subject to certain exemptions including transfers between promoters, if an acquirer acquires shares or voting rights in the Indian listed company, which together with its existing holdings and those of any persons acting in concert with him entitle the acquirer and persons acting in concert to exercise 25% or more of the voting rights in the Indian listed company; or an acquirer that holds between 25% and the maximum permissible non-public shareholding of an Indian listed company, acquires additional voting rights of more than 5% during a financial year; or an acquirer acquires, directly or indirectly, control over an Indian listed company, irrespective of acquisition of shares or voting rights in the Indian listed company.

 

An acquisition of shares or voting rights in, or control over, any company that would enable a person to exercise or direct the exercise of such percentage of voting rights in, or control over, an Indian listed company, the acquisition of which would otherwise attract the obligation to make an open offer under the Takeover Regulations will also trigger a mandatory open offer under the Takeover Regulations. Where the primary target of the acquisition is an overseas parent of an Indian listed company and the Indian listed company represents over 80% of a specified materiality parameter (including asset value, revenue or market capitalization) of the overseas parent company, such acquisition would be treated as a “direct acquisition” of the Indian listed company.

 

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MANAGEMENT

 

Directors and Executive Officers

 

The following table sets forth certain information with respect to our executive officers and directors as of September  30, 2013.

 

Name   Age   Position
Kishore Lulla   52   Director, Chairman
Jyoti Deshpande   42   Director, Group Chief Executive Officer
Vijay Ahuja   56   Director, Vice Chairman
Sunil Lulla   49   Director
Naresh Chandra(1)(2)   79   Director
Dilip Thakkar(1)(2)   77   Director
Michael Kirkwood(1)(3)   66   Director
Greg Coote(1)(4)   71   Director Nominee
Ken Naz   54   President of Americas Operations
Pranab Kapadia   41   President of Europe and Africa Operations
Surender Sadhwani   57   President of Middle East Operations
Andrew Heffernan   47   Chief Financial Officer
Sean Hanafin   41   Chief Corporate & Strategy Officer

_______________

(1) Independent director or director nominee
(2) Member of the Audit Committee, Remuneration Committee and Nomination Committee
(3) Member of the Audit Committee and Remuneration Committee
(4) Greg Coote will become a director and member of the Nomination Committee effective upon the listing of our A ordinary shares on the NYSE.

 

Mr. Kishore Lulla is a director and our Chairman. Mr. Lulla received a bachelors’ degree in Arts from Mumbai University. He has over 30 years of experience in the media and film industry. He is a member of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts and Young Presidents’ Organization and also a board member for the School of Film at the University of California, Los Angeles. He has been honored at the Asian Business Awards 2007 and the Indian Film Academy Awards 2007 for his contribution in taking Indian cinema global. As our Chairman, he has been instrumental in expanding our presence in the United Kingdom, the U.S., Dubai, Australia, Fiji and other international markets. He served as our Chief Executive Officer from June 2011 until May 2012 and has served as a director since 2005. Mr. Kishore Lulla is the brother of Mr. Sunil Lulla and a cousin of Mr. Ahuja and Mr. Sadhwani.

 

Ms. Jyoti Deshpande is a director and our Group Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director. She had worked with us from 2001 until May 2011 when she resigned from our Board and served as a Consultant to the Company until November 2011 in connection with this offering. She rejoined the Company in her former Group CEO/MD position on June 22, 2012. With a degree in Commerce and Economics and an MBA from Mumbai University, Ms. Deshpande has over 20 years of experience in Indian media and entertainment across advertising, media consulting, television and film. Ms. Deshpande has been a key member of the Eros leadership team since 2001 and was instrumental in our initial public offering on AIM in 2006 as well as Eros India’s listing on the Indian Stock Exchange s in 2010.

 

Mr. Vijay Ahuja is a director and our Vice Chairman. Mr. Ahuja received a bachelors’ degree in commerce from Mumbai University. Mr. Ahuja co-founded our United Kingdom business in 1988 and has since played an important role in implementing our key international strategies, helping expand our business to its present scale by making a significant contribution to our development in the South East Asian markets, such as Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and Hong Kong. Mr. Ahuja has served as a director since April 2005. Mr. Ahuja is a cousin of Mr. Kishore Lulla and Mr. Sunil Lulla.

 

Mr. Sunil Lulla is a director and is Executive Vice Chairman and Managing Director of Eros India. He received a bachelors’ degree in commerce from Mumbai University. Mr. Lulla has over 20 years of experience in the media industry. Mr. Lulla has valuable relationships with talent in the Indian film industry and has been instrumental in our expansion into distribution in India as well as home entertainment and music. He has served as a director since 2005 and led our growth within India for many years before being appointed Executive Vice Chairman and Managing Director of Eros India in February 2010. Mr. Sunil Lulla is the brother of Kishore Lulla and cousin of Mr. Ahuja and Mr. Sadhwani.

 

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Mr. Naresh Chandra is a director. Mr. Chandra received a masters’ degree in Science from Allahabad University. A former civil servant, he joined the Indian Administrative Services in 1956 and has served as Chief Secretary in the State of Rajasthan, Commonwealth Secretariat Advisor on Export Industrialization and Policy in Colombo (Sri Lanka), Advisor to the Government of Jammu and Kashmir and Secretary to the Ministries of Water Resources, Defense, Home and Justice in the Government of India. In December 1990, he became Cabinet Secretary, the highest post in the Indian civil service. In 1992, he was appointed Senior Advisor to the Prime Minister of India. He served as the Governor of the state of Gujarat in 1995-1996 and Ambassador of India to the United States of America in 1996-2001. In 2007, he chaired the Government of India’s Committee on Corporate Audit and Governance, the Committee on Private Companies and Limited Companies Partnerships and the Committee on Civil Aviation Policy, and he was honored with the Padma Vibhushan, a high civilian award. Mr. Chandra serves as director of ten other Indian companies and two foreign companies. He has served as a director since July 2007.

 

Mr. Dilip Thakkar is a director. Mr. Thakkar received a degree in Commerce and Law from Mumbai University. A practicing chartered accountant since 1961, Mr. Thakkar has significant financial experience. He is a senior partner of Jayantilal Thakkar & Co. Chartered Accountants and a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in India. In 1986 he was appointed by the Reserve Bank of India as a member of the Indian Advisory Board for HSBC Bank and the British Bank of the Middle East for a period of eight years. He is the former President of the Bombay Chartered Accountants’ Society and was then Chairman of its International Taxation Committee. Mr. Thakkar serves as a non-executive director of 14 other listed public limited companies in India and seven foreign companies. He has served as a director since April 2006.

 

Mr. Michael Kirkwood is a director. Mr. Kirkwood received a degree in Economics at Stanford University. Mr. Kirkwood retired from a 31-year career with Citigroup at the end of 2008 where he was most recently UK Country Head and Chairman of the Corporate Bank. He previously served with Citicorp in the USA, Scandinavia and Switzerland. From 2001-2005 he served as a Non-Executive Director of engineering group Kidde plc and Audit Committee chairman. From 2008-2011 he was Deputy Chairman of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP’s Advisory Board. During his career in London, Mr. Kirkwood has served as Deputy Chairman of the British Bankers Association, Chairman of British-American Business, Chairman of the Association of Foreign Banks, President of the Chartered Institute of Bankers, a member of the CBI Financial Services Council and Master of the International Bankers Livery Company. He also served as HM Lieutenant for the City of London in 2004. Mr. Kirkwood is currently a Board Member of UK Financial Investments Ltd (UKFI), the British government company established to manage the public stakes in UK banks, and AngloGold Ashanti Limited, a global South Africa-based gold mining group, as well as Chairman of UK healthcare group Circle Holdings plc and Senior Advisor of Ondra Partners LLP. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society for the Arts, a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Bankers and was appointed a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG) in the 2003 Queen’s Birthday Honours. He joined the board of directors on February 1, 2012.

 

Mr. Greg Coote will be a director, effective upon the listing of our A ordinary shares on the NYSE. Mr. Coote has spent his career working in film and television production and distribution. He has served in senior positions at Columbia Pictures, News Corporation, Village Roadshow and Dune Entertainment, L.P. He has been a partner of Larrikin Entertainment, LLC a company producing and financing motion pictures and television, from 2011 until the present as well as Latitude Entertainment, Inc. Most recently, from 2007-2011, Mr. Coote was the chairman and chief executive officer of Dune Entertainment, L.P., a company that finances motion pictures for Fox Films. Mr. Coote is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences and the British Academy of Film and Television Arts, and he serves on the Advisory Boards of Alnoor Holdings of Qatar, the Bona Film Group of China and the Advisory Board to the Singapore Government’s Media Development Authority. Greg also serves as the chairman of the board of China Lion Film Distribution, a company distributing Chinese-language films in North America, the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand.

 

Mr. Andrew Heffernan is our Group Chief Financial Officer. A qualified chartered accountant, Mr. Heffernan was an audit manager with Grant Thornton UK LLP from 1991-1996, mainly handling media clients. From 1996-2001 Mr. Heffernan worked as a consultant for a number of film and television production clients. In 2001 Mr. Heffernan returned to Grant Thornton UK LLP to help build its media and entertainment practice in film, television and computer games with responsibilities spanning corporate finance, consultancy and audit. Mr. Heffernan joined us as Group CFO in May 2006 and has since spearheaded the finance function for the group.

 

Mr. Ken Naz is our President of Americas Operations. Mr. Naz has over 30 years of experience in media and entertainment. In the early 1970s, Mr. Naz worked in the Indian film distribution and exhibition business in Canada. He obtained his business education at a Toronto University before joining Cineplex Odeon Cinemas in the business development department and later serving as head of operations of “A Theater Near You.” Mr. Naz joined us in 1997 and was instrumental in setting up our U.S. office to service markets in the United States, Canada and other parts of North and South America.

 

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Mr. Pranab Kapadia is our President of United Kingdom, Europe and Africa Operations. Mr. Kapadia received a Master’s degree in Management Studies from Bombay University (India) majoring in Finance. Mr. Kapadia’s experience as Head of Operations & Programming for Zee Network in Europe for eight years and Business Head of Adlabs Films (U.K.) Limited for one year has given him significant insight into developing technical solutions with minimum costs in order to keep entry barriers low for price sensitive Asian customer and a strong understanding of the entertainment needs of South Asians internationally. He joined us in 2007.

 

Mr. Surender Sadhwani is our President of Middle East Operations. Mr. Sadhwani received a post graduate degree in commerce from University of Madras in 1980. He has 22 years of experience in the banking industry through his work with Andhra Bank in Chennai. In addition, Mr. Sadhwani spent several years in finance and account management for Hartmann Electronics in their Dubai office. He joined our Middle East operations in April 2004 and was promoted to President of Middle East Operations in April 2006. Mr. Sadhwani is a cousin of Mr. Kishore Lulla and Mr. Sunil Lulla.

 

Mr. Sean Hanafin is our Chief Corporate & Strategy Officer. Sean Hanafin is our appointed Chief Corporate & Strategy Officer of Eros International, with management responsibility for Group M&A, Corporate Finance and Investor Relations. From 2010 to date, Mr. Hanafin has been a Director of Eros Ventures, managing the Lulla family’s interests in Eros International and its investments outside the entertainment sector. From 2010-2012, Mr. Hanafin was the Chief Executive Officer of Emerging Power, an entity set up by Eros Energy UK Ltd., which is owned by Beech Investments Limited. Emerging Power is responsible for leading investments into clean energy projects in India. Mr. Hanafin was formerly a Managing Director in Citigroup’s UK Banking Division in London from 2007-2010, having joined the firm as a Graduate in 1994, and developed significant TMT sector experience leading the firm’s global relationships with major UK-based international media companies. Mr. Hanafin is a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of International Bankers and has served on a number of UK Government initiatives. Mr. Hanafin graduated in Economics & Politics (Joint Hons.) from the University of Warwick in 1994 and has an Executive MBA from Cass Business School in London. Mr. Hanafin joined us in January 2012.

 

Service Contracts and Letters of Appointment

 

Each of Kishore Lulla, Andrew Heffernan and Sean Hanafin has entered into a service agreement with Eros Network Limited to provide services to us and our subsidiaries. The service agreements are terminable by either party with 12 months’ written notice. Eros Network Limited may terminate the agreements immediately in certain circumstances, including upon certain types of misconduct or upon paying the executive an amount equivalent to his basic salary (inclusive of any bonus and benefits) for a twelve month period. The service agreements expire automatically upon the executive’s 65th birthday. The service agreements provide for private medical insurance and 25 paid vacation days per year. Upon termination, compensation will be paid for any accrued but untaken holiday. The executives receive a basic gross annual salary, reviewed annually, and are entitled to participate in any current share option schemes and bonus schemes applicable to their positions maintained by the employing company. Each agreement contains a confidentiality provision and non-competition and non-solicitation provisions that restrict the executive for a period of six to twelve months after termination. Ahuja is employed by Eros International Pte Ltd (Singapore).

 

Kishore Lulla also executed a letter of appointment for service as one of our directors. Under the terms of the letter of appointment, Mr. Lulla receives an annual fee of $93,750. We may terminate Mr. Lulla’s appointment immediately upon any instance of fraud or by giving the director 12 months’ written notice. Pursuant to the agreement, Mr. Lulla is required to attend all board meetings and perform other reasonable functions appointed by our Board of Directors. The agreement contains a confidentiality provision effective during the appointment and for a period of two years after termination and non-competition and non-solicitation provisions effective during the appointment and for a period of six months after termination. In connection with this offering, this letter of appointment will be terminated, and for so long as Mr. Lulla is our executive officer, he will no longer receive compensation as a director.

 

Sunil Lulla, our director, has entered into an employment agreement with Eros India pursuant to which he serves as Executive Vice Chairman of Eros India. Sunil Lulla is entitled to receive a basic gross annual salary, as well as medical insurance and certain other benefits and perquisites. Eros India may terminate the agreement upon thirty days’ notice if certain events occur, including a material breach of the agreement by Mr. Lulla. The agreement contains a confidentiality provision that restricts Mr. Lulla during the term of his employment and for a period of two years following termination and a non-competition provision that restricts him during the term of his employment.

 

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Jyoti Deshpande, our director, has entered into an employment contract with us pursuant to which she serves as Group Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director and is entitled to receive a gross basic annual salary, private medical insurance and other standard benefits and is eligible to participate in any share option scheme and/or bonus scheme maintained from time to time and applicable to her position. In addition, Ms. Deshpande was issued 1,676,645 shares of Eros International Plc on September 18, 2013, of which an equal percentage of shares will be locked up for one, two and three years from the date of issuance. In addition, Ms. Deshpande is entitled to receive A ordinary shares of Eros International Plc valued at $2.0 million within seven days of our shares being admitted to trading on the NYSE. The agreement is for an initial period of three years commencing September 1, 2013 and will continue thereafter until terminated by either party upon not less than 12 months’ prior written notice.  We may, however, terminate the agreement immediately in certain circumstances, including upon certain types of misconduct or upon paying Ms. Deshpande an amount equal to her basic salary for a 12 month period or remaining term of her employment, whichever is greater.  There are certain conditions under which if the agreement is terminated before September 1, 2016, Ms. Deshpande may be required to surrender all or part of the shares issued to her under this agreement. The agreement expires automatically upon Ms. Deshpande’s 65th birthday.  The agreement contains a confidentiality provision and non-competition and non-solicitation provisions that restrict Ms. Deshpande for a period of six to twelve months following termination. Ms. Deshpande, who is also a director on the board of Eros India, has a contract with Eros India that entitles her to a gross basic salary and Ms. Deshpande has options to purchase up to 571,160 shares of Eros India at $1.14 per share with a 3-year vesting period commencing July 16, 2013. Ms. Deshpande also owns 142,790 shares of Eros India that came from previously vested options that she exercised. Ms. Deshpande also receives a salary in the United Kingdom for her duties under a separate contract.

 

Vijay Ahuja, our director and vice chairman, entered into a service agreement with Eros International Pte Ltd to provide services to us and our subsidiaries. The service agreement is terminable by either party with twelve months’ written notice. Eros International Pte Ltd may terminate the agreement immediately in certain circumstances, including upon certain types of misconduct or upon paying the executive an amount equivalent to his basic salary for a twelve month period. The agreement shall automatically terminate on his 65th birthday. Mr. Ahuja receives a basic gross annual salary and is entitled to participate in any current bonus scheme and/or option scheme applicable to his position. The agreement contains a confidentiality provision and non-competition and non-solicitation provisions that restrict Mr. Ahuja for a period of six months following termination.

 

Our non-executive directors, Naresh Chandra, who also serves as Chairman of Eros India, and Dilip Thakkar, have entered into letters of appointment with us that provide them with annual fees of $78,125 for service as a director of Eros International Plc. The appointments are for an initial period of one year, and thereafter are terminable by either the non-executive director or us with three months’ written notice, or by us immediately in the case of fraud.

 

Greg Coote will be a non-executive director effective upon the listing of our A ordinary shares on the NYSE subject to a letter of appointment executed by and between us and Mr. Coote providing him with annual fees of $93,750 for service as a director of Eros International Plc. The initial term of this agreement is three years, subject to Mr. Coote’s re-election in accordance with our articles of association, and thereafter is terminable by either Mr. Coote or us with three months’ written notice, or by us immediately in the case of fraud.

 

Michael Kirkwood has entered into a letter of appointment with us providing him with annual fees of $93,750 for service as a director of Eros International Plc. Mr. Kirkwood is also eligible for additional fees for certain additional Board related work or special projects. The initial term of this agreement is three years subject to Mr. Kirkwood’s re-election in accordance with our articles of association, and thereafter is terminable by either Mr. Kirkwood or us with three months’ written notice, or by us immediately in the case of fraud.

 

Pranab Kapadia, our President of Europe and Africa Operations, entered into a service agreement with Eros International Limited to provide services to us and certain of our subsidiaries.  The service agreement is terminable by either party with three months’ written notice.  Eros International Ltd may terminate the agreement immediately in certain circumstances, including upon certain types of misconduct or upon paying the executive an amount equivalent to his basic salary for a three month period.  Mr. Kapadia receives a basic gross annual salary and is entitled to participate in any current bonus scheme applicable to his position.  The agreement contains a confidentiality provision and non-competition and non-solicitation provisions that restrict the executive for a period of twelve months following termination.

 

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Consultant Services Agreement

 

Pursuant to a consulting services letter agreement effective June 1, 2011, or the Consulting Agreement, we engaged Ms. Deshpande as a consultant with respect to this offering.

 

Under the Consulting Agreement, Ms. Deshpande provided advice on the appointment of, and worked with, various advisers, assisted us in various aspects of this offering, including due diligence, preparation of a registration statement and business plan models, and generally assisted and advised us in general corporate matters, investor relations and other aspects of this offering.

 

Under the Consulting Agreement, Ms. Deshpande received a non-refundable fee of $675,000 and 183,333 ordinary shares, in addition to reimbursement for mutually agreed expenses and disbursements incurred in connection with the provision of her services.

 

The Consulting Agreement lapsed and Ms. Deshpande provides employment under the terms of her employment agreement described in “—Service Contracts and Letters of Appointment.”

 

Indemnification Agreements

 

Prior to the consummation of this offering, we intend to enter into indemnification agreements with our directors and our officers that require us to indemnify, to the extent permitted by law, our officers and directors against liabilities that may arise by reason of their status or service as officers and directors and to pay expenses incurred by them as a result of any proceeding against them as to which they could be indemnified. We believe that these provisions are necessary to attract and retain qualified persons as directors and executive officers.

 

Structure of Our Board of Directors

 

Board of Directors

 

Upon the listing of our shares on the NYSE, our board of directors will consist of eight directors and will be divided into three classes of directors of the same or nearly the same number. At each annual general meeting, each of the directors of the class whose term is expiring shall be eligible for re-election to the board for a period of three years. At our next general meeting following the completion of this offering, we anticipate that Messrs. Ahuja and Thakkar will be submitted for re-election. Mr. Coote will be appointed upon the listing of our A ordinary shares on the NYSE.

 

Governance Standards

 

Upon completion of this offering and the listing of our shares on the NYSE, we will be subject to the NYSE listing standards. As a foreign private issuer, we will be exempt from complying with certain corporate governance requirements of the NYSE applicable to a U.S. issuer. Under the NYSE rules applicable to us, we only need to:

 

  · establish an independent audit committee that has responsibilities set out in the NYSE rules;

 

  · provide prompt certification by our chief executive officer of any material non-compliance with any corporate governance rules of the NYSE;

 

  · provide periodic (annual and interim) written affirmations to the NYSE with respect to our corporate governance practices; and

 

  · include in our annual reports a brief description of significant differences between our corporate governance practices and those followed by U.S. companies.

 

Although upon our listing on the NYSE, we will be in compliance with the current applicable NYSE corporate governance requirements imposed on U.S. issuers after an initial public offering, our charter does not require that we meet these requirements.

 

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Board Committees

 

We currently have an Audit Committee, Remuneration Committee and Nomination Committee. We believe that the composition of these committees will meet the criteria for independence under, and the functioning of these committees will comply with the requirements of, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the rules of the NYSE and the SEC rules and regulations that will become applicable to us following consummation of this offering. Summarized below are the responsibilities our Audit Committee, Remuneration Committee and Nomination Committee will have upon consummation of this offering.

 

Audit Committee

 

Our Board of Directors has adopted a written charter under which our Audit Committee operates. This charter sets forth the duties and responsibilities of our Audit Committee, which, among other things, include: (i) monitoring our and our subsidiaries’ accounting and financial reporting processes, including the audits of our financial statements and the integrity of the financial statements; (ii) monitoring our compliance with legal and regulatory requirements; (iii) assessing our external auditor’s qualifications and independence; and (iv) monitoring the performance of our internal audit function and our external auditor. A copy of our Audit Committee charter will be available on our web site at www.erosplc.com prior to the listing of our A ordinary shares on the NYSE.

 

The current members of our Audit Committee are Messrs. Thakkar (Chair), Chandra and Kirkwood. The Audit Committee met four times during fiscal 2013. The board of directors has determined that each of the members of our Audit Committee is independent.

 

Remuneration Committee

 

Our Board of Directors has adopted a written charter under which our Remuneration Committee operates. This charter sets forth the duties and responsibilities of our Remuneration Committee, which, among other things, include assisting our Board of Directors in establishing remuneration policies and practices. A copy of our Remuneration Committee charter will be available on our website at www.erosplc.com prior to the listing of our A ordinary shares on the NYSE.

 

The current members of our Remuneration Committee are Messrs. Chandra (Chair), Thakkar and Kirkwood. The Remuneration Committee met twice during fiscal 2013. The board of directors has determined that each of the members of our Remuneration Committee is independent.

 

Nomination Committee

 

Our Board of Directors has adopted a written charter under which our Nomination Committee operates. This charter sets forth the duties and responsibilities of our Nomination Committee, which, among other things, include recommending to our Board of Directors candidates for election at the annual meeting of shareholders and performing a leadership role in shaping the Company’s corporate governance policies. A copy of our Nomination Committee charter will be available on our website at www.erosplc.com prior to the listing of our A ordinary shares on the NYSE.

 

The current members of our Nomination Committee are Messrs. Chandra (Chair) and Thakkar and, upon the listing of our A ordinary shares on the NYSE, Mr. Coote will be a member of the Nomination Committee. The Nomination Committee is an ad hoc committee and met once during fiscal 2013. The board of directors has determined that each of the members of our Nomination Committee is independent.

 

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COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

 

Management’s Role in the Compensation-Setting Process

 

Compensation of senior executive officers and directors is determined by the Remuneration Committee of our Board of Directors. The Remuneration Committee reviews the performance of our directors and each of our executive officers and sets the scale and structure of their compensation. As part of its role of overseeing the scale and structure of the compensation paid to our executive officers, the Remuneration Committee approves their service agreements with our subsidiaries and any bonus paid by our subsidiaries to such officers. The current members of the Remuneration Committee are our three non-executive directors, Naresh Chandra, Dilip Thakkar and Michael Kirkwood.

 

Objectives of Our Compensation Programs

 

In determining the scale and structure of the compensation for executive directors and senior executives, the Remuneration Committee takes into account the need to offer a competitive compensation structure to attract and maintain a skilled and experienced management team. The Remuneration Committee creates competitive compensation programs by reviewing market data and setting compensation at levels comparable to those at our competitors. We believe that a compensation program with a strong performance based element is a prerequisite to obtaining our performance and growth objectives.

 

The main components of the compensation for our executive officers are a base salary, share awards, annual bonus and stock options.

 

The Remuneration Committee reviews these three compensation components in light of individual performance of the executive officers, external market data and reports provided by outside experts or advisors.

 

The compensation of our non-executive directors is set by our board of directors as a whole, after consulting with outside experts or advisors.

 

The following tables and footnotes show the remuneration of each of our directors for fiscal 2013:

 

    Year ended March 31, 2013              
    Salary     Director
Fees
    Benefits(1)     2013
Total
    2012
Total
 
    (in thousands)        
Kishore Lulla   $ 937     $ 95     $ 10     $ 1,042     $ 928  
Vijay Ahuja     308       95       4       407       359  
Jyoti Deshpande     369       95       458       922       145  
Sunil Lulla(2)     479       95       88       662       558  
Dilip Thakkar           79             79       80  
Naresh Chandra           79       4       83       194  
Michael Kirkwood           95             95       16  
Total   $ 2,093     $ 633     $ 564     $ 3,290     $ 2,280  

_______________

(1) Health insurance, except for Sunil Lulla (see Note (2) below).
(2) Sunil Lulla’s fiscal 2013 compensation consisted of the following (Indian Rupees translated to U.S. dollars at a rate of INR 54.3 per $1.00):

 

Particulars   Sunil Lulla
INR
  Sunil Lulla
USD
Basic salary     12,000,000     $ 220,994  
Incentive compensation     4,400,000       81,031  
Reimbursements car/entertainment etc.     1,200,000       22,099  
Medical reimbursement     15,000       276  
Special pay     9,585,000       176,519  
Company rent accommodation     3,600,000       66,298  
Service tax     444,960       8,194  
Total India     31,244,960     $ 575,411  
Eros International Plc directors fee             95,000  
Total salary           $ 670,411  

 

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The total compensation paid to our executive officers in fiscal 2013 was $5.2 million.

 

On August 12, 2013 477,000 ordinary shares were issued to certain directors and key management personnel. The share awards for directors based on a mid-market price of $10.83 per share are shown in the table below:

 

    Value of
Share Awards
    (in thousands)
     
Kishore Lulla   $   902.50  
Jyoti Deshpande     902.50  
Sunil Lulla     902.50  
Dilip Thakkar     90.25  
Naresh Chandra     90.25  
Michael Kirkwood     90.25  
Total   $ 2,978.25  

 

On September18, 2013, 1,676,645 shares were issued to Jyoti Deshpande pursuant to her employment contract. The shares are restricted and vest over a period of three years on a pro-rata basis and the fair value will be expensed through the income statement over three years, from the date of grant. Based on a mid-market price of $12.06 per share, $502,000 was the value of the share award in the six months ended September 30, 2013.

 

Eros India Incentive Compensation

 

Pursuant to a resolution of its board of directors dated November 11, 2011 and a resolution of its shareholders dated December 29, 2011, Eros India approved payment of an incentive bonus to Kishore Lulla and Sunil Lulla for services to Eros India of up to 1% of the net profits of Eros India in accordance with applicable India law. Any such incentive bonus shall be payable only as determined by the Board of Directors of Eros India from time to time. Kishore Lulla will be eligible for this incentive bonus for a period of three years, until October 31, 2014. Sunil Lulla will be eligible for this incentive bonus for the remainder of his tenure in office. The Remuneration Committee will take into account any of these incentive bonuses paid to Kishore Lulla or Sunil Lulla when making compensation determinations for each of them.

 

Share-Based Compensation Plans

 

The compensation cost recognized with respect to all outstanding plans and by grant of shares, which are all equity settled instruments, is as follows:

 

    September 30     As at March 31  
    2013     2013     2012     2011  
    (in thousands)  
IPO Plan   $     $     $     $ 26  
IPO India Plan   $ 255     $ 703     $ 177     $ 901  
JSOP   $ 937     $ 1,185     $     $  
Management Scheme (Staff Share Grant)     5,477             2,712     $  
    $ 6,669     $ 1,888     $ 2,889     $ 927  

 

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This charge is included as administrative costs in our income statement. The fair value per share for each grant of options and the assumptions used in such calculation are as follows:

 

    IPO Plan   JSOP Plan   IPO India Plan   July
Scheme   June 2006   April 2012   December 2009   August 2010   2012
                     
Option strike price     GBP  5.28       GBP  7.92       INR  117       INR  91       INR  75  
Maturity (in years)     10       6       5.25       5.25       7.00  
Expected term (in years)     5       5       4       4       4  
Number of instruments granted     62,438       2,000,164       1,729,512       83,628       571,160  
Share price     GBP  5.172       GBP  7.05       INR  175       INR  175       INR  175  
Expected volatility     25.0 %(1)     34 %(2)     75 %(1)     60 %     25 %(3)
Risk free interest rate     4.78 %     2.24 to 2.32%       6.3 %     6.5 %     6.27 %
Expected dividend yield     0 %     0 %     0 %     0 %     0 %
Average fair value of the granted options at the grant date(4)     GBP  1.878       GBP  1.935       INR  89       INR  78       INR  106  
Range of values of the granted options at the grant date     GBP  1.74 – 2.04       GBP  1.83-2.34       INR  75-100       INR  66-85       INR  106  

_______________

(1) The expected volatility in respect of the IPO Plan and IPO India Plan June 2006 in relation to Eros International Plc and Eros International Media Limited in respect of the IPO India Plan December 2009, and August 2010 have been arrived at by taking the weighted average share price movements of three peer companies as neither of these entities’ shares were listed at the date of grant.
(2) The expected volatility has been arrived at by the reviewing the implied volatilities of comparable companies to Eros International Plc and the observable historic volatility of these companies.
(3) The expected volatility in respect of the Eros India in respect of the IPO India Plan is based on the Company’s historic volatility.
(4) The fair value of options under the JSOP Plan April 2012 were measured using a Monte-Carlo simulation models.  Fair values of
  options granted under all other schemes are measured using a Black Scholes model.

 

The IPO Plan

 

The IPO Plan was adopted to grant options to senior management involved with our initial public offering on the AIM. The sole performance criterion attached to the options was met when our shares were admitted to trading on AIM. The options are fully vested. We do not intend to grant additional options under the IPO Plan.

 

The table below summarizes the IPO Plan.

 

    2013   2012
    Number of
shares
  Exercise
price
  Number of
shares
  Exercise
price
Outstanding on April 1 at beginning of period     62,438       GBP  5.28       62,438       GBP  5.28  
Outstanding at March 31 at end of period     62,438       GBP  5.28       62,438       GBP  5.28  
                                 
Exercisable on March 31     62,438       GBP  5.28       62,438       GBP  5.28  

 

The options outstanding at March 31, 2013 had a weighted average remaining contractual life of three years. As a result of anti-dilution provisions in the option agreements under the IPO Plan, the number of shares covered by options granted under the IPO Plan increases in proportion to certain increases in the aggregate number of our issued shares.

 

The JSOP Plan

 

On March 29, 2012, our board of directors approved a joint share ownership program, or JSOP, pursuant to which certain of our employees and executive directors may acquire shares jointly with the trustee of our Employee Benefit Trust upon receiving a grant by our board of directors to do so.

 

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On April 18, 2012, we issued 2,000,164 ordinary shares at an initial value set forth in the deeds governing these shares to our Employee Benefit Trust. Under the deeds governing these shares, each participant will be required to pay a nominal amount to acquire shares and the trustee will be required to pay us the remaining market value of such shares, as defined in the relevant deed, at time of acquisition. The consideration for these shares was funded by a loan from us to the Employee Benefit Trust, which will be repaid upon demand by us, by all cash held by the Employee Benefit Trust within seven days of receipt of such demand and by cash received upon sale of any shares held by the Employee Benefit Trust, within seven days of such sales. These shares are subject to three different vesting and performance conditions set out in separate JSOP deeds. Under two of these deeds, our board of directors may permit up to 10% of the applicable shares to vest after May 31, 2013, and up to 20% of the applicable shares in the aggregate to vest after May 31, 2014. After May 31, 2015, some or all of the remaining shares under these two deeds will vest automatically only if a specified level of total shareholder return or earnings per share, as applicable, has been met. The shares covered by the third deed automatically vest in their entirety after May 31, 2015, if the specified level of total shareholder return has been met. Until a participant’s rights in these shares vest, the rights to vote and receive dividends associated with such unvested shares will remain with the trustee. The level of shareholders’ return is calculated as a percentage movement in the market price of our shares from the grant date to vesting date.  Level of earnings per share is calculated as a percentage movement in the earnings per share from as at March 31, 2012 to March 31, 2015.  These specified levels are agreed upon for each employee and vary between the employees.

 

The table below summarizes the JSOP Plan.

 

    2013   2012
    Number of
shares
  Exercise
price
  Number of
shares
  Exercise
price
Outstanding on April 1 at beginning of period     —         —         —         —    
Granted     2,000,164       GBP  7.92       —         —    
Outstanding at March 31 at end of period     2,000,164       GBP  7.92       —         —    
                                 
Exercisable on March 31     —         —         —         —    

 

The options outstanding at March 31, 2013 had a weighted average remaining contractual life of nine years.

 

The IPO India Plan

 

Our subsidiary Eros International Media Limited has instituted an employee share option scheme ‘ESOP 2009’ (the “IPO India Plan”) for eligible employees. The IPO India Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee of the board of directors of Eros International Media Limited. The terms and conditions of the IPO India Plan are as follows:

 

    2013   2012
    Number of
shares of Eros
International
Media Ltd.
  Weighted
average
exercise
price
  Number of
shares of Eros
International
Media Ltd.
  Weighted
average
exercise
price
Outstanding at April 1     811,861     $ 2.80       1,733,924     $ 2.27  
Granted during the year     571,160       1.38       —         —    
Lapsed     (21,970 )     2.96       (592,206 )     1.54  
Exercised     (184,483 )     2.14       (329,857 )     2.27  
                                 
Outstanding at March 31     1,176,568     $ 2.06       811,861     $ 2.80  
                                 
Exercisable at March 31     291,950     $ 1.87       214,476     $ 2.77  

 

The exercise price of the options for an employee was based on factors such as seniority, tenure, criticality and performance of the employee and was calculated at a discount of 0-50% of what management believes to be the fair share price at grant date, based on, among other things, a valuation by an independent valuer. Options vest as follows:

 

  · 20% of the Options shall vest on the completion of 12 months from the Grant Date
  · 20% of the Options shall vest on the completion of 24 months from the Grant Date
  · 30% of the Options shall vest on the completion of 36 months from the Grant Date
  · 30% of the Options shall vest on the completion of 48 months from the Grant Date

 

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The weighted average share price of Eros International Media Limited options at the dates the options were exercised in the year ended March 31 2013 were $3.66, $3.68 and $3.84. The options outstanding at March 31, 2013 had a weighted average remaining contractual life of 18 months and a range of exercise prices from $1.38 to $3.22 (weighted average exercise price $1.87).

 

The Share Awards

 

On March 29, 2012, our board of directors approved to grant our A ordinary shares in an aggregate amount of up to 1% of our issued share capital following this offering, or the Share Awards, to our employees and directors and certain of our subsidiaries in connection with this offering. On April 17, 2012, as part of the Share Awards, we approved to grant 299,812 of our A ordinary shares to certain of our employees, valued at a price equal to the initial public offering price per share in this offering, conditioned upon the consummation of this offering and continued employment for six months following consummation of the offering. Although approved by our board of directors, no shares or options have been granted as at the date of this filing.

 

The Option Awards

 

On March 29, 2012, our board of directors approved to grant options for A ordinary shares, or the Option Awards, to our employees and directors and certain of our subsidiaries. The aggregate number of Option Awards, together with any A ordinary shares issued pursuant to the JSOP, will not exceed 8% of our issued share capital following the offering. On April 17, 2012, we approved to grant to our employees and consultants 807,648 ordinary share options with an exercise price equal to the initial public offering price of this offering per share. These options will be subject to three different vesting and performance conditions, similar to those described above for the shares issued under the JSOP on April 18, 2012. Our board of directors may permit up to 10% of the applicable options to vest after May 31, 2013, and up to an aggregate of 20% of the applicable options to vest after May 31, 2014. After May 31, 2015, the remaining options subject to these vesting and performance conditions will vest automatically if a specified level of total shareholder return or earnings per share, as applicable, has been met. The third group of options will automatically vest in their entirety after May 31, 2015, if the specified level of total shareholder return has been met. Although approved by our board of directors, no shares or options have been granted as at the date of this filing.

 

97
 

 

PRINCIPAL AND SELLING SHAREHOLDERS

 

The following table and accompanying footnotes provide information regarding the beneficial ownership of our ordinary shares as of September 30, 2013 with respect to:

 

  · each person or group who beneficially owns 5% or more of our issued ordinary shares;

 

  · each member of our board of directors and each named executive officer (as listed in the Summary Compensation Table under “Compensation Discussion and Analysis”);

 

  · all members of our board of directors and executive officers as a group; and

 

  · the selling shareholder s .

 

Beneficial ownership, which is determined in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC, means the sole or shared power to vote or direct the voting or dispose or direct the disposition of our ordinary shares. The number of our ordinary shares beneficially owned by a person includes ordinary shares issuable with respect to options or similar convertible securities held by that person that are exercisable or convertible within 60 days of the date of this prospectus.

 

The number of shares and percentage beneficial ownership of ordinary shares before this offering set forth below is based on 43,592,767 issued ordinary shares as of September 30, 2013. The number of shares and percentage beneficial ownership of the issued shares after the consummation of this offering is based on (a) A ordinary shares and (b) B ordinary shares immediately after consummation of this offering, assuming the underwriters do not exercise their overallotment option.

 

As of September 30, 2013, 0.04% of our outstanding securities were held by eight record holders in the United States.

 

Except as otherwise indicated in the footnotes to the table, shares are owned directly or indirectly with sole voting and investment power, subject to applicable marital property laws.

 

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                    Number of A Ordinary Shares
Beneficially Owned Immediately 
After Consummation of this Offering
  Number of B Ordinary Shares
Beneficially Owned Immediately 
After Consummation of this Offering
    Number of
Ordinary Shares
Beneficially Owned
Prior to the
Offering
  Number of A Ordinary
Shares Offered Hereby(10)
  Assuming the Underwriters’
Overallotment Option is 
Not Exercised
  Assuming the Underwriters’
Overallotment Option is
Exercised in Full
  Assuming the
Underwriters’
Overallotment
Option is Not
Exercised
  Assuming the
Underwriters’
Overallotment
Option is
Exercised in Full
Beneficial Owners   Number
of Shares
  Percent
of
Class
  Assuming
Underwriters’
Overallotment
Option is Not
Exercised
  Assuming
Underwriters’
Overallotment
Option is
Exercised in
Full
  Number of
Shares of
A
  Percent
of Class
  Number of
Shares of
A
  Percent
of
Class
  Number of
Shares of
B
  Percent
of Class
  Number of
Shares of
B
  Percent
of
Class
5% Beneficial Owners                                                
Kishore Lulla(1)   25,838,168   59.3%       *   *   *   *   21,042,719   100.0%   19,636,469   100.0%
Vijay Ahuja(2)   24,793,986   56.9%               20,281,486   96.4%   18,875,236   96.1%
Sunil Lulla(3)(4)   25,388,552   58.2%               20,876,052   99.2%   19,469,802   99.2%
Beech Investments(5)   24,793,986   56.9%   4,512,500   5,918,750           20,281,486   96.4%   18,875,236   96.1%
                                                 
Our Directors                                                
Kishore Lulla(1)   25,838,168   59.3%               21,042,719   100.0%   19,636,469   100.0%
Jyoti Deshpande(6)   2,057,793   4.7%   175,000   175,000   1,882,793   6.2%   1,882,793   5.8%        
Vijay Ahuja(2)   24,793,986   56.9%               20,281,486   96.4%   18,875,236   96.1%
Sunil Lulla(3)(4)   25,388,552   58.2%               20,876,052   99.2%   19,469,802   99.2%
Dilip Thakkar(4)   *   *       *   *   *   *        
Naresh Chandra(4)   *   *       *   *   *   *        
Michael Kirkwood(9)   *   *       *   *   *   *        
                                                 
Our Executive Officers                                                
Kishore Lulla(1)   25,838,168   59.3%               21,042,719   100.0%   19,636,469   100.0%
Jyoti Deshpande(6)   2,057,793   4.7%   175,000   175,000   1,882,793   6.2%   1,882,793   5.8%        
Vijay Ahuja(2)   24,793,986   56.9%               20,281,486   96.4%   18,875,236   96.1%
Sunil Lulla(3)(4)   25,388,552   58.2%               20,876,052   99.2%   19,469,802   99.2%
Ken Naz(7)(11)   *   *       *   *   *   *        
Surender Sadhwani(8)   *   *       *   *   *   *        
Andrew Heffernan(9)(11)   *   *       *   *   *   *        
Pranab Kapadia(9)(11)   *   *       *   *   *   *        
Sean Hanafin(9)(11)   *   *       *   *   *   *        
                                                 
All directors and executive officers as a group (12 persons)   28,201,928   64.7%   4,687,500   6,093,750   1,882,793   6.2%   1,882,793   5.8%   21,042,719   100.0%   19,636,469   100.0%
                                                 
Selling Shareholders                                                
Beech Investments(5)   24,793,986   56.9%   4,512,500   5,918,750           20,281,486   96.4%   18,875,236   96.1%
Jyoti Deshpande(6)   2,057,793   4.7%   175,000   175,000   1,882,793   6.2%   1,882,793   5.8%        

_______________

* Represents less than 1%.
(1) Kishore Lulla’s interest in certain of his shares is by virtue of his holding ownership interest in and being a potential beneficiary of discretionary trusts that hold our shares and serving as trustee of the Eros Foundation, a U.K. registered charity that holds our shares. The address of Kishore Lulla is Fort Anne, Douglas, Isle of Man IM15PD.
(2) Vijay Ahuja’s interest in shares is by virtue of his being a potential beneficiary of discretionary trusts that hold our shares. The address of Vijay Ahuja is 10 Draycott Park, No. 07-07, Draycott 8, Singapore—259405.
(3) Sunil Lulla’s interest in shares is by virtue of his being a potential beneficiary of discretionary trusts that hold shares in the Company.
(4) The address of Sunil Lulla, Dilip Thakkar and Naresh Chandra is 901-902, 9th Floor, Supreme Chambers, Veera Desai Road, Andheri (West) Mumbai, India.
(5) Beech Investments Limited, c/o SG Hambros Trust Company (Channel Islands) Limited, 18 Esplanade, St Helier, Jersey, JE4 8RT. Beech Investments, a company incorporated in the Isle of Man, is owned by discretionary trusts that include Eros founder Arjan Lulla and Eros directors Kishore Lulla, Vijay Ahuja and Sunil Lulla as beneficiaries.
(6) Jyoti Deshpande's interest in certain of her shares is by virtue of her prior existing shareholding vested options received as compensation and the 1,676,645 shares of Eros which she was issued on September 18, 2013 under her employment agreement. The address of Jyoti Deshpande is Fort Anne, Douglas, Isle of Man IM15PD.
(7) The address of Ken Naz is 550 County Avenue, Secaucus, New Jersey 07094.
(8) The address of Surender Sadhwani is 529, Building No. 8, Dubai Media City, P.O. Box 502121, Dubai, U.A.E.
(9) The address of Andrew Heffernan, Pranab Kapadia, Sean Hanafin and Michael Kirkwood is 13 Manchester Square, London, United Kingdom W1U3PP.
(10) Immediately prior to the listing of our A ordinary shares on the New York Stock Exchange, issued ordinary shares owned by the Founders’ Group convert into B ordinary shares.
(11) Andrew Heffernan, Pranab Kapadia, Ken Naz and Sean Hanafin have potential interests in A ordinary shares as a result of their interests in the JSOP Plan and IPO Plan. In aggregate these interests do not increase their potential ownership to more than 1%.
99
 

 

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

The following is a description of transactions since April 1, 2010 to which we have been a party, in which the amount involved in the transaction exceeded or will exceed $120,000, and in which any of our directors, executive officers or beneficial holders of more than 5% of our issued share capital had or will have a direct or indirect material interest.

 

Family Relationships

 

Mr. Kishore Lulla, our director and Chairman, is the brother of Mr. Sunil Lulla, our director, and a cousin of Mr. Vijay Ahuja, our director and Vice Chairman, and of Mr. Surender Sadhwani, our President of Middle East Operations. Mr. Sunil Lulla is the brother of Mr. Kishore Lulla and a cousin of Mr. Ahuja and Mr. Sadhwani. Mr. Ahuja is a cousin of Mr. Kishore Lulla and Mr. Sunil Lulla. Mr. Sadhwani is a cousin of Mr. Kishore Lulla and Mr. Sunil Lulla. Mr. Arjan Lulla, our founder, the father of Mr. Kishore Lulla and Mr. Sunil Lulla, uncle of Mr. Ahuja and Mr. Sadhwani and an employee of Redbridge Group Ltd., is the Honorary President of Eros and a director of our subsidiary Eros Worldwide. Mrs. Manjula Lulla and Ms. Rishika Lulla, the wife and daughter of Mr. Kishore Lulla, respectively, are both employees of our subsidiary, Eros International Limited. Mr. Jamie Kirkwood, son of Mr. Michael Kirkwood, is our VP, Investor Relations.

 

Leases

 

Pursuant to a lease agreement that expires on March 31, 2014, Eros India leases apartments for studio use 2,750 square feet of real property at Kailash Plaza, 3rd Floor, Opp. Laxmi Industrial Estate, Andheri (W), Mumbai, from Mrs. Manjula K. Lulla, the wife of Mr. Kishore Lulla. The lease requires us to pay $ 5 ,000 (Rs. 0.3 million) each month under this lease. Pursuant to a lease that expires in September 30, 2015, Eros India leases for use as executive accommodations the real property at Aumkar Bungalow, Gandhi Gram Road, Juhu, Mumbai, from Mr. Sunil Lulla. Beginning in October 2012, the lease requires us to pay $ 5 ,000 (Rs. 0.3 million) each month under this lease.

 

Pursuant to a lease agreement that expires on March 31, 2015, we lease for our U.S. corporate offices, the real property at 550 County Avenue, Secaucus, New Jersey, from 550 County Avenue Property Corp, a Delaware corporation owned by Beech Investments and of which our President of Americas Operations Ken Naz serves as a director. The current lease commenced on April 1, 2010, and requires us to pay $11,000 each month.

 

Pursuant to a lease agreement that expires in March 2018, including renewal periods, we lease for our U.K. corporate offices, the real property at 13 Manchester Square, London from Linecross Limited, a U.K. company owned indirectly by a discretionary trust of which Mr. Kishore Lulla and Mr. Sunil Lulla are potential beneficiaries. The current lease commenced on November 19, 2009, and requires us to pay $129,000 each quarter. In addition, Eros Energy UK Ltd., of which Mr. Kishore Lulla is a director, subleases from us a part of the property at 13 Manchester Square, London.

 

Honorary Appointment of Mr. Arjan Lulla

 

We agreed to pay Redbridge Group Ltd. an annual fee set each year by our Board of Directors of $322,000, $321,000 and $322,000 in fiscal 2011, fiscal 2012, and fiscal 2013, respectively, and $ 156, 000 in the six months September 30, 2013 for the services of Mr. Arjan Lulla, the father of Mr. Kishore Lulla and Mr. Sunil Lulla, uncle of Mr. Ahuja and Mr. Sadhwani and an employee of Redbridge Group Ltd. The agreement makes Mr. Arjan Lulla our honorary life president and provides for services including attendance at board meetings, entrepreneurial leadership and assistance in setting our strategy. Redbridge Group Ltd. is an entity owned indirectly by a discretionary trust of which Mr. Kishore Lulla and Mr. Sunil Lulla are potential beneficiaries.

 

Lulla Family Transactions

 

We have engaged in transactions with NextGen Films Pvt. Ltd., an entity owned by the husband of Puja Rajani, sister of Mr. Kishore Lulla and Mr. Sunil Lulla, each of which involved the purchase and sale of film rights. NextGen Films Pvt. Ltd. sold $3.5 million, $22.2 million and $23.6 million to us in fiscal 2011, fiscal 2012, fiscal 2013 , respectively, and $0 in the six months ended September 30, 2013 and purchased from us $4.8 million in fiscal 2011 and $3.1 million in the six months ended September 30, 2013 . As at September 30, 2013, Eros India had provided a corporate guarantee to a bank for $4.0 million in connection with the borrowings of NextGen Films Pvt. Ltd in respect of certain film content capital commitments. Such guarantee is for a period of up to two years .

 

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We have also engaged in transactions with Everest Entertainment Pvt. Ltd. an entity owned by the brother of Mrs. Manjula K. Lulla, wife of Mr. Kishore Lulla, which involved the purchase and sale of film rights. Everest Entertainment Pvt. Ltd. sold $24,000, $18,000, $16,000 and $1,000 to us in fiscal 2011, fiscal 2012, fiscal 2013 and the in the six months September 30, 2013, respectively, and purchased from us $6,000 in fiscal 2012. The owner of Everest Entertainment Pvt. Ltd. is also the first cousin of Mr. Kishore Lulla, Mr. Vijay Ahuja, and Mr. Sunil Lulla.

 

Ondra LLP

 

From September 2010 through November 2010, Ondra LLP, where Mr. Michael Kirkwood is a member and served as Chairman at the time of the transaction, was engaged by us to provide consulting services. Ondra LLP was paid $225,000 in the aggregate for its consulting services. The engagement was completed in November 2010. Mr. Michael Kirkwood currently serves as a Senior Advisor of Ondra LLP.

 

Relationship Agreement

 

Both we and our subsidiaries, including Eros India, acquire rights in Indian movies. Under a 2009 Relationship Agreement among Eros India, Eros Worldwide and us, certain intellectual property rights and all distribution rights for Indian films (other than Tamil films) outside of the territories of India, Nepal and Bhutan held by the Eros India Group are assigned exclusively to Eros Worldwide. Eros Worldwide in turn is entitled to assign its rights to us and to other entities within the Eros group of companies, excluding the Eros India Group and Ayngaran and its subsidiaries, or the Eros International Group.

 

Eros Worldwide provides a lump sum minimum guaranteed fee to the Eros India Group for each Indian film (other than a Tamil film) assigned to it by Eros India under the Relationship Agreement, in a fixed payment equal to 30% of the production cost of such film, including all costs incurred in connection with the acquisition, pre-production, production or post-production of such film, plus an amount equal to 30% of such fixed payment. We refer to these payments collectively as the Minimum Guaranteed Fee. Eros Worldwide is also required to reimburse the Eros India Group for 130% of certain pre-approved distribution expenses in connection with such film. In addition, 30% of the gross proceeds received by the Eros International Group from exploitation of such films, after certain amounts are retained by the Eros International Group, are payable over to the Eros India Group. No share of gross proceeds from an Indian film is payable by the Eros International Group to the Eros India Group until the Eros International Group has received and retained an amount equal to the Minimum Guaranteed Fee, a 20% fee on all gross proceeds outside the territories of India, Nepal and Bhutan, including gross proceeds related to the exploitation of related film ancillary rights, and 100% of the distribution expenses incurred by the Eros International Group or for which Eros Worldwide has provided reimbursement to the Eros India Group.

 

Under the 2009 Relationship Agreement, the Eros India Group also assigns to Eros Worldwide all non-film music publishing rights. The non-film music publishing rights are the exclusive right to exploit, outside of the territories of India, Nepal and Bhutan, music compositions and performances held by the Eros India Group, other than such music publishing rights related to an Indian film (other than a Tamil film). Eros Worldwide is entitled to assign its non-film music publishing rights to us and the other entities within the Eros International Group. For such non-film music publishing rights, Eros Worldwide agrees to pay the Eros India Group 75% of the gross proceeds received related to such non-film music publishing rights, after certain amounts are retained by Eros International Group. Eros Worldwide is also required to reimburse the Eros India Group for 130% of certain pre-approved distribution expenses in connection with such non-film music publishing rights. No share of gross proceeds is payable by the Eros International Group to the Eros India Group until the Eros International Group has received and retained 100% of its distribution expenses incurred in connection with such non-film music publishing rights or for which Eros Worldwide has provided reimbursement to the Eros India Group. The initial term of the 2009 Relationship Agreement will expire in December 2014. Thereafter, the agreement will be automatically renewed for successive two year terms unless terminated by any party by 90 days’ written notice on or before commencement of any renewal term.

 

Beech Investments

 

Mr. Sadhwani is the beneficial owner of Victoria Landmark Global Holdings Limited, a Mauritian entity, which in fiscal 2011 received approximately $1.6 million from Ganges Green Energy Pvt. Limited in exchange for consultancy services. Ganges Green Energy Pvt. Limited is owned indirectly by an entity that indirectly owns 66% of Beech Investments and of which Mr. Kishore Lulla and Mr. Sunil Lulla are potential beneficiaries.

 

Dhrishti

 

In 2011 and 2012, we licensed a large portion of our television syndication rights to Dhrishti, which accounted for 11.8% and 23.0% of our revenue in fiscal 2012 and fiscal 2011, respectively. The son of Mr. Sadhwani, one of our executive officers, served as a director of Dhrishti between May 5, 2011 and October 21, 2011. We have no ongoing relationship with Dhrishti.

 

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Eros Foundation

 

On October 6, 2011, we issued 250,000 ordinary shares to the Eros Foundation, a U.K. registered charity, for no consideration. Such shares were granted by our Remuneration Committee to Mr. Kishore Lulla and Mr. Sunil Lulla as compensation, each of whom directed the issuance of such shares to the Eros Foundation. Mr. Kishore Lulla and his wife, Mrs. Manjula K. Lulla, are trustees, but not beneficiaries, of the foundation.

 

Special Purpose Entities

 

During fiscal 2011, we entered into transactions with certain special purpose entities that had been incorporated to produce films within the U.K. Andrew Heffernan, our Chief Financial Officer and a director of various subsidiaries, previously served as a director for these special purpose entities. These special purpose entities include Illuminati Films Limited, Vijay Galani Movies Ltd. and Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment Ltd.

 

102
 

 

DESCRIPTION OF SHARE CAPITAL

 

We were incorporated in the Isle of Man as Eros International Plc on March 31, 2006 under the 1931 Act, as a public company limited by shares. Effective as of September 29, 2011, we were de-registered under the 1931 Act and re-registered as a company limited by shares under the 2006 Act. The 2006 Act provides that re-registration does not prejudice or affect in any way the continuity or legal validity of a company.

 

On September  30, 2013, our authorized share capital consisted of 200,000,000 ordinary shares, of GBP 0.10 par value per share, of which 130,778,302 ordinary shares were in issue, which does not reflect the one-for-three stock split.

 

Immediately prior to the listing of our A ordinary shares on the New York Stock Exchange, and after giving effect to a one-for-three reverse stock split, as permitted by the 2006 Act and our articles of association, that will occur immediately prior to the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, we will adopt new articles of association. Unless our board of directors shall otherwise direct, the par value of share capital available for issue will consist of GBP 25,000,000 divided into 83,333,333 ordinary shares designated as either A ordinary shares or B ordinary shares. The maximum number of B ordinary shares which may be issued upon the listing on the NYSE is 25,555,219 B ordinary shares.

 

The following is a description of the material provisions of our ordinary shares and the other material terms of our articles of association to take effect upon the consummation of this offering, and certain provisions of Isle of Man law. This summary does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by the provisions of our articles of association, copies of which have been or will be filed with the SEC as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part.

 

Board of Directors

 

Under our articles of association that will be adopted upon the listing of our A ordinary shares on the NYSE, the 2006 Act and the committee charters and governance policies adopted by our board of directors, our board of directors controls our business and actions. Our board of directors will consist of between three and twelve directors and will be divided into three staggered classes of directors of the same or nearly the same number. At each annual general meeting, a class of directors will be elected for a three-year term to succeed the directors of the same class whose terms are then expiring. No director may participate in any approval of a transaction in which he or she is interested. The directors receive a fee determined by our board of directors for their services as directors and such fees are distinct from any salary, remuneration or other amounts that may be payable to the directors under our articles. However, any director who is also one of our subsidiaries’ officers is not entitled to any such director fees but may be paid a salary and/or remuneration for holding any employment or executive office, in accordance with the articles. Our directors are entitled to be repaid all reasonable expenses incurred in the performance of their duties as directors. There is no mandatory retirement age for our directors.

 

Our articles provide that the quorum necessary for the transaction of business may be determined by our board of directors and, in the absence of such determination, is the majority of the members of our board of directors. Subject to the provisions of the 2006 Act, the directors may exercise all the powers of the Company to borrow money, guarantee, indemnify and to mortgage or charge our assets.

 

Ordinary Shares

 

Dividends

 

Holders of our A ordinary shares and B ordinary shares whose names appear on the register on the date on which a dividend is declared by our board of directors are entitled to such dividends according to the shareholders’ respective rights and interests in our profits and subject to the satisfaction of the solvency test contained in the 2006 Act. Any such dividend is payable on the date declared by our board of directors, or on any other date specified by our board of directors. Under the 2006 Act, a company satisfies the solvency test if (a) it is able to pay its debts as they become due in the normal course of its business and (b) the value of its assets exceeds the value of its liabilities. Under certain circumstances, if dividend payments are returned to us undelivered or left uncashed, we will not be obligated to send further dividends or other payments with respect to such ordinary shares until that shareholder notifies us of an address to be used for the purpose. In the discretion of our board of directors, all dividends unclaimed for a period of twelve months may be invested or otherwise used by our board of directors for our benefit until claimed (and we are not a trustee of such unclaimed funds) and all dividends unclaimed for a period of twelve years after having become due for payment may be forfeited and revert to us.

 

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Voting Rights

 

Each A ordinary share is entitled to one vote on all matters upon which the ordinary shares are entitled to vote, and each B ordinary share is entitled to ten votes. In order to vote at any meeting of shareholders, a holder of B ordinary shares will first be required to certify that it is a permitted holder as defined in our articles.

 

General Meetings

 

Unless unanimously approved by all shareholders entitled to attend and vote at the meeting, all general meetings for the approval of a resolution appointing a director may be convened by our board of directors with at least 21 days’ notice (excluding the date of notice and the date of the general meeting), and any other general meeting may be convened by our Board of Directors with at least 14 days’ notice (excluding the date of notice and the date of the general meeting). A quorum required for any general meeting consists of shareholders holding at least 30% of our issued share capital. The concept of “ordinary,” “special” and “extraordinary” resolutions is not recognized under the 2006 Act, and resolutions passed at a meeting of shareholders only require the approval of shareholders present in person or by proxy, holding in excess of 50% of the voting rights exercised in relation thereto. However, as permitted under the 2006 Act, our articles of association incorporate the concept of a “special resolution” (requiring the approval of shareholders holding 75% or more of the voting rights exercised in relation thereto) in relation to certain matters, such as directing the management of our business (subject to the provisions of the 2006 Act and our articles), sanctioning a transfer or sale of the whole or part of our business or property to another company (pursuant to the relevant section of the 1931 Act) and allocating any shares or other consideration among the shareholders in the event of a winding up.

 

Rights to Share in Dividends

 

Our shareholders have the right to a proportionate share of any dividends we declare.

 

Limitations on Right to Hold Shares

 

Our board of directors may determine that any person owning shares (directly or beneficially) constitutes a “prohibited person” and is not qualified to own shares if such person is in breach of any law or requirement of any country and, as determined solely by our board of directors, such ownership would cause a pecuniary or tax disadvantage to us, another shareholder or any of our other securities. Our board of directors may direct the prohibited person to transfer the shares to another person who is not a prohibited person. Any such determination made or action taken by our board of directors is conclusive and binding on all persons concerned, although in the event of such a transfer, the net proceeds of the sale of the relevant shares, after payment of our costs of the sale, shall be paid by us to the previous registered holders of such shares or, if reasonable inquiries failed to disclose the location of such registered holders, into a trust account at a bank designated by us, the associated costs of which shall be borne by such trust account. A prohibited person would have the right to apply to the Isle of Man court if he or she felt that our board of directors had not complied with the relevant provisions of our articles of association.

 

Our articles also identify certain “permitted holders” of B ordinary shares. Any B ordinary shares transferred to a person other than a permitted holder will, immediately upon registration of such transfer, convert automatically into A ordinary shares. In addition, if, at any time, the aggregate number of B ordinary shares in issue constitutes less than 10% of the aggregate number of A ordinary shares and B ordinary shares in issue, all B ordinary shares in issue will convert automatically into A ordinary shares on a one-for-one basis.

 

Untraceable Shareholders

 

Under certain circumstances, if any payment with respect to any ordinary shares has not been cashed and we have not received any communications from the holder of such ordinary shares, we may sell such ordinary shares after giving notice in accordance with procedures set out by our articles to the holder of the ordinary shares and any relevant regulatory authority.

 

Action Required to Change Shareholder Rights or Amend Our Memorandum or Articles of Association

 

All or any of the rights attached to any class of our ordinary shares may, subject to the provisions of the 2006 Act, be amended either with the written consent of the holders of 75% of the issued shares of that class or by a special resolution passed at a general meeting of the holders of shares of that class. Furthermore, our memorandum and articles of association may be amended by a special resolution of the holders of 75% of the issued shares.

 

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Liquidation Rights

 

On a return of capital on winding up, assets available for distribution among the holders of ordinary shares will be distributed among holders of our ordinary shares on a pro rata basis. If our assets available for distribution are insufficient to repay all of the paid-up capital, the assets will be distributed so that the losses are borne by our shareholders proportionately.

 

Minority Shareholder Protections

 

Under the 2006 Act, if a shareholder believes that the affairs of the company have been or are being conducted in a manner that is unfair to such shareholder or unfairly prejudicial or oppressive, the shareholder can seek a range of court remedies including winding up the company or setting aside decisions in breach of the 2006 Act or the company’s memorandum and articles of association. Further, if a company or a director of a company breaches or proposes to breach the 2006 Act or its memorandum or articles of association, then, in response to a shareholder’s application, the Isle of Man Court may issue an order requiring compliance with the 2006 Act or the memorandum or articles of association; alternatively, the Isle of Man Court may issue an order restraining certain action to prevent such a breach from occurring.

 

The 2006 Act also contains provisions that enable a shareholder to apply to the Isle of Man court for an order directing that an investigation be made of a company and any of its associated companies.

 

Anti-takeover Effects of Our Dual Class Structure

 

As a result of our dual class structure, the Founders Group and our executives and employees will have significant influence over all matters requiring shareholder approval, including the election of directors and significant corporate transactions, such as a merger or other sale of our company or its assets. This concentrated control could discourage others from initiating any potential merger, takeover or other change of control transaction that other shareholders may view as beneficial.

 

U.K. Takeover Code

 

The City Code on Takeovers and Mergers, or the City Code, will apply to us, even after our admission to AIM is cancelled, if the UK Panel on Takeovers and Mergers, or the Panel, considers that our place of central management and control is in the United Kingdom, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man. Under the City Code (amongst other rules designated to protect shareholders), if an acquisition of interests in the A ordinary shares and/or B ordinary shares were to increase the aggregate holding of an acquirer and persons acting in concert with it to an interest in the A ordinary shares and/or B ordinary shares carrying 30% or more of the voting rights exercisable at a general meeting of the Company, the acquirer and, depending upon the circumstances, persons acting in concert with it, would be required (except with the consent of the Panel) to make a cash offer for the outstanding A ordinary shares and B ordinary shares at a price not less than the highest price paid for any interest in the A ordinary shares or B ordinary Shares (as applicable) by the acquirer or persons acting in concert with it during the 12 months prior to the announcement of the offer. Offers for different classes of equity share capital must be comparable and the Panel should be consulted in advance in such cases. A similar obligation to make such a mandatory offer would also arise on the acquisition of an interest in A ordinary shares and/or B ordinary shares by a person holding (together with persons acting in concert with it) an interest in A ordinary shares and/or B ordinary shares carrying between 30% and 50% of the voting rights in the Company if the effect of such acquisition was to increase the percentage of shares carrying voting rights in which it is interested.

 

Indian Takeover Regulations

 

The Takeover Regulations came into effect on October 22, 2011, superseding the earlier takeover regulations. For further discussion of these regulations, see “Regulation—Material Indian Regulation—Indian Takeover Regulations.”

 

Compulsory Acquisitions under the 2006 Act

 

Under the 2006 Act, where a scheme or contract involving the acquisition of a company’s shares has within sixteen weeks after the making of the offer been approved by the holders of not less than 90% in value of the shares affected, the acquiring party may, within eight weeks after the expiration of the sixteen-week period, by notice to the remaining shareholders compulsorily acquire their shares. The dissenting shareholders may, however, within one month of the date of the notice, apply to court for relief.

 

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Differences in Corporate Law

 

The following chart summarizes certain material differences between the rights of holders of our A ordinary shares and the rights of holders of the common stock of a typical corporation incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware that result from differences in governing documents and the laws of Isle of Man and Delaware.

 

    Isle of Man Law   Delaware Law
         
General Meetings  

The 2006 Act does not require a company to hold an annual general meeting of its shareholders. Subject to anything contrary in the company’s memorandum and articles of association, a meeting of shareholders can be held at such time and in such place, within or outside the Isle of Man, as the convener of the meeting considers appropriate. Under the 2006 Act, the directors of a company (or any other person permitted by the company’s memorandum and articles of association) may convene a meeting of the shareholders of a company. Further, the directors of a company must call a meeting to consider a resolution requested in writing by shareholders holding at least 10% of the company’s voting rights. The Isle of Man Court may order a meeting of members to be held and to be conducted in such manner as the Court orders, among other things, if it is of the opinion that it is in the interests of the shareholders of the company that a meeting of shareholders is held.

 

Our articles require our Board of Directors to convene annually a general meeting of the shareholders at such time and place, and to consider such business, as the Board of Directors may determine.

  Shareholders of a Delaware corporation generally do not have the right to call meetings of shareholders unless that right is granted in the certificate of incorporation or bylaws. However, if a corporation fails to hold its annual meeting within a period of 30 days after the date designated for the annual meeting, or if no date has been designated for a period of 13 months after its last annual meeting, the Delaware Court of Chancery may order a meeting to be held upon the application of a shareholder.
         
Quorum Requirements for General Meetings   The 2006 Act provides that a quorum at a general meeting of shareholders may be fixed by the articles. Our articles provide a quorum required for any general meeting consists of shareholders holding at least 30% of the issued share capital of the Company.   A Delaware corporation’s certificate of incorporation or bylaws can specify the number of shares that constitute the quorum required to conduct business at a meeting, provided that in no event will a quorum consist of less than one-third of the shares entitled to vote at a meeting.
         
Board of Directors   Our articles provide that unless and until otherwise determined by our Board of Directors, the number of directors will not be less than three or more than 12, with the exact number to be set from time to time by the Board of Directors. While there is no concept of dividing a board of directors into classes under Isle of Man law, there is nothing to prohibit a company from doing so. Consequently, under our articles, our Board of Directors is divided into three classes, each as nearly equal in number as possible and at each annual general meeting, each of the directors of the relevant class the term of which shall then expire shall be eligible for re-election to the Board of Directors for a period of three years.   A typical certificate of incorporation and bylaws would provide that the number of directors on the board of directors will be fixed from time to time by a vote of the majority of the authorized directors. Under Delaware law, a board of directors can be divided into up to three classes.
         

 

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    Isle of Man Law   Delaware Law
         
Removal of Directors  

Under Isle of Man law, notwithstanding anything in the memorandum or articles or in any agreement between a company and its directors, a director may be removed from office by way of shareholder resolution. Such resolution may only be passed (a) at a meeting of the shareholders called for such purposes including the removal of the director or (b) by a written resolution consented to by a shareholder or shareholders holding at least 75% of the voting rights.

 

The 2006 Act provides that a director may be removed from office by a resolution of the directors if the directors are expressly given such authority in the memorandum or articles, but our articles do not provide this authority.

  A typical certificate of incorporation and bylaws provide that, subject to the rights of holders of any preferred stock, directors may be removed at any time by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority, or in some instances a supermajority, of the voting power of all of the then outstanding shares entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class. A certificate of incorporation could also provide that such a right is only exercisable when a director is being removed for cause (removal of a director only for cause is the default rule in the case of a classified board).
         
Vacancy of Directors  

Subject to any contrary provisions in a company’s memorandum or articles of association, a person may be appointed as a director (either to fill a vacancy or as an additional director) by a resolution of the directors or by a resolution of the shareholders.

 

Our articles provide that any vacancy resulting from, among other things, removal, resignation, conviction and disqualification, may be filled by another person willing to act as a director by way of shareholder resolution or resolution of our Board of Directors. Any director appointed by the Board of Directors will hold office only until the next annual general meeting of the Company, when he will be subject to retirement or re-election.

  A typical certificate of incorporation and bylaws provide that, subject to the rights of the holders of any preferred stock, any vacancy, whether arising through death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, removal, an increase in the number of directors or any other reason, may be filled by a majority vote of the remaining directors, even if such directors remaining in office constitute less than a quorum, or by the sole remaining director. Any newly elected director usually holds office for the remainder of the full term expiring at the annual meeting of shareholders at which the term of the class of directors to which the newly elected director has been elected expires.
         
Interested Director Transactions   Under Isle of Man law, as soon as a director becomes aware of the fact that he is interested in a transaction entered into or to be entered into by the company, he must disclose this interest to the board of directors. Our articles provide that no director may participate in approval of a transaction in which he or she is interested.   Under Delaware law, some contracts or transactions in which one or more of a Delaware corporation’s directors has an interest are not void or voidable because of such interest provided that some conditions, such as obtaining the required approval and fulfilling the requirements of good faith and full disclosure, are met. For an interested director transaction not to be voided, either the shareholders or the board of directors must approve in good faith any such contract or transaction after full disclosure of the material facts or the contract or transaction must have been “fair” as to the corporation at the time it was approved. If board or committee approval is sought, the contract or transaction must be approved in good faith by a majority of disinterested directors after full disclosure of material facts, even though less than a majority of a quorum.
         

 

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    Isle of Man Law   Delaware Law
         
Cumulative Voting   There is no concept of cumulative voting under Isle of Man law.   Delaware law does not require that a Delaware corporation provide for cumulative voting. However, the certificate of incorporation of a Delaware corporation may provide that shareholders of any class or classes or of any series may vote cumulatively either at all elections or at elections under specified circumstances.
         
Shareholder Action Without a Meeting   A written resolution will be passed if it is consented to in writing by shareholders holding in excess of 50% of the rights to vote on such resolution. The consent may be in the form of counterparts, and our articles provide that, in such circumstances, the resolution takes effect on the earliest date upon which shareholders holding a sufficient number of votes to constitute a resolution of shareholders have consented to the resolution in writing. Any holder of B ordinary shares consenting to a resolution in writing is first required to certify that it is a permitted holder as defined in our articles. If any written resolution of the shareholders of the company is adopted otherwise than by unanimous written consent, a copy of such resolution must be sent to all shareholders not consenting to such resolution upon it taking effect.   Unless otherwise specified in a Delaware corporation’s certificate of incorporation, any action required or permitted to be taken by shareholders at an annual or special meeting may be taken by shareholders without a meeting, without notice and without a vote, if consents, in writing, setting forth the action, are signed by shareholders with not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize the action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote were present and voted. All consents must be dated. No consent is effective unless, within 60 days of the earliest dated consent delivered to the corporation, written consents signed by a sufficient number of holders to take the action are delivered to the corporation.
         
Business Combinations   Under Isle of Man law, a merger or consolidation must be approved by, among other things, the directors of the company and by shareholders holding at least 75% of the voting rights. A scheme of arrangement (which includes, among other things, a sale or transfer of the assets of the company) must be approved by, among other things, the directors of the company, a 75% shareholder majority and also requires the sanction of the court.   With certain exceptions, a merger, consolidation or sale of all or substantially all the assets of a Delaware corporation must be approved by the board of directors and a majority (unless the certificate of incorporation requires a higher percentage) of the outstanding shares entitled to vote thereon.
         
