SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549

 

FORM 20-F

 

REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR 12(g) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
OR
   

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016

OR
   
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
OR
   
SHELL COMPANY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

Commission file number 001-32945

 

EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
 
Not Applicable
(Translation of Registrant’s name into English)
 
Isle of Man
(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
 
550 County Avenue
Secaucus, New Jersey 07094
Tel: (201) 558 9001
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
Oliver Webster
Fort Anne, South Quay
Douglas, Isle of Man
Tel: (44) 1624 638 300
Email: law@cains.com
(Name, Telephone, E-mail and/or Facsimile number and Address of Company Contact Person)

 

Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act.

 

Title of each class   Name of each exchange on which registered
A ordinary share, par value GBP 0.30 per share   The New York Stock Exchange

 

Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act.

 

None
(Title of Class)

 

Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act

 

None
(Title of Class)

 

 

 

Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the issuer’s classes of capital or common stock as of the close of the period covered by the annual report.

 

At March 31, 2016, 32,949,314 ‘A’ ordinary shares and 24,960,654 ‘B’ ordinary shares, each at par value GBP 0.30 per share, were issued and outstanding.

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.  Yes     No

 

If this report is an annual or transition report, indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.  Yes     No

 

Note — Checking the box above will not relieve any registrant required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 from their obligations under those Sections.

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes     No

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  Yes     No

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

Large accelerated filer    Accelerated filer    Non-accelerated filer 

 

Indicate by check mark which basis of accounting the registrant has used to prepare the financial statements included in this filing:

 

U.S. GAAP    International Financial Reporting Standards as issued
by the International Accounting Standards Board
  Other 

 

If “Other” has been checked in response to the previous question, indicate by check mark which financial statement item the registrant has elected to follow:  Item 17     Item 18

 

If this report is an annual report, indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  Yes     No

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC

 

      Page
PART I      
ITEM 1. IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISERS   1
ITEM 2. OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE   1
ITEM 3. KEY INFORMATION   1
ITEM 4. INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY   27
ITEM 4A. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS   61
ITEM 5. OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS   62
ITEM 6. DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES   79
ITEM 7. MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS   92
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL INFORMATION   96
ITEM 9. THE OFFER AND LISTING   97
ITEM 10. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION   98
ITEM 11. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK   107
ITEM 12. DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIES   108
PART II      
ITEM 13. DEFAULTS, DIVIDEND ARREARAGES AND DELINQUENCIES   109
ITEM 14. MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS AND USE OF PROCEEDS   109
ITEM 15. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES   109
ITEM 16A. AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT   110
ITEM 16B. CODE OF ETHICS   110
ITEM 16C. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES   110
ITEM 16D. EXEMPTIONS FROM THE LISTING STANDARDS FOR AUDIT COMMITTEES   111
ITEM 16E. PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY THE ISSUER AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS   111
ITEM 16F. CHANGE IN REGISTRANT’S CERTIFYING ACCOUNTANT   111
ITEM 16G. CORPORATE GOVERNANCE   111
ITEM 16H. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE   111
PART III      
ITEM 17. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS   112
ITEM 18. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS   112
ITEM 19. EXHIBITS   113
SIGNATURES     115
INDEX TO EROS INTERNATIONAL’S CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS   F-1

 

i

 

 

CONVENTIONS USED IN THIS ANNUAL REPORT

 

Unless otherwise indicated or required by the context, as used in this annual report, the terms “Eros,” “we,” “us,”, “the Group”, “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 2016 or FY 2016, we are referring to the fiscal year ended on March 31 of that year. The “Founders Group” refers to Beech Investments Limited, Kishore Lulla and Vijay Ahuja. “$” and “dollar” refer to U.S. dollars.

 

“High budget” films refer to Hindi films with direct production costs in excess of $8.5 million and regional 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 Hindi and regional 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, Tamil and Telugu 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.

 

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This annual report contains “forward-looking statements” that are based on our current expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections about our company and our industry. The forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties. Generally, these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “will,” “project,” “seek,” “should” and similar expressions. Those statements include, among other things, the discussions of our business strategy and expectations concerning our market position, future operations, margins, profitability, liquidity and capital resources, tax assessment orders and future capital expenditures. We caution you that reliance on any forward-looking statement inherently involves risks and uncertainties, and that although we believe that the assumptions on which our forward-looking statements are based are reasonable, any of those assumptions could prove to be inaccurate, and, as a result, the forward-looking statements based on those assumptions could be materially incorrect. These risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to:

· anonymous letters, to regulators or business associates or anonymous allegations on social media regarding our business practices, accounting practices and/or officers and directors; we are party to class action lawsuits in the U.S.
· our ability to successfully defend class action law suits we are party to in the U.S.;
· our ability to successfully and cost-effectively source film content;
· delays, cost overruns, cancellation or abandonment of the completion or release of our films;
· our ability to predict the popularity of our films, or changing consumer tastes;
· our dependence on our relationships with theater operators and other industry participants to exploit our film content;
· 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 and Telugu films;
· Eros Now has limited operating history and may incur operating losses and negative cash flow in future periods
· 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;
· our ability to mitigate risks relating to distribution and collection in international markets;
· fluctuation in the value of the Indian Rupee against foreign currencies;
· our ability to compete in the Indian film industry;
· the impact of a new amendment to accounting standards for the recognition of revenue from contracts with customers;
· our ability to combat piracy and to protect our intellectual property;
· 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;
· our ability to successfully respond to technological changes;

ii

 

 

· regulatory changes in the Indian film industry and our ability to respond to them.
· 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; and
· our ability to respond to the challenges relating to international distribution of our films and related products.

 

These and other factors are more fully discussed in “Part I — Item 3. Key Information — D. Risk Factors,” “Part I — Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects” and elsewhere in this annual report. In light of these and other uncertainties, you should not conclude that we will necessarily achieve any plans, objectives or projected financial results referred to in any of the forward-looking statements. Except as required by law, we do not undertake to release revisions of any of these forward-looking statements to reflect future events or circumstances.

 

iii

 

PART I

 

ITEM 1. IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISERS

 

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 2. OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE

 

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 3. KEY INFORMATION

 

A. Selected Financial Data

 

The table set forth below presents our selected historical consolidated financial data for the periods and at the dates indicated. The selected historical consolidated statement of income data for each of the three years ended March 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 and the selected statement of financial position data as of March 31, 2016 and 2015 have been derived from and should be read in conjunction with “Part I — Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects” and our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 20-F. The selected historical consolidated statement of income data for each of the two years ended March 31, 2013 and 2012 and the selected historical statement of financial position data as of March 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 have been derived from audited consolidated financial statements not included in this Annual Report on Form 20-F.