Interested Shareholders   There are no equivalent provisions under Isle of Man law relating to interested shareholders.   Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law generally prohibits a Delaware corporation from engaging in specified corporate transactions (such as mergers, stock and asset sales and loans) with an “interested shareholder” for three years following the time that the shareholder becomes an interested shareholder. Subject to specified exceptions, an “interested shareholder” is a person or group that owns 15% or more of the corporation’s outstanding voting stock (including any rights to acquire stock pursuant to an option, warrant, agreement, arrangement or understanding, or upon the exercise of conversion or exchange rights, and stock with respect to which the person has voting rights only), or is an affiliate or associate of the corporation and was the owner of 15% or more of the voting stock at any time within the previous three years.

 

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    Isle of Man Law   Delaware Law
         
        A Delaware corporation may elect to “opt out” of, and not be governed by, Section 203 through a provision in either its original certificate of incorporation or its bylaws, or an amendment to its original certificate or bylaws that was approved by majority shareholder vote. With a limited exception, this amendment would not become effective until 12 months following its adoption.
         
Limitations on Personal Liability of Directors   Under Isle of Man law, a director who vacates office remains liable under any provisions of the 2006 Act that impose liabilities on a director in respect of any acts or omissions or decisions made while that person was a director.   A Delaware corporation may include in its certificate of incorporation provisions limiting the personal liability of its directors to the corporation or its shareholders for monetary damages for many types of breach of fiduciary duty. However, these provisions may not limit liability for any breach of the duty of loyalty, acts or omissions not in good faith or that involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, the authorization of unlawful dividends, shares repurchases or shares barring redemptions, or any transaction from which a director derived an improper personal benefit. A typical certificate of incorporation would also provide that if Delaware law is amended so as to allow further elimination of, or limitations on, director liability, then the liability of directors will be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law as so amended. However, these provisions would not be likely to bar claims arising under U.S. federal securities laws.
         
Indemnification of Directors and Officers  

A company may indemnify against all expenses, any person who is or was a party, or is threatened to be made a party to any civil, criminal, administrative or investigative proceedings (threatened, pending or completed), by reason of the fact that the person is or was a director of the company, or who is or was, at the request of the company, serving as a director or acting for another company.

 

Any indemnity given will be void and of no effect unless such person acted honestly and in good faith and in what such person believed to be in the best interests of the company and, in the case of criminal proceedings, had no reasonable cause to believe that the conduct of such person was unlawful.

  Under Delaware law, subject to specified limitations in the case of derivative suits brought by a corporation’s shareholders in its name, a corporation may indemnify any person who is made a party to any third party action, suit or proceeding on account of being a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation (or was serving at the request of the corporation in such capacity for another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise) against expenses, including attorney’s fees, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him or her in connection with the action, suit or proceeding through, among other things, a majority vote of directors who were not parties to the suit or proceeding (even though less than a quorum), if the person:
         

 

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    Isle of Man Law   Delaware Law
         
       

·    acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation or, in some circumstances, at least not opposed to its best interests; and

 

·    in a criminal proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful.

 

Delaware law permits indemnification by a corporation under similar circumstances for expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such persons in connection with the defense or settlement of a derivative action or suit, except that no indemnification may be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which the person is adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless the Delaware Court of Chancery or the court in which the action or suit was brought determines upon application that the person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for the expenses which the court deems to be proper.

 

To the extent a director, officer, employee or agent is successful in the defense of such an action, suit or proceeding, the corporation is required by Delaware law to indemnify such person for reasonable expenses incurred thereby. Expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by such persons in defending any action, suit or proceeding may be paid in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of that person to repay the amount if it is ultimately determined that that person is not entitled to be so indemnified.

         
Appraisal Rights   There is no concept of appraisal rights under Isle of Man law.   A shareholder of a Delaware corporation participating in certain major corporate transactions may, under certain circumstances, be entitled to appraisal rights pursuant to which the shareholder may receive cash in the amount of the fair value of the shares held by that shareholder (as determined by a court) in lieu of the consideration the shareholder would otherwise receive in the transaction.

 

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    Isle of Man Law   Delaware Law
         
Shareholder Suits  

The Isle of Man Court may, on application of a shareholder, permit that shareholder to bring proceedings in the name and on behalf of the company (including intervening in proceedings to which the company is a party). In determining whether or not leave is to be granted, the Isle of Man Court will take into account such things as whether the shareholder is acting in good faith and whether the Isle of Man Court itself is satisfied that it is in the interests of the company that the conduct of the proceedings should not be left to the directors or to the determination of the shareholders as a whole.

 

Under Isle of Man law, a shareholder may bring an action against the company for a breach of a duty owed by the company to such shareholder in that capacity.

  Under Delaware law, a shareholder may bring a derivative action on behalf of the corporation to enforce the rights of the corporation, including for, among other things, breach of fiduciary duty, corporate waste and actions not taken in accordance with applicable law. An individual also may commence a class action suit on behalf of himself or herself and other similarly situated shareholders where the requirements for maintaining a class action under Delaware law have been met. A person may institute and maintain such a suit only if such person was a shareholder at the time of the transaction which is the subject of the suit or his or her shares thereafter devolved upon him or her by operation of law. Additionally, under established Delaware case law, the plaintiff generally must be a shareholder not only at the time of the transaction which is the subject of the suit, but also through the duration of the derivative suit. Delaware law also requires that the derivative plaintiff make a demand on the directors of the corporation to assert the corporate claim before the suit may be prosecuted by the derivative plaintiff, unless such demand would be futile. In such derivative and class actions, the court has discretion to permit the winning party to recover attorneys’ fees incurred in connection with such action.
         
Inspection of Books and Records  

Upon giving written notice, a shareholder is entitled to inspect and to make copies of (or obtain extracts of) the memorandum and articles and any of the registers of shareholders, directors and charges. A shareholder may only inspect the accounting records (and make copies or take extracts thereof) in certain circumstances.

 

Our articles provide that no shareholder has any right to inspect any accounting record or other document of the company unless he is authorized to do so by statute, by order of the Isle of Man Court, by our Board of Directors or by shareholder resolution.

  All shareholders of a Delaware corporation have the right, upon written demand, to inspect or obtain copies of the corporation’s shares ledger and its other books and records for any purpose reasonably related to such person’s interest as a shareholder.

 

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    Isle of Man Law   Delaware Law
         
Amendment of Governing Documents   Under Isle of Man law, the shareholders of a company may, by resolution, amend the memorandum and articles of the company. The memorandum and articles of a company may authorize the directors to amend the memorandum and articles, but our memorandum and articles do not contain any such power. Our memorandum of association provides that our memorandum of association and articles of association may be amended by a special resolution of shareholders.   Under Delaware law, amendments to a corporation’s certificate of incorporation require the approval of shareholders holding a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote on the amendment. If a class vote on the amendment is required by Delaware law, a majority of the outstanding stock of the class is required, unless a greater proportion is specified in the certificate of incorporation or by other provisions of Delaware law. Under Delaware law, the board of directors may amend bylaws if so authorized in the certificate of incorporation. The shareholders of a Delaware corporation also have the power to amend bylaws.
         
Dividends and Repurchases  

The 2006 Act contains a statutory solvency test. A company satisfies the solvency test if it is able to pay its debts as they become due in the normal course of its business and where the value of the company’s assets exceeds the value of its liabilities.

 

Subject to the satisfaction of the solvency test and any contrary provision contained in a company’s articles, a company may, by a resolution of the directors, declare and pay dividends. Our articles provide that where the solvency test has been satisfied, our Board of Directors may declare and pay dividends (including interim dividends) out of our profits to shareholders according to their respective rights and interests in the profits of the company.

 

Under Isle of Man law, a company may purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire its own shares for any consideration, subject to, among other things, satisfaction of the solvency test.

 

Delaware law permits a corporation to declare and pay dividends out of statutory surplus or, if there is no surplus, out of net profits for the fiscal year in which the dividend is declared and/or for the preceding fiscal year as long as the amount of capital of the corporation following the declaration and payment of the dividend is not less than the aggregate amount of the capital represented by the issued and outstanding stock of all classes having a preference upon the distribution of assets.

 

Under Delaware law, any corporation may purchase or redeem its own shares, except that generally it may not purchase or redeem those shares if the capital of the corporation is impaired at the time or would become impaired as a result of the redemption. A corporation may, however, purchase or redeem capital shares that are entitled upon any distribution of its assets to a preference over another class or series of its shares if the shares are to be retired and the capital reduced.

 

Changes in Capital

 

The conditions in our articles of association governing changes in capital are not more stringent than as required under the 2006 Act. Our articles of association provide that our directors may, by resolution, alter our share capital. The 2006 Act subjects any reduction of share capital to the statutory solvency test. The 2006 Act provides that a company satisfies the solvency test if it is able to pay its debts as they become due in the normal course of the company’s business and where the value of the company’s assets exceeds the value of its liabilities.

 

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History of Share Capital

 

The following table and footnotes provides a summary of the issue of our ordinary shares since April 1, 2010.

 

    Issued
Share Capital
As at April 1, 2010       38,711,253  
June 1, 2011(1)       35,925  
October 3, 2011(2)       691,780  
April 18, 2012(3)       2,000,164  
August 12, 2013(4)       477,000  
September 18, 2013(5)       1,676,645  
As at September 30, 2013       43,592,767  

_______________

  (1) Shares issued for employee bonus/remuneration issued at $10.80 a share based on the mid-market price on May 31, 2011.
  (2) Shares issued to employees and directors as bonus/remuneration at $9.99 a share based on the mid-market price on October 3, 2011.
  (3) Shares issued to the Company’s Employee Benefit Trust pursuant to the JSOP at a value equal to the initial public offering price per share.
  (4) Shares issued for employee bonus/remuneration and contractual arrangements issued at $10.83 a share based on the mid-market price on August 12, 2013.
  (5) Shares issued for employee bonus/remuneration and contractual arrangements issued at $12.06 a share based on the mid-market price on September 18, 2013.

 

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SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE

 

Upon completion of this offering, our issued share capital will be as follows: 30,362,548 A ordinary shares and 21,042,719 B ordinary shares (or 32,237,548 A ordinary shares and 19,636,469 B ordinary shares if the underwriters exercise their overallotment option in full). All of the A ordinary shares sold in this offering will be freely transferable by persons other than our “affiliates” without restriction or further registration under the Securities Act. Sales of substantial amounts of our A ordinary shares in the public market could adversely affect prevailing market prices of our A ordinary shares. Our ordinary shares are currently admitted to AIM, but on April 24, 2012, our shareholders approved a resolution authorizing us to cancel admission of our ordinary shares from AIM as soon as practicable following the listing of our A ordinary shares on the NYSE. A one-for-three reverse stock split of our ordinary shares will become effective following shareholder approval, and will occur immediately prior to the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. Conversion of our currently issued ordinary shares into A ordinary shares and B ordinary shares was approved by our shareholders on May 3, 2012 and will also become effective immediately prior to the listing of our A ordinary shares on the NYSE. While application has been made for our A ordinary shares to be listed on the NYSE, a regular trading market may not develop in our A ordinary shares.

 

Lock-Up Agreements

 

In connection with this offering, we and the selling shareholder s , our executive officers and directors and certain holders who are our current or former employees have agreed, subject to limited exceptions, not to directly or indirectly sell or dispose of any shares of our A ordinary shares or any securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for common shares for a period of 180 days after the date of this prospectus, subject to extension in certain circumstances, without the prior written consent of Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, and UBS Securities LLC. For additional information, see “Underwriting.”

 

Rule 144

 

In general, under Rule 144 as currently in effect, beginning 90 days after the date of this prospectus, a person who has beneficially owned our restricted securities for at least six months is entitled to sell the restricted securities without registration under the Securities Act, subject to certain restrictions. Persons who are our affiliates (including persons beneficially owning 10% or more of our issued A and B ordinary shares) may sell within any three-month period a number of restricted securities that does not exceed the greater of the following:

 

  · 1% of the number of our issued A and B ordinary shares, which will equal approximately 514,053 shares (or 518,740 shares if the underwriters exercise their overallotment option in full)   immediately after this offering; and

 

  · the average weekly trading volume of our A ordinary shares on the NYSE preceding the date on which notice of the sale is filed with the SEC.

 

Such sales are also subject to manner-of-sale provisions, notice requirements and the availability of current public information about us. Persons who are not our affiliates and have beneficially owned our restricted securities for more than six months but not more than one year may sell the restricted securities without registration under the Securities Act subject to the availability of current public information about us. Persons who are not our affiliates and have beneficially owned our restricted securities for more than one year may freely sell the restricted securities without registration under the Securities Act.

 

Rule 701

 

In general, under Rule 701 of the Securities Act as currently in effect, each of our employees, consultants or advisors who purchases our A ordinary shares from us in connection with a compensatory stock plan or other written agreement executed prior to the completion of this offering is eligible to resell such A ordinary shares in reliance on Rule 144, but without compliance with some of the restrictions, including the holding period, contained in Rule 144.

 

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MATERIAL TAX CONSIDERATIONS

 

Summary of Material Indian Tax Considerations

 

The discussion contained herein is based on the applicable tax laws of India as in effect on the date hereof and is subject to possible changes in Indian law that may come into effect after such date. The information set forth below is intended to be a general discussion only. Prospective investors should consult their own tax advisers as to the consequences of purchasing the A ordinary shares, including, without limitation, the consequences of the receipt of dividend and the sale, transfer or disposition of the ordinary shares.

 

Based on the fact that Eros is considered for tax purposes as a company domiciled abroad, any dividend income in respect of A ordinary shares will not be subject to any withholding or deduction in respect of Indian income tax laws. Pursuant to amendments to the Indian Income Tax Act, 1961, income arising directly or indirectly through the sale of a capital asset, including any share or interest in a company or entity registered or incorporated outside India, will be liable to tax in India, if such share or interest derives, directly or indirectly, its value substantially from assets located in India and whether or not the seller of such share or interest has a residence, place of business, business connection, or any other presence in India. The amendments do not deal with the interplay between the Indian Income Tax Act, 1961, as amended, and the double taxation avoidance agreements that India has entered into with countries such as the United States, in case of an indirect transfer. Accordingly, the implications of the recent amendments are presently unclear.

 

Further, dividend payments to us by our Indian subsidiaries are subject to withholding of dividend distribution tax in India, at an effective rate of 17%, including applicable cess (Indian education tax) and surcharge.

 

Summary of Material Isle of Man Tax Considerations

 

Tax residence in the Isle of Man

 

The Company is resident for taxation purposes in the Isle of Man by virtue of being incorporated in the Isle of Man.

 

Capital taxes in the Isle of Man

 

The Isle of Man has a regime for the taxation of income, but there are no taxes on capital gains, stamp taxes or inheritance taxes in the Isle of Man. No Isle of Man stamp duty or stamp duty reserve tax will be payable on the issue or transfer of, or any other dealing in, the A ordinary shares.

 

Zero rate of corporate income tax in the Isle of Man

 

The Isle of Man operates a zero rate of tax for most corporate taxpayers, including the Company. Under the regime, the Company will technically be subject to Isle of Man taxation on its income, but the rate of tax will be zero; there will be no required withholding by the Company on account of Isle of Man tax in respect of dividends paid by the Company.

 

The Company will be required to pay an annual corporation charge of approximately $385. It is part of an annual return fee, resulting in a total amount payable of approximately $492 per year.

 

Isle of Man probate

 

In the event of death of a sole, individual holder of the A ordinary shares, an Isle of Man probate fee or administration may be required, in respect of which certain fees will be payable to the Isle of Man government, subject to the fee. Currently the maximum fee (where the value of an estate exceeds $312,500) is approximately $1,000.

 

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Summary of Material United States Federal Income Tax Considerations

 

The following summary describes the material United States federal income tax consequences associated with the acquisition, ownership and disposition of our shares as of the date hereof. The discussion set forth below is applicable only to U.S. Holders (as defined below) and does not purport to be a comprehensive description of all tax considerations that may be relevant to a particular person’s decision to acquire the shares. Except where noted, this summary applies only to a U.S. Holder that holds shares as capital assets for United States federal income tax purposes. As used herein, the term “U.S. Holder” means a beneficial owner of a share that is for United States federal income tax purposes:

 

  · an individual citizen or resident of the United States;

 

  · a corporation (or other entity treated as a corporation for United States federal income tax purposes) created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia;

 

  · an estate the income of which is subject to United States federal income taxation regardless of its source; or

 

  · a trust if it (1) is subject to the primary supervision of a court within the United States and one or more United States persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or (2) has a valid election in effect under applicable United States Treasury regulations to be treated as a United States person.

 

This summary does not describe all of the United States federal income tax consequences applicable to you if you are subject to special treatment under the United States federal income tax laws, including if you are a broker, a dealer or trader in securities or currencies, a financial institution, a regulated investment company, a real estate investment trust, a cooperative, an insurance company, a pension plan, a tax-exempt entity, a person holding our shares as part of a hedging, integrated or conversion transaction, a constructive sale, a wash sale or a straddle, a person liable for alternative minimum tax, a person who owns or is deemed to own 10% or more of our voting stock, a person holding our shares in connection with a trade or business conducted outside of the United States, a partnership or other pass-through entity for United States federal income tax purposes, a U.S. expatriate or a person whose “functional currency” for United States federal income tax purposes is not the United States dollar. The discussion below is based upon the provisions of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), and regulations (including proposed regulations), rulings and judicial decisions thereunder as of the date hereof, and such authorities may be replaced, revoked or modified, possibly with retroactive effect, so as to result in United States federal income tax consequences different from those discussed below.

 

If a partnership holds our shares, the tax treatment of a partner will generally depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. If you are a partnership holding our shares or a partner of a partnership holding our shares, you should consult your tax advisors as to the particular United States federal income tax consequences of acquiring, holding and disposing of the shares.

 

This discussion does not contain a detailed description of all the United States federal income tax consequences to you in light of your particular circumstances and does not address the effects of any state, local or non-United States tax laws. If you are considering the purchase, ownership or disposition of our A ordinary shares, you should consult your own tax advisors concerning the United States federal income tax consequences to you in light of your particular situation as well as any other consequences to you arising under U.S. federal, state and local laws and the laws of any other applicable taxing jurisdiction in light of your particular circumstances.

 

Taxation of Distributions

 

Subject to the passive foreign investment company, or PFIC, rules discussed below, the gross amount of distributions on the shares will be taxable as dividends to the extent paid out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under United States federal income tax principles. Because we do not expect to keep track of earnings and profits in accordance with United States federal income tax principles, you should expect that a distribution in respect of the A ordinary shares will generally be treated and reported as a dividend to you. Such dividend income will be includable in your gross income as ordinary income on the day actually received by you or on the day received by your nominee or agent that holds the shares on your behalf. Such dividends will not be eligible for the dividends received deduction allowed to corporations in respect of dividends received from other U.S. corporations under the Code.

 

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With respect to non-corporate U.S. Holders, certain dividends received from a qualified foreign corporation may be subject to reduced rates of taxation. A foreign corporation is treated as a qualified foreign corporation with respect to dividends paid by that corporation on shares that are readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States. We have applied to list A ordinary shares on the NYSE and expect such shares to be considered readily tradable on an established securities market. However, even if the shares are readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States, we will not be treated as a qualified foreign corporation if we are a PFIC for the taxable year in which we pay a dividend or were a PFIC for the preceding taxable year. Non-corporate holders that do not meet a minimum holding period requirement during which they are not protected from a risk of loss or that elect to treat the dividend income as “investment income” pursuant to Section 163(d)(4) of the Code will not be eligible for the reduced rates of taxation regardless of our status as a qualified foreign corporation. For this purpose, the minimum holding period requirement will not be met if a share has been held by a holder for 60 days or less during the 121-day period beginning on the date which is 60 days before the date on which such share becomes ex-dividend with respect to such dividend, appropriately reduced by any period in which such holder is protected from risk of loss. In addition, the rate reduction will not apply to dividends if the recipient of a dividend is obligated to make related payments with respect to positions in substantially similar or related property. This disallowance applies even if the minimum holding period has been met. You should consult your own tax advisors regarding the availability of the reduced tax rate on dividends in light of your particular circumstances.

 

Subject to certain conditions and limitations imposed by United States federal income tax rules relating to the availability of the foreign tax credit, some of which vary depending upon the U.S. Holder’s circumstances, any foreign withholding taxes on dividends will be treated as foreign taxes eligible for credit against your United States federal income tax liability. The application of the rules governing foreign tax credits depends on the particular circumstances of each U.S. Holder. The limitation on foreign taxes eligible for credit is calculated separately with respect to specific classes of income. For purposes of calculating the foreign tax credit, dividends paid on the A ordinary shares will be treated as income from sources outside the United States and will generally constitute “passive category income.” Further, in certain circumstances, you will not be allowed a foreign tax credit for foreign taxes imposed on certain dividends paid on the shares if you:

 

  · have held shares for less than a specified minimum period during which you are not protected from risk of loss, or

 

  · are obligated to make certain payments related to the dividends.

 

The rules governing the foreign tax credit are complex and involve the application of rules that depend on your particular circumstances. You are urged to consult your tax advisors regarding the availability of the foreign tax credit under your particular circumstances.

 

Passive Foreign Investment Company

 

Based on the composition of our income and valuation of our assets, we do not believe we will be a PFIC for United States federal income tax purposes for the 2013 taxable year, and we do not expect to become one in the future. However, because PFIC status is an annual factual determination that cannot be made until after the close of each taxable year and depends on the composition of a company’s income and assets and the market value of its assets from time to time, there can be no assurance that we will not be a PFIC for any taxable year.

 

In general, a non-United States corporation will be treated as a PFIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes for any taxable year in which:

 

  · at least 75% of its gross income is passive income (the “income” test), or

 

  · at least 50% of the value (determined based on a quarterly average) of its gross assets is attributable to assets that produce, or are held for the production of, passive income (the “asset” test).

 

For this purpose, passive income generally includes dividends, interest, royalties and rents (except for certain royalties and rents derived from the active conduct of a trade or business), certain gains from commodities and securities transactions and the excess of gains over losses from the disposition of assets which produce passive income. If we own, directly or indirectly, at least 25% (by value) of the stock of another corporation, we will be treated, for purposes of the PFIC tests described above, as directly owning our proportionate share of the other corporation’s assets and receiving our proportionate share of the other corporation’s income.

 

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If we are a PFIC for any taxable year during which you hold our shares, you will be subject to special tax rules with respect to any “excess distribution” received and any gain realized from a sale or other disposition, including a pledge, of shares, unless you make a “mark-to-market” election as discussed below. Distributions you receive in a taxable year that are greater than 125% of the average annual distributions you received during the shorter of the three preceding taxable years or your holding period for the shares will be treated as excess distributions. Under these special tax rules:

 

  · the excess distribution or gain will be allocated ratably over your holding period for your A ordinary shares,

 

  · the amount allocated to the current taxable year, and any taxable year prior to the first taxable year in which we were a PFIC, will be treated as ordinary income, and

 

  · the amount allocated to each other year will be subject to tax at the highest applicable tax rate in effect for corporations or individuals, as appropriate, for that taxable year and the interest charge generally applicable to underpayments of tax will be imposed on the resulting tax attributable to each such year.

 

The tax liability for amounts allocated to years prior to the year of disposition, or “excess distribution,” cannot be offset by any net operating losses for such years, and gains (but not losses) realized on the sale of the shares cannot be treated as capital and will be subject to the “excess distribution” regime described above, even if you hold the shares as capital assets.

 

In addition, non-corporate U.S. Holders will not be eligible for reduced rates of taxation on any dividends received from us if we are a PFIC in our taxable year in which such dividends are paid or in the preceding taxable year.

 

You will be required to file Internal Revenue Service Form 8621 annually regarding any distributions received on the A ordinary shares and any gain realized on the disposition of the A ordinary shares if you hold our A ordinary shares in any year in which we are classified as a PFIC, and other reporting requirements may apply.

 

If we are a PFIC for any taxable year during which a U.S. Holder holds our A ordinary shares and any of our non-United States subsidiaries is also a PFIC, a U.S. Holder would be treated as owning a proportionate amount (by value) of the shares of the lower-tier PFIC for purposes of the application of these rules. Under these circumstances, a U.S. Holder would be subject to United States federal income tax on (i) a distribution on the shares of a lower-tier PFIC and (ii) a disposition of shares of a lower-tier PFIC, both as if such U.S. Holder directly held the shares of such lower-tier PFIC. You are urged to consult your tax advisors about the application of the PFIC rules to any of our subsidiaries.

 

In certain circumstances, in lieu of being subject to the excess distribution rules discussed above, you may make an election to include gain on the stock of a PFIC as ordinary income under a mark-to-market method, provided that such stock is regularly traded in other than de minimis quantities for at least 15 days during each calendar quarter on a qualified exchange, as defined in applicable U.S. Treasury Regulations. We have applied to list A ordinary shares on the NYSE and expect such shares to be “regularly traded” for purposes of the mark-to-market election.

 

If you make an effective mark-to-market election, you will include in each year that we are a PFIC, as ordinary income the excess of the fair market value of your A ordinary shares at the end of the year over your adjusted tax basis in the A ordinary shares. You will be entitled to deduct as an ordinary loss in each such year the excess of your adjusted tax basis in the A ordinary shares over their fair market value at the end of the year, but only to the extent of the net amount previously included in income as a result of the mark-to-market election. If you make an effective mark-to-market election, any gain you recognize upon the sale or other disposition of your A ordinary shares in a year in which we are a PFIC will be treated as ordinary income. Any loss will be treated as ordinary loss, but only to the extent of the net amount of previously included income as a result of the mark-to-market election.

 

Your adjusted tax basis in the shares will be increased by the amount of any income inclusion and decreased by the amount of any deductions under the mark-to-market rules. If you make a mark-to-market election, it will be effective for the taxable year for which the election is made and all subsequent taxable years unless the A ordinary shares are no longer regularly traded on a qualified exchange or the Internal Revenue Service consents to the revocation of the election. A mark-to-market election should be made by filing IRS Form 8621 in the first taxable year during which the U.S. Holder held the A ordinary shares and in which we are a PFIC. A mark-to-market election would not be available with respect to a subsidiary PFIC of ours that a U.S. Holder is deemed to own for the purposes of the PFIC rules; accordingly, a U.S. Holder would not be able to mitigate certain of the adverse U.S. “excess distribution” federal income tax consequences of its deemed ownership of stock in our subsidiary PFICs by making a mark-to-market election. You are urged to consult your tax advisor about the availability of the mark-to-market election and whether making the election would be advisable in your particular circumstances.

 

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Alternatively, holders of PFIC shares can sometimes avoid the rules described above by electing to treat such PFIC as a “qualified electing fund” under Section 1295 of the Code. However, this option is not available to you because we do not intend to comply with the requirements, or furnish you with the information, necessary to permit you to make this election.

 

You are urged to consult your tax advisors concerning the United States federal income tax consequences of holding A ordinary shares if we are considered a PFIC in any taxable year.

 

Sale or Other Disposition of A Ordinary Shares

 

For United States federal income tax purposes, you will recognize taxable gain or loss on any sale or exchange or other taxable disposition of a A ordinary share in an amount equal to the difference between the amount realized for the share and your tax basis in the A ordinary share, in each case as determined in United States dollars. Subject to the discussion above under “Passive Foreign Investment Company,” such gain or loss will be capital gain or loss. Capital gains of non-corporate U.S. Holders derived with respect to capital assets held for more than one year are eligible for reduced rates of taxation. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations. Any gain or loss recognized by you will generally be treated as United States source gain or loss for U.S. foreign tax credit purposes. You are encouraged to consult your tax advisor regarding the availability of the U.S. foreign tax credit in your particular circumstances.

 

Information Reporting and Backup Withholding

 

In general, information reporting will apply to distributions in respect of our A ordinary shares and the proceeds from the sale, exchange or redemption of our A ordinary shares that are paid to you within the United States or through certain U.S.-related financial intermediaries, unless you are an exempt recipient. Backup withholding may apply to such payments if you fail to (i) provide a taxpayer identification number or (ii) certify that you are not subject to backup withholding. U.S. Holders who are required to establish their exemption from backup withholding must provide such certification on Internal Revenue Service Form W-9. U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the application of the United States information reporting and backup withholding rules.

 

Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules will be allowed as a refund or a credit against your United States federal income tax liability provided the required information is timely furnished to the Internal Revenue Service.

 

Certain U.S. Holders who hold “specified foreign financial assets,” including shares of a non-U.S. corporation that are not held in an account maintained by a U.S. “financial institution,” the aggregate value of which exceeds $50,000 (or other applicable amount) during the tax year, may be required to attach to their tax returns for the year IRS Form 8938 containing certain specified information.

 

Medicare Tax

 

Certain U.S. Holders that are individuals, estates or trusts will be subject to an additional 3.8% tax on all or a portion of their “net investment income,” which may include all or a portion of their dividends and net gains from the disposition of shares. If you are a U.S. Holder that is an individual, estate or trust, you should consult your tax advisors regarding the applicability of this tax to your income and gains in respect of your investment in the A ordinary shares.

 

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UNDERWRITING

 

Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, and UBS Securities LLC are acting as representatives of each of the underwriters named below and Deutsche Bank Securities, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, UBS Securities LLC, Jefferies LLC, and Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC are acting as joint book-running managers of the offering. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in an underwriting agreement among us, the selling shareholder s and the underwriters, we and the selling shareholder s have agreed to sell to the underwriters, and each of the underwriters has agreed, severally and not jointly, to purchase from us and the selling shareholder s , the number of A ordinary shares set forth opposite its name below.

 

Underwriter   Number of
Shares
 
Deutsche Bank Securities Inc.      
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
                       Incorporated
     
UBS Securities LLC      
Jefferies LLC      
Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC      
EM Securities LLC      
Total   12,500,000  

 

Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the underwriting agreement, the underwriters have agreed, severally and not jointly, to purchase all of the A ordinary shares sold under the underwriting agreement if any of these shares are purchased. If an underwriter defaults, the underwriting agreement provides that the purchase commitments of the nondefaulting underwriters may be increased or the underwriting agreement may be terminated.

 

We and the selling shareholder s have agreed to indemnify the underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute to payments the underwriters may be required to make in respect of those liabilities.

 

The selling shareholder s may be deemed an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act.

 

The underwriters are offering the A ordinary shares, subject to prior sale, when, as and if issued to and accepted by them, subject to approval of legal matters by their counsel, including the validity of the A ordinary shares, and other conditions contained in the underwriting agreement, such as the receipt by the underwriters of officer’s certificates and legal opinions. The underwriters reserve the right to withdraw, cancel or modify offers to the public and to reject orders in whole or in part.

 

Commissions and Discounts

 

The representatives have advised us and the selling shareholder s that the underwriters propose initially to offer the A ordinary shares to the public at the public offering price set forth on the cover page of this prospectus and to dealers at that price less a concession not in excess of $         per share. The underwriters may allow a discount not in excess of $         per A ordinary share to other dealers. After the initial offering, the public offering price, concession or any other term of the offering may be changed.

 

The following table shows the public offering price, underwriting discount and proceeds before expenses to us and the selling shareholder s . The information assumes either no exercise or full exercise by the underwriters of their overallotment option.

 

      Per Share       Without Option       With Option  
Public offering price   $       $       $    
Underwriting discount   $       $       $    
Proceeds, before expenses, to Eros   $       $       $    
Proceeds, before expenses, to the selling shareholder s   $       $       $    

 

The expenses of the offering, not including the underwriting discount, are estimated at $ 9.1 million and are payable by us and the selling shareholder s . We have agreed with the underwriters to pay all expenses and application fees (including the legal fees of counsel for the underwriters) incurred and invoiced in connection with any filing with, and clearance of the offering by, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.

 

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Overallotment Option

 

We and the selling shareholder s have granted an option to the underwriters, exercisable for 30 days after the date of this prospectus, to purchase up to additional A ordinary shares at the public offering price, less the underwriting discount. The underwriters may exercise this option solely to cover any overallotments. If the underwriters exercise this option, each will be obligated, subject to conditions contained in the underwriting agreement, to purchase a number of additional shares proportionate to that underwriter’s initial amount reflected in the above table.

 

No Sales of Similar Securities

 

We and the selling shareholder s , our executive officers and directors and certain holders who are our current or former employees have agreed not to sell or transfer any ordinary shares or securities convertible into, exchangeable for, exercisable for, or repayable with ordinary shares, for 180 days after the date of this prospectus without first obtaining the written consent of Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, and UBS Securities LLC. Specifically, we and these other persons have agreed, with certain limited exceptions, not to directly or indirectly

 

  · offer, pledge, sell or contract to sell any ordinary shares,

 

  · sell any option or contract to purchase any ordinary shares,

 

  · purchase any option or contract to sell any ordinary shares,

 

  · grant any option, right or warrant for the sale of any ordinary shares,

 

  · lend or otherwise dispose of or transfer any ordinary shares,

 

  · request or demand that we file a registration statement related to the ordinary shares, or

 

  · enter into any swap or other agreement that transfers, in whole or in part, the economic consequence of ownership of any ordinary shares whether any such swap or transaction is to be settled by delivery of shares or other securities, in cash or otherwise.

 

This lock-up provision applies to ordinary shares and to securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for or repayable with ordinary shares. It also applies to ordinary shares owned now or acquired later by the person executing the agreement or for which the person executing the agreement later acquires the power of disposition. In the event that either (x) during the last 17 days of the lock-up period referred to above, we issue an earnings release or material news or a material event relating to us occurs or (y) prior to the expiration of the lock-up period, we announce that we will release earnings results or become aware that material news or a material event will occur during the 16-day period beginning on the last day of the lock-up period, the restrictions described above shall continue to apply until the expiration of the 18-day period beginning on the issuance of the earnings release or the occurrence of the material news or material event.

 

New York Stock Exchange

 

We expect the shares to be approved for listing on the NYSE under the symbol “EROS.” In order to meet the requirements for listing on that exchange, the underwriters have undertaken to sell a minimum number of A ordinary shares to a minimum number of beneficial owners as required by that exchange.

 

Our ordinary shares have been quoted on AIM since July 4, 2006, under the symbol “EROS.” Before this offering, there has been no public market for our A ordinary shares in the United States. The initial public offering price will be determined through negotiations among us, the selling shareholder s and the representative. In addition to prevailing market conditions, the factors to be considered in determining the initial public offering price are

 

  · the valuation multiples of publicly traded companies in the United States that the underwriters believe to be comparable to us,

 

  · the price of our ordinary shares on AIM during recent periods,

 

  · our financial information,

 

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  · the history of, and the prospects for, our company and the industry in which we compete,

 

  · an assessment of our management, its past and present operations, and the prospects for, and timing of, our future revenues,

 

  · the present state of our development, and

 

  · the above factors in relation to market values and various valuation measures of other companies engaged in activities similar to ours.

 

An active trading market for our A ordinary shares listed on the NYSE may not develop. It is also possible that after the offering the A ordinary shares will not trade in the public market at or above the initial public offering price.

 

The underwriters do not expect to sell more than 5% of the A ordinary shares in the aggregate to accounts over which they exercise discretionary authority.

 

Price Stabilization, Short Positions and Penalty Bids

 

Until the distribution of the shares is completed, SEC rules may limit underwriters and selling group members from bidding for and purchasing our ordinary shares. However, the underwriters may engage in transactions that stabilize the price of the A ordinary shares, such as bids or purchases to peg, fix or maintain that price.

 

In connection with the offering, the underwriters may purchase and sell our A ordinary shares in the open market. These transactions may include short sales, purchases on the open market to cover positions created by short sales and stabilizing transactions. Short sales involve the sale by the underwriters of a greater number of A ordinary shares than they are required to purchase in the offering. “Covered” short sales are sales made in an amount not greater than the underwriters’ overallotment option described above. The underwriters may close out any covered short position by either exercising their overallotment option or purchasing A ordinary shares in the open market. In determining the source of A ordinary shares to close out the covered short position, the underwriters will consider, among other things, the price of A ordinary shares available for purchase in the open market as compared to the price at which they may purchase shares through the overallotment option. “Naked” short sales are sales in excess of the overallotment option. The underwriters must close out any naked short position by purchasing A ordinary shares in the open market. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned that there may be downward pressure on the price of our A ordinary shares in the open market after pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase in the offering. Stabilizing transactions consist of various bids for or purchases of A ordinary shares made by the underwriters in the open market prior to the completion of the offering.

 

The underwriters may also impose a penalty bid. This occurs when a particular underwriter repays to the underwriters a portion of the underwriting discount received by it because the representatives have repurchased A ordinary shares sold by or for the account of such underwriter in stabilizing or short covering transactions.

 

Similar to other purchase transactions, the underwriters’ purchases to cover the syndicate short sales may have the effect of raising or maintaining the market price of our A ordinary shares or preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of our A ordinary shares. As a result, the price of our A ordinary shares may be higher than the price that might otherwise exist in the open market. The underwriters may conduct these transactions on the NYSE, in the over-the-counter market or otherwise.

 

Neither we nor any of the underwriters make any representation or prediction as to the direction or magnitude of any effect that the transactions described above may have on the price of our A ordinary shares. In addition, neither we nor any of the underwriters make any representation that the representatives will engage in these transactions or that these transactions, once commenced, will not be discontinued without notice.

 

Electronic Distribution

 

In connection with this offering, certain of the underwriters or securities dealers may distribute prospectuses by electronic means, such as email.

 

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Other Relationships

 

Some of the underwriters and their affiliates have engaged in, and may in the future engage in, investment banking and other commercial dealings in the ordinary course of business with us or our affiliates. They have received, or may in the future receive, customary fees and commissions for these transactions. For example, affiliates of UBS Securities LLC act as lenders under our current revolving credit facility that matures in 2017.

 

In addition, in the ordinary course of their business activities, the underwriters and their affiliates may make or hold a broad array of investments and actively trade debt and equity securities (or related derivative securities) and financial instruments (including bank loans) for their own account and for the accounts of their customers. Such investments and securities activities may involve securities and/or instruments of ours or our affiliates. The underwriters and their affiliates may also make investment recommendations and/or publish or express independent research views in respect of such securities or financial instruments and may hold, or recommend to clients that they acquire, long and/or short positions in such securities and instruments.

 

Notice to Prospective Investors in the European Economic Area

In relation to each Member State of the European Economic Area ( each , a “ Relevant Member State ”), no offer of shares may be made to the public in that Relevant Member State other than:

 

A. to any legal entity which is a qualified investor as defined in the Prospectus Directive;
B. to fewer than 100 or, if the Relevant Member State has implemented the relevant provision of the 2010 PD Amending Directive, 150, natural or legal persons (other than qualified investors as defined in the Prospectus Directive), as permitted under the Prospectus Directive, subject to obtaining the prior consent of the representatives; or
C. in any other circumstances falling within Article 3(2) of the Prospectus Directive,

provided that no such offer of shares shall require the Company or the representatives to publish a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Directive or supplement a prospectus pursuant to Article 16 of the Prospectus Directive.

Each person in a Relevant Member State who initially acquires any shares or to whom any offer is made will be deemed to have represented, acknowledged and agreed that it is a “qualified investor” within the meaning of the law in that Relevant Member State implementing Article 2(1)(e) of the Prospectus Directive . In the case of any shares being offered to a financial intermediary as that term is used in Article 3(2) of the Prospectus Directive, each such financial intermediary will be deemed to have represented, acknowledged and agreed that the shares acquired by it in the offer have not been acquired on a non-discretionary basis on behalf of, nor have they been acquired with a view to their offer or resale to, persons in circumstances which may give rise to an offer of any shares to the public other than their offer or resale in a Relevant Member State to qualified investors as so defined or in circumstances in which the prior consent of the representatives has been obtained to each such proposed offer or resale .

The Company, the representatives and their affiliates will rely upon the truth and accuracy of the foregoing representations, acknowledgements and agreements .

This prospectus has been prepared on the basis that any offer of shares in any Relevant Member State will be made pursuant to an exemption under the Prospectus Directive from the requirement to publish a prospectus for offers of shares. Accordingly any person making or intending to make an offer in that Relevant Member State of shares which are the subject of the offering contemplated in this prospectus may only do so in circumstances in which no obligation arises for the Company or any of the underwriters to publish a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Directive in relation to such offer.  Neither the Company nor the underwriters have authorized, nor do they authorize, the making of any offer of shares in circumstances in which an obligation arises for the Company or the underwriters to publish a prospectus for such offer.

For the purpose of the above provisions, the expression “an offer to the public” in relation to any shares in any Relevant Member State means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and the shares to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe the shares, as the same may be varied in the Relevant Member State by any measure implementing the Prospectus Directive in the Relevant Member State and the expression “Prospectus Directive” means Directive 2003/71 / EC (including the 2010 PD Amending Directive, to the extent implemented in the Relevant Member States) and includes any relevant implementing measure in the Relevant Member State and the expression “2010 PD Amending Directive” means Directive 2010/73/EU.

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Notice to Prospective Investors in the United Kingdom

In addition, in the United Kingdom, this document is being distributed only to, and is directed only at, and any offer subsequently made may only be directed at persons who are “qualified investors” (as defined in the Prospectus Directive) (i) who have professional experience in matters relating to investments falling within Article 19 (5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended ( the “ Order ”) and/or (ii) who are high net worth companies (or persons to whom it may otherwise be lawfully communicated) falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order (all such persons together being referred to as “relevant persons”).  This document must not be acted on or relied on in the United Kingdom by persons who are not relevant persons.  In the United Kingdom, any investment or investment activity to which this document relates is only available to, and will be engaged in with, relevant persons.

Notice to Prospective Investors in Switzerland

The shares may not be publicly offered in Switzerland and will not be listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (“ SIX ”) or on any other stock exchange or regulated trading facility in Switzerland. This document has been prepared without regard to the disclosure standards for issuance prospectuses under art. 652a or art. 1156 of the Swiss Code of Obligations or the disclosure standards for listing prospectuses under art. 27 ff. of the SIX Listing Rules or the listing rules of any other stock exchange or regulated trading facility in Switzerland. Neither this document nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the shares or the offering may be publicly distributed or otherwise made publicly available in Switzerland.

Neither this document nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the offering, the Company, the shares have been or will be filed with or approved by any Swiss regulatory authority. In particular, this document will not be filed with, and the offer of shares will not be supervised by, the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority FINMA ( FINMA ), and the offer of shares has not been and will not be authorized under the Swiss Federal Act on Collective Investment Schemes (" CISA "). The investor protection afforded to acquirers of interests in collective investment schemes under the CISA does not extend to acquirers of shares.

Notice to Prospective Investors in the Dubai International Financial Centre

This prospectus relates to an Exempt Offer in accordance with the Offered Securities Rules of the Dubai Financial Services Authority (“ DFSA ”). This prospectus is intended for distribution only to persons of a type specified in the Offered Securities Rules of the DFSA. It must not be delivered to, or relied on by, any other person. The DFSA has no responsibility for reviewing or verifying any documents in connection with Exempt Offers. The DFSA has not approved this prospectus nor taken steps to verify the information set forth herein and has no responsibility for the prospectus. The shares to which this prospectus relates may be illiquid and/or subject to restrictions on their resale. Prospective purchasers of the shares offered should conduct their own due diligence on the shares. If you do not understand the contents of this prospectus you should consult an authorized financial advisor.

Notice to Prospective Investors in Australia

No placement document, prospectus, product disclosure statement or other disclosure document has been lodged with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (“ASIC”), in relation to the offering. This prospectus does not constitute a prospectus, product disclosure statement or other disclosure document under the Corporations Act 2001 (the “Corporations Act”), and does not purport to include the information required for a prospectus, product disclosure statement or other disclosure document under the Corporations Act.

Any offer in Australia of the shares may only be made to persons (the “Exempt Investors”) who are “sophisticated investors” (within the meaning of section 708(8) of the Corporations Act), “professional investors” (within the meaning of section 708(11) of the Corporations Act) or otherwise pursuant to one or more exemptions contained in section 708 of the Corporations Act so that it is lawful to offer the shares without disclosure to investors under Chapter 6D of the Corporations Act.

The shares applied for by Exempt Investors in Australia must not be offered for sale in Australia in the period of 12 months after the date of allotment under the offering, except in circumstances where disclosure to investors under Chapter 6D of the Corporations Act would not be required pursuant to an exemption under section 708 of the Corporations Act or otherwise or where the offer is pursuant to a disclosure document which complies with Chapter 6D of the Corporations Act. Any person acquiring shares must observe such Australian on-sale restrictions.

This prospectus contains general information only and does not take account of the investment objectives, financial situation or particular needs of any particular person. It does not contain any securities recommendations or financial product advice. Before making an investment decision, investors need to consider whether the information in this prospectus is appropriate to their needs, objectives and circumstances, and, if necessary, seek expert advice on those matters.

124
 

 

Notice to Prospective Investors in Hong Kong

The securities have not been offered or sold and will not be offered or sold in Hong Kong, by means of any document, other than (a) to “professional investors” as defined in the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571) of Hong Kong and any rules made under that Ordinance; or (b) in other circumstances which do not result in the document being a “prospectus” as defined in the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 32) of Hong Kong or which do not constitute an offer to the public within the meaning of that Ordinance. No advertisement, invitation or document relating to the securities has been or may be issued or has been or may be in the possession of any person for the purposes of issue, whether in Hong Kong or elsewhere, which is directed at, or the contents of which are likely to be accessed or read by, the public of Hong Kong (except if permitted to do so under the securities laws of Hong Kong) other than with respect to securities which are or are intended to be disposed of only to persons outside Hong Kong or only to “professional investors” as defined in the Securities and Futures Ordinance and any rules made under that Ordinance.

Notice to Prospective Investors in Japan

The securities have not been and will not be registered under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Law of Japan (Law No. 25 of 1948, as amended) and, accordingly, will not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, in Japan, or for the benefit of any Japanese Person or to others for re-offering or resale, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to any Japanese Person, except in compliance with all applicable laws, regulations and ministerial guidelines promulgated by relevant Japanese governmental or regulatory authorities in effect at the relevant time. For the purposes of this paragraph, “Japanese Person” shall mean any person resident in Japan, including any corporation or other entity organized under the laws of Japan.

Notice to Prospective Investors in Singapore

This prospectus has not been registered as a prospectus with the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Accordingly, this prospectus and any other document or material in connection with the offer or sale, or invitation for subscription or purchase, of Non-CIS Securities may not be circulated or distributed, nor may the Non-CIS Securities be offered or sold, or be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase, whether directly or indirectly, to persons in Singapore other than (i) to an institutional investor under Section 274 of the Securities and Futures Act, Chapter 289 of Singapore (the “SFA”), (ii) to a relevant person pursuant to Section 275(1), or any person pursuant to Section 275(1A), and in accordance with the conditions specified in Section 275, of the SFA, or (iii) otherwise pursuant to, and in accordance with the conditions of, any other applicable provision of the SFA.

Where the Non-CIS Securities are subscribed or purchased under Section 275 of the SFA by a relevant person which is:

(a) a corporation (which is not an accredited investor (as defined in Section 4A of the SFA)) the sole business of which is to hold investments and the entire share capital of which is owned by one or more individuals, each of whom is an accredited investor; or
(b) a trust (where the trustee is not an accredited investor) whose sole purpose is to hold investments and each beneficiary of the trust is an individual who is an accredited investor,

securities (as defined in Section 239(1) of the SFA) of that corporation or the beneficiaries’ rights and interest (howsoever described) in that trust shall not be transferred within six months after that corporation or that trust has acquired the Non-CIS Securities pursuant to an offer made under Section 275 of the SFA except:

(a) to an institutional investor or to a relevant person defined in Section 275(2) of the SFA, or to any person arising from an offer referred to in Section 275(1A) or Section 276(4)(i)(B) of the SFA;
(b) where no consideration is or will be given for the transfer;
(c) where the transfer is by operation of law;
(d) as specified in Section 276(7) of the SFA; or
(e) as specified in Regulation 32 of the Securities and Futures (Offers of Investments) (Shares and Debentures) Regulations 2005 of Singapore.

 

125
 

 

LEGAL MATTERS

 

The validity of our A ordinary shares offered hereby will be passed upon for us by Cains Advocates Limited. Certain matters as to U.S. federal law and New York law will be passed upon for us by Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP, Los Angeles, California. Legal matters as to Indian law will be passed upon for us by Amarchand & Mangaldas & Suresh A. Shroff & Co., or Amarchand, and for the underwriters by S&R Associates. Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP may rely upon Cains Advocates Limited as to certain matters governed by Isle of Man law, and on Amarchand as to certain matters governed by Indian law. Certain legal matters as to Isle of Man law will be passed upon for the underwriters by Simcocks Advocates Limited. O’Melveny & Myers LLP will pass upon certain legal matters as to U.S. federal securities laws and New York State law for the underwriters in connection with the offering of the  A ordinary shares.

 

EXPERTS

 

The consolidated statement of financial position as of March 31, 2012 and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, changes in equity, and cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended March 31, 2012, included in this prospectus and elsewhere in the registration statement have been so included in reliance upon the report of Grant Thornton UK LLP, independent registered public accountants, upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing in giving said report.

 

The consolidated statement of financial position as of March 31, 2013 and the related consolidated statement of income, comprehensive income, changes in equity, and cash flows for the year then ended, included in this prospectus and elsewhere in the registration statement have been so included in reliance upon the report of Grant Thornton India LLP, independent registered public accountants, upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing in giving said report.

 

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

On May 10, 2013, Grant Thornton UK LLP, or Grant Thornton UK, resigned as our independent registered public accounting firm. The resignation of Grant Thornton UK was not a result of any disagreements with Grant Thornton UK on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedure. Grant Thornton UK’s reports on the financial statements of the Company for the years ended March 31, 2012 and March 31, 2011 did not contain an adverse opinion or a disclaimer of opinion, nor were they qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope, or accounting principles. There have been no reportable events with the Company as set forth in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K.

 

On May 10, 2013, our Board of Directors appointed Grant Thornton India LLP as the Company’s new independent registered public accounting firm. The decision to engage Grant Thornton India LLP was approved by the Company’s Board of Directors on May 10, 2013.

 

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

 

We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form F-1 under the Securities Act that registers the shares of our A ordinary shares to be sold in this offering. The registration statement, including the attached exhibits and schedules, contains additional relevant information about us and our share capital. The rules and regulations of the SEC allow us to omit from this prospectus certain information included in the registration statement. For further information about us and our share capital, you should refer to the registration statement and the exhibits and schedules filed with the registration statement. With respect to the statements contained in this prospectus regarding the contents of any agreement or any other document, in each instance, the statement is qualified in all respects by the complete text of the agreement or document, a copy of which has been filed or will be filed with the SEC as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. In addition, upon the consummation of this offering, we will file reports, including Annual Reports or Form 20-F and other information with the SEC under the Exchange Act. As a foreign private issuer, we are exempt from the rules of the Exchange Act prescribing the furnishing and content of proxy statements to shareholders under the federal proxy rules contained in Section 14(a), (b) and (c) of the Exchange Act, and our executive officers, directors and principal shareholders are exempt from the reporting and short-swing profit recovery provisions contained in Section 16 of the Exchange Act. You may obtain copies of the information we file with the SEC by mail from the Public Reference Room of the SEC at 100 F Street, N.E., Room 1580, Washington, D.C. 20549, at prescribed rates. You may obtain information on the operation of the public reference rooms by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC also maintains an internet website that contains reports, proxy statements and other information about issuers that file electronically with the SEC. The address of that website is www.sec.gov .

 

126
 

EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC

INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm Grant Thornton India LLP F-2
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm Grant Thornton UK LLP F-3
Consolidated Statement of Financial Position as of March 31, 2013 and 2012 F-4
Consolidated Income Statements for the Years Ended March 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 F-5
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the Years Ended March 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 F-6
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended March 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 F-7
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity for the Years Ended March 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 F-8
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements F-11
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Financial Position as of September 30, 2013 and March 31, 2013 F-48
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Income Statements for the Six Months Ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 F-49
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss for the Six Months Ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 F-50
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Six Months Ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 F-51
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity for the Six Months Ended September 30, 2013 and  2012 F-52
Condensed Consolidated Notes to the Unaudited Financial Statements F-54

 

F- 1
 

 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

Board of Directors and Shareholders

Eros International PLC

 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated statement of financial position of Eros International PLC and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of March 31, 2013, and the related consolidated statement of income, comprehensive income, changes in equity, and cash flows for the year then ended. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audit.

 

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audit included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Eros International PLC and subsidiaries as of March 31, 2013, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the year then ended, in conformity with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board.

 

/s/ Grant Thornton India LLP

 

Mumbai, India

September 9, 2013

 

F- 2
 

 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

Board of Directors and Shareholders

Eros International Plc

 

We have audited the accompanying statement of consolidated financial position of Eros International Plc (the “Company”) and subsidiaries (together, the “Group”) as at 31 March 2012, and the consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, changes in equity and cash flows of the Group for each of the two years in the period ended 31 March 2012. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

 

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audit included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Eros International Plc and subsidiaries as of 31 March 2012 and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended 31 March 2012, in conformity with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board.

 

/s/ GRANT THORNTON UK LLP

 

London, U.K.

July 12, 2012

 

F- 3
 

 

EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION

AS AT MARCH 31, 2013 AND 2012

 

          As at March 31  
    Note     2013     2012  
          (in thousands)  
ASSETS                        
Non-current assets                        
Property, plant and equipment     12     $ 11,680     $ 12,622  
Goodwill     13       1,878       1,878  
Intangible assets — trade name     13       14,000       14,000  
Intangible assets — content     14       535,304       473,092  
Intangible assets — others     15       2,117       1,870  
Available-for-sale investments     16       30,385       30,385  
Deferred tax assets     10       569       407  
            $ 595,933     $ 534,254  
                         
Current assets                        
Inventories     17     $ 793     $ 1,130  
Trade and other receivables     18       93,327       78,650  
Current tax receivable             962       4,937  
Derivative financial instruments     23             1,573  
Cash and cash equivalents     20       107,642       145,422  
              202,724       231,712  
                         
Total assets           $ 798,657     $ 765,966  
                         
LIABILITIES                        
Current liabilities                        
Trade and other payables     19     $ 28,979     $ 27,239  
Short-term borrowings     22       79,902       68,527  
Derivative financial instruments     23             1,538  
Current tax payable             1,846       7,830  
            $ 110,727     $ 105,134  
                         
Non-current liabilities                        
Long-term borrowings     22     $ 165,898     $ 180,768  
Other Long term liabilities             357        
Derivative financial instruments     23       16,660       11,027  
Deferred tax     10       18,839       14,789  
            $ 201,754     $ 206,584  
                         
Total liabilities           $ 312,481     $ 311,718  
                         
EQUITY                        
Equity                        
Share capital     25     $ 22,653     $ 21,687  
Share premium             159,547       135,008  
Reserves             311,315       277,989  
                         
Other Components of equity     27       (29,432 )     (18,519 )
JSOP Reserve     26       (25,505 )      
Equity attributable to equity holders of Eros International Plc           $ 438,578     $ 416,165  
                         
Non-controlling interest             47,598       38,083  
Total equity           $ 486,176     $ 454,248  
Total liabilities and equity           $ 798,657     $ 765,966  

 

The accompanying notes form an integral part of these financial statements.

 

F- 4
 

 

EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC

CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED MARCH 31, 2013, 2012 AND 2011

 

          Year ended March 31  
    Note     2013     2012     2011  
          (in thousands, except per share amounts)  
Revenue     4     $ 215,346     $ 206,474     $ 164,613  
Cost of sales             (134,002 )     (117,044 )     (88,017 )
Gross profit             81,344       89,430       76,596  
Administrative costs             (26,308 )     (27,992 )     (20,518 )
Operating profit             55,036       61,438       56,078  
Financing costs     7       (6,202 )     (5,697 )     (3,570 )
Finance income     7       4,733       4,688       1,986  
Net finance costs     7       (1,469 )     (1,009 )     (1,584 )
Other gains/(losses)     8       (7,989 )     (6,790 )     1,293  
Profit before tax             45,578       53,639       55,787  
Income tax expense     9       (11,913 )     (10,059 )     (8,237 )
Profit for the year     6     $ 33,665     $ 43,580     $ 47,550  
Attributable to:                                
Owners of Eros International Plc           $ 27,107     $ 37,406     $ 44,796  
Non-controlling interests             6,558       6,174       2,754  
            $ 33,665     $ 43,580     $ 47,550  
Earnings per share (cents)     11                          
Basic earnings per share             22.9       31.9       38.6  
Diluted earnings per share             22.9       31.4       38.1  

 

The accompanying notes form an integral part of these financial statements.

 

F- 5
 

 

EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

FOR THE YEARS ENDED MARCH 31, 2013, 2012 AND 2011

 

          Year ended March 31  
    Note     2013     2012     2011
          (in thousands, except per share amounts)  
Profit for the year           $ 33,665     $ 43,580     $47,550
Other comprehensive income                        
Items that will not be subsequently reclassified to profit or loss                        
Revaluation of property             1,726           (67)
Items that will be subsequently reclassified to profit or loss                        
Available-for-sale financial assets                        
Reclassification to profit and loss                   1,230    
Gain/(loss) arising during the year                   4,829     (3,045)
Exchange differences on translating foreign
operations
            (14,613 )     (30,059 )   376
Cash flow hedges                        
Reclassification to profit and loss                   4,405     (3,068)
Gain/(loss) arising during the year                   (3,847 )   3,617
            $ (14,613 )   $ (23,442 )   $(2,120)
Total other comprehensive income for the year           $ (12,887 )   $ (23,442 )   $(2,187)
Total comprehensive income for the year, net of tax           $ 20,778     $ 20,138     $45,363
                         
Attributable to                        
Owners of Eros International Plc             16,194       18,536     42,605
Non-controlling interests             4,584       1,602     2,758

 

The accompanying notes form an integral part of these financial statements.

 

F- 6
 

 

EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED MARCH 31, 2013, 2012 AND 2011

 

          Year ended March 31  
    Note     2013     2012     2011  
          (in thousands)  
Cash flow from operating activities                                
Profit before tax           $ 45,578     $ 53,639     $ 55,787  
Adjustments for:                                
Depreciation     12       1,003       1,275       928  
Share based payment             1,888       5,289       927  
Amortization of intangible content assets             101,955       86,525       67,839  
Amortization of other intangible assets             715       278       275  
Non-cash items     28       5,662       5,511        
Net finance charge     7       1,469       1,009       1,584  
Movement in trade and other receivables             (21,338 )     (27,689 )     (2,618 )
Movement in inventories             254       342       248  
Movement in trade payables             13,634       5,861       (7,873 )
(Profit)/loss on sale of property, plant and equipment             389       239       (193 )
Cash generated from operations             151,209       132,279       116,904  
Interest paid             (4,659 )     (4,381 )     (1,732 )
Income taxes paid             (9,103 )     (4,208 )     (6,337 )
Net cash generated from operating activities           $ 137,447     $ 123,690     $ 108,835  
Cash flows from investing activities                                
Purchase of property, plant and equipment           $ (86 )   $ (1,224 )   $ (9,964 )
Proceeds from disposal of property, plant and equipment             88       8       784  
Purchase of intangible film rights and related content             (186,676 )     (148,662 )     (137,980 )
Purchase of intangible assets others             (473 )     (1,572 )     (268 )
(Purchase)/sale of available-for-sale financial assets                         (2,020 )
Interest received             4,819       3,796       1,942  
Net cash used in investing activities           $ (182,328 )   $ (147,654 )   $ (147,506 )
Cash flows from financing activities                                
Proceeds from disposal of subsidiary shares           $ 9,435     $     $  
Net proceeds from issue of share capital by subsidiary             596       1,498       71,063  
Net proceeds from issue of share capital                   15        
Dividend to non-controlling interests             (770 )            
Proceeds from issuance of short term debt (commercial paper)             1,842              
Repayment of short term debt (commercial paper)             (1,842 )            
Net change in other short term debt (with maturity up to 3 months)             (6,969 )     19,588       8,613  
Proceeds from long-term borrowings             11,015       35,620       18,340  
Repayment of long-term borrowings             (1,836 )     (4,965 )     (20,573 )
Net cash generated from financing activities           $ 11,471     $ 51,756     $ 77,443  
Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents             (33,410 )     27,792       38,772  
Effects of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents             (4,370 )     (8,537 )     (218 )
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year             145,422       126,167       87,613  
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year     20     $ 107,642     $ 145,422     $ 126,167  

 

The accompanying notes form an integral part of these financial statements.

 

F- 7
 

EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY FOR THE YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 2013

 

          Other components of equity   Reserves       Equity
Attributable to
Shareholders
         
  Share
Capital
  Share
Premium
Account
  Currency
Translation
Reserve
  Available
 for Sale
Investments
  Revaluation
Reserve
  Hedging
Reserve
  Reverse
Acquisition
Reserve
  Merger
Reserve
  Retained
Earnings
  JSOP
Reserve
  of EROS
International
PLC.
  Non-
Controlling
Interest
  Total
Equity
 
  (in thousands)  
Balance as of April 1, 2012 $ 21,687   $ 135,008   $ (20,534 ) $ 5,802   $ 233   $ (4,020 ) $ (22,752 ) $ 57,766   $ 242,975       $ 416,165   $ 38,083   $ 454,248  
                                                                               
Profit for the year                                   27,107         27,107     6,558     33,665  
                                                                               
Other comprehensive income/(loss) for the year           (12,208 )       1,295                         (10,913 )   (1,974 )   (12,887 )
                                                                               
Total comprehensive income/(loss) for the year           (12,208 )       1,295                 27,107         16,194     4,584     20,778  
                                                                               
Issues of shares to wholly owned trust (Note 26)   966     24,539                                 (25,505 )            
                                                                               
Dividend paid by a subsidiary                                                 (770 )   (770 )
                                                                               
Share based compensation                                   1,888         1,888         1,888  
                                                                               
Changes in ownership interests in subsidiaries that do not result in a loss of control                               4,331             4,331     5,701     10,032  
                                                                               
Balance as of March 31, 2013 $ 22,653   $ 159,547   $ (32,742 ) $ 5,802   $ 1,528   $ (4,020 ) $ (22,752 ) $ 62,097   $ 271,970   $ (25,505 ) $ 438,578   $ 47,598   $ 486,176  

_______________

(1)  During the year ended March 31, 2013 the Group’s Indian subsidiary, Eros International Media Limited, issued shares to the employees of the company under ESOP scheme resulting in an increase in the non-controlling interest in accordance with the policy set out in Note 3.2.

 

The accompanying notes form an integral part of these financial statements.

 

F- 8
 

 

EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY FOR THE YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 2012

 

          Other components of equity   Reserves   Equity
Attributable to
shareholders
         
  Share
Capital
  Share
Premium
Account
  Currency
Translation
Reserve
  Available
for sale
Investments
  Revaluation
reserve
  Hedging
Reserve
  Reverse
Acquisition
Reserve
  Merger
Reserve
  Retained
Earnings
  of EROS
International
PLC.
  Non-
Controlling
Interest
  Total
Equity
 
  (in thousands)  
Balance as of April 1, 2011 $ 21,349   $ 128,296   $ 102   $ (1,864 ) $ 233   $ (4,578 ) $ (22,752 ) $ 63,102   $ 205,745   $ 389,633   $ 35,742   $ 425,375  
                                                                         
Profit for the year                                   37,406     37,406     6,174     43,580  
                                                                         
Other comprehensive income/(loss) for the year           (20,636 )   7,666         558         (6,458 )       (18,870 )   (4,572 )   (23,442 )
                                                                         
Total comprehensive income /(loss) for the year           (20,636 )   7,666         558         (6,458 )   37,406     18,536     1,602     20,138  
                                                                         
Issues of shares upon exercise of options by employees   338     6,712                                 7,050     177     7,227  
                                                                         
Changes in ownership interests in subsidiaries that do not result in a loss of control                               1,122     (176 )   946     562     1,508  
                                                                         
Balance as of March 31, 2012 $ 21,687   $ 135,008   $ (20,534 ) $ 5,802   $ 233   $ (4,020 ) $ (22,752 ) $ 57,766   $ 242,975   $ 416,165   $ 38,083   $ 454,248  

 

During the year ended March 31, 2012 the Group’s Indian subsidiary, Eros International Media Limited, issued shares to the employees of the company under ESOP scheme resulting in an increase in the non-controlling interest in accordance with the policy set out in 3.2 of the notes to the consolidated financial statements.

 

The accompanying notes form an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

F- 9
 

 

EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY FOR THE YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 2011

 

          Other components of equity   Reserves   Equity
Attributable
to
shareholders
         
  Share
Capital
  Share
Premium
Account
  Currency
Translation
Reserve
  Available
 for sale
Investments
  Revaluation
reserve
  Hedging
Reserve
  Reverse
Acquisition
Reserve
  Merger
Reserve
  Retained
Earnings
  of Eros
International
PLC.
  Non-
Controlling
Interest
  Total
Equity
 
  (in thousands)  
Balance as of April 1, 2010 $ 21,349   $ 128,296   $ (270 ) $ 1,181   $ 300   $ (5,127 ) $ (22,752 ) $ 10,463   $ 171,549   $ 304,989   $ 2,200   $ 307,189  
                                                                   
Profit for the year                                   44,796     44,796     2,754     47,550  
                                                                     
Other comprehensive income/(loss) for the year           372     (3,045 )   (67 )   549                 (2,191 )   4     (2,187 )
                                                                     
Total comprehensive income /(loss) for the year           372     (3,045 )   (67 )   549             44,796     42,605     2,758     45,363  
                                                                         
Changes in ownership interests in  subsidiaries that do not result in a loss of control                               52,639     (11,527 )   41,112     30,784     71,896  
                                                                       
Share based compensation                                   927     927         927  
                                                                         
Balance as of March 31,2011 $ 21,349   $ 128,296   $ 102   $ (1,864 ) $ 233   $ (4,578 ) $ (22,752 ) $ 63,102   $ 205,745   $ 389,633   $ 35,742   $ 425,375  

 

During the year ended March 31, 2011 the Group’s Indian subsidiary, Eros International Media Limited, issued shares to the employees of the company under ESOP scheme resulting in an increase in the non-controlling interest in accordance with the policy set out in 3.2 of the notes to the consolidated financial statements..

 

The accompanying notes form an integral part of these financial statements.

 

F- 10
 
  1 NATURE OF OPERATIONS, GENERAL INFORMATION AND BASIS OF PREPARATION

 

Eros International Plc (“Eros”) and its subsidiaries’ (together with Eros, the “Group”) principal activities include the acquisition, co-production and distribution of Indian films and related content. Eros International Plc is the Group’s ultimate parent company. It is incorporated and domiciled in the Isle of Man. The address of Eros International Plc’s registered office is Fort Anne, Douglas, Isle of Man IM1 5PD. Eros’ shares are admitted to trading on the Alternative Investment Market of the London Stock Exchange (“AIM”).

 

The consolidated financial statements of the Group have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRSs”), as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (see Note 35.1). The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention on a going concern basis, with the exception of the revaluation of certain properties and certain financial instruments.

 

The Group’s accounting policies as set out below have been applied consistently throughout the Group to all the periods presented, unless otherwise stated. The functional currency of Eros is U.S. Dollars The presentational currency of the Group is U.S. Dollars as this is the currency that the majority of its funding and transactions are denominated in. A significant proportion of the group’s trading is denominated in India Rupee (“INR”). However, the Group’s major financial liabilities are borrowed in U.S. Dollars and Eros is listed on AIM, an international financial market so the Group therefore continues to use its presentational currency as U.S. Dollars.

 

The financial statements for the year ended March 31, 2013 were approved by the Eros Board of Directors and authorized for issue on September 9, 2013.

 

  2 GOING CONCERN

 

The Group meets its day to day working capital requirements and funds its investment in content through a variety of banking arrangements and cash generated from operations. Under the terms of such banking arrangements the Group is able to draw down in the local currencies of its operating businesses. The net foreign currency monetary assets and liabilities position at March 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 are shown in Note 26.

 

The facilities (as set out in Note 19) are subject to individual covenants which vary but include provisions such as a fixed charge over certain assets, Total Available Facilities against statement of financial position value, net debt against earnings before interest, income, tax expense, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”), and a negative pledge that restricts our ability to incur liens, security interests or similar encumbrances or arrangements on our assets. The Group is cash generating before capital expenditures and is in full compliance with the covenants contained in its existing bank Facilities. As at March 31, 2013 the Group had $107.6 million of cash and cash equivalents (2012: $145.4 million, 2011: $126.2 million), $138.2 million of net debt (2012: $103.9 million, 2011: $72.8 million) and undrawn amounts under its facilities of $4.3 million (2012: $3.9 million, 2011: $26.1 million).

 

The Group is exposed to uncertainties arising from the global economic climate and also in the markets in which it operates. Market conditions could lead to lower than anticipated demand for the Group’s products and services and exchange rate volatility could also impact reported performance. The Directors have considered the impact of these and other uncertainties and factored them into their financial forecasts and assessment of covenant headroom. The Group’s forecasts and projections, taking account of reasonably possible changes in trading performance (and available mitigating actions), show that the Group will be able to operate within the expected limits of the Facilities and provide headroom against the covenants for the foreseeable future. For this reason, the Directors continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements.

 

  3 SUMMARY OF ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

  3.1. Overall Considerations

 

The significant accounting policies that have been used in the preparation of these consolidated financial statements are summarized below. Financial statements are subject to the application of significant accounting estimates and judgments. These are summarized in Note 34.

F- 11
 

 

  3.2. Basis of Consolidation

 

The Group financial statements consolidate those of the Company and entities controlled by the Company and its subsidiary undertakings drawn up to the statement of financial position date. Subsidiaries are entities over which the Group has the power to control the financial and operating policies so as to obtain benefits from its activities taking account of the provisions of IAS 27 Consolidated and Separate Financial statements. Due to the nature of the Group’s activities, whereby it will enter in co-productions and other arrangements in order to source film and related content which sometimes involves the set-up of special purpose entities for individual film productions, it evaluates these arrangements also in the context of SIC-12 Consolidation—Special Purpose Entities and consolidates such entities where appropriate. The Group obtains and exercises control through voting rights.

 

Unrealized gains on transactions between the Group and its subsidiaries are eliminated. Unrealized losses are also eliminated unless the transaction provides evidence of an impairment of the asset transferred. Amounts reported in the financial statements of subsidiaries have been adjusted where necessary to ensure consistency with the accounting policies adopted by the Group.

 

Business combinations are dealt with by the purchase method. The purchase method involves the recognition at fair value of all identifiable assets and liabilities, including contingent liabilities of the subsidiary, at the acquisition date, regardless of whether or not they were recorded in the financial statements of the subsidiary prior to acquisition. On initial recognition, the assets and liabilities of the subsidiary are included in the consolidated statement of financial position at their fair values, which are also used as the bases for subsequent measurement in accordance with the Group accounting policies. Goodwill is stated after separating out identifiable intangible assets. Goodwill represents the excess of acquisition cost over the fair value of the Group’s share of the identifiable net assets of the acquired subsidiary at the date of acquisition.

 

Changes in controlling interest in a subsidiary that do not result in gaining or losing control are not business combinations as defined by IFRS 3. The Group adopts the “equity transaction method” which regards the transaction as a realignment of the interests of the different equity holders in the group. Under the equity transaction method an increase or decrease in the groups ownership interest is accounted for as follows:

 

  · the non-controlling component of equity is adjusted to reflect the non-controlling interest revised share of the net carrying value of the subsidiaries net assets;

 

  · the difference between the consideration received or paid and the adjustment to non-controlling interests is debited or credited to a different component of equity — merger reserves;

 

  · no adjustment is made to the carrying amount of goodwill or the subsidiaries’ net assets as reported in the consolidated financial statements; and

 

  · no gain or loss is reported in the income statement.

 

  3.3. Segment Reporting

 

Operating Segments (“IFRS 8”) requires operating segments to be identified on the same basis as is used internally for the review of performance and allocation of resources by the Group chief executive officer. The revenues of films are earned over various formats; all such formats are functional activities of filmed entertainment and these activities take place on an integrated basis. The management team reviews the financial information on an integrated basis for the Group as a whole, with respective heads of business for each region and in accordance with IFRS 8, the Company provides a geographical split as it considers that all activities fall within one segment of business which is filmed entertainment. The management team also monitors performance separately for individual films or for a at least 12 months after the theatrical release. Certain resources such as publicity and advertising, and the cost of a film are also reviewed globally.

 

Eros has identified four geographic areas, consisting of its main geographic areas (India, North America and Europe), together with the rest of the world.

 

  3.4. Revenue

 

Revenue is recognized, net of sales related taxes, when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, the fees are fixed or determinable, the product is delivered or services have been rendered and collectability is reasonably assured. The Group considers the terms of each arrangement to determine the appropriate accounting treatment.

F- 12
 

 

The following additional criteria apply in respect of various revenue streams within filmed entertainment:

 

  · Theatrical — Contracted minimum guarantees are recognized on the theatrical release date. The Group’s share of box office receipts in excess of the minimum guarantee is recognized at the point they are notified to the Group.

 

  · Television — License fees received in advance which do not meet all the above criteria are included in deferred income until the above criteria is met.

 

  · Other — DVD, CD and video distribution revenue is recognized on the date the product is delivered or if licensed in line with the above criteria. Provision is made for physical returns where applicable. Digital and ancillary media revenues are recognized at the earlier of when the content is accessed or declared. Visual effects, production and other fees for services rendered by the Group and overhead recharges are recognized in the period in which they are earned and the stage of production is used to determine the proportion recognized in the period.

 

  3.5. Goodwill

 

Goodwill represents the excess of the consideration transferred in a business combination over the fair value of the Group’s share of the identifiable net assets acquired. Goodwill is carried at cost less accumulated impairment losses. Gain on bargain purchase is recognized immediately after acquisition in the consolidated income statement.

 

  3.6. Intangible Assets

 

Non-Current Intangible assets acquired by the Group are stated at cost less accumulated amortization less impairment loss, if any, except those acquired as part of a business combination, which are shown at fair value at the date of acquisition less accumulated amortization less impairment loss, if any. Film production cost and content advances are transferred to film and content rights at the point at which content is first exploited. “Eros” (the “Trade name”) is considered to have an indefinite life and is held at cost less impairment.

 

Content

 

Investments in films and associated rights, including acquired rights and distribution advances in respect of completed films, are stated at cost less amortization less provision for impairment. Costs include production costs, overhead and capitalized interest costs net of any amounts received from third party investors. A charge is made to write down the cost of completed rights over the estimated useful lives, writing off more in year one which recognizes initial income flows and then the balance over a period of up to nine years, except where the asset is not yet available for exploitation. The average life of the assets is the lesser of 10 years or the remaining life of the content rights. The amortization charge is recognized in the income statement within cost of sales. The determination of useful life is based upon management’s judgment and includes assumptions on the timing and future estimated revenues to be generated by these assets, which are summarized in note 34.3.

 

Trade name

 

“Eros” the Trade name is considered to have an indefinite economic life because of the institutional nature of the corporate brand name, its proven ability to maintain market leadership and the Group’s commitment to develop and enhance its value. The carrying value is reviewed at least annually for impairment and adjusted to recoverable amount if required.

 

Others

 

Other intangible assets, which comprise internally generated and acquired software used within the Group’s digital, home entertainment and internal accounting activities, are stated at cost less amortization less provision for impairment. A charge is made to write down the cost of completed rights over the estimated useful lives except where the asset is not yet available for exploitation. The average life of the assets is the lesser of 5 years or the remaining life of the asset. The amortization charge is recognized in the income statement within administrative expenses.

 

Subsequent expenditure

 

Expenditure on capitalized intangible assets subsequent to the original expenditure is included only when it increases the future economic benefits embodied in the specific asset to which it relates.

 

Internally generated assets

 

An internally generated intangible asset arising from the Group’s software development activities that is expected to be completed is recognized only if all the following criteria are met:

F- 13
 

 

  · an asset is created that can be identified (such as software and new processes);

 

  · it is probable that the asset created will generate future economic benefits; and

 

  · the development cost can be measured reliably.

 

When these criteria are met and there are appropriate resources to complete development, the expenditure is capitalized at cost. Where these criteria are not met development expenditure is recognized as an expense in the period in which it is incurred. Internally generated intangible assets are amortized over their useful economic life from the date that they start generating future economic benefits.

 

  3.7. Impairment Testing of Goodwill, Other Intangible Assets and Property, Plant and Equipment.

 

For the purposes of assessing impairment, assets are grouped at the lowest levels for which there are separately identifiable cash flows (cash-generating units). As a result, some assets are tested individually for impairment and some are tested at cash-generating unit level. Goodwill is allocated to those cash-generating units that are expected to benefit from synergies of the related business combination and represent the lowest level within the Group at which management monitors the related cash flows.

 

Goodwill and Trade names are tested for impairment at least annually. All other individual assets or cash-generating units are tested for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable.

 

An impairment loss is recognized for the amount by which the asset’s or cash-generating unit’s carrying amount exceeds its recoverable amount. The recoverable amount is the higher of fair value, reflecting market conditions less costs to sell, and value in use based on an internal discounted cash flow evaluation. Impairment losses recognized for cash-generating units, to which goodwill has been allocated, are credited initially to the carrying amount of goodwill. Any remaining impairment loss is charged pro rata to the other assets in the cash generating unit.

 

Film content costs are stated at the lower of unamortized cost or estimated recoverable amounts. In accordance with IAS 36 Impairment of Assets, film content costs are assessed for indication of impairment on a library basis as the nature of the Group’s business, the contracts it has in place and the markets it operates in do not yet make an ongoing individual film evaluation feasible with reasonable certainty.

 

With the exception of goodwill, all assets are subsequently reassessed for indications that an impairment loss previously recognized may no longer exist.

 

  3.8. Property, Plant & Equipment

 

Property, plant and equipment are stated at historical cost less accumulated depreciation and impairment. Land and freehold buildings are shown at what management believes to be their fair value, based on, among other things, periodic but at least triennial valuations by an external independent valuer, less subsequent depreciation for freehold buildings. Any accumulated depreciation at the date of revaluation is eliminated against the gross carrying amount of the asset and the net amount is restated to the revalued amount. Increases in the carrying amount arising on revaluation of freehold land and buildings are credited to other reserves in shareholders’ equity. Decreases that offset previous increases are charged against other reserves.

 

Depreciation is provided to write off the cost of all property, plant and equipment to their residual value over their expected useful lives calculated on the historical cost of the assets at the following rates:

 

    Rate of
depreciation
% straight line
per annum
 
Freehold Building   2-10  
Furniture & Fixtures and Equipment   15-20  
Vehicles and Plant & Machinery   15-40  

 

Material residual value estimates are updated as required, but at least annually, whether or not the asset is revalued.

 

F- 14
 

 

3.9.Inventories

 

Inventories are valued at the lower of cost and net realizable value. Cost in respect of goods for resale is defined as purchase price, including appropriate labor costs and other overheads. Cost in respect of raw materials is purchase price.

 

Purchase price is assigned using a weighted average basis. Net realizable value is defined as anticipated selling price or anticipated revenue less cost to completion.

 

  3.10. Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term highly liquid investments which are readily convertible into known amounts of cash and are subject to insignificant risk of changes in value. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities on the statement of financial position.

 

  3.11. Borrowings

 

Borrowings are recognized initially at fair value, net of transaction costs incurred. Borrowings are subsequently stated at amortized cost with any difference between the proceeds (net of transaction costs) and the redemption value recognized in the income statement within Finance costs over the period of the borrowings using the effective interest method. Finance costs in respect of film productions and other assets which take a substantial period of time to get ready for use or exploitation are capitalized as part of the asset.

 

Borrowings are classified as current liabilities unless the Group has an unconditional right to defer settlement of the liability for at least 12 months after the statement of financial position date.

 

3.12. Financial Instruments

 

Financial assets and financial liabilities are recognized when a group entity becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.

 

Financial assets and liabilities are initially measured at fair value. Transaction costs that are directly attributable to the acquisition or issue of financial assets or liabilities (other than financial assets and liabilities at fair value through profit and loss) are added to or deducted from the fair value of the financial assets or financial liabilities, as appropriate, on initial recognition. Transaction costs directly attributable to the acquisition of financial assets or financial liabilities at fair value through profit and loss are recognized immediately in profit or loss.

 

A financial instrument is held for trading if:

 

  · It has been acquired principally for the purpose of selling/repurchasing it in the near term; or
  · On initial recognition it is part of a portfolio of identified financial instruments that the Group manages together and has a recent pattern of short-term profit taking; or
  · It is a derivative that is not designated in a hedging relationship.

 

The fair value of financial instruments denominated in a foreign currency is determined in that foreign currency and translated at the spot rate at the end of the reporting period. The foreign exchange component forms part of its fair value gain or loss. Therefore for financial instruments that are classified as fair value through profit and loss, the exchange component is recognized in profit and loss through “other gains and losses”.

 

  3.13. Financial Instruments

 

Financial assets are divided into the following categories:

 

  · Financial assets at fair value through profit and loss;
  · Loans and receivables;
  · Held-to-maturity investments; and
  · Available-for-sale financial assets.

 

F- 15
 

 

Financial assets are assigned to the different categories by management on initial recognition, depending on the nature and purpose of the financial assets. The designation of financial assets is re-evaluated at every reporting date at which a choice of classification or accounting treatment is available.

 

Loans and receivables

 

Loans and receivables are non-derivative financial assets with fixed or determinable payments that are not quoted in an active market. Loans and receivables (including trade and other receivables, bank and cash balances) are measured subsequent to initial recognition at amortized cost using the effective interest method, less provision for impairment. Any change in their value through impairment or reversal of impairment is recognized in the income statement.

 

Provision against trade receivables is made when there is objective evidence that the Group will not be able to collect all amounts due to it in accordance with the original terms of those receivables. The amount of the write-down is determined as the difference between the asset’s carrying amount and the present value of estimated future cash flows.

 

Held-to-maturity investments

 

Held-to-maturity investments are non-derivative financial assets with fixed or determinable payments and fixed maturities that the Group’s management has the positive intention and ability to hold to maturity.

 

Available-for-sale financial assets

 

Available-for-sale financial assets include non-derivative financial assets that are either designated as such or do not qualify for inclusion in any of the other categories of financial assets. All financial assets within this category are measured subsequently at fair value, with changes in value recognized in other comprehensive income. Gains and losses arising from investments classified as available-for-sale are recognized in the income statement when they are sold or when the investment is impaired.

 

In the case of impairment of available-for-sale assets, any loss previously recognized in other comprehensive income is transferred to the income statement. Impairment losses recognized in the income statement on equity instruments are not reversed through the income statement. Impairment losses recognized previously on debt securities are reversed through the income statement when the increase can be related objectively to an event occurring after the impairment loss was recognized in the income statement.

 

Where the Group consider that fair value can be reliably measured the fair values of financial instruments that are not traded in an active market are determined by using valuation techniques. The Group uses its judgment to select a variety of methods and make assumptions that are mainly based on market conditions existing at each statement of financial position date. Available-for-sale equity instruments that do not have a quoted price in an active market and whose fair value cannot be reliably measured are measured at cost less impairment at the end of each reporting period.

 

An assessment for impairment is undertaken at least at each statement of financial position date.

 

A financial asset is derecognized only where the contractual rights to the cash flows from the asset expire or the financial asset is transferred and that transfer qualifies for de-recognition. A financial asset is transferred if the contractual rights to receive the cash flows of the asset have been transferred or the Group retains the contractual rights to receive the cash flows of the asset but assumes a contractual obligation to pay the cash flows to one or more recipients. A financial asset that is transferred qualifies for de-recognition if the Group transfers substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership of the asset, or if the Group neither retains nor transfers substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership but does transfer control of that asset.

 

  3.14. Financial Liabilities

 

Financial liabilities are classified as either ‘financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss’ or ‘other financial liabilities’. Financial liabilities are subsequently measured at amortized cost using the effective interest method or at fair value through profit or loss.

 

Financial liabilities are classified as at fair value through profit or loss when the financial liability is held for trading such as a derivative, except for a designated and effective hedging instrument, or if upon initial recognition it is thus designated to eliminate or significantly reduce measurement or recognition inconsistency or it forms part of a contract containing one or more embedded derivatives and the contract is designated as fair value through profit or loss.

 

F- 16
 

 

Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss are stated at fair value. Any gains or losses arising of held for trading financial liabilities are recognized in profit or loss. Such gains or losses incorporate any interest paid and are included in the “other gains and losses” line item.

 

Other financial liabilities (including borrowing and trade and other payables) are subsequently measured at amortized cost using the effective interest method.

 

The effective interest method is a method of calculating the amortized cost of a financial liability and of allocating interest expense over the relevant period. The effective interest rate is the rate that exactly discounts estimated future cash payments (including all fees and points paid or received that form an integral part of the effective interest rate, transaction costs and other premiums or discounts) through the expected life of the financial liability, or (where appropriate) a shorter period, to the net carrying amount on initial recognition.

 

A financial liability is derecognized only when the obligation is extinguished, that is, when the obligation is discharged or cancelled or expires. Changes in liabilities’ fair value that are reported in profit or loss are included in the income statement within finance costs or finance income.

 

  3.15. Derivative Financial Instruments

 

The Group uses derivative financial instruments (“derivatives”) to reduce its exposure to interest rate movements.

 

Derivatives are initially recognized at fair value at the date the derivative contracts are entered into and are subsequently re-measured to their fair value at the end of each reporting period. The resulting gain or loss is recognized in profit or loss immediately unless the derivative is designated and effective as a hedging instrument, in which event the timing of the recognition in the profit or loss depends on the nature of the hedge relationship.

 

At the inception of the hedge relationship, the Group documents the relationship between the hedging instrument and the hedged item, along with its risk management objectives and its strategy for undertaking various hedge transactions. Furthermore, at the inception of the hedge and on an ongoing basis, the Group documents whether the hedging instrument is highly effective in offsetting changes in fair values or cash flows of the hedged item attributable to the hedged risk.

 

Cash flow hedging

 

The effective portion of changes in the fair value of derivatives that are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges is recognized in other comprehensive income and accumulated under the heading of other reserves. The gain or loss relating to the ineffective portion is recognized immediately in profit or loss, and is included in the ‘other gains and losses’ line item.

 

Amounts previously recognized in other comprehensive income and accumulated in equity are reclassified to profit or loss in the periods when the hedged item is recognized in profit or loss, in the same line of the consolidated income statement as the recognized hedged item. However, when the hedged forecast transaction results in the recognition of a non-financial asset or a non-financial liability, the gains and losses previously recognized in other comprehensive income and accumulated in equity are transferred from equity and included in the initial measurement of the cost of the non-financial asset or non-financial liability.

 

Cash flow hedge accounting is discontinued when the Group revokes the hedging relationship, when the hedging instrument expires or is sold, terminated, or exercised, or when it no longer qualifies for hedge accounting. Any gain or loss recognized in other comprehensive income and accumulated in equity at that time remains in equity and is recognized when the forecast transaction is ultimately recognized in profit or loss. When a forecast transaction is no longer expected to occur, the gain or loss accumulated in equity is recognized immediately in profit or loss.

 

F- 17
 

 

  3.16. Provisions  

 

Provisions are recognized when the Group has a present legal or constructive obligation as a result of a past event, it is more likely than not that an outflow of resources will be required to settle the obligations and can be reliably measured. Provisions are measured at the Directors’ best estimate of the expenditure required to settle the obligations at the statement of financial position date and are discounted to present value where the effect is material.

 

  3.17. Leases

 

Leases in which significantly all the risks and rewards incidental to ownership are not transferred to the lessee are classified as operating leases. Payments under such leases are charged to the income statement on a straight line basis over the period of the lease.

 

  3.18. Taxation

 

Taxation on profit and loss comprises current tax and deferred tax. Tax is recognized in the income statement except to the extent that it relates to items recognized directly in equity or other comprehensive income in which case it is recognized in equity or other comprehensive income.

 

Current tax is provided at amounts expected to be paid (or recovered) using the tax rates and laws that have been enacted or substantially enacted at the statement of financial position date along with any adjustment relating to tax payable in previous years.

 

Deferred income tax is provided in full, using the liability method, on temporary differences arising between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their carrying amounts in the consolidated financial statements. Deferred income tax is provided at amounts expected to be paid (or recovered) using the tax rates and laws that have been enacted or substantially enacted at the statement of financial position date and are expected to apply when the related deferred income tax asset is realized or the deferred income tax liability is settled in the appropriate territory.

 

Deferred tax in respect of undistributed earnings of subsidiaries is recognized except where the Group is able to control the timing of the reversal of the temporary difference and that the temporary difference will not reverse in the foreseeable future. Deferred income tax assets are recognized to the extent that it is probable that future taxable profit will be available against which temporary differences can be utilized.

 

  3.19. Employee Benefits

 

The Group operates defined contribution pension plans, healthcare and insurance plans on behalf of its employees. The amounts due are all expensed as they fall due.

 

In accordance with IFRS 2 Share Based Payments, the fair value of shares or options granted is recognized as personnel costs with a corresponding increase in equity. The fair value is measured at the grant date and spread over the period during which the recipient becomes unconditionally entitled to payment unless forfeited or surrendered. The JSOP Plan (as described in Note 24) includes non-market based vesting conditions in addition to market based vesting conditions. The fair value of the option includes the effect of market based vesting conditions and excludes the effect of non-market-based vesting conditions.

 

The fair value of share options granted is measured using the Black Scholes model or a Monte-Carlo simulation model, each taking into account the terms and conditions upon which the grants are made. At each statement of financial position date, the Group revises its estimate of the number of equity instruments expected to vest as a result of non-market-based vesting conditions. The amount recognized as an expense is adjusted to reflect the revised estimate of the number of equity instruments that are expected to become exercisable, with a corresponding adjustment to equity reserves. None of the Group plans feature any options for cash settlements.

 

Upon exercise of share options, the proceeds received net of any directly attributable transaction costs up to the nominal value of the shares are allocated to share capital with any excess being recorded as additional paid in capital.

 

F- 18
 

 

  3.20. Foreign Currencies

 

Transactions in foreign currencies are translated at the rates of exchange prevailing on the dates of the transactions. Monetary assets and liabilities in foreign currencies are translated at the prevailing rates of exchange at the statement of financial position date. Non-monetary items that are measured at historical cost in a foreign currency are translated at the exchange rate at the date of the transaction. Non-monetary items that are measured at fair value in a foreign currency are translated using the exchange rates at the date when the fair value was determined.

 

Any exchange differences arising on the settlement of monetary items or on translating monetary items at rates different from those at which they were initially recorded are recognized in profit or loss in the period in which they arise. Non-monetary items carried at fair value that are denominated in foreign currencies are translated at rates prevailing at the date when the fair value was determined. Non-monetary items that are measured in terms of historical cost in a foreign currency are not retranslated.

 

The assets and liabilities in the financial statements of foreign subsidiaries and related goodwill are translated at the prevailing rate of exchange at the statement of financial position date. Income and expenses are translated at the monthly average rate. The exchange differences arising from the retranslation of the foreign operations are recognized in other comprehensive income and taken in to the “Translation reserve” in equity. On disposal of a foreign operation the cumulative translation differences (including, if applicable, gains and losses on related hedges) are transferred to the income statement as part of the gain or loss on disposal.

 

  3.21. Transactions Costs Relating to Proposed Equity Transactions:

 

The Group defers costs in issuing or acquiring its own equity instruments to the extent they are incremental costs directly attributable to the proposed equity transaction that otherwise would have been avoided.  Such costs are accounted for as a deduction from equity (net of any related income tax benefit) upon completion of the equity transaction. The costs of an equity transaction that is abandoned are recognized as an expense.

 

  3.22. Equity

 

Equity comprises the following components:

 

  · Share capital – this represents the nominal value of equity shares;
  · Share premium – this represents the excess over nominal value of the fair value of consideration received for equity shares, net of expenses of the share issue;
  · Currency reserve – this represents the differences arising from translation of investments in overseas subsidiaries;
  · Joint Share Ownership Reserve – this represents the cost of shares of Eros held by the employee benefit trust, consolidated as a part of the group and treated as treasury shares;
  · Reverse acquisition reserve – this represents the difference between the required total of the Group’s equity instruments and the reported equity of the legal parent;
  · Available-for-sale investments – this represents fair value movement net of impairment loss, if any, recognized since the date of acquisition of investments:
  · Revaluation reserve – this represents the fair value movement of land and buildings measured on a fair value basis;
  · Hedging reserve – this represents effective portion of change in fair value of derivative instruments designated in a cash flow hedge relationship;
  · Merger reserve – this represents the gain/loss recognized as a result of a change in parent undertakings ownership interest in a subsidiary undertaking without loss of control;
  · Retained earnings – this represents undistributed earnings of the group; and
  · Non-Controlling Interests – this represents amounts attributable to non-controlling interests as a result of their interests in subsidiary undertakings.

 

F- 19
 

 

  4 BUSINESS SEGMENTAL DATA

 

The Group acquires, co-produces and distributes Indian films in multiple formats worldwide. Film content is monitored and strategic decisions around the business operations are made based on the film content, whether it is new release or library. Hence, management identifies only one operating segment in the business, film content. We distribute our film content to the Indian population in India, the South Asian diaspora worldwide and to non-Indian consumers who view Indian films that are subtitled or dubbed in local languages. As a result of these distribution activities, Eros has identified four geographic markets: India, North America, Europe and the Rest of the world.

 

Revenues are presented based on the region of domicile and by customer location:

 

    Year ended March 31  
    2013     2012     2011  
    (in thousands)  
Revenue by region of domicile                        
India   $ 128,001     $ 113,573     $ 81,292  
Europe     31,450       41,828       44,529  
North America     10,797       10,454       5,056  
Rest of the world     45,098       40,619       33,736  
    $ 215,346     $ 206,474     $ 164,613  

 

    Year ended March 31  
    2013     2012     2011  
    (in thousands)  
Revenue by customer location                        
India   $ 135,292     $ 136,942     $ 108,339  
Europe     35,147       26,852       21,787  
North America     12,678       8,379       8,617  
Rest of the world     32,229       34,301       25,870  
Total Revenue   $ 215,346     $ 206,474     $ 164,613  

 

Revenue of $14,460,000 (2012: $6,287,000 and 2011: $3,343,000) from the United Arab Emirates is included within Rest of the world and revenue of $34,945,000 (2012: $25,059,000 and 2011: $19,035,000) from United Kingdom is included under Europe in the above table.

 

For the year ended March 31, 2013, no customers accounted for more than 10% of the Group’s total revenues. For the years ended March 31, 2012 and March 31, 2011, an aggregator of television rights, Dhrishti Creations Pvt. Ltd. accounted for 11.8% and 23.0% of the Group’s total revenues, respectively. No other customers that accounted for more than 10% of the Group’s total revenues. In each year no revenue arose in the Isle of Man.

 

    India     North
America
    Europe     Rest of the
World
 
    (in thousands)  
Assets                                
As of March 31, 2013   $ 230,143     $ 44     $ 32,672     $ 302,120  
As of March 31, 2012   $ 189,377     $ 50     $ 48,082     $ 265,953  

 

Segment assets of $272,034,000 (2012: $234,958,000) in the United Arab Emirates is included under Rest of the world and segment assets of $28,014,000 (2012: $44,283,000) in United Kingdom is included under Europe in the above table.

F- 20
 

 

  5 PERSONNEL

 

    Year ended March 31  
    2013     2012     2011  
    (in thousands)  
Salaries   $ 9,275     $ 7,733     $ 9,814  
Social security and other employment charges     683       623       647  
Wages and expenses     9,958       8,356       10,461  
Share based compensation     1,888       2,889       927  
Pension charges - defined contributions     34       29       30  
Personnel costs   $ 11,880     $ 11,274     $ 11,418  

 

Post-employment benefits all related to defined contribution plans/benefit plans.

 

    Year ended March 31  
    2013     2012     2011  
    (in thousands)  
Key Management Compensation                        
Short term benefits   $ 3,859     $ 3,519     $ 3,605  
Post-employment plans     41       29       26  
Share based compensation     1,303       1,479        
    $ 5,203     $ 5,027     $ 3,631  

 

  6 PROFIT FOR THE YEAR

 

Profit for the year is arrived at after the following charged/ (credited) to the income statement:

 

    Year ended March 31  
    2013     2012     2011  
    (in thousands)  
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment   $ 1,003     $ 1,275     $ 928  
Amortization of other intangible assets     715       278       275  
Amortization of content assets     101,955       86,525       67,839  
Operating lease rentals     1,223       1,651       1,895  

 

  7 FINANCE CHARGES AND INCOME

 

    Year ended March 31  
    2013     2012     2011  
    (in thousands)  
Interest on bank overdrafts and loans   $ 13,720     $ 9,341     $ 8,677  
Interest expense on other borrowings           120        
                         
Total interest expense for financial liabilities not classified at fair value through profit or loss     13,720       9,461       8,677  
Reclassification of gains on hedging previously recognized in other comprehensive income           2,223       3,068  
Capitalized interest on filmed content     (7,518 )     (5,987 )     (8,175 )
                         
Total finance costs     6,202       5,697       3,570  
Less: Interest revenue                        
Bank Deposits     (4,206 )     (2,355 )     (1,113 )
Held- to- maturity financial assets     (527 )     (2,333 )     (873 )
Total finance income     (4,733 )     (4,688 )     (1,986 )
                         
Net finance costs   $ 1,469     $ 1,009     $ 1,584  

 

F- 21
 

 

For the year ended March 31, 2013, the capitalization rate of interest was 5.6 % (2012: 5.2%, 2011: 6.0 %).

 

  8 OTHER GAINS AND LOSSES

 

    Year ended March 31  
    2013     2012     2011  
    (in thousands)  
(Profit)/loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment   $ 389     $ 239     $ (193 )
Net foreign exchange losses/(gains)     1,933       1,057       (1,100 )
Net loss on held for trading financial liabilities     5,667       4,264        
Reclassification adjustment relating to available-for-sale financial assets           1,300        
Others           (70 )      
                         
    $ 7,989     $ 6,790     $ (1,293 )

 

The net loss on held for trading financial liabilities in the years ended March 31, 2013 and 2012 principally relate to derivative instruments not designated in a hedging relationship.

 

  9 INCOME TAX EXPENSE

 

    Year ended March 31  
    2013     2012     2011  
    (in thousands)  
Current tax expense   $ 7,102     $ 4,946     $ 3,632  
Origination and reversal of temporary differences     4,811       5,113       4,605  
Provision for income taxes   $ 11,913     $ 10,059     $ 8,237  

 

Reconciliation of tax charge

 

    Year ended March 31  
    2013     2012     2011  
    (in thousands)  
Profit before tax   $ 45,578     $ 53,639     $ 55,787  
Income tax expense at tax rates applicable to individual entities     9,921       9,060       9,445  
Tax effect of:                        
Items not deductible for tax     421       451        
(Increase)/Utilization of tax losses           143       (14 )
Others     1,571       405       (1,194 )
Income tax expense   $ 11,913     $ 10,059     $ 8,237  

 

F- 22
 

 

  10 CHANGES IN DEFERRED TAX ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

 

Changes in deferred tax assets and liabilities

 

    Year ended March 31, 2013  
    Opening
Balance
    Recognized in
Profit & Loss
    Translation
Adjustment
    Closing
Balance
 
    (in thousands)  
Deferred tax assets:                                
Business loss carry forwards   $ 403     $ 5     $ (25 )   $ 383  
Expenses deductible in future years     21       2       (6 )     17  
Minimum alternate tax carry- forward     5,220       4,768       (327 )     9,661  
Property, plant and equipment     78       45       (1 )     122  
Others     1,843       131       (95 )     1,879  
Total deferred tax asset   $ 7,565     $ 4,951     $ (454 )   $ 12,062  
Deferred Tax Liabilities                                
Property, plant and equipment     (160 )     (161 )     11       (310 )
Intangible assets     (21,787 )     (9,548 )     1,366       (29,969 )
Others           (53 )           (53 )
Total Deferred tax liability   $ (21,947 )   $ (9,762 )   $ 1,377     $ (30,332 )
                                 
Net Deferred Tax Asset / (Liability)   $ (14,382 )   $ (4,811 )   $ 923     $ (18,270 )
As at March 31, 2013                                
Deferred Tax Asset                             569  
Deferred Tax Liability                             (18,839 )

 

    Year ended March 31, 2012  
    Opening
Balance
    Recognized in
Profit & Loss
    Translation
Adjustment
    Closing
Balance
 
    (in thousands)  
Deferred tax assets:                                
Business loss carry forwards   $ 498     $ (34 )   $ (61 )   $ 403  
Expenses deductible in future years     19       5       (3 )     21  
Minimum alternate tax carry- forward     3,121       2,659       (560 )     5,220  
Property, plant and equipment     48       31       (1 )     78  
Others     (300 )     167       38       (95 )
Total deferred tax asset   $ 3,386     $ 2,828     $ (587 )   $ 5,627  
Deferred Tax Liabilities                                
Property, plant and equipment     (388 )     190       38       (160 )
Intangible assets     (16,335 )     (8,020 )     2,568       (21,787 )
Others     (617 )     2,548       7       1,938  
Total Deferred tax liability   $ (17,340 )   $ (5,282 )   $ 2,613     $ (20,009 )
                                 
Net Deferred Tax Asset / (Liability)   $ (13,954 )   $ (2,454 )   $ 2,026     $ (14,382 )
As at March 31, 2012                                
Deferred Tax Asset                             407  
Deferred Tax Liability                             (14,789 )

 

F- 23
 

 

    Year ended March 31, 2011  
    Opening
Balance
    Recognized in
Profit & Loss
    Translation
Adjustment
    Closing
Balance
 
    (in thousands)  
Deferred Tax Assets:                                
Business loss carry forwards     753       (258 )     3       498  
Expenses deductible in future years     105       (85 )     (1 )     19  
Minimum Alternative Tax carried forward     1,801       1,265       54       3,120  
Property plant and equipment           47       1       48  
Others     (747 )     447       0       (300 )
Total Deferred Tax Asset     1,912       1,416       57       3,385  
                                 
Deferred Tax Liabilities                                
Property plant and equipment     (244 )     (137 )     (7 )     (388 )
Intangible assets     (11,649 )     (4,427 )     (259 )     (16,335 )
Others     (688 )     58       13       (617 )
Total Deferred Tax Liability     (12,581 )     (4,506 )     (253 )     (17,340 )
                                 
Net Deferred Tax Asset / (Liability)   $ (10,669 )   $ (3,090 )   $ (196 )   $ (13,955 )
As at March 31, 2011                                
Deferred tax Asset                             265  
Deferred Tax Liability                             (14,220 )

 

 

Deferred tax is calculated in full on all temporary differences under the liability method using the local tax rate of the country in which the timing difference occurs.

 

The deferred tax assets have been recognized on the basis that there is sufficient certainty of profitability to utilize the available losses and tax credits. No deferred tax liabilities have been provided on the undistributed earnings of its subsidiaries to the extent of $16,182,000 as Eros is able to control the timing of the reversal of the temporary difference and it is probable that the temporary difference will not reverse in the foreseeable future.

 

Eros International Media Limited is liable to pay Minimum Alternate Tax (MAT). under the Indian Income tax laws. The tax paid under MAT provisions can be carried forward and set-off against future income tax liabilities computed under normal tax provisions within a period of ten years, and has been treated as a deferred tax asset.

 

In addition to the amount charged in the income statement, no amounts relating to tax have been recognized in other comprehensive income: No amounts relating to tax have been recognized directly in equity.

 

F- 24
 

 

  11 EARNINGS PER SHARE

 

    Year ended March 31  
    2013     2012     2011  
    (in thousands, except number of shares and earnings per share)  
    Basic     Diluted     Basic     Diluted     Basic     Diluted  
Earnings                                                
Earnings attributable to the equity holders of the parent   $ 27,107     $ 27,107     $ 37,406     $ 37,406     $ 44,796     $ 44,796  
Potential dilutive effect related to share based compensation scheme in subsidiary undertaking           (23 )           (507 )           (481 )
Adjusted earnings attributable to equity holders of the parent   $ 27,107     $ 27,084     $ 37,406     $ 36,899     $ 44,796     $ 44,315  
Number of shares                                                
Weighted average number of shares     118,316,874       118,316,874       117,227,219       117,227,219       116,133,758       116,133,758  
Potential dilutive effect related to share based compensation scheme           52,371             187,314             187,314  
Adjusted weighted average number of shares     118,316,874       118,369,245       117,227,219       117,414,533       116,133,758       116,321,072  
Earnings per share                                                
Earnings attributable to the equity holders of the parent per share (cents)     22.9       22.9       31.9       31.4       38.6       38.1  

 

The number of options under the JSOP that could potentially dilute basic earnings per share in the future, but were not included in the calculation of diluted earnings per share because they are anti-dilutive for year ended March 31, 2013 aggregated to 6,000,493 shares (2012: Nil, 2011: Nil).

 

  12 PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

 

    Year ended March 31, 2013  
    Land
and
Building
    Furniture,
Fittings and
Equipment
    Vehicles     Plant and
Machinery
    Total  
    (in thousands)  
Opening net carrying amount   $ 9,542     $ 917     $ 456     $ 1,707     $ 12,622  
Exchange differences     (524 )     (15 )     (27 )     (106 )     (672 )
Revaluation     1,726                         1,726  
Additions             16       16       55       87  
Disposals           (336 )     (12 )     (1,414 )     (1,762 )
Adjustment of Depreciation on disposal / revaluation     146       52       9       1,076       1,283  
Depreciation charge     (500 )     (179 )     (115 )     (209 )     (1,003 )
Reclassification adjustments     (301 )     305             (605 )     (601 )
Closing net carrying amount   $ 10,089     $ 760     $ 327     $ 504     $ 11,680  

 

    As at March 31, 2013  
    (in thousands)  
Cost or valuation   $ 12,099     $ 2,337     $ 1,702     $ 3,935     $ 20,073  
Accumulated depreciation     (2,010 )     (1,577 )     (1,375 )     (3,431 )     (8,393 )
Net carrying amount   $ 10,089     $ 760     $ 327     $ 504     $ 11,680  

 

F- 25
 

 

    Year ended March 31, 2012  
    Land
and
Building
    Furniture,
Fittings and
Equipment
    Vehicles     Plant and
Machinery
    Total  
    (in thousands)  
Opening net carrying amount   $ 10,767     $ 1,516     $ 581     $ 1,211     $ 14,075  
Exchange differences     (755 )     (389 )     (63 )     52       (1,155 )
Additions     189       14       95       926       1,224  
Disposals           (136 )     (7 )     (104 )     (247 )
Depreciation charge     (659 )     (88 )     (150 )     (378 )     (1,275 )
Closing net carrying amount   $ 9,542     $ 917     $ 456     $ 1,707     $ 12,622  

 

    As at March 31, 2012  
    (in thousands)  
Cost or valuation   $ 11,198     $ 2,367     $ 1,725     $ 6,005     $ 21,295  
Accumulated depreciation     (1,656 )     (1,450 )     (1,269 )     (4,298 )     (8,673 )
Net carrying amount   $ 9,542     $ 917     $ 456     $ 1,707     $ 12,622  

 

Property, Plant and Equipment with a net carrying amount of approximately $11,528,000 (2012: $11,799,000) have been pledged to secure borrowings (see Note 22).

 

Land and buildings were revalued as at March 31, 2013 by independent valuers, not connected to the Group, on the basis of market value. Fair values were estimated based on recent market transactions, which were then adjusted for specific conditions relating to the land and buildings. As at March 31, 2013, had land and buildings of the Group been carried at historical cost less accumulated depreciation, their carrying amount would have been approximately $8,202,000 (2012: $9,309,800)

 

  13 GOODWILL AND TRADE NAME

 

    Goodwill     Trade
Name
 
    (in thousands)  
Balance as at March 31, 2013   $ 1,878     $ 14,000  
Balance as at March 31, 2012   $ 1,878     $ 14,000  

 

Goodwill has been assessed for impairment at the Group level as the Group is considered as one single cash generating unit and represents the lowest level at which the goodwill is monitored for internal management purposes.

 

The recoverable amount of the cash generating unit has been determined based on value in use. Value in use has been determined based on future cash flows after considering current economic conditions and trends, estimated future operating results, growth rates and anticipated future economic conditions.

 

As of March 31, 2013, for assessing impairment of goodwill, value in use is determined using discounted cash flow method. The estimated cash flows for a period of 5 years were developed using internal forecasts, and a pre-tax discount rate of 11.50% and terminal growth rate of 4%.

 

As of March 31, 2013, for assessing impairment of trade name, value in use is measured using the relief from royalty method based on a Royalty of 3% on the estimated total revenue for a period of 5 year and, a pre-tax discount rate of 13.50% and terminal growth rate of 4%.

 

Management believes that any reasonably possible change in the key assumptions would not cause the carrying amount to exceed the recoverable amount of the cash generating unit.

 

The Trade Name is associated with the ‘Eros International’ and other Eros logos, and is considered to have an indefinite useful life, which view is supported by the intention of the management to retain the trade name within the business indefinitely

 

F- 26
 

 

14       INTANGIBLE CONTENT ASSETS

 

    Gross
Content
Assets
    Accumulated
Amortization
    Content
Assets
 
    (in thousands)  
As at March 31, 2013                        
Film and content rights   $ 766,387     $ (396,034 )   $ 370,353  
Content advances     163,781             163,781  
Film productions     1,170             1,170  
Non-current Content assets   $ 931,338     $ (396,034 )   $ 535,304  
                         
As at March 31, 2012                        
Film and content rights   $ 599,172     $ (288,457 )   $ 310,715  
Content advances     162,377             162,377  
Non-current Content assets   $ 761,549     $ (288,457 )   $ 473,092  

 

 

Changes in the main content assets are as follows:

 

    Year ended March 31  
    2013     2012  
    (in thousands)  
Film productions                
Opening balance   $     $ 170  
Additions     1170       22  
Exchange difference           (22 )
Changes in foreign currency translation            
Transfer to film and content rights           (170 )
                 
Closing balance   $ 1,170     $  
                 
Content advances                
Opening balance   $ 162,377     $ 163,365  
Additions     174,567       159,725  
Exchange difference     (5,948 )     (13,489 )
Transfer to film and content rights     (167,215 )     (147,224 )
                 
Closing balance   $ 163,781     $ 162,377  
                 
Film and content rights                
Opening balance   $ 310,715     $ 258,366  
Amortization     (101,955 )     (86,525 )
Adjustments     (771 )      
Exchange difference     (4,851 )     (8,520 )
Transfer from other content assets     167,215       147,394  
                 
Closing balance   $ 370,353     $ 310,715  

 

Intangible content assets with a carrying amount of $193,857,000 (2012: $185,208,000) have been pledged to secure borrowings (see Note 22).

 

F- 27
 

 

15       OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS

 

Other intangibles are comprised of internally generated software used within the Group’s digital and home entertainment activities and internal accounting activities.

 

    Gross     Accumulated
Amortization
    Net  
    (in thousands)  
As at March 31, 2013   $ 4,384     $ (2,267 )   $ 2,117  
As at March 31, 2012   $ 3,422     $ (1,552 )   $ 1,870  

 

The changes in other intangible assets are as follows:

 

    Year ended March 31  
    2013     2012  
    (in thousands)  
Opening balance   $ 1,870     $ 698  
Additions during the year     473       1,572  
Reclassifications     554        
Amortization     (715 )     (278 )
Exchange difference     (65 )     (122 )
Closing balance   $ 2,117     $ 1,870  

 

Other Intangible assets with a carrying amount of approximately $118,000 (2012: Nil) have been pledged to secure borrowings (see Note 22).

 

16       AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE FINANCIAL ASSETS

 

    As at March 31  
    2013     2012  
    (in thousands)  
Triple Com Media Pvt. Limited   $ 468     $ 468  
Valuable Technologies Limited     11,097       11,097  
LMB Holdings Limited     16,800       16,800  
Valuable Innovations Private Limited     2,020       2,020  
    $ 30,385     $ 30,385  

 

The investment in Triple Com Media Pvt. Limited (“Triple Com”) represents 10% share of the issued share capital of that company. Triple Com is involved in the aggregation and syndication of television and cable media rights in India. In the year ended March 31, 2013 due to the range of potential outcomes in valuing Triple Com, the Board was unable to give, with reasonable certainty, a fair value in the absence of detailed financial and/or valuation related information. The Directors have therefore held it at cost which equates to the fair value recognized in the year ended March 31, 2012. In the year ended March 31, 2011 the Directors recognized a fair value adjustment of $820,000 and do not consider this to be permanent impairment.

 

Eros acquired an interest in Valuable Technologies Limited (“Valuable”) in the year ended March 31, 2009. The company manages and operates a number of companies within media and entertainment, technology and infrastructure. These companies include UFO Moviez, the leading provider of Digital projection solutions for cinemas in India, Boxtech which is involved with digital movie rentals, and Impact whose business is theatrical ticketing and sales data. As at March 31, 2013, Eros owns 7.21% of Valuable’s equity. In the year ended March 31, 2013, due to the range of potential outcomes in valuing Valuable, the Board was unable to give, with reasonable certainty, a fair value in the absence of detailed financial and/or valuation related information. The Directors have therefore held it at cost which equates to the fair value recognized in the year ended March 31, 2012. In the year ended March 31, 2011 the Directors recognized a fair value adjustment of $2,225,000 based on among other thing an external valuation of Valuable and dilution of Eros ownership.

 

F- 28
 

 

Acacia Investments Holdings Limited (“Acacia”) is a dormant holding company and owns 24% of L.M.B Holdings Limited (“LMB”) which through its subsidiaries operates two satellite television channels B4U Music and B4U Movies. As of March 31, 2013 and prior, the Group had no board representation, no involvement in policy decision making, did not provide input in respect of technical know-how and had no material contract with LMB or its subsidiaries nor did they have the power to exert significant influence. As a result the Directors historically concluded throughout its ownership that as of March 31, 2013, they did not exert any significant influence over LMB or its subsidiaries. Due to the range of potential outcomes in valuing LMB, the Board was unable to give, with reasonable certainty, a fair value. As at March 31, 2012, and in light of the proposed acquisition of the all shares not held by Acacia in LMB announced on April 24, 2012, fair value has been recognized based on the value attributed to the entity as a whole. Prior to that the investment was therefore stated at cost in accordance with IAS 39 Financial Instruments: Recognition and measurement. Following the subsequent withdrawal from the acquisition, as announced on July 24, 2012 and in the absence of detailed financial and/or valuation related information, the investment is held at cost which equates to the fair value and recognized in the year ended March 31, 2012.

 

In April 2010, Eros acquired a 1.27% interest in Valuable Innovations Private Limited at a total cost of $2,020,000. In the year ended March 31, 2013, due to the range of potential outcomes in valuing Valuable Innovations Private Limited, the Board was unable to give, with reasonable certainty, a fair value in the absence of detailed financial and/or valuation related information. The Directors have therefore held it at cost.

 

These investments in unquoted equity instruments are not held for trading. Instead, they are held for medium or long-term strategic purpose.

 

17       INVENTORIES

 

    As at March 31  
    2013     2012  
    (in thousands)  
Goods for resale   $ 775     $ 1,048  
Raw materials     18       82  
    $ 793     $ 1,130  

 

During the year ended March 31, 2013, inventory of $1,123,000 (2012: $1,186,000) was recognized in profit and loss as an expense. In each year none of the expense was as a result of the write down of inventories. Inventories with a carrying amount of $426,000 (2012: $604,000) have been pledged as security for certain of the Group’s bank overdrafts (see note 22).

 

18       TRADE AND OTHER RECEIVABLES

 

    As at March 31  
    2013     2012  
    (in thousands)  
Trade accounts receivables   $ 77,104     $ 61,819  
Trade accounts receivables reserve     (759 )     (478 )
                 
Trade accounts receivables net   $ 76,345     $ 61,341  
Other receivables     11,089       11,805  
Prepaid charges     5,893       5,504  
Trade and other receivables   $ 93,327     $ 78,650  

 

The age of financial assets that are past due but not impaired were as follows:

 

    As at March 31  
    2013     2012  
    (in thousands)  
Not more than three months   $ 4,169     $ 4,219  
More than three months but not more than six months     738       1,032  
More than six months but not more than one year     8,695       829  
More than one year     1,255       1,469  
    $ 14,857     $ 7,549  

 

F- 29
 

 

The movements in the trade accounts receivables reserve are as follows:

 

    Year ended March 31  
    2013     2012     2011  
          (in thousands)        
At April 1   $ 478     $ 221     $ 87  
Utilizations     (146 )     (124 )      
Provisions     427       381       134  
At March 31   $ 759     $ 478     $ 221  

 

As a result of a renegotiation of certain contracts during the year ended March 31, 2013 $5,500,000 of trade accounts receivables were rescinded and treated as impaired. The carrying amount of trade accounts receivables and other receivables are considered a reasonable approximation of fair value. Trade and other receivables with a net carrying amount of approximately US$ 26,854,000 (2012: $29,821,000) have been pledged to secure borrowings (see Note 22).

 

19       TRADE AND OTHER PAYABLES

 

    As at March 31  
    2013     2012  
    (in thousands)  
Trade accounts payable   $ 13,694     $ 10,399  
Accruals & other payables     12,964       12,071  
Value added taxes & other taxes payable     2,321       4,769  
    $ 28,979     $ 27,239  

 

The Group considers that the carrying amount of trade accounts payable and accruals & other payables approximate their fair value.

 

20       CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

 

Cash and Cash equivalents consist of cash on hand and balance with banks and investments in money market investments classified as held-to-maturity investments. Cash and Cash equivalents included in the statement of cash flows comprise amounts in the statement of financial position.

 

    As at March 31  
    2013     2012  
    (in thousands)  
Held-to-maturity investments   $     $ 8,552  
Cash at bank and in hand     107,642       136,870  
    $ 107,642     $ 145,422  

 

21       OPERATING LEASES

 

The minimum lease rentals to be paid under non-cancellable operating leases at March 31 were as follows:

 

    As at March 31  
    2013     2012  
    (in thousands)  
Within one year   $ 1,068     $ 1,440  
Within two to five years     2,507       2,992  
    $ 3,575     $ 4,432  

 

The Group leases various offices and warehouses under non-cancellable operating lease agreements.

 

F- 30
 

 

22       BORROWINGS

 

An analysis of long-term borrowings is shown in the table below.

 

    Nominal       As at March 31  
    Interest Rate   Maturity   2013     2012  
    %       (in thousands)  
Asset backed borrowings                        
Term Loan   LIBOR+5.50%   2014-15   $ 928     $ 1,819  
Term Loan   LIBOR+8.50%   2014-15     1,055       2,033  
Term Loan   13.30 -15.00%   2014-15     633       819  
Vehicle Loan   10.00-15.00%   2014-15     91       157  
Term Loan   BPLR+1.80%   2016-17     18,421       19,665  
Term Loan   BPLR+2.75%   2017-18     6,401        
            $ 27,529     $ 24,493  
Other borrowings   10.50%   2021-22   $ 10,257     $ 10,804  
$150 million revolving facility   LIBOR +1.90%- 2.90% and Mandatory Cost   2016-17     150,000       150,000  
            $ 160,257     $ 160,804  
Nominal value of borrowings           $ 187,786     $ 185,297  
Cumulative effect of unamortized costs             (2,767 )     (2,183 )
Installments due within one year             (19,121 )     (2,346 )
Long-term borrowings — at amortized cost           $ 165,898     $ 180,768  

 

Base Rate (“BR”) is the interest rate set by the Bank of England. Bank prime lending rate (“BPLR”) is the Indian equivalent to LIBOR. Asset backed borrowings are secured by fixed and floating charges over certain group assets.

 

Analysis of short-term borrowings

 

    Nominal   As at March 31  
    interest rate (%)   2013     2012  
        (in thousands)  
Asset backed borrowings                    
Export credit and overdraft   BPLR+1.00-3.50%   $ 25,600     $ 40,626  
Short Term loan   BPLRR+2.75%     4,605        
Export credit and overdraft   LIBOR+3.50%     13,997        
        $ 44,202     $ 40,626  
Unsecured Borrowings                    
Commercial Paper   10.65% –12.25%     16,579       25,555  
Installments due within one year on long-term borrowings         19,121       2,346  
Short-term borrowings - at amortized cost       $ 79,902     $ 68,527  

 

Fair value of the long term borrowings as at March 31, 2013 is $176,093,000 (2012: $174,976,000). Carrying amount of short term borrowings approximates fair value. Fair values of long-term financial liabilities have been determined by calculating their present values at the reporting date, using fixed effective market interest rates available to the Group.

 

F- 31
 

 

23       DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

 

    As of March 31  
    2013     2012  
    Current     Non-current     Current     Non-current  
      (in thousands)                          
Derivative assets   $     $     $ 1,573     $  
Derivative liabilities           (16,660 )     (1,538 )     (11,027 )

 

The above interest rate derivative instruments not designated in a hedging relationship. They are carried at fair value through profit or loss account.

 

24       SHARE BASED COMPENSATION PLANS

 

The compensation cost recognized with respect to all outstanding plans and by grant of shares, which are all equity settled instruments, is as follows:

 

    Year ended March 31  
    2013     2012     2011  
    (in thousands)  
JSOP   $ 1,185     $     $  
IPO Plan                 26  
IPO India Plan     703       177       901  
Management Scheme (Staff Share Grant)           2,712        
    $ 1,888     $ 2,889     $ 927  

 

This charge has been included in administrative costs in the Income statement. The fair value per share for each grant of options and the assumptions used in the calculation are as follows:

 

      IPO Plan       JSOP Plan       IPO India Plan                  
Scheme     June 2006       April 2012       December 2009       August 2010       July 2012  
                                         
Option strike price     GBP 1.76       GBP 2.64       INR 117       INR 91       INR 75  
Maturity (in years)     10       6       5.25       5.25       7.00  
Expected term (in years)     5       5       4       4       4  
Number of instruments granted     187,314       6,000,493       1,729,512       83,628       571,160  
Share price     GBP 1.724       GBP 2.35       INR 175       INR 175       INR 175  
Expected volatility     25% (1)     34% (2)     75% (1)     60%       25% (3)
Risk free interest rate     4.78%       2.24% to 2.32%       6.3%       6.5%       6.27%  
Expected dividend yield     0%       0%       0%       0%       0%  
Average fair value of the granted options at the grant date(4)     GBP 0.626       GBP 0.645       INR 89       INR 78       INR 106  
                                         
Range of fair values of the granted options at the grant date     GBP 0.58-0.68       GBP 0.61-0.78       INR 75-100       INR 66-85       INR 106  

_______________

  (1) The expected volatility in respect of the IPO Plan June 2006 in relation to Eros International Plc and Eros International Media Limited in respect of the IPO India Plan December 2009, and August 2010 have been arrived at by taking the weighted average share price movements of three peer companies as neither of these entities’ shares were listed at the date of grant.

 

  (2) The expected volatility has been arrived at by the reviewing the implied volatilities of comparable companies to Eros International Plc and the observable historic volatility of these companies.

 

  (3) The expected volatility in respect of the Eros International Media Limited in respect of the IPO India Plan July 2012 is based on the Company’s historic volatility.

 

  (4) The fair value of options under the JSOP Plan April 2012 were measured using a Monte-Carlo simulation models. Fair values of options granted under all other schemes are measured using a Black Scholes model.

 

F- 32
 

 

The IPO Plan

 

The IPO Plan was provided to grant options to certain senior management involved with the initial public offering of the company’s shares on the AIM. The performance sole criterion attached to the options was met when the company’s shares were accepted for trading on AIM. The options vested annually in one fifth tranches from June 27, 2007.

 

The table below summarizes the IPO Plan.

 

    2013     2012     2011  
    Number of
shares
    Weighted
average
exercise
price
    Number of
shares
    Weighted
average
exercise
price
    Number of
shares
    Weighted
average
exercise
price
 
Outstanding on April 1     187,314       GBP 1.76       187,314       GBP 1.76       187,314       GBP 1.76  
Lapsed                                    
Forfeited by the option holder                                    
Outstanding at March 31     187,314       GBP 1.76       187,314       GBP 1.76       187,314       GBP 1.76  
Exercisable on March 31     187,314       GBP 1.76       187,314       GBP 1.76       149,851       GBP 1.76  

 

The options outstanding at March 31, 2013 had a weighted average remaining contractual life of 3 years.

 

The JSOP Plan

 

On March 29, 2012, the Board of Directors approved a joint share ownership program, or JSOP, pursuant to which certain employees and executive directors of Eros International Limited may acquire shares jointly with the trustee of our Employee Benefit Trust upon receiving a grant by our Board of Directors to do so.

 

On April 18, 2012, the Company issued 6,000,493 ordinary shares at an initial value set forth in the deeds governing these shares to the Company’s Employee Benefit Trust. Under the deeds governing these shares, each participant will be required to pay a nominal amount to acquire shares and the trustee will be required to pay the Company the remaining market value of such shares, as defined in the relevant deed, at time of acquisition. The consideration for these shares was funded by a loan from the company to the Employee Benefit Trust, which will be repaid upon demand by the Company, by all cash held by the Employee Benefit Trust within seven days of receipt of such demand and by cash received upon sale of any shares held by the Employee Benefit Trust, within seven days of such sales. These shares are subject to three different vesting and performance conditions set out in separate JSOP deeds. Under two of these deeds, our board of directors may permit up to 10% of the applicable shares to vest after May 31, 2013, and up to 20% of the applicable shares in the aggregate to vest after May 31, 2014. After May 31, 2015, some or all of the remaining shares under these two deeds will vest automatically only if a specified level of total shareholder return or earnings per share, as applicable, has been met. The shares covered by the third deed automatically vest in their entirety after May 31, 2015, if the specified level of total shareholder return has been met. Until a participant’s rights in these shares vest, the rights to vote and receive dividends associated with such unvested shares will remain with the trustee. The level of shareholders’ return is calculated as a percentage movement in the market price of the shares of Eros from the grant date to vesting date.  Level of earnings per share is calculated as a percentage movement in the earnings per share from as at March 31, 2012 to March 31, 2015.  These specified level are agreed for each employee and vary between the employees.

 

The table below summarizes the JSOP Plan.

 

    2013  
    Number of
shares
  Exercise
price
 
Outstanding on April 1      
Granted   6,000,493   GBP 2.64  
Outstanding at March 31   6,000,493   GBP 2.64  
           
Exercisable on March 31      

 

The options outstanding at March 31, 2013 had a weighted average remaining contractual life of 9 years.

 

F- 33
 

 

The IPO India Plan

 

The company’s subsidiary Eros International Media Limited has instituted an employee share option scheme ‘ESOP 2009’ (the “IPO India Plan”) and eligible to employees and administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of Eros International Media Limited. The terms and condition of the IPO India Plan is as follows:

 

    2013     2012     2011  
    Number of
shares of Eros
International
Media Ltd.
    Weighted
average
exercise
price
    Number of
shares of Eros
International
Media Ltd.
    Weighted
average
exercise
price
    Number of
shares of Eros
International
Media Ltd.
    Weighted
average
exercise
price
 
Outstanding at April 1     811,861     $ 2.80       1,733,924     $ 2.27       1,729,512     $ 1.47  
Granted during the year     571,160       1.38                   83,628       1.47  
Lapsed     (21,970 )     2.96       (592,206 )     1.54       (79,216 )      
Exercised     (184,483 )     2.14       (329,857 )     2.27              
Outstanding at March 31     1,176,568     $ 2.06       811,861     $ 2.80       1,733,924     $ 1.47  
Exercisable at March 31     312,687     $ 1.87       214,476     $ 2.77       330,059     $ 1.47  

 

The exercise price of the options for an employee is based on factors such as seniority, tenure, criticality and performance of the employee, based on the above, the exercise price would be calculated at a discount of 0-50% on what management believes to be the fair share price, based on, among other things, a valuation by an independent valuer, and will vest:

 

· 20% of the Options shall vest on the completion of 12 months from the Grant Date

 

· 20% of the Options shall vest on the completion of 24 months from the Grant Date

 

· 30% of the Options shall vest on the completion of 36 months from the Grant Date

 

· 30% of the Options shall vest on the completion of 48 months from the Grant Date

 

The weighted average share price of Eros International Media Limited options at the dates the options were exercised in the year ended March 31, 2013 were $3.66, $3.68 and $3.84. The options outstanding at March 31, 2013 had a weighted average remaining contractual life of 18 months and a range of exercise prices from $1.38 to $3.22 (weighted average exercise price $1.87).

 

The Share Awards

 

On March 29, 2012, our board of directors approved to grant our A ordinary shares in an aggregate amount of up to 1% of our issued share capital following this offering, or the Share Awards, to employees and directors of the Company and certain subsidiaries in connection with this offering. On April 17, 2012, as part of the Share Awards, we approved to grant 299,812 of our A ordinary shares to certain of our employees, valued at a price equal to the initial public offering price per share in this offering, conditional upon the consummation of this offering and continued employment for six months following consummation of the offering. Although approved by the Board, no shares/options have been granted so far.

 

The Option Awards

 

On March 29, 2012, our board of directors approved to grant options for A ordinary shares, or the Option Awards, to employees and directors of the Company and certain subsidiaries of the Company. The aggregate number of Option Awards, together with any A ordinary shares issued pursuant to the JSOP, will not exceed 8% of our issued share capital following the offering. On April 17, 2012, we approved to grant to our employees and consultants 807,648 ordinary share options with an exercise price equal to the initial public offering price of this offering per share. These options will be subject to three different vesting and performance conditions, similar to those described above for the shares issued under the JSOP on April 18, 2012. Our board of directors may permit up to 10% of the applicable options to vest after May 31, 2013, and up to an aggregate of 20% of the applicable options to vest after May 31, 2014. After May 31, 2015, the remaining options subject to these vesting and performance conditions will vest automatically if a specified level of total shareholder return or earnings per share, as applicable, has been met. The third group of options will automatically vest in their entirety after May 31, 2015, if the specified level of total shareholder return has been met. Although approved by the Board, no shares/options have been granted so far.

 

F- 34
 

 

25       ISSUED SHARE CAPITAL

 

    Number of
Shares
    GBP  
          (in thousands)  
Authorized                
200,000,000 ordinary shares of 10p each (“Ordinary Shares”) at March 31, 2013 and March 31, 2012     200,000,000       20,000  

 

    Number of
Shares
    Amount
$
 
          (in thousands)  
Allotted, called up and fully paid                
As at March 31, 2010 and 2011     116,133,758     $ 21,349  
Allotment of shares on June 1, 2011     107,776       18  
Allotment of shares on October 3, 2011     2,075,340       320  
As at March 31, 2012     118,316,874       21,687  
Issue of shares on 24 April 2012     6,000,493       966  
As at March 31, 2013     124,317,367     $ 22,653  

 

The allotment of shares on June 1, 2011 were shares issued for employee bonus/remuneration issued at $3.60 a share based on the mid-market price on May 31, 2011. The allotment on October 3, 2011 were shares issued to employees, directors and a charity as bonus/remuneration/charitable donation at $3.20 a share based on the mid-market price on October 3, 2011. On April 18, 2012 Company issued shares in relation to the establishment of the Joint Share Ownership Plan at £2.64 a share based on the mid-market price on April 20, 2012.

 

The holders of Ordinary Shares are entitled to receive dividends as declared from time to time and are entitled to one vote per share at meetings of the Company. The Trustee of the Joint Share Ownership Plan has waived the entitlement to dividends on the shares owned by the Eros International Employee Benefit Trust.

 

26       JOINT SHARE OWNERSHIP RESERVE

 

    (in thousands)  
Balance at April 1, 2012   $  
Acquired in the year     (25,505 )
         
Balance at March 31, 2013   $ (25,505 )

 

The Joint share ownership reserve represents the cost of shares issued by Eros International Plc and held by the Eros International Employee Benefit trust to satisfy the requirements of the Joint Share Ownership Plan (see Note 24). The number of shares held by the Eros International Employee Benefit Trust at March 31, 2013 was 6,000,493 (2012: Nil, 2011: Nil).

 

F- 35
 

 

27       OTHER COMPONENTS OF EQUITY

 

    As at March 31
(in thousands)
 
    2013     2012     2011  
Movement in Hedging reserve:                        
Opening balance   $ (4,020 )   $ (4,578 )   $ (5,127 )
Loss/(Gain) reclassified to profit/loss           4,405       (3,068 )
Loss/(Gain) recognized on cash flow hedge           (3,847 )     3,617  
Closing balance   $ (4,020 )   $ (4,020 )   $ (4,578 )
                         
Movement in revaluation reserve:                        
Opening balance   $ 233     $ 233     $ 300  
Gain recognized on revaluation of property, plant and equipment     1,295               (67 )
Closing balance   $ 1,528     $ 233     $ 233  
                         
Movement in Available for sale fair value reserve:                        
Opening balance   $ 5,802     $ (1,864 )   $ 1,181  
Profit/Loss recognized on revaluation of available for sale investment (net), where applicable           6,436       (3,045 )
Loss reclassified to profit or loss on sale of available for sale investment (net)           1,230        
Closing balance   $ 5,802     $ 5,802     $ (1,864 )
                         
Movement in Foreign Currency Translation Reserves                        
Opening balance   $ (20,534 )   $ 102     $ (270 )
Other comprehensive income/ (loss) due to foreign currency Translation     (12,208 )     (20,636 )     372  
Closing balance   $ (32,742 )   $ (20,534 )   $ 102  
                         
Total Other Components of Equity   $ (29,432 )   $ (18,519 )   $ (6,107 )

 

28       SIGNIFICANT NON-CASH EXPENSES

 

Significant non-cash expenses were as follows, except loss on sale of assets, share based compensation, depreciation, derivative interest and amortization.

 

    As at March 31  
    2013     2012     2011  
    (in thousands)  
Net loss on held for trading financial liabilities   $ 5,667     $ 4,264     $  
Reclassification adjustment relating to available-for-sale financial assets           1,300        
Others     (5 )     (53 )      
    $ 5,662     $ 5,511     $  

 

29       FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND RISK MANAGEMENT

 

The Group has established objectives concerning the holding and use of financial instruments. The underlying basis of these objectives is to manage the financial risks faced by the Group.

 

Formal policies and guidelines have been set to achieve these objectives. The Group does not enter into speculative arrangements or trade in financial instruments and it is the Group’s policy not to enter into complex financial instruments unless there are specific identified risks for which such instruments help mitigate uncertainties.

 

F- 36
 

 

Management of Capital Risk and Financial Risk

 

The Group manages its capital to ensure that entities in the Group will be able to continue as a going concern while maximizing the return to shareholders through the optimization of the debt and equity balance. The capital structure of the Group consists of debt, which includes the borrowings, cash and cash equivalents and equity attributable to equity holders of Eros, comprising issued capital, reserves and retained earnings as disclosed in the consolidated statement of changes in equity and in Notes 20 and 22.

 

The gearing ratio at the end of the reporting period was as follows

 

    As at March 31  
    2013     2012  
    (in thousands)  
Debt   $ 245,800     $ 249,295  
Cash and bank balances     107,642       145,422  
Net debt     138,158       103,873  
Equity     486,176       454,248  
                 
Net debt to equity ratio     28.4%       22.9%  

 

The net debt to equity ratio increase as at March 31, 2013 as compared to March 31, 2012 reflects the continued investment in film content during the year, working capital fluctuation as well as the impact of foreign exchange movements on the equity base.

 

Debt is defined as long and short-term borrowings (excluding derivatives). Equity includes all capital and reserves of the Group that are managed as capital.

 

Categories of financial instruments

 

    2013     2012  
    (in thousands)  
Financial assets                
                 
Available-for-sale assets   $ 30,385     $ 30,385  
Loans and receivables excluding prepaid charges and including cash and bank balances     195,076       218,568  
Fair value through profit or loss held for trading           1,573  
Held-to-maturity investments           8,552  
    $ 225,461     $ 259,078  
Financial liabilities                
Trade payables excluding value added tax and other tax payables   $ 26,658     $ 22,470  
Borrowings     245,800       249,295  
Financial Liabilities at fair value through profit or loss                
Derivatives at fair value through profit or loss - held for trading     16,660       12,565  
    $ 289,118     $ 284,330  

 

Financial risk management objectives

 

Based on the operations of the Group throughout the world the Directors consider that the key financial risks that it faces are credit risk, currency risk, liquidity risk and interest rate risk. The objectives under each of these risks are as follows:

 

· credit risk: minimize the risk of default and concentration.

 

· currency risk: reduce exposure to foreign exchange movements principally between U.S. dollar, Indian Rupee and GBP.

 

· liquidity risk: ensure adequate funding to support working capital and future capital expenditure requirements.

 

· interest rate risk: mitigate risk of significant change in market rates on the cash flow of issued variable rate debt.

 

F- 37
 

 

Credit Risk

 

The Group credit risk is principally attributable to its trade receivables, advances and cash balances. As a number of the Group’s trading activities require third parties to report revenues due to the Group this risk is not limited to the initial agreed sale or advance amounts. The amounts shown within the statement of financial position sheet in respect of trade receivables and advances are net of allowances for doubtful debts based upon objective evidence that the Group will not be able to collect all amounts due. Trading credit risk is managed on a country by country basis by the use of credit checks on new clients and individual credit limits, where appropriate, together with regular updates on any changes in the trading partner’s situation. In a number of cases trading partners will be required to make advance payments or minimum guarantee payments before delivery of any goods. The Group reviews reports received from third parties and as a matter of course reserve the right within the contracts it enters into to request an independent third party audit of the revenue reporting.

 

The credit risk on liquid funds and derivative financial instruments is limited because the counterparties are banks with high credit ratings assigned by international credit rating agencies.

 

The Group from time to time will have significant concentration of credit risk in relation to individual theatrical releases, television syndication deals or music licenses. This risk is mitigated by contractual terms which seek to stagger receipts and/or the release or airing of content. As at March 31, 2013 33% (2012: 62%) of trade account receivables were represented by the top five debtors. The maximum exposure to credit risk is that shown within the statement of financial position.

 

The Group does not hold any collateral or other credit enhancements to cover its credit risks associated with its financial assets.

 

Currency Risk

 

The Group operates throughout the world with significant operations in India, the British Isles, the United States of America and the United Arab Emirates. As a result it faces both translation and transaction currency risks which are principally mitigated by matching foreign currency revenues and costs wherever possible.

 

The Group’s major revenues are denominated in U.S. Dollars, Indian Rupees and British pounds sterling which are matched where possible to its costs so that these act as an automatic hedge against foreign currency exchange movements.

 

The Group has identified that it will need to utilize hedge transactions to mitigate any risks in movements between the U.S. Dollar and the Indian Rupee and has adopted an agreed set of principles that will be used when entering into any such transactions. No such transactions have been entered into to date and the Group has managed foreign currency exposure to date by seeking to match foreign currency inflows and outflows as much as possible. Details of the foreign currency borrowings that the Group uses to mitigate risk are shown within Interest Risk disclosures.

 

As at the statement of financial position date there were no outstanding forward foreign exchange contracts. The Group adopts a policy of borrowing where appropriate in the local currency as a hedge against translation risk. The table below shows the Group’s net foreign currency monetary assets and liabilities position in the main foreign currencies as at the year end:

 

    Net Balance  
    GBP     INR     Other  
    (in thousands)  
As at March 31, 2013     8,336       (20,993 )     269  
As at March 31, 2012     3,234       12,514       935  

 

A uniform decrease of 10% in exchange rates against all foreign currencies in position as of March 31, 2013 would have decrease in the Company’s net income before tax by approximately $(1,235,808) for the year ended March 31, 2013 (2012: $1,668,332) on net income and on equity. An equal and opposite impact would be experienced in the event of an increase by a similar percentage. Our sensitivity to foreign currency has increased during the year ended March 31, 2013 as a result of an increase in the percentage of liabilities denominated in foreign currency over the comparative period. In management’s opinion, the sensitivity analysis is unrepresentative of the inherent foreign exchange risk because the exposure at the end of the reporting period does not reflect the exposure during the year.

 

F- 38
 

 

Liquidity Risk

 

The Group manages liquidity risk by maintaining adequate reserves and agreed committed banking facilities. Management of working capital takes account of film release dates and payment terms agreed with customers.

 

An analysis of short-term and long-term borrowings is set out in Note 22. Set out below is a maturity analysis for non-derivative and derivative financial liabilities. The amounts disclosed are based on contractual undiscounted cash flows. The table includes both interest and principal cash flows. To the extent that interest flows are floating rate, the undiscounted amount is derived from interest rates as at March 31, in each year.

 

    Total     Less than
1 year
    1-3
years
    3-5
years
 
    (in thousands)  
As at March 31, 2013                                
Borrowing principal payments   $ 248,567     $ 79,902     $ 47,800     $ 120,865  
Borrowing interest payments     32,125       10,109       17,920       4,096  
Derivative financial instruments     16,660                   16,660  
Trade payables     28,979       28,979              

 

    Total     Less than
1 year
    1-3
years
    3-5
years
 
    (in thousands)  
As at March 31, 2012                                
Borrowing principal payments   $ 251,478     $ 68,527     $ 52,374     $ 130,577  
Borrowing interest payments     40,693       12,474       13,735       14,484  
Derivative financial instruments     10,992                   10,992  
Trade payables     27,239       27,239              

 

At March 31, 2013, the Group had facilities available of $250,053,000 (2012: $255,416,000) and therefore had net undrawn amounts of $4,253,000 (2012: $3,938,000) available.

 

Interest Rate Risk

 

The Group is exposed to interest rate risk because entities in the Group borrow funds at both fixed and floating interest rates. The risk is managed by maintaining an appropriate mix between fixed, capped and floating rate borrowings, and by the use of interest rate swap contracts and forward interest rate contracts. Hedging activities are evaluated to align with interest rate views to ensure the most cost effective hedging strategies are applied.

 

Currency, Maturity and Nature of Interest Rate of the Nominal Value of Borrowings

 

    As at March 31  
    2013     %     2012     %  
    (in thousands, except percentages)  
Currency                                
U.S. Dollar   $ 191,342       78     $ 193,919       78  
Indian Rupees     54,458       22       55,376       22  
Total   $ 245,800       100     $ 249,295       100  
Maturity                                
Due before one year   $ 79,902       33     $ 68,527       27  
Due between one and three years     46,740       19       52,374       21  
Due between four and five years     119,158       48       128,394       52  
    $ 245,800       100     $ 249,295       100  
Nature of rates                                
Fixed interest rate   $ 100,969       41     $ 84,333       34  
Floating rate     144,831       59       164,962       66  
Total   $ 245,800       100     $ 249,295       100  

 

F- 39
 

 

During the current year, the interest exposure was managed through an interest cap on $100 million entered during the previous year. Two written floor contracts each with $100 million notional value have also been entered into during the previous year. The effect of these instruments in combination is that the maximum cash outflow is 6% although the written floors mean that should market rates fall below the floor rate, then the interest charged would be twice the floor rate, although never exceeding 6%. Hence $100 million is classified as floating interest rate borrowings as on March 31, 2013 and 2012.

 

The sensitivity analysis assumes a parallel shift of 100 basis points interest rate across all yield curves. This calculation also assumes that the change occurs at the statement of financial position date and has been calculated based on risk exposures outstanding as at that date. The period end balances are not necessarily representative of the average debt outstanding during the period.

 

At 1% increase in underlying bank rates would lead to decrease in the Company’s net income before tax by $1,448,000 for the year ended March 31, 2013 (2012: $1,343,000) on net income and equity. An equal and opposite impact would be felt if rates fell by 1%.

 

This analysis assumes that all other variables, in particular foreign currency rates, remain constant.

 

Under the interest swap contracts, we have agreed to exchange the difference between fixed and floating rate interest amounts calculated on an agreed notional principal amount. Such contracts enable us to mitigate the risk of changing interest rates on the cash flow of issued variable rate debt. The fair value of interest rate derivatives which comprise derivatives at fair value through profit and loss is determined as the present value of future cash flows estimated and discounted based on the applicable yield curves derived from quoted interest rates.