 

    Year ended March 31,  
    2016     2015     2014     2013     2012  
    (in thousands, except net income per share and weighted average number of ordinary shares)  
Selected Statement of Income Data                                        
Revenue   $ 274,428     $ 284,175     $ 235,470     $ 215,346     $ 206,474  
Cost of sales     (172,764 )     (155,777 )     (132,933 )     (134,002 )     (117,044 )
Gross profit     101,664       128,398       102,537       81,344       89,430  
Administrative costs     (64,019 )     (49,546 )     (42,680 )     (26,308 )     (27,992 )
Operating profit     37,645       78,852       59,857       55,036       61,438  
Net finance costs     (8,010 )     (5,861 )     (7,517 )     (1,469 )     (1,009 )
Other losses     (3,636 )     (10,483 )     (2,353 )     (7,989 )     (6,790 )
Profit before tax     25,999       62,508       49,987       45,578       53,639  
Income tax expense     (12,711 )     (13,178 )     (12,843 )     (11,913 )     (10,059 )
Net income (1)   $ 13,288     $ 49,330     $ 37,144     $ 33,665     $ 43,580  
                                         
Net income per share                                        
Basic   $ 0.07     $ 0.74     $ 0.66     $ 0.69     $ 0.96  
Diluted   $ 0.05     $ 0.72     $ 0.65     $ 0.69     $ 0.94  
                                         
Weighted average number of ordinary shares                                        
Basic     57,732       54,278       45,590       39,439       39,076  
Diluted     59,036       54,969       45,607       39,456       39,138  
                                         
Other non-GAAP measures                                        
EBITDA (2)   $ 36,294     $ 70,066     $ 58,871     $ 48,765     $ 56,201  
Adjusted EBITDA (2)   $ 70,852     $ 101,150     $ 80,284     $ 56,320     $ 66,984  

 

1  

 

 

 

    Year ended March 31,  
    2016     2015     2014     2013     2012  
    (in thousands)  
Selected Statement of Financial Position Data:                                        
Cash and cash equivalents   $ 182,774     $ 153,664     $ 145,449     $ 107,642     $ 145,422  
Goodwill     1,878       1,878       1,878       1,878       1,878  
Total assets     1,246,639       1,149,533       906,011       798,657       765,966  
                                         
Debt:                                        
Current portion     219,275       96,397       92,879       79,902       68,527  
Long-term portion     92,630       218,273       165,254       165,898       180,768  
Total liabilities     437,545       393,478       327,970       312,481       311,718  
                                         
Equity attributable to Eros International Plc     740,332       697,334       527,691       438,578       416,165  
Equity attributable to non-controlling interests     68,762       58,721       50,350       47,598       38,083  
Total equity   $ 809,094     $ 756,055     $ 578,041     $ 486,176     $ 454,248  

 

_______________

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

 

(2) We use EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA as supplemental financial measures. 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), transactions costs relating to equity transactions, 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.

 

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

 

    Year ended March 31,  
    2016     2015     2014     2013     2012  
    (in thousands)  
Net income   $ 13,288     $ 49,330     $ 37,144     $ 33,665     $ 43,580  
Income tax expense     12,711       13,178       12,843       11,913       10,059  
Net finance costs     8,010       5,861       7,517       1,469       1,009  
Depreciation     1,154       1,089       789       1,003       1,275  
Amortization (a)     1,131       608       578       715       278  
EBITDA     36,294       70,066       58,871       48,765       56,201  
Impairment of available-for-sale financial assets           1,307                   1,230  
Transaction costs relating to equity transactions           61       8,169              
Net loss/(gain) on held for trading financial liabilities     3,566       7,801       (5,177 )     5,667       4,264  
Share based payments     30,992       21,915       18,421       1,888       5,289  
Adjusted EBITDA (b)   $ 70,852     $ 101,150     $ 80,284     $ 56,320     $ 66,984  

_______________

(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  

 

 

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.

 

However, 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.

 

Exchange Rate Information

 

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. This volatility is illustrated in the table below for the periods indicated:

 

    Period End   Average (1)   High   Low
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
2014   60.35   60.35   68.80   53.65
2015   62.58   61.15   63.70   58.46
2016   66.25   65.39   68.84   61.99
                 
Months                
April 2015   63.52   62.72   63.59   62.23
May 2015   63.83   63.73   64.26   63.47
June 2015   63.59   63.78   64.21   63.43
July 2015   63.87   63.60   64.24   63.24
August 2015   66.39   65.10   66.80   63.67
September 2015   65.50   66.17   66.70   65.50
October 2015   65.40   65.03   65.57   64.70
November 2015   66.43   66.10   66.86   65.46
December 2015   66.19   66.50   67.10   66.00
January 2016   67.87   67.33   68.08   66.49
February 2016   68.21   68.24   68.84   67.57
March 2016   66.25   66.89   67.75   66.25
April 2016   66.39   66.42   66.70   66.05
May 2016   66.96   66.88   67.59   66.36
June 2016   67.51   67.27   67.92   66.51

 

(1) Represents the average of the U.S. dollar to Indian Rupee 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.

 

3  

 

 

B. Capitalization and Indebtedness

 

Not Applicable.

 

C. Reason for the Offer and the Use of Proceeds

 

Not Applicable.

 

D. Risk Factors

 

This annual report contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors, including those described in the following risk factors and elsewhere in this annual report. If any of the following risks actually occur, our business, financial condition and results of operations could suffer and the trading price of our A ordinary shares could decline.

 

Risks Related to Our Business

 

Anonymous letters to regulators or business associates or anonymous allegations on social media 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 operations and could negatively impact the market price for our A ordinary shares; we are party to class action lawsuits in the U.S. and an adverse ruling could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations and could negatively impact the market price of our A ordinary shares.

 

In the past, when we have publicly filed a report relating to a proposed transaction in either the 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.

 

There were a series of anonymous allegations on social media targeted at the Company’s accounting practices and disclosures in October 2015 following which the market price for our A ordinary shares dropped materially with the lowest being $5.59 per share. The Company’s Audit Committee subsequently appointed Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom LLP to assist them in conducting an independent internal review. With the assistance of Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom LLP, the Company's Audit Committee conducted the internal review which commenced in November 2015 and completed in March 2016, and did not result in any recommendations for restatements to prior year financials.

 

Beginning on November 13, 2015, the Company was named a defendant in five substantially similar putative class action lawsuits filed in federal court in New Jersey and New York by purported shareholders of the Company. The three actions in New Jersey were consolidated, and, on May 17, 2016, were transferred to the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York where they were then consolidated with the other two actions on May 27, 2016. In general, the plaintiffs alleged that the Company, and in some cases also the Company’s management, violated federal securities laws by overstating the Company’s financial and business results, enriching the Company’s controlling owners at the expense of other stockholders, and engaging in improper accounting practices. On April 5, 2016, a lead plaintiff and lead counsel were appointed in the now-consolidated New York action. A single consolidated amended complaint was filed on July 14, 2016. The Plaintiffs have alleged that the Company and certain individual defendants -- Kishore Lulla, Jyoti Deshpande, Andrew Heffernan, and Prem Parameswaran -- have violated the federal securities laws, specifically Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Exchange Act. The amended consolidated complaint does not assert certain claims that had been asserted in prior complaints including (1) claims for violations of Sections 11 and 15 of the Securities Act and (2) claims against certain individual defendants, who are not now named defendants. The claims principally arise out of allegations that the Company and the individual defendants made material misrepresentations about the success, size, and financial performance of Eros Now, our streaming video service, and our film library.

 

We are unable to predict how long such proceedings will continue, but we anticipate that we will continue to incur significant costs in connection with these matters to the extent not covered by our insurance policy and that these proceedings, investigations and inquiries will result in a substantial distraction of management’s time, regardless of the outcome.

 

If we receive similar letters, in the future or are unsuccessful in defending the class action lawsuits it could result in a diversion of management resources, time and energy, significant costs, a material 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.

 

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. We have also set up Trinity Pictures as a studio to develop and produce franchise films in-house and create our own intellectual property. Our ability to successfully enter into co-productions and to acquire content depends on, among other things our ability to maintain existing relationships, and form new ones, with talent and other industry participants.

 

4  

 

 

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. This is also dependent on relationships with various writers and talent and has execution risk associated with it. If any such relationships are adversely affected, or we are unable to form new relationships or our Trinity Pictures initiative fails 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 affected.

 

Our business involves substantial capital requirements, and our inability to maintain or raise sufficient capital could materially adversely affect our business.

 

Our business requires a substantial investment of capital for the production, acquisition and distribution of films and a significant amount of time may elapse between our expenditure of funds and the receipt of revenues from our films. This may require us to fund a significant portion of our capital requirements from our credit facilities or other financing sources. Any capital shortfall could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition, results of operations and liquidity.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

5  

 

 

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 March 31, 2016, if we do not otherwise extend or renew our existing rights, we anticipate the rights we currently license in Hindi and regional languages, will expire as summarized in the table below.

 

Term Expiration Dates   Hindi
Film Rights
  Regional
Film Rights (1)
    (approximate percentage of films whose
licensed rights expire in the
period indicated)
Prior to December 31, 2020     42 %     54 %
2021-2025     37       13  
2026-2030     6       1  
2031-2045     3       1  
Perpetual (2)     12       31  

 

(1) Excludes the Kannada digital rights library for which we have perpetual rights subject to applicable copyright law.
(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 released.

 

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 “Part I—Item 4. Information on the Company — 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 may face claims from third parties that our films may be infringing on their intellectual property.

 

Third parties may claim that certain of our films misappropriate or infringe such third parties’ intellectual property rights with respect to previously developed films, stories, characters, other entertainment or intellectual property. We may receive in the future claims of infringement or misappropriation of other parties’ proprietary rights. Any such assertions or claims may impact our rights to exploit the related films. Irrespective of the validity or the successful assertion of such claims, we could incur significant costs and diversion of resources in defending against them. If any claims or actions are asserted against us, we may seek to settle such claim by obtaining a license from the plaintiff covering the disputed intellectual property rights. We cannot provide any assurances, however, that under such circumstances a license, or any other form of settlement, would be available on reasonable terms or at all. Any of these occurrences could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations.

 

6  

 

 

Our business involves risks of liability claims for media content.

 

As a producer and distributor of media content, we may face potential liability for:

defamation;
invasion of privacy;
negligence;
copyright or trademark infringement; and
other claims based on the nature and content of the materials distributed.

 

These types of claims have been brought, sometimes successfully, against producers and/or distributors of media content. Any imposition of liability that is not covered by insurance or is in excess of insurance coverage could have a material adverse effect on our business and financial condition.

 

We depend on the Indian box office success of our Hindi and high budget Tamil and Telugu 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 and Telugu 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 the multiplex and single-screen operators have now moved to a digital distribution model that provides greater clarity on the number of screenings given to our films, many still do not have computerized tracking systems for box office receipts which can be tracked independently by a third party and we are reliant on box office reports generated internally by these multiplex and single screen operators which may not be entirely accurate or transparent.

 

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.

 

Eros Now has limited operating history and we may incur operating losses and negative cash flow in future periods.

 

While Eros Now was soft launched in 2012, and as of March 31, 2016 we have over 44 million registered users, a vast majority of them are free users. Less than 1% of the Eros Now user base are paid subscribers as we have only recently begun efforts towards monetization. We therefore consider this OTT (Over The Top) business to be in its early stages of development. We must continue to grow and retain subscribers in India (one of our key markets) where they are currently used to traditional channels for content consumption as well as grow our subscriber base in markets outside of India. Our ability to attract and retain subscribers will depend in part on our ability to consistently provide our subscribers a high quality experience with respect to content and features and the quality of data connectivity (either WiFi, broadband, 3G or 4G mobile data) in India.

 

To achieve and sustain profitability for our Eros Now business, we must accomplish numerous objectives, including substantially increasing the number of paid subscribers to our service and retaining them, without which our revenues will be adversely affected. We cannot assure you that we will be able to achieve these objectives due to any of the factors listed below, among other factors:

· our ability to maintain an adequate content offering
· our ability to maintain, upgrade and develop our service offering on an ongoing basis
· our ability to successfully distribute our service across multiple mobile, internet and cable platform worldwide

7  

 

 

· our ability to secure distribution across various platforms including telecom operators and original equipment manufacturers
· our ability to convert free registered users into paid subscribers and retain them
· our ability to compete effectively against other Indian and foreign OTT services
· our ability to manage technical glitches or disruptions
· our ability to attract and retain our employees
· any changes in government regulations and policies
· any changes in the general economic conditions specific to the Internet and the movie industry

 

We incur significant costs to protect electronically stored data and if our data is compromised despite this protection, we may incur additional costs, business interruption, lost opportunities and damage to our reputation.

 

We collect and maintain information and data necessary for conducting our business operations, which information includes proprietary and confidential data and personal information of our customers and employees. Such information is often maintained electronically, which includes risks of intrusion, tampering, manipulation and misappropriation. We implement and maintain systems to protect our digital data, but obtaining and maintaining these systems is costly and usually requires continuous monitoring and updating for technological advances and change. Additionally, we sometimes provide confidential, proprietary and personal information to third parties when required in connection with certain business and commercial transactions. For instance, we have entered into an agreement with a third party vendor to assist in processing employee payroll, and they receive and maintain confidential personal information regarding our employees. We take precautions to try to ensure that such third parties will protect this information, but there remains a risk that the confidentiality of any data held by third parties may be compromised. If our data systems, or those of our third party vendors and partners, are compromised, there may be negative effects on our business including a loss of business opportunities or disclosure of trade secrets. If the personal information we maintain is tampered with or misappropriated, our reputation and relationships with our partners and customers may be adversely affected, and we may incur significant costs to remediate the problem and prevent future occurrences.

 

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. For example, the results of the United Kingdom’s referendum on withdrawal from the European Union may have a negative effect on global economic conditions, financial markets and our business, financial condition and results of operations. In June 2016, a majority of voters in the United Kingdom elected to withdraw from the European Union in a national referendum. The referendum was advisory, and the terms of any withdrawal are subject to a negotiation period that could last two years after the government of the United Kingdom formally initiates a withdrawal process. However, the referendum has created uncertainty about the future relationship between the United Kingdom and the European Union. The referendum has also given rise to calls for the governments of other European Union member states to consider withdrawal. These developments have had and may continue to have an adverse effect on global economic conditions and the stability of global financial markets.

 

According to the International Monetary Fund’s World Economic Outlook Database, published in April, 2016, the GDP growth rate of India is projected to increase from approximately 7.5% in 2016 and 2017 to 7.6% in 2018. The Central Statistics Office has estimated that the growth rate in GDP in the 12 months period ended March 31, 2016 was 7.6% (Source: Press release dated May 31, 2016 on “Provisional Estimates of Annual National Income, 2015-16 and Quarterly Estimates of Gross Domestic Product, 2015-16” released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme 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, Tamil and Telugu 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.

 

8  

 

 

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 6.3% drop in value as compared to the U.S. dollar in fiscal 2016. In fiscal 2015 the drop was 3.7%. Changes in the growth of the Indian economy and the continued volatility of the Indian Rupee, may adversely affect our business.