 

Details of derivative instruments are as follows:

 

    Average
contract rate
  Notional
principal
amount
    Fair value of
derivative
instrument
2013
    Fair value of
derivative
instrument
2012
 
        (in thousands)  
2011 Interest Rate Swap   3.52%   $ 100,000     $     $ (1,538 )
2011 Interest Rate Swap   3.52%     100,000             1,573  
2012 Interest Rate Floor   0.5%-3%     100,000       (7,230 )     (6,711 )
2012 Interest Rate Collar   Cap of 6% & Floor 0.5% - 3%     100,000       (9,430 )     (4,316 )
Total               $ (16,660 )   $ (10,992 )

 

None of the above derivative instruments is designated in a hedging relationship. A loss of $5,667,000 (2012: $4,264,000) in respect of the above derivative instruments has been taken to the income statement within other gains and losses.

 

As at March 31, 2013, the loss amounting to $4,020,000 on account of cash flow hedges is expected to be reclassified from other comprehensive income to profit or loss over the period of 5 years.

 

Financial instruments — disclosure of fair value measurement level

 

Disclosures of fair value measurements are grouped into the following levels:

 

  · Level 1 fair value measurements derived from unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;

 

  · Level 2 fair value measurements derived from inputs, other than quoted prices included within Level 1, that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly (as prices) or indirectly (derived from prices); and

 

  · Level 3 fair value measurements derived from valuation techniques that include inputs for the asset or liability that are not based on observable market data.

 

    As at March 31  
    2013     2012  
    (in thousands)  
Level 2 – derivative financial liabilities   $ (16,660 )   $ (10,992 )
                 
Net fair value   $ (16,660 )   $ (10,992 )

 

F- 40
 

 

In case of interest rate derivatives involving interest rate options, the fair value has been derived using an appropriate option pricing model.

 

Reconciliation of Level 3 fair value measurements of financial assets

 

    Available
for – sale of
financial assets
 
    (in thousands)  
         
At March 31, 2011   $ 25,556  
Total gain or losses        
in profit or loss     (1,230 )
in other comprehensive income     6,059  
         
At March 31, 2012   $ 30,385  
         
At March 31, 2013   $ 30,385  

 

The total gains and losses include an impairment of available-for-sale of financial assets in the year ended March 31, 2013: $Nil (2012: $1,230,000; 2011: $3,045,000) of assets still held at the end of the period. All gains and losses included in other comprehensive income related to equity share investments held at the end of each reporting period and are shown as changes of other reserves and translation reserves.

 

There were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 in any of the years.

 

30       CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS AND COMMITMENTS

 

Eros’ material contractual obligations are made up of contracts related to content commitments. Operating lease commitments are disclosed in Note 21.

 

    Total     1 Year     2 to 5 Years  
    (in thousands)  
As at March 31, 2013   $ 235,935     $ 92,773     $ 143,162  
As at March 31, 2012   $ 166,431     $ 119,874     $ 46,557  

 

The Group also has certain contractual arrangements in relation to certain contractual content commitments that would require the Group to make payments or provide funding if certain circumstances occur (“contingent guarantees”). The Group expects that these contingent guarantees totaling at March 31, 2013 $88,276,000 (2012: $65,092,000), which are included within the contractual content commitments above, will fall due within the timeframe above.

 

31       CONTINGENT LIABILITIES

 

There were no material ongoing litigations at March 31, 2013 and March 31, 2012.

 

32       RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

        As at
March 31,2013
    As at
March 31,2012
 
    Details of   (in thousands)  
    transaction   (Liability)     Asset     (Liability)     Asset  
Red Bridge Ltd.   President fees   $       50       592     $  
550 County Avenue   Rent/Deposit     (390 )     135       (506 )     135  
Line Cross Limited   Rent/Deposit     (364 )           (157 )      
NextGen Films Pvt Ltd.   Purchase/Sale           2,196       (4,061 )      
Everest Entertainment Pvt. Ltd   Purchase/Sale     (8 )     604       (10 )      
Lulla Family   Rent/Deposit     (50 )     509             614  

 

F- 41
 

 

Pursuant to a lease agreement that expires on March 31, 2013, Eros International Media Limited leases apartments for studio use 2,750 square feet of real property at Kailash Plaza, 3rd Floor, Opp. Laxmi Industrial Estate, Andheri (W), Mumbai, from Manjula K. Lulla, the wife of Kishore Lulla. Beginning in August 2010, the lease requires Eros International Media Limited to pay $6,000 each month under this lease. Pursuant to a lease that expires in April 30 2013, Eros International Media Limited leases for use as executive accommodations the property Aumkar Bungalow, Gandhi Gram Road, Juhu, Mumbai, from Sunil Lulla (see deposits in the table above).

 

Pursuant to a lease agreement that expires on March 31, 2015, the Group leases for U.S. corporate offices, the real property at 550 County Avenue, Secaucus, New Jersey, from 550 County Avenue Property Corp, a Delaware corporation owned by Beech Investments and of which our President of Americas Operations Ken Naz serves as a director. The current lease commenced on April 1, 2010, and requires the Group to pay $11,000 each month.

 

Pursuant to a lease agreement that expires in March 2018, including renewal periods, the Group leases for U.K. corporate offices, the real property at 13 Manchester Square, London from Linecross Limited, a U.K. company owned indirectly by a discretionary trust of which Kishore Lulla and Sunil Lulla are potential beneficiaries. The current lease commenced on November 19, 2009 and requires us to pay $129,000 each quarter.

 

Pursuant to an agreement the Group entered into with Redbridge Group Ltd. on June 27, 2006, the Group agreed to pay an annual fee set each year by its Board of Directors of $322,000, $321,000 and $322,000 in the year ended March 31, 2013, the year ended March 31, 2012 and the year ended March 2011 respectively, for the services of Arjan Lulla, the father of Kishore Lulla and Sunil Lulla, uncle of Vijay Ahuja and Surender Sadhwani and an employee of Redbridge Group Ltd. The agreement makes Arjan Lulla honorary life president and provides for services including attendance at board meetings, entrepreneurial leadership and assistance in setting the Group’s strategy. Redbridge Group Ltd. is an entity owned indirectly by a discretionary trust of which Kishore Lulla and Sunil Lulla are potential beneficiaries.

 

The Group has engaged in transactions with NextGen Films Pvt. Ltd., an entity owned by the husband of Puja Rajani, sister of Kishore Lulla and Sunil Lulla, each of which involved the purchase and sale of film rights. NextGen Films Pvt. Ltd. sold film rights $3,456,000, $22,205,000 and $23,613,000 to the Group in the year ended March 31,2011, in the year ended March 31, 2012 and the year ended March 31, 2013 respectively. NextGen Films Pvt. Ltd. purchased film rights, including production services of $3,859,000 from the Group in the year ended March 31, 2013 and Nil in the year ended March 31, 2012 $4,811,000 in the year ended March 31, 2011.

 

The Group also engaged in transactions with Everest Entertainment Pvt. Ltd. entity owned by the brother of Manjula K. Lulla, wife of Kishore Lulla, each of which involved the purchase and sale of film rights. Everest Entertainment Pvt. Ltd. sold film rights $24,000, $18,000 and $16,000 to the Group in the year ended March 31, 2011, in the year ended March 31, 2012 and the year ended March 31, 2013 respectively, and purchased from the Group film rights $6,000 in the year ended March 31, 2012.

 

Surender Sadhwani is the beneficial owner of Victoria Landmark Global Holdings Limited, a Mauritian entity, which in fiscal 2011 received approximately $1,600,000 million from Ganges Green Energy Pvt. Limited in exchange for consulting services. Ganges Green Energy Pvt. Limited is owned indirectly by an entity that indirectly owns 66% of Beech Investments Limited.

 

During the year the Group has made charitable donations to the Lulla Foundation of $21,000 (2012: $2,536,000 and 2011: $Nil), (UK registered charity number 1131141) of which Kishore Lulla is a trustee. The Lulla Foundation’s aims are to provide a high quality learning and teaching support for targeted communities currently caught in cycles of poverty so that they can have real opportunities to change their personal futures and their communities.

 

All of the amounts outstanding are unsecured and will be settled in cash. No guarantees have been provided in respect of any of the transactions.

 

F- 42
 

 

33       MAJOR CONSOLIDATED ENTITIES

 

    Date   Country of
Incorporation
  % of voting
rights held
 
Eros Network Limited   June 06   U.K.   100  
Eros International Limited   June 06   U.K.   100  
Eros International USA Inc   June 06   U.S.   100  
Eros Music Publishing Limited   June 06   U.K.   100  
Eros Worldwide FZ-LLC   June 06   UAE   100  
Eros International Media Limited   June 06   India   74.88  
Eros International Films Pvt. Limited   June 06   India   74.88  
Eros Pacific Limited   June 06   Fiji   100  
Eros Australia Pty Limited   June 06   Australia   100  
Big Screen Entertainment Pvt. Limited   January 07   India   64  
Copsale Limited   June 06   BVI   100  
Ayngaran International Limited   October 07   IOM   51  
Ayngaran International UK Limited   October 07   U.K.   51  
Ayngaran International Media Pvt. Limited   October 07   India   51  
Acacia Investments Holdings Limited   April 08   IOM   100  
EyeQube Studios Pvt. Limited   January 08   India   99.99  
Belvedere Holdings Pte. Ltd.   March 2010   Singapore   100  
Eros International Pte Ltd.   August 2010   Singapore   100  
Digicine Pte. Limited   March 2012   Singapore   100  
Ayngaran Anak Media Pvt. Limited   October 08   India   51  

 

All of the companies were involved with the distribution of film content and associated media. All the companies are indirectly owned with the exception of Eros Network Limited and Eros Worldwide FZ-LLC.

 

The Group shareholdings of Eros International Media Ltd (EIML) reduced to 77.98 % on October 14, 2011 from 78.11%,then 77.83% on February 24, 2012 and then 77.80% on April 3, 2012 by the exercise of ESOP by the employees. On December 20, 2012 the Group disposed of 2.8% of the shares it held reducing the ownership to 74.99% and the 74.95% on December 27, 2012 and then 74.88% on February 1, 2013 by the exercise of ESOP by the employees.

 

In addition to the above the Eros International Plc Employee Benefit Trust, a Jersey based Trust has been consolidated as it is a fully controlled Trust.

 

34       SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES AND JUDGMENTS

 

Estimates and judgments are evaluated on a regular basis and are based on historical experience and other factors, such as expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the present circumstances.

 

The Group makes estimates and assumptions concerning the future. These estimates, by definition, will rarely equal the related actual results. The estimates and assumptions that have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the financial year are highlighted below:

 

34.1.   Goodwill

 

The Group tests annually whether goodwill has suffered impairment, in accordance with its accounting policy. The recoverable amount of cash-generating units has been determined based on value in use calculations. These calculations require estimates to be made over revenue growth, margin stability and discount rates which are based on management assumptions however in the event that there is an unforeseen event which materially affects these assumptions it could lead to a write down of goodwill.

 

34.2.   Basis of Consolidation

 

The Group evaluates arrangements with special purpose vehicles in accordance with of SIC-12 and IAS 27 to establish how transactions with such entities should be accounted for. This requires a judgment over control and the balance of risks and rewards attached to the arrangements.

 

F- 43
 

 

34.3.   Intangible Assets

 

The Group is required to identify and assess the useful life of intangible assets and determine their income generating life. Judgment is required in determining this and then providing an amortization rate to match this life as well as considering the recoverability or conversion of advances made in respect of securing film content or the services of talent associated with film production.

 

Accounting for the film content requires management’s judgment as it relates to total revenues to be received and costs to be incurred throughout the life of each film or its license period, whichever is the shorter. These judgments are used to determine the amortization of capitalized film content costs. The Group uses a stepped method of amortization on first release film content writing off more in year one which recognizes initial income flows and then the balance over a period of up to nine years. In the case of film content that is acquired by the Group after its initial exploitation, commonly referred to as Library, amortization is spread evenly over the lesser of 10 years or the license period. Management’s policy is based upon factors such as historical performance of similar films, the star power of the lead actors and actresses and once released actual results of each film. Management regularly reviews, and revises when necessary, its estimates, which may result in a change in the rate of amortization and/or a write down of the asset to the recoverable amount.

 

In the case of the trade name, stated at $14,000,000, the Group has not amortized the asset as the marketing and brand promotion is such that the Group considers it not to have a finite income generating life.

 

The Group tests annually whether intangible assets have suffered any impairment, in accordance with the accounting policy. These calculations require judgments and estimates to be made, and, as with Goodwill, in the event of an unforeseen event these judgments and assumptions would need to be revised and the value of the intangible assets could be affected. There may be instances where the useful life of an asset is shortened to reflect the uncertainty of its estimated income generating life. This is particularly the case when acquiring assets in markets that the Group has not previously exploited.

 

34.4.   Valuation of Available-for-Sale Financial Assets

 

The Group follows the guidance of IAS 39 to determine, where possible, the fair value of its available-for-sale financial assets. This determination requires significant judgment. In making this judgment, the Group evaluates, among other factors, the duration and extent to which the fair value of an investment is less or more than its cost; the financial health of and near-term business outlook for the investee, including factors such as industry and sector performance, changes in technology and operational and financing cash flow.

 

34.5.   Income Taxes and Deferred Taxation

 

The Group is subject to income taxes in various jurisdictions. Judgment is required in determining the worldwide provision for income taxes. During the normal course of business there are many transactions and calculations for which the ultimate tax determination is uncertain.

 

Judgment is also used when determining whether the Group should recognize a deferred tax asset, based on whether management considers there is sufficient certainty in future earnings to justify the carry forward of assets created by tax losses and tax credits.

 

Judgment is also used when determining whether the Group should recognize a deferred tax liability on undistributed earnings of subsidiaries.

 

Where the ultimate outcome is different than that which was initially recorded there will be an impact on the income tax and deferred tax provisions.

 

34.6.   Share Based Payments

 

The Group is required to evaluate the terms to determine whether share based payment is equity settled or cash settled. Judgment is required to do this evaluation. Further, the Group is required to measure the fair value of equity settled transactions with employees at the grant date of the equity instruments. The fair value is determined principally by using the Black Scholes model and/or Monte Carlo Simulation Models which require assumptions regarding interest free rates, share price volatility, the expected life of an employee equity instrument and other variables. The basis and assumptions used in these calculations are disclosed within Note 24.

 

F- 44
 

 

34.7.   Deferred IPO Costs

 

The Company has incurred a number of costs in relation to Company’s public filing dated May 2, 2012 with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) in connection with its proposed listing on the NYSE, the Company continues to believe that the listing will give the Company a strategic advantage while giving access to additional equity capital and liquidity as well as trading with a more comparable peer group with broader analyst coverage. The Company hopes to conclude the US listing process in the imminent future, subject to regulatory and other permissions and compliances. The costs incurred have been carried forward however if this judgment were incorrect $5,893,000 would be taken through profit or loss within the Income Statement.

 

35       ADOPTION OF NEW AND REVISED STANDARDS

 

35.1.   Standards affecting the financial statements

 

The Group has applied the amendments to IAS 1 Presentation of Items of Other Comprehensive Income in advance of the effective date (annual periods beginning on or after 1 July 2012). The amendment increases the required level of disclosure within the statement of comprehensive income. The amendments have been applied retrospectively and hence the presentation of items of comprehensive income have been restated to reflect the change. There was no impact on profit or loss.

 

35.2.   Standards not affecting the reported results nor the financial position

 

The Group has applied the amendments to IFRS 7 Disclosures - Transfers of Financial Assets in the current year. The amendments increase the disclosure requirements for transactions involving the transfer of financial assets.

 

The group has applied IAS 19 (as revised in June 2011) Employee Benefits which apply to defined benefit schemes and termination benefits which are not relevant to the Group at present.

 

The Group has applied IAS 12 Deferred Tax: Recovery of Underlying Assets which provides a practical approach for measuring deferred tax assets and liabilities in respect of Investment Property.

 

35.3   Standards, Interpretations and Amendments to Published Standards that are not yet effective

 

At the date of authorization of these financial statements, the following Standards and Interpretations, which have not been applied in these financial statements, were in issue but not yet effective.

 

In November 2009, the IASB issued IFRS 9 “Financial Instruments: Classification and Measurement” (“IFRS 9”). This standard introduces certain new requirements for classifying and measuring financial assets and liabilities and divides all financial assets that are currently in the scope of IAS 39 into two classifications, those measured at amortized cost and those measured at fair value. In October 2010, the IASB issued a revised version of IFRS 9, “Financial Instruments” (“IFRS 9 R”). The revised standard adds guidance on the classification and measurement of financial liabilities. IFRS 9 R requires entities with financial liabilities designated at fair value through profit or loss to recognize changes in the fair value due to changes in the liability’s credit risk in other comprehensive income. However, if recognizing these changes in other comprehensive income creates an accounting mismatch, an entity would present the entire change in fair value within profit or loss. There is no subsequent recycling of the amounts recorded in other comprehensive income to profit or loss, but accumulated gains or losses may be transferred within equity.

 

IFRS 9 R is effective for fiscal years beginning on or after January 1, 2015.

 

In May 2011, the IASB issued IFRS 13 “Fair Value Measurements” (“IFRS 13”). IFRS 13 defines fair value, provides a single IFRS framework for measuring fair value and requires disclosure about fair value measurements. IFRS 13 is effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013, with earlier application permitted. The Company has evaluated the requirements of IFRS 13 and does not believe that the adoption of this standard will have a material effect on its consolidated financial statements.

 

In May 2011, the IASB issued IFRS 10 “Consolidated Financial Statements” (“IFRS 10”) which replaces consolidation requirements in IAS 27 “Consolidated and Separate Financial Statements” and SIC-12 “Consolidation — Special Purpose Entities” and builds on existing principles by identifying the concept of control as the determining factor in whether an entity should be included within the consolidated financial statements of the parent company. This pronouncement is effective for the annual period beginning on or after January 1, 2013 with earlier application permitted so long as this standard is applied together with IFRS 11 “Joint Arrangements,” IFRS 12 “Disclosure of Interests in Other Entities,” IAS 27 (Revised) “Separate Financial Statements,” and IAS 28 (Revised) “Investments in Associates and Joint Ventures.”

 

F- 45
 

 

The remainder of IAS 27, “Separate Financial Statements”, now contains accounting and disclosure requirements for investments in subsidiaries, joint ventures and associates only when an entity prepares separate financial statements and is therefore not applicable in the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

IFRS 11 “Joint Arrangements” (“IFRS 11”), which replaces IAS 31, “Interests in Joint Ventures” and SIC-13, “Jointly Controlled Entities — Non-monetary Contributions by Ventures”, requires a single method, known as the equity method, to account for interests in jointly controlled entities. The proportionate consolidation method in joint ventures is prohibited. IAS 28, “Investments in Associates and Joint Ventures”, was amended by IFRS 11. In addition to prescribing the accounting for investment in associates, it now sets out the requirements for the application of the equity method when accounting for joint ventures. The application of the equity method has not changed as a result of this amendment.

 

IFRS 12 “Disclosure of Interest in Other Entities” (“IFRS 12”) is a new and comprehensive standard on disclosure requirements for all forms of interests in other entities, including joint arrangements, associates, special purpose vehicles and other off balance sheet vehicles. The standard includes disclosure requirements for entities covered under IFRS 10 and IFRS 11.

 

Further, in June 2012, IASB published “Consolidated Financial Statements, Joint Arrangements and Disclosure of Interests in Other Entities: Transition Guidance” as amendments to IFRS 10, IFRS 11 and IFRS 12. These amendments are intended to provide additional transition relief by limiting the requirement to provide adjusted comparative information to only the preceding comparative period.

 

The Company has evaluated the requirements of IFRS 10, IFRS 11 and IFRS 12 (each as amended) and does not believe that the adoption of these standards will have a material effect on its consolidated financial statements

 

In December 2011, the IASB amended the accounting requirements and disclosures related to offsetting of financial assets and financial liabilities by issuing an amendment to IAS 32 “Financial Instruments: Presentation” (“IAS 32”) and IFRS 7 “Financial Instruments: Disclosure” (“IFRS 7”). The amendment to IFRS 7 requires companies to disclose information about rights of offset and related arrangements for financial instruments under an enforceable master netting agreement or similar arrangement. The new disclosure requirements are effective for interim or annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013. It requires retroactive application for comparative periods.

 

The IASB has amended IAS 32 to clarify the meaning of ‘currently has a legally enforceable right of set off’ and ‘simultaneous realization and settlement’. The amendment clarifies that in order to result in an offset of a financial asset and financial liability, a right to set off must be available today rather than being contingent on a future event and must be exercisable by any of the counterparties, both in the normal course of business and in the event of default, insolvency or bankruptcy. The amendments also clarify that the determination of whether the rights meet the legally enforceable criterion will depend on both the contractual terms entered into between the counterparties as well as the law governing the contract and the bankruptcy process in the event of bankruptcy or insolvency. The amendments are effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2014 and are required to be applied retrospectively for comparative periods.

 

The Company has evaluated the requirements of above amendments to IAS 32 and IFRS 7, and does not believe that the adoption of these standards will have a material effect on its consolidated financial statements

 

F- 46
 

 

In May 2013, the IASB amended Recoverable Amount Disclosures for Non-Financial Assets (Amendments to IAS 36). These narrow-scope amendments to IAS 36 Impairment of Assets address the disclosure of information about the recoverable amount of impaired assets if that amount is based on fair value less costs of disposal. This amendment is effective for the annual period beginning on or after January 1, 2014, early adoption is permitted provided IFRS 13- Fair Value measurements is also adopted together. The Company does not believe the adoption of this amendment will have a material impact on its financial statements.

 

In June 2013, the IASB issued “Novation of Derivatives and Continuation of Hedge Accounting” (Amendments to IAS 39). Under the amendments, there would be no need to discontinue hedge accounting if a hedging derivative was novated provided certain criteria are met. The amendments are effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2014. The Company does not believe that the adoption of this amendment will have a material impact on its financial statements.

 

 

F- 47
 

EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION
AS AT SEPTEMBER 30, 2013 AND MARCH 31, 2013

 

    Note     As at September 30
2013
    As at March 31
2013
 
          (in thousands)  
ASSETS                        
Non-current assets                        
Property, plant and equipment           $ 10,279     $ 11,680  
Goodwill             1,878       1,878  
Intangible assets — trade name             14,000       14,000  
Intangible assets — content     8       531,853       535,304  
Intangible assets — others             1,804       2,117  
Available-for-sale financial assets             30,385       30,385  
Deferred tax assets             541       569  
            $ 590,740     $ 595,933  
                         
Current assets                        
Inventories           $ 756     $ 793  
Trade and other receivables     9       104,575       93,327  
Current tax receivable             748       962  
Cash and cash equivalents     11       106,076       107,642  
                         
            $ 212,155     $ 202,724  
                         
Total assets           $ 802,895     $ 798,657  
                         
LIABILITIES                        
Current liabilities                        
Trade and other payables     10     $ 29,801     $ 28,979  
Short-term borrowings     12       81,403       79,902  
Current tax payable           $ 469     $ 1,846  
                         
            $ 111,673     $ 110,727  
                         
Non-current liabilities                        
Long-term borrowings     12     $ 176,359     $ 165,898  
Other Long term liabilities             345       357  
Derivative financial instruments     13       11,657       16,660  
Deferred tax             18,148       18,839  
            $ 206,509     $ 201,754  
                         
Total liabilities           $ 318,182     $ 312,481  
                         
Equity                        
Share capital     16     $ 23,674     $ 22,653  
Share premium             164,996       159,547  
Reserves             321,317       311,315  
Other components of equity             (43,823 )     (29,432 )
JSOP Reserve             (25,505 )     (25,505 )
                         
Equity attributable to equity holders of Eros International Plc             440,659       438,578  
Non-controlling interest             44,054       47,598  
                         
Total equity           $ 484,713     $ 486,176  
Total liabilities and equity           $ 802,895     $ 798,657  

 

The accompanying notes form an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

F- 48
 

 

EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2013 AND 2012

 

          Six months ended September 30  
    Note     2013     2012  
          (in thousands, except per share amounts)  
Revenue     3     $ 84,987     $ 91,919  
Cost of sales             (54,664 )     (62,862 )
                         
Gross profit             30,323       29,057  
Administrative costs             (15,791 )     (11,341 )
                         
Operating profit             14,532       17,716  
                         
Financing costs     4       (5,142 )     (3,821 )
Finance income     4       983       3,325  
                         
Net finance costs     4       (4,159 )     (496 )
Other gains/(losses)     5       5,177       (9,786 )
                         
Profit before tax             15,550       7,434  
                         
Income tax expense     6       (3,908 )     (1,943 )
                         
Profit for the period           $ 11,642     $ 5,491  
                         
Attributable to:                        
                         
Equity holders of Eros International Plc           $ 8,811     $ 3,776  
Non-controlling interest             2,831       1,715  
            $ 11,642     $ 5,491  
                         
Earnings per share (cents)     7                  
Basic earnings per share             7.42       3.19  
Diluted earnings per share             7.33       3.13  

 

The accompanying notes form an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

F- 49
 

 

EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2013 AND 2012

 

          Six months ended September 30  
    Note     2013     2012  
          (in thousands)  
Profit for the period           $ 11,642     $ 5,491  
                         
Other comprehensive income/loss                        
Exchange differences on translating foreign operations             (21,383 )     (9,441 )
                         
Cash flow hedges                        
Reclassification to profit and loss             617        
                         
Total other comprehensive loss for the period           $ (20,766 )   $ (9,441 )
                         
Total comprehensive loss for the period, net of tax           $ (9,124 )   $ (3,950 )
Attributable to:                        
Owners of Eros International Plc             (5,580 )     (4,270 )
Non-controlling interests             (3,544 )     320  

 

The accompanying notes form an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

F- 50
 

 

EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2013 AND 2012

 

          Six months ended September 30,  
    Note     2013     2012  
          (in thousands)  
Cash flow from operating activities                        
Profit before tax           $ 15,550     $ 7,434  
Adjustments for:                        
Depreciation             359       484  
Share based payment             6,669       838  
Amortization of intangibles – content             43,450       48,080  
Amortization of intangibles – other             251       261  
Non-cash items – other             (4,734 )     8,352  
Net finance charge             4,159       496  
Loss on sale of property                   241  
Movement in trade and other receivables             (15,687 )     (3,185 )
Movement in inventories             5       265  
Movement in trade and other payables             (2,898 )     3,126  
                         
Cash generated from operations             47,124       66,392  
Interest paid             (4,229 )     (3,916 )
Income taxes paid             (2,258 )     (3,717 )
                         
Net cash generated from operating activities           $ 40,637     $ 58,759  
                         
Cash flows from investing activities                        
Purchase of property, plant and equipment             (68 )     (292 )
Proceeds from disposal of property, plant and equipment             8       518  
Purchase of intangible film rights and related content             (61,229 )     (97,988 )
Purchase of intangible assets others             (121 )     (220 )
Interest received             1,611       3,295  
                         
Net cash used in investing activities           $ (59,799 )   $ (94,687 )
                         
Cash flows from financing activities                        
Proceeds from issue of share capital by subsidiary                   135  
Proceeds from issue of share capital             831        
Dividend to non-controlling interests                    
Net change in other short term debt (with maturity up to 3 months)             (2,150 )     (2,353 )
Proceeds from issuance of short term debt             10,375        
Proceeds from long-term borrowings             26,113       6,070  
Repayment of long-term borrowings             (13,216 )     (8,643 )
                         
Net cash generated from/(used in) financing activities           $ 21,953     $ (4,791 )
                         
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents             2,791 )     (40,719 )
Effects of foreign exchange rate changes             (4,357 )     (2,596 )
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period             107,642       145,421  
                         
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period     7     $ 106,076     $ 102,106  

 

The accompanying notes form an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

F- 51
 

EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2013

 

          Other components of equity   Reserves                  
  Share
Capital
  Share
Premium
Account
  Currency
Translation
Reserve
  Available
for sale
Investments
  Revaluation
reserve
  Hedging
Reserve
  Reverse
Acquisition
Reserve
  Merger
Reserve
  Retained
Earnings
  JSOP
reserve
  Equity
Attributable
to
shareholders
of EROS
International
PLC.
  Non-
Controlling
Interest
  Total
Equity
 
  (in thousands)  
                                                     
Balance as of April 1,2013 $ 22,653   $ 159,547   $ (32,742 ) $ 5,802   $ 1,528   $ (4,020 ) $ (22,752 ) $ 62,097   $ 271,970   $ (25,505 ) $ 438,578   $ 47,598   $ 486,176  
                                                                               
Profit for the period                                   8,811         8,811     2,831     11,642  
                                                                               
Other comprehensive income/(loss) for the period           (15,008 )           617                     (14,391 )   (6,375 )   (20,766 )
                                                                               
Total comprehensive income/(loss) for the period           (15,008 )           617             8,811         (5,580 )   (3,544 )   (9,124 )
                                                                               
Issue of shares   992                                                           992           992  
                                                                               
Share based compensation   29     5,449                             1,191         6,669         6,669  
                                                                               
Balance as of September 30, 2013 $ 23,674   $ 164,996   $ (47,750 ) $ 5,802   $ 1,528   $ (3,403 ) $ (22,752 ) $ 62,097   $ 281,972   $ (25,505 ) $ 440,659   $ 44,054   $ 484,713  

 

The accompanying notes form an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

F- 52
 

 

EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2012

 

          Other components of equity   Reserves                  
  Share
Capital
  Share
Premium
Account
  Currency
Translation
Reserve
  Available
for sale
Investments
  Revaluation
reserve
  Hedging
Reserve
  Reverse
Acquisition
Reserve
  Merger
Reserve
  Retained
Earnings
  JSOP
reserve
  Equity
Attributable
to
shareholders
of EROS
International
PLC.
  Non-
Controlling
Interest
  Total
Equity
 
  (in thousands)  
                                                     
Balance as of April 1, 2012 $ 21,687   $ 135,008   $ (20,534 ) $ 5,802   $ 233   $ (4,020 ) $ (22,752 ) $ 57,766   $ 242,975   $   $ 416,165   $ 38,083   $ 454,248  
                                                                               
Profit for the period                                   3,776         3,776     1,715     5,491  
                                                                               
Other comprehensive income / (loss) for the period           (8,046 )                               (8,046 )   (1,395 )   (9,441 )
                                                                               
Total comprehensive income /(loss) for the period           (8,046 )                       3,776         (4,270 )   320     (3,950 )
                                                                               
Issues of shares upon exercise of options by employees   966     24,539                                 (25,505 )            
                                                                               
Share based Compensation charge                                   838         838         838  
                                                                               
Changes in ownership interests in subsidiaries that do not result in a loss of control                               100             100         100  
                                                                               
Balance as of September 30, 2012 $ 22,653   $ 159,547   $ (28,580 ) $ 5,802   $ 233   $ (4,020 ) $ (22,752 ) $ 57,866   $ 247,589   $ (25,505 ) $ 412,833   $ 38,403   $ 451,236  

 

The accompanying notes form an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

F- 53
 
1. GENERAL INFORMATION

 

Eros International Plc (“Eros”) and its subsidiaries’ (the “Group”) principal activities include the acquisition, co-production and distribution of Indian films and related content. Eros International Plc is the Group’s ultimate parent company. It is incorporated and domiciled in the Isle of Man. The address of Eros International Plc’s registered office is Fort Anne, Douglas Isle of Man IM1 5PD. Eros International Plc’s shares are admitted to trading on the Alternative Investment Market of the London Stock Exchange (“AIM”).

 

These condensed interim consolidated financial statements are prepared in compliance with International Accounting Standard (IAS) 34, “Interim financial reporting” as issued by International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”). They do not include all of the information required in annual financial statements in accordance with IFRS, as issued by IASB and should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and related notes for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013.

 

The accounting policies applied are consistent with the policies that were applied for the preparation of the consolidated financial statements for the year ended March 31, 2013, except the application of the followings standards IFRS 10 ‘Consolidated Financial Statements’, IFRS 11 ‘Joint Arrangements’ and IFRS 13 ‘ Fair Value Measurements’ effective April 1, 2013. The effect of applying these standards has not resulted in any impact on the classification or accounting treatment of any items within the financial statements, but has led to certain enhanced disclosures.

 

The composition of the Group and the ownership interests in subsidiaries remain the same as those of March 31, 2013. All the subsidiaries are primarily engaged in the principal activities of the Group.

 

The Group meets its day to day working capital requirements and funds its investment in content through a variety of banking arrangements and cash generated from operations. There were no material contingent liabilities as at September 30, 2013, except for the amounts noted in relation to contractual obligations and commitments in note 15.

 

The condensed interim financial statements for the six months ended September 30, 2013 were approved by the Eros Board of Directors and authorized for issue on October 29, 2013.

 

2. SEASONALITY

 

The Groups’ financial position and results of operations for any period fluctuate due to film release schedules. Film Release schedules take account of holidays and festivals in India and elsewhere, competitor film releases and sporting events.

 

3. BUSINESS SEGMENTAL DATA

 

Eros acquires co-produces and distributes Indian films in multiple formats worldwide. Film content is monitored and strategic decisions around the business operations are made based on the film content, whether it is new release or catalog. Hence, management identifies only one operating segment in the business, film content. We distribute our film content to the Indian population in India, the South Asian diaspora worldwide and to non-Indian consumers who view Indian films that are subtitled or dubbed in local languages. As a result of these distribution activities, Eros has identified four geographic markets, India, North America, Europe and the Rest of the World.

 

Revenues are presented based on customer location:

 

    Six months ended  September 30  
    2013     2012  
    (in thousands)  
Revenue by customer location                
India   $ 43,401     $ 65,768  
Europe     9,555       14,011  
North America     5,913       3,419  
Rest of the world     26,118       8,721  
                 
Total Revenue   $ 84,987     $ 91,919  

 

F- 54
 

 

Segment Assets

 

Assets   India     North
America
    Europe     Rest of the
World
 
    (in thousands)  
As of September 30, 2013   $ 204,355     $ 36     $ 52,668     $ 302,755  
As of March 31, 2013     230,143       44       32,672       302,120  

 

4. FINANCE CHARGES AND INCOME

 

    Six months ended September 30  
    2013     2012  
    (in thousands)  
Interest on bank overdrafts and loans   $ 8,628     $ 5,883  
Reclassification of losses on hedging previously recognized in other comprehensive income     617        
Capitalized interest on film content     (4,103 )     (2,062 )
                 
Total finance costs   $ 5,142     $ 3,821  
Less: Interest income                
Bank Deposits     (978 )     (2,866 )
Held- to- maturity financial assets     (5 )     (459 )
                 
Total finance income     (983 )     (3,325 )
                 
Net finance costs   $ 4,159     $ 496  

 

5. OTHER GAINS AND LOSSES

 

    Six months ended September 30  
    2013     2012  
    (in thousands)  
Loss on sale of fixed asset   $ ----     $ 241  
Net foreign exchange losses     (175 )     1,193  
Net (profit)/ loss on held for trading financial liabilities     (5,002 )     8,352  
                 
    $ (5,177 )   $ 9,786  

 

The net (profit)/loss on held for trading financial liabilities principally relates to derivative instruments not designated in a hedging relationship.

 

6. INCOME TAX EXPENSE

 

Income tax expense for the six months ended September 30, 2013 was $3.9 million compared to $1.9 million in the six months ended September 30, 2012.

 

F- 55
 

 

7. EARNINGS PER SHARE

 

    Six months ended  September 30  
    2013     2012  
    Basic     Diluted     Basic     Diluted  
    (in thousands, except earnings per share and the number of shares)  
Earnings                                
Earnings attributable to the equity holders of the parent   $ 8,811     $ 8,811     $ 3,776     $ 3,776  
                                 
Potential dilutive effect related to share based compensation scheme in subsidiary undertaking           (61 )           (74 )
                                 
Adjusted earnings attributable to equity holders to Eros International Plc   $ 8,811     $ 8,750     $ 3,776     $ 3,702  
                                 
Number of shares                                
Weighted average number of shares     118,736,841       118,736,841       118,316,874       118,316,874  
                                 
Potential or dilutive effect related to share based compensation scheme           555,821             26,131  
                                 
Adjusted weighted average number of shares     118,736,841       119,292,662       118,316,874       118,343,005  
                                 
Earnings per share                                
Earnings attributable to the equity holders of Eros International Plc per share (cents)     7.42       7.33       3.19       3.13  

 

8. INTANGIBLE CONTENT ASSETS

 

    Gross
Content
Assets
    Accumulated
Amortization
    Content
Assets
 
    (in thousands)  
As at September 30, 2013                        
Film and content rights   $ 819,654     $ (453,523 )   $ 366,131  
Content advances     165,334             165,334  
Film productions     388             388  
                         
Non Current Content assets   $ 985,376     $ (453,523 )   $ 531,853  
                         
As at March 31,2013                        
Film and content rights   $ 766,387     $ (396,034 )   $ 370,353  
Content advances     163,781             163,781  
Film productions     1,170             1,170  
                         
Non Current Content assets   $ 931,338     $ (396,034 )   $ 535,304  

 

F- 56
 

 

Changes in the main content assets are as follows:

 

    Six
months ended
September 30
    Year Ended
March 31
 
    2013     2013  
    (in thousands)  
Film productions                
Opening balance   $ 1,170     $  
Additions     (625 )     1,170  
Exchange difference     (157 )      
                 
Closing balance   $ 388     $ 1,170  
                 
Content advances                
Opening balance   $ 163,781     $ 162,377  
Additions     67,676       174,567  
Exchange difference     (13,482 )     (5,948 )
Transfer to film and content rights     (52,641 )     (167,215 )
                 
Closing balance   $ 165,334     $ 163,781  
                 
Film and content rights                
                 
Opening balance   $ 370,353       310,715  
Amortization     (43,449 )     (101,955 )
Adjustments           (771 )
Exchange difference     (14,039 )     (4,851 )
Transfer from other content assets     53,266       167,215  
                 
Closing balance   $ 366,131     $ 370,353  

 

9. TRADE AND OTHER RECEIVABLES

 

    As at  
    September 30
2013
    March 31
2013
 
    (in thousands)  
Trade accounts receivables   $ 86,759     $ 77,104  
Trade accounts receivables reserve     (851 )     (759 )
                 
Trade accounts receivables, net   $ 85,908     $ 76,345  
Other receivables     10,817       11,089  
Prepaid charges     7,850       5,893  
                 
Trade and other receivables   $ 104,575     $ 93,327  

 

F- 57
 

 

The age of financial assets that is past due but not impaired were as follows:

 

    As at  
    September 30
2013
    March 31
2013
 
    (in thousands)  
Not more than three months   $ 15,842     $ 4,169  
More than three months but not more than six months     6,570       738  
More than six months but not more than one year     4,592       8,695  
More than one year     3,226       1,255  
                 
    $ 30,230     $ 14,857  

 

The movements in the trade accounts receivable, reserve are as follows:

 

    Six months ended  
    September 30
2013
    September 30
2012
 
    (in thousands)  
At April 1   $ 759     $ 478  
Utilizations     (65 )      
Provisions     157        
                 
At September 30   $ 851     $ 478  

 

10. TRADE AND OTHER PAYABLES

 

    As at  
    September 30
2013
    March 31
2013
 
    (in thousands)  
Trade accounts payable   $ 18,485     $ 13,694  
Accruals & other payables     7,417       12,964  
Value added taxes & other taxes payable     3,899       2,321  
                 
    $ 29,801     $ 28,979  

 

11. CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

 

Cash and Cash equivalents consist of cash on hand and balance with banks and investments in money market investments, classified as held to maturity investments.

 

F- 58
 

 

12. BORROWINGS

 

Analysis of long-term borrowings

 

    Nominal       As at  
    Interest Rate
%
  Maturity   September 30
2013
    March 31
2013
 
              (in thousands)          
Asset backed borrowings                        
                         
Term loan   LIBOR+5.5%   2014-15   $ 593     $ 928  
Term loan   LIBOR+8.5%   2014-15           1,055  
Term Loan   BR+5.5%   2014-15     957       633  
Vehicle Loans   10-15%   2014-15     52       91  
Term loan   BR+2.75%   2016-17     15,961       18,421  
Term Loan   BR+2.75%   2017-18     7,105       6,401  
                         
            $ 24,668     $ 27,529  
                         
Unsecured borrowings                        
Other borrowings   10.5%   2021-22     9,757       10,257  
Revolving facility   LIBOR +1.9% - 2.9% + Mandatory Cost   2016-17     167,500       150,000  
                         
            $ 177,257     $ 160,257  
                         
Nominal value of borrowings             201,925       187,786  
Cumulative effect of unamortized costs             (2,499 )     (2,767 )
Installments due within one year             (23,067 )     (19,121 )
                         
Long-term borrowings - at amortized cost           $ 176,359     $ 165,898  
                         

 

Base rate (“BR”) is the Indian equivalent to LIBOR. Asset backed borrowings are secured by fixed and floating charges over certain group assets.

 

On July 31, 2013, HSBC acceded as a lender to the revolving credit facility. HSBC's participation in the facility is $25.0 million. This increased the total facility amount to $167.5 million, following the amortization of $7.5 million which occurred in July 2013.

 

F- 59
 

 

Analysis of short-term borrowings

 

        As at  
    Nominal interest
rate (%)
  September 30
2013
    March 31
2013
 
                 
        (in thousands)  
Asset backed borrowings                    
Export credit and overdraft   BR+0.75-5.25%   $ 23,451     $ 25,600  
Export credit and overdraft   LIBOR+3.5%     19,722       13,997  
Short Term loan   BR+1.90-2.50%     10,375       4,605  
        $ 53,548     $ 44,202  
                     
Unsecured Borrowings                    
Commercial Paper   11.00% –12.00%     4,788       16,579  
Installments due within one year on long-term borrowings         23,067       19,121  
                     
Short-term borrowings - at amortized cost       $ 81,403     $ 79,902  

 

Fair value of the long term borrowing as at September 30, 2013 is $190,473,000 (2013: $176,093,000). Carrying amount of short-term borrowings approximates fair value. Fair values of long-term financial liabilities have been determined by calculating their present values at the reporting date, using fixed effective market interest rates available to the Group.

 

13. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

 

Disclosures of fair value measurements are grouped into the following levels:

 

· Level 1 fair value measurements derived from unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;

 

· Level 2 fair value measurements derived from inputs, other than quoted prices included within Level 1, that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly (as prices) or indirectly (derived from prices); and

 

· Level 3 fair value measurements derived from valuation techniques that include inputs for the asset or liability that are not based on observable market data.

 

Recurring fair value measurements   As at
September 30
2013
Level 2
 
    (in thousands)  
Liabilities - derivative financial instruments   $ 11,657  
         
    $ 11,657  

 

There were no identified Level 1 financial instruments at September 30, 2013 and no transfers between Level 1 and 2 during the Six months ended September 30, 2013.

 

F- 60
 

 

Financial assets and liabilities subject to offsetting, enforceable master netting arrangements or similar arrangements as at September 30, 2013 are as follows:

 

Description of type of financial assets   Gross amount of
recognized 
financial assets
    Gross amount of 
recognized financial liabilities 
offset in the statement 
of financial position
    Net amounts financial assets
presented in the statement
of financial position
 
Derivative assets   $ (2,513 )   $ (2,513 )      
Total   $ (2,513 )   $ (2,513 )      

 

Description of type of financial liabilities   Gross amount of
recognized 
financial liabilities
    Gross amount of 
recognized financial assets 
offset in the statement
of financial position
    Net amounts financial liabilities
presented in the statement
of financial position
 
Derivative liabilities   $ 14,170     $ (2,513 )   $ 11,657  
Total   $ 14,170     $ (2,513 )   $ 11,657  

 

    Fair value  
    As at  
Derivative Instruments   September 30
2013
    March 31
2013
 
    (in thousands)  
2012  Interest rate Cap     (2,513 )     (2,200 )
2012 Interest rate Floor     7,085       9,430  
2012 Interest rate Collar     7,085       9,430  
                 
Net Fair Value     11,657       16,660  

 

The carrying amount of the financial assets and liabilities is considered a reasonable approximation of the fair value:

 

· Trade and other receivables excluding prepaid charges

 

· Cash and bank balances

 

· Trade Payables excluding value added tax and other tax payables

 

14. SHARE BASED COMPENSATION PLANS

 

The compensation cost recognized with respect to all outstanding plans and by grant of shares, which are all equity settled instruments, is as follows:

 

    As at  
    September 30
2013
    September 30
2012
 
    (in thousands)  
JSOP   $ 937     $ 562  
Management Scheme (Staff Share Grant)     5,477        
IPO India Plan     255       276  
    $ 6,669     $ 838  

 

This charge has been included in administrative costs in the Income statement.

 

The Management Scheme (Staff Share Grant) cost of $5,477,000 represents the cost of shares granted to employees less any amounts paid in respect of the shares issued on August 8, 2013 and September 18, 2013. Shares issued for employees issued at $3.61 a share based on the mid-market price on August 8, 2013 and shares issued for the CFO are issued at $4.02 a share based on the mid-market price on September 18, 2013. Refer note 16 for details of the share issues. Company has recognized a cost of $ 4,975,000 and $502,000 in relation to the shares granted on August 12, 2013 and September 18, 2013 respectively. The shares issued on August 12, 2013 are unrestricted. The shares issued on September 18, 2013 are restricted and vest over a period of three years on a pro-rata basis and the fair value will be expensed through the income statement over three years, from the date of grant.

 

F- 61
 

 

15. CONTRACTUAL CONTENT OBLIGATIONS AND COMMITMENTS

 

The Group’s material contractual obligations comprise contracts related to content commitments.

 

    Total     1 Year     2 to 5 Years  
    (in thousands)  
As at September  30, 2013   $ 225,950     $ 108,209     $ 117,741  
                         
As at March 31, 2013   $ 235,935     $ 92,773     $ 143,162  

 

The Group also has certain contractual arrangements in relation to certain contractual content commitments that would require the Group to make payments or provide funding if certain circumstances occur (“contingent guarantees”). The Group expects that these contingent guarantees totaling at September 30, 2013 $87,242,000 (March 31, 2013: $88,276,000) which are included within the contracted content commitments above, will fall due within the timeframes above.

 

Commitments in relation to operating lease arrangements as at September 30, 2013 are $3,144,000.

 

16. ISSUED SHARE CAPITAL

 

    Number of
Shares
    GBP  
          (in thousands)  
Authorized                
200,000,000 ordinary shares of 10p each (“Ordinary Shares”) at September 30, 2013 and March, 2013     200,000,000       20,000  

 

    Number of
Shares
    USD  
          (in thousands)  
Allotted, called up and fully paid                
As at March 31, 2012     118,316,874     $ 21,687  
Issue of shares on April 24, 2012     6,000,943       966  
As at March 31, 2013     124,317,367       22,653  
Issue of shares on August 12, 2013     1,431,000       221  
Issue of shares on September 18, 2013     5,029,935       800  
                 
As at September 30, 2013     130,778,302     $ 23,674  

 

17. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

    Details of
transaction
  As at
September 30,2013
Asset
(Liability)
    As at
March 31,2013
Asset
(Liability)
 
        (in thousands)  
        (Liability)     Asset     (Liability)     Asset  
Red Bridge Ltd.   President fees   $ (102 )               $ 50  
550 County Avenue   Rent     (441 )     135       (390 )     135  
Line Cross Limited   Rent/Deposit     (546 )             (364 )        
NextGen Films Pvt Ltd.   Purchase/Sale           9,914             2,196  
Everest Entertainment Pvt. Ltd   Purchase/Sale     (7 )     524       (8 )     604  
Lulla Family   Rent/Deposit     (21 )     431       (50 )     509  

 

F- 62
 

 

Pursuant to a lease agreement that expires on March 31, 2014, Eros International Media Limited leases apartments for studio use 2,750 square feet of real property at Kailash Plaza, 3 rd Floor, Opp. Laxmi Industrial Estate, Andheri (W), Mumbai, from Manjula K. Lulla, the wife of Kishore Lulla. Beginning in August 2010, the lease requires Eros International Media Limited to pay $5,000 each month under this lease. Pursuant to a lease that expires in September 30 2015, Eros International Media Limited leases for use as executive accommodations the property Aumkar Bungalow, Gandhi Gram Road, Juhu, Mumbai, from Sunil Lulla (see deposits in the table above).

 

Pursuant to a lease agreement that expires on March 31, 2015, the Group leases for U.S. corporate offices, the real property at 550 County Avenue, Secaucus, New Jersey, from 550 County Avenue Property Corp, a Delaware corporation owned by Beech Investments and of which our President of Americas Operations Ken Naz serves as a director. The current lease commenced on April 1, 2010, and requires the Group to pay $11,000 each month.

 

Pursuant to a lease agreement that expires in March 2018, including renewal periods, the Group leases for U.K. corporate offices, the real property at 13 Manchester Square, London from Linecross Limited, a U.K. company owned indirectly by a discretionary trust of which Kishore Lulla and Sunil Lulla are potential beneficiaries. The current lease commenced on November 19, 2009 and requires us to pay $129,000 each quarter.

 

Pursuant to an agreement the Group entered into with Redbridge Group Ltd. on June 27, 2006, the Group agreed to pay $156, 000 in the six months ended September 30, 2013 and an annual fee set by its Board of Directors of $322,000 in the year ended March 31, 2013, for the services of Arjan Lulla, the father of Kishore Lulla and Sunil Lulla, uncle of Vijay Ahuja and Surender Sadhwani and an employee of Redbridge Group Ltd. The agreement makes Arjan Lulla honorary life president and provides for services including attendance at board meetings, entrepreneurial leadership and assistance in setting the Group’s strategy. Redbridge Group Ltd. is an entity owned indirectly by a discretionary trust of which Kishore Lulla and Sunil Lulla are potential beneficiaries

 

The Group has engaged in transactions with NextGen Films Pvt. Ltd., an entity owned by the husband of Puja Rajani, sister of Kishore Lulla and Sunil Lulla, each of which involved the purchase and sale of film rights. NextGen Films Pvt. Ltd. sold film rights Nil and $15,302,377to the group in the six months ended September 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012 respectively. NextGen Films Pvt. Ltd. purchased film rights $3,114,000, and $0 from the group in the six months ended September 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012 respectively. As at September 30, 2013 Eros India has provided a corporate guarantee to a bank for $3,990,000 (March 31, 2013: $0) in connection with borrowings by NextGen Films Pvt. Ltd in respect of certain film content capital commitments. The Company did not earn any fees to provide financial guarantee. Such guarantee is for a period of up to two years.

 

The Group also engaged in transactions with Everest Entertainment Pvt. Ltd., an entity owned by the brother of Manjula K. Lulla, wife of Kishore Lulla, each of which involved the purchase and sale of film rights. Everest Entertainment Pvt. Ltd. sold film rights $1,000 and $9,000 to the Group in the six months ended September 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012 respectively.

 

All of the amounts outstanding are unsecured and will be settled in cash.

 

 

F- 63
 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

12,500,000 Shares

 

 

 

Eros International Plc
A Ordinary Shares

 


 

PROSPECTUS

 


 

Deutsche Bank Securities

 

BofA Merrill Lynch

 

UBS Investment Bank

 

Jefferies

 

Credit Suisse

 

EM Securities

 


 

                    , 2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

PART II

 

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN THE PROSPECTUS

 

ITEM 6. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.

 

Subject to any contrary provision in a company’s articles, section 112 of the 2006 Act allows an Isle of Man company to indemnify its directors against all expenses and against all judgments, if such director acted honestly and in good faith and in what he believed to be in the best interests of the company, or where he had reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was lawful. The articles of association that we plan to adopt prior to the offering (such documents being “our new formation documents”) will not contain any contradictory provisions to section 112 of the Act. Provided that the conditions contained under section 112 of the 2006 Act and our new formation articles are satisfied, the Act and our new formation articles provide for the indemnification of our directors and officers in terms sufficiently broad to indemnify such person against all expenses and judgments arising under the Securities Act.

 

Our new formation documents will provide for indemnification of our officers, directors, employees and agents to the extent and under the circumstances permitted under Isle of Man law.

 

In addition to the indemnification to be provided by our new formation documents, prior to the consummation of this offering, we will enter into agreements to indemnify our directors and executive officers. These agreements, subject to certain exceptions, will require us to, among other things, indemnify these directors and executive officers for certain expenses, including attorney fees, witness fees and expenses, expenses of accountants and other advisors, and the premium, security for and other costs relating to any bond, arising out of that person’s services as a director or officer of us or any of our subsidiaries or any other company or enterprise to which the person provides services at our request.

 

The Underwriting Agreement to be filed as Exhibit 1.1 will provide for indemnification by the underwriters of us, our directors and officers and by us of the underwriters, for some liabilities arising under the Securities Act, and affords some rights of contribution with respect thereto.

 

ITEM 7. RECENT SALES OF UNREGISTERED SECURITIES.

 

With the exception of our shares traded on the Alternative Investment Market of the London Stock Exchange, in the three years preceding the filing of this registration statement, we have issued the following securities that were not registered under the Securities Act.

 

· On June 1, 2011, we issued 35,925 ordinary shares for employee bonus/remuneration issued at $10.80 per share based on the mid-market price on the grant date.
   
· Effective June 1, 2011, we issued 183,333 ordinary shares to Jyoti Deshpande pursuant to a consultant services agreement. Within seven days of our shares being admitted to trading on the NYSE, Ms. Deshpande will also receive A ordinary shares valued at $2,000,000 (based on the average price of our A ordinary shares listed on the NYSE on the date of such issuance).
   
· On October 3, 2011, we issued 691,780 ordinary shares to employees and directors as bonus/remuneration issued at $9.99 per share based on the mid-market price on the grant date.
   
· On April 18, 2012, we issued 2,000,164 ordinary shares to the Company’s Employee Benefits Trust Pursuant to the JSOP at $12.77 per share based on the mid-market price on the grant date.
   
· On August 12, 2013, we issued 477,000 ordinary shares for employee bonus/remuneration issued at $10.83 per share based on the mid-market price on the grant date.
   
· Ms. Deshpande was issued 1,676,645 shares of the Company on September 18, 2013 pursuant to her employment contract.

 

The sales of the above securities were exempt from registration under the Securities Act in reliance on Rule 701 promulgated under Section 3(b) of the Securities Act as transactions pursuant to benefit plans and contracts relating to compensation.

 

II- 1
 

 

ITEM 8. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES.

 

Exhibit
Number
  Title
     
   1.1*   Form of Underwriting Agreement
     
  3.1***   Memorandum of Association, to be in effect upon consummation of this offering
     
  3.2***   Articles of Association, to be in effect upon consummation of this offering
     
   4.1*   Form of A Share Certificate
     
   5.1*   Opinion of Cains Advocates Limited
     
10.1***   Relationship Agreement, dated as of December 16, 2009, between Eros International Media Limited, Eros International Plc, and Eros Worldwide FZ-LLC
     
10.2***   Shareholders’ Agreement, dated as of January 13, 2007, between Eros Multimedia Private Limited and The Group and Big Screen Entertainment Private Limited
     
10.3***   Shareholder Agreement, dated July 11, 2007, for Ayngaran International Limited
     
10.4***   Employment Agreement of Sunil Lulla as Executive Vice Chairman of Eros International Media Limited, dated September 29, 2009
     
10.5***   Service Agreement of Andrew Heffernan as Chief Financial Officer, dated June 27, 2006
     
10.6***   Services Agreement of Kishore Lulla as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, dated June 27, 2006
     
10.7***   Service Agreement of Vijay Ahuja as Vice Chairman and President (International), dated June 27, 2006
     
10.8***   Rules of the Eros International Plc Bonus Share Plan Unapproved Option Scheme 2006, dated May 17, 2006
     
10.9***   Credit Facility, dated January 5, 2012, between Eros International Plc, Citibank, N.A., London Branch, Lloyds TSB Bank Plc and the Royal Bank of Scotland Plc, with Lloyds TSB Bank Plc as Facility Agent, in the original principal amount of $125 million
     
10.10***   Increase Confirmation, dated January 27, 2012, from UBS AG, Singapore Branch, to Lloyds TSB Bank Plc as Facility Agent and Eros International Plc
     
10.11*   IPO Plan Form of Option Agreement
     
10.12***   Eros International Media Pvt. Ltd. ESOP 2009
     
10.13***   Form of Joint Share Ownership Deed Measured By Total Share Return
     
10.14***   Form of Joint Share Ownership Deed Measured By Super Total Share Return
     
10.15***   Form of Joint Share Ownership Deed Measured By Earnings Per Share
     
10.16***   Employee Benefit Trust Deed
     
10.17*   Form of Option Agreement for Option Awards Approved April 17, 2012
     
10.18*     Service Agreement of Jyoti Deshpande as Group Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Eros International Plc, dated September 5, 2013
     
10.19*   Employment Agreement of Jyoti Deshpande as Executive Director of Eros International Media Limited, dated August 29, 2013

 

II- 2
 

Exhibit
Number
  Title
     
10.20*   Service Agreement of Jyoti Deshpande as Chief Executive Officer of Eros International Limited, dated September 1, 2013
     
10.21*   Service Agreement of Vijay Ahuja as Executive Director of Eros International Pte Ltd, dated April 1, 2013
     
10.22*   Service Agreement of Pranab Kapadia as President - Europe & Africa of Eros International Ltd., dated December 1, 2007.
     
10.23*   Form of Increase Confirmation, dated July 31, 2013, from HSBC Bank Plc to Lloyds TSB Bank Plc as Facility Agent and Eros International Plc
     
16.1***   Letter from Grant Thornton Isle of Man
     
16.2***   Letter from Grant Thornton UK LLP
     
21.1***   Subsidiaries of Eros International Plc
     
23.1*   Consent of Cains Advocates Limited (included in Exhibit 5.1)
     
23.2*   Consent of Grant Thornton UK LLP
     
23.3***   Consent to Use of Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry - KPMG Indian Media and Entertainment Industry Reports
     
23.4***   Consent of Greg Coote
     
23.5*   Consent of Grant Thornton India LLP
     
23.6*   Consent to Use of Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry - KPMG Indian Media and Entertainment Industry Reports
     
24.1***   Power of Attorney

_______________

* Filed herewith
** To be filed by amendment
*** Previously filed

 

II- 3
 

 

ITEM 9. UNDERTAKINGS.

 

The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to provide to the underwriter at the closing specified in the underwriting agreements, certificates in such denominations and registered in such names as required by the underwriter to permit prompt delivery to each purchaser.

 

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, the registrant has been informed that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and therefore unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

 

The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that:

 

(1) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the registrant under Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the time it was declared effective.

 

(2) For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

 

 

II- 4
 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form F-1 and has duly caused this Amendment No. 5 to Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the city of London, England, on October 29 , 2013.

 

  EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC
   
  By: /s/ Jyoti Deshpande
    Jyoti Deshpande
    Group Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the following persons have signed this Amendment No. 5 to Registration Statement in the capacities and on the date indicated.

 

/s/ Kishore Lulla   Chairman   October 29, 2013
Kishore Lulla        
         
/s/ Jyoti Deshpande   Group Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director   October 29, 2013
Jyoti Deshpande   (Principal Executive Officer)    
         
/s/ Andrew Heffernan   Chief Financial Officer   October 29, 2013
Andrew Heffernan   (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)    
         
*   Director   October 29, 2013
Vijay Ahuja        
         
*   Director   October 29, 2013
Naresh Chandra        
         
*   Director   October 29, 2013
Dilip Thakkar        
         
*   Director   October 29, 2013
Sunil Lulla        
         
*   Director   October 29, 2013
Michael Kirkwood        
         
*   President of Americas Operations   October 29, 2013
Ken Naz   (Authorized Representative in the U.S.).    

 

 

     
*By:   / S /    K ISHORE L ULLA
  Kishore Lulla
  Attorney-in-Fact

 

 

Signature Page to Form F-1 Amendment No. 5

 

 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit
Number
  Title
     
   1.1*   Form of Underwriting Agreement
     
  3.1***   Memorandum of Association, to be in effect upon consummation of this offering
     
  3.2***   Articles of Association, to be in effect upon consummation of this offering
     
   4.1*   Form of A Share Certificate
     
   5.1*   Opinion of Cains Advocates Limited
     
10.1***   Relationship Agreement, dated as of December 16, 2009, between Eros International Media Limited, Eros International Plc, and Eros Worldwide FZ-LLC
     
10.2***   Shareholders’ Agreement, dated as of January 13, 2007, between Eros Multimedia Private Limited and The Group and Big Screen Entertainment Private Limited
     
10.3***   Shareholder Agreement, dated July 11, 2007, for Ayngaran International Limited
     
10.4***   Employment Agreement of Sunil Lulla as Executive Vice Chairman of Eros International Media Limited, dated September 29, 2009
     
10.5***   Service Agreement of Andrew Heffernan as Chief Financial Officer, dated June 27, 2006
     
10.6***   Services Agreement of Kishore Lulla as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, dated June 27, 2006
     
10.7***   Service Agreement of Vijay Ahuja as Vice Chairman and President (International), dated June 27, 2006
     
10.8***   Rules of the Eros International Plc Bonus Share Plan Unapproved Option Scheme 2006, dated May 17, 2006
     
10.9***   Credit Facility, dated January 5, 2012, between Eros International Plc, Citibank, N.A., London Branch, Lloyds TSB Bank Plc and the Royal Bank of Scotland Plc, with Lloyds TSB Bank Plc as Facility Agent, in the original principal amount of $125 million
     
10.10***   Increase Confirmation, dated January 27, 2012, from UBS AG, Singapore Branch, to Lloyds TSB Bank Plc as Facility Agent and Eros International Plc
     
10.11*   IPO Plan Form of Option Agreement
     
10.12***   Eros International Media Pvt. Ltd. ESOP 2009
     
10.13***   Form of Joint Share Ownership Deed Measured By Total Share Return
     
10.14***   Form of Joint Share Ownership Deed Measured By Super Total Share Return
     
10.15***   Form of Joint Share Ownership Deed Measured By Earnings Per Share
     
10.16***   Employee Benefit Trust Deed
     
10.17*   Form of Option Agreement for Option Awards Approved April 17, 2012
     
10.18*   Service Agreement of Jyoti Deshpande as Group Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Eros International Plc, dated September 5, 2013
     
10.19*   Employment Agreement of Jyoti Deshpande as Executive Director of Eros International Media Limited, dated August 29, 2013

 

 
 
Exhibit
Number
  Title
     
10.20*   Service Agreement of Jyoti Deshpande as Chief Executive Officer of Eros International Limited, dated September 1, 2013
     
10.21*   Service Agreement of Vijay Ahuja as Executive Director of Eros International Pte Ltd, dated April 1, 2013
     
10.22*   Service Agreement of Pranab Kapadia as President - Europe & Africa of Eros International Ltd., dated December 1, 2007.
     
10.23*   Form of Increase Confirmation, dated July 31, 2013, from HSBC Bank Plc to Lloyds TSB Bank Plc as Facility Agent and Eros International Plc
     
16.1***   Letter from Grant Thornton Isle of Man
     
16.2***   Letter from Grant Thornton UK LLP
     
21.1***   Subsidiaries of Eros International Plc
     
23.1*   Consent of Cains Advocates Limited (included in Exhibit 5.1)
     
23.2*   Consent of Grant Thornton UK LLP
     
23.3***   Consent to Use of Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry - KPMG Indian Media and Entertainment Industry Reports
     
23.4***   Consent of Greg Coote
     
23.5*   Consent of Grant Thornton India LLP
     
23.6*   Consent to Use of Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry - KPMG Indian Media and Entertainment Industry Reports
     
24.1***   Power of Attorney (included in signature page of Registration Statement hereto)

_______________

* Filed herewith
** To be filed by amendment
*** Previously filed

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 1.1

EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC

(A company incorporated in the Isle of Man)

[ l ] A Ordinary Shares

UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT

Dated: [ l ], 2013

 
 
 

EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC

(A company incorporated in the Isle of Man)

[ l ] Ordinary Shares

 

UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT

[ l ], 2013

Deutsche Bank Securities Inc.

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith

                   Incorporated

UBS Securities LLC

as Representatives of the several Underwriters

 

c/o Deutsche Bank Securities Inc.
60 Wall Street
New York, New York 10005

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Eros International Plc, a company limited by shares incorporated in the Isle of Man (the “Company”) and certain shareholders of the Company listed in Schedule B hereto (the “Selling Shareholders”), confirm their respective agreements with Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. (“Deutsche Bank”) and each of the other Underwriters named in Schedule A hereto (collectively, the “Underwriters,” which term shall also include any underwriter substituted as hereinafter provided in Section 10 hereof), for whom Deutsche Bank, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (“Merrill Lynch”) and UBS Securities LLC are acting as representatives (in such capacity, the “Representatives”), with respect to (i) the sale by the Company and the Selling Shareholders, acting severally and not jointly, and the purchase by the Underwriters, acting severally and not jointly, of the respective numbers of shares of A ordinary shares, par value £0.10 per share, of the Company (“Ordinary Shares”) set forth in Schedules A and B hereto and (ii) the grant by the Company and Beech Investments Limited to the Underwriters, acting severally and not jointly, of the option described in Section 2(b) hereof to purchase all or any part of [ l ] additional Ordinary Shares to cover overallotments, if any. The aforesaid [ l ] Ordinary Shares (the “Initial Securities”) to be purchased by the Underwriters and all or any part of the [ l ] Ordinary Shares subject to the option described in Section 2(b) hereof (the “Option Securities”) are herein called, collectively, the “Securities.”

 
 

The Company and the Selling Shareholders understand that the Underwriters propose to make a public offering of the Securities as soon as the Representatives deem advisable after this Agreement has been executed and delivered.

The Company has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) a registration statement on Form F-1 (No. 333-180469), including the related preliminary prospectus or prospectuses, covering the registration of the sale of the Securities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”). Promptly after execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Company will prepare and file a prospectus in accordance with the provisions of Rule 430A (“Rule 430A”) of the rules and regulations of the Commission under the 1933 Act (the “1933 Act Regulations”) and Rule 424(b) (“Rule 424(b)”) of the 1933 Act Regulations. The information included in such prospectus that was omitted from such registration statement at the time it became effective but that is deemed to be part of such registration statement at the time it became effective pursuant to Rule 430A(b) is herein called the “Rule 430A Information.” Such registration statement, including the amendments thereto, the exhibits thereto and any schedules thereto, at the time it became effective, and including the Rule 430A Information, is herein called the “Registration Statement.” Any registration statement filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) of the 1933 Act Regulations is herein called the “Rule 462(b) Registration Statement” and, after such filing, the term “Registration Statement” shall include the Rule 462(b) Registration Statement. Each prospectus used prior to the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, and each prospectus that omitted the Rule 430A Information that was used after such effectiveness and prior to the execution and delivery of this Agreement, is herein called a “preliminary prospectus.” The final prospectus, in the form first furnished to the Underwriters for use in connection with the offering of the Securities, is herein called the “Prospectus.” For purposes of this Agreement, all references to the Registration Statement, any preliminary prospectus, the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing shall be deemed to include the copy filed with the Commission pursuant to its Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval system or any successor system (“EDGAR”).

As used in this Agreement:

“Applicable Time” means [__:00 P./A.M.], New York City time, on [ l ] or such other time as agreed by the Company and Deutsche Bank.

“General Disclosure Package” means any Issuer General Use Free Writing Prospectuses issued at or prior to the Applicable Time, the most recent preliminary prospectus that is distributed to investors prior to the Applicable Time and the information included on Schedule C-1 hereto, all considered together.

“Issuer Free Writing Prospectus” means any “issuer free writing prospectus,” as defined in Rule 433 of the 1933 Act Regulations (“Rule 433”), including without limitation any “free writing prospectus” (as defined in Rule 405 of the 1933 Act Regulations (“Rule 405”)) relating to the Securities that is (i) required to be filed with the Commission by the Company, (ii) a “road show that is a written communication” within the meaning of Rule 433(d)(8)(i), whether or not required to be filed with the Commission, or (iii) exempt from filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 433(d)(5)(i) because it contains a description of the Securities or of the offering that does not reflect the final terms, in each case in the form filed or required to be filed with the Commission or, if not required to be filed, in the form retained in the Company’s records pursuant to Rule 433(g).

2
 

“Issuer General Use Free Writing Prospectus” means any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus that is intended for general distribution to prospective investors (other than a “ bona fide electronic road show,” as defined in Rule 433 (the “Bona Fide Electronic Road Show”)), as evidenced by its being specified in Schedule C-2 hereto.

“Issuer Limited Use Free Writing Prospectus” means any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus that is not an Issuer General Use Free Writing Prospectus.

“Testing-the-Waters Communication” means any oral or written communication with potential investors undertaken in reliance on Section 5(d) of the 1933 Act.

“Written Testing-the-Waters Communication” means any Testing-the-Waters Communication that is a written communication within the meaning of Rule 405 under the 1933 Act.

All references in this Agreement to financial statements and schedules and other information which is “contained,” “included” or “stated” in the Registration Statement, any preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus (or other references of like import) shall include all such financial statements and schedules and other information which is incorporated by reference in or otherwise deemed by 1933 Act Regulations to be a part of or included in the Registration Statement, any preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus, as the case may be, prior to the execution and delivery of this Agreement.

SECTION 1. Representations and Warranties .

(a) Representations and Warranties by the Company . The Company represents and warrants to each Underwriter as of the date hereof, the Applicable Time, the Closing Time (as defined below) and any Date of Delivery (as defined below), and agrees with each Underwriter, as follows:

(i) Registration Statement and Prospectuses . Each of the Registration Statement and any amendment thereto have become effective under the 1933 Act. No stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto has been issued under the 1933 Act, no order preventing or suspending the use of any preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus has been issued and no proceedings for any of those purposes have been instituted or are pending or, to the Company’s knowledge, contemplated. The Company has complied with each request (if any) from the Commission for additional information.

Each of the Registration Statement and any post-effective amendment thereto, at the time it became effective, complied in all material respects with the requirements of the 1933 Act and the 1933 Act Regulations. Each preliminary prospectus, the Prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto, at the time each was filed with the Commission, complied in all material respects with the requirements of the 1933 Act and the 1933 Act Regulations. Each preliminary prospectus delivered to the Underwriters for use in connection with this offering and the Prospectus was or will be identical to the electronically transmitted copies thereof filed with the Commission pursuant to EDGAR, except to the extent permitted by Regulation S-T.

(ii) Accurate Disclosure . Neither the Registration Statement nor any amendment thereto, at its effective time, at the Closing Time or at any Date of Delivery, contained, contains or will contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted, omits or will omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading. As of the Applicable Time, none of (A) the General Disclosure Package, (B) any individual Issuer Limited Use Free Writing Prospectus, and (C) any individual Written Testing-

3
 

the-Waters Communication, when considered together with the General Disclosure Package, included, includes or will include an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted, omits or will omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. Neither the Prospectus nor any amendment or supplement thereto (including any prospectus wrapper), as of its issue date, at the time of any filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b), at the Closing Date or at any Date of Delivery, included, includes or will include an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted, omits or will omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

The representations and warranties in this subsection shall not apply to statements in or omissions from the Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto), the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto) made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by any Underwriter through Deutsche Bank expressly for use therein. For purposes of this Agreement, the only information so furnished shall be the information in the first paragraph under the heading “Underwriting–Commissions and Discounts,” the information in the second, third and fourth paragraphs under the heading “Underwriting–Price Stabilization, Short Positions and Penalty Bids,” and the information under the heading “Underwriting–Electronic Distribution” in each case contained in the Prospectus (collectively, the “Underwriter Information”).

(iii) Issuer Free Writing Prospectuses . No Issuer Free Writing Prospectus conflicts or will conflict with the information contained in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, and any preliminary or other prospectus deemed to be a part thereof that has not been superseded or modified. The Company has made available a Bona Fide Electronic Road Show in compliance with Rule 433(d)(8)(ii) such that no filing of any “road show” (as defined in Rule 433(h)) is required in connection with the offering of the Securities.

(iv) Testing-the-Waters Materials . The Company (A) has not alone engaged in any Testing-the-Waters Communication other than Testing-the-Waters Communications with the consent of the Representatives with entities that are qualified institutional buyers within the meaning of Rule 144A under the 1933 Act or institutions that are accredited investors within the meaning of Rule 501 under the 1933 Act, and (B) has not authorized anyone other than the Representatives to engage in Testing-the-Waters Communications. The Company reconfirms that the Representatives have been authorized to act on its behalf in undertaking Testing-the-Waters Communications. The Company has not distributed any Written Testing-the-Waters Communications.

(v) Company Not Ineligible Issuer . At the time of filing the Registration Statement and any post-effective amendment thereto, at the earliest time thereafter that the Company or another offering participant made a bona fide offer (within the meaning of Rule 164(h)(2) of the 1933 Act Regulations) of the Securities and at the date hereof, the Company was not and is not an “ineligible issuer,” as defined in Rule 405, without taking account of any determination by the Commission pursuant to Rule 405 that it is not necessary that the Company be considered an ineligible issuer.

(vi) Emerging Growth Company Status . From the time of the initial confidential submission of the Registration Statement to the Commission (or, if earlier, the first date on which the Company engaged directly or through any Person authorized to act on its behalf in any Testing-the-Waters Communication) through the date hereof, the Company has been and is an “emerging growth company,” as defined in Section 2(a) of the Securities Act (an “Emerging Growth Company”)

4
 

(vii) Independent Accountants . The accountants who certified the financial statements and supporting schedules included in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus are independent public accountants as required by the 1933 Act, the 1933 Act Regulations and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board.

(viii) Financial Statements; Non-GAAP Financial Measures . The financial statements included in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, together with the related schedules and notes, present fairly the financial position of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries at the dates indicated and the statement of operations, shareholders’ equity and cash flows of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries for the periods specified; said financial statements have been prepared in conformity with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IFRS”) applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods involved. The supporting schedules, if any, present fairly in accordance with IFRS the information required to be stated therein. The selected financial data and the summary financial information included in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus present fairly the information shown therein and have been compiled on a basis consistent with that of the audited financial statements included therein. Except as included therein, no historical or pro forma financial statements or supporting schedules are required to be included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus under the 1933 Act or the 1933 Act Regulations. For purposes of this Agreement only, assuming the applicability of Regulation G of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “1934 Act”) to the Company, all disclosures contained in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus regarding “non-GAAP financial measures” (as such term is defined by the rules and regulations of the Commission comply in all material respects with Regulation G of the 1934 Act and Item 10 of Regulation S-K of the 1933 Act.

(ix) No Material Adverse Change in Business . Except as otherwise stated therein, since the respective dates as of which information is given in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus, (A) there has been no material adverse change in the condition, financial or otherwise, or in the earnings, business affairs or business prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries considered as one enterprise, whether or not arising in the ordinary course of business (a “Material Adverse Effect”), (B) there have been no transactions entered into by the Company or any of its subsidiaries, other than those in the ordinary course of business, which are material with respect to the Company and its subsidiaries considered as one enterprise, and (C) there has been no dividend or distribution of any kind declared, paid or made by the Company on any class of its capital stock.

(x) Good Standing of the Company . The Company has been duly organized and is validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the Isle of Man and has corporate power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and to conduct its business as described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus and to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement; and the Company is duly qualified as a foreign corporation to transact business and is in good standing in each other jurisdiction in which such qualification is required, whether by reason of the ownership or leasing of property or the conduct of business, except where the failure so to qualify or to be in good standing would not result in a Material Adverse Effect.

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(xi) Good Standing of Subsidiaries . Each of the Company’s subsidiaries has been duly organized and is validly existing in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or organization (to the extent such concept exists under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or organization), has corporate or similar power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and to conduct its business as described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus and is duly qualified to transact business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which such qualification is required, whether by reason of the ownership or leasing of property or the conduct of business, except where the failure to so qualify or to be in good standing would not result in a Material Adverse Effect. Except as otherwise disclosed in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, all of the issued and outstanding capital stock or similar ownership interests of each subsidiary of the Company, to the extent applicable, has been duly authorized and validly issued, is fully paid and non-assessable and is owned by the Company, directly or through subsidiaries, free and clear of any security interest, mortgage, pledge, lien, encumbrance, claim or equity. None of the outstanding shares of capital stock of any subsidiary of the Company were issued in violation of the preemptive or similar rights of any securityholder of such subsidiary. The only subsidiaries of the Company are the subsidiaries listed on Exhibit 21 to the Registration Statement.

(xii) Capitalization . The authorized and issued share capital of the Company are as set forth in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus in the column entitled “Actual” under the caption “Capitalization” (except for subsequent issuances, if any, pursuant to this Agreement, pursuant to reservations, agreements or employee benefit plans referred to in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus or pursuant to the exercise of convertible securities or options referred to in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus). The issued share capital of the Company, including the Securities to be purchased by the Underwriters from the Selling Shareholders, have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and non-assessable. None of the issued share capital of the Company, including the Securities to be purchased by the Underwriters from the Selling Shareholders, were issued in violation of the preemptive or other similar rights of any securityholder of the Company.

(xiii) Related Party Transactions Disclosure . The statements set forth in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus under the caption “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions,” insofar as they purport to describe the provisions of the documents and transactions referred to therein, are accurate, complete and fair in all material respects.

(xiv) Authorization of Agreement . This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company.

(xv) Authorization and Description of Securities . The Securities to be purchased by the Underwriters from the Company have been duly authorized for issuance and sale to the Underwriters pursuant to this Agreement and, when issued and delivered by the Company pursuant to this Agreement against payment of the consideration set forth herein, will be validly issued and are not subject to any call by the Company; and the issuance of the Securities is not subject to the preemptive or other similar rights of any securityholder of the Company. The Ordinary Shares conform in all material respects to all statements relating thereto contained in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus and such description conforms in all material respects to the rights set forth in the instruments defining the same. No holder of Securities will be subject to personal liability by reason of being such a holder. Except

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as set forth in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, there are no outstanding (i) options, warrants or other rights to purchase, (ii) agreements or other obligations to issue or (iii) other rights to convert any obligation into, or exchange any securities for, shares of capital stock of or ownership interests in the Company or any of its subsidiaries. Except for the subsidiaries of the Company or as described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, the Company does not own, directly or indirectly, any shares of capital stock or any other equity or long-term debt securities or have any equity interest in any firm, partnership, joint venture or other entity.

(xvi) Registration Rights . There are no persons with registration rights or other similar rights to have any securities registered for sale pursuant to the Registration Statement or otherwise registered for sale or sold by the Company under the 1933 Act pursuant to this Agreement.

(xvii) Absence of Violations, Defaults and Conflicts . Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is (A) in violation of its memorandum and articles of association, charter, by-laws or similar organizational document, (B) in default in the performance or observance of any obligation, agreement, covenant or condition contained in any contract, indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan or credit agreement, note, lease or other agreement or instrument to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or by which it or any of them may be bound or to which any of the properties or assets of the Company or any subsidiary is subject (collectively, “Agreements and Instruments”), except for such defaults that would not, singly or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect, or (C) in violation of any law, statute, rule, regulation, judgment, order, writ or decree of any arbitrator, court, governmental body, regulatory body, administrative agency or other authority, body or agency having jurisdiction over the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any of their respective properties, assets or operations (each, a “Governmental Entity”), except for such violations that would not, singly or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein and in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus (including the issuance and sale of the Securities and the use of the proceeds from the sale of the Securities as described therein under the caption “Use of Proceeds”) and compliance by the Company with its obligations hereunder have been duly authorized by all necessary board or shareholder resolutions and do not and will not, whether with or without the giving of notice or passage of time or both, conflict with or constitute a breach of, or default or Repayment Event (as defined below) under, or result in the creation or imposition of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon any properties or assets of the Company or any subsidiary pursuant to, the Agreements and Instruments (except for such conflicts, breaches, defaults or Repayment Events or liens, charges or encumbrances that would not, singly or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect), nor will such action result in any violation of the provisions of the memorandum and articles of association, charter, by-laws or similar organizational document of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any law, statute, rule, regulation, judgment, order, writ or decree of any Governmental Entity. As used herein, a “Repayment Event” means any event or condition which gives the holder of any note, debenture or other evidence of indebtedness (or any person acting on such holder’s behalf) the right to require the repurchase, redemption or repayment of all or a portion of such indebtedness by the Company or any of its subsidiaries. The indemnification and contribution provisions set forth in this Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement do not contravene any Isle of Man law and are in proper legal form under Isle of Man law for the enforcement thereof against the Company and its subsidiaries. It is not necessary that any such document be filed or recorded with any court or other authority in the Isle of Man or that any stamp or similar tax be paid on or in respect of any such document.

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(xviii) Absence of Labor Dispute . Except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, no labor dispute with the employees of the Company or any of its subsidiaries exists or, to the knowledge of the Company, is imminent, and the Company is not aware of any existing or imminent labor disturbance by the employees of any of its or any subsidiary’s principal suppliers, manufacturers, customers or contractors, , which, in either case, could result in a Material Adverse Effect.

(xix) Absence of Proceedings . Except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, there is no action, suit, proceeding, inquiry or investigation before or brought by any Governmental Entity now pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened, against or affecting the Company or any of its subsidiaries, which might result in a Material Adverse Effect, or which might materially and adversely affect their respective properties or assets or the consummation of the transactions contemplated in this Agreement or the performance by the Company of its obligations hereunder; and the aggregate of all pending legal or governmental proceedings to which the Company or any such subsidiary is a party or of which any of their respective properties or assets is the subject which are not described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, including ordinary routine litigation incidental to the business, if the subject of an unfavorable decision, ruling or finding, would not reasonably be likely to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

(xx) Accuracy of Exhibits . There are no contracts or documents, which are required to be described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus or to be filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement which have not been so described and filed as required.

(xxi) Absence of Further Requirements . No filing with, or authorization, approval, consent, license, order, registration, qualification or decree of, any Governmental Entity is necessary or required for the performance by the Company of its obligations hereunder, in connection with the offering, issuance or sale of the Securities hereunder or the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, except such as have been already obtained or as may be required under the 1933 Act, the 1933 Act Regulations, the rules of the New York Stock Exchange, state securities laws or the rules of FINRA.

(xxii) Possession of Licenses and Permits . The Company and its subsidiaries possess such permits, licenses, approvals, consents and other authorizations (collectively, “Governmental Licenses”) issued by the appropriate Governmental Entities necessary to conduct the business now operated by them, except where the failure so to possess would not, singly or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect. The Company and its subsidiaries are in compliance with the terms and conditions of all Governmental Licenses, except where the failure so to comply would not, singly or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect. All of the Governmental Licenses are valid and in full force and effect, except when the invalidity of such Governmental Licenses or the failure of such Governmental Licenses to be in full force and effect would not, singly or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has received any notice of proceedings relating to the revocation or modification of any Governmental Licenses which, singly or in the aggregate, if the subject of an unfavorable decision, ruling or finding, would result in a Material Adverse Effect.

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(xxiii) Title to Property . The Company and its subsidiaries have good and marketable title to all real property owned by them and good title to all other properties owned by them, in each case, free and clear of all mortgages, pledges, liens, security interests, claims, restrictions or encumbrances of any kind except such as (A) are described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus or (B) (i) do not, singly or in the aggregate, materially affect the value of such property and do not interfere with the use made and proposed to be made of such property by the Company or any of its subsidiaries; or (ii) would not, singly or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect; and, except as would not singly or in the aggregate result in a Material Adverse Effect, all of the leases and subleases of the Company and its subsidiaries, considered as one enterprise, and under which the Company or any of its subsidiaries holds properties described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus, are in full force and effect, and neither the Company nor any such subsidiary has any notice of any material claim of any sort that has been asserted by anyone adverse to the rights of the Company or any subsidiary under any of the leases or subleases mentioned above, or affecting or questioning the rights of the Company or such subsidiary to the continued possession of the leased or subleased premises under any such lease or sublease.

(xxiv) Possession of Intellectual Property . The Company and its subsidiaries own, possess, license or have other rights to use on reasonable terms, all patents, trademarks and service marks, trade names, copyrights, domain names (in each case including all registrations and applications to register same), inventions, trade secrets, technology, know-how, and other intellectual property (collectively, the “Intellectual Property”), necessary for the conduct of the businesses now or proposed to be operated by them as described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus to be conducted by the Company and its subsidiaries. Except as described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus and except as would not, singly or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect, (A) the Company and its subsidiaries own, or have rights to use under license, all such Intellectual Property free and clear in all respects of all adverse claims, liens or other encumbrances, including without limitation, claims by current and former employees, freelance authors or independent contractors; (B) to the knowledge of the Company, there is no infringement by third parties of any such Intellectual Property; (C) there is no pending or, to the Company’s knowledge, threatened action, suit, proceeding or claim by any third party, including by or in any court or governmental agency or body having jurisdiction over the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any of their properties, challenging the Company’s or its subsidiaries’ rights in or to any such Intellectual Property, and the Company is not aware of any reasonable basis for any such claim; (D) there is no pending or, to the Company’s knowledge, threatened action, suit, proceeding or claim by any third party, including by or in any court or governmental agency or body having jurisdiction over the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any of their properties, challenging the validity, scope or enforceability of any such Intellectual Property, and the Company is not aware of any reasonable basis for any such claim; (E) there is no pending or, to the Company’s knowledge, threatened action, suit, proceeding or claim by any third party, including by or in any court or governmental agency or body having jurisdiction over the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any of their properties, that the Company or any subsidiary infringes or otherwise violates any patent, trademark, copyright, trade secret or other proprietary rights of any third party, and the Company is not aware of any reasonable basis for any such claim; and (F) except with respect to Indian copyrights which are governed by Indian common law, all of the copyrights owned by the Company and its subsidiaries have been duly registered in the appropriate offices of foreign jurisdictions; the registrations for each of the copyrights is enforceable and unexpired, is free of liens, and has not been abandoned; and (G) no actions are necessary (including filing of documents or payment of fees) within 90 days after the date hereof to maintain or preserve the validity or status of any Intellectual Property.

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(xxv) Environmental Laws . Except as described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus or would not, singly or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect, (A) neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is in violation of any federal, state, local or foreign statute, law, rule, regulation, ordinance, code, policy or rule of common law or any judicial or administrative interpretation thereof, including any judicial or administrative order, consent, decree or judgment, relating to pollution or protection of human health, the environment (including, without limitation, ambient air, surface water, groundwater, land surface or subsurface strata) or wildlife, including, without limitation, laws and regulations relating to the release or threatened release of chemicals, pollutants, contaminants, wastes, toxic substances, hazardous substances, petroleum or petroleum products, asbestos-containing materials or mold (collectively, “Hazardous Materials”) or to the manufacture, processing, distribution, use, treatment, storage, disposal, transport or handling of Hazardous Materials (collectively, “Environmental Laws”), (B) the Company and its subsidiaries have all permits, authorizations and approvals required under any applicable Environmental Laws and are each in compliance with their requirements, (C) there are no pending or threatened administrative, regulatory or judicial actions, suits, demands, demand letters, claims, liens, notices of noncompliance or violation, investigation or proceedings relating to any Environmental Law against the Company or any of its subsidiaries and (D) there are no events or circumstances that would reasonably be expected to form the basis of an order for clean-up or remediation, or an action, suit or proceeding by any private party or Governmental Entity, against or affecting the Company or any of its subsidiaries relating to Hazardous Materials or any Environmental Laws.

(xxvi) Accounting Controls . The Company and each of its subsidiaries maintain effective internal control over financial reporting (as defined under Rule 13-a15 and 15d-15 under the 1934 Act Regulations) and a system of internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurances that (A) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization; (B) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with IFRS and to maintain accountability for assets; (C) access to assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization; and (D) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with the existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences. Except as described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, since the end of the Company’s most recent audited fiscal year, there has been (1) no material weakness in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (whether or not remediated) and (2) no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

(xxvii) Compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. The Company has taken all necessary actions to ensure that, upon the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, it will be in compliance with all applicable provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and all rules and regulations promulgated thereunder or implementing the provisions thereof (the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act”) that are then in effect and with which the Company is required to comply with as of the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, and is actively taking steps to ensure that it will be in compliance with the other provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act which will become applicable to the Company after the effectiveness of the Registration Statement at the time such compliance is required.

(xxviii) Compliance with AIM . The Company has taken all necessary actions to ensure that it may delist from London Stock Exchange’s AIM Market (“AIM”) at 7:30 am U.K. time on the business day following listing of the Company’s Ordinary Shares on the New York Stock Exchange.

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(xxix) Payment of Taxes . All applicable material income and franchise tax returns of the Company and its subsidiaries required by law to be filed have been filed and all taxes shown by such returns or otherwise assessed, which are due and payable, have been paid, except assessments against which appeals have been or will be promptly taken and as to which adequate reserves have been provided. The Isle of Man and United Kingdom income tax returns of the Company through the fiscal year ended March 31, 2011 have been settled and no assessment in connection therewith has been made against the Company. The Company and its subsidiaries have filed all other tax returns that are required to have been filed by them pursuant to applicable foreign, state, local or other law except insofar as the failure to file such returns would not result in a Material Adverse Effect, and has paid all taxes due pursuant to such returns or pursuant to any assessment received by the Company and its subsidiaries, except for such taxes, if any, as are being contested in good faith and as to which adequate reserves have been established by the Company and/or its subsidiaries, as the case may be, or which taxes are not singly or in the aggregate, material to the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole. The charges, accruals and reserves on the books of the Company on a consolidated basis in respect of any income and corporation tax liability for any years not finally determined are adequate to meet any assessments or re-assessments for additional income tax for any years not finally determined, except to the extent of any inadequacy that would not result in a Material Adverse Effect.

(xxx) Insurance . The Company and its subsidiaries carry or are entitled to the benefits of insurance, with financially sound and reputable insurers, which the Company believes is in such amounts and covering such risks as is generally maintained by companies of established repute engaged in the same or similar business in the same regions in which the Company and its subsidiaries conduct their respective businesses, and except as would not, singly or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect, all such insurance is in full force and effect. The Company has no reason to believe that it or any of its subsidiaries will not be able (A) to renew its existing insurance coverage as and when such policies expire or (B) to obtain comparable coverage from similar institutions as may be necessary or appropriate to conduct its business as now conducted and at a cost that would not result in a Material Adverse Effect.

(xxxi) EPFA . None of the Company or any of its subsidiaries has received notice of any liability for any prohibited transaction or funding deficiency or any complete or partial withdrawal liability with respect to any pension, profit sharing or other plan that is subject to the Indian Employees’ Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act of 1952, as amended (“EPFA”), to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries makes or ever has made a contribution. With respect to such plans, the Company and each of its subsidiaries is in compliance in all material respects with all applicable provisions of EPFA.

(xxxii) Investment Company Act . The Company is not required, and upon the issuance and sale of the Securities as herein contemplated and the application of the net proceeds therefrom as described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus will not be required, to register as an “investment company” under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”).

(xxxiii) Absence of Manipulation . Neither the Company nor any affiliate of the Company has taken, nor will the Company or any affiliate take, directly or indirectly, any action which is designed, or would be expected, to cause or result in, or which constitutes, the stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company to facilitate the sale or resale of the Securities or to result in a violation of Regulation M under the 1934 Act.

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(xxxiv) Foreign Corrupt Practices Act . None of the Company, any of its subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of the Company, any director, officer, agent, employee, affiliate or other person acting on behalf of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is aware of or has taken any action, directly or indirectly, that would result in a violation by such persons of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder (the “FCPA”), the (U.K.) Bribery Act, 2010 (the “UK Act”) or the (Indian) Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, as amended (together with the FCPA and the UK Act, the “Anti-Corruption Acts”) including, without limitation, making use of the mails or any means or instrumentality of interstate commerce corruptly in furtherance of an offer, payment, promise to pay or authorization of the payment of any money, or other property, gift, promise to give, or authorization of the giving of anything of value to any “foreign official” (as such term is defined in the FCPA) or any foreign political party or official thereof or any candidate for foreign political office, in contravention of any of the Anti-Corruption Acts and the Company and, to the knowledge of the Company, its affiliates have conducted their businesses in compliance with each of the Anti-Corruption Acts and have instituted and maintain policies and procedures designed to ensure, and which are reasonably expected to continue to ensure, continued compliance therewith.

(xxxv) Money Laundering Laws . The operations of the Company and its subsidiaries are and have been conducted at all times in compliance with applicable financial recordkeeping and reporting requirements of the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act of 1970, as amended, the money laundering statutes of all jurisdictions, the rules and regulations thereunder and any related or similar rules, regulations or guidelines, issued, administered or enforced by any Governmental Entity (collectively, the “Money Laundering Laws”); and no action, suit or proceeding by or before any Governmental Entity involving the Company or any of its subsidiaries with respect to the Money Laundering Laws is pending or, to the best knowledge of the Company, threatened.

(xxxvi) OFAC . None of the Company, any of its subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of the Company, any director, officer, employee, agent, affiliate, representative or other person acting on behalf of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is an individual or entity (“Person”) currently the subject of any sanctions administered or enforced by the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control, the United National Security Council, the European Union, Her Majesty’s Treasury, or other relevant sanctions authority (collectively, “Sanctions”), nor is the Company or any of its subsidiaries located, organized or resident in a country or territory that is the subject of Sanctions. None of the Company or its subsidiaries will, directly or indirectly, use the proceeds from the sale of the Securities, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any subsidiary, joint venture partner or other Person, to fund any activities of or any business with any Person, or in Burma/Myanmar, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan, or any other country or territory that, at the time of such funding, is the subject of Sanctions, or in any other manner that will result in a violation by any Person (including any Person participating in the offering of the Securities, whether as underwriter, advisor, investor or otherwise) of Sanctions.

(xxxvii) Lending Relationship . Except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, the Company (A) does not have any material lending or other relationship with any bank or lending affiliate of any Underwriter and (B) does not intend to use any of the proceeds from the sale of the Securities to repay any outstanding debt owed to any affiliate of any Underwriter.

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(xxxviii) Dividends and Distributions . Except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, there are no restrictions under applicable law nor any approvals currently required (including any foreign exchange or foreign currency approvals) in order for the Company to pay dividends or other distributions declared by the Company to holders of shares of its capital stock, or to the knowledge of the Company, for the conversion by such holders of any dividends to U.S. dollars or the repatriation thereof out of the jurisdiction of organization of the Company. Except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, no subsidiary of the Company is currently contractually prohibited, directly or indirectly, from paying any dividends to the Company, from making any other distribution on such subsidiary’s capital stock, from repaying to the Company any loans or advances to such subsidiary from the Company or from transferring any of such subsidiary’s property or assets to the Company or any other Subsidiary of the Company. Except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, no such dividends and other distributions, including such dividends to persons not resident in the jurisdiction of organization of the entity making such dividends or other distributions, are currently subject to withholding or other taxes, levies or charges under applicable laws and regulations.

(xxxix) Passive Foreign Investment Company . For the fiscal years ending March 31, 2011, and March 31, 2012, the Company was not, and for future fiscal years the Company does not expect to be, a “passive foreign investment company” as defined in Section 1297 of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

(xl) Foreign Private Issuer . The Company is a “foreign private issuer” within the meaning of Rule 405 of the 1933 Act Regulations.

(xli) Stamp and Other Taxes. Other than as set forth in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, no transaction tax, issue tax, stamp duty or other issuance or transfer tax or duty or withholding tax is or will be payable by or on behalf of the Underwriters, or otherwise imposed on any payments made to the Underwriters, in connection with (A) the sale and delivery on behalf of the Company of the Securities to or for the respective accounts of the Underwriters as set forth in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, and pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, (B) the sale and delivery by the Underwriters of the Securities to the purchasers thereof in the manner contemplated pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or (C) any other transaction or payment contemplated by this Agreement. To ensure the legality, validity, enforceability or admissibility into evidence in a legal or administrative proceeding in the Isle of Man of this Agreement, it is not necessary that this Agreement be filed or recorded with any court or other authority in the Isle of Man or that any registration tax, stamp duty or similar tax be paid in Isle of Man on or in respect of any of this Agreement or the Securities or any other document to be furnished hereunder or thereunder.

(xlii) Choice of Law . The choice of the laws of the State of New York as the governing law of this Agreement is a valid choice of law under the laws of the jurisdiction of organization of the Company, and courts in this jurisdiction will honor this choice of law. The Company has the power to submit, and pursuant to this Agreement, has validly and irrevocably submitted, to the personal jurisdiction of the Specified Courts (as defined in Section 17 hereof) in any suit, action or proceeding against it arising out of or related to this Agreement, or with respect to its obligations, liabilities or any other matter arising out of or in connection with the sale of the Securities, and has validly and irrevocably waived any objection to the venue of a proceeding in any such court, and the Company has the power to designate, appoint and empower, and pursuant to this Agreement, has validly appointed the Authorized Agent named in Section 17 hereof, and service of process effected in the manner set forth in Section 17 hereof will be effective to confer valid personal jurisdiction over the Company.

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(xliii) Jurisdiction . The Company is subject to civil and commercial law and to suit in its jurisdiction of organization with respect to its obligations under this Agreement. The execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Company and the performance by the Company of its obligations hereunder constitute private and commercial acts rather than governmental or public acts and neither the Company nor any of its properties, assets or revenues has any right of immunity under applicable law from any legal action, suit or proceeding, from the giving of any relief in any such legal action, suit or proceeding, from setoff or counterclaim, from the jurisdiction of any court in its jurisdiction of organization, from service of process, attachment upon or prior to judgment, or attachment in aid of execution of judgment or from execution of a judgment, or other legal process or proceeding for the giving of any relief or for the enforcement of a judgment, in any such court, with respect to its obligations, liabilities or any other matter under or arising out of or in connection with this Agreement and, to the extent that the Company or the Company’s properties, assets or revenues may have or may hereafter become entitled to any such right of immunity in any such court in which proceedings may at any time be commenced, the Company has waived or has agreed to waive such right to the extent permitted by law.

(xliv) Statistical and Market-Related Data . Any statistical and market-related data included in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus are based on or derived from sources that the Company believes to be reliable and accurate and, to the extent required, the Company has obtained the written consent to the use of such data from such sources.

(b) Representations and Warranties by the Selling Shareholders . Each Selling Shareholder represents and warrants to each Underwriter as of the date hereof, as of the Applicable Time, as of the Closing Time and, if such Selling Shareholder is selling Option Securities on a Date of Delivery, as of each such Date of Delivery, and agrees with each Underwriter, as follows:

(i) Accurate Disclosure . To the knowledge of such Selling Shareholder, neither the General Disclosure Package nor the Prospectus or any amendments or supplements thereto includes any untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; such Selling Shareholder is not prompted to sell the Securities to be sold by such Selling Shareholder hereunder by any information concerning the Company or any subsidiary of the Company which is not set forth in the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus.

(ii) Authorization of this Agreement . If the Selling Shareholder is not a natural person, his Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by or on behalf of such Selling Shareholder.

(iii) Authorization of Power of Attorney and Custody Agreement . If the Selling Shareholder is not a natural person, the Power of Attorney and Custody Agreement, in the form heretofore furnished to the Representatives (the “Power of Attorney and Custody Agreement”), has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by such Selling Shareholder and is the valid and binding agreement of such Selling Shareholder.

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(iv) Noncontravention . The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the Power of Attorney and Custody Agreement and the sale and delivery of the Securities to be sold by such Selling Shareholder and the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein and compliance by such Selling Shareholder with its obligations hereunder do not and will not, whether with or without the giving of notice or passage of time or both, conflict with or constitute a breach of, or default under, or result in the creation or imposition of any tax, lien, charge or encumbrance upon the Securities to be sold by such Selling Shareholder or any material property or material assets of such Selling Shareholder pursuant to any material contract, indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan or credit agreement, note, license, lease or other agreement or instrument to which such Selling Shareholder is a party or by which such Selling Shareholder may be bound, or to which any of the material property or material assets of such Selling Shareholder is subject, nor will such action result in any violation of the provisions of the charter or by-laws or other organizational instrument of such Selling Shareholder, if applicable, or any applicable treaty, law, statute, rule, regulation, judgment, order, writ or decree of any government, government instrumentality or court, domestic or foreign, having jurisdiction over such Selling Shareholder or any of its properties.

(v) Valid Title . Such Selling Shareholder has, and at the Closing Time and, if such Selling Shareholder is selling Option Securities on a Date of Delivery, as of each such Date of Delivery, will have, valid title to the Securities to be sold by such Selling Shareholder free and clear of all security interests, claims, liens, equities or other encumbrances and the legal right and power, and all authorization and approval required by law, to enter into this Agreement and the Power of Attorney and Custody Agreement and to sell, transfer and deliver the Securities to be sold by such Selling Shareholder or a valid security entitlement in respect of such Securities.

(vi) Delivery of Securities . Upon payment of the purchase price for the Securities to be sold by such Selling Shareholder pursuant to this Agreement, delivery of such Securities, as directed by the Underwriters, to Cede & Co. (“Cede”) or such other nominee as may be designated by The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) (unless delivery of such Securities is unnecessary because such Securities are already in possession of Cede or such nominee, registration of such Securities in the name of Cede or such other nominee (unless registration of such Securities is unnecessary because such Securities are already registered in the name of Cede or such nominee), and the crediting of such Securities on the books of DTC to securities accounts (within the meaning of Section 8-501(a) of the UCC) of the Underwriters (assuming that neither DTC nor any such Underwriter has notice of any “adverse claim,” within the meaning of Section 8-105 of the Uniform Commercial Code then in effect in the State of New York (“UCC”), to such Securities), (A) under Section 8-501 of the UCC, the Underwriters will acquire a valid “security entitlement” in respect of such Securities and (B) no action (whether framed in conversion, replevin, constructive trust, equitable lien, or other theory) based on any “adverse claim,” within the meaning of Section 8-102 of the UCC, to such Securities may be asserted against the Underwriters with respect to such security entitlement; for purposes of this representation, such Selling Shareholder may assume that when such payment, delivery (if necessary) and crediting occur, (I) such Securities will have been registered in the name of Cede or another nominee designated by DTC, in each case on the Company’s share registry in accordance with its certificate of incorporation, bylaws and applicable law, (II) DTC will be registered as a “clearing corporation,” within the meaning of Section 8-102 of the UCC, (III) appropriate entries to the accounts of the several Underwriters on the records of DTC will have been made pursuant to the UCC, (IV) to the extent DTC, or any other securities intermediary which acts as “clearing corporation” with respect to the Securities, maintains any “financial asset” (as defined in Section 8-102(a)(9) of the UCC in a clearing corporation pursuant to Section 8-111 of the UCC, the rules of such clearing corporation may affect the rights of DTC or such securities intermediaries and the ownership interest of the Underwriters, (V) claims of creditors of DTC or any other securities intermediary or clearing corporation may be given priority to the extent set forth in Section 8-511(b) and 8-511(c) of the UCC and (VI) if at any time DTC or other securities intermediary does not have sufficient Securities to satisfy claims of all of its entitlement holders with respect thereto then all holders will share pro rata in the Securities then held by DTC or such securities intermediary.

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(vii) Absence of Further Requirements . No filing with, or consent, approval, authorization, order, registration, qualification or decree of any arbitrator, court, governmental body, regulatory body or administrative agency, is necessary or required for the performance by each Selling Shareholder of its obligations hereunder or in the Power of Attorney and Custody Agreement, or in connection with the sale and delivery of the Securities hereunder or the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, except such as have been already obtained or as may be required under the 1933 Act, the 1933 Act Regulations, the rules of the New York Stock Exchange, state securities laws or the rules of FINRA.

(viii) No Registration or Other Similar Rights . Such Selling Shareholder does not have any registration or other similar rights to have any equity or debt securities registered for sale by the Company under the Registration Statement or included in the offering contemplated by this Agreement.

(ix) Absence of Manipulation . Neither such Selling Shareholder nor any affiliate of such Selling Shareholder has taken, nor will such Selling Shareholder or any affiliate take, directly or indirectly, any action which is designed, or would be expected, to cause or result in, or which constitutes, the stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company to facilitate the sale or resale of the Securities or to result in a violation of Regulation M under the 1934 Act.

(x) Foreign Corrupt Practices Act . None of such Selling Shareholder, any of its subsidiaries, as applicable, or, to the knowledge of such Selling Shareholder, as applicable, any director, officer, agent, employee, affiliate or other person acting on behalf of such Selling Shareholder or any of its subsidiaries, as applicable, is aware of or has taken any action, directly or indirectly, that would result in a violation by such persons of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder (the “FCPA”), the (U.K.) Bribery Act, 2010 (the “UK Act”) or the (Indian) Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, as amended (together with the FCPA and the UK Act, the “Anti-Corruption Acts”) including, without limitation, making use of the mails or any means or instrumentality of interstate commerce corruptly in furtherance of an offer, payment, promise to pay or authorization of the payment of any money, or other property, gift, promise to give, or authorization of the giving of anything of value to any “foreign official” (as such term is defined in the FCPA) or any foreign political party or official thereof or any candidate for foreign political office, in contravention of any of the Anti-Corruption Acts and such Selling Shareholder and, to the knowledge of such Selling Shareholder, its affiliates have conducted their businesses in compliance with each of the Anti-Corruption Acts and have instituted and maintain policies and procedures designed to ensure, and which are reasonably expected to continue to ensure, continued compliance therewith.

(xi) Money Laundering Laws . The operations of such Selling Shareholder and its subsidiaries, as applicable, are and have been conducted at all times in compliance with applicable financial recordkeeping and reporting requirements of the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act of 1970, as amended, the money laundering statutes of all jurisdictions, the rules and regulations thereunder and any related or similar rules, regulations or guidelines, issued, administered or enforced by any Governmental Entity (collectively, the “Money Laundering Laws”); and no action, suit or proceeding by or before any Governmental Entity involving such Selling Shareholder or any of its subsidiaries, as applicable, with respect to the Money Laundering Laws is pending or, to the best knowledge of such Selling Shareholder, threatened.

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(xii) OFAC . None of such Selling Shareholder, any of its subsidiaries, as applicable, or, to the knowledge of such Selling Shareholder, any director, officer, employee, agent, affiliate, representative or other person, as applicable, acting on behalf of such Selling Shareholder or any of its subsidiaries, as applicable, is a Person currently the subject of any sanctions administered or enforced by the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control, the United National Security Council, the European Union, Her Majesty’s Treasury, or other relevant sanctions authority (collectively, “Sanctions”), nor is such Selling Shareholder or any of its subsidiaries, as applicable, located, organized or resident in a country or territory that is the subject of Sanctions. None of such Selling Shareholder or its subsidiaries, as applicable, will, directly or indirectly, use the proceeds from the sale of the Securities, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any subsidiary, joint venture partner or other Person, to fund any activities of or any business with any Person, or in Burma/Myanmar, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan, or any other country or territory that, at the time of such funding, is the subject of Sanctions, or in any other manner that will result in a violation by any Person (including any Person participating in the offering of the Securities, whether as underwriter, advisor, investor or otherwise) of Sanctions.

(xiii) Choice of Law . The choice of the laws of the State of New York as the governing law of this Agreement is a valid choice of law under the laws of the jurisdiction of organization of the Selling Shareholder, and courts in this jurisdiction will honor this choice of law. Such Selling Shareholder has the power to submit, and pursuant to this Agreement, has validly and irrevocably submitted, to the personal jurisdiction of the Specified Courts (as defined below) in any suit, action or proceeding against it arising out of or related to this Agreement, or with respect to its obligations, liabilities or any other matter arising out of or in connection with the sale of the Securities, and has validly and irrevocably waived any objection to the venue of a proceeding in any such court, and such Selling Shareholder, if organized outside of the United States, has the power to designate, appoint and empower, and pursuant to this Agreement, has validly appointed the Authorized Agent named in Section 17 hereof, and service of process effected in the manner set forth in Section 17 hereof will be effective to confer valid personal jurisdiction over such Selling Shareholder.

(xiv) Jurisdiction . Such Selling Shareholder is subject to civil and commercial law and to suit in its jurisdiction of organization with respect to its obligations under this Agreement. The execution and delivery of this Agreement by such Selling Shareholder and the performance by such Selling Shareholder of its obligations hereunder constitute private and commercial acts rather than governmental or public acts and neither such Selling Shareholder nor any of its properties, assets or revenues has any right of immunity under applicable law from any legal action, suit or proceeding, from the giving of any relief in any such legal action, suit or proceeding, from setoff or counterclaim, from the jurisdiction of any court in its jurisdiction of organization, from service of process, attachment upon or prior to judgment, or attachment in aid of execution of judgment or from execution of a judgment, or other legal process or proceeding for the giving of any relief or for the enforcement of a judgment, in any such court, with respect to its obligations, liabilities or any other matter under or arising out of or in connection with this Agreement and, to the extent that such Selling Shareholder or its properties, assets or revenues may have or may hereafter become entitled to any such right of immunity in any such court in which proceedings may at any time be commenced, such Selling Shareholder has waived or has agreed to waive such right to the extent permitted by law.

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(xv) No Free Writing Prospectuses . Such Selling Shareholder has not prepared or had prepared on its behalf or used or referred to, any “free writing prospectus” (as defined in Rule 405), and has not distributed any written materials in connection with the offer or sale of the Securities.

(xvi) No Association with FINRA . Neither such Selling Shareholder nor any of its affiliates directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with any member firm of FINRA or is a person associated with a member (within the meaning of the FINRA By-Laws) of FINRA.

(c) Officer’s Certificates . Any certificate signed by any officer of the Company or any of its subsidiaries delivered to the Representatives or to counsel for the Underwriters shall be deemed a representation and warranty by the Company to each Underwriter as to the matters covered thereby; and any certificate signed by or on behalf of one or more Selling Shareholders as such and delivered to the Representatives or to counsel for the Underwriters pursuant to the terms of this Agreement shall be deemed a representation and warranty by such Selling Shareholder(s) to the Underwriters as to the matters covered thereby.

SECTION 2. Sale and Delivery to Underwriters; Closing .

(a) Initial Securities . On the basis of the representations and warranties herein contained and subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth, the Company and the Selling Shareholders, severally and not jointly, agree to sell to each Underwriter, severally and not jointly, and each Underwriter, severally and not jointly, agrees to purchase from the Company and the Selling Shareholders, at the price per share set forth in Schedule A , that proportion of the number of Initial Securities set forth in Schedule B opposite the name of the Company or such Selling Shareholder, as the case may be, which the number of Initial Securities set forth in Schedule A opposite the name of such Underwriter, plus any additional number of Initial Securities which such Underwriter may become obligated to purchase pursuant to the provisions of Section 10 hereof, bears to the total number of Initial Securities, subject, in each case, to such adjustments among the Underwriters as Deutsche Bank in its sole discretion shall make to eliminate any sales or purchases of fractional shares.

(b) Option Securities . In addition, on the basis of the representations and warranties herein contained and subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth, the Company and Beech Investments Limited, acting severally and not jointly, hereby grant(s) an option to the Underwriters, severally and not jointly, to purchase up to an additional [ l ] and [ l ] Ordinary Shares, respectively, as set forth in Schedule B , on a pro rata basis, at the price per share set forth in Schedule A , less an amount per share equal to any dividends or distributions declared by the Company and payable on the Initial Securities but not payable on the Option Securities. The option hereby granted may be exercised for 30 days after the date hereof and may be exercised in whole or in part from time to time only for the purpose of covering overallotments made in connection with the offering and distribution of the Initial Securities upon notice by the Representatives to the Company and Beech Investments Limited setting forth the number of Option Securities as to which the several Underwriters are then exercising the option and the time and date of payment and delivery for such Option Securities. Any such time and date of delivery (a “Date of Delivery”) shall be determined by the Representatives, but shall not be later than seven full business days after the exercise of said option, nor in any event prior to the Closing Time. If the option is exercised as to all or any portion of the Option Securities, each of the Underwriters, acting severally and not jointly, will purchase that proportion of the total number of Option Securities then being purchased which the number of Initial Securities set forth in Schedule A opposite the name of such Underwriter bears to the total number of Initial Securities, subject, in each case, to such adjustments as Deutsche Bank in its sole discretion shall make to eliminate any sales or purchases of fractional shares.

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(c) Payment . Payment of the purchase price for, and delivery of certificates for, the Initial Securities shall be made at the offices of O’Melveny & Myers LLP, 1999 Avenue of the Stars, 7th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90067 or at such other place as shall be agreed upon by the Representatives and the Company and the Selling Shareholders, at 9:00 A.M. (New York City time) on the third (fourth, if the pricing occurs after 4:30 P.M. (New York City time) on any given day) business day after the date hereof (unless postponed in accordance with the provisions of Section 10), or such other time not later than ten business days after such date as shall be agreed upon by the Representatives and the Company and the Selling Shareholders (such time and date of payment and delivery being herein called “Closing Time”).

In addition, in the event that any or all of the Option Securities are purchased by the Underwriters, payment of the purchase price for, and delivery of certificates for, such Option Securities shall be made at the above-mentioned offices, or at such other place as shall be agreed upon by the Representatives and the Company and the Selling Shareholders, on each Date of Delivery as specified in the notice from Deutsche Bank to the Company and the Selling Shareholders.

Payment shall be made to the Company and the Selling Shareholder by wire transfer of immediately available funds to bank accounts designated by the Company and the Custodian pursuant to each Selling Shareholder’s Power of Attorney and Custody Agreement, as the case may be, against delivery to the Representatives for the respective accounts of the Underwriters of certificates for the Securities to be purchased by them. It is understood that each Underwriter has authorized the Representatives, for its account, to accept delivery of, receipt for, and make payment of the purchase price for, the Initial Securities and the Option Securities, if any, which it has agreed to purchase. Deutsche Bank, individually and not as representative of the Underwriters, may (but shall not be obligated to) make payment of the purchase price for the Initial Securities or the Option Securities, if any, to be purchased by any Underwriter whose funds have not been received by the Closing Time or the relevant Date of Delivery, as the case may be, but such payment shall not relieve such Underwriter from its obligations hereunder.

(d) Denominations; Registration . Certificates for the Initial Securities and the Option Securities, if any, shall be in such denominations and registered in such names as the Representatives may request in writing at least one full business day before the Closing Time or the relevant Date of Delivery, as the case may be. The certificates for the Initial Securities and the Option Securities, if any, will be made available for examination and packaging by the Representatives in The City of New York not later than 10:00 A.M. (New York City time) on the business day prior to the Closing Time or the relevant Date of Delivery, as the case may be.

SECTION 3. Covenants of the Company and the Selling Shareholders . The Company and the Selling Shareholders (as to the Selling Shareholders, solely with respect to subsection (l) hereof) covenant with each Underwriter as follows:

(a) Compliance with Securities Regulations and Commission Requests . The Company, subject to Section 3(b), will comply with the requirements of Rule 430A, and will notify the Representatives promptly, and confirm the notice in writing, (i) when any post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement shall become effective or any amendment or supplement to the Prospectus shall have been filed, (ii) of the receipt of any comments from the Commission, (iii) of any request by the Commission for any amendment to the Registration Statement or any amendment or supplement to the Prospectus or for additional information, (iv) of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment or of any order preventing or suspending the use of any preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus, or of the suspension of the qualification of the Securities for offering or sale in any jurisdiction, or of the initiation or threatening of any proceedings for any of such purposes or of any examination pursuant to Section 8(d)

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or 8(e) of the 1933 Act concerning the Registration Statement and (v) if the Company becomes the subject of a proceeding under Section 8A of the 1933 Act in connection with the offering of the Securities. The Company will effect all filings required under Rule 424(b), in the manner and within the time period required by Rule 424(b) (without reliance on Rule 424(b)(8)), and will take such steps as it deems necessary to ascertain promptly whether the form of prospectus transmitted for filing under Rule 424(b) was received for filing by the Commission and, in the event that it was not, it will promptly file such prospectus. The Company will make use commercially reasonable efforts to prevent the issuance of any stop order, prevention or suspension and, if any such order is issued, to obtain the lifting thereof at the earliest possible moment.

(b) Continued Compliance with Securities Laws . The Company will comply with the applicable provisions 1933 Act and the 1933 Act Regulations so as to permit the completion of the distribution of the Securities as contemplated in this Agreement and in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus. If at any time when a prospectus relating to the Securities is (or, but for the exception afforded by Rule 172 of the 1933 Act Regulations (“Rule 172”), would be) required by the 1933 Act to be delivered in connection with sales of the Securities, any event shall occur or condition shall exist as a result of which it is necessary, in the opinion of counsel for the Underwriters or for the Company, to (i) amend the Registration Statement in order that the Registration Statement will not include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, (ii) amend or supplement the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus in order that the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus, as the case may be, will not include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein not misleading in the light of the circumstances existing at the time it is delivered to a purchaser or (iii) amend the Registration Statement or amend or supplement the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus, as the case may be, in order to comply with the requirements of the 1933 Act or the 1933 Act Regulations, the Company will promptly (A) give the Representatives notice of such event, (B) prepare any amendment or supplement as may be necessary to correct such statement or omission or to make the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus comply with such requirements and, a reasonable amount of time prior to any proposed filing or use, furnish the Representatives with copies of any such amendment or supplement and (C) file with the Commission any such amendment or supplement; provided that the Company shall not file or use any such amendment or supplement to which the Representatives or counsel for the Underwriters shall object. The Company will furnish to the Underwriters such number of copies of such amendment or supplement as the Underwriters may reasonably request.

(c) Delivery of Registration Statements . The Company has furnished or will deliver to the Representatives and counsel for the Underwriters, without charge, signed copies of the Registration Statement as originally filed and each amendment thereto (including exhibits filed) and signed copies of all consents and certificates of experts, and will also deliver to the Representatives, without charge, a conformed copy of the Registration Statement as originally filed and each amendment thereto (without exhibits) for each of the Underwriters. The copies of the Registration Statement and each amendment thereto furnished to the Underwriters will be identical to the electronically transmitted copies thereof filed with the Commission pursuant to EDGAR, except to the extent permitted by Regulation S-T.

(d) Delivery of Prospectuses . The Company has delivered to each Underwriter, without charge, as many copies of each preliminary prospectus as such Underwriter reasonably requested, and the Company hereby consents to the use of such copies for purposes permitted by the 1933 Act. The Company will furnish to each Underwriter, without charge, during the period when a prospectus relating to the Securities is (or, but for the exception afforded by Rule 172, would be) required to be delivered under the 1933 Act, such number of copies of the Prospectus (as amended or supplemented) as such Underwriter may reasonably request. The Prospectus and any amendments or supplements thereto furnished to the Underwriters will be identical to the electronically transmitted copies thereof filed with the Commission pursuant to EDGAR, except to the extent permitted by Regulation S-T.

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(e) Blue Sky Qualifications . The Company will use its commercially reasonable efforts, in cooperation with the Underwriters, to qualify the Securities for offering and sale under the applicable securities laws of such states and other jurisdictions (domestic or foreign) as the Representatives may designate and to maintain such qualifications in effect so long as required to complete the distribution of the Securities; provided, however, that the Company shall not be obligated to file any general consent to service of process or to qualify as a foreign corporation or as a dealer in securities in any jurisdiction in which it is not so qualified or to subject itself to taxation in respect of doing business in any jurisdiction in which it is not otherwise so subject.

(f) Rule 158 . The Company will timely file such reports pursuant to the 1934 Act as are necessary in order to make generally available to its securityholders as soon as practicable an earnings statement for the purposes of, and to provide to the Underwriters the benefits contemplated by, the last paragraph of Section 11(a) of the 1933 Act.

(g) Use of Proceeds . The Company will use the net proceeds received by it from the sale of the Securities in the manner specified in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus under “Use of Proceeds.”

(h) Listing and Delisting . The Company will use its commercially reasonable efforts to effect and maintain the listing of the Ordinary Shares (including the Securities) on the New York Stock Exchange and to terminate the listing of the Ordinary Shares on the AIM.

(i) Restriction on Sale of Securities . During a period of 180 days from the date of the Prospectus, the Company will not, without the prior written consent of the Representatives, (i) directly or indirectly, offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase or otherwise transfer or dispose of any Ordinary Shares or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Ordinary Shares or file any registration statement under the 1933 Act with respect to any of the foregoing or (ii) enter into any swap or any other agreement or any transaction that transfers, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, the economic consequence of ownership of the Ordinary Shares, whether any such swap or transaction described in clause (i) or (ii) above is to be settled by delivery of Ordinary Shares or such other securities, in cash or otherwise. The foregoing sentence shall not apply to (A) the Securities to be sold hereunder, (B) any Ordinary Shares issued by the Company upon the exercise of an option or warrant or the conversion of a security outstanding on the date hereof and referred to in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, or (C) any Ordinary Shares issued or options to purchase Ordinary Shares granted pursuant to existing employee benefit plans of the Company referred to in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if (1) during the last 17 days of the 180-day restricted period the Company issues an earnings release or material news or a material event relating to the Company occurs or (2) prior to the expiration of the 180-day restricted period, the Company announces that it will issue an earnings release or becomes aware that material news or a material event will occur during the 16-day period beginning on the last day of the 180-day restricted period, the restrictions imposed in this clause (i) shall continue to apply until the expiration of the 18-day period beginning on the date of the issuance of the earnings release or the occurrence of the material news or material event, unless the Representatives waive, in writing, such extension.

(j) If the Representatives, in their sole discretion, agree to release or waive the restrictions set forth in a lock-up agreement described in Section 5(k) hereof for an officer or director of the Company and provides the Company with notice of the impending release or waiver at least three business days before the effective date of the release or waiver, the Company agrees to announce the impending release or waiver by a press release substantially in the form of Exhibit D hereto through a major news service at least two business days before the effective date of the release or waiver.

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(k) Reporting Requirements . The Company, during the period when a Prospectus relating to the Securities is (or, but for the exception afforded by Rule 172, would be) required to be delivered under the 1933 Act, will file all documents required to be filed with the Commission pursuant to the 1934 Act within the time periods required by the 1934 Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission under the 1934 Act (the “1934 Act Regulations”). Additionally, the Company shall report the use of proceeds from the issuance of the Shares as may be required under Rule 463 under the 1933 Act.

(l) Issuer Free Writing Prospectuses . Each of the Company and the Selling Shareholders agrees that, unless it obtains the prior written consent of the Representatives, it will not make any offer relating to the Securities that would constitute an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or that would otherwise constitute a “free writing prospectus,” or a portion thereof, required to be filed by the Company with the Commission or retained by the Company under Rule 433; provided that the Representatives will be deemed to have consented to the Issuer Free Writing Prospectuses listed on Schedule C-2 hereto and any “road show that is a written communication” within the meaning of Rule 433(d)(8)(i) that has been reviewed by the Representatives. Each of the Company and the Selling Shareholders represents that it has treated or agrees that it will treat each such free writing prospectus consented to, or deemed consented to, by the Representatives as an “issuer free writing prospectus,” as defined in Rule 433, and that it has complied and will comply with the applicable requirements of Rule 433 with respect thereto, including timely filing with the Commission where required, legending and record keeping. If at any time following issuance of an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus there occurred or occurs an event or development as a result of which such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus conflicted or would conflict with the information contained in the Registration Statement, any preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus or included or would include an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted or would omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances existing at that subsequent time, not misleading, the Company will promptly notify the Representatives and will promptly amend or supplement, at its own expense, such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus to eliminate or correct such conflict, untrue statement or omission.

(m) Testing-the-Waters Materials . If at any time following the distribution of any Written Testing-the-Waters Communication there occurred or occurs an event or development as a result of which such Written Testing-the-Waters Communication included or would include an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted or would omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances existing at that subsequent time, not misleading, the Company will promptly notify the Representatives and will promptly amend or supplement, at its own expense, such Written Testing-the-Waters Communication to eliminate or correct such untrue statement or omission.

(n) Emerging Growth Company Status . The Company will promptly notify the Representatives if the Company ceases to be an Emerging Growth Company at any time prior to the later of (i) completion of the distribution of the Securities within the meaning of the Securities Act and (ii) completion of the 180-day restricted period referred to in Section 3(i).

SECTION 4. Payment of Expenses .

(a) Expenses . The Company will pay or cause to be paid all expenses incident to the performance of their obligations under this Agreement, including (i) the preparation, printing and filing of the Registration Statement (including financial statements and exhibits) as originally filed and each amendment thereto, (ii) the preparation, printing and delivery to the Underwriters of copies of each

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preliminary prospectus, each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus and the Prospectus and any amendments or supplements thereto and any costs associated with electronic delivery of any of the foregoing by the Underwriters to investors, (iii) the preparation, issuance and delivery of the certificates for the Securities to the Underwriters, including any share or other transfer taxes and any stamp or other duties payable upon the sale, issuance or delivery of the Securities to the Underwriters, (iv) the fees and disbursements of the Company’s counsel, accountants and other advisors, (v) the qualification of the Securities under securities laws in accordance with the provisions of Section 3(e) hereof, including filing fees and the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the Underwriters in connection therewith and in connection with the preparation of the Blue Sky Survey and any supplement thereto, (vi) the fees and expenses of any transfer agent or registrar for the Securities, (vii) the costs and expenses of the Company relating to investor presentations on any “road show” undertaken in connection with the marketing of the Securities, including without limitation, expenses associated with the production of road show slides and graphics, fees and expenses of any consultants engaged with the Company's consent in connection with the road show presentations, travel and lodging expenses of the representatives and officers of the Company and any such consultants, and the cost of aircraft and other transportation chartered in connection with the road show with the Company's prior consent, (viii) the filing fees incident to, and the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel to the Underwriters in connection with, the review by FINRA of the terms of the sale of the Securities, (ix) the fees and expenses incurred in connection with the listing of the Securities on the New York Stock Exchange, (x) any fees and expenses of the Authorized Agent relating to or arising out of this Agreement, (xi) any fees and expenses associated with delisting from the AIM Market and (xii) the reasonable costs and expenses (including, without limitation, any damages or other amounts payable in connection with legal or contractual liability) associated with the reforming of any contracts for sale of the Securities made by the Underwriters caused by a breach of the representation contained in the third sentence of Section 1(a)(ii).

(b) Expenses of the Selling Shareholders . The Selling Shareholders will pay all expenses incident to the performance of its obligations under, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by, this Agreement, including (i) any stamp and other duties and share and other transfer taxes, if any, payable upon the sale of the Securities to the Underwriters and their transfer between the Underwriters pursuant to an agreement between such Underwriters, and (ii) the fees and disbursements of its counsel and other advisors.

(c) Termination of Agreement . If this Agreement is terminated by the Representatives in accordance with the provisions of Section 5, Section 9(a)(i) or (iii), Section 10 or Section 11 hereof, the Company and the Selling Shareholders shall reimburse the Underwriters for all of their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, including the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the Underwriters.

(d) Allocation of Expenses . The provisions of this Section shall not affect any agreement that the Company and the Selling Shareholders may make for the sharing of such costs and expenses.

SECTION 5. Conditions of Underwriters’ Obligations . The obligations of the several Underwriters hereunder are subject to the accuracy of the representations and warranties of the Company and the Selling Shareholders contained herein or in certificates of any officer of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or on behalf of the Selling Shareholders delivered pursuant to the provisions hereof, to the performance by the Company and the Selling Shareholders of their respective covenants and other obligations hereunder, and to the following further conditions:

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(a) Effectiveness of Registration Statement; Rule 430A Information . The Registration Statement, including any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, has become effective and at Closing Time no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto has been issued under the 1933 Act, no order preventing or suspending the use of any preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus has been issued and no proceedings for any of those purposes have been instituted or are pending or, to the Company’s knowledge, contemplated; and the Company has complied with each request (if any) from the Commission for additional information. A prospectus containing the Rule 430A Information shall have been filed with the Commission in the manner and within the time frame required by Rule 424(b) without reliance on Rule 424(b)(8) or a post-effective amendment providing such information shall have been filed with, and declared effective by, the Commission in accordance with the requirements of Rule 430A.

(b) Opinion of Counsel for Company . At the Closing Time, the Representatives shall have received the favorable opinion, dated the Closing Time, of Gibson Dunn & Crutcher LLP, U.S. counsel for the Company, Cains Advocates Limited, Isle of Man counsel for the Company and Amarchand & Mangaldas & Suresh A. Shroff & Co, India counsel for the Company, each in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to counsel for the Underwriters, together with signed or reproduced copies of such letter for each of the other Underwriters to the effect set forth in Exhibit A-1 , Exhibit A-2 and Exhibit A-3 hereto, respectively, and to such further effect as counsel to the Underwriters may reasonably request, and the Representatives shall have received a letter from Gibson Dunn & Crutcher LLP in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to counsel for the Underwriters, together with signed or reproduced copies of such letter for each of the other Underwriters to the effect set forth in Exhibit A-4 .

(c) Opinion of Counsel for the Selling Shareholders . At the Closing Time, the Representatives shall have received the favorable opinion, dated the Closing Time, of Glaser Weil Fink Jacobs Howard Avchen & Shapiro, LLP, counsel for the Selling Shareholders, in form and substance satisfactory to counsel for the Underwriters, together with signed or reproduced copies of such letter for each of the other Underwriters to the effect set forth in Exhibit B-1 and Exhibit B-2 hereto and to such further effect as counsel to the Underwriters may reasonably request.

(d) Opinion of Counsel for Underwriters . At the Closing Time, the Representatives shall have received the favorable opinion, dated the Closing Time, of O’Melveny & Myers LLP, U.S. counsel for the Underwriters, S&R Associates, India counsel for the Underwriters, and Simmons & Simmons LLP, United Kingdom counsel for the Underwriters, and Simcocks Advocates Limited, Isle of Man counsel for the Underwriters, together with signed or reproduced copies of such letter for each of the other Underwriters, in form and substance satisfactory to the Underwriters.

(e) Officers’ Certificate . At the Closing Time, there shall not have been, since the date hereof or since the respective dates as of which information is given in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus, any material adverse change in the condition, financial or otherwise, or in the earnings, business affairs or business prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries considered as one enterprise, whether or not arising in the ordinary course of business, and the Representatives shall have received a certificate of the Chief Executive Officer or the President of the Company and of the chief financial or chief accounting officer of the Company, dated the Closing Time, to the effect that (i) there has been no such material adverse change, (ii) the representations and warranties of the Company in this Agreement are true and correct with the same force and effect as though expressly made at and as of the Closing Time, (iii) the Company has complied with all agreements in all material respects and satisfied all conditions on its part to be performed or satisfied at or prior to the Closing Time, and (iv) no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement under the 1933 Act has been issued, no order preventing or suspending the use of any preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus has been issued and no proceedings for any of those purposes have been instituted or are pending or, to their knowledge, contemplated.

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(f) Certificate of Selling Shareholders . At the Closing Time, the Representatives shall have received a certificate of an Attorney-in-Fact on behalf of each Selling Shareholder, dated the Closing Time, to the effect that (i) the representations and warranties of such Selling Shareholder in this Agreement are true and correct with the same force and effect as though expressly made at and as of the Closing Time and (ii) such Selling Shareholder has complied with all agreements and all conditions on its part to be performed under this Agreement at or prior to the Closing Time.

(g) Accountants’ Comfort Letters . At the time of the execution of this Agreement, the Representatives shall have received from each of Grant Thornton UK LLP and Grant Thornton India LLP a letter, dated such date, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Representatives, together with signed or reproduced copies of such letter for each of the other Underwriters containing statements and information of the type ordinarily included in accountants’ “comfort letters” to underwriters with respect to the financial statements and certain financial information contained in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.

(h) Bring-down Comfort Letter . At the Closing Time, the Representatives shall have received from each of Grant Thornton UK LLP and Grant Thornton India LLP a letter, dated as of the Closing Time, to the effect that they reaffirm the statements made in the letter furnished pursuant to subsection (g) of this Section, except that the specified date referred to shall be a date not more than three business days prior to the Closing Time.

(i) Approval of Listing . At the Closing Time, the Securities shall have been approved for listing on the New York Stock Exchange, subject only to official notice of issuance.

(j) No Objection . FINRA has confirmed that it has not raised any objection with respect to the fairness and reasonableness of the underwriting terms and arrangements relating to the offering of the Securities.

(k) Lock-up Agreements . At the date of this Agreement, the Representatives shall have received an agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto signed by the persons listed on Schedule D hereto.

(l) Conditions to Purchase of Option Securities . In the event that the Underwriters exercise their option provided in Section 2(b) hereof to purchase all or any portion of the Option Securities, the representations and warranties of the Company and the Selling Shareholders contained herein and the statements in any certificates furnished by the Company, any of its subsidiaries and the Selling Shareholders hereunder shall be true and correct as of each Date of Delivery and, at the relevant Date of Delivery, the Representatives shall have received:

(i) Officers’ Certificate . A certificate, dated such Date of Delivery, of the President or a Vice President of the Company and of the chief financial or chief accounting officer of the Company confirming that the certificate delivered at the Closing Time pursuant to Section 5(e) hereof remains true and correct as of such Date of Delivery.

(ii) Certificate of Selling Shareholders . A certificate, dated such Date of Delivery, of an Attorney-in-Fact on behalf of the Selling Shareholders confirming that the certificate delivered at Closing Time pursuant to Section 5(f) hereof remains true and correct as of such Date of Delivery.

(iii) Opinion of Counsel for Company . If requested by the Representatives, the favorable opinion of Gibson Dunn & Crutcher LLP, U.S. counsel for the Company, Cains Advocates Limited, Isle of Man counsel for the Company and Amarchand & Mangaldas & Suresh A. Shroff & Co, India counsel for the Company, and a letter from Gibson Dunn & Crutcher LLP, each in form and substance satisfactory to counsel for the Underwriters, dated such Date of Delivery, relating to the Option Securities to be purchased on such Date of Delivery and otherwise to the same effect as the opinions required by Section 5(b) hereof.

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(iv) Opinion of Counsel for the Selling Shareholders . If requested by the Representatives, the favorable opinion of Glaser Weil Fink Jacobs Howard Avchen & Shapiro, LLP, counsel for the Selling Shareholders, in form and substance satisfactory to counsel for the Underwriters, dated such Date of Delivery, relating to the Option Securities to be purchased on such Date of Delivery and otherwise to the same effect as the opinion required by Section 5(c) hereof.

(v) Opinion of Counsel for Underwriters . If requested by the Representatives, the favorable opinion of O’Melveny & Myers LLP, U.S. counsel for the Underwriters, S&R Associates, India counsel for the Underwriters, and Simmons & Simmons LLP, United Kingdom counsel for the Underwriters, and Simcocks Advocates Limited, Isle of Man counsel for the Underwriters, each dated such Date of Delivery, relating to the Option Securities to be purchased on such Date of Delivery and otherwise to the same effect as the opinions required by Section 5(d) hereof.

(vi) Bring-Down Comfort Letter . If requested by the Representatives, a letter from Grant Thornton UK LLP and Grant Thornton (Isle of Man), in form and substance satisfactory to the Representatives and dated such Date of Delivery, substantially in the same form and substance as the letter furnished to the Representatives pursuant to Section 5(g) hereof, except that the “specified date” in the letter furnished pursuant to this paragraph shall be a date not more than three business days prior to such Date of Delivery.

(m) Additional Documents . At the Closing Time and at each Date of Delivery (if any) counsel for the Underwriters shall have been furnished with such documents and opinions as they may reasonably require for the purpose of enabling them to pass upon the issuance and sale of the Securities as herein contemplated, or in order to evidence the accuracy of any of the representations or warranties, or the fulfillment of any of the conditions, herein contained; and all proceedings taken by the Company and the Selling Shareholders in connection with the issuance and sale of the Securities as herein contemplated shall be reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Representatives and counsel for the Underwriters.

(n) Termination of Agreement . If any condition specified in this Section shall not have been fulfilled when and as required to be fulfilled, this Agreement, or, in the case of any condition to the purchase of Option Securities on a Date of Delivery which is after the Closing Time, the obligations of the several Underwriters to purchase the relevant Option Securities, may be terminated by the Representatives by notice to the Company and the Selling Shareholders at any time at or prior to Closing Time or such Date of Delivery, as the case may be, and such termination shall be without liability of any party to any other party except as provided in Section 4 and except that Sections 1, 6, 7, 8, 15, 16 and 17 shall survive any such termination and remain in full force and effect.

SECTION 6. Indemnification .

(a) Indemnification of Underwriters . The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each Underwriter, its affiliates (as such term is defined in Rule 501(b) under the 1933 Act (each, an “Affiliate”)), its selling agents and each person, if any, who controls any Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act as follows:

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(i) against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense whatsoever, as incurred, arising out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto), including the Rule 430A Information, or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading or arising out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact included (A) in any preliminary prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, any Written Testing-the-Waters Communication, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto), or (B) in any materials or information provided to investors by, or with the approval of, the Company in connection with the marketing of the offering of the Securities (“Marketing Materials”), including any roadshow or investor presentations made to investors by the Company (whether in person or electronically), or the omission or alleged omission in any preliminary prospectus, Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, any Written Testing-the-Waters Communication, Prospectus or in any Marketing Materials of a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading;

(ii) against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense whatsoever, as incurred, to the extent of the aggregate amount paid in settlement of any litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or of any claim whatsoever based upon any such untrue statement or omission, or any such alleged untrue statement or omission; provided that (subject to Section 6(e) below) any such settlement is effected with the written consent of the Company and the Selling Shareholders;

(iii) against any and all expense whatsoever, as incurred (including the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel chosen by Deutsche Bank), incurred in investigating, preparing or defending against any litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever based upon any such untrue statement or omission, or any such alleged untrue statement or omission, to the extent that any such expense is not paid under (i) or (ii) above;

provided, however, that this indemnity agreement shall not apply to any loss, liability, claim, damage or expense to the extent arising out of any untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission made in the Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto), including the Rule 430A Information, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto) in reliance upon and in conformity with the Underwriter Information.

(b) Indemnification of Underwriters by Selling Shareholders . The Selling Shareholders agree to indemnify and hold harmless each Underwriter, its Affiliates and selling agents and each person, if any, who controls any Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act to the extent and in the manner set forth in clauses (a)(i), (ii) and (iii) above. The liability of each Selling Shareholder hereunder shall be limited to an amount equal to the aggregate gross proceeds after underwriting commissions and discounts, but before expenses to such Selling Shareholder from the sale of the Securities sold by such Selling Shareholder hereunder.

(c) Indemnification of Company, Directors and Officers and Selling Shareholders . Each Underwriter severally agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, its directors, each of its officers who signed the Registration Statement, and each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act, and the Selling Shareholders and each person, if any, who controls any Selling Shareholder within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense described in the indemnity contained in subsection (a) of this Section, as incurred, but only with respect to untrue statements or omissions, or alleged untrue statements or omissions, made in the Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto), including the Rule 430A Information, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto) in reliance upon and in conformity with the Underwriter Information.

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(d) Actions against Parties; Notification . Each indemnified party shall give notice as promptly as reasonably practicable to each indemnifying party of any action commenced against it in respect of which indemnity may be sought hereunder, but failure to so notify an indemnifying party shall not relieve such indemnifying party from any liability hereunder to the extent it is not materially prejudiced as a result thereof and in any event shall not relieve it from any liability which it may have otherwise than on account of this indemnity agreement. In the case of parties indemnified pursuant to Section 6(a) and 6(b) above, counsel to the indemnified parties shall be selected by Deutsche Bank, and, in the case of parties indemnified pursuant to Section 6(c) above, counsel to the indemnified parties shall be selected by the Company. An indemnifying party may participate at its own expense in the defense of any such action; provided, however, that counsel to the indemnifying party shall not (except with the consent of the indemnified party) also be counsel to the indemnified party. In no event shall the indemnifying parties be liable for fees and expenses of more than one counsel (in addition to any local counsel) separate from their own counsel for all indemnified parties in connection with any one action or separate but similar or related actions in the same jurisdiction arising out of the same general allegations or circumstances. No indemnifying party shall, without the prior written consent of the indemnified parties, settle or compromise or consent to the entry of any judgment with respect to any litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever in respect of which indemnification or contribution could be sought under this Section 6 or Section 7 hereof (whether or not the indemnified parties are actual or potential parties thereto), unless such settlement, compromise or consent (i) includes an unconditional release of each indemnified party from all liability arising out of such litigation, investigation, proceeding or claim and (ii) does not include a statement as to or an admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act by or on behalf of any indemnified party.

(e) Settlement without Consent if Failure to Reimburse . If at any time an indemnified party shall have requested an indemnifying party to reimburse the indemnified party for fees and expenses of counsel, such indemnifying party agrees that it shall be liable for any settlement of the nature contemplated by Section 6(a)(ii) effected without its written consent if (i) such settlement is entered into more than 45 days after receipt by such indemnifying party of the aforesaid request, (ii) such indemnifying party shall have received notice of the terms of such settlement at least 30 days prior to such settlement being entered into and (iii) such indemnifying party shall not have reimbursed such indemnified party in accordance with such request prior to the date of such settlement.

(f) Other Agreements with Respect to Indemnification . The provisions of this Section shall not affect any agreement among the Company and the Selling Shareholders with respect to indemnification.

SECTION 7. Contribution . If the indemnification provided for in Section 6 hereof is for any reason unavailable to or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party in respect of any losses, liabilities, claims, damages or expenses referred to therein, then each indemnifying party shall contribute to the aggregate amount of such losses, liabilities, claims, damages and expenses incurred by such indemnified party, as incurred, (i) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company and the Selling Shareholders, on the one hand, and the Underwriters, on the other hand, from the offering of the Securities pursuant to this Agreement or (ii) if the allocation provided by clause (i) is not permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in clause (i) above but also the relative fault of the Company and the Selling Shareholders, on the one hand, and of the Underwriters, on the other hand, in connection with the statements or omissions which resulted in such losses, liabilities, claims, damages or expenses, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations.

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The relative benefits received by the Company and the Selling Shareholders, on the one hand, and the Underwriters, on the other hand, in connection with the offering of the Securities pursuant to this Agreement shall be deemed to be in the same respective proportions as the total net proceeds from the offering of the Securities pursuant to this Agreement (before deducting expenses) received by the Company and the Selling Shareholders, on the one hand, and the total underwriting discount received by the Underwriters, on the other hand, in each case as set forth on the cover of the Prospectus, bear to the aggregate initial public offering price of the Securities as set forth on the cover of the Prospectus.

The relative fault of the Company and the Selling Shareholders, on the one hand, and the Underwriters, on the other hand, shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether any such untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Company or the Selling Shareholders or by the Underwriters and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission.

The Company, the Selling Shareholders and the Underwriters agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 7 were determined by pro rata allocation (even if the Underwriters were treated as one entity for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to above in this Section 7. The aggregate amount of losses, liabilities, claims, damages and expenses incurred by an indemnified party and referred to above in this Section 7 shall be deemed to include any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in investigating, preparing or defending against any litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever based upon any such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission.

Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 7, no Underwriter shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the underwriting commissions received by such Underwriter in connection with the Shares underwritten by it and distributed to the public .

No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the 1933 Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.

For purposes of this Section 7, each person, if any, who controls an Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act and each Underwriter’s Affiliates and selling agents shall have the same rights to contribution as such Underwriter, and each director of the Company, each officer of the Company who signed the Registration Statement, and each person, if any, who controls the Company or any Selling Shareholder within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act shall have the same rights to contribution as the Company or such Selling Shareholder, as the case may be. The Underwriters’ respective obligations to contribute pursuant to this Section 7 are several in proportion to the number of Initial Securities set forth opposite their respective names in Schedule A hereto and not joint.

The provisions of this Section shall not affect any agreement among the Company and the Selling Shareholders with respect to contribution.

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SECTION 8. Representations, Warranties and Agreements to Survive . All representations, warranties and agreements contained in this Agreement or in certificates of officers of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or the Selling Shareholders submitted pursuant hereto, shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of (i) any investigation made by or on behalf of any Underwriter or its Affiliates or selling agents, any person controlling any Underwriter, its officers or directors, any person controlling the Company or any person controlling any Selling Shareholder and (ii) delivery of and payment for the Securities.

SECTION 9. Termination of Agreement .