 

Further, at the end of fiscal 2016, $163.2 million, or 52% 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 “Item 3. Key Information — C. Selected Financial Data — 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 “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects — Exchange Rates” and “Item 11. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk — Foreign Currency 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 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.

 

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 including crossover from our Eros Now online entertainment service 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.

 

9  

 

 

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 foreign industry participants and competitors, such as, Viacom Inc., The Walt Disney Company, 21st Century Fox and Sony Pictures many of which are substantially larger and have greater financial resources, including competitors that 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, Tamil and Telugu 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, 3G internet penetration increasing and with the advent of 4G 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. 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.

 

Litigation may also be necessary in the future to enforce our intellectual property rights, to protect our trade secrets, to determine the validity and scope of the proprietary rights of others or to defend against claims of infringement or invalidity. Regardless of the legitimacy or the success of these claims, we could incur 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, prospects, financial condition and results of operations.

 

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.

 

10  

 

 

Further, many existing laws governing property ownership, copyright and other 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, erosentertainment.com , erosnow.com and although our Indian subsidiaries currently own over 55 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 on-demand entertainment portal accessible via internet-enabled devices, Eros Now, may not achieve the desired growth rate.

 

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.

 

11  

 

 

We rely on the proper and efficient functioning of our computer and database systems, and a large-scale malfunction could result in disruptions to our business.

 

Our ability to keep our business operating depends on the proper and efficient operation of our computer and database systems, which are hosted, third-party provider solutions. Though third-party hosted solutions have extremely strong redundancies and back-up capabilities, computer and database systems are susceptible to malfunctions and interruptions (including those due to equipment damage, power outages, computer viruses and a range of other hardware, software and network problems), and we cannot guarantee that we will not experience such malfunctions or interruptions in the future. A significant or large-scale malfunction or interruption of one or more of our computer or database systems could adversely affect our ability to keep our operations running efficiently. Any malfunction that results in a wider or sustained disruption to our business could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations.

 

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 additional 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.

 

Also we have not yet integrated supporting modules into the SAP ERP system, such as a module to manage our film library. This integration and migration may lead to unforeseen complications and expenses, and our failure to efficiently integrate and 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 which may have a negative impact on our financial condition and results of operations.

 

Our business and activities are regulated by the Competition Act.

 

The Competition Act, 2002, or the Competition Act, prohibits practices that could have an appreciable adverse effect on competition in India. Under the Competition Act, any arrangement, understanding or action, whether formal or informal, which causes or is likely to cause an appreciable adverse effect on competition in India is void and may result in substantial penalties and compensation to be paid to persons shown to have suffered losses. Any agreement among competitors which directly or indirectly determines purchase or sale prices, results in bid rigging or collusive bidding, limits or controls production, supply, markets, technical development, investment or the provision of services, or shares the market or source of production or provision of services in any manner, including by way of allocation of geographical area or types of goods or services or number of customers in the market, is presumed to have an appreciable adverse effect on competition. Further, the Competition Act prohibits the abuse of a dominant position by any enterprise either directly or indirectly, including by way of unfair or discriminatory pricing or conditions in the sale of goods or services, using a dominant position in one relevant market to enter into, or protect, another relevant market, and denial of market access, and such practices are subject to substantial penalties and may also be subject to compensation for losses and orders to divide the enterprise.

 

If we or any member of our group, including Eros International Media Limited (“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.

 

Acquisitions, mergers and amalgamations which exceed certain revenue and asset thresholds require prior approval by the Competition Commission of India. Any such acquisitions, mergers or amalgamations which have an appreciable adverse effect on competition in India are prohibited and void. There can be no assurance that we will be able to obtain approval for such future transactions on satisfactory terms, or at all.

 

12  

 

 

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.

 

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 12 months amortization rate based on management’s judgment taking into account historic and expected performance, typically amortizing 50% of the capitalized cost for high budget films released during or after fiscal 2014, and 40% of the capitalized cost 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. Our management has 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 for high budget films released during or after fiscal 2014, and 20% of capitalized cost 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.

 

The amount of revenue which we report may be impacted by a new accounting standard dealing with revenue from customers.

 

In May 2014, the IASB issued IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“IFRS 15”). This standard provides a single, principle-based five-step model to be applied to all contracts with customers. Guidance is provided on topics such as the point at which revenue is recognized, accounting for variable consideration, costs of fulfilling and obtaining a contract and various other related matters. IFRS 15 also introduced new disclosure requirements with respect to revenue.

 

IFRS 15 is effective for fiscal years beginning on or after January 1, 2018 wherein earlier adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that this new standard will have on its consolidated financial statements. Because the amendment to IFRS 15 has not yet been implemented widely, we cannot yet predict how it will impact our revenues under the new standard. The amendment to IFRS 15 affects all IFRS reporting companies. When the amendment becomes effective, it may have an impact on our consolidated financial statements and results of operations. See also “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects – D. Trend Information – New accounting pronouncements issued but not yet effective” for information on accounting standards which may impact our financial condition and results of operation.

 

13  

 

 

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.

 

When we cease to qualify as an “emerging growth company” under the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, or the JOBS Act, we will become subject to additional requirements under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (“SOX Act”), including Section 404(b) of the SOX Act which will require our independent registered public accounting firm 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 do not apply to us for up to five years after November 18, 2013, the date of our initial public offering in the U.S., unless we cease to qualify as an “emerging growth company.” Our management has provided a report on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting with this Annual Report on Form 20-F. Our management may conclude in future years, 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. If we identify 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 and certify the same in a timely manner, 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. 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.

 

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, Kishore Lulla and Vijay Ahuja 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 “Part I — Item 7. Major Shareholders 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.

 

14  

 

 

In Fiscal 2016, our subsidiary, Eros India, acquired 100% of the shares and voting interest in Universal Power Systems Private Limited (“Techzone”) to utilize Techzone’s billing integration and distribution across major telecom operators in India, in order to complement our Eros Now services. There can be no assurance that such acquisition will be successfully integrated into our business or that the intended benefits from such acquisition will be achieved.

 

Additionally, we have entered into shareholder agreements with third party shareholders of two of our non-wholly-owned subsidiaries, Big Screen Entertainment, and Ayngaran International Limited (“Ayngaran”), and have signed a term sheet with Colour Yellow Productions. 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, reserved board matters and non-solicitation of employees by us. We may also face operational limitations due to restrictive covenants in such shareholder 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.

 

The interests of the other shareholders with respect to the operation of Big Screen Entertainment, Colour Yellow Productions and Ayngaran may not be aligned with our interests. As a result, although we own a majority of the ownership interest in each of Big Screen Entertainment, Ayngaran and 50% of the shareholding of Colour Yellow Productions, 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 successfully integrate these new employees into our organization. Since 2012, we have hired several members of senior management and have added new directors. In May 2015 we announced the departure of Andrew Heffernan, who was our Group Chief Financial Officer since 2006, from the Company and the joining of Prem Parameswaran as Group Chief Financial Officer and President North America operations. We anticipate the need to hire additional members in senior management in connection with the expansion of our digital business. While some members of our senior management have entered into employment agreements that contain non-competition and non-solicitation provisions, these agreements may not be enforceable in 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.

 

To be successful, we need to attract and retain qualified personnel.