(a) Termination . The Representatives may terminate this Agreement, by notice to the Company and the Selling Shareholders, at any time at or prior to the Closing Time (i) if there has been, in the judgment of the Representatives, since the time of execution of this Agreement or since the respective dates as of which information is given in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus, any material adverse change in the condition, financial or otherwise, or in the earnings, business affairs or business prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries considered as one enterprise, whether or not arising in the ordinary course of business, the effect of which makes it, in the judgment of the Representatives, impractical or inadvisable to proceed with the offering or delivery of the Securities on the terms and in the manner contemplated in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, or (ii) if there has occurred any material adverse change in the financial markets in the United States or the international financial markets, any outbreak of hostilities or escalation thereof or other calamity or crisis or any change or development involving a prospective change in national or international political, financial or economic conditions, in each case the effect of which is such as to make it, in the judgment of the Representatives, impracticable or inadvisable to proceed with the completion of the offering or to enforce contracts for the sale of the Securities, or (iii) if trading in any securities of the Company has been suspended or materially limited by the Commission or the New York Stock Exchange, or (iv) if trading generally on the American Stock Exchange or the New York Stock Exchange or in the Nasdaq Global Market has been suspended or materially limited, or minimum or maximum prices for trading have been fixed, or maximum ranges for prices have been required, by any of said exchanges or by order of the Commission, FINRA or any other governmental authority, or (v) a material disruption has occurred in commercial banking or securities settlement or clearance services in the United States or with respect to Clearstream or Euroclear systems in Europe, or (vi) if a banking moratorium has been declared by either Federal, New York, Isle of Man or India authorities.

(b) Liabilities . If this Agreement is terminated pursuant to this Section, such termination shall be without liability of any party to any other party except as provided in Section 4 hereof, and provided further that Sections 1, 6, 7, 8, 15, 16 and 17 shall survive such termination and remain in full force and effect.

SECTION 10. Default by One or More of the Underwriters . If one or more of the Underwriters shall fail at Closing Time or a Date of Delivery to purchase the Securities which it or they are obligated to purchase under this Agreement (the “Defaulted Securities”), the Representatives shall have the right, within 24 hours thereafter, to make arrangements for one or more of the non-defaulting Underwriters, or any other underwriters, to purchase all, but not less than all, of the Defaulted Securities in such amounts as may be agreed upon and upon the terms herein set forth; if, however, the Representatives shall not have completed such arrangements within such 24-hour period, then:

(i) if the number of Defaulted Securities does not exceed 10% of the number of Securities to be purchased on such date, each of the non-defaulting Underwriters shall be obligated, severally and not jointly, to purchase the full amount thereof in the proportions that their respective underwriting obligations hereunder bear to the underwriting obligations of all non-defaulting Underwriters, or

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(ii) if the number of Defaulted Securities exceeds 10% of the number of Securities to be purchased on such date, this Agreement or, with respect to any Date of Delivery which occurs after the Closing Time, the obligation of the Underwriters to purchase, and the Company and the Selling Shareholders to sell, the Option Securities to be purchased and sold on such Date of Delivery shall terminate without liability on the part of any non-defaulting Underwriter.

No action taken pursuant to this Section shall relieve any defaulting Underwriter from liability in respect of its default.

In the event of any such default which does not result in a termination of this Agreement or, in the case of a Date of Delivery which is after the Closing Time, which does not result in a termination of the obligation of the Underwriters to purchase and the Company and the Selling Shareholders to sell the relevant Option Securities, as the case may be, either the (i) Representatives or (ii) the Company and the Selling Shareholders shall have the right to postpone Closing Time or the relevant Date of Delivery, as the case may be, for a period not exceeding seven days in order to effect any required changes in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus or in any other documents or arrangements. As used herein, the term “Underwriter” includes any person substituted for an Underwriter under this Section 10.

SECTION 11. Default by a Selling Shareholder or the Company . (a) If a Selling Shareholder shall fail at the Closing Time or a Date of Delivery, as the case may be, to sell and deliver the number of Securities which such Selling Shareholder is obligated to sell hereunder, then the Underwriters may, at option of the Representatives, by notice from the Representatives to the Company, either (i) terminate this Agreement without any liability on the fault of any non-defaulting party except that the provisions of Sections 1, 4, 6, 7, 8, 15, 16 and 17 shall remain in full force and effect or (ii) elect to purchase the Securities which the Company has agreed to sell hereunder. No action taken pursuant to this Section 11 shall relieve a Selling Shareholder so defaulting from liability, if any, in respect of such default.

In the event of a default by a Selling Shareholder as referred to in this Section 11, each of the Representatives and the Company shall have the right to postpone the Closing Time or any Date of Delivery, as the case may be, for a period not exceeding seven days in order to effect any required change in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus or in any other documents or arrangements.

(b) If the Company shall fail at the Closing Time or a Date of Delivery, as the case may be, to sell the number of Securities that it is obligated to sell hereunder, then this Agreement shall terminate without any liability on the part of any nondefaulting party; provided, however, that the provisions of Sections 1, 4, 6, 7, 8, 15, 16 and 17 shall remain in full force and effect. No action taken pursuant to this Section shall relieve the Company from liability, if any, in respect of such default.

SECTION 12. Notices . All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if mailed or transmitted by any standard form of telecommunication. Notices to the Underwriters shall be directed to Deutsche Bank at One Bryant Park, New York, New York 10036, attention of Syndicate Department, with a copy to ECM Legal and to O’Melveny & Myers LLP, 1999 Avenue of the Stars, 7th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90067, attention of Steven Grossman, Esq. and David J. Johnson Jr., Esq.; notices to the Company shall be directed to it at Eros International Plc at13 Manchester Square, London W1U3PP, attention of Andrew Heffernan, Chief Financial Officer, with a copy to Gibson Dunn & Crutcher LLP, 2029 Century Park East, Los Angeles, CA 90067, attention of Ruth Fisher, Esq. and Peter Wardle, Esq.; and notices to the Selling Shareholders shall be directed to l , attention of l .

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SECTION 13. No Advisory or Fiduciary Relationship . Each of the Company and the Selling Shareholders acknowledges and agrees that (a) the purchase and sale of the Securities pursuant to this Agreement, including the determination of the initial public offering price of the Securities and any related discounts and commissions, is an arm’s-length commercial transaction between the Company and the Selling Shareholders, on the one hand, and the several Underwriters, on the other hand, (b) in connection with the offering of the Securities and the process leading thereto, each Underwriter is and has been acting solely as a principal and is not the agent or fiduciary of the Company, any of its subsidiaries or the Selling Shareholders, or its or their respective shareholders, creditors, employees or any other party, (c) no Underwriter has assumed or will assume an advisory or fiduciary responsibility in favor of the Company or the Selling Shareholders with respect to the offering of the Securities or the process leading thereto (irrespective of whether such Underwriter has advised or is currently advising the Company, any of its subsidiaries or the Selling Shareholders on other matters) and no Underwriter has any obligation to the Company or the Selling Shareholders with respect to the offering of the Securities except the obligations expressly set forth in this Agreement, (d) the Underwriters and their respective affiliates may be engaged in a broad range of transactions that involve interests that differ from those of each of the Company and the Selling Shareholders, and (e) the Underwriters have not provided any legal, accounting, regulatory or tax advice with respect to the offering of the Securities and the Company and the Selling Shareholders have consulted their own respective legal, accounting, regulatory and tax advisors to the extent it deemed appropriate.

SECTION 14. Parties . This Agreement shall each inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Underwriters, the Company and the Selling Shareholders and their respective successors. Nothing expressed or mentioned in this Agreement is intended or shall be construed to give any person, firm or corporation, other than the Underwriters, the Company and the Selling Shareholders and their respective successors and the controlling persons and officers and directors referred to in Sections 6 and 7 and their heirs and legal representatives, any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or in respect of this Agreement or any provision herein contained. This Agreement and all conditions and provisions hereof are intended to be for the sole and exclusive benefit of the Underwriters, the Company and the Selling Shareholders and their respective successors, and said controlling persons and officers and directors and their heirs and legal representatives, and for the benefit of no other person, firm or corporation. No purchaser of Securities from any Underwriter shall be deemed to be a successor by reason merely of such purchase.

SECTION 15. Trial by Jury . The Company (on its behalf and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, on behalf of its shareholders and affiliates), the Selling Shareholders and each of the Underwriters hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any and all right to trial by jury in any legal proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.

SECTION 16. GOVERNING LAW . THIS AGREEMENT AND ANY CLAIM, CONTROVERSY OR DISPUTE ARISING UNDER OR RELATED TO THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF, THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT REGARD TO ITS CHOICE OF LAW PROVISIONS.

32
 

SECTION 17. Consent to Jurisdiction; Waiver of Immunity . Any legal suit, action or proceeding arising out of or based upon this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby (“Related Proceedings”) shall be instituted in (i) the federal courts of the United States of America located in the City and County of New York, Borough of Manhattan or (ii) the courts of the State of New York located in the City and County of New York, Borough of Manhattan (collectively, the “Specified Courts”), and each party irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction (except for proceedings instituted in regard to the enforcement of a judgment of any such court (a “Related Judgment”), as to which such jurisdiction is non-exclusive) of such courts in any such suit, action or proceeding. Service of any process, summons, notice or document by mail to such party’s address set forth above shall be effective service of process for any suit, action or other proceeding brought in any such court. The parties irrevocably and unconditionally waive any objection to the laying of venue of any suit, action or other proceeding in the Specified Courts and irrevocably and unconditionally waive and agree not to plead or claim in any such court that any such suit, action or other proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum. Each party not located in the United States irrevocably appoints [●] as its agent (its “Authorized Agent”) to receive service of process or other legal summons for purposes of any such suit, action or proceeding that may be instituted in any state or federal court in the City and County of New York. With respect to any Related Proceeding, each party irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, all immunity (whether on the basis of sovereignty or otherwise) from jurisdiction, service of process, attachment (both before and after judgment) and execution to which it might otherwise be entitled in the Specified Courts, and with respect to any Related Judgment, each party waives any such immunity in the Specified Courts or any other court of competent jurisdiction, and will not raise or claim or cause to be pleaded any such immunity at or in respect of any such Related Proceeding or Related Judgment, including, without limitation, any immunity pursuant to the United States Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act of 1976, as amended.

In respect of any judgment or order given or made for any amount due hereunder that is expressed and paid in a currency (the “judgment currency”) other than United States dollars, the Company and the Selling Shareholders, as the case may be, will indemnify each Underwriter against any loss incurred by such Underwriter as a result of any variation as between (i) the rate of exchange at which the United States dollar amount is converted into the judgment currency for the purpose of such judgment or order and (ii) the rate of exchange at which an Underwriter is able to purchase United States dollars with the amount of the judgment currency actually received by such Underwriter. The foregoing indemnity shall constitute a separate and independent obligation of the Company and each Selling Shareholder and shall continue in full force and effect notwithstanding any such judgment or order as aforesaid. The term “rate of exchange” shall include any premiums and costs of exchange payable in connection with the purchase of or conversion into United States dollars.

SECTION 18. TIME . TIME SHALL BE OF THE ESSENCE OF THIS AGREEMENT. EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE SET FORTH HEREIN, SPECIFIED TIMES OF DAY REFER TO NEW YORK CITY TIME.

SECTION 19. Partial Unenforceability . The invalidity or unenforceability of any Section, paragraph or provision of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other Section, paragraph or provision hereof. If any Section, paragraph or provision of this Agreement is for any reason determined to be invalid or unenforceable, there shall be deemed to be made such minor changes (and only such minor changes) as are necessary to make it valid and enforceable.

SECTION 20. Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute one and the same Agreement.

SECTION 21. Effect of Headings . The Section headings herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

33
 

If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding of our agreement, please sign and return to the Company and the Attorney-in-Fact for the Selling Shareholders a counterpart hereof, whereupon this instrument, along with all counterparts, will become a binding agreement among the Underwriters, the Company and the Selling Shareholder in accordance with its terms.

Very truly yours,

EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC

By _____________________________________
Title:

 

[                                                   ]

By _____________________________________
As Attorney-in-Fact acting on behalf of
the Selling Shareholders named in
Schedule B hereto

CONFIRMED AND ACCEPTED,
as of the date first above written:

 

DEUTSCHE BANK SECURITIES INC.

 

 

By_____________________________________

Name:

Title:

 

 

By_____________________________________

Name:

Title:

 

MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH

                            INCORPORATED

 

 

By_____________________________________

Name:

Title:

 

34
 

UBS SECURITIES LLC

 

 

By_____________________________________

Name:

Title:

 

By_____________________________________

Name:

Title:

 

 

For themselves and as Representatives of the other Underwriters named in Schedule A hereto.

 

35
 

SCHEDULE A

The initial public offering price per share for the Securities shall be $[ l ].

The purchase price per share for the Securities to be paid by the several Underwriters shall be $[ l ], being an amount equal to the initial public offering price set forth above less $[ l ] per share, subject to adjustment in accordance with Section 2(b) for dividends or distributions declared by the Company and payable on the Initial Securities but not payable on the Option Securities.

Name of Underwriter Number of
Initial Securities
   
Deutsche Bank Securities, Inc.  

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith

                   Incorporated

 

UBS Securities LLC

Jefferies LLC

Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC

 

EM Securities LLC

 

 
 
 
   
Total
 

 

Sch A-1
 

SCHEDULE B

 

 

 

Number of Initial

Securities to be Sold

Maximum Number of Option

Securities to Be Sold

EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC    
Beech Investments Limited    
Jyoti Deshpande    
     
     
Total    

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sch B-1
 

SCHEDULE C-1

Pricing Terms

1. The Company and the Selling Shareholders are selling [ l ] shares of Ordinary Shares.

2. The Company and Beech Investments Limited granted an option to the Underwriters, severally and not jointly, to purchase up to an additional [ l ] shares of Ordinary Shares.

3. The initial public offering price per share for the Securities shall be $[ l ].

 

 

SCHEDULE C-2

Free Writing Prospectuses

 

 

[Each Issuer General Use Free Writing Prospectus to be Specified as Applicable]

 

Sch C-1
 

SCHEDULE D

List of Persons and Entities Subject to Lock-up

Kishore Lulla

Jyoti Deshpande

Andrew Heffernan

Sean Hanafin

Vijay Ahuja

Sunil Lulla

Beech Investments Limited

Naresh Chandra

Dilip Thakker

Michael Kirkwood

Ken Naz

Pranab Kapadia

Surender Sadhwami

 

Sch D-1
 

Exhibit A-1

FORM OF OPINION OF COMPANY’S U.S. COUNSEL

 

 

To be delivered pursuant to Section 5(b)

 

A- 1
 

Exhibit A-2

FORM OF OPINION OF COMPANY’S ISLE OF MAN COUNSEL

 

 

To be delivered pursuant to Section 5(b)

A- 2
 

Exhibit A-3

FORM OF OPINION OF COMPANY’S INDIA COUNSEL

 

 

To be delivered pursuant to Section 5(b)

A- 3
 

Exhibit A-4

FORM OF OPINION OF COMPANY’S UNITED KINGDOM COUNSEL

 

 

To be delivered pursuant to Section 5(b)

A- 4
 

Exhibit B-1

FORM OF OPINION OF COUNSEL FOR BEECH INVESTMENTS LIMITED

 

 

To be delivered pursuant to Section 5(c)

B- 1
 

Exhibit B-2

 

FORM OF OPINION OF COUNSEL FOR JYOTI DESHPANDE

 

 

To be delivered pursuant to Section 5(c)

B- 2
 

Exhibit C

[FORM OF LOCK-UP AGREEMENT]

 

 

 

C- 1
 

Exhibit D

 

Form of Press Release

TO BE ISSUED PURSUANT TO SECTION 3( j )

 

EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC
[Date]

 

EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC (the “Company”) announced today that Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and UBS Securities LLC, book-running managers in the Company’s recent public sale of [ l ] Class A ordinary shares, is [waiving] [releasing] a lock-up restriction with respect to               ordinary shares of the Company held by [certain officers or directors] [an officer or director] of the Company. The [waiver] [release] will take effect on      ,            20    , and the shares may be sold on or after such date.

 

This press release is not an offer for sale of the securities in the United States or in any other jurisdiction where such offer is prohibited, and such securities may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an exemption from registration under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

 

D- 1

 

Exhibit 4.1

 

 
 

 

EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC

THE COMPANY WILL FURNISH WITHOUT CHARGE TO EACH SHAREHOLDER WHO SO REQUESTS, A SUMMARY OF THE POWERS, DESIGNATIONS, PREFERENCES AND RELATIVE, PARTICIPATING, OPTIONAL OR OTHER SPECIAL RIGHTS OF EACH CLASS OF SHARES OF THE COMPANY AND THE QUALIFICATIONS, LIMITATIONS OR RESTRICTIONS OF SUCH PREFERENCES AND RIGHTS, AND THE VARIATIONS IN RIGHTS, PREFERENCES AND LIMITATIONS DETERMINED FOR EACH SERIES, WHICH ARE FIXED BY THE MEMORANDUM AND ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION OF THE COMPANY, AS AMENDED, AND THE RESOLUTIONS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE COMPANY, AND THE AUTHORITY OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS TO DETERMINE VARIATIONS FOR FUTURE SERIES. SUCH REQUEST MAY BE MADE TO THE OFFICE OF THE REGISTERED AGENT OF THE COMPANY OR TO THE TRANSFER AGENT. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS MAY REQUIRE THE OWNER OF A LOST OR DESTROYED SHARE CERTIFICATE, OR HIS LEGAL REPRESENTATIVES, TO GIVE THE COMPANY A BOND TO INDEMNIFY IT AND ITS TRANSFER AGENTS AND REGISTRARS AGAINST ANY CLAIM THAT MAY BE MADE AGAINST THEM ON ACCOUNT OF THE ALLEGED LOSS OR DESTRUCTION OF ANY SUCH CERTIFICATE.

 

The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription on the face of this certificate, shall be construed as though they were written out in full according to applicable laws or regulations:
             
TEN COM -  as tenants in common   UNIF GIFT MIN ACT -    Custodian  
        (Cust)   (Minor)
         
TEN ENT - as tenants by the entireties     under Uniform Gifts to Minors Act (State)
             
JT TEN   - as joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as tenants in common   UNIF TRF MIN ACT   -   Custodian (until age )
        (Cust)    
             
          under Uniform Transfers to Minors Act  
        (Minor)   (State)
Additional abbreviations may also be used though not in the above list.    

 

  PLEASE INSERT SOCIAL SECURITY OR OTHER IDENTIFYING NUMBER OF ASSIGNEE
   
For value received, ___________________ hereby sell, assign and transfer unto  
   
 
(PLEASE PRINT OR TYPEWRITE NAME AND ADDRESS, INCLUDING POSTAL ZIP CODE, OF ASSIGNEE)
 
 
 
 
    Shares
 of the A ORDINARY SHARES represented by the within Certificate, and do hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint
    Attorney
to transfer the said share on the books of the within-named Company with full power of substitution in the premises.

 

Dated:     20  

Signature(s) Guaranteed: Medallion Guarantee Stamp

THE SIGNATURE(S) SHOULD BE GUARANTEED BY AN ELIGIBLE GUARANTOR INSTITUTION (Banks Stockbrokers, Savings and Loan Associations and Credit Unions)WITH MEMBERSHIP IN AN APPROVED SIGNATURE GUARANTEE MEDALLION PROGRAM, PURSUANT TO S.E.C. RULE 17Ad-15.

         
Signature:        
         
Signature:        
  Notice: The signature to this assignment must correspond
with the name as written upon the face of the
certificate, in every particular, without alteration or
enlargement, or any change whatever.
     
     
     
       

 

 

  The IRS requires that we report the cost basis of certain shares acquired after January 1, 2011. If your shares were covered by the legislation and you have sold or transferred the shares and requested a specific cost basis calculation method, we have processed as requested. If you did not specify a cost basis calculation method, we have defaulted to the first in, first out (FIFO) method. Please visit our website or consult your tax advisor if you need additional information about cost basis.  
 
If you do not keep in contact with us or do not have any activity in your account for the time periods specified by state law, your property could become subject to state unclaimed property laws and transferred to the appropriate state.

 

Exhibit 5.1

 

One Love Lane, London EC2V 7JN

Email: london@cains.com Web: www.cains.com

 

Isle of Man:

Singapore:

 

Fort Anne, Douglas, Isle of Man IM1 5PD

Level 42, 6 Battery Road, Singapore 049909

     

 

Your Ref:

Our Ref: SC/sc/26411.0008/1050

Tel No: +44 20 7367 0035

Fax No: +44 1624 638333

 

Please Respond To: Stephanie Chew

Direct Dial: +44 20 7367 0035

Email: stephanie.chew@cains.com

 

 

 

Eros International PLC

Fort Anne

Douglas

Isle of Man

IM1 5PD

British Isles

29 October 2013
 

 

 

Dear Sirs

 

The offer (the “Offer”) by Eros International PLC (the “Company”) of certain A Ordinary Shares of £0.30 each (the “New Shares”) and the sale by certain shareholders (the “Selling Shareholders”) of certain A Ordinary Shares of £0.30 each (the “Sale Shares”).

 

Preliminary

 

1. We are a firm of advocates practising the laws of the Isle of Man and are qualified to give you this legal opinion under Isle of Man law.

 

Documents Examined

 

2. For the purposes of this legal opinion, we have examined and relied upon copies of the following documents:

 

2.1 a registration statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-180469) and all amendments thereto (together with amendment no. 5 in respect thereof) and the preliminary prospectus dated 29 October 2013, issued by the Company in respect of the Offer (the “ Prospectus ”);

 

2.2 the Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Company appearing on the file of the Company maintained by the Registrar of Companies appointed pursuant to the Companies Act 2006 on 29 October 2013;

 

2.3 the resolutions of the members of the Company passed at an extraordinary general meeting of the Company held on 24 April 2012 and 3 May 2012;

 

2.4 the minutes of a meeting of the board of directors of the Company held on 14 October 2011; and
2.5 a director’s certificate dated 25 October 2013 as to various matters of fact (which we have not independently verified), a copy of which is contained in the Appendix hereto.

 

CAINS ADVOCATES LIMITED

Directors: A J Corlett, R V Vanderplank, J R G Walton, S F Caine, P B Clucas, M T Edwards, T M Shepherd, R I Colquitt, G Q Kermeen and T D Head.

Cains is the trading name of Cains Advocates Limited, an incorporated legal practice in the Isle of Man. Registered company number 009770V.

Registered office: Fort Anne, Douglas, Isle of Man IM1 5PD. Branch registered in England and Wales with branch number BR008334.

DESCRIPTION: QA_IT_60PC

 

 
- 2 -

In this legal opinion, “ non-assessable ” means that the subscription price for which the Company agreed to issue the share, has been paid in full to the Company so that no further sum is payable to the Company by any holder of that share in respect of the subscription price.

 

Isle of Man Law

 

3. We have not investigated the laws of any jurisdiction other than the Isle of Man and this opinion is given only with respect to the currently applicable laws of the Isle of Man and is given on the basis that it will be governed by and construed in accordance with such laws.

 

Assumptions

 

4. For the purposes of giving this legal opinion, we have assumed:

 

4.1 the genuineness of all signatures; the capacity of all signatories; the authenticity and completeness of all documents submitted to us as originals; the conformity with original documents and completeness of all documents submitted to us as copies; and the correctness of all facts stated in the Prospectus;

 

4.2 that no provisions of the laws of any jurisdiction outside the Isle of Man would be contravened by the issue of the Prospectus or the performance by the Company of its obligations as set out therein;

 

4.3 that, insofar as any obligation under the Prospectus falls to be performed in any jurisdiction outside the Isle of Man, its performance would not be unlawful by virtue of the laws of that jurisdiction;

 

4.4 that no laws (other than of the Isle of Man) which may apply with respect to the Prospectus or the transactions and matters contemplated thereby would be such as to affect any of the opinions stated herein;

 

4.5 that all filings, recordals, publications, notifications and registrations as are necessary to permit the issue of the Prospectus or for the purposes of protecting or preserving any rights, duties, obligations or interests or as may be required to permit the performance thereof by any person have been or will be made or obtained within the time permitted, or will have been made or obtained within the time permitted, in all jurisdictions other than the Isle of Man;

 

4.6 that all necessary consents or approvals of, and all necessary registrations or other action by or with, any regulatory authority or any other person or entity outside the Isle of Man have been or will be obtained, performed or taken in relation to the issue of the Prospectus; and

 

4.7 that the A Ordinary Shares of the Company will be listed on the New York Stock Exchange in the manner described in the Prospectus (“ Listing ”).

 

Opinions

 

5. On the basis of the foregoing, we are of the opinion that:

 

5.1 Upon Listing, the share capital of the Company available for issue will be £25,000,000 divided into 83,333,333.33 shares designated as either A Ordinary Shares or B Ordinary Shares. The maximum number of B Ordinary Shares which may be issued is 81,650,657.

 

 
- 3 -
5.2 Upon Listing, the New Shares will have been duly created and their issue and allotment in accordance with the Prospectus has been duly authorised; once issued in accordance with the relevant terms of the Prospectus, the New Shares will be legally issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

 

5.3 Upon Listing, the Sale Shares will have been legally issued and allotted and will be fully paid and non-assessable.

 

5.4 The statements contained in the section of the Prospectus entitled “Description of Share Capital”, insofar as these statements relate to the laws of the Isle of Man or matters governed by Isle of Man law (and to no other matters whatsoever) at the date of the Prospectus and at the time and date of delivery of this legal opinion, are accurate in all material respects.

 

Consent

 

6.1 This opinion is addressed to the Company in connection with the registration of the A Ordinary Shares in the Company under the Securities Act.

 

6.2 We consent to the filing of a copy of this legal opinion as Exhibit 5.1 to the Registration Statement and to reference to us being made in the paragraph of the Registration Statement headed Legal Matters. In giving this consent, we do not admit that we are included in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the rules and regulations promulgated by the US Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act.

 

Yours faithfully,

 

 

 

/s/ Cains

 

CAINS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
- 4 -

 

Appendix

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC

(Company No.: 007466V)

 

DIRECTOR’S CERTIFICATE

 

I, JYOTI DESHPANDE a director of Eros International PLC (the “ Company ”) do hereby confirm and certify on behalf of the board of directors of the Company that:

 

1. I am duly authorised to give this certificate;

 

2. There is nothing in any documents of which Cains Advocates Limited has not had sight which might affect the opinions expressed in the final draft legal opinion; a draft of which I have reviewed (the “ Cains Legal Opinion ”)

 

3. That the resolutions set out in the minutes of a meeting of the board of directors of the Company held on 14 October 2011 were passed at a properly convened and held meeting of duly appointed directors of the Company at which all such directors declared their interests in the transaction or transactions under consideration as required by law and/or by the Company’s Articles of Association and that such resolutions have not been varied, amended or revoked and remain in full force and effect as at the date of Cains Legal Opinion;

 

4. Each of the resolutions passed by the members of the Company at an extraordinary general meeting held on 24 April 2012 and 3 May 2012 were duly passed prior to the issue of the prospectus (the “ Prospectus ”) (in respect of the offer of certain A Ordinary Shares of £0.30 each (the “ Offer ” and such shares, the New Shares ”)) and the New Shares at a properly convened and held meeting of duly registered members of the Company and that such resolutions have not been and will not be varied, amended and revoked;

 

5. There are no vitiating factors of which we are unaware, such as fraud, undue influence or duress, which might affect the opinions expressed in the Cains Legal Opinion; and

 

6. The Prospectus contains all material information relating to the Offer, set out fairly and accurately, that the intended recipients would reasonably expect to be included therein in order to enable them to make an informed decision as to whether or not to accept the Offer and of which the directors were aware at the time of issue of the Prospectus, or of which they would have been aware had they made such enquiries as would have been reasonable in all the circumstances.

 

You may assume that this certificate remains true and correct unless we notify you to the contrary.

 

 

 

/s/ Jyoti Deshpande    

Director

Date:

 

Exhibit 10.11

The Eros International plc Bonus Share Plan

 

Unapproved Option Scheme 2006

 

 

 

Option Certificate

 

 

 

(Defined terms shall have the meaning set out in the rules of The Eros International plc Bonus Share Plan Unapproved Option Scheme 2006 (the “Rules"))

 

 

 

Name of Optionholder:  
   
Address of Optionholder:  
   
Date of Grant:  
   
Maximum Number of Shares: such number as is equal to       % of  the total number  of  the  Shares in issue on the  date  that  the  Shares in issue are admitted for trading on AIM
   
Exercise Price per Share:  
   
Conditions to which the Option is Subject: Notwithstanding  anything  contained  in the Rules, the exercise of any part of the Option shall be conditional upon: (i}  the Optionholder being  an Eligible Participant at the time of such exercise and (ii} the Shares being listed on AIM

 

 

 
 

 

Eros International plc HEREBY GRANTS to the Optionholder named above an Option to subscribe for a such number of Shares as is equal to          % of the total number of Shares in issue on the date that the Shares in issue are admitted to trading on AIM (to the nearest whole number) at a price per share of      per Share, which shall be exercisable, subject to rule 8.1 of the Rules, as follows:

 

Proportion of Shares under the Option Period when Exercisable
   
20% On or after 30 June 2006
20% On or after 30 June 2007
20% On or after 30 June 2008
20% On or after 30 June 2009
20% On or after 30 June 2010

 

The Option is exercisable subject to and in accordance with the rules of the Eros International plc Unapproved Share Option Scheme 2006 as they are amended from time to time. In accordance with rule 8.1, the Option may not in any event be exercised later than 30 June 2016.

 

 

 

EXECUTED and DELIVERED as a DEED by EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC
acting by:

 

 

 

Director________________________________

 

Secretary/Director________________________

 

 

 

 

 
 

FORM OF ACCEPTANCE

 

 

I HEREBY AGREE to accept the grant of this Option and be bound by the terms and conditions set out in the rules of the Eros International plc Bonus Share Plan Unapproved Option Scheme 2006 and the performance-related condition(s) of exercise set out in this Option Certificate.

 

 

I understand that I may be required to account for an Option Tax Liability as set out in rule 17 of the Scheme and hereby indemnify the Company and each member of the Group in respect of such Option Tax Liability.

 

 

 

SIGNED and DELIVERED as a DEED by

 

In the presence of:

 

 

________________________________

(Optionholder signature)

 

 

Witness signature: ________________________________________

 

 

Witness name: (print): _____________________________________

 

Address: ________________________________________________

 

_______________________________________________________

 

_______________________________________________________

 

_______________________________________________________

 

_______________________________________________________

 

 

Occupation: _____________________________________________

 

Exhibit 10.17

 

 

Eros International Plc

 

 

 

 

Rules of the Eros International

 

2012 Option Awards

 

 

 

(Established by a resolution of the Board and the Remuneration Committee on April 17, 2012)

 

 
 

INDEX

 

Rule

 

1. Interpretation
2. Eligibility
3. Grant of Options
4. Relationship with Contract of Employment
5. Non-transferability of Options
6. Exercise Price
7. Performance-Related Conditions at Exercise
8. Exercise of Options
9. Manner of Exercise of Options
10. Overall Limit on the Granting of Options
11. Individual Limits on the Granting of Options
12. Demerger, Reconstruction or Winding-up
13. Take-over
14. Variation of Share Capital
15. Alteration of Scheme
16. Service of Documents
17. Taxation
18. Miscellaneous

 

Schedule

 

Option Certificate Form of Acceptance

 

Notice of Exercise of Option

 

 
 

1. INTERPRETATION

 

1.1. In this Scheme (unless context otherwise requires) the following words and phrases have the meanings given below):

 

  "AIM" the Alternative Investment Market of the London Stock Exchange;
     
  "Auditors" the auditors of the Company for the time being;
     
  'Business Day' a day on which clearing banks in the United Kingdom are open for business generally;
     
  'Committee' the remuneration Committee of the Company;
     
  'Company' Eros International plc (registered in the Isle of Man and whose registered office is at Fort Anne, Douglas, Isle of Man IM1 5PD);
     
  'Control' has the meaning ascribed to it in section 840 of the Taxes Act;
     
  'Date of Grant' in relation to any Option, the date on which that Option is granted;
     
  'Directors' the board of directors of the Company from time to time or a duly constituted Committee thereof;
     
  'Eligible Participants' any person who is an employee, consultant or director of any member of the Group;
     
  'Exercise Price' in relation to an Option, the price per Share payable upon the exercise of that Option;
     
  'Group' the Company, any holding company holding company of the Company and each and every company which is for the time being a Subsidiary of the Company or such holding company;
     
  'London Stock Exchange' London Stock Exchange plc;
 
 
  'Option' right to acquire Shares granted in accordance with and subject to the rules of this Scheme;
     
  'Option holder' person who has been granted an Option or, if that person has died, their Personal Representatives;
     
  'Option Tax Liability' in relation to any Option holder, any liability of the Company or any member of the Group, excluding NIC or similar taxes payable by the Company or any other member of the Group) to account for any amount of income tax, National Insurance Contribution or other tax arising in relation to the grant exercise or otherwise in relation to their Option;
     
  'Ordinary Share Capital' issued share capital of the Company from time to time;
     
  'Personal Representative' in relation to an Option holder, the legal personal representatives of the Option holder (being either the executors of their will to whom a valid grant of probate has been made or the administrators);
     
  'this Scheme' The Eros International Plc. 2012 Option Awards as set out in these rules and amended from time to time;
     
  'Shares' ordinary shares in issue in the capital of the Company;
     
  'Shareholder' person who holds one or more Shares;
     
  'Taxes Act' the relevant taxes act applicable to the Group in respect of this Scheme;
     
  'Value' in relation to a Share on a given day the prevailing mid market value as shall be determined by the Company Secretary;

 

 
 

 

1.2. References to an Option vesting or being or becoming vested in respect of any number or proportion of the Shares over which it subsists are to be read as references to the Option becoming capable of being executed either immediately or, subject to the Option holder continuing to hold office or employment within the Group, at some future time.

 

1.3. References to Shares in respect of which an Option subsists at any time are to be read and construed as references to the Shares over which the Option is then held (and in respect of which it has not then lapsed and ceased to be exercisable)

 

1.4. Any references to any enactment shall include any consolidation, modification, extension, amendment or re-enactment and to any subordinate legislation made under it for the time being in force.

 

1.5. Words denoting the masculine gender shall include the feminine.

 

1.6. Words denoting the singular shall include the plural and vice versa.

 

1.7. References to rules are to the rules of this Scheme.

 

2. ELIGIBILITY

 

2.1. Subject to the following provisions of this rule 2, the Committee shall have absolute discretion as to the selection of persons to whom an Option is granted by the Company.

 

2.2. An Option shall not be granted to any person unless he is an Eligible Participant.

 

2.3. No Option shall be granted to any Eligible Participant within the period of one year ending on the date on which he is to reach the age of 65.

 

3. GRANT OF OPTIONS

 

3.1. An Option may only be granted:

 

(a) at any time within the period of two years beginning with the date on which this Scheme is approved by the Committee; and

 

(b) within a period of two years days immediately after the person to whom it is granted first becomes an Eligible Participant.

 

3.2. In the event of the Company being restricted by statute, order or regulation from granting an Option in accordance with rule 3.1, an Option may be granted within 45 days of the removal of such restriction.
 
 

3.3. No Option may be granted after the tenth anniversary of the Scheme being approved by Shareholders.

 

3.4. An Option shall be granted by the Company executing as a deed and issuing to the Option holder an option certificate which contains an undertaking by the Option holder (duly executed as a deed) to be bound by the rules of this Scheme and which specifies:-

 

(a) the Date of Grant;

 

(b) the number of Shares in respect of which the Option is granted;

 

(c) the Exercise Price;

 

(d) the earliest date on which the Option may be exercised by reason of rule 8.2;

 

(e) that the exercise of the Option is subject to such performance-related conditions (if any) as are imposed pursuant to rule 7;

 

(f) that the Option holder agrees to indemnify the Company or other member of the Group, as the case may be, in respect of any Option Tax Liability and is otherwise in such form as the Committee may from time to time determine.

 

4. CONTRACTUAL RELATIONSHIP

 

4.1. The grant of an Option does not form part of the Option holder's entitlement to remuneration or benefits pursuant to any member of the Group nor does any such contract give such person any right or entitlement to have an Option granted to him in respect of any number of Shares or any expectation that an Option might be granted to him whether subject to any conditions or at all.

 

4.2. The rights and obligations of an Option holder under the terms of any contract with a member of the Group shall not be affected by the grant of an Option.

 

4.3. The rights granted to an Option holder upon the grant of an Option shall not afford the Option holder any rights or additional rights to compensation or damages in consequence of the loss or termination of his office or employment with a member of the Group.

 

4.4. An Option holder shall not be entitled to any compensation or damages for any loss or potential loss which he may suffer by reason of being or becoming unable to exercise an Option in consequence of the loss or termination of his office or employment with a

 

 
 

member of the Group for any reason (including, without limitation, any breach of contract by an employer) or in any other circumstances whatsoever.

 

5. NON-TRANSFERABILITY OF OPTIONS

 

 

5.1. During his lifetime only the individual to whom an Option is granted may exercise that Option.

 

5.2. An Option shall immediately cease to be exercisable if:

 

 

(a) it is purported to be transferred or assigned (other than to his Personal Representatives upon the death of the Option holder), mortgaged, charged or otherwise disposed of by the Option holder; or

 

(b) the Option holder is adjudicated bankrupt or a bankruptcy order is made against the Option holder; or

 

(c) the Option holder is deprived (otherwise than on death) of the legal or beneficial ownership of the Option by operation of law or by the Option holder doing or omitting to do anything which causes him to be so deprived.

 

6. EXERCISE PRICE

 

6.1. The Exercise Price shall be determined by the Committee but shall not be less than the greater of the Value of a Share on the Date of Grant or the nominal value of a Share.

 

 

7. PERFORMANCE-RELATED CONDITIONS OF EXERCISE

 

7.1. Subject to rule 7.4, the exercise of an Option may be conditional upon the performance of the Company and/or the performance of another member of the Group over such period and measured against such objective criterion as shall be determined by the Committee and notified to the Option holder when the Option is granted.

 

7.2. Any such condition may provide that the Option shall become vested in respect of a given number or proportion of the Shares over which it subsists according to whether, and the extent to which, any given performance target is met or exceeded.
 
 
7.3. After an Option has been granted the Committee may, in appropriate circumstances, amend any such performance-related condition of exercise of an Option provided that no such amendment shall be made unless such amendment will afford a more effective incentive to the Option holder and will be no more difficult to satisfy than were the original conditions when first set.

 

7.4. If, in consequence of a performance-related condition being met, an Option becomes vested in respect of some but not all of the number of Shares over which it subsists, it shall thereupon lapse and cease to be exercisable in respect of the balance of the Shares over which it was held.

 

7.5. Until further notification by the Committee, no performance criteria shall apply to Options granted pursuant to this Scheme.

 

8. EXERCISE OF OPTIONS

 

8.1. An Option may not in any event be exercised later than 30 June 2018.

 

8.2. An Option shall not be exercised earlier than such period as may be specified by the Committee at the relevant Date of Grant, save as provided in rules 8.3, 8.4, 8.5, 12 and 13.

 

8.3. If an Option holder dies in service an Option granted to him may be exercised by his Personal Representatives within the period of 12 months beginning with the date of his death, and if not then exercised shall lapse and cease to be exercisable at the end of that period.

 

8.4. If an Option holder dies after ceasing to hold office or employment within the Group an Option granted to him which has not already lapsed may, within the period of 12 months beginning with the date of death, be exercised by his Personal Representatives, and if not then exercised shall lapse and cease to be exercisable at the end of that period of 12 months.

 

8.5. If an Option holder ceases to hold office or employment within the Group by reason of:

 

(a) injury, ill-health or disability (evidenced to the satisfaction of the Committee); or

 

(b) dismissal by reason of redundancy (within the meaning of the Employment Rights Act 1996); or

 

(c) retirement on reaching 65 years or any other earlier age at which he is bound to retire in accordance with the terms of' his contractor of employment; or
 
 

 

(d) the company with which he holds office or employment by virtue of which he is eligible to participate in this Scheme ceasing to be an Associated Company or a member of the Group; or

 

(e) the fact that the office or employment by virtue of which he is eligible to participate in this Scheme relates to a business or part of a business which is transferred to a company which is not a member of the Group; then, subject to rule 8.4, an Option granted to him may only be exercised within the period of 12 months beginning with the date on which the Option holder so ceases and if not then exercised shall lapse and cease to be exercisable at the end of that period of 12 months.

 

8.6. If an Option holder:

 

(a) gives or receives notice to terminate the office or employment by virtue of which he was granted an Option; or

 

(b) ceases to hold office or employment with any member of the Group for any reason other than those set out in rules 8.3 and 8.5 then an Option granted to him shall lapse and cease when he ceases to hold such office or employment.

 

8.7. For the purposes of this rule 8 an Option holder shall not be treated as having ceased to hold office or employment within the Group unless and until he no longer holds any office or employment with any member of the Group.

 

9. MANNER OF EXERCISE OF OPTIONS

 

9.1. An Option shall be exercised only by the Option holder serving a written notice upon the Company which:

 

(a) specifies the number of Shares in respect of which that Option is exercised;

 

(b) is accompanied by payment of an amount equal to the product of the number of Shares specified in the notice and the Exercise Price; and

 

(c) unless the Committee otherwise permit, is accompanied by the Option Certificate in respect of that Option

 

and is otherwise in such form as the Committee may from time to time determine. The notice of exercise shall be treated as served on the Company on the date upon which it is received by the Company.

 
 

 

9.2. Within the period of 30 days beginning with the date on which the requirements of rule 9.1 are satisfied, the Company shall allot to the Option holder (or such other person as the Option holder may direct) the Shares specified in the notice.

 

9.3. As soon as reasonably practicable after the allotment or transfer of any Shares pursuant to rule 9.2, the Company shall issue to the Option holder (or other person as directed by the Option holder) a definitive share certificate or such acknowledgement of shareholding as is prescribed from time to time in respect of the Shares so allotted or transferred.

 

9.4. The allotment or transfer of any Shares under this Scheme shall be subject to the Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Company and to any necessary consents of any governmental or other authorities under any enactments or regulations from time to time in force and it shall be the responsibility of the Option holder to comply with any requirements to be fulfilled in order to obtain or obviate the necessity of any such consent.

 

9.5. All Shares allotted or transferred under this Scheme shall rank equally in all respects with the Shares for the time being in issue save as regards any rights attaching to such Shares by reference to a record date prior to the date of such allotment or transfer.

 

 

10. OVERALL LIMIT ON THE GRANTING OF OPTIONS

 

10.1 The aggregate number of Shares in respect of which Options may be granted (both exercised and those which remain exercisable and have not lapsed), but excluding those have lapsed and cancelled, taken together with options already granted under this Scheme, or any other share option or share incentive scheme adopted by the Company within the preceding ten years shall not exceed 10% of the Ordinary Share Capital as at the Date of Grant.

 

11. INDIVIDUAL LIMITS ON THE GRANTING OF OPTIONS

 

11.1. No Option shall be granted to any Eligible Participant if or insofar as it would cause the aggregate market value of Shares over which options granted in any 12 month period to that Eligible Participant, whether under the Scheme, or any other share option or share incentive scheme adopted by the Company to exceed an amount that is greater than 10 times the amount of the emoluments (which, without limitation, excludes pension benefits and benefits in kind but includes bonus entitlement) expressed as an annual rate then payable to the Eligible Participant by the Group. For the purposes of this rule, the market value of a share in respect of which rights to subscribe for shares have been or are to be granted shall be taken as the price payable upon the exercise of such rights.
 
 

 

12. DEMERGER, RECONSTRUCTION OR WINDING-UP

 

12.1. Subject to rule 8.1, in the event that notice is given to shareholders of the Company of a proposed demerger of the Company the Committee may give notice to Option holders that Options may then be exercised in respect of all the Shares over which they subsist (subject to any performance-related condition or other objective criterion attaching to Options being satisfied) within such period (not exceeding 30 days) as the Committee may specify in such notice to Option holders, save that no such notice to Option holders shall be given unless the Auditors have confirmed in writing to the Committee that the interests of Option holders would or might be substantially prejudiced if before the proposed demerger has effect Option holders could not exercise their Options and be registered as the holders of the Shares thereupon acquired.

 

12.2. Subject to rule 8.1, if the court sanctions a compromise or arrangement proposed for the purposes of or in connection with a scheme for the reconstruction of the Company or its amalgamation pursuant to section 425 of the Companies Act 1985 the Option holder shall be entitled to exercise his Option during the period of 6 months commencing on the date on which the court sanctions the compromise or arrangement (subject to any performance-related condition or other objective criterion attaching to Options being satisfied) and thereafter the Option shall lapse and cease to be exercisable.

 

12.3. In the event of notice being given to holders of Shares of a resolution for the voluntary winding-up of the Company, an Option may, subject to rule 8.1, be exercised at any time before the commencement of the winding-up (subject to any performance-related condition or other objective criterion attaching to Options being satisfied) and thereafter the Option shall lapse and cease to be exercisable.

 

12.4. All Options shall immediately lapse and cease to be exercisable upon the commencement of a winding-up of the Company.

 

 

13. TAKE-OVER

 

13.1. Subject to rule 8.1, if, as a result of either:

 

(a) a general offer to acquire the whole of the Ordinary Share Capital which is made on a condition such that if it is satisfied the person making the offer will have Control of the Company; or
 
 
(b) a general offer to acquire all the shares in the Company of the same class as the Shares

 

the Company shall come under the Control of another person or persons, the Option holder shall (subject to any performance-related condition or other objective criterion attaching to Options being satisfied) be entitled to exercise his Option within the period of 6 months of the date when the person making the offer has obtained Control of the Company and any condition subject to which the offer is made has been satisfied or waived and to the extent that the Option is not then exercised it shall upon the expiration of that period lapse and ceased to be exercisable.

 

13.2. Subject to rule 8.1, if at any time before an Option has lapsed any person becomes entitled or bound to acquire shares in the Company under sections 428 to 430F (inclusive) of the Companies Act 1985 the Option holder shall (subject to any performance-related condition or other objective criterion attaching to Options being satisfied) be entitled to exercise his Option at any time when that person remains so entitled or bound and to the extent that the Option is not then exercised it shall upon the expiration of that period lapse and cease to be exercisable.

 

13.3. For the purposes of this rule 13, a person shall be deemed to have Control of a company if he and others acting in concert with him have together obtained Control of it.

 

 

14. VARIATION OF SHARE CAPITAL

 

14.1. In the event of any alteration of the Ordinary Share Capital by way of capitalization or rights issue, or sub-division, consolidation or reduction or any other variation in the share capital of the Company, the Committee will make such adjustment:

 

(a) to the aggregate number or amount of Shares subject to any Option, and/or

 

(b) to the Exercise Price payable for each Share under any such Option, and/or

 

(c) where an Option to subscribe for Shares has been exercised but no Shares have been allotted in accordance with rule 9.2, to the number of Shares which may be so allotted and the Exercise Price payable for each Such Share.

 

 

PROVIDED THAT

 
 
(i) except in the case of a capitalisation issue, any such adjustment is confirmed in writing by the Auditors to be in their opinion fair and reasonable; and

 

(ii) except insofar as the Committee (on behalf of the Company) agrees to capitalise the Company's reserves and apply the same at the time of exercise of the Option in paying up the difference between the Exercise Price and the nominal value of the Shares, the Exercise Price in relation to any Option to subscribe for shares is not reduced below the nominal value of a Share.

 

14.2. As soon as reasonably practicable after any such adjustment has effect in relation to any Option the Company shall give notice in writing to the Option holder.

 

 

15. ALTERATION OF SCHEME

 

15.1. The Committee may at any time alter or add to any of the provisions of this Scheme in any respect PROVIDED THAT:

 

(a) no such alteration or addition shall detrimentally affect Option holders with. regard to their subsisting Options except with the consent of Option holders who, assuming they exercise their Options in full, would become entitled to not less than three quarters of the nominal number of Shares the subject of such Options; and

 

(b) the Committee must obtain approval of the shareholders of the Company in general meeting where a variation seeks to extend the class of persons eligible for the grant of Options, or alter to the advantage of Option holders rules relating to the grant of Options, Scheme limits, the adjustment of Options, and the subscription price, save for minor amendments to benefit the administration of the Scheme to comply or take account of any proposed or existing legislation or to obtain or maintain favourable tax, exchange control or regulatory treatment for Option holders.

 

 

15.2. As soon as reasonably practicable after making any alteration or addition under this rule 15, the Committee shall give notice in writing thereof to any Option holder affected.

 

16. SERVICE OF DOCUMENTS
 
 
16.1. Except as otherwise provided in this Scheme, any notice or document to be given by, or on behalf of, the Company to any person in accordance or in connection with this Scheme shall be duly given:

 

(a) if he is a director or employee of any member of the Group by delivering it to him at his place of work; or

 

(b) by sending it through the post in a pre-paid envelope to the address last known to the Company to be his address and, if so sent, it shall be deemed to have been duly given on the date of posting; or

 

(c) if he holds office or employment with any member of the Group, by sending a facsimile transmission or any other electronic communication to a current facsimile or electronic communication number addressed to him at his place of work or his address last known to the Company and if so sent it shall be deemed to have been duly given at the time of transmission.

 

16.2. Any notice or document so sent to an Eligible Participant and/or Option holder shall be deemed to have been duly given notwithstanding that such person is then deceased (and whether or not the Company has notice of his death) except where his Personal Representatives have established their title to the satisfaction of the Company and supplied to the Company an address to which documents are to be sent.

 

16.3. Any notice in writing or document to be submitted or given to any of the Directors or the Company in accordance or in connection with this Scheme may be delivered, sent by post, or facsimile transmission but shall not in any event be duly given unless it is actually received by the secretary of the Company or such other individual as may from time to time be nominated by the Committee and whose name and address is notified to Option holders.

 

17. TAXATION

 

17.1. If an Option Tax Liability arises in respect of an Option the Company shall be entitled to the extent permitted by law to deduct such amount(s) from any payment due to be made by the Company or any Associated Company to or in respect of the Option holder in respect of that Option during the same calendar month or other relevant period in which the event occurs or in any subsequent calendar month or such relevant period in order to satisfy and discharge the Option Tax Liability whether or not such payment is of an income or capital nature.

 

17.2. If and to the extent that the Option Tax Liability referred to in rule 17.1 is of income tax which exceeds the amount from which deductions in respect
 
 

thereof can be made in any one period referred to in rule 17.1 in respect of the Option holder concerned, that Option holder shall pay or reimburse the Company for the amount of the excess on demand or within such period as may be specified in any written notice given by the Company.

 

17.3. Where an Option Tax Liability arises in respect of the exercise of an Option the Committee may, without prejudice to the Company's rights under rule 17.1, by written notice to the Option holder concerned nominate as his bare trustee any person ("the Bare Trustee") to sell such number of shares issued upon the exercise of the Option as may be required in order to discharge the Option Tax Liability and any other liability (including costs) connected with the said sale and the Bare Trustee shall pay an amount equal to the Option Tax Liability to the Company and otherwise discharge any other said liability to the extent that the net proceeds from the said sale permit.

 

 

18. MISCELLANEOUS

 

18.1. The Company shall at all times keep available sufficient authorised but unissued Shares to satisfy the exercise in full of all Options to subscribe for Shares for the time being remaining capable of being exercised under this Scheme.

 

18.2. The Committee may from time to time make and vary such rules and regulations not inconsistent herewith and establish such procedures for the administration and implementation of this Scheme as they think fit and in the event of any dispute or disagreement as to the interpretation of this Scheme or of any such rules, regulations or procedures or as to any question or right arising from or related to this Scheme, the decision of the Committee shall (except as regards any matter required to be determined by the Auditors hereunder) be final and binding upon all persons.

 

18.3. In any matter in which they are required to act hereunder, the Auditors shall be deemed to be acting as experts and not as arbitrators.

 

18.4. The costs of the administration and implementation of this Scheme shall be borne by the Company.

 

18.5. Option holders shall not by reason of the Option be entitled to receive copies of any documents sent to holders of Shares nor have any right to attend general meetings of the Company.
 
 

 

 

Schedule

 

 

The Eros International Plc Option Awards 2012

 

 

Option Certificate

 

 

 

Name of Option holder:

...................................................................................

 

 

Address of Option holder:

..................................................................................

 

..................................................................................

 

..................................................................................

 

Date of Grant:

 

..................................................................................

 

Maximum Number of Shares:

..................................................................................

 

Exercise Price:

 

..................................................................................

 

 

 

Conditions to which the Option is Subject

..................................................................................

 
 

Eros International plc HEREBY GRANTS to the Option holder named above an Option to subscribe for a maximum of ordinary shares in the Company at a price per share of ............ p

 

The Option is exercisable subject to and in accordance with the rules of the Eros International plc Option awards 2012 as they are amended from time to time. In accordance with rule 8.1, the Option may not in any event be exercised later than 30 June 2016.

 

 

EXECUTED and DELIVERED as a DEED by EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC

acting by:

 

 

Director ....................................................................................

 

Secretary/Director ....................................................................

 

FORM OF ACCEPTANCE

 

I HEREBY AGREE to accept the grant of this Option and be bound by the terms and conditions set out in the rules of the Eros International plc Option Awards 2012 and the performance-related condition(s) of exercise set out in this Option Certificate.

 

I understand that I may be required to account for an Option Tax Liability as set out in rule 17 of the Scheme and hereby indemnify the Company and each member of the Group in respect of such Option Tax Liability.

 

SIGNED and DELIVERED as a DEED by

 

.......................................................

in the presence of:

 

 

...........................................

(Option holder signature)

 

Witness signature: .........................................................................

 

Witness name: (print): ....................................................................

Address: .......................................................................................

.....................................................................................................

.....................................................................................................

 

Occupation: ...................................................................................

 
 

 

The Eros International PLC Option Awards 2012

 

 

Notice of Exercise Of Option

 

 

To: Company Secretary, Eros International plc, 15-19 Athol Street, Douglas, Isle of Man IM1 1 LB

 

I hereby exercise the Option referred to overleaf in respect of all/ …….. of the shares over which the Option may be exercised, and request the allotment or transfer to me of those shares in accordance with the rules of the Scheme and the Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Company.

 

I enclose a cheque made payable to Eros International plc in the sum of £ ... being the aggregate

Exercise Price of such shares and warrant that such cheque will be honoured on first presentation.

 

Name (block letters)   Signature
.................................................................    
.................................................................    
     
     
     
Address    
..................................................................    
..................................................................    
..................................................................   Date
..................................................................    

 

 

Notes:

 

1 This form must be accompanied by payment of the Exercise Price for the shares in respect of which the Option is exercised.

 

2 Where the Option is exercised by personal representatives, an office copy of the Probate or Letters of Administration should accompany the form.

 

3 The Scheme has not been approved by the Inland Revenue. Under current tax rules a charge to tax will arise on the exercise of the Option on the difference between the market value of the shares at the date of exercise and the price paid for them.

 

4 IMPORTANT. Neither the Company nor the Company's advisers undertakes to advise you on the tax consequences of exercising your Option. If you are unsure of the tax liabilities which may arise, you should take appropriate professional advice before exercising your Option.

Exhibit 10.18

 

DATED 5th September 2013 (with effect from 1st September

2013)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC

 

 

 

- and -

 

 

 

JYOTI DESHPANDE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

___________________________________

 

 

SERVICE AGREEMENT

GROUP CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER & MANAGING DIRECTOR

 

 

___________________________________

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One Love Lane

London

1
 

THIS AGREEMENT is made on 5 September 2013 with effect from 1st September 2013

 

 

BETWEEN :

 

 

(1) EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC of Fort Anne, Douglas, Isle of Man, IM1 5PD (the “ Company ”); and

 

 

(2) JYOTI DESHPANDE of 16 Cavendish Drive, Edgware, Middlesex HA8 7NS (the “ Executive ”).

 

 

IT IS AGREED as follows:

 

 

1. INTERPRETATION

 

 

1.1 In this agreement the following expressions have the following meanings:

 

  Act the Companies Act 2006;
     
  Appointment the employment of the Executive by the Company under this agreement;
     
  Board the board of directors of the Company from time to time or committee of directors of the Company as may be authorised by the board of directors from time to time;
     
      Commencement Date     1st September 2013 for all purposes under this agreement (whilst the Executive was appointed to the Board with effect from 22nd June 2012 it is agreed that her employment with the Company commenced not earlier than 1st September 2013);
     
      Confidential Information     information confidential to the Company and any Group Company including but not limited to Intellectual Property, customer and prospective customer information, film/film producer information (including names, addresses, contact names and addresses, telephone numbers and e-mail addresses) business plans, market research, financial data and forecasts, capital strategy and capital raising activities (proposed and ongoing), business methods, marketing strategies, tenders and price sensitive information, fees, commission structure, feasibility figures and plans relating to contracts (actual and proposed), details of actual and proposed contracts, requirements of customers or prospective customers or film producers, information in respect of which the Company or any Group Company is bound by an obligation of confidence to any third party and information notified to the Executive as being confidential;

 

2
 

 

    DPA     means the Data Protection Act 2002;
     
      Group ” or “ Group Company     the Company and any subsidiary or holding company of the Company or any associated company of the Company for the time being or any other subsidiary or associated company of the holding company of the Company for the time being. The terms “subsidiary” and “holding company” shall have the meaning given in section 220 of the Act and “associated company” shall have the meaning defined in section 218 of the Act;
     
    Intellectual Property   includes letters patent, trade marks, service marks, copyrights, design rights, applications for registration of any of the foregoing and the right to apply for them in any part of the world, creations, arrangements, devices, inventions or improvements upon or additions to an invention, moral rights, confidential information, know- how and rights of a similar nature arising or subsisting anywhere in the world in relation to all of the foregoing whether registered or unregistered;
     
    Prospective Customer   any person, firm, company of other organisation who or which was at the Termination Date in negotiations with the Company or any Group Company with a view to dealing with the Company or any Group Company as a customer;
     
    Recognised Investment Exchange   has the same meaning as in section 285 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (an Act of Parliament);
     
    Relevant Period   the period of 12 months immediately preceding the earlier of the Termination Date or the date upon which the Executive is placed on garden leave in accordance with clause 3.5;
     
    Restricted Business   the business of manufacturing, selling, leasing, renting, distribution, advertising, publicising, marketing or otherwise exploiting home video devices and/or any other business or activity of the Company in which the Executive had any involvement during the course of her duties at any time during the Relevant Period;
3
 

 

  Restricted Employee any employee or consultant or director of the Company or any Group Company as at the Termination Date or such other person engaged by any Group Company who had access to Confidential Information and/or with whom the Executive had personal dealings during the Relevant Period;
     
      Restricted Territory   any country in which the Executive conducted Restricted Business on behalf of the Company;
     
      Review Date   the anniversary of the date of this agreement;
     
      Termination date   the effective date of termination of the Appointment howsoever occurring.

 

 

1.2 Words denoting the singular include the plural and vice versa and words denoting one gender include both genders.

 

1.3 References to any provisions of any statute shall be deemed to include a reference to all and every statutory amendment, modification, re-enactment and extension and to any regulation or order made under any of them in force on or after the date of this agreement.

 

1.4 Save where otherwise appears, reference to a clause or schedule shall be deemed to be a reference to a clause or schedule of or to this agreement.

 

1.5 Headings to clauses are for the convenience of reference only and shall not affect the meaning or construction of anything contained in this agreement.
4
 

 

2. THE APPOINTMENT

 

2.1 Subject to the terms of this agreement, the Company shall employ the Executive and the Executive shall serve as Group CEO & Managing Director and as an executive director on the Board of the Company or in such other capacity as the Board may from time to time determine which is acceptable to the Executive.

 

3. TERM OF EMPLOYMENT AND NOTICE

 

 

3.1 Subject to earlier termination provided for in this agreement, the Appointment shall start on the Commencement Date and shall continue for an initial period of three years and thereafter until terminated by either party giving to the other not less than 12 months’ prior written notice of termination.

 

3.2 The Company may at any time in its absolute discretion elect to terminate the Appointment immediately by paying to the Executive, in lieu of any period of notice or any part of it, an amount equivalent to the Executive’s basic salary (at the rate then payable under this agreement) for such period or part period including any bonus or benefits in kind.

 

3.3 For statutory purposes, the Executive’s period of continuous employment with the Company commenced on 1st September 2013.

 

3.4 The Appointment shall in any event automatically terminate without notice and without any sum payable by the Company, whether by way of compensation or otherwise, upon the Executive’s sixty fifth birthday.

 

3.5 The Company shall not be obliged to provide work to the Executive at any time after notice of termination of the Appointment shall have been given by either party under any of the provisions of this agreement and the Company may in its absolute discretion take any one or more of the following steps in respect of all or part of an unexpired period of notice:-

 

3.5.1 require the Executive to comply with such conditions as it may reasonably specify in relation to; (i) attending at or remaining away from the place(s) of business of the Company and/or (ii) contacting or refraining from contacting all or any employees, officers, customers, clients, agents or suppliers of the Company or any Group Company;

 

3.5.2 perform part of her normal duties only or assign the Executive to duties other than her normal duties provided such duties are commensurate with her status under this agreement;

 

3.5.3 withdraw any powers vested in, or duties assigned to the Executive; and

 

3.5.4 require the Executive to resign her directorship of any Group Company; provided always that during any such period the Company shall continue to pay the Executive’s salary and contractual benefits (unless and until this agreement shall be terminated). The Executive shall remain an employee of the Company and shall remain bound by all obligations owed to the Company under this agreement including, but not limited to, her obligations under clause 4.5 of this agreement.
5
 

 

4. POWERS AND DUTIES

 

 

4.1 During the Appointment the Executive shall at all times :-

 

 

4.1.1 exercise the powers and functions and perform the duties reasonably assigned to her from time to time by the Board in such manner as may be reasonably specified;

 

4.1.2 well and faithfully serve the Company and use her utmost endeavours to promote and maintain the interests and reputation of the Company and not, so far as is reasonably practicable, allow her interests to conflict with those of the Company or any Group Company (without prejudice to her obligations to disclose any conflicts in accordance with the articles of association of the Company or of any Group Company on whose board she may serve from time to time);

 

4.1.3 render her services (as specified in Schedule A) in a professional and competent manner and in willing co-operation with others;

 

4.1.4 unless prevented by ill-health or other unavoidable cause, devote her whole working time, attention and abilities exclusively to carrying out her duties hereunder and such other time as is reasonably necessary for the proper performance of her duties;

 

4.1.5 conform to the reasonable instruction or directions of the Board (or anyone duly authorised by it) and implement and apply the policies of the Company as determined by the Board from time to time; and

 

4.1.6 comply with the rules and procedures of the Company and of any association or professional body to which the Company and/or the Executive may from time to time belong.

 

4.2 The Executive shall report to the Board, or such other person as the Board may from time to time direct, as and when required, and shall at all times keep the Board fully informed of her activities and shall promptly provide such information and explanations as may be requested from time to time by the Board.

 

4.3 The Executive shall not at any time, without the prior consent of the Board:

 

 

4.3.1 incur on behalf of the Company any capital expenditure in excess of such sum as may be authorised from time to time by resolution of the Board;

 

4.3.2 enter into on behalf of the Company any commitment, contract or arrangement which is otherwise than in the normal course of business or is outside the scope of her normal duties or is of any unusually onerous or long term nature;
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4.3.3 engage any person on terms which vary from those established from time to time by resolution of the Board; or

 

4.3.4 dismiss any employee of the Company without giving proper statutory or (if longer) contractual notice or without following the Company disciplinary procedure and in any case the Executive shall immediately report any dismissal effected by her and the reason for it to the Board.

 

4.4 The Executive shall not at any time during the Appointment directly or indirectly enter into or be concerned in any trade or business or occupation whatsoever other than the business of the Company and the wider Group except with the prior written consent of the Board which may be given subject to any conditions or terms the Board considers appropriate. This clause shall not prevent the Executive from holding up to 5% of any class of shares, debentures or other securities in a company which is listed or dealt in on a Recognised Investment Exchange.

 

4.5 The Executive shall comply with all rules, regulations and codes of practice issued by the Company and the UK Listing Authority as shall from time to time be in force relating to transactions in securities and shall comply with all requirements, recommendations or regulations of any competent regulatory authority including the London Stock Exchange Plc, the UK Listing Authority and/or any other exchange on which securities of the Company (or other company in the Group) are from time to time listed or dealt or any other authority or body authorised to regulate transactions in securities.

 

4.6 The Executive shall not contravene the prohibitions contained in the Insider Dealing Act 1998 or any analogous provisions of law in any relevant jurisdiction.

 

4.7 In this clause the expression “occupation” includes holding political office (at a national, regional or local level) or being involved in other public or private work (whether for profit or otherwise) which, in the reasonable opinion of the Board, may hinder or otherwise interfere with the Executive’s ability to perform her duties under this agreement.

 

5. PLACE OF WORK AND TRAVEL

 

5.1 The Executive acknowledges that the Company carries out its operations from its various offices including its registered offices in the Isle of Man, where the Board often meets, as well as the Company’s subsidiaries’ offices in Mumbai, London, New Jersey and Singapore amongst other locations.

 

5.2 The Executive acknowledges that she will travel to any of the Company or its subsidiaries’ offices as may be necessary for her to carry out the proper performance of her duties.
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5.3 The Company shall pay for the Executive’s reasonable travel, accommodation and other incidental expenses as may be incurred whilst the Executive is engaged on Company business. Where applicable, especially to places of travel other than the Company’s various offices, the Company may provide the Executive with a per diem allowance in accordance with Company policy in effect from time to time.

 

6. HOURS OF WORK

 

 

6.1 Normal working hours are from 9.00am to 5.00pm Monday to Friday inclusive. The Executive shall attend to the business of the Company during such hours as may be necessary for the proper and efficient performance of her duties under this agreement. The Executive shall not be entitled to receive any additional remuneration for work done outside normal working hours.

 

7. REMUNERATION

 

7.1 The Company shall pay the Executive during the continuation of the Appointment a basic gross annual salary of £250,000 (subject to such deductions, if any, for income tax and national insurance as may be required by applicable law). The Executive’s basic salary shall accrue from day to day and will be payable in arrears by equal monthly instalments on or about the last working day of each month and shall be inclusive of any fees receivable by the Executive as a director of the Company.

 

7.2 The Executive’s basic salary shall be reviewed annually by the Board on the Review Date and may be increased at the Board’s entire discretion.

 

 

7.3 The Executive shall be eligible to participate in such share option scheme applicable to her position as the Company may introduce subject to the rules of the scheme and the Company’s discretion.

 

7.4 As an incentive to joining the Company and in consideration of the expertise and benefit to the Company and the Group as a whole in retaining her services, the Executive shall be entitled to an equity stake equal to 4% of the issued share capital in the Company as detailed and on the terms set out in Schedule B attached to this agreement.

 

8. BONUS

 

 

8.1 The Executive shall be eligible to participate in any bonus scheme introduced by the Company applicable to her, subject to the rules of the scheme and the Company’s discretion. The Company may amend, withdraw or substitute any bonus scheme at any time at its entire discretion.

 

8.2 Subject to clause 8.1, any bonus in respect of any financial year will be paid to the Executive on the last working day of the month in which the Board meets to consider and determine the bonus provided that the Executive is still employed by the Company and not under notice of termination on the relevant date.
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8.3 Any short term bonus incentive will entitle the Executive to up to a 100% of the Executive’s salary by way of cash, subject to the Executive meeting the pre- agreed personal performance targets to the satisfaction of the Board.

 

8.4 Any long term bonus incentive will entitle the Executive to up to a 100% of the Executive’s salary by way of stock options or restricted stock or a combination thereof with a minimum 3 year vesting criteria attached to them, subject to the Company meeting pre-agreed performance targets, as agreed in writing with the Board.

 

8.5 For the purpose of clause 8.3 and 8.4, the Executive’s salary will be the combined salary drawn by the Executive for her various roles not only with the Company but also any Group Companies and will be calculated on the basis of total compensation across the Group.

 

8.6 The Executive will be entitled to a one-off bonus after the successful listing of the Company on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) wherein, within seven days of the Company’s shares being admitted to trading on the NYSE, the Executive will receive fully-paid A ordinary shares (as defined in the F-1 Prospectus of the Company filed with the United States Securities Exchange Commission) valued at $2,000,000 (based on the average price of the Company’s A ordinary shares listed on the NYSE on the date of issuance). For the avoidance of doubt, the shares to which the Executive is entitled under this clause 8.6 shall be free of conditions and restrictions and shall not be dealt with under Schedule B to this agreement.

 

9. PENSION

 

 

9.1 The Company shall contribute an annual sum representing between 5% and 10% of the Executive’s annual basic salary to the Executive’s approved personal pension plan as nominated by the Executive and notified to the Company in writing save that such contributions shall be subject to the maximum annual amount permitted by the Isle of Man Treasury and/or HM Revenue and Customs, as applicable, from time to time.

 

9.2 There is no contracting out certificate in force in respect of the Executive’s employment under this agreement.

 

10. REIMBURSEMENT OF BUSINESS EXPENSES

 

 

10.1 The Company shall (on production of receipts or other evidence as it may require) repay or cause to be repaid to the Executive all travelling, hotel, entertainment, and other out-of-pocket expenses from time to time wholly, exclusively and necessarily incurred by her in the proper performance of her employment duties under this agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, where the Executive is being paid a flat per diem allowance in accordance with Company policy in effect from time to time, she will not have to produce expense vouchers and receipts.
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11. INSURANCE

 

 

11.1 The Executive shall be eligible for cover under the Company’s Private Medical Insurance Scheme (“PMI Scheme”) along with her spouse or civil partner and her children (including dental cover) and the Company’s Permanent Health Scheme (“PHI Scheme”).

 

11.2 The Executive’s entitlements under, and eligibility for, any PMI Scheme or PHI Scheme will be subject to, and determined in accordance with, the rules of the respective schemes (as amended from time to time) and will be dependent on the Executive satisfying any requirements for eligibility imposed by the scheme providers and her acceptance at standard rates of premium.

 

11.3 The provision of these benefits shall be at the Company’s discretion. The Company may, on giving the Executive reasonable notice replace, change or withdraw the PMI Scheme and/or the PHI Scheme at any time as it thinks fit. The replacement or change in terms of a scheme may result in the reduction of the Executive’s entitlements or the loss or reduction of any benefit the Executive may be receiving or about to receive at the time and the Executive shall have no claim against the Company for any loss arising from such a change.

 

11.4 It may be (or become) a term of the PMI Scheme and/or PHI Scheme that the Executive must remain employed by the Company to be entitled to benefits under the said schemes. If so, this will not limit the Company’s right to terminate the Executive’s Appointment on grounds of incapacity to work or any other proper ground. The Executive agrees and acknowledges that if the Appointment is so terminated, she may lose (without recourse to compensation against the Company or any Group Company) existing or prospective benefits under the PMI Scheme and/or PHI Scheme.

 

11.5 During the continuation of the Appointment, the Company shall, (subject to receipt of a medical report satisfactory to the life assurance company) and in accordance with the terms of the relevant policy from time to time in force, provide the Executive with life assurance which, in the event of her death while in service, shall provide a lump sum to the value of four times her basic salary (at the then annual rate).

 

11.6 Any benefits provided by the Company to the Executive or her family which are not expressly referred to in this agreement shall be regarded as ex-gratia and at the entire discretion of the Company and shall not form part of the Executive’s terms of employment.

 

12. HOLIDAY

 

 

12.1 In addition to the usual public holidays in the Isle of Man and England, the Executive shall be entitled to 25 working days’ paid holiday for each complete calendar year worked (and pro rata for part of each calendar year worked) to be taken at such time or times as may be approved by the Board in advance. Holiday entitlement shall accrue from day to day.
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12.2 Holiday entitlement may not be carried forward to the next calendar year save with the prior written agreement of the Board and no money will be paid in lieu of any such untaken holiday subject to clause 12.4 below.

 

12.3 In the event that the Company or the Executive gives notice of termination of the Appointment, the Company may require the Executive to take any holidays which have or will have accrued by the Termination Date during the period of notice, in which case the Executive shall not be entitled to any payment in lieu of such holidays.

 

12.4 On the termination of this agreement the Company shall pay the Executive for any accrued but untaken holiday. If the Executive shall have taken more days’ paid holiday than her accrued entitlement as at the Termination Date, the Executive shall repay to the Company the appropriate amount for each day’s paid holiday taken in excess of her accrued entitlement. A day’s pay shall be 1/260th of her basic salary and fractions of days shall be rounded to the nearest whole day.