 

Our success continues to depend to a significant extent on our ability to identify, attract, hire, train and retain qualified professional, creative, technical and managerial personnel. Competition for the caliber of talent required to produce and distribute our films continues to increase. We cannot assure you that we will be successful in identifying, attracting, hiring, training and retaining such personnel in the future. If we were unable to hire, assimilate and retain qualified personnel in the future, such inability would have a material adverse effect on our business and financial condition.

 

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.

 

15  

 

 

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. We are also subject to certain tax proceedings in India, including service tax claims aggregating to approximately $59 million and value added tax claims aggregating to approximately $3 million. 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.

 

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, and in particular, policies in relation to the film industry, 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, and may impact single screen theaters in tier 2 and tier 3 cities converting their 1,000 seater theatres into multiplexes with 2 or 3 screens with seating capacity of 300 seats or less, which we believe is a key driver for domestic theatrical revenue growth. 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.

 

Other proposed changes in the Indian law and policy environment include the following:

 

The Government of India has proposed a national goods and services tax or GST regime, which would replace most of the indirect taxes on goods and services, such as central excise duty, service tax, countervailing duty of customs duty, special additional duty of customs, central sales tax, state value added tax, surcharge and excise, entry tax, state level entertainment taxes currently being levied and collected by the central and state governments in India. However, the basic duty of customs would continue to be levied. The Government of India has recently released a model GST law.

 

16  

 

 

Additionally, the General Anti Avoidance Rules or GAAR will come into effect from April 1, 2017. GAAR provisions are intended to restrict “impermissible avoidance arrangements,” which would be any arrangement, the main purpose or one of the main purposes of which is to obtain a tax benefit and which satisfy at least one of the following tests: (i) creation of rights, or obligations, not ordinarily created between persons dealing at arm’s-length; (ii) resulting, directly or indirectly, in misuse or abuse of provisions of the Income Tax Act, 1961; (iii) lacking, or is deemed to be lacking, commercial substance, in whole or in part; or (iv) is entered into or carried out by means, or in a manner, not ordinarily employed for bona fide purposes. If GAAR provisions are invoked, Indian tax authorities would have wider powers, including denial of tax benefit or a benefit under a tax treaty.

 

The effects of these proposed changes in the taxation system on us cannot be determined at present and there can be no assurance that such effects would not adversely affect our business and future financial performance.

 

In relation to transfer pricing, pursuant to the Finance Act, 2016, a three tiered transfer pricing documentation structure was introduced in India, consisting of a master file, a local file and a country-by-country report. Such a structure is in line with the recommendations contained in the action plan on the Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) project issued by the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development or OECD in October 2015.

 

Further, an equalization levy or EL in respect of e-commerce transactions has been introduced in India with effect from June 1, 2016. EL is to be deducted in respect of payments towards “specified services” (in excess of INR 100,000). A “specified service” means online advertisement, any provision for digital advertising space or any other facility or service for the purpose of online advertisement and includes any other service as may be notified. Deduction of EL at the rate of six per cent (on a gross basis) is the responsibility of Indian residents / non-residents having a permanent establishment or PE in India on payments to non-residents (not having a PE in India). Consequently, if a non-resident (not having a PE in India) earns income towards a “specified service” which is chargeable to EL, then the same would be exempt in the hands of non-resident company.

 

The concept of Place of Effective Management or POEM has also been introduced with effect from April 1, 2017 for the purpose of determining the tax residence of overseas companies in India. The POEM is defined to mean a place where key management and commercial decisions that are necessary for the conduct of the business of an entity as a whole are in substance made. This could have significant impact on the foreign companies holding board meeting(s) in India, having key managerial personnel located in India, having regional headquarters located in India, etc. In the event the POEM of a foreign company is considered to be situated in India and consequently, it becomes tax resident in India, its global income would be taxable in India (even if it is not earned in India).

 

Pursuant to the Finance Act, 2015, the central government is empowered to levy a Swachh Bharat Cess or SBC, on all or any of the taxable services at the rate of 2% of the value of taxable services. Pursuant to a notification by the central government, an SBC of 0.5% of the value of the taxable services is to be levied on all taxable services with effect from November 15, 2015. Further, according to the frequently asked questions in connection with SBC issued by Central Board of Excise and Customs, since SBC is not integrated in the CENVAT credit chain, the credit of SBC will not be permitted. Further, SBC cannot be paid by utilizing credit of any other duty or tax and will have to be paid in cash. Accordingly, SBC will be a cost to taxpayers. Pursuant to the Finance Act, 2016, the central government has also imposed a new levy by way of Krishi Kalyan Cess or KKC with effect from June 1, 2016, on all or any of the taxable services at the rate of 0.5% of the value of taxable services. The credit of KKC paid on input services is permitted to be used for payment of the proposed cess leviable on taxable services provided by a service provider. The levy of SBC along with KKC has increased the effective rate of service tax to 15% with effect from June 1, 2016.

 

Our business and financial performance could be adversely affected by unfavorable changes in or applications or interpretations of existing, or the promulgation of new, laws, rules and regulations applicable to us and our business. Such unfavorable changes could decrease demand for our products, increase costs and/or subject us to additional liabilities.

 

In addition, tax increases 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 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, for example, local authorities close 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.

 

17  

 

 

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 including any class action litigation, 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.

 

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, as of June 30, 2016 we own approximately 73.54% of this entity. Over time, we may lose control over its activities and, consequently, lose our ability to consolidate its revenues.

 

Eros India is subject to the provisions of the Indian Companies Act, 2013 which has significantly changed the Indian company law framework. Also, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (the “SEBI”), the securities market regulator in India, introduced the SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015 (the “Listing Regulations”) that has subjected us to enhanced compliance requirements and increased our compliance costs.

 

A majority of the provisions and rules under the Indian Companies Act, 2013 (the “New Companies Act”) have come into effect, resulting in the corresponding provisions of the Indian Companies Act, 1956 ceasing to have effect. The New Companies Act and the rules thereunder have brought into effect significant changes to the Indian company law framework, such as in the provisions related to issue of capital (including provisions in relation to issue of securities on a private placement basis), disclosures in offer documents, corporate governance norms, accounting policies and audit matters, related party transactions, introduction of a provision allowing the initiation of class action suits in India against companies by shareholders or depositors, a restriction on investment by an Indian company through more than two layers of subsidiary investment companies (subject to certain permitted exceptions), prohibitions on loans to directors, insider trading and restrictions on directors and key managerial personnel from engaging in forward dealing.

 

Eros India is required to spend, in each financial year, at least 2% of the average net profits during the three immediately preceding financial years towards corporate social responsibility activities (otherwise disclose the reasons why it has not done so) and disclose its corporate social responsibility policies and activities on its website. Further, the New Companies Act imposes greater monetary and other liability on Eros India and its subsidiaries and the directors of Eros India for any non-compliance. To ensure compliance with the requirements of the New Companies Act, Eros India may need to allocate additional resources, which may increase our regulatory compliance costs and divert management attention.

 

The New Companies Act has introduced certain additional requirements which do not have corresponding equivalents under the Companies Act, 1956. Accordingly, Eros India may face challenges in interpreting and complying with such provisions due to limited jurisprudence on them. In the event, our interpretation of such provisions of the New Companies Act differs from, or contradicts with, any judicial pronouncements or clarifications issued by the Government in the future, Eros India may face regulatory actions or we may be required to undertake remedial steps. Additionally, some of the provisions of the New Companies Act overlap with other existing laws and regulations (such as the corporate governance norms and insider trading regulations issued by the SEBI). Recently, the SEBI issued the Listing Regulations which came into effect from December 1, 2015.

 

Pursuant to the Listing Regulations, Eros India will be required to, inter alia, maintain a functional website containing the prescribed details and ensure compliance with the prescribed corporate governance norms. Eros India may face difficulties in complying with any such requirements. Further, the impact of provisions of the New Companies Act or the Listing Regulations has led to an increase in compliance requirements or in compliance costs which may have an adverse effect on our business and results of operations.

 

18  

 

 

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 20.3% including cess and surcharge. In addition, the Shareholders Agreement of Ayngaran, limits the ability of that entity to pay dividends without shareholders 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 between Eros India and Eros Worldwide FZ LLC (“Eros Worldwide”) and other Eros entities (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 the Eros’s future operating results may be negatively affected if it does not receive terms as favorable in future negotiations with unaffiliated third parties. Further, as Eros does not own 100% of Eros India, it may lose control over its activities and, consequently, its ability to ensure its continued performance under the Relationship Agreement.

 

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 March 31, 2016, we had $311.9 million of borrowings outstanding of which $136.8 million is repayable within one year. We may also incur substantial additional indebtedness. Our indebtedness could have important consequences to you, including the following:

· we may be unsuccessful in refinancing our revolving credit facility;
· 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;
· in order to manage our debt and cash flows, we may increase our short-term indebtedness and decrease our long-term indebtedness which may not achieve the desired results;
· 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;
· 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 March 31, 2016, represented $60.5 million of the outstanding indebtedness of Eros India and $15.52 million of the outstanding indebtedness of Eros International Limited;
· certain Eros India loan agreements are subject to annual renewal, and until these renewals are obtained, the lenders under these loan agreements may at any time require repayment of amounts outstanding. As at March 31, 2016 no loan agreements were pending annual renewal;
· we may be more vulnerable to general adverse economic and industry conditions;
· 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.

 

19  

 

 

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 A 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.

 

Our ability to incur debt and the use of our funds could be limited by the restrictive covenants in the loan agreement for our revolving credit facility as well as our GBP denominated London Stock Exchange listed bond (“UK Retail Bond”).

 

The loan agreement for our revolving credit facility and the UK Retail Bond contain restrictive covenants, as well as requirements to comply with certain leverage and other financial maintenance tests. These covenants and requirements could limit our ability to take various actions, including incurring additional debt, guaranteeing indebtedness and engaging in various types of transactions, including mergers, acquisitions and sales of assets. These covenants could place us at a disadvantage compared to some of our competitors, who may have fewer restrictive covenants and may not be required to operate under these restrictions. Further, these covenants could have an adverse effect on our business by limiting our ability to take advantage of financing, mergers and acquisitions or other opportunities.

 

We may not be able to generate sufficient cash to service all of our indebtedness, and may be forced to take other actions to satisfy our obligations under our indebtedness that may not be successful.

 

Based on interest rates as of March 31, 2016, and assuming no additional borrowings or principal payments on our revolving credit facilities and the UK Retail Bond until their maturities, we would need approximately $232.1 million over the next year, and $41.1 million over the next five years, to meet our principal and interest payments under our debt agreements. Our ability to satisfy our debt obligations will depend upon, among other things:

· our future financial and operating performance, which will be affected by prevailing economic conditions and financial, business, regulatory and other factors, many of which are beyond our control;
· our ability to refinance our debt as it becomes due, which will be affected by the cost and availability of credit; and
· our future ability to borrow under our revolving credit facilities, the availability of which depends on, among other things, our compliance with the covenants in our revolving credit facilities.

 

There can be no assurance that our business will generate sufficient cash flow from operations, or that we will be able to refinance debt as it comes due or draw under our revolving credit facilities in an amount sufficient to fund our liquidity needs. If our cash flows and capital resources are insufficient to service our indebtedness, we may be forced to reduce or delay capital expenditures, sell assets, or seek additional capital. These alternative measures may not be successful and may not permit us to meet our scheduled debt service obligations. In addition, the terms of existing or future debt agreements may restrict us from adopting some of these alternatives. Our ability to restructure or refinance our debt will depend on the condition of the capital markets and our financial condition at such time. Any refinancing of our debt could be at higher interest rates and may require us to comply with more onerous covenants, which could further restrict our business operations. If we are unable to generate sufficient cash flow, refinance our debt on favorable terms or sell additional debt or equity securities or our assets, it could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and on our ability to make payments on our indebtedness.

 

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

 

We derive a significant percentage of our net revenues from customers located outside of India. We derived 42.1% of our fiscal 2016 net revenue from the exploitation of our films in territories outside of India. We do not track revenues by geographical region other than based on our company or customer domicile and not necessarily the country where the rights have been exploited or licensed. As a result, revenue by customer location may not be reflective of the potential of any given market. As a result of changes in the location of our customers, our revenues by customer location may vary year to year. Further, we may enter into a number of our contracts for international markets that have longer payment cycles that may extend up to a year from the date of the contract creating a mismatch in revenue and cash received.

 

We are currently in the process of entering the China market and estimate contributing to the budgets in excess of $20 million to at least two Indo-Chinese co-productions. If we are unsuccessful in the production, distribution and exploitation of films not only in India but also in the international markets including China, we may suffer losses and it may materially affect our growth prospects.

 

20  

 

 

Our business is subject to risks inherent in international trade, many of which are beyond our control. These risks includes:

· 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 day sales outstanding and 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. For instance, in Fiscal 2016, our subsidiary, Eros India acquired 100% of the shares and voting interest in Techzone, to utilize Techzone’s billing integration and distribution across major telecom operations in India, in order to complement our Eros Now services. 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.

 

21  

 

Risks Related to our A Ordinary Shares

 

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

 

Prior to November 12, 2013, our ordinary shares had been admitted on the Alternative Investment Market of the London StockExchange (“AIM”) since 2006 and our ‘A’ ordinary shares have been traded on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) since our initial public offering. The trading price of our ordinary shares on AIM and the NYSE has been highly volatile. For example, the highest price that our ordinary shares traded in the period beginning November 12, 2012 and ending November 12, 2013 was $4.48 per share and the lowest price was $2.96 per share, prior to giving effect to the one-for-three reverse stock split effectuated on November 12, 2013. Since the listing of our A ordinary shares on the NYSE, the highest closing price of the A ordinary shares, in the period beginning November 12, 2013 and ending May 31, 2016, was $39.01 per share and the lowest price was $5.59 per share. The market price of the A ordinary shares on the NYSE may fluctuate as a result of several factors, including the following:

· attacks from short sellers;
· variations in our quarterly operating results;
· adverse media report about us or our directors and officers;
· changes in financial estimates or publication of research reports by analysts regarding our A ordinary shares, other comparable companies or our industry generally;
· 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;
· addition or departure of our executive officers;
· 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.

 

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.

 

In addition, some companies that have experienced volatility in the market price of their stock have been subject to securities class action litigation. We have also recently become the subject of securities class action litigation against us. Securities litigation against us could result in substantial costs and divert our management’s attention from other business concerns, which could adversely impact our business and affect the market price of our A ordinary shares.

 

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

 

Sales of a large number of our ordinary shares by the Founders Group, as defined in “Part I — Item 4. Information on the Company — C. Organizational Structure” 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 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.

 

22  

 

The Founders Group, which includes our Chairman, Kishore Lulla, holds a substantial interest in 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.

 

Our B ordinary shares have ten votes per share and our A ordinary shares, which are trading on the NYSE, have one vote per share. As of June 30, 2016, the Founders Group collectively owns 46.68% of our issued share capital in the form of 2,075,071 A ordinary shares, representing 0.73% of the voting power of our outstanding ordinary shares, and 24,960,654 B ordinary shares, representing all of our B ordinary shares and 88.34% of the voting power of our outstanding ordinary shares.

 

Due to the disparate voting powers attached to our two classes of ordinary shares, the Founders Group continues 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 unless and 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 our shareholders. As a result, the market price of our A ordinary shares could be adversely affected.

 

We will continue to incur substantial costs as a result of being a U.S. public company.

 

We became a U.S. public company in November 2013. As a U.S. public company, we incur significant legal, accounting and other expenses and these expenses will likely increase after we no longer qualify as an “emerging growth company.” Being a U.S. public company increased our legal and financial compliance costs and make some activities more time-consuming and costly. In addition it has made 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 in the future. 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.

 

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 “Part I — Item 10. Additional Information — H. Documents on Display.”

 

23  

 

As a foreign private issuer, we are 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 we are in compliance with the current NYSE corporate governance requirements imposed on U.S. issuers, with the exception of our Audit Committee currently having two rather than three members, 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 SOX Act. We will cease to be an “emerging growth company” upon the earliest of (1) the first fiscal year following the fifth anniversary of our initial public offering, November 12, 2013, (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, directly or indirectly, their value substantially from assets located in India, whether or not the seller of such shares has a residence, place of business, business connection, or any other presence in India, if, on the specified date, the value of such assets (i) represents 50% of the value of all assets owned by the company or entity, or and (ii) exceeds the amount of 100 million rupees.

 

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. However, the impact of the above indirect transfer provisions would need to be separately evaluated under the tax treaty scenario of the country of which the shareholder is a tax resident. For additional information, see “Part I—Item 10. Additional Information—E. Taxation.”

 

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, — see “Part II — Item 4. Information on the Company — Government Regulations” 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.

 

24  

 

 

Our board of directors may determine that a shareholder meets the criteria of a “prohibited person” and subject such shareholder’s 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 a shareholder meets the above criteria of a “prohibited person,” they may direct such shareholder to transfer all A ordinary shares such shareholder owns 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 such shareholder.

 

If our board of directors directs such shareholder to transfer all A ordinary shares such shareholder owns, such shareholder may recognize taxable gain or loss on the transfer. See “Part I — Item 10. Additional Information — E. Taxation” for a more detailed description of the tax consequences of a sale or exchange or other taxable disposition of such shareholders 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, the courts of India would not automatically enforce judgments of U.S. courts obtained in such actions against us or our directors and officers, or entertain actions brought in India against us or such persons predicated solely upon United States federal securities laws. Further, the U.S. has not been declared by the Government of India to be a reciprocating territory for the purposes of enforcement of foreign judgments, and there are grounds upon which Indian courts may decline to enforce the judgments of United States courts. Some remedies available under the laws of United States jurisdictions, including remedies available under the United States federal securities laws, may not be allowed in Indian courts if contrary to public policy in India. Since judgments of United States courts are not automatically enforceable in India, it may be difficult for you to recover against us or our directors and officers based upon such judgments. There is uncertainty as to whether the courts of the Isle of Man 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 courts would be competent to hear original actions brought in the Isle of Man against us or such persons predicated upon the securities laws of the United States or any state.

 

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 depends, 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. We have experienced such downgrade from two of our analysts in fiscal 2016 during the period of anonymous short seller attack on our stock. If one or more of these analysts cease coverage of our company or fail to publish reports on us regularly, or fail to maintain a favourable outlook on the company, it may cause investor sentiment to be weak, demand for our ordinary shares could decrease, which might cause our share price and trading volume to decline.

 

25  

 

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 Isle of Man 2006 Companies 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 Companies Act, our future earnings, financial condition, cash flows, working capital requirements and capital expenditures. The 2006 Companies Act provides that a company satisfies the solvency test if: (i) it is able to pay its debts as they become due in the normal course of the company’s business: and (ii) 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 are restricted by the terms of certain of our current debt financing facilities and may be restricted by the terms of any future debt financings 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, 2016, 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, 2014 and 2015 taxable years 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 “Part I — Item 10. Additional Information — E. Taxation”) 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 “Part I — Item 10. Additional Information — E. Taxation” for a more detailed description of the PFIC rules.

 

26  

 

 

ITEM 4. INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY

 

A. History and Development of our Company

 

Eros International Plc was incorporated in the Isle of Man as of March 31, 2006 under the Companies Act 1931 commonly known as the 1931 Act — see “Part II — Item 4. Information on the Company — Government Regulations,” as a public company limited by shares. Effective as of September 29, 2011, the Company was de-registered under the 1931 Act and re-registered as a company limited by shares under the 2006 Act. We maintain our registered office at Fort Anne, Douglas, Isle of Man IM15PD; 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 annual report.

 

Our capital expenditures in fiscal 2016, 2015 and 2014 were $211.3 million, $276.2 million and $163.2 million, respectively. Our principal capital expenditures were incurred for the purposes of purchasing intangible film rights and related content. We expect our capital expenditure needs in fiscal 2017 to be approximately $225.0 million, a significant amount of which we expect to be used for the acquisition of further intangible film rights and related c ontent .

 

B. Business Overview

 

Eros International Plc is a leading global company in the Indian film entertainment industry, which co-produces, acquires and distributes Indian language films in multiple formats worldwide. We are one of the oldest companies in the Indian film industry to focus on international markets and we believe we are pioneers in our business. Our success is built on the relationships we have cultivated over the past 39 years with leading talent, production companies, exhibitors and other key participants in our industry. Leveraging these relationships, we have aggregated rights to over 3,000 films in our library,including recent and classic titles that span different genres, budgets and languages. Eros Now has rights to over 5,000 films across Hindi and regional languages from Eros’s internal library as well as third party aggregated content which we believe makes it one of the largest Indian movie offering platforms around the world.

 

Eros Now, our digital over-the-top entertainment service is increasingly focused on offering quality content including Indian films, music and original shows, opening new markets, delivering consumer-friendly product features such as offline viewing and subtitles and adopting a platform agnostic distribution strategy on Android and iOS platforms across mobile, tablets, cable or internet, including deals with original equipment manufacturers (“OEMs”). Eros Now has garnered over 44 million registered users across WAP, APP and Web at the end of fiscal 2016. While a majority of users are from India, Eros Now has registered users in 135 different countries. Eros Now has rights to over 5,000 films, and 250,000 music tracks from 13 different labels. Eros Now service is integrated with Bharti Airtel and Idea, India’s leading telecom operators and has struck deals with LeEco and Micromax to pre-bundle Eros Now in smart phones to be sold in India. The focus for Eros Now is monetization and it has a target to convert at least one million users into paid subscribers by the end of fiscal 2017.