 

13. INCAPACITY

 

 

13.1 When absent due to sickness or any other reason, the Executive must inform a member of the Board of the cause(s) of her absence as soon as possible on the first working day of absence unless there is a reasonable explanation as to why this is not possible. A self-certification form must be completed to cover up to the first seven days of absence. A doctor’s medical certificate must be provided for absences of eight consecutive days or more due to sickness, injury or other incapacity. Certificates must be provided to cover completely any subsequent and consecutive period of absence.

 

13.2 The Company has the right to require the Executive at any time during a period of absence or within 30 days following her return to work thereafter to produce medical evidence covering the said period of absence (save that absences of less than 7 days may be self-certified in accordance with clause 13.1).

 

13.3 If required by the Board, the Executive shall undergo examination by a medical adviser to be appointed or approved by the Board and the Executive hereby authorises such medical adviser to disclose the results of any such examination (including any sensitive personal data as defined in the DPA) to the Board and discuss with it any matters arising from the examination as might impair the Executive in property discharging her duties under this agreement.

 

13.4 The Company may in its absolute discretion pay to the Executive contractual sick pay for such period not exceeding 90 days in aggregate in any rolling 12 month period at such rate or rates as it thinks fit. Contractual sick pay shall be paid net of Government incapacity benefit which, it is assumed, the Executive will claim and receive at the standard rate. Any discretionary payments made by the Company under this clause 13.4 shall be without prejudice to the Company’s right to terminate this agreement on the grounds of incapacity or for other proper cause.
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13.5 The Company shall be entitled to deduct from any Company sick pay paid to the Executive the amount of any income from any health insurance scheme operated by the Company for the benefit of the Executive, whether or not a claim is made.

 

13.6 If the Executive is incapable of performing her duties by reason of any accident, illness or injury or other incapacity caused wholly or partly by any act or omission of any third party in relation to which the Executive may be or become entitled to recover damages or compensation, then all net payments made to the Executive under this clause in respect of the said absence shall be loans to the Executive to be repaid if and to the extent that she recovers damages or compensation for loss of earnings from the said third party and/or any other person. Where the Executive receives any damages or compensation for loss of earnings, she shall notify the Company in writing forthwith and shall repay the amount due to the Company under this clause within 28 days of receipt of the said damages or compensation.

 

13.7 The Company shall be entitled during any period during which the Executive is absent due to accident, illness or injury or other incapacity to appoint any other person or persons to perform the duties and exercise the powers of the Executive in her place on such terms and conditions as the Company shall see fit. On resuming office all powers are to be vested back in the Executive.

 

14. CONFIDENTIALITY

 

 

14.1 The Executive acknowledges that during her employment by the Company she will receive and have access to Confidential Information.

 

14.2 All rights, title and interest in and to the Confidential Information shall remain the exclusive property of the Company or, where appropriate, any Group Company and the Executive shall not during the continuance of the Appointment (otherwise than in the proper performance of her duties) or at any time after the Termination Date directly or indirectly use, divulge, export or communicate to any person, firm, company or other organisation any Confidential Information for any purpose whatsoever and shall use her best endeavours to prevent its unauthorised publication, use or disclosure. This obligation shall be in addition to and not in substitution for any express or implied duty of confidentiality owed by the Executive to the Company or any Group Company.

 

14.3 After the Termination Date, the restrictions at clause 14.2 shall not apply in respect of any Confidential Information:

 

14.3.1 in the public domain, otherwise than as a result of any unauthorised act or omission on the part of the Executive; or
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14.3.2 which the Executive is required by law to disclose, provided that the Executive first notifies the Company in writing that she is required to disclose such Confidential Information

 

Nothing in this agreement shall prevent the Executive from making a protected disclosure as defined in section 49 of the Employment Act 2006.

 

15. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

 

 

15.1 Should the Executive discover or participate in the making or discovery of Intellectual Property in the course of her employment under this agreement (irrespective of whether she was carrying out her normal duties or other tasks specifically assigned to her) then all such Intellectual Property shall belong to the Company absolutely in accordance with, but subject to, the provisions of the Registered Designs Act 1949 (an Act of Parliament as extended to the Isle of Man), the Patents Act 1977 (an Act of Parliament extended to the Isle of Man) and the Copyright Act 1991 and the Design Rights Act 1991, as applicable.

 

15.2 The Executive will forthwith notify to the Company full details of all Intellectual Property which she may make, discover or in/of which she may participate in the making or discovery during the Appointment whether or not in the course of her employment under this agreement and will keep the Company apprised at all times of the stage that has been reached in relation to any improvement or creation of such Intellectual Property. If the Company requests (and at its expense) the Executive shall give and supply all such information, data, drawings and assistance as may be required to enable the Company to exploit the Intellectual Property to the best advantage.

 

15.3 At the Company’s expense but without payment to the Executive, the Executive shall take all steps and carry out all acts that may be necessary to ensure that title to the Intellectual Property is lawfully vested in the Company, including signing all applications and executing any other documents that may be necessary and will carry out such acts and steps with expedition on the instructions of the Company, in particular where the filing of any claims to such Intellectual Property right may give the Company priority.

 

15.4 The Executive hereby irrevocable appoints the Company as her attorney in her name and on her behalf to execute any documents and generally to act and to use her name for the purpose of giving the full benefit of this clause to the Company (or its nominee). A certificate in writing signed by a director or the secretary of the Company that an instrument or act falls within the authority confirmed by this clause shall be conclusive evidence in favour of a third party that that is the case.

 

15.5 The Executive waives all of her moral rights as defined in the Copyright Act 1991 in relation to the Intellectual Property which is the property of the Company by virtue of clause 15.1.
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15.6 If the Executive makes, discovers or participates in the making or discovery of any Intellectual Property during her Appointment under this agreement but which is not the property of the Company or any Group Company under clause 15.1, the Company shall, subject only to the provisions of the Patents Act 1977 (an Act of Parliament extended to the Isle of Man), have the right to acquire for itself or its nominee the Executive’s right in the Intellectual Property within three months after disclosure under clause 15.2 on fair and reasonable terms to be agreed or settled by a single arbitrator appointed jointly by the Company and the Executive or, in default of agreement, nominated by the President of the Isle of Man Law Society for the time being.

 

15.7 The provisions of this clause 15 shall remain in force with regard to any Intellectual Property made or discovered during the Executive’s Appointment under this agreement and shall be binding upon her representatives notwithstanding the termination of the Appointment.

 

16. TERMINATION

 

 

16.1 Notwithstanding the provisions of clause 3.1 above, the Company may terminate the Appointment at any time, immediately without notice and without any obligation to pay any further sums to the Executive whether by way of compensation, damages or otherwise in respect of or in lieu of any notice period or unexpired term of the agreement, and without prejudice to any other rights of the Company if the Executive:

 

16.1.1 commits any repeated or continued material breach, or any serious breach, of her obligations to the Company having first been given a reasonable opportunity to remedy the breach (provided it is capable of remedy) by notification from the Board in writing, but having failed to do so; or

 

16.1.2 is convicted of any serious criminal offence (other than an offence under road traffic legislation for which imprisonment is not a sanction); or

 

16.1.3 is or becomes incapable by reason of mental disorder within the meaning of the Mental Health Act 1998; or

 

16.1.4 acts in any manner which in the opinion of the Board brings or is likely to bring her, the Company or any Group Company into material disrepute; or

 

16.1.5 is guilty of dishonesty, gross misconduct or any other conduct which, in the opinion of the Board is calculated or likely to materially affect prejudicially the interests of any Group Company whether or not such misconduct or other conduct occurs during or in the context of the Appointment; or

 

16.1.6 resigns as a director of the Company other than at the request of the Board; or
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16.1.7 is disqualified from being a director of a company by reason of an order made by a competent court or otherwise becomes prohibited by law from being a director of a company; or

 

16.1.8 is made bankrupt or otherwise enters into any composition or arrangement with or for the benefit of her creditors; or

 

16.1.9 is convicted of an offence under the Insider Dealing Act 1998 or under any other applicable statutory enactment or regulations relating to insider dealing .

 

16.2 The rights of the Company under clause 16.1 are without prejudice to any other rights it might have under this agreement or at law to terminate the Appointment or to accept any breach of the agreement on the part of the Executive as having brought the agreement to an end. For the avoidance of doubt, where there are no circumstances justifying summary dismissal under clause 16.1, the methods by which the Company may terminate the Appointment are not restricted to the giving of notice in accordance with clauses 3.1 (term of employment) or 16.3 (termination on account of illness or injury) or to the making of a payment in lieu of notice under clause 3.2 (payment in lieu of notice) and accordingly, if the Company terminates the Appointment without giving notice or without making a payment in lieu of notice, any damages to which the Executive may be entitled shall be calculated in accordance with ordinary common law principles including those relating to mitigation of loss and accelerated receipt.

 

16.3 Without prejudice to clauses 16.1 and 3.2, but notwithstanding any other provision of this agreement, if the Executive shall become unable to perform her duties properly by reason of accident, illness or injury for a period or periods aggregating at least 120 days in any period of 12 consecutive calendar months then the Company may, by not less than six months’ prior written notice to the Executive given at any time while the Executive is incapacitated by accident, illness or injury from performing her duties under the agreement, terminate the Appointment provided that the Company shall withdraw any such notice if during the currency of the notice the Executive returns to full time duties and provides a medical practitioner’s certificate satisfactory to the board to the effect that she has fully recovered her health and that no recurrence of her illness or injury can reasonably be anticipated.

 

16.4 The Company may suspend the Executive on full pay at any time to investigate any allegations of misconduct relating to her and to hold a disciplinary hearing.

 

16.5 Upon termination of the Appointment howsoever caused or, if so requested by the Company, on notice being served by either party on the other to terminate the Appointment the Executive shall:

 

16.5.1 immediately deliver up to the Company any property belonging to the Company or any Group Company and any document, computer disk or other data storage device containing any Confidential Information and shall cease to represent herself as being in any way connected with the Company or any Group Company;
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16.5.2 irretrievably delete any information relating to the business of the Company or any Group Company stored on any magnetic or optical disk or memory and all matter derived therefrom which is in her possession, custody, care or control outside the premises of the Company or any Group Company and shall produce such evidence of compliance with this sub-paragraph as the Company may require; and

 

16.5.3 at the request of the Board, immediately resign any directorship office or appointment held by her in the Company or any Group Company without any claim for compensation or damages for loss of such office or appointment and in the event of her failure to do so within five days of such request the Executive hereby irrevocably appoints the Company as her attorney to execute letters of resignation of such directorship, offices or appointments on her behalf and to take such other steps as are necessary to give effect to such resignations; and

 

16.5.4 transfer to the Company, or as it may direct all shares held by her in the Company or in any Group Company as nominee or trustee for the Company (except shares granted to her for whatsoever reason during and related to her employment) and deliver to the Company the certificates therefor and the Executive hereby irrevocably appoints the Company as her attorney to execute any such transfer on her behalf.

 

16.6 The termination of the Appointment shall not operate to affect those provisions of this agreement which are intended to have effect after the Termination Date.

 

17. POST TERMINATION RESTRICTIONS

 

 

17.1 For a period of six months immediately following the Termination Date, the Executive shall not, whether by herself or by any servant or agent or otherwise howsoever, and whether on the Executive’s own account or on behalf of or in conjunction with any other person, firm, company or other organisation directly or indirectly;

 

17.1.1 carry on or assist with, be employed by, be engaged by, hold a position with, be concerned in, interested in or control the carrying on of any activity or business which is the same as or competes with the Restricted Business anywhere in any Restricted Territory, (except as the holder of shares in a company whose shares are listed on a Recognised Investment Exchange which confer not more than 5% in total of the votes which could normally be cast at a general meeting of that Company);

 

17.1.2 in relation to any business which is the same as or in competition with the Restricted Business conduct any business, perform any services for or canvas, solicit or approach or cause to be canvassed or solicited or approached for the purpose of obtaining business, order or custom, or otherwise deal with any person firm, company or other organisation which was a client or customer of the Company or any Group Company at the Termination Date or during the Relevant Period and with whom the Executive had any dealings or of whom the Executive was aware in the course of her employment;
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17.1.3 in relation to any business the same as or in competition with the Restricted Business conduct any business, perform any services or supply goods to, canvas, solicit or approach or cause to be canvassed, solicited or approached for the purpose of obtaining business, orders or custom any Prospective Customer with whom the Executive had any dealings in the course of her duties at any time in the Relevant Period.

 

17.2 For a period of 12 months immediately following the Termination Date, the Executive shall not, whether by herself or by any servant or agent or otherwise howsoever, and whether on the Executive’s own account or on behalf of or in conjunction with any other person, firm, company or other organisation directly or indirectly:

 

17.2.1 offer employment to or employ or offer to or conclude a contract for services in the Restricted Territory with any Restricted Employee or procure or facilitate the making of such an offer;

 

17.2.2 seek to entice away from the Company or any Group Company or otherwise solicit or interfere with the relationship between the Company and any Restricted Supplier or any Group Company and any Restricted Supplier.

 

17.3 The Executive shall not at any time after the Termination Date;

 

 

17.3.1 directly or indirectly anywhere in any Restricted Territory carry on a business either alone or jointly with or as officers, manager, agent, consultant or employee of any person whether similar to any part of the business of the Company or any Group Company (as conducted at any time) or otherwise under a title or name comprising or containing the word “Eros” or any approximation/colourable imitation thereof and she will at all times procure that any company controlled by her will not carry out such business under any such title or name; and

 

17.3.2 say or do anything which is harmful to the reputation or goodwill of the Company or any Group Company or likely to or calculated to lead to any person, firm, company or other organisation withdrawing from or ceasing to continue to offer a Group Company any rights of purchase, sale, import, distribution or agency enjoyed by it;

 

17.3.3 hold herself out falsely as being in anyway connected with any Group Company; and
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17.3.4 solicit, entice or procure or endeavour to solicit, entice or procure any employee to breach their contract of employment with the Company or any Group Company or any person to breach their contract for services with the Company or any Group Company.

 

17.4 The period of each of the above restrictions shall be reduced by the period, if any, during which the Company exercises its rights under clause 3.5.

 

17.5 The Executive has had an opportunity to consider the restrictions prior to execution of this agreement and agrees that each of the restrictions set out above constitutes severable and independent covenants and restrictions upon her the duration, extent and application of each of which is no greater than is reasonably necessary for the protection of the goodwill and legitimate trade connections of the Restricted Business.

 

17.6 Further, if a restriction in clauses 17.1 to 17.3 of this agreement is found void but would be valid if some part of it were deleted, the restriction shall apply with such deletion as may be necessary to make it valid and effective.

 

17.7 The Executive recognises that, given her role with the Company and within the Group and the Group’s structure, the Company has an interest in the business of the Group Companies which it is legitimate for it to protect by the covenants set out above.

 

17.8 Notwithstanding and without prejudice to the foregoing provisions of this clause 17 it is acknowledged by the Executive that the Company holds the benefit of these covenants on trust for any Group Company as the Company may direct in substantially the same terms as the covenants the Executive has entered into with the Company. Further, if so requested by the Company, the Executive shall enter into separate contracts with a Group Company for performance of additional duties in exchange for separate compensation as agreed with the Group Company which will not interfere or conflict with her duties under this Agreement.

 

17.9 The Executive shall show these restrictions to any firm, person, company or other organisation which is the same as or competes with or proposes or is likely to compete with the Restricted Business which offers her employment or a contract for services to her and which she accepts or is minded to accept.

 

18. DATA PROTECTION

 

 

18.1 The Executive shall at all times during the Appointment adhere to any policy introduced by the Company from time to time to comply with the DPA or equivalent legislation in any other relevant jurisdiction. Breach of this undertaking will constitute a disciplinary offence.

 

18.2 The Executive hereby consents to the Company holding and processing both electronically and manually the personal data it collects which relates to the Executive which is necessary or reasonably required for the proper performance of this agreement, for management, administrative and other employment related purposes (both during and after the Appointment) or for the conduct of the Group’s business or to comply with applicable law, rules and regulations (the “Authorised Purposes”) and the Executive agrees to provide the Group with all personal data relating to her which is necessary or reasonably required for the Authorised Purposes.
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18.3 The Executive explicitly consents to the Company or any other Group Company processing her personal data, including her sensitive personal data, where this is necessary or reasonably required to achieve one or more of the Authorised Purposes.

 

18.4 The Executive acknowledges that the Company may, from time to time collect or disclose her personal data (including her sensitive personal data) from and to third parties (including without limitation the Executive’s referees, any management consultants or computer maintenance companies engaged by the Company, the Company’s professional advisers, other Group Companies, any suppliers of goods or services to the Group and any potential purchasers of the business carried on by the Company and/or the Group). The Executive consents to such collection and disclosure even where this involves the transfer of such data, with appropriate safeguards, outside the European Economic Area where this is necessary or reasonably required to achieve one or more of the Authorised Purposes or is in the interests of the Company and/or its shareholders.

 

18.5 The Company agrees to process any personal data made available to it by the Executive in accordance with the provisions of the DPA.

 

18.6 this clause “data controller” “personal data” “processing” and “sensitive personal data” shall have the meaning set out in section 1 of the DPA.

 

19. GRIEVANCE AND DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURES

 

 

19.1 If the Executive has any grievance relating to the Appointment she should raise it with the Executive Chairman either orally or in writing. If she is dissatisfied with that person’s decision she should refer the matter in writing to the Board, whose decision shall be final. In the event that the Executive’s grievance relates to the Executive Chairman, she should raise it with an independent director of the Board initially, either orally or in writing and then the Board; if she is dissatisfied with the independent director’s decision, the Board’s decision shall be final.

 

19.2 Any disciplinary matters relating to the Executive shall be dealt with by the Board and in accordance with the Company’s disciplinary procedures in effect from time to time.

 

20. CAPACITY

 

 

20.1 The Executive warrants that in entering into this agreement and performing her obligations under it, she will not be in breach of any terms or obligations under any further or other employment or appointment and will not become precluded from entering into this agreement or fulfilling her obligations under it and she will indemnify the Company against any costs, claims or demands against it arising out of any such breach by her.
19
 
21. GENERAL

 

 

21.1 The provisions of this agreement are severable and if any provision is held to be invalid or unenforceable by a court or other body of competent jurisdiction then such invalidity or unenforceability shall not affect the remaining provisions of this agreement.

 

21.2 The Executive’s rights and her obligations towards the Company and the Group shall be governed by this agreement together with such other agreements and understandings as she may enter into from time to time with any other Group Company(ies) notwithstanding that they may be documented separately to this agreement.

 

21.3 Any communication or notification under this agreement shall be in writing and may be left at or sent by registered or recorded delivery post or by facsimile transmission or other electronic means of written communication to the address detailed at the top of this agreement or to such other address as may be notified by the parties to each other from time to time for the purpose of this clause. Any communication to the Company must be marked “For the attention of the Company Secretary”.

 

21.4 Communications which are sent or dispatched as set out below shall be deemed to have been received as follows:

 

21.4.1 by physical delivery – upon delivery to the Company’s premises or the Executive’s notified place of residence (as the case may be) provided that if the delivery is effected after usual business hours, the communication shall be deemed to be received on the next following business day at 09:00 local time;

 

21.4.2 by post – two business days after dispatch; and

 

21.4.3 by facsimile transmission or other electronic means of written communication – on the business day next following the day on which the communication was sent.

 

21.5 In proving service by post it shall only be necessary for a party to prove that the communication was in an envelope which was duly addressed, stamped and posted by registered or recorded delivery post.

 

21.6 For the purpose of this clause a “business day” means a day on which the clearing banks in the City of London are open for business. “Close of business” means 18.00 hours local time in London.21.7 This agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Isle of Man and each party to this agreement submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Isle of Man courts.
20
 

 

21.8 Except as expressly provided for above, nothing in this agreement confers on any third party any benefits under the provisions of the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 2001.

 

21.9 Each party confirms that it has taken all necessary actions and has all requisite power and authority to enter into and perform this agreement.

 

21.10 The Company confirms that execution and delivery by it of this agreement and compliance with its terms shall not breach or constitute a default under the Company’s articles of association.

 

21.11 There are no collective agreements which apply to the Executive’s employment under this agreement.

 

 

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF the parties hereto have entered into this agreement as a Deed on the day and year first above written.

 

EXECUTED as a DEED BY :  
EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC :  
acting by :  
    (Director)
     
EXECUTED and DELIVERED as a :  
DEED by :  
JYOTI DESHPANDE :  
acting by :  
in the presence of this witness: :  
     
     
Name of witness :  
     
Signature of witness:    
     
Address:    
     
Occupation:    
21
 

 

SCHEDULE A

 

 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE EXECUTIVE TO THE BOARD OF THE COMPANY

 

The Executive will perform the following duties and responsibilities which are meant to be broad guidance and not an exhaustive list of duties and report to the Board on the following matters:

 

1. The Executive will be responsible for directing and coordinating all the functional and regional heads of the Company and as such responsible for overall group strategy and operations.

 

2. The Executive will be responsible for financial planning and budgeting along with the Group CFO and present Annual Budgets for approval to the Board and also report performance against the Budgets to the Board.

 

3. The Executive will be responsible for devising and implementing capital market strategies for the Company including managing any existing listing on any Stock Exchange as well as directing the move to an alternative stock exchange, including “go-private” or private equity alternatives as approved by the Board from time to time.

 

4. The Executive will be responsible to meet key analysts and investors, existing and potential, and market the Company to them during Company results presentations and other occasions such as investor conferences.

 

5. The Executive will be responsible for managing key corporate relationships such as bankers and corporate lenders and give them business updates from time to time.

 

6. The Executive will be responsible for managing key business relationships such as joint venture partners and collaborations including help strategise and structure such a deal as well as implement and maintain the ongoing relationship at the various levels as required.

 

7. The Executive will be responsible to ensure that the Company is compliant with all material statutory and regulatory requirements that are applicable to the Company and report to the Board on the same.

 

8. The Executive will be responsible for recruiting key personnel from time to time as may be necessary to fill new or existing roles to manage growth of the Company.

 

9. The Executive will report to the Board on the changing competitive environment and the Company’s performance in relation to the same from time to time.
22
 

SCHEDULE B

 

EQUITY STAKE

 

DEFINITIONS USED IN THIS SCHEDULE

 

Bad Leaver means, where the Executive resigns from her employment with the Company or her Appointment is otherwise terminated in any of the following circumstances:
   
(a) termination or dismissal for cause meaning that the reason therefor falls under any of the grounds in clause 16.1.1 to 16.1.2, 16.1.4 to 16.1.5 and 16.1.7 to 16.1.9 (all inclusive) of this agreement; or
   
(b) where the Executive resigns without being asked to do so by the Company;
   
Good Leaver means where the Executive resigns from her employment with the Company or the Appointment is terminated in any of the following circumstances:
   

 

(a) retirement in accordance with clause 3.4 of this agreement or otherwise by agreement with the Board;

 

(b) long-term ill health, disability or serious injury as determined at the discretion of the Board and evidenced to the Board’s reasonable satisfaction;

 

(c) redundancy within the meaning of the Redundancy Payments Act 1990; or

 

 

(d) the Company gives notice of termination without cause meaning in the absence of a reason for which it could terminate the Executive’s employment under clause 16.1 of this agreement;

 

Restriction means a prohibition on the Executive selling, transferring or creating any encumbrance over the Shares (as defined below) and the term “Restricted” shall be construed accordingly;
   
Subscription Price means the nominal or par value of the Shares being £0.10 each.

 

 

Terms used but not defined in this schedule shall bear the same meaning as in the body of this agreement.

23
 

Issue

 

1. Subject to payment by the Executive of the Subscription Price in cash, the Company shall, within 15 days of the execution of this agreement, issue to the Executive such number of new fully paid ordinary shares as corresponds to 4% of the issued share capital of the Company (the “Shares”) on the issue date.

 

2. The Shares shall be issued to the Executive free of encumbrances and liens with the benefit of all rights attaching (or which may, in the future, attach) to them under the Company’s articles of association including, without limitation, the right to vote and receive any dividends and distributions made, paid or declared thereon after the date of this agreement.

 

3. For the avoidance of doubt, the number of Shares to which the Executive is entitled under the terms of this agreement shall be calculated on the basis of the issued share capital of the Company prior to any further public offering and/or the proposed admission to trading of the Company’s shares on the NYSE.

 

4. Within 15 days of the date of this agreement, the Company shall deliver to the Executive:

 

 

4.1 a copy of the resolution duly passed by the Board authorising the issue of the Shares to the Executive; and

 

4.2 a share certificate or proof of issuance of the Shares to the Executive’s

CREST account.

 

 

Restrictions

 

5. Upon issue, all Shares shall be Restricted, but subject to paragraph 7 below:

 

 

5.1 33.33% of the Shares shall be released from the Restrictions on the first anniversary of the date of this agreement;

 

5.2 a further 33.33% of the Shares shall be released from the Restrictions on the second anniversary of the date of this agreement; and

 

5.3 the remaining Shares shall be released from the Restrictions on the third anniversary of the date of this agreement.

 

6. Where Shares cease to be subject to Restrictions in accordance with the preceding paragraph of this Schedule the Executive shall have, for the avoidance of doubt, full and unfettered rights in relation to the same and may freely sell, transfer, charge and otherwise dispose of or deal with them on such terms as she sees fit.
24
 

Termination

 

7. If the Executive leaves her employment with the Company as a Good Leaver, or if the Company otherwise permits in its absolute discretion, she shall remain entitled to the Shares and the Restrictions attaching thereto (to the extent that they have not already ceased to have effect in accordance with paragraphs 5.1 to 5.3 above) shall be lifted as from the Termination Date.

 

8. If the Executive leaves or is dismissed from her employment with the Company as a Bad Leaver and/or in any circumstances other than those applying under paragraph 7, the Company shall be entitled to claw back any Shares which remain subject to Restrictions on the relevant date. Provided, in this case, that the Executive shall, immediately upon request, transfer the portion of her Shares that is subject to Restrictions back to the Company or as it may direct and/or co- operate with any buy-back of Restricted Shares necessary to give effect to the provisions of this paragraph, she will be entitled to receive in cash within 3 days of the transfer or re-purchase – as the case may be - the Subscription Price of the Shares clawed back or re-purchased, as applicable.

 

9. The Executive confirms that she shall do all acts and things necessary or incidental for the purposes of giving effect to clause 8 above including, for the avoidance of doubt, providing such authorities and instructions as may be necessary to her broker and/or custodian. Furthermore, in the event of the Executive’s default in complying with her obligations in this respect, she hereby irrevocably appoints the Company as her attorney to do all acts and things requisite or incidental for the purposes of giving effect to clause 8 including providing instructions in her name to CREST.

 

25

  Exhibit 10.19

 

 

 

Employment Agreement

 

THIS AGREEMENT entered into this 29 th day of August, 2013 , and made effective from 24 th September 2012 between Eros International Media Limited a Company Incorporated pursuant to the provisions of the Indian Companies Act 1956 and having its registered office situated at 201, Kailash Plaza, Plot No A-12, Opp. Laxmi Industrial Estate, Link Road, Andheri (w), Mumbai-400053 (hereinafter referred to as the Company) on the first part,

 

AND

 

Mrs. Jyoti Deshpande residing at Bungalow No 3, Hemkunt, Golden Acres CHS, J.R. Mhatre Road, Juhu, Mumbai 49, India ( hereinafter referred to as the “Employee”) on the second part.

 

  /s/ SL /s/ JD

 

1
 

 

WITNESSETH THAT :

 

WHEREAS, the parties hereto desire to enter into this Agreement to define and set forth the terms and conditions of the employment of the Executive Director by the Company;

 

NOW, THEREFOR, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements set forth below, it is hereby covenanted and agreed by the Company and the Employee as follows:

 

1. POSITION; EMPLOYMENT PERIOD

 

The Company hereby employs the Employee as its Executive Director, and the Employee hereby agrees to serve in such capacity w.e.f. 28 th June 2012 for a period of 3 years ending on 30 th September 2015 (Shareholders approval dated 24-Sept-2012 at the 18 th Annual General Meeting)

 

2. PERFORMANCE OF DUTIES

 

The Employee agrees that during the Employment period she shall devote her best efforts and all of her business time to the performance of her duties under this agreement and shall perform them faithfully, diligently and competently and in a manner consistent with the policies of the Eros Group and as determined from time to time by the Board of Directors of the Company. The Employee shall be vested with the substantial powers of management to manage the business affairs of the Company which shall include representations on behalf of the Company, to carry on negotiations and to execute the contracts on behalf of the Company; provided that the foregoing shall not limit or prevent the Employee from serving on the Board of Directors of charitable organizations or other business corporations not in competition with the Company. The scope of the Executive Director’s duties are outlined below and meant to be indicative not exhaustive:

 

i) To meet and discuss strategies with the Managing Director and CEO of the Company.
ii) To discuss and review the Indian market with respect to the film exhibition, television licensing and other distribution channels and from time to time meet with multiplex chains, television networks and other business associates with the respective business heads of these divisions.
iii) To participate in the internal discussions relating to green-lighting of the film slate to be acquired or co-produced.
iv) To meet with potential talent partners and production houses within the Indian film industry as part of the ongoing relationship building with the Company and future business development.
v) To discuss marketing strategies and review the print and advertising budgets for the various planned film releases.
vi) To meet with bankers, corporate lenders and such other business associates.
vii) To interact with media when appropriate.
viii) To interact with Indian collaboration partners on an ongoing basis.

 

  /s/ SL /s/ JD
2
 

 

ix) To meet with investors and analysts of the Company and help market the Company’s performance and strategies and participate in the communication of the Company’s vision to its shareholders.
x) To provide strategic, financial and operational inputs in the Board meetings.

 

3. COMPENSATION

 

Subject to the following provisions of this Agreement, during the Employment Period the Employee shall be compensated for her services as follows.

 

(a) She shall receive an annual salary, payable in monthly or more frequent installments, in an amount which shall initially be Rs. 72,00,000/- (Indian Rupees Seventy two Lakhs only) per annum in accordance with the Company’s standard payroll procedures and subject to applicable withholding taxes (with annual increase of 10% on salary payable at the commencement of every financial year).
(b) Traveling allowances:-The Company shall bear all travelling expenses, including boarding and lodging as per the rules of the Company during domestic and overseas business trips.
(c) Medical Reimbursement as per actual including medical insurance cost.
(d) Provision for the Company owned cars and telephone for official and personal purpose.
(e) Club Fees up to a Maximum of two clubs.
(f) She shall be entitled to 5,71,160 equity shares under Employee Stock Opinion Scheme, 2009 of the Company at an exercise price of Rs. 75/- per share and which shall be vested annually in the month of July every year, during her tenure of appointment as an Executive Director of the Company as follows:
· 25% of the Options i.e. 1,42,790 shares shall be vested on or after 16 th July 2013
· 37.50% of the options i.e. 2,14,185 shares shall be vested on or after 16 th July 2015.
· Balance 37.50% of the Options i.e. 2,14,185 shall be vested on or after 16 th July 2015.
(g) She shall be entitled to such other perquisites as may be customarily granted by the Company to employees of similar rank and position.

 

 

4. COMPETING BUSINESSES

 

The Employee as Executive Director of the Company agrees that during the term of her Employment, she shall not indulge, participate, control and/or be involved in, any activity or business, directly or indirectly, whatsoever through any other entity competing with the business or activities of the Company. Nothing contained herein above and clause 5 here of shall apply to:

 

(i) An investment made by the Employee in the share capital of a public listed Company and

 

  /s/ SL /s/ JD

 

3
 

 

(ii) To investments made by the Employee as a passive investor in share capital of any Company or other body corporate provided that such Company or body corporate is controlled by a relative (as defined in section 2 (41) of the Act) of the Employee.

 

5. CONFIDENTIALITY & INVENTIONS

 

The Employee agrees from the date hereof that she shall not use for herself or for the benefit of any third party or publish or disclose any Company confidential information save and except for the business of the Company and at any time after the date therof, the Employee shall not knowingly do anything do anything that might be prejudicial to the business of the Company or its interest.

 

The Employee agrees and undertakes that during the term of her Employment, she shall assign to the Company, all intellectual property including all inventions, whether patented or not patented copyrights, design rights, trade marks obtained by her individually or on behalf of the Company in relation to the work carried on, discovered, invented designed and/or authored by her (hereinafter referred to as “ Intellectual Properties ”) during her term of as Executive Director of the Company. Such Intellectual Properties shall constitute the absolute property of the Company and the Employee shall not lay claim on any such Intellectual Properties during the term of her Employment or after expiry or sooner termination of such Employment.

 

 

6. AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION

 

The Employment Agreement shall be terminated at the option of the Company by not less than 30 days notice in writing to Employee in the event of materials breach of any of the terms and conditions of this Employment Agreement by the Employee on occurrence of any of the Events of Default. Events of Defaults under this Employment Agreement (“Events of Default”) shall be the following:

 

(i) An Act of dishonesty or fraud by Employee intended to result in gain or personal enrichment of Employee.
(ii) Employee personally engaging in gross misconduct including willful disregard of the directions of the Board of which causes material harm or injury to the business of the Company.
(iii) Employee’s willful and continues failure to substantially perform the duties and obligations of her employment which are not remedied within twenty days after notice thereof from the Board of Directors;
(iv) Employee being convicted of a felony, or a misdemeanour or gross misdemeanour relating to an act of dishonesty or fraud against, or a misappropriation of property belonging to the Company;

 

  /s/ SL /s/ JD
4
 

 

(v) Employee’s engagement in a conduct which substantially impairs her ability to perform the duties and obligations of the Employment or is likely to cause material harm to the business or reputation of the Company which is not remedied within 15 (fifteen) days notice thereof from the Company;
(vi) Employee personally engaging in any act of moral turpitude including misappropriation of any act property of the Company or which causes or is likely to cause material harm to the business or reputation of the Company which is not remedied within 30 (thirty) days after notice thereof from the Company;
(vii) In the event of termination of the Employment by the Employee for any reason whatsoever, and in the event the Employee has any unvested pending entitlements to exercise the option to purchase the Shares of the Company, Employee shall surrender or deemed to have surrendered her unvested entitlements, stock options and warrants in this regard simultaneously with the resignation/ termination.

 

7. NOTICES & NON-ASSIGNMENT

 

This Employment Agreement may not be assigned by any party here to. Any notice required or permitted to be given under this Employment Agreement shall sufficient if in writing and send by registered mail to:

 

Mrs. Jyoti Deshpande:

Bungalow No 3, Hemkunt,

Golden Acres CHS,

J.R. Mhatre Road, Juhu,

Mumbai -49, India

 

The Company:

Eros International Media Limited,

901/902, Supreme Chambers,

Off Veera Desai Road,

Andheri-West.

Mumbai- 400 053

 

 

8. SUCCESSORS

 

This Agreement shall be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of, the Company and its successors and assigns and upon any person acquiring, whether by merger, consolidation, purchase of assets or otherwise, all or substantially all of the Company’s assets and business.

 

9. SUPPERSESSION OF PRIOR CONTRACTS

 

This Employment Agreement contains the entire agreement of the parties with respect to the subject matter here of, and supersedes all prior agreements and arrangements relating to

 

  /s/ SL /s/ JD
5
 

 

The subject matter hereof. It may be changed, modified and amended only by an agreement in writing and signed by the parties hereto. The parties hereto agree that in event of any conflict between the terms and conditions of this Employment Agreement and any other arrangement or agreement, including any employee stock option plan, the terms and conditions of this Employment Agreement shall prevail.

 

10. REMEDIES

 

In the event of any claim, controversy, dispute or difference between parties hereto, arising out of, or in connection with, or in relation to this Employment Agreement, either party will be entitled to refer the same to binding arbitration in accordance with the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1956, and the Rules made thereunder. The reference shall be made to a sole arbitrators, one to be appointed by Company, the other to be appointed be the Employee and the third to be appointed by the two arbitrators appointed by the parties.

 

The notice should accurately set out the disputes between the parties, the intention of the aggrieved party to refer such disputes to arbitration as provided herein, the names of the person it seeks to appoint as an arbitrator with a request to the other party to agree to such arbitrator within 30 days from the receipt of the notice. All notices by one party to the other in connection with the arbitration shall be in writing and shall be made as provided in this Employment Agreement.

 

11. APPLICABLE LAW

 

The provisions of this Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the provisions of the Indian Contract Act 1872.

 

12. COUNTERPARTS

 

The Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, any one of which shall be deemed the original without reference to the others.

 

  /s/ SL /s/ JD
6
 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the Employee has hereunto set her hand, and the Company has caused these presents to be executed in its name and on its behalf, all as of the day and year first above written.

 

ACCEPTED AND AGREED WITHOUT CHANGE

 

Signed this on 29th day of August, 2013

 

 

/s/Sunil Lulla   /s/Jyoti Deshpande
(Signature)   ( Signature )
     
Eros International Media Limited.   Mrs. Jyoti Deshpande
     
Name: Mr Sunil Lulla    
     
Executive Vice Chairman and Managing Director    

 

7

Exhibit 10.20

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DATED September 5 (with effect from September 1 2013)

 

 

 

(1) EROS INTERNATIONAL LIMITED

 

and

 

(2) JYOTI DESHPANDE

 

 

 

____________________________

 

 

SERVICE AGREEMENT

 

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

 

____________________________

 

 

 
 

 

THIS AGREEMENT is made on September 5 2013 (with effect from September 12013)

 

 

 

BETWEEN:-

 

 

(1) EROS INTERNATIONAL LIMITED of 13 Manchester Square London W1u 3PP (the “Company”);
and

 

 

(2) JYOTI DESHPANDE of 16 Cavendish Drive, Edgware, Middlesex HA8 7NS (the “Executive”)

 

 

IT IS AGREED as follows:

 

 

1. Interpretation

 

1.1 In this agreement the following expressions have the following meanings:

 

 

“Appointment the employment of the Executive by the Company under this agreement
   
“Board” the board of directors of the Company from time to time or committee of directors of the Company as may be authorized by the board from time to time;
   
“Commencement Date” 1st September 2013
   
   
“Confidential Information” Information confidential to the Company and any Group Company including but not limited to Intellectual Property, costumer and prospective customer information, film/film producer information (including names addresses, contract names and addresses, telephone numbers and e-mail addresses) business plans, trade secrets, product specifications, market research, financial data and forecasts, capital strategy and capital raising activities (proposed and ongoing), business methods, marketing strategies, tenders and price sensitive information, fess, commission structure, feasibility figures and plans relating to contracts (actual and

 

 

/s/ JD /s/ AH

 

 
 

 

  proposed), details of actual and proposed contracts, requirements of customers or prospective customers or film producers, information in respect of which the Company or any Group Company is bound by an obligation of confidence to any third party and information notified to any third party and information notified to the Executive as being confidential;
   
“Group” or “Group Company” the Company and any subsidiary or holding company of the Company or any affiliate of the Company for the time being or any other subsidiary or affiliate of the holding company of the Company for the time being. Both “subsidiary” and “holding company” shall have the meaning given in section 736 of the Companies Act 1985 and “affiliate” shall have the meaning given in section 259(5) of the Companies Act 1985;
   
“Intellectual Property” includes letters patent, trademarks, service marks, copyrights, design rights, applications for registration of any of the foregoing and the right to apply for them in any part of the world, creations, arrangements, devices, inventions or improvements upon or additions to an invention, moral rights, confidential information, know-how and rights of a similar nature arising or subsisting anywhere in the world in relation to all of the foregoing whether registered or unregistered;
   
   
“Prospective Customer” any person, firm, company of other organization who or which was the Termination Date in negotiations with the Company or any Group Company with a view to dealing with the Company or any Group Company as a customer;
   
“Recognized Investment Exchange” the same meaning as in section 417 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000;
   
“Relevant Period” the period of 12 months immediately preceding the earlier of the Termination Date or the date upon which the Executive is placed on garden leave in accordance with clause 3.5;
   
“Restricted Business” the business of manufacturing , selling, leasing, renting, distribution, advertising, publicizing, marketing or otherwise exploiting home video devices and I or any other business or activity of the Company in which the Executive had any involvement during the course of her duties at any time during the Relevant Period;
   
“Restricted Employee” any employee or consultant or director of the Company or any Group Company as the Termination Date or such other person engaged by any Group Company who had access to

 

 

/s/ JD /s/ AH

 

 
 

 

  Confidential Information and/or with whom the Executive had personal dealing during the Relevant Period;
   
“Restricted Supplier” any person, firm or company who at any time during the Relevant Period was a supplier of the Company or any Group Company being a person, firm or company with whom or which the Executive personally dealt on behalf of the Company or any Group Company during the Relevant Period;
   
“Restricted Territory” any country in which the Executive conducted Restricted Business on behalf of the Company;
   
“Review Date” the anniversary of the date of this agreement;
   
“Termination date” the date of termination of the Appointment howsoever occurring.

 

1.2 Words denoting the singular include the plural and vice versa and words denoting gender include both genders.

 

1.3 References to any provisions or any statute shall be deemed to include a reference to all and every statutory amendment, modification, re-enactment and extension and to any regulation or order made under any of them in force on or after the date of this agreement.

 

1.4 Save where otherwise appears, reference to a clause or schedule shall be deemed to be reference to a clause or schedule of or to this agreement.

 

1.5 Headings to clauses are for the convenience of reference only and shall not affect the meaning or construction of anything contained in this agreement.

 

 

2. The Appointment

 

2.1 Subject to the terms of this agreement, the Company shall employ the Executive and the Executive shall serve as CEO of the Company or such other capacity as the Board may from time to time determine which is acceptable to the Executive.

 

 

3. Term of Employment and Notice

 

3.1 Subject to earlier termination provided for in this agreement, the Appointment shall start on the Commencement Date and shall continue for an initial period of three years and thereafter until terminated by either party giving to the other not less than 12 {twelve) months’ prior written notice of termination.

 

3.2 The Company may at any time in its absolute discretion elect to terminate the Appointment immediately by paying to the Executive, in lieu of any period of notice or any part of it, an

 

 

/s/ JD /s/ AH

 

 
 

 

amount equivalent to the Executive’s basic salary (at the rate then payable under this agreement} for such period or part period including any bonus or benefits in kind.

 

3.3 For the purpose of the Employment Rights Act 1996, the Executive’s period of continuous employment with the Company commenced on 1st September 2013.

 

3.4 The Appointment shall in any event automatically terminate without notice and without any sum payable by the Company whether by way of compensation or otherwise, upon the Executive’s sixty fifth birthday.

 

3.5 The Company shall not be obliged to provide work to the Executive at any time after notice of termination of the Appointment shall have been given by either party under any of the provisions of this agreement and the Company may in its absolute discretion take any one or more of the following steps in respect of all or part of an unexpired period of notice :-

 

3.5.1 require the Executive to comply with such conditions as it may reasonably specify in relation to; (i) attending at or remaining away from the place(s) of business of the Company and/or (ii) contacting or refraining from contacting all or any employees, officers, customers, clients, agents or suppliers of the Company or any Group Company;

 

3.5.2 perform part of her normal duties only or assign the Executive to duties other than her normal duties provided such duties are commensurate with her status under this agreement;

 

3.5.3 withdraw any powers vested in, or duties assigned to the Executive; and

 

3.5.4 require the Executive to resign her directorship of any Group Company;

 

provided always that during any such period the Company shall continue to pay the Executive’s salary and contractual benefits (unless and until this agreement shall be terminated}. The Executive shall remain an employee of the Company and shall remain bound by all obligations owed to the Company under this agreement including, but not limited to, her obligations under clause 4.5 of this agreement.

 

 

4. Powers and duties

 

4.1 During the Appointment the Executive shall at all times :-

 

4.1.1 exercise the powers and functions and perform the duties reasonably assigned to her from time to time by the Board in such manner as may be reasonably specified;

 

4.1.2 well and faithfully serve the Company and use her utmost way which may conflict with the interests of any Group Company;

 

 

/s/ JD /s/ AH

 

 
 

 

4.1.3 render her services (as specified in Annexure A) in a professional and competent manner and in willing co-operation with others;

 

4.1.4 unless prevented by ill-health or other unavoidable cause, devote her whole working time, attention and abilities exclusively to carrying out her duties hereunder and such other time as is reasonably necessary for the proper performance of her duties;

 

4.1.5 conform to the reasonable instruction or directions of the Board (or anyone duly authorized by it) and implement and apply the policies of the Company as determined by the Board from time to time; and

 

4.1.6 comply with the rules and procedures of the Company and of any association or professional body to which the Company and/or the Executive may from time to time belong.

 

 

4.2 The Executive shall report to the Board, or such other person on the Board may from time to time direct, as and when required and shall at all times keep the Board fully informed of her activities and shall promptly provide such information and explanations as may be requested from time to time by the Board.

 

 

4.3 The Executive shall not at any time, without the prior consent of the Board;

 

4.3.1 incur on behalf of the Company any capital expenditure in excess of such sum as may be authorised from time to time by resolution of the Board;

 

4.3.2 enter into on behalf of the Company any commitment, contract or arrangement which is otherwise than in the normal course of business or is outside the scope of her normal duties or is of any unusual onerous or long term nature;

 

4.3.3 engage any person on terms which vary from those established from time to time by resolution of the Board; or

 

4.3.4 dismiss any employee of the Company without giving proper statutory or (if longer) contractual notice or without following the statutory disciplinary procedure and in any case the Executive shall immediately report any dismissal effected by her and the reason for it to the Board.

 

 

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4.4 The Executive shall not at any time during the Appointment directly or indirectly enter into or be concerned in any trade or business or occupation whatsoever other than the business or occupation whatsoever other than the business of the Company except with the prior written consent of the Board which may be given subject to any conditions or terms the Board considers appropriate. This clause shall not prevent the Executive from holding up to 5% of any class of shares, debentures or other securities in a company which is listed or dealt in on a Recognized Investment Exchange.

 

4.5 The Executive shall comply with all rules, regulations and codes of practice issued by the Company and the UK Listing Authority as shall from time to time be in force relating to transactions in securities and shall comply with all requirements, recommendations or regulations of the Financial Services Authority, the London Stock Exchange Plc, the UK Listing Authority and/or any other exchange on which securities of the Company (or other company in the Group) are from time to time listed or dealt in or any other authority or body authorized to regulate transactions in securities.

 

4.6 The Executive shall not contravene the provision of Part V (Insider Dealing) of the Criminal Justice Act 1993.

 

4.7 In this clause the expression “occupation” includes membership of Parliament or of a local authority, council or other public or private work (whether for profit or otherwise) which, in the reasonable opinion of the Board, may hinder or otherwise interfere with the Executive’s ability to perform her duties under this agreement.

 

 

5. Place of Work and Travel

 

5.1 The Executive’s normal place of work under this Agreement shall be the Company’s premises at 13 Manchester Square, London W1U 3PP or any other place in the United Kingdom that may be agreed with the Executive.

 

5.2 The Executive acknowledges that she will travel to any of the Company or its subsidiaries’ offices as may be necessary for her to carry out the proper performance of her duties.

 

5.3 The Company shall pay for all of the Executive’s travel, accommodation and other reasonable incidental expenses as may be incurred during her travel in relation to the performance of her duties under this Agreement. Where applicable, especially to places of travel outside of the Company’s various offices, the Company may provide the Executive with a Per Diem Allowance as per the Company Policy.

 

 

6. Hours of Work

 

 

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such other hours as may be necessary for the proper and efficient performance of her duties under this agreement. The Executive shall not be entitled to receive any remuneration for work done outside normal working hours.

 

6.2 As an Executive who has control of her own working hours the Executive hereby agrees that the maximum average weekly working time as set out in Regulation 4 of the Working Time Regulations 1998 (“WTR”) shall not apply to her employment under this agreement. The Executive shall be entitled to withdraw her agreement to opt out of the WTR by giving three months’ prior written notice to the Company.

 

 

7. Remuneration

 

7.1 The Company shall pay the Executive during the continuation of the Appointment a basic gross annual salary of £92,000 (subject to PAVE and other statutory deductions). The Executive’s basic salary shall accrue from day to day and will be payable in arrears by equal monthly installments on or about the last working day of each month and shall be inclusive of any fees receivable by the Executive as a director of the Company.

 

7.2 The Executive’s basic salary shall be reviewed annually by the Board on the Review Date and may be increased at the Board’s entire discretion.

 

7.3 The Executive shall be eligible to participate in such share option scheme applicable to her position as the Company may introduce subject to the rules of the scheme and the Company’s discretion.

 

 

8. Bonus

 

8.1 The Executive shall be eligible to participate in any bonus scheme introduced by the Company applicable to her, subject to the rules of the scheme and the Company’s discretion. The Company may amend, withdraw or substitute any bonus scheme at any time at its entire discretion.

 

8.2 Subject to clause 8.1, any bonus in respect of any financial year will be paid to the Executive on the last working day of the month in which the Board meets to consider and determine the bonus provided that the Executive is still employed by the Company and not under notice.

 

 

9. Pension

 

9.1 The Company shall contribute an annual sum representing between 5% and 10% of the Executive’s annual basic salary to the Executive’s approved personal pension plan as nominated by the Executive and notified to the Company in writing save that such contribution are subject to the maximum annual amount permitted by the HM Revenue and Customs from time to time.

 

9.2 There is no contracting out certificate in force in respect of the employment under the Pension Scheme Act 1993.

 

 

10. Reimbursement of Business Expenses

 

 

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10.1 The Company shall (on production of receipts or other evidence as it may require) repay or cause to be repaid to the Executive all travelling, hotel, entertainment, and other out-of-pocket expenses from time to time wholly, exclusively and necessarily incurred by her in the proper performance of her duties pursuant to her employment under this agreement. For avoidance of doubt where the Executive is being paid a flat Per Diem allowance as per Company Policy, she will not have to produce expense vouchers and receipts.

 

 

11. Insurance

 

11.1 The Executive shall be eligible for cover under the Company’s Private Medical Insurance Scheme (“PMI Scheme”) along with her spouse or civil partner and her children (including dental cover) and the Company’s Permanent Health Scheme (“PHI Scheme”).

 

11.2 The Executive’s entitlements under and eligibility of any PMI Scheme or PHI Scheme will be determined by the rules of the respective schemes (as amended from time to time) and will be subject to the Executive satisfying any requirements for eligibility imposed by the scheme providers and her acceptance at standard rates of premium.

 

11.3 The provision of these benefits shall be at the Company’s discretion. The Company may, on giving the Executive reasonable notice replace, change or withdraw the PMI Scheme and/or the PHI Scheme at any time as it thinks fit. The replacement or change in terms of a scheme may result in the reduction o the Executive’s entitlements or the loss or reduction of any benefit the Executive may be receiving or about to receive at the time and the Executive shall have no claim against the Company for any loss arising from such a change.

 

11.4 It may be (or become) a term of the PMI Scheme and/or PHI Scheme that the Executive must remain employed by the Company to be entitled to benefits under the said schemes. If so, this will not limit the Company’s discretion to terminate the Executive’s Appointment on grounds of incapacity to work or any other ground. The Executive agrees and acknowledges that if the Appointment is so terminated, he may lose (without recourse to compensation against the Company or any Group Company) existing or prospective benefits under the PMI Scheme and/or PHI Scheme.

 

11.5 During the Continuation of the Appointment, the Company shall,(subject to receipt of a medical report satisfactory to the life assurance company) and in accordance with the terms of the relevant policy from time to time in force, provide the Executive with life assurance which, in the event of her death while in service, shall provide a lump sum to the value of four times her basic salary (at the then annual rate).

 

11.6 Any benefits provided by the Company to the Executive or her family which are not expressly referred to in this agreement shall be regarded as ex-gratia and at the entire discretion of the Company and shall not form part of the Executive’s contract of employment.

 

 

12. Holiday

 

12.1 In addition to the usual statutory bank holidays in England, the Executive shall be entitled to 25 working days’ paid holiday for each complete calendar year worked (and pro rata for part of each calendar year worked) to be taken at such time or times as may be approved by the Board in advance. Holiday entitlement shall accrue from day to day.

 

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12.2 Holiday entitlement may not be carried forward to the next calendar year save with the prior written agreement of the Board and no money will be paid in lieu of any such untaken holiday.

 

12.3 In the event that the Company or the Executive gives notice of termination of the Appointment, the Company may require the Executive to take any holidays which have or will have accrued by the Termination Date during the period of notice, in which case the Executive shall not be entitled to any payment in lieu of such holidays.

 

12.4 On the termination of this agreement the Company shall pay the Executive for any accrued but untaken holiday. If the Executive shall have taken more days’ paid holiday than her accrued entitlement as the Termination Date, the Executive shall repay to the Company the appropriate amount for each day’s paid holiday taken in excess of her accrued entitlement. A day’s pay shall be 1/260th of her basic salary and fractions of days shall be rounded to the nearest whole day.

 

 

13. Incapacity

 

13.1 When absent due to sickness or any other reason, the Executive must inform a member of the Board of the cause(s) of her absence as soon as possible on the first working day of absence unless there is a reasonable explanation as to why this is not possible. A self-certification form must be completed to cover up to the first seven days of absence. A doctor’s medical certificate must be provided for absences of eight consecutive days or more due to sickness, injury or other incapacity. Certificates must be provided to cover completely any subsequent and consecutive period of absence.

 

13.2 The Company has the right to require the Executive at any stage of absence to produce a medical certificate period of absence.

 

13.3 If required by the Board the Executive shall undergo examinations by a medical adviser to be appointed or approved by the Board and the Executive hereby authorizes such medical adviser to disclose the results of any such examination (including any Sensitive Personal Data as defined in the Data Protection Act 1998) to the Board and discuss with it any matters arising from the examination as might impair the Executive in property discharging her duties under this agreement.

 

13.4 Statutory sick pay will be paid by the Company according to the rates in force from time to time. The qualifying days for statutory sick pay purposes shall be Monday to Friday inclusive. Any payments which the Company may make to the Executive in addition to her entitlement to any statutory sick pay shall be at the absolute discretion of the Company and shall be inclusive of statutory sick pay and without prejudice to the Company’s right to terminate this agreement. The Executive shall be entitled to sick pay for a period or periods not exceeding an aggregate of 90 working days’ absence in any consecutive twelve month period. Any sick pay shall be paid at the rate of the Executive’s salary (less any deduction for statutory sick pay or other benefit or payments made under any PHI Scheme provided by the Company) and shall be made entirely at the discretion of the Company.

 

13.5 The Company shall be entitled to deduct from any such remuneration the amount (if any) which the Executive is entitled to claim in consequence of her incapacity by way of state sickness related benefits or by way of income from any health insurance scheme operated by the Company for the benefit of the Executive whether or not a claim is made.

 

 

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13.6 If the Executive is incapable of performing her duties by reason of any accident, illness or injury or other incapacity caused wholly or partly by any act or omission of any third party in relation to which the Executive may be or become entitled to recover damages or compensation, then all net payments made to the Executive under this clause in respect of the said absence shall be loans to the Executive to be repaid if and to the extent that he recovers damages or compensation for loss of earnings from the said third party and/or from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board or the Motor Insurers’ Bureau or any other similar body by action or otherwise. Where the Executive receives any damages or compensation for loss of earning, he shall notify the Company in writing forthwith and shall repay the amount due to the Company under this clause within 28 days of receipt of the said damages or compensation.

 

13.7 The Company shall be entitled during any period during which the Executive is absent due to accident, illness or injury or other incapacity to appoint any other person or persons to perform the duties and exercise the powers of the Executive in her place on such terms and conditions as the Company shall see fit. On resuming office all powers are to be vested back to the Executive.

 

 

14. Confidentiality

 

14.1 The Executive acknowledges that during her employment by the Company she will receive and have access to Confidential Information.

 

14.2 All rights, title and interest in and to the Confidential Information shall remain the exclusive property of the Company or, where appropriate, any Group Company and the Executive shall not during the continuance of the Appointment (otherwise than in the proper performance of her duties) or at any time after the Termination Date directly or indirectly use, divulge, export or communicate to any person, firm, company or other organization any Confidential Information for any purpose whatsoever and shall use her best endeavours to prevent its unauthorized publication, use or disclosure. This obligation shall be in addition to and not in substitution for any express or implied duty of confidentiality owed by the Executive to the Company or any Group Company.

 

14.3 After the Termination Date, the restrictions at clause 14.2 shall not apply in respect of any Confidential Information:

 

14.3.1 in the public domain, otherwise than as a result of any unauthorized act or omission on the part of the Executive; or

 

14.3.2 which the Executive is required by law to disclose, provided that the Executive first notifies the Company in writing that he is required to disclose such Confidential Information

 

Nothing in this agreement shall prevent the Executive from making a protected disclosure as defined in the Employment Rights Act 1996.

 

 

15. Intellectual Property

 

 

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15.1 Should the Executive discover or participate in the making or discovery of Intellectual Property in the course of her employment under this agreement (irrespective of whether she was carrying out her normal duties or other specifically assigned to her) then all such Intellectual Property shall belong to the Company absolutely in accordance with the provisions of the Registered Designs Act 1949, the Patents Act 1977 and the Copyright, Designs and Patent Act 1988.

 

15.2 The Executive will forthwith notify to the Company full details of all intellectual Property which he may make discover or participate in the making or discovery during the Appointment whether or not in the course of her employment, under this agreement and will keep the Company appraised at all times of the stage that has been reached in relation to any improvement or creation of such Intellectual Property. If the Company requests (and at its expense) the Executive shall give and supply all such information, data, drawings and assistance as may be required to enable the Company to exploit the Intellectual Property to the best advantage.

 

15.3 At the Company’s expense but without payment to the Executive, the Executive shall take all steps and carry out all acts that may be necessary to ensure that title to the Intellectual Property is lawfully vested in the Company, including signing all applications and executing any other documents that may be necessary and will carry out such acts and steps with expedition on the instructions of the Company, in particular where the filing of any claims to such Intellectual Property right may give the Company priority.

 

15.4 The Executive hereby irrevocable appoints the Company as her attorney in her name and on her behalf to execute any documents and generally to act and to use her name for the purpose of giving the full benefit of this clause to the Company (or its nominee). A certificate in writing signed by a director or the secretary of the Company that an instrument or act falls within the authority confirmed by this clause shall be conclusive evidence in favour of a third party that is the case.

 

15.5 The Executive waives all of her moral rights as defined in the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 in relation to the Intellectual Property which is the property of the Company by virtue of clause 15.1.

 

15.6 If the Executive makes, discovers or participates in the making or discovery of any Intellectual Property during her Appointment under this agreement but which is not the property of the Company or any Group Company under clause 15.1, the Company shall, subject only to the provisions of the Patents Act 1977, have the right to acquire for itself or its nominee the Executive’s right in the Intellectual Property within three months after disclosure under clause 15.2 on fair and reasonable terms to be agreed or settled by a single arbitrator.

 

15.7 The provisions of this clause 15 shall remain in force with regard to any Intellectual Property made or discovered during the Executive’s Appointment under this agreement and shall be binding upon her representatives notwithstanding the termination of the Appointment.

 

 

16. Termination

 

16.1 Notwithstanding the provisions of clause 3.1 above, the Company may terminate the Appointment at any time, immediately without notice and without any obligation to pay any

 

 

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further sums to the Executive whether by way of compensation, damages or otherwise in respect of or in lieu of any notice period or unexpired term of the agreement, and without prejudice to any other rights of the Company if the Executive;

 

16.1.1 commits any repeated or continued material breach, or any serious breach of her obligations to the Company having first been given a reasonable opportunity to remedy the breach (provided it is capable of remedy) by notification from the Board in writing, but having failed to do so; or

 

16.1.2 is convicted of any serious criminal offence (other than an offence under road traffic legislation for which imprisonment is not a sanction); or

 

16.1.3 becomes of unsound mind or a patient within the meaning of the Mental Health Act 1983; or

 

16.1.4 acts in any manner which in the opinion of the Board brings or is likely to bring her, the Company or any Group Company into material disrepute; or

 

16.1.5 is guilty or gross misconduct or any other conduct which, in the opinion of the Board is calculated or likely to materially affect prejudicially the interests of any Group Company whether or not such misconduct or other conduct occurs during or in the context of the Appointment; or

 

16.1.6 resigns as a director of the Company other than at the request of the Board; or

 

16.1.7 is disqualified from being a director of a company by reason of an order made by a competent court or otherwise becomes prohibited by law from being a director of a company; or

 

16.1.8 has an interim receiving order made against her, becomes bankrupt or makes a composition or enters into a deed of arrangement with her creditors; or

 

16.1.9 is convicted of an offence under Part V of the Criminal Justice Act 1993 or under any other statutory enactment or regulations relating to insider dealing.

 

16.1.10 fails to comply with the Company’s rules in relation to compliance

 

 

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16.2 have under this agreement or at law to terminate the Appointment or to accept any breach of the agreement on the part of the Executive as having brought the agreement to an end. For the avoidance of doubt, where there are no circumstances justifying summary dismissal under clause 16.1, the methods by which the Company may terminate the Appointment are not restricted to the giving of notice in accordance with clauses 3.1(term of employment) or 16.3 (termination on account of illness or injury) or to the making of a payment in lieu of notice under clause 3.2 (payment in lieu of notice) and accordingly, if the Company terminates the Appointment without giving notice or without making a payment in lieu of notice, any damages to which the Executive may be entitled shall be calculated in accordance with ordinary common law principles including those relating to mitigation of loss and accelerated receipt.

 

16.3 Without prejudice to clauses 16.1 and 3.2, but notwithstanding any other provision of this agreement, if the Executive shall become unable to perform her duties properly by reason of accident, illness or injury for a period or periods aggregating at least 120 days in any period of 12 consecutive calendar months (the “Period or Periods of Incapacity”) then the Company may, by not less than six months’ prior written notice to the Executive given at any time while the Executive is incapacitated by accident, illness or injury from performing her duties under the agreement, terminate the Appointment provided that the Company shall withdraw any such notice if during the currency of the notice the Executive returns to full time duties and provides a medical practitioner’s certificate satisfactory to the board to the effect that he has fully recovered her health and that no recurrence of her illness or injury can reasonably be anticipated.

 

16.4 The Company may suspend the Executive on full pay at any time to investigate any allegations of misconduct relating to her and to hold a disciplinary hearing.

 

16.5 Upon termination of the Appointment howsoever caused or, if so requested by the Company, on notice being served by either party on the other to terminate the Appointment the Executive shall;

 

16.5.1 immediately deliver up to the Company any property belonging to the Company or any Group Company and any document, computer disk or other data storage device containing any Confidential Information and shall cease to represent herself as being in any way connected with the Company or any Group Company;

 

16.5.2 irretrievably delete any information relating to the business of the Company or any Group Company stored on any magnetic or optical disk or memory and all matter derived therefrom which is in her possession, custody, care or control outside the premises of the Company or any Group Company and shall produce such evidence of compliance with this sub-paragraph as the Company may require; and

 

 

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16.5.3 at the request of the Board, immediately resign any directorship office or appointment held by her in the Company or any Group Company without any claim for compensation or damages for loss of such office or appointment and in the event of her failure to do so within five days of such request the Executive hereby irrevocably appoints the Company as her attorney to execute letters of resignation of such directorship, offices or appointments on her behalf and to take such other steps as are necessary to give effect to such resignations; and

 

16.5.4 transfer to the Company, or as it may direct all shares held by her in the Company or in any Group Company as nominee or trustee for the Company (except shares granted to her for whatsoever reason during and related to her employment) and deliver to the Company the certificates therefor and the Executive hereby irrevocably appoints the Company her attorney to execute any such transfer on her behalf.

 

16.6 The termination of the Appointment shall not operate to affect those provisions of this agreement which are intended to have effect after the Termination Date.

 

 

17. Post Termination Restrictions

 

17.1 For a period of six months immediately following the Termination Date, the Executive shall not, whether by herself or by any servant or agent or otherwise howsoever, and whether on the Executive’s own account or on behalf of or in conjunction with any other person, firm, company or other organisation directly or indirectly;

 

17.1.1 carry on or assist with, be employed by, be engaged by, hold a position with, be concerned in, interested in or control the carrying on of any activity or business which is the same as or competes with the Restricted Business anywhere in any Restricted Territory, (except as the holder of shares in a company whose shares are listed on a Recognised Investment Exchange which confer not more than 3% in total of the votes which could normally be cast at a general meeting of that Company);

 

 

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17.1.2 in relation to any business which is the same as or in competition with the Restricted Business conduct any business, perform any services for or canvas, solicit or approach or cause to be canvassed or solicited or approached for the purpose of obtaining business, order or custom, or otherwise deal with any person firm, company or other organization which was a client or customer of the Company or any Group Company at the Termination Date or during the Relevant Period and with whom the Executive had any dealings or of whom the Executive was aware in the course of her employment;

 

17.1.3 in relation to any business the same as or in competition with the Restricted Business conduct any business, perform any services or supply goods to, canvas, solicit or approach or cause to be canvassed, solicited or approached for the purpose of obtaining business, orders of custom any Prospective Customer with whom the Executive had any dealings in the course of her duties at any time in the Relevant Period.

 

17.2 For a period of twelve months immediately following the Termination Date, the Executive shall not, whether by herself or by any servant or agent or otherwise howsoever ,and whether on the Executive’s own account or on behalf of or in conjunction with any other person, firm, company or other organization directly or indirectly:

 

17.2.1 offer employment to or employ or offer to or conclude a contract for services in the Restricted Territory with any Restricted Employee or procure or facilitate the making of such an offer;

 

 

17.2.2 seek to entice away from the Company or any Group Company or otherwise solicit or interfere with the relationship between the Company and any Restricted Supplier or any Group Company and any Restricted Supplier.

 

17.3 The Executive shall not at any time after the Termination Date;

 

 

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17.3.1 directly or indirectly anywhere in any Territory carry on a business either alone or jointly with or as officers, manager, agent, consultant or employee of any person whether similar to any part of the business of the Company or any Group Company (as conducted at any time) or otherwise under a title or name comprising or containing the “Eros” or any colourable imitation thereof and he will at all times procure that any company controlled by her will not carry out such business under any such title or name; and

 

17.3.2 say or do anything which is harmful to the reputation or goodwill of the Company or any Group Company or likely to or calculated to lead to any person, firm, company or other organisation to withdraw from or cease to continue to offer a Group Company any rights of purchase, sale, import, distribution or agency enjoyed by it;

 

17.3.3 hold herself out falsely as being in anyway connected with any Group Company; and

 

17.3.4 solicit, entice or procure or endeavour to solicit, entice or procure any employee to breach her contract of employment with the Company or any Group Company or any person to breach her contract for services with the Company or any Group Company.

 

17.4 The period of each of the above restrictions shall be reduced by the period, if any, during which the Company exercises its rights under clause 3.5.

 

17.5 The Executive has had an opportunity to consider the restrictions prior to execution of this agreement and agrees that each of the restrictions set out above constitutes and entirely separate severable and independent covenant and restriction up her the duration extent and application of each of which is no greater than is reasonably necessary for the protection of goodwill and the legitimate trade connections of the Restricted Business.

 

17.6 Further, if a restriction on her contained in this agreement is found void but would be valid if some part of it were deleted, the restriction shall apply with such deletion as may be necessary to make it valid and effective.

 

 

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17.7 The Executive recognizes that given her role with the Company and within the Group and the Group’s structure the Company has an interest in the business of the Group Companies which it is legitimate for it to protect by the covenants set out above.

 

17.8 Notwithstanding and without prejudice to the foregoing of this clause it is acknowledged by the Executive that the Company holds the benefit of these covenants on trust for any Group Company as the Company may direct in substantially the same terms as the covenants the Executive has entered into with the Company. Further, if so requested by the Company, the Executive shall enter into separate contracts with a Group Company for performance of additional duties in exchange for separate compensation as agreed with the Group Company which will not interfere or conflict with her duties under this Agreement.

 

17.9 The Executive shall show these restrictions to any firm, person, company or other organization which is the same as or competes with or proposes or is likely to compete with the Restricted Business which offers her employment or a contract for services to her and which he accepts or is minded to accept.

 

 

18. Data Protection

 

18.1 The Executive shall at all times during the Appointment act in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1988 (the “DPA”) and shall comply with any policy introduced by the Company from time to time to comply with the DPA. Breach of this undertaking will constitute a disciplinary offence.

 

18.2 The Executive hereby consents to the Company holding and processing both electronically and manually the Personal Data it collects which relates to the Executive which is necessary or reasonably required for the proper performance of this agreement, for management, administrative and other employment related purposes (both during and after the Appointment) or for the conduct of Group’s business or to comply with applicable law, rules and regulations (the “Authorised Purposes”) and the Executive agrees to provide the Group with all Personal Data relating to her which is necessary or reasonably required for the Authorised Purposes.

 

18.3 The Executive explicitly consents to the Company or any other Group Company processing her Personal Data, including her Sensitive Personal Data, where this is necessary or reasonably required to achieve one or more of the Authorised Purposes.

 

18.4 The Executive acknowledges that the Company may, from time to time collect or disclose her Personal Data (including her Sensitive Personal Data) from and to third parties (including without limitation the Executive’s referees, any management consultants or compute maintenance companies engaged by the Company, the Company’s professional advisers, other Group Companies, any suppliers of goods or services to the Group and any potential purchasers of the business, the Company and/or the Group). The Executive consents to such collection and disclosure even where this involves the transfer of such data outside the European Economic

 

 

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Area where this is necessary of reasonably required to achieve one or more of the Authorised Purposes or is in the interests of the Company and/or its shareholders.

 

18.5 Further, the Executive consents to the transfer of Personal Data to any employees of the Company who has requested any Personal Data in an equal pay or other questionnaire reserved pursuant to statute provided that the transfer of Personal Data is limited to Personal Data lawfully requested and subject to the Company first receiving a written undertaken from the requesting employee to keep any disclosed Personal Data strictly confidential and not to use the disclosed Personal Data for any purpose other than pursuing legal proceedings in an Employment Tribunal.

 

18.6 The Company agrees to process any Personal Data made available to it by the Executive in accordance with the provisions of the DPA.

 

18.7 In this clause “Data Controller” “Personal Data” “processing” and “Sensitive Personal Data” shall have the meaning set out in sections 1 and 2 of the DPA.

 

 

19. Grievance and Disciplinary procedures

 

19.1 The Company shall comply with the statutory procedures in force from time to time in relation to any grievance or disciplinary matters involving the Executive.

 

19.2 If the Executive has any grievance relating to the Appointment she should raise it with the Executive Chairman either orally or in writing. If she is dissatisfied with that person’s decision she should refer the matter in writing to the Board, whose decision shall be final. In the event that the Executive’s grievance relates to the Executive Chairman, she should raise it with an Independent Director of the Board initially, either orally or in writing and then the Board; if she is dissatisfied with the Independent Director’s decision, the Board’s decision shall be final.

 

19.3 Any disciplinary matters relating to the Executive shall be dealt with by the Board.

 

 

20. Capacity

 

20.1 The Executive warrants that in entering into this agreement and performing her obligations under it, he will not be in breach of any terms or obligations under any further or other employment or appointment and will not become precluded from entering into this agreement or fulfilling her obligations under it and he will indemnify the Company against any costs, claims or demands against it arising out of any such breach by her.

 

 

21. General

 

21.1 This agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the Company and the Executive in connection with the Appointment and operates in substitution for an to the exclusion of any terms of employment, arrangements, or other agreements in force between the Company and

 

 

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the Executive or any Group Company and the Executive but without prejudice to any rights of action already accrued in respect of any breach of this agreement by the other party.

 

21.2 No agreement made between the Company and the Executive or any Group Company and the Executive nor any amendment to this agreement will be legally binding on the Company, any Group Company or the Executive unless and until that agreement or amendment is confirmed in writing by the Company or (as the case may be) any Group Company and the Executive.

 

21.3 The provisions of this agreement are severable and if any provision is held to be invalid or unenforceable by court or body of competent jurisdiction then such invalidity or unenforceability shall not affect the remaining provision of this agreement.

 

21.4 This Agreement replaces any other agreement or arrangement between the Executive and the Company, whether contracted or verbal in relation to the Executive’s Appointment.