 

Our portfolio of films over the last three completed fiscal years comprised 197 films. In fiscal 2016 we released 63 films in total either in India, overseas or both. These comprised 33 Hindi films, 19 Tamil films and 11 regional language films. The Company’s strong portfolio of films drove theatrical, television and digital/ancillary revenues worldwide with Bajrangi Bhaijaan, Bajirao Mastani and Tanu Weds Manu Returns taking No. 1, No. 3 and No. 4 positions on the box office charts with other major films such as Welcome Back, Singh is Bling (Overseas), Gabbar is back (Overseas) and Dil Dhadakne Do (Overseas), giving Eros a total of seven out of the Top 15 box office films in Calendar Year 2015 (according to www.bollywoodhungama.com ) . In addition to this, Srimanthudu was the second highest Telugu grossing film of all time, according to www.123telugu.com For fiscal 2016, our aggregate revenues were $274.4 million and were derived from theatrical, television syndication and digital and ancillary distribution channels, globally.

 

We won over 150 awards including Best Studio of the Year and Excellence in International Distribution. Further our films won Best Film, Best Director, Best Story, Best Actor, Best Music, Best Special Effects awards, to name a few. Bajrangi Bhaijaan won 37 awards including the 63rd National Film Award for Popular Film. Bajirao Mastani won over 75 award titles including National Award for Best Director. Tanu Weds Manu Returns won 18 awards including National Award for best female Actor in a leading role, Hero won 7 awards and Badlapur won 7 awards. The Company’s Malayalam film Pathemari also won a national award for Best Malayalam Film.

 

27  

 

 

Indian films have a global appeal and their popularity has been increasing in many countries that consume dubbed and subtitled foreign content in local languages. These markets includes Germany, Poland, Russia, France, Italy, Spain, Indonesia, Malaysia, Japan, South Korea, the Middle East, Latin America among others. In all these markets it is the locals who are neither English nor Hindi speaking who view Bollywood content in a dubbed or subtitled version in their language, just as they view Hollywood content. China is increasingly becoming an important market and we expect to release select films from our slate for wider release into China. One of our box office hits of fiscal 2016, Bajirao Mastani is expected to be released in China in September 2016 in across 6,000 screens, one of the widest ever releases for an Indian film in China. As per PwC Outlook 2016, China is expected to overtake the US box office next year. China box office grew 49% in 2015 to $6.3 billion and is expected to grow to $10.3 billion next year. In comparison the US box office is expected to contract from $10.3 billion to $10 billion next year. Hollywood’s share of Chinese box office has slipped to 38.4% in 2015 from 45.5% in 2014. In early 2014 China had just under 19,000 screens and by end of 2015 that number grew to almost 32,000. Overall China is propelling Asia-Pacific’s growth (including Indonesia, Malaysia) with box office revenue across Asia-Pacific expected to grow to $21.11 billion in 2020 and this continues to emerge as important growth markets for Bollywood.

 

We set up Trinity Pictures in fiscal 2015 as what we believe to be one of India’s first dedicated franchise studio that develops valuable intellectual property in the form of franchise films with at least four films that will go into production during fiscal 2017 and expected to release in fiscal 2018. The first Indo-China film “ The Zookeeper” (working title) written and developed in-house by Trinity Pictures to be co-produced with Chinese studio Peacock Mountain Culture & Media Ltd will be directed by Kabir Khan who also directed Bajrangi Bhaijaan and will be shot simultaneously in both languages. Another Indo-China film will be co-produced with Huaxia Film Distribution Co Ltd and which is currently titled, ‘ Love in Beijing” (working title) will be directed by Siddharth Anand and will be shot in both languages. Both films are expected to release in Fiscal 2018. Other projects include a children’s action franchise, live action elephant film and a buddy cop film. Trinity Pictures is in discussions with third parties to create a digital comic book series, online gaming, animation series and merchandise for these franchise films.

 

Our distribution capabilities enable us to target a majority of the 1.3 billion people in India, our primary market for Hindi language films, where, according to bollywoodhungama.com , we participated in four, three and four films of the top ten grossing films in India, in calendar year 2015, 2014 and 2013 respectively. 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 Rentrak reported our market share (as an average over the preceding five calendar years to 2015) as 35% of all theatrically released Indian language films in the United Kingdom, based on gross collections — including releases by Ayngaran, our majority-owned subsidiary, and 34% in the United States on the same basis. Other international markets that exhibit significant demand for subtitled or dubbed Indian-themed entertainment include Europe and South East 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, 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 and ancillary , which includes primarily music, inflight entertainment, home video, internet protocol television, or IPTV, video on demand, or VOD, and internet channels and Eros Now.

 

Our total revenues for fiscal 2016 decreased to $274.4 million from $284.2 million in fiscal 2015, our net income decreased to $13.3mn for fiscal 2016 from $49.3 million in fiscal 2015, EBITDA decreased to $36.3 million in fiscal 2016 from $70.1 million in fiscal 2015 and Adjusted EBITDA decreased to $70.9 million from $101.2 million in fiscal 2015.

 

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

 

    Year ended March 31,  
    2016     2015     2014  
    (in thousands)  
India   $ 158,843     $ 109,513     $ 117,647  
Europe     24,367       27,146       22,245  
North America     19,865       19,052       14,017  
Rest of the world     71,353       128,464       81,561  
Total revenues   $ 274,428     $ 284,175     $ 235,470  

 

28  

 

 

    Year ended March 31,  
    2016     2015     2014  
India     57.9       38.5       50.0  
Europe     8.9       9.6       9.4  
North America     7.2       6.7       6.0  
Rest of the world     26.0       45.2       34.6  
Total revenues     100.0%       100.0%       100.0%  

 

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 market position will continue contributing to our growth in India and internationally. We have established our size and scale by aggregating a film library of over 3,000 films. 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 calendar years 2015, 2014 and 2013. We believe that we have strong relationships with the Indian creative community and a reputation for quality productions. We set up Trinity Pictures to become what we believe to be one of India’s first dedicated franchise studio that develops valuable intellectual property in the form of franchise films and have already commissioned two Indo-Chinese co-production films under the Trinity Pictures.

 

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 2017 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 with entry proposed into China.

 

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, Romania, Indonesia, Malaysia, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, China and Arabic speaking countries, where we release Indian films that are subtitled or dubbed in local languages. China is increasingly becoming an important market and we expect to release selected successful films from our slate for wider release into China. One of our box office hits of fiscal 2016, Bajirao Mastani is expected to be released in China in September 2016 in across 6,000 screens, one of the widest ever releases for an Indian film in China. We are also planning the release of our Indo-Chinese co-productions in fiscal 2018 in India, China and the rest of the world. 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 results in 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, including Eros Now.

 

29  

 

 

In fiscal 2016, revenues from theatrical distribution accounted for nearly 50.4 % of our aggregate revenues, revenues from television syndication accounted for 26.3% and digital distribution and ancillary revenues accounted for 23.3 %, 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.

 

Television pre-sales in India are an important factor in enhancing revenue predictability for our business and are part of our diversification strategy to mitigate risks of cash flow generation. For fiscal 2017 we have pre sales visibility from sale of satellite television rights for among others Housefull 3, Dishoom, Baar Baar Dekho, Rock On 2, Banjo, Ki & Ka along with some regional films. In fiscal 2016, for our three high budget Hindi films we recouped 34% to 57% of the direct production cost through television and other pre-sales. We recouped 98% and 103% of our direct production cost of the two Tamil films released through contractual commitments prior to the film’s releases, and we recouped 91% our direct production cost of one Telugu film released through contractual commitments prior