 

21.5 Any communication under this agreement shall be deemed served if, when addressed to the party, it is left at or sent by registered or recorded delivery post or by facsimile transmission or other electronic means of written communication by letter given by close of business on the next following business days to the addresses set out in this agreement or to such other addresses as maybe notified by the parties for the purpose of this clause. Any communication to the Company must be marked” For the attention of the Company Secretary”.

 

21.6 Communications which are sent or dispatched as set out below shall be deemed to have been received by the addressed as follow:

 

21.6.1 by post- 2 business days after dispatch;

 

21.6.2 by facsimile transmission or other electronic means of written communication - on the business day next following the day of which the communication was sent

 

 

21.7 In proving service by post it shall only be necessary for a party to prove that the communication was in an envelope which was duly addressed, stamped and posted by registered or recorded delivery post.

 

21.8 For the purpose of this clause a “business day” means a day on which the clearing banks in the City of London are open for business. “Close of Business” means 18.00 hours local time in London.

 

21.9 This agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales and each party to this agreement submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English courts.

 

 

/s/ JD /s/ AH

 

 
 

 

 

21.10 Except as expressly provided for above, nothing in this agreement confers on any third party any benefits under the provisions of the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999.

 

 

 

IN WITNESS whereof the parties hereto have entered into this agreement as a Deed on the day and year first above written.

 

 

EXECUTED as a DEED by )  
     
EROS INTERNATIONAL LIMITED ) /s/ Andrew Heffernan
     
acting by ) Director
     
     
     
    Director / Secretary

 

 

 

SIGNED as a DEED by )  
     
JYOTI DESHPANDE ) /s/ Jyoti Deshpande
     
in the presence of )  

 

 

 

Signed  
   
Witness signature /s/ Sean Hanafin
   
Witness name SEAN HANAFIN
   
Witness address 82 DORA ROAD
   
  WIMBLEDON
   
  SW19 7HH
   
Witness occupation CHIEF CORPORATION OFFICER
   

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

Annexure A

 

 

Duties and Responsibilities of the Executive to the Board of the Company

 

The Executive will perform the following duties and responsibilities which are meant to be a broad guidance and not an exhaustive list of duties and report to the Board on the following matters:

 

1. The Executive will oversee and direct the UK Sales and Distribution as well as Finance teams and together set performance targets and milestones for them.

 

2. The Executive will oversee film releases in the UK and Europe.

 

3. The Executive will meet with UK cinema chains and ensure the company enjoys competitive business terms.

 

4. The Executive will meet with UK television networks with a view to develop business and licensing potential.

 

5. The Executive will meet European distributors and business partners to develop business in new markets.

 

6. The Executive will attend film festivals and television markets such as Cannes and MIPTV and MIPCOM to promote the Company and its products.

 

7. The Executive will stay abreast of competitive environment in the UK and Europe.

 

8. The Executive will meet with UK bankers and other UK corporate relationships from time to time.

 

 

 

/s/ JD /s/ AH

 Exhibit 10.21

 

DATED 1st April, 2013

 

 

 

 

- Eros International Pte Ltd

 

 

 

 

-and-

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mr Vijay Ahuja

 

 

 

 

 

 

SERVICE AGREEMENT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CAINS ADVOCATES LIMITED

15-19 ATHOL STREET DOUGLAS

ISLE OFMAN

IM1 1LB

Page 1
 

 

THIS AGREEMENT is made the         1 st                day of          April, 2013

 

BETWEEN:-

 

1 -Eros International Pte Ltd (Company Number 200715378D) whose registered office is at -80 Raffles Place, #26-01UOB Plaza1, Singapore 048624 (the “Company”); and

 

2 Vijay Ahuja of 10 Draycott Park, #07-07 Draycott 8, Singapore 259405 (the “Executive”).

 

 

IT IS AGREED as follows:-

 

 

1 DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION

 

In this Agreement (save as otherwise stated):

 

1.1 “the Board” shall mean the board of directors the Company or a duly authorised committee thereof, or, where the context so admits, the board of directors, or the duly authorised committee, of another Group Company.

 

1.2 “Confidential Information” includes all knowledge and information (whether or not recorded in a documentary or machine-readable form) relating to the actual or proposed terms of business of the Company and/or any Group Company, the names, addresses and contact details of any clients of the Company and/or any Group Company; the marketing plans and/or strategies (including those relating to maturing business prospects) of the Company and/or any Group Company’s accounts information, its budgeting information, sales targets and statistics ,pricing information; marketing surveys and/or reports conducted by or on behalf of the Company and/or any Group Company; secret formulae, inventions, designs, know how and, any other technical information or data of the Company and/or any Group Company relating to the creation, production, development or performance of any past, present or future product or service traded in or proposed to be traded in by the Company and/or any Group Company with a view to profit; and, any other information to which the Company and/or any Group Company attaches an equivalent level of confidentiality or in respect of which it owes an obligation of confidentiality to any third party.

 

 

  /s/ JD /s/ VA
Page 2
 

 

1.3 “Customer” shall mean any person, firm or company to whom or to which:

 

1.3.1 at any time during the period of twelve months prior to the termination of the Executive’s employment hereunder the Company and/or any Group Company has supplied or provided any Restricted Products/Services; or

 

1.3.2 at the date of the termination of the Executive’s employment, is negotiating with the Company and/or any Group Company for the supply or provision to it of any Restricted Products/Services.

 

1.4 “Group” and “Group Company” shall mean the Company and any other company which is its holding or subsidiary company or subsidiary of such holding company or affiliate of the company from time to time (where “holding company” and “subsidiary” have the meanings given to them by the Companies Act 1974).

 

1.5 “Restricted Executive” shall mean any person who was at the date of the termination of the Executive’s employment employed by the Company and/or any Group Company who had access to Confidential Information or Trade Secrets and/or with whom the Executive had personal dealings during the period of twelve months prior to the termination of the Executive’s employment.

 

1.6 “Restricted Products/Services” shall mean:

 

1.6.1 the business of manufacturing, selling, leasing, renting, distributing, advertising, publicising, marketing or otherwise exploiting home video devices; and

 

 

  /s/ JD /s/ VA
Page 3
 

 

 

1.6.2 all and any other products and/or services developed and/or produced by the company and/or any Group Company which are or are proposed to be dealt in, marketed or sold by it with a view to profit; and

 

1.6.3 in respect of which the Executive has been concerned or involved with to a material extent during the period of 12 months prior to the termination of his employment or otherwise in relation to which he possesses any Confidential Information and/or Trade Secrets.

 

1.7 “Trade Secrets” means trade secrets or other information which is otherwise of such a highly confidential nature as to be of a status equivalent to that of a trade secret and whether or not it falls within the definition of Confidential Information.

 

1.8 “United Kingdom” means Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

 

1.9 Headings to clauses are for convenience only and shall not affect their construction or meaning.

 

1.10 Any reference to the provisions of an enactment shall be deemed to refer to the same as in force (including any amendment or re-enactment) at the time by reference to which the same falls to be interpreted.

 

1.11 References to clauses and/or Appendices are, unless otherwise stated, references to clauses and/or Appendices to this Agreement.

 

1.12 Where the context permits, the singular includes the plural and vice versa and one gender includes any gender. Words importing individuals shall be treated as importing corporations and vice versa and words importing whole shall be treated as including a reference to any part thereof:

 

 

2 EMPLOYMENT

 

 

  /s/ JD /s/ VA
Page 4
 

 

 

The Company shall employ the Executive and the Executive shall serve the Company – as an executive director and in such other capacity or capacities within the Group and with such responsibilities as are within the Executive’s abilities as the Company may from time to time reasonably specify. The Company reserves the right to alter the Executive’s job title accordingly.

 

 

3 PERIOD OF EMPLOYMENT

 

3.1 The Executive’s employment hereunder shall commence on 1st April 2013 and shall continue unless otherwise terminated in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. The Executive’s period of continuous employment with the Company for statutory purposes shall have commenced on March 1988

 

3.2 Subject to clause 12, the Executive’s employment shall start on commencement date and shall continue thereafter until terminated by either party to the other not less than 12 months prior written notice of termination.

 

3.3 The Company shall (subject to clause 12) be entitled to make a payment in lieu of any unexpired period of notice of termination given by either party. Such payment shall be limited to the Executive’s basic salary at the rate payable at the date notice is given and shall include any payment in respect of pension or other benefits.

 

3.4 If not previously terminated, the Executive’s employment shall in any event automatically terminate on the day on which the Executive attains the age of sixty five years.

 

 

4 DUTIES

 

The Executive shall: -

 

4.1 during normal working hours of 9.00am to 5.00 pm Monday to Friday, and during such additional hours as are necessary for the performance of his duties, devote the whole of his time and attention and ability to his duties;

 

 

  /s/ JD /s/ VA
Page 5
 

 

 

4.1 during normal working hours of 9.00am to 5.00 pm Monday to Friday, and during such additional hours as are necessary for the performance of his duties, devote the whole of his time and attention and ability to his duties;

 

4.2 faithfully and diligently carry out the lawful instructions of the Company and/or any other Group Company, as appropriate;

 

4.3 use his reasonable endeavours to promote the best interests of the Company and the Group and abide by the rules, policies and procedures of the Company as may from time to time be notified to the Executive;

 

4.4 make such journeys and undertake such duties on the business of the Company in such destinations (other than the -Singapore) as the Company may require, subject to the Company reimbursing the Executive for any expenses incurred by him in relation thereto, in accordance with clause 7 below;

 

4.5 give to the Company such information regarding the affairs of the Company and/or any other Group Company as it shall require.

 

4.6 The Executive shall not at any time, without the prior consent of the Board:

 

4.6.1 incur on behalf of the Company any capital expenditure in excess of such sum as may be authorised from time to time by resolution of the Board;

 

4.6.2 enter into on behalf of the Company any commitment, contract or arrangement which is otherwise than in the normal course of business or is outside the scope of his normal duties or is of an unusual or onerous or long term nature;

 

4.6.3 engage any person on terms which vary from those established from time to time by resolution of the Board; or

 

4.6.4 dismiss any employee of the Company without giving proper statutory or (if longer) contractual notice or without following any applicable statutory disciplinary procedure and in any case the Executive shall immediately report any dismissal effected by him and the reason for it to the Board.

 

 

  /s/ JD /s/ VA
Page 6
 

 

4.7 The Executive shall not at any time during his appointment directly or indirectly enter into or be concerned in any trade or business or occupation whatsoever other than the business of the Company except with the prior written consent of the Board which may be given subject to any conditions or terms the Board considers appropriate. This clause shall not prevent the Executive from holding up to 3% of any class of shares, debentures or other securities in a company which is listed on a recognised investment exchange.

 

4.8 The Executive shall comply with all rules, regulations and codes of practice issued by the Company and the United Kingdom Listing Authority as shall from time to time be in force relating to transactions in securities and shall comply with all requirements, recommendations or regulations of the Financial Supervision Commission, the Financial Services Authority, the London Stock Exchange Plc, the United Kingdom Listing Authority and/or any other exchange on which the securities of the Company (or other company in the Group) are from time to time listed or dealt in or any authority or body authorised to regulate transactions in securities.

 

4.9 The Executive shall not contravene the provisions of The Insider Dealing Act 1998 and/or Part V (Insider Dealing) of the Criminal Justice Act 1993 (an Act of Parliament).

 

 

5 PLACE OF WORK

 

Subject to clause 4.4, the Executive shall perform his duties at the Company’s premises in Singapore or at any other premises at which the Company is located. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Executive and the Company agree that the Executive shall not, at any time, undertake, or be required by the Company or any other Group Company to perform, any of his duties under this Agreement within the United Kingdom.

 

 

  /s/ JD /s/ VA
Page 7
 

 

6 REMUNERATION

 

6.1.1 The Company shall pay to the Executive an initial salary at the rate of £250,000 per annum, after deduction of employee contribution to CPF, payable in arrears by equal monthly instalments on or around the last working day of the month by Giro transfer. The Executive’s salary will be subject to subsequent reviews, and will be determined, by the Company’s non-executive directors, acting as a sub-committee of the Board. Such reviews will occur annually on anniversary of commencement date. Any increases in salary will be made at the discretion of such non-executive directors; an increase in salary in any one year does not automatically entitle the Executive to an increase in salary in any future year(s). OR it should include RPI increase

 

6.1.2 The Executive may receive a bonus, linked to the performance of the Company and the Executive, the value of which, if any, will be determined by the bonus scheme introduced by the company, applicable to Executives. However the Company’s non-executive directors, acting as a sub-committee of the Board may amend the bonus scheme from time to time. The payment of a bonus in any one year does not automatically entitle the Executive to a bonus in any future year(s).

 

6.2 The Company may deduct from the Executive’s pay any sums which he may at any time during his employment hereunder owe the Company including, without limitation, any overpayments or loans made to him by the Company.

 

6.3 The Executive shall be eligible to participate in such share option scheme applicable to his position that the company may introduce subject to rules of the scheme.

 

 

7 EXPENSES

 

The Company shall (on production of receipts or other evidence as it may require) repay or cause to be repaid to the Executive all travelling, hotel, entertainment, and other out-of-pocket expenses from time to time wholly, exclusively and necessarily incurred by him in the proper performance of Iris duties pursuant to his employment under this agreement.

 

 

  /s/ JD /s/ VA
Page 8
 

 

8 ATTENDANCE AT WORK

 

Subject to clause 12, if either the Executive or the Company gives notice of the termination of the Executive’s employment, the Company is under no obligation to provide the Executive with work during all or any part of his notice period and may require the Executive to remain away from work and/or may vary his duties or require him not to perform his duties during all or any part of his notice period. If the Company requires the Executive not to perform his duties during all or part of his notice period and/or to remain away from work during all or any part of his notice period he will continue to be bound by the terms of this Agreement (including, without limitation, the duty of good faith and fidelity) and he will be required to comply with any conditions laid down by the Company and the Executive may not during all or any part of his notice period work for any third party (including, without limitation, any competitor of the Company) nor work on his own behalf (including, without limitation, in competition with the Company) without the Company’s prior written permission.

 

 

9 BENEFITS

 

Pension

 

9.1 The Company shall contribute an annual sum representing 7.5 to 10% of the Executive’s annual basic salary to the Executives approved personal pension plan as nominated by the Executive and notified to the Company in writing save that such contributions are subject to the maximum annual amount permitted by law. A contracting out certificate issued in accordance with Chapter I of Part III of the Pensions Schemes Act 1993, an Act of Parliament (as amended or re-enacted), is not in force in relation to the Executive’s employment.

 

Medical Insurance

 

 

  /s/ JD /s/ VA
Page 9
 

 

9.2 The Executive shall be eligible for cover in company’s medical insurance scheme along with spouse plus dependent children, subject always to the terms and conditions of such scheme. The Company will provide the executive with life insurance which, in the event of his death while in service, shall provide a lump sum to the value of four times his annual basic salary.

 

Relocation expenses

 

9.3 If it is necessary for the Executive to move from his present address as a result of the Company requiring him to work permanently at a location other than as set out at clause 5 above, the Company will reimburse the Executive for all the removal and accommodation expenses directly and reasonably incurred as a result.

 

 

10 HOLIDAYS

 

10.1 The Executive shall be entitled to 25 working days’ holiday (in addition to Manx public holidays) in each holiday year at full salary to be taken at such time or times as may be approved by the Board. The holiday year runs from 1 January to 31 December inclusive.

 

10.2 Holiday entitlement not taken in any one holiday year cannot be carried over to a subsequent holiday year without the prior written consent of the Board, nor will a payment in lieu be made in respect of any unused holiday entitlement, except in the circumstances set out in clause 10.3 below.

 

10.3 Subject to clause 12, upon the termination of the Executive’s employment, his entitlement to holiday will be calculated pro-rata and one day’s payment in lieu will be made for each day’s holiday accrued but not taken at the date of such termination.

 

10.4 Subject to clause 12, if upon termination of his employment, the Executive’s accrued holiday entitlement shows that the Executive has taken holiday in excess of his entitlement, then the Company reserves the right to deduct a day’s pay for each excess day’s holiday from any salary due to him.

 

 

  /s/ JD /s/ VA
Page 10
 

 

A day’s pay, for the purposes of clauses 10.3 and 10.4, will be calculated as 1/260th of the Executive’s basic salary.

 

 

11 INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

 

11.1 Without limitation, any and all inventions, improvements, design rights, registered designs, process, information, copyright works, trade marks or trade names, together with any and all similar rights arising anywhere in the world, made, created or discovered by the Executive during the course of the Executive’s employment affecting or relating to the business of the Company or any Group Company or capable of being used or adapted for use by or within the Company and/or any other Group Company, and whether or not registered, and, for the avoidance of doubt, including applications for any of the foregoing, shall be immediately disclosed to the Company, and shall, to the extent permitted by law, belong to and be the absolute property of the Company.

 

11.2 If required to do so by the Company, the Executive shall, at the Company’s or any other Group Company’s expense:

 

11.2.1 apply or join with the Company or any other Group Company in applying for letters patent or other protection or registration in the – Singapore and in any other part of the world in respect of any such invention, improvement, design, process, information, copyright work, trade mark or trade name or as aforesaid;

 

11.2.2 execute all instruments and take all actions required for vesting the said letters patent or other protection or registration when obtained, and all right title and interest to and in the same, absolutely and as sole beneficial owner in the Company or in such other person or company as the Company may specify.

 

 

  /s/ JD /s/ VA
Page 11
 

 

11.3 The Executive hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives all rights under Part IV of the Copyright Act 1991 (moral rights) in connection with his authorship of any existing or future copyright work in the course of his employment, in whatever part of the world such rights may be enforceable.

 

 

11.4 The Executive hereby irrevocably appoints the Company to be his attorney in his name and on his behalf to execute any such instrument and/or take such action and generally to use his name for the purpose of giving to the Company the full benefit of this clause. In favour of any third party a certification writing signed by a director of the Company that any act or instrument falls within the authority hereby conferred shall be conclusive evidence that this is the case.

 

 

12 TERMINATION

 

This Agreement shall be subject to immediate termination by the Company by Summary notice in writing and without payment in lieu of notice, and without prejudice to any other rights of the Company, if the Executive:

 

12.1 guilty of any of gross and/or serious misconduct which likely to materially affect prejudicially the interest of any Group Company.

 

12.2 repeats or continues, after prior written warning, any material breach of his duties; and/or

 

12.3 conducts himself in such a manner either during and/or outside the course of his employment hereunder which in the reasonable opinion of the Board may prejudice the interests of the Company and/or any other Group Company and/or is likely to bring the Executive or the Company and/or any other Group Company into disrepute; and/or

 

12.4 becomes of unsound mind and/or is compulsorily admitted to hospital by virtue of the provision of any statute relating to mental health; and/or

 

 

  /s/ JD /s/ VA
Page 12
 

 

12.5 is convicted of any criminal offence [(excluding road traffic offences)] punishable with six months or more imprisonment (whether or not such a sentence is imposed on the Executive); and/or

 

12.6 is prevented by sickness or injury from performing his duties for a continuous or aggregate period of 120 working days in a period of 12 consecutive months; and/or

 

12.7 becomes bankrupt or makes any composition or enter into any arrangement with his creditors; and/or

 

12.8 is in the reasonable opinion of the Board incompetent in the performance of his duties.

 

12.9 ceases to hold a work permit granted by the Isle of Man Department of Trade and. Industry under the provisions of the Control of Employment Act 1975, where such a work permit is required by the Executive;

 

12.10 resigns as a director of the Company other than at the request of the Board;

 

12.11 is disqualified from acting as a director of the Company and/or any Group Company by a competent court or otherwise becomes prohibited by law from being a director of the Company and/or any Group Company; or

 

12.12 is convicted of an offence relating to insider dealing.

 

12.13 Violating employment right as employee.

 

 

13 ABSENCE AND SICKNESS/INJURY

 

13.1 If the Executive is unable to attend work for any reason and his absence has not previously been authorised by the Company the Executive must, subject to the provisions of clauses 13.2 and 13.3 below inform a member of the Board of his absence and the full reasons for it by 9.30am on each working day of his period of absence. The Executive must confirm the reasons for his absence in writing forthwith.

 

 

  /s/ JD /s/ VA
Page 13
 

 

13.2 If the Executive is absent from work due to sickness or injury for a period of more than seven days (including weekends) he must provide the Company with a medical certificate by the eighth day covering the period of his absence and thereafter medical certificates must be provided in advance to the Company to cover any continued absence.

 

13.3.1 During any absence as a result of sickness or injury of up to an aggregate or continuous period of six months in any 12 months’ period the Company will pay to the Executive his normal salary including pension contributions and all other contractual benefits . Thereafter, any further payments to be made to the Executive shall be at the absolute discretion of the Company.

 

13.3.2 The foregoing is without prejudice to the Executive’s entitlement to state sickness incapacity benefit payments (“SIBPs”) from the Isle of Man Department of Health and Social Security (“DHSS”).Any SIBPs or other sickness benefits to which the Executive may be entitled under any social security, national insurance or other legislation for the time being in force, whether or not such benefit is actually received by the Executive (and the Executive shall be solely responsible for claiming such benefits), or any benefit received by the Executive as a result of contributions paid by the Company to any health insurance scheme, in respect of a day of sickness, shall be deducted from the payment to be made under clause 13.3.1 of this Agreement in respect of that day.

 

13.4 If the Company requests the Executive to do so, the Executive shall submit himself to be examined by a medical practitioner selected by the Company and the Executive shall authorise such practitioner to prepare a report (written or otherwise) of the findings of such examination and disclose the same to the Company.

 

 

  /s/ JD /s/ VA
Page 14
 

 

 

13.5 If the Executive’s absence is occasioned by the actionable negligence, nuisance or breach of any statutory duty of a third party, all payments made to him under this clause 13 by the Company, whether of salary or sick pay, shall, to the extent that compensation is recoverable from that third party, constitute loans by the Company to the Executive (notwithstanding that as an interim measure income tax has been deducted from payments as if they were emoluments of employment) and shall be repaid when and to the extent that the Executive recovers compensation for loss of earnings for that third party by action or otherwise.

 

14 RESTRICTIONS DURING EMPLOYMENT AND AFTER TERMINATION

 

14.1 The Executive agrees that he shall not in any capacity whatsoever either during his employment or for a period of six months from the date of termination of his employment directly or indirectly and in competition with the Company and whether on his own behalf or on behalf of any other person, firm or company or, jointly:

 

14.1.1 seek, solicit or accept any business, orders or custom for any Restricted Products/Services from any Customer with whom the Executive has had dealings in the performance of his duties during the 6 months preceding the termination of his employment;

 

14.1.2 induce, solicit, entice or howsoever endeavour to induce, solicit or entice any Restricted Executive with whom the Executive has had dealings in the performance of his duties during the 12 months preceding the termination of his employment and or accept employment with any other person, firm or company who business is competitive with any trade or business concerning the Restricted Products/Services created and/or supplied by the Company;

 

14.1.3 carry out, engage and/or be interested and/or accept employment in any business and/or trade which is competitive with any trade or

 

 

  /s/ JD /s/ VA
Page 15
 

 

 

business concerning the Restricted Products/Services created and/or supplied by the Company, save for the ownership for investment purposes of no more that 3 per cent of the issued ordinary shares of any company who shares are listed on any stock exchange.

 

14.2 The Executive shall not otherwise than in the ordinary and proper course of carrying out his duties or with the prior written consent of the Company either during or after the termination of his employment disclose or reveal to any person, firm or company whether directly or indirectly or otherwise use for the Executive’s own purposes or any purpose other than those of the Company and/or any other Group Company (as applicable); During employment no time limit after termination 6 months.

 

14.2.1 any Confidential Information; and/or

 

14.2.2 any Trade Secrets of the Company and/or any other Group Company;

 

in either case the knowledge of which the Executive acquired in the course of the Executive’s employment.

 

14.3 During the period of his employment the Executive shall use his reasonable endeavours to prevent the unauthorised publication or disclosure of any Confidential Information and/or Trade Secrets.

 

14.4 The Executive shall return to the Company upon its request, and in any event forthwith upon the termination of his employment howsoever arising, all documents, computer disks and/or tapes or copies thereof and all other items or materials in his possession or under his power or control by virtue of his employment under this Agreement which belong to the Company and/or any other Group Company and/or Customer, and/or to any other third party including those which do and/or may contain any Confidential Information and/or Trade Secrets.

 

 

  /s/ JD /s/ VA
Page 16
 

 

14.5.1 The provisions set out in each of 14.1.1, 14.1.2 and 14.1.3 of clause 14.1 and in sub-clauses 14.2, 14.3 and 14.4 above represent entirely separate and servable independent restrictions. In the event that such restrictions or any of them are considered to be void but would be enforceable if some part of them or any of them were deleted then it is agreed that the restriction(s) shall apply with such modification as is necessary to render it and/or them enforceable.

 

14.5.2 The length of restrictions contained in clause 14.1 shall be reduced by any period of garden leave that the Executive is required to serve by the Company pursuant to clause 8 above.

 

14.6 Clause 14.1 shall, in addition, apply as if there was substituted for references to “the Company” references to each Group Company in relation to which the Executive has during the course of his employment or by reason of rendering services to or holding office in such Group Company;

 

14.6.1 acquired knowledge of its Trade Secrets and/or Confidential Information; or

 

14.6.2 had personal dealings with its Customers; or

 

14.6.3 Supervised directly or indirectly employees having personal dealings with its Customers.

 

14.6.4 After the termination date or during employment, the restrictions at clause 14 shall not apply in respect of any confidential information

 

In the public domain, otherwise than as a result of any unauthorised act or omission on the part of the Executive, or:-which the Executive is required by law to disclose, provided that the Executive first notifies the company in writing that he is required to disclose such confidential information

 

 

  /s/ JD /s/ VA

 

Page 17
 

 

Nothing in this agreement shall prevent the executive from making a protected disclosure as defined in the employment rights act 1996 but save that reference in clause 14.1 to “the Company” shall for this purpose be deemed to be replaced by references to the relevant Group Company. The obligations undertaken by the Executive pursuant to this clause 14.6 shall, with respect to each Group Company, constitute a separate and distinct covenant and the invalidity or unenforceability of any such covenant shall not affect the validity or enforceability of the covenants in favour of any other Group Company or the Company.]

 

15 NOTICES

 

15.1 Notices shall be given by the Executive in writing addressed to the Company, and shall be delivered or sent by first class recorded delivery post or facsimile transmission to the Company at its registered office for the time being and, in the case of the Executive, notices shall be given by the Company in writing addressed to him and may be delivered to him or sent by first class recorded delivery post to his usual or last known place of residence.

 

15.2 Any such notice or other document shall be deemed to have been served:

 

15.2.1 if delivered, at the time of delivery;

 

15.2.2 if posted, at 10.00 a.m. on the second business day after it was put into the post;

 

15.2.3 if sent by facsimile process, at the expiration of 2 hours after the time of despatch is sent before 3. p.m. on any business day, and in any other case at 10.00 a.m. on the business day following the date of despatch.

 

 

  /s/ JD /s/ VA
Page 18
 

 

 

15.3 In proving such service it shall be sufficient to demonstrate that delivery was made or that the envelope containing such notice or other document was properly addressed and posted as a pre-paid first class recorded delivery letter or that the facsimile message was properly addressed and despatched (evidenced by a successful transmission report), as the case maybe.

 

16 PREVIOUS CONTRACTS

 

This Agreement is in substitution for any previous agreement or contract of service between the Company and the Executive which shall be deemed to have been terminated by mutual consent as from the date hereof, and neither party to this Agreement shall have any claim against the other in respect of any such termination.

 

17 STATEMENT OF TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT

 

This Agreement contains the written particulars of employment required to be given to the Executive pursuant to the Employment Act 1991 (as amended from time to time). For statutory purposes it is confirmed that:

 

 

17.1 The Company’s disciplinary procedures, copies of which are available upon request from a member of the Board, do not form part of the Executive’s contract of employment but are statements of the Company’s current practice and may be changed from time to time.

 

 

17.2 The Company’s grievance procedures, copies of which are available upon request from a member of the Board, do not form part of the Executive’s contract of employment but are statements of the Company’s current practice and may be changed from time to time.

 

17.3 The person to whom the Executive should apply in the first instance if he wishes to seek redress of any grievance or complain about a disciplinary step taken or to be taken against him is the Chairman or Managing Director. The Executive must make this initial application promptly and he may do so if appropriate the Managing Director, he may bring the matter to the attention of the Board whose decision will be final.

 

 

 

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Page 19
 

 

17.4 There are no collective agreements directly effecting the terms and conditions of the Executive’s employment

 

18.1 For the purposes of the Data Protection Act 2002 (the “DPA”) the Executive hereby explicitly consents to the Company and/or any other Group Company holding and processing necessary personal data, including sensitive personal data, of which the Executive is subject or a third party is the subject and which has been provided to the Company and/or any other Group Company by the Executive at the request of the Company or other Group Company (as applicable) or otherwise. For the purposes of this clause “sensitive data” means personal data consisting of information as to racial or ethnic origin; membership of a trade union; physical or mental health or condition; the commission or alleged commission of any offence or any proceedings for any offence committed or alleged to have been committed, including the disposal of such proceedings or the sentence of any court in such proceedings. The Executive’s consent to the Company’s and/or other Group Company’s (applicable) processing of such data shall also include the disclosure of data relating to the terms of the Executive’s appointment to investors, shareholders, and/or prospective purchasers of the business, Group Companies, the Company’s professional advisers, the Treasury Departments of the Isle of Man Government, the London Stock Exchange PLC, and other authorities and disclosure of such data by the Company and/or any other Group Company (as appropriate) for the purposes of bringing and/or defending legal proceedings.

 

18.2 The Company is ultimately liable for breaches of the provisions of the DPA which are committed by its officers and employees. As part of the Executive’s duties the Executive may have access to and process personal data relating to other employees, customers, contractors, or any other third party and the Executive must not process or disclose such personal data in breach of the DPA provisions. Any such breach of the DPA or any Company Data

 

 

  /s/ JD /s/ VA
Page 20
 

 

Protection Policy by the Executive will be dealt with by the Company as a serious disciplinary issue. In the event that a breach of the DPA or the Company’s Data Protection Policy by the Executive is established after due investigation, any such disciplinary action may result in the Executive’s summary dismissal without notice or payment in lieu of notice.

 

 

19. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with Singapore law. The parties hereto irrevocably submit for all purposes relating to this Agreement to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Courts of Singapore.

 

 

IN WITNESS whereof the parties hereto have entered into this Agreement as a Deed on the day and year first above written.

 

 

 

Executed as a deed by )      
         
         
Vijay Ahuja ) /s/ Vijay Ahuja    
in the presence of: )      
         
         
Witness Signature ) /s/ Sean Hanafin    
Witness Name ) SEAN HANAFIN    
Witness Address ) 82 DORA ROAD    
  ) WIMBLEDON    
  ) SW19 7HH    
Witness Occupation ) CHIEF CORPORATE OFFICER
         
         
Executed and delivered as a deed )      
         
by Eros International Pte Ltd acting )      
         
by: )      
         
  ANDREW HEFFERNAN   /s/ Andrew Heffernan
Director Print Name   Signature

 

 

Page 21

 Exhibit 10.22

 

 

 

 

DATED 2007

 

 

 

 

 

(1) EROS INTERNATIONAL LTD.

 

 

 

and

 

 

 

(2) PRANAB KAPADIA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

______________________________

 

SERVICE AGREEMENT

 

______________________________

 

 

 

  /s/ JD /s/ PK

 

Page 1
 

 

  

THIS AGREEMENT is made on                                                                 2007

 

 

BETWEEN :-

 

(1) Eros International Ltd of Unit 23 Sovereign Park, Coronation road, Park royal London NW10 7QP (the "Company"); and

 

 

(2) Pranab Kapadia of 56 Drake Road, Harrow HA2 9EA (the "Executive")

 

 

IT IS AGREED as follows:

 

 

1. Interpretation

 

1.1 In this agreement the following expressions have the following meanings:

 

  "Appointment" the employment of the Executive by the Company under this agreement;
     
  "Board" the board of directors of the Company from time to time or committee of directors of the Company as may be authorised by the board from time to time;
     
  "Commencement Date" 1st December 2007;
     
  "Confidential Information" information confidential to the Company and any Group Company including but not limited to Intellectual Property, customer and prospective customer information, film/film producer information (including names addresses, contact names and addresses, telephone numbers and e-mail addresses) business plans, trade secrets, product specifications, market research, financial data and forecasts, capital strategy and capital raising activities (proposed and ongoing), business  methods, marketing

 

  /s/ JD /s/ PK

 

Page 2
 

 

 

     
    strategies, tenders and price sensitive information, fees, commission structure, feasibility figures and plans relating to contracts (actual and proposed), details of actual and proposed contracts, requirements of customers or prospective customers or film producers, information in respect of which the Company or any Group Company is bound by an obligation of confidence to any third party and information notified to the Executive as being confidential;
     
  "Group" or "Group Company"  the Company and any subsidiary or holding company of the Company or any affiliate of the Company for the time being or any other subsidiary or affiliate of the holding company of the Company for the time being. Both "subsidiary" and "holding company" shall have the meaning given in section 736 of the Companies Act 1985 and "affiliate" shall have the meaning given in section 259(5) of the Companies Act 1985;
     
  "Holding Board"  the board of directors of the Holding Company from time to time or committee of directors of the Holding Company as may be authorised by the board from time to time;
     
  "Intellectual Property"

includes letters patent, trademarks, service marks, copyrights, design rights, applications for registration of any of the foregoing and the right to apply for them in any part of the world, creations, arrangements, devices, inventions or improvements upon or additions to an invention, moral rights, confidential information, know-how and rights of a similar nature arising or subsisting anywhere in the world in relation to all of the foregoing whether registered or unregistered;

 

 

  /s/ JD /s/ PK

 

Page 3
 

 

  "Probationary Period" Period of 6 months from Commencement Date
     
  "Prospective Customer"  any person, firm, company or other organization who or which was at the Termination Date in negotiations with the Company or any Group Company with a view to dealing with the Company or any Group Company as a customer;
     
  "Recognised Investment Exchange" the same meaning as in section 417 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000;
     
  "Relevant Period" the period of 12 months immediately preceding the earlier of the Termination Date or the date upon which the Executive is placed on garden leave in accordance with clause 3.5;
     
  "Restricted Business" the business of developing, producing, casting, financing, manufacturing, selling, leasing, renting, distributing, advertising, publicising, marketing or otherwise exploiting Bollywood and/or Indian films in any mode or format and/or any other business or activity of the Company in which the Executive had any involvement during the course of his employment or with which any employee of the Company under the Executive's control had any involvement or dealings in the course of his duties at any time during the Relevant Period.

 

 

  /s/ JD /s/ PK

 

Page 4
 

 

 

  "Restricted Employee" any employee or consultant or director of the Company or any Group Company as at the Termination Date or such other person engaged by any Group Company who had access to Confidential Information and/or with whom the Executive had personal dealings during the Relevant Period;
     
  "Restricted Supplier'' any person, firm or company who at any time during the Relevant Period was a supplier of the Company or any Group Company being a person, firm or company with whom or which the Executive personally dealt on behalf of the Company or any Group Company during the Relevant Period;
     
  "Restricted Territory" any country in which the Executive conducted Restricted Business on behalf of the Company;
     
  "Review Date" First Anniversary of the Commencement Date
     
  "Termination Date" the date of termination of the Appointment howsoever occurring.

 

 

1.2 Words denoting the singular include the plural and vice versa and words denoting gender include both genders.

 

1.3 References to any provisions or any statute shall be deemed to include a reference to all and every statutory amendment, modification, re-enactment and extension and to any regulation or orders made under any of them in force on or after the date of this agreement.

 

1.4 Save where otherwise appears, reference to a clause or schedule shall be deemed to be a reference to a clause or schedule of or to this agreement.

 

  /s/ JD /s/ PK

 

Page 5
 
1.5 Headings to clauses are for the convenience of reference only and shall not affect the meaning or construction of anything contained in this agreement.

 

2. The Appointment

 

2.1 Subject to the terms of this agreement, the Company shall employ the Executive and the Executive shall serve as President - Europe & Africa or such other capacity as the Board may from time to time determine.

 

3. Term of Employment and Notice

 

3.1 Subject to earlier termination provided for in this agreement, the Appointment shall start on the Commencement Date and upon the successful completion of the Probationary Period it will continue until terminated by either party giving to the other not less than 3 months prior written notice of termination. Within the Probationary Period the Company may terminate this agreement upon 1 week prior written notice.

 

3.2 The Company may at any time in its absolute discretion elect to terminate the Appointment immediately by paying to the Executive, in lieu of any period of notice or any part of it, an amount equivalent to the Executive's basic salary (at the rate then payable under this agreement) for such period or part period. Such a payment shall be subject to such deductions for tax and employee's national insurance as are required by law and to any other authorised deductions.

 

3.3 For the purposes of the Employment Rights Act 1996, the Executive's period of continuous employment with the Company commenced on 1st December 2007.

 

3.4 The normal retirement age is sixty five.

 

3.5 The Company shall not be obliged to provide work to the Executive at any time after notice of termination of the Appointment shall have been given by either party under any of the provisions of this agreement and the Company may in its absolute discretion take any one or more of the following steps in respect of all or part of an unexpired period of notice:-

 

3.5.1 require the Executive to comply with such conditions as it may reasonably specify in relation to; (i) attending at or remaining away from the place(s) of business of the Company and/or (ii) contacting or refraining from contacting all or any employees, officers, customers, clients, agents or suppliers of the Company or any Group Company;

 

 

  /s/ JD /s/ PK

 

Page 6
 

 

 

3.5.2 perform part of his normal duties only or assign the Executive to duties other than his normal duties provided such duties are broadly commensurate with his status under this agreement;

 

3.5.3 withdraw any powers vested in, or duties assigned to the Executive; and

 

3.5.4 require the Executive to resign his directorship of any Group Company;

 

provided always that during any such period the Company shall continue to pay the Executive's salary and all contractual benefits (unless and until this agreement shall be terminated). The Executive shall remain an employee of the Company and shall remain bound by all obligations owed to the Company under this agreement including, but not limited to, his obligations under clause 4.5 of this agreement.

 

4. Powers and duties

 

4.1 During the Appointment the Executive shall at all times:-

 

4.1.1 exercise the powers and functions and perform the duties reasonably assigned to him from time to time by the Board in such manner as may be reasonably specified;

 

4.1.2 well and faithfully serve the Company and use his utmost endeavours to promote and maintain the interests and reputation of the Company but so far as is reasonably practicable, not in any way which may conflict with the interests of any Group Company;

 

4.1.3 render his services in a professional and competent manner and in willing co-operation with others;

 

4.1.4 unless prevented by ill-health or other unavoidable cause, devote his whole working time, attention and abilities exclusively to carrying out his duties hereunder and such other time as is reasonably necessary for the proper performance of his duties;

 

4.1.5 conform to the reasonable instructions or directions of the Board(or anyone duly authorised by it) and implement and apply the policies of the Company as determined by the Board from time to time; and

 

 

  /s/ JD /s/ PK

 

Page 7
 

 

 

4.1.6 comply with the rules and procedures of the Company and of any association or professional body to which the Company and/or the Executive may from time to time belong.

 

4.2 The Executive shall report to the Group Chief Operating Officer, Jyoti Deshpande, or such other person as the Board may from time to time direct, as and when required and shall at all times keep the Board fully informed of his activities and shall promptly provide such information and explanations as may be requested from time to time by the Board.

 

4.3 The Executive shall not at any time, without the prior consent of the Board;

 

4.3.1 incur on behalf of the Company any capital expenditure in excess of such sum as may be authorised from time to time by resolution of the Board;

 

4.3.2 enter into on behalf of the Company any commitment, contract or arrangement which is otherwise than in the normal course of business or is outside the scope of his normal duties or is of an unusual or onerous or long term nature;

 

4.3.3 engage any person on terms which vary from those established from time to time by resolution of the Board; or

 

4.3.4 dismiss any employee of the Company without giving proper statutory or (if longer) contractual notice or without following the statutory disciplinary procedure and in any case the Executive shall immediately report any dismissal effected by him and the reason for it to the Board.

 

4.4 The Executive shall not at any time during the Appointment directly or indirectly enter into or be concerned in any trade or business or occupation whatsoever other than the business of the Company except with the prior written consent of the Board which may be given subject to any conditions or terms the Board considers appropriate. This clause shall not prevent the Executive from holding up to 3% of any class of shares, debentures or other securities in a company which is listed or dealt in on a Recognised Investment Exchange.

 

  /s/ JD /s/ PK

Page 8
 

 

4.5 The Executive shall comply with the Listing Rules, Model Code and all other rules and regulations of the Company and the UK Listing Authority and every applicable rule of law in force from time to time in relation to him dealing in shares or other securities of the Company and the Group.

 

4.6 The Executive shall not contravene the provisions of Part V (Insider Dealing) of the Criminal Justice Act 1993.

 

4.7 In this clause the expression "occupation" includes membership of Parliament or of a local authority, council or other public or private work (whether for profit or otherwise). which, in the reasonable opinion of the Board, may hinder or otherwise interfere with the Executive's ability to perform his duties under this agreement.

 

5. Place of Work and Travel

 

5.1 The Executive's normal place of work shall be the Company's premises at London or at any other location that may be agreed with the Executive.

 

5.2 The Company may require the Executive to travel to such places within UK and overseas as may reasonably be required for the proper performance of his duties.

 

6. Hours of Work

 

6.1 Normal working hours are from 9.00am to 6.00pm Monday to Friday inclusive. The Executive shall attend to the business of the Company during such other hours as may be necessary for the proper and efficient performance of his duties under this Agreement. The Executive shall not be entitled to receive any remuneration for work done outside normal working hours.

 

7. Remuneration

 

7.1 The Company shall pay the Executive during the continuation of the Appointment a basic gross annual salary of£ 90,000 (Sterling Pounds Ninety thousand only) (less statutory and voluntary deductions). The Executive's basic salary shall accrue from day to day and will be payable in arrears by equal monthly instalments on or about the last working day of each month.

 

7.2 The Executive's basic salary shall be reviewed by the Board annually on or before the anniversary of the Review Date upon successful review of the Executive's performance at such anniversary.

 

  /s/ JD /s/ PK

 

Page 9
 
7.3 The Executive hereby consents to the deduction from his remuneration under this agreement of any sums owing by the Executive to the Company or to any Group Company at any time and he also agrees to make payment to the Company of any sums owed by him to the Company or any Group Company upon demand by the Company at any time. This sub clause is without prejudice to the right of the Company or any Group Company to recover any sums or balance of sums owed by the Executive to the Company or any Group Company by legal proceedings.

 

7.4 The Executive will be entitled to be granted 15,000 shares, at an option price of £4 per share. The options shall be exercisable as to 34 % on the Executive completing 1 year of service with the Company and as to a further 33% every anniversary thereof for the next two years provided that the Executive remains in continuous service with the Company or group. For avoidance of doubt, the share option will lapse to the extent that it has not been exercisable once the employee is no longer in service with the Company or group.

 

8. Bonus

 

8.1 The Executive shall be eligible to participate in any bonus scheme introduced by the Company applicable to him, subject to the rules of the scheme and the Company's discretion. The Company may amend, withdraw or substitute any bonus scheme at any time at its entire discretion. For the avoidance of doubt during the first year of this Agreement the Executive may earn between 50%-100% of the value of his salary either in cash or share options as stated herein by way of a bonus payment payable at the Company's discretion in the event that the Executive achieves certain targets to be determined and notified to him by the Board of the Company. For the avoidance of doubt this shall not be automatic.

 

8.2 Subject to clause 8.1, any bonus in respect of any financial year will be paid to the Executive on the last working day of the month in which the Holding Board meets to consider and determine the bonus provide that the Executive is still employed by the Company and not under notice.

 

9. Reimbursement of Business Expenses

 

  /s/ JD /s/ PK

 

Page 10
 

 

9.1 The Company shall (on production of receipts or other evidence as it may require) repay or cause to be repaid to the Executive all business class travelling for long haul flights, hotel, entertainment, and other out-of-pocket expenses from time to lime wholly, exclusively and necessarily incurred by him in the proper performance of his duties pursuant to his employment under this agreement as long as they are pre-approved in writing by his line manager.

 

10. Medical cover

 

10.1 The Executive shall be eligible for family health cover.

 

11. Holiday

 

11.1 In addition to the usual statutory bank holidays in the UK, the Executive shall be entitled to 25 working days paid holiday for each complete calendar year worked (and pro rata for part of each calendar year worked) to be taken at such time or limes as may be approved by the Board in advance. Holiday entitlement shall accrue from day to day.

 

11.2 Holiday entitlement may not be carried forward to the next calendar year save with the prior written agreement of the Board and no money will be paid in lieu of any such untaken holiday.

 

11.3 In the event that the Company or the Executive gives notice of termination of the Appointment, the Company may require the Executive to take any holidays which have or will have accrued by the Termination Date during the period of notice, in which case the Executive shall not be entitled to any payment in lieu of such holidays.

 

11.4 On the termination of this Agreement the Company shall pay the Executive for any accrued but untaken holiday. If the Executive shall have taken more days' paid holiday than his accrued entitlement as at the Termination Dale, the Executive shall repay to the Company the appropriate amount for each day's paid holiday taken in excess of her accrued entitlement. A day's pay shall be 1/2601h of his basic salary and fractions of days shall be rounded to the nearest whole day.

 

12. Incapacity

 

 

12.1 When absent due to sickness or any other reason, the Executive must inform a member of the Board of the cause(s) of his absence as soon as possible on the first working day of absence unless there is a reasonable explanation as to why this is not possible. A self-certification form must be completed to cover up to the first seven days of absence. A doctor's medical certificate must be provided for absences of eight consecutive days or more due to sickness, injury or other incapacity. Certificates must be provided to cover completely any subsequent and consecutive period of absence.

 

 

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Page 11
 

 

12.2 The Company has the right to require the Executive at any stage of absence to produce a medical certificate from a registered medical practitioner.

 

12.3 If required by the Holding Board the Executive shall undergo examinations by a medical adviser to be appointed or approved by the Holding Board and the Executive hereby authorises such medical adviser to disclose the results of any such examination (including any Sensitive Personal Data as defined in the Data Protection Act 1998) to the Board and discuss with it any matters arising from the examination as might impair the Executive in properly discharging his duties under this agreement.

 

12.4 Statutory sick pay will be paid by the Company according to the rates in force from time to time. The qualifying days for statutory sick pay purposes shall be Monday to Friday inclusive. Any payments which the Company may make to the Executive in addition to his entitlement to any statutory sick pay shall be at the absolute discretion of the Company and shall be inclusive of statutory sick pay and without prejudice to the Company's right to terminate this agreement. The Executive shall be entitled to sick pay for a period or periods not exceeding an aggregate of 30 working days' absence in any consecutive twelve month period. Any sick pay shall be paid at the rate of the Executive's salary (less any deduction for statutory sick pay or other benefit or payments made under any PHI Scheme provided by the Company) and shall be made entirely at the discretion of the Company.

 

12.5 The Company shall be entitled to deduct from any such remuneration the amount (if any) which the Executive is entitled to claim in consequence of his incapacity by way of state sickness related benefits or by way of income from any health insurance scheme operated by the Company for the benefit of the Executive whether or not a claim is made.

 

12.6 If the Executive is incapable of performing his duties by reason of any accident, illness or injury or other incapacity caused wholly or partly by any act or omission of any third party in relation to which the Executive may be or become entitled to recover damages or compensation, then all net payments made to the Executive under this clause 13 in respect of the said absence shall be loans to the Executive to be repaid if and to the extent that he recovers damages or compensation for loss of earnings from the said third party and/or from the Criminal lnjuries Compensation Board or the Motor Insurers' Bureau or any other similar body by action or otherwise. Where the Executive receives any damages or compensation for loss of earnings, he shall notify the Company in writing forthwith and shall repay the amount due to the Company under this clause within 90 days of receipt of the said damages or compensation.

 

 

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Page 12
 

 

 

12.7 The Company shall be entitled during any period during which the Executive is absent due to accident, illness or injury or other incapacity to appoint any other person or persons to perform the duties and exercise the powers of the Executive in his place on such terms and conditions as the Company shall see fit. On resuming office all powers are to be vested back to the Executive.

 

 

13. Confidentiality

 

13.1 The Executive acknowledges that during his employment by the Company he will receive and have access to Confidential Information.

 

13.2 All rights, title and interest in and to the Confidential Information shall remain the exclusive property of the Company or, where appropriate, any Group Company and the Executive shall not during the continuance of the Appointment (otherwise than in the proper performance of his duties) or at any time after the Termination Date directly or indirectly use, divulge, export or communicate to any person, firm, company or other organisation any Confidential Information for any purpose whatsoever and shall use his best endeavours to prevent its unauthorised publication, use or disclosure. This obligation shall be in addition to and not in substitution for any express or implied duty of confidentiality owed by the Executive to the Company or any Group Company.

 

13.3 After the Termination Date, the restrictions at clause 10.2 shall not apply in respect of any Confidential Information:

 

13.3.1 in the public domain, otherwise than as a result of any unauthorised act or omission on the part of the Executive; or

 

  /s/ JD /s/ PK

 

Page 13
 

 

13.3.2 which the Executive is required by law to disclose, provided that the Executive first notifies the Company in writing that he is required to disclose such Confidential Information.

 

14. Intellectual Property

 

14.1 Should the Executive discover or participate in the making or discovery of Intellectual Property in the course of his employment under this Agreement (irrespective of whether he was carrying out his normal duties or others specifically assigned to him) then all such Intellectual Property shall belong to the Company absolutely in accordance with the provisions of the Registered Designs Act 1949, the Patents Act 1977 and the Copyright, Designs and Patent Act 1988.

 

14.2 The Executive will forthwith notify to the Company full details of all Intellectual Property which he may make discover or participate in the making or discovery of whether or not in the course of his employment under this agreement, and will keep the Company appraised at all times of the stage that has been reached in relation to any improvement or creation of such Intellectual Property. If the Company requests (and at its expense) the Executive shall give and supply all such information, data, drawings and assistance as may be required to enable the Company to exploit the Intellectual Property to the best advantage.

 

14.3 At the Company's expense but without payment to the Executive, the Executive shall take all steps and carry out all acts that may be necessary to ensure that title to the Intellectual Property is lawfully vested in the Company, including signing all applications and executing any other documents that may be necessary and will carry out such acts and steps with expedition on the instructions of the Company, in particular where the filing of any claim to such Intellectual Property right may give the Company priority.

 

14.4 The Executive hereby irrevocably appoints the Company as his attorney in his name and on his behalf to execute any documents related to Intellectual Property and generally to act and to use his name for the purpose of giving the full benefit of this clause to the Company (or its nominee). A certificate in writing signed by a director or the secretary of the Company that an instrument or act falls within the authority confirmed by this clause shall be conclusive evidence in favour of a third party that it is the case.

 

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Page 14
 

 

14.5 The Executive waives all of his moral rights as defined in the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 in relation to the Intellectual Property which is the property of the Company by virtue of clause 9.1.

 

14.6 If the Executive makes, discovers or participates in the making or discovery of any Intellectual Property during his Appointment under this agreement but which is not the property of the Company or any Group Company under clause 9.1, the Company shall, subject only to the provisions of the Patents Act 1977, have the right to acquire for itself or its nominee the Executive's rights in the Intellectual Property within three months after disclosure under clause 9.2 on fair and reasonable terms to be agreed or settled by a single arbitrator.

 

14.7 The provisions of this clause 9 shall remain in force with regard to any Intellectual Property made or discovered during the Executive's Appointment under this agreement and shall be binding upon his representatives notwithstanding the termination of the Appointment.

 

15. Termination

 

15.1 The Company may terminate the Appointment immediately without notice and without any obligation to pay any further sums to the Executive whether by way of compensation, damages or otherwise in respect of or in lieu of any notice period or unexpired term of the Agreement, and without prejudice to any other rights of the Company if the Executive:

 

15.1.1 commits any repeated or continued material breach, or any serious breach of his obligations to the Company having first been given a reasonable opportunity to remedy the breach (provided it is capable of remedy) by notification from the Holding Board in writing, but having failed to do so; or

 

15.1.2 is convicted of an serious criminal offence (other than an offence under road traffic legislation for which imprisonment is not a sanction); or

 

15.1.3 becomes of unsound mind or a patient within the meaning of the Mental Health Act 1983; or

 

15.1.4 acts in any manner which in the opinion of the Holding Board brings or is likely to bring him, the Company or any Group Company into material disrepute; or

 

  /s/ JD /s/ PK
Page 15
 

 

15.1.5 fails or neglects efficiently and/or diligently to carry out his duties to the reasonable satisfaction of the Holding Board; or

 

15.1.6 is guilty of gross misconduct or any other conduct which, in the opinion of the Holding Board is calculated or likely to materially affect prejudicially the interests of any Group Company whether or not such misconduct or other conduct occurs during or in the context of the Appointment; or

 

15.1.7 resigns as a director of the Company other than at the request of the Holding Board; or

 

15.1.8 is disqualified from being a director of a company by reason of an order made by a competent court; or

 

15.1.9 has an interim receiving order made against him, becomes bankrupt or makes a composition or enters into a deed of arrangement with his creditors; or

 

15.1.10 is convicted of an offence under Part V of the Criminal Justice Act 1993 or under any other statutory enactment or regulations relating to insider dealing; or

 

15.1.11 fails to comply with the Company's rules in relation to compliance.

 

15.2 The rights of the Company under clause 10.1 are without prejudice to any other rights it might have under this agreement or at law to terminate the Appointment or to accept any breach of the agreement on the part of the Executive as having brought the agreement to an end. For the avoidance of doubt, where there are no circumstances justifying summary dismissal under clause 10.1, the methods by which the Company may terminate the Appointment are not restricted to the giving of notice in accordance with clauses 3.1 (term of employment) or 10.3 (termination on account of illness or injury) or to the making of a payment in lieu of notice under clause 3.2 (payment in lieu of notice) and accordingly, if the Company terminates the Appointment without giving notice or without making a payment in lieu of notice, any damages to which the Executive may be entitled shall be calculated in accordance with ordinary common law principles including those relating to mitigation of loss and accelerated receipt.

 

15.3 Without prejudice to clauses 10.1 and 3.2, but notwithstanding any other provision of this agreement, if the Executive shall become unable to perform

 

  /s/ JD /s/ PK
Page 16
 

his duties properly by reason of accident, illness or injury for a period or periods aggregating at least 30 days in any period of 12 consecutive calendar months (the "Period or Periods of Incapacity'') then the Company may, by not less than six months' prior written notice to the Executive given at any time while the Executive is incapacitated by accident, illness or injury from performing his duties under the agreement, terminate the Appointment provided that the Company shall withdraw any such notice if during the currency of the notice the Executive returns to full time duties and provides a medical practitioner's certificate satisfactory to the Holding Board to the effect that he has fully recovered his health and that no recurrence of his illness or injury can reasonably be anticipated.

 

15.4 The Company may suspend the Executive on full pay at any time to investigate any allegations of misconduct relating to his and to hold a disciplinary hearing.

 

15.5 Upon termination of the Appointment howsoever caused or, if so requested by the Company, on notice being served by either party on the other to terminate the Appointment the Executive shall;

 

15.5.1 immediately deliver up to the Company any property belonging to the Company or any Group Company and any document, computer disk or other data storage device containing any Confidential Information and shall cease to represent himself as being in any way connected with the Company or any Group Company;

 

15.5.2 irretrievably delete any information relating to the business of the Company or any Group Company stored on any magnetic or optical disk or memory and all matter derived therefrom (having first satisfied himself that the Company has copies thereof) which is in his possession, custody, care or control outside the premises of the Company or any Group Company and shall produce such evidence of compliance with this sub-paragraph as the Company may require; and

 

15.5.3 at the request of the Board or the Holding Board, immediately resign any directorship office or appointment held by him in the Company or any Group Company without any claim for compensation or damages for loss of such office or appointment and in the event of his failure to do so within five days of such request the Executive hereby irrevocably appoints the Company as his attorney to execute letters of resignation of such directorships, offices or appointments on his behalf and to take such other steps as are necessary to give effect to such resignations; and

 

 

 

  /s/ JD /s/ PK
Page 17
 

 

15.5.4 transfer to the Company, or as it may direct all shares held by him in the Company or in any Group Company as nominee or trustee for the Company and deliver to the Company the certificates therefore and the Executive hereby irrevocably appoints the Company his attorney to execute any such transfers on his behalf.

 

15.6 The termination of the Appointment shall not operate to affect those provisions of this agreement which are intended to have effect after the Termination Date.

 

16. Post Termination Restrictions

 

16.1 For a period of twelve months immediately following the Termination Date, the Executive shall not, whether by himself or by any servant or agent or otherwise howsoever, and whether on the Executive's own account or on behalf of or in conjunction with any other person, firm, company or other organisation directly or indirectly:

 

16.1.1 `carry on or assist with, be employed by, be engaged by, hold a position with, be concerned in, interested in or control the carrying on of any activity or business which is the same as or competes with the Restricted Business anywhere in any Restricted Territory, (except as the holder of shares in a company whose shares are listed on a Recognised Investment Exchange which confer not more than 3% in total of the votes which could normally be cast at a general meeting of that company);

 

16.1.2 in relation to any business which is the same as or in competition with the Restricted Business conduct any business, perform any services for or canvas, solicit or approach or cause to be canvassed or solicited or approached for the purpose of obtaining business, orders or custom, or otherwise deal with any person, firm, company or other organisation which was a client or customer of the Company or any Group Company at the Termination Date or during the Relevant Period and with whom the Executive had any dealings or of whom the Executive was aware in the course of his employment;

 

 

  /s/ JD /s/ PK
Page 18
 

 

16.1.3 in relation to any business the same as or in competition with the Restricted Business conduct any business, perform any services or supply goods to, canvas, solicit, deal or approach or cause to be canvassed, solicited or approached for the purpose of obtaining business, orders of custom any Prospective Customer with whom the Executive had any dealings in the course of his duties at any time in the Relevant Period.

 

16.2 For a period of twelve months immediately following the Termination Date, the Executive shall not, whether by himself or by any servant or agent or otherwise howsoever, and whether on the Executive's own account or on behalf of or in conjunction with any other person, firm, company or other organisation directly or indirectly:

 

16.2.1 offer employment to or employ or offer to or conclude a contract for services in the Restricted Territory with any Restricted Employee or procure or facilitate the making of such an offer;

 

16.2.2 seek to entice away from the Company or any Group Company or otherwise solicit or interfere with the relationship between the Company and any Restricted Supplier or any Group Company and any Restricted Supplier.

 

16.3 The Executive shall not at any time after the Termination Date;

 

16.3.1 directly or indirectly anywhere in any Restricted Territory for a period of 12 (twelve months) following the Termination Date carry on a business either alone or jointly with or as officers, manager, agent, consultant or employee of any person whether similar to any part of the business of the Company or any Group Company (as conducted at any time) or otherwise under a title or name comprising or containing the word Bollywood or any colourable imitation thereof and he will at all times procure that any company controlled by him will not carry out such business under any such title or name; and

 

16.3.2 say or do anything which is harmful to the reputation or goodwill of the Company or any Group Company or likely to or calculated to lead to any person, firm, company or other organisation to withdraw from or cease to continue to offer a Group Company any rights of purchase, sale, import, distribution or agency enjoyed by it;

 

  /s/ JD /s/ PK
Page 19
 

 

16.3.3 hold himself out falsely as being in anyway connected with any Group Company; and

 

16.3.4 solicit, entice or procure or endeavour to solicit, entice or procure any employee to breach his contract of employment with the Company or any Group Company or any person to breach his contract for services with the Company or any Group Company.

 

16.4 The period of each of the above restrictions shall be reduced by the period, if any, during which the Company exercises its rights under clause 3.5.

 

16.5 The Executive has had an opportunity to consider the restrictions prior to execution of this agreement and agrees that each of the restrictions set out above constitutes an entirely separate, severable and independent covenant and restriction upon him the duration extent and application of each of which is no greater than is reasonably necessary for the protection of goodwill and the legitimate trade connections of the Restricted Business.

 

16.6 Further, if a restriction on him contained in this agreement is found void but would be valid if some part of it were deleted, the restriction shall apply with such deletion as may be necessary to make it valid and effective.

 

16.7 The Executive recognises that given his role with the Company and within the Group and the Group's structure the Company has an interest in the business of the other Group Companies which it is legitimate for it to protect by the covenants set out above.

 

16.8 Notwithstanding and without prejudice to the foregoing of this clause it is acknowledged by the Executive that the Company holds the benefit of these covenants on trust for any Group Company as the Company may direct in substantially the same terms as the covenants the Executive has entered into with the Company. If so requested by the Company, the Executive shall enter into separate contracts with a Group Company.

 

16.9 The Executive shall show these restrictions to any firm, person, company or other organisation which is the same as or competes with or proposes or is likely to compete with the Restricted Business which offers him employment or a contract for services to him and which he accepts or is minded to accept.

 

  /s/ JD /s/ PK
Page 20
 

 

17. Data Protection

 

17.1 The Executive shall at all times during the Appointment act in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998 (the "DPA”) and shall comply with any policy introduced by the Company from time to time to comply with the DPA. Breach of this undertaking will constitute a disciplinary offence.

 

17.2 The Executive hereby consents to the Company holding and processing both electronically and manually the Personal Data it collects which relates to the Executive which is necessary or reasonably required for the proper performance of this agreement, for management, administrative and other employment related purposes (both during and after the Appointment) or for the conduct of the Group's business or to comply with applicable laws, rules and regulations (the "Authorised Purposes") and ·the Executive agrees to provide the Group with all Personal Data relating to him which is necessary or reasonably required for the Authorised Purposes.

 

17.3 The Executive explicitly consents to the Company or any other Group Company processing his Personal Data, including his Sensitive Personal Data, where this is necessary or reasonably required to achieve one or more of the Authorised Purposes.

 

17.4 The Executive acknowledges that the Company may, from time to time collect or disclose his Personal Data (including his Sensitive Personal Data) from and to third parties (including without limitation the Executive's referees, any management consultants or computer maintenance companies engaged by the Company, the Company's professional advisers, other Group Companies, any suppliers of goods or services to the Group and any potential purchasers of the business, the Company and/or the Group). The Executive consents to such collection and disclosure even where this involves the transfer of such data outside the European Economic Area where this is necessary or reasonably required to achieve one or more of the Authorised Purposes or is in the interests of the Company and/or its shareholders.

 

17.5 Further, the Executive consents to the transfer of Personal Data to any employee of the Company who has requested any Personal Data in an equal pay or other questionnaire served pursuant to statute provided that the transfer of Personal Data is limited to Personal Data lawfully requested and subject to the Company first receiving a written undertaken from the requesting employee to keep any disclosed Personal Data strictly confidential and not to use the disclosed Personal Data for any purpose other than pursuing legal proceedings in an Employment Tribunal.

 

 

  /s/ JD /s/ PK
Page 21
 

 

17.6 The Company agrees to process any Personal Data made available to it by the Executive in accordance with the provisions of the DPA.

 

17.7 In this clause "Data Controller" "Personal Data" "processing" and "Sensitive Personal Data" shall have the meaning set out in sections 1 and 2 of the DPA.

 

18. Grievance and Disciplinary procedures

 

18.1 The Executive shall be subject to the disciplinary and grievance procedures in force from time to time.

 

19. Capacity

 

19.1 The Executive warrants that in entering into this agreement and performing his obligations under it, he will not be in breach of any terms or obligations under any further or other employment or appointment and will not become precluded from entering into this agreement or fulfilling his obligations under it and he will indemnify the Company against any costs, claims or demands against it arising out of any such breach by him.

 

20. General

 

20.1 This agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the Company and the Executive in connection with the Appointment and operates in substitution for and to the exclusion of any terms of employment, arrangements, or other agreements in force between the Company and the Executive or any Group Company and the Executive but without prejudice to any rights of action already accrued in respect of any breach of this agreement by the other party.

 

20.2 No agreement made between the Company and the Executive or any Group Company and the Executive nor any amendment to this agreement will be legally binding on the Company, any Group Company or the Executive unless and until that agreement or amendment is confirmed in writing by the Company or (as the case may be) any Group Company and the Executive.

 

20.3 The provisions of this agreement are severable and if any provision is held to be invalid or unenforceable by any court or body of competent jurisdiction then such invalidity or unenforceability shall not effect the remaining provisions of this agreement.

 

 

  /s/ JD /s/ PK
Page 22
 

 

20.4 There are no collective agreements in place in relation to the Executive's Appointment.

 

20.5 Any communication under this agreement shall be deemed served if, when addressed to the party, it is left at or sent by registered or recorded delivery post or by facsimile transmission or other electronic means of written communication with confirmation by letter given by close of business on the next following business days to the addresses set out in this agreement or to such other addresses as maybe notified by the parties for the purpose of this clause. Any communication to the Company must be marked "For the attention of the Company Secretary".

 

20.6 Communications which are sent or despatched as set out below shall be deemed to have been received by the addressed as follows:

 

20.6.1 by post- 2 business days after despatch;

 

 

20.6.2 by facsimile transmission or other electronic means of written communication - on the business day next following the day of which the communication was sent.

 

20.7 In proving service by post it shall only be necessary for a party to prove that the communication was in an envelope which was duly addressed, stamped and posted by registered or recorded delivery post.

 

20.8 For the purpose of this clause a "business day" means a day on which the clearing banks in the City of London are open for business. "Close of Business" means 18:00 hours local time in London.

 

20.9 This agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales and each party to this agreement submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English courts.

 

  /s/ JD /s/ PK
Page 23
 

 

20.10 Except as expressly provided for above, nothing in this agreement confers on any third party any benefits under the provisions of the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999.

 

 

IN WITNESS whereof the parties hereto have entered into this agreement as a Deed on the day and year first above written.

 

 

EXECUTED as a DEED by )  
     
EROS INTERNATIONAL LIMITED ) /s/ Jyoti Deshpande
     
acting by ) Director
     
     
     
    Director/Secretary

 

 

 

SIGNED as a DEED by )  
     
PRANAB KAPADIA ) /s/ Pranab Kapadia
     
in the presence of: )  

 

 

 

Signed  
   
Witness signature /s/ Nayeem Syed
   
Witness name NAYEEM SYED
   
Witness address 7 ALBANY STREET
   
  LONDON NW1 4DX
   
 
   
Witness occupation GENERAL COUNSEL
   

 

  /s/ JD /s/ PK

 

Page 24

 

Exhibit 10.23

 

SCHEDULE 10

 

FORM OF INCREASE CONFIRMATION

 

To: Lloyds TSB Bank plc, as Facility Agent: and
     
Eros International plc, as Parent, for and on behalf of each Obligor
     
From: HSBC Bank Plc (the “Accordion Bank”)
     
Dated: 31 July 2013

 

EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC- US$125,000,000 Credit Agreement dated 5 January 2012 (the Facilities Agreement)

 

We refer to the Facilities Agreement. This Agreement (the “Agreement”) shall take effect as an Increase Confirmation for the purpose of the Facilities Agreement. Terms defined in the Facilities Agreement have the same meaning in this Agreement unless given a different meaning in this Agreement.

(a) We refer to Clause 2.3 Voluntary Increase of the Facilities Agreement.
(b) The Accordion Bank agrees to assume and will assume all of the obligations corresponding to the Commitment specified in the Schedule (the “ Relevant Commitment ”) as if it was an Original Lender under the Facilities Agreement.
(c) The proposed date on which the increase in relation to the Accordion Bank and the Relevant Commitment is to take effect (the “ Increase Date ”) is 5 August 2013
(d) On the Increase Date, the Accordion Bank becomes party to the relevant Finance Documents as a Lender.
(e) The Facility Office and address, fax number and attention details for notices to the Accordion Bank for the purposes of Clause 35 (Notices) are set out in the Schedule.
(f) The Accordion Bank confirms, for the benefit of the Facility Agent and without liability to any Obligor, that it is not a member of the Group or an affiliate of a member of the Group.
(g) The Accordion Bank confirms, for the benefit of the Facility Agent and without liability to any Obligor, that it is a Qualifying Lender (other than a Treaty Lender).
(h) The Accordion Bank confirms that the person beneficially entitled to interest payable to that Lender in respect of an advance under a Finance Document is either:
(i) a company resident in the United Kingdom for United Kingdom tax purposes; or
(ii) a partnership each member of which is:
(A) a company so resident in the United Kingdom; or
(B) a company not so resident in the United Kingdom which carries on a trade in the United Kingdom through a permanent establishment and which brings into account in computing its chargeable profits (within the meaning of section 19 of the CTA) the whole of any share of interest payable in respect of that advance that falls to it by reason of Part 17 of the CTA
(j) This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and this has the same effect as if the signatures on the counterparts were on a single copy of this Agreement.
(k) This Agreement and any non-contractual obligations arising out of or in connection with it are governed by English law.
(l) This Agreement has been entered into on the date stated at the beginning of this Agreement.
 
 

 

THE SCHEDULE

Relevant Commitment/rights and obligations to be assumed by the Increase Lender

 

Relevant commitment – US$25,000,000

 

FAO: Ankur Shridhar,

Senior Corporate Banking Manager

London Corporate

60 Queen Victoria Street

London

EC4N 4TR

 

Fax: 0044-8455 878676

 

Payment details:

 

HSBC Bank plc.

Sort Code: 40 05 30

A/c no.: 4900 1093

 

Accordion Bank

By: /s/ Will Roberts Will Roberts

 

 

This Agreement is accepted as an Increase Confirmation for the purposes of the Facilities Agreement by the Facility Agent and the Increase Date is confirmed as 5 August 2013.

 

Facility Agent

By: /s/ Andrew Moore Andrew Moore

 

 

Exhibit 23.2

 

 

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We have issued our report dated July 12, 2012 with respect to the consolidated financial statements of Eros International Plc and its subsidiaries as of March 31, 2012 and for the years ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 contained in the Registration Statement and Prospectus. We consent to the use of the aforementioned report in the Registration Statement and Prospectus and to the use of our name as it appears under the caption "Experts."

 

 

/s/ Grant Thornton UK LLP      

GRANT THORNTON UK LLP
London, UK
October 29, 2013

 

 

Exhibit 23.5

 

 

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We have issued our report dated September 9, 2013 with respect to the consolidated financial statements of Eros International Plc and subsidiaries for the year ended March 31, 2013 contained in the Amendment No. 5 to the Registration Statement and Prospectus. We consent to the use of the aforementioned report in Amendment No. 5 to the Registration Statement and Prospectus and to the use of our name as it appears under the captions "Experts".

 

 

/s/ Grant Thornton India LLP 

Grant Thornton India LLP 

Mumbai, India
October 29, 2013

 

 

Exhibit 23.6

 

 

Federation of

Indian Chambers

of Commerce and Industry)

 

Federation House

Tansen Marg

New Delhi 110001

T +91 11 23738760 (11 lines)

F +91 11 23320714 / 23721504

E ficci@ficci.com

www.ficci.com

 

Leena Jaisani

Sr. Director & Head - Entertainment

 

August 1, 2013

 

 

Jyoti Deshpande
Chief Executive Officer
Eros International Pic
Fort Anne
South Quay
Douglas
Isle of Man IM1 5PD

 

Re: Consent to use of extracts and reference to FICCI-KPMG Indian Media and Entertainment
Industry Reports by Eros International Pic (the “Company”)

 

Dear Ms. Deshpande,

 

Reference is hereby made to the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (“FICCI”)-KPMG Indian Media and Entertainment Industry Report 2013 (“2013 Report”), the FICCI-KPMG Indian Media and Entertainment Industry Report 2012 (“2012 Report”), the FICCI KPMG Indian Media and Entertainment Industry Report 2011(“2011 Report”), the FICCI-KPMG Indian Media and Entertainment Industry Report 2010 (“2010 Report”) and the FICCI-KPMG Indian Media and Entertainment Industry Report 2009 (“2009 Report”, and together with 2010 Report, 2011 Report, 2012 Report and 2013 Report, the “Reports”).

 

We hereby consent to the inclusion of our name, extracts of the Reports and reference to, or summaries of, the Reports in any document issued by the Company, including any registration statement or prospectus of the Company for the registration of its ordinary shares filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and any other documents that may be filed, submitted or used in connection with such registration.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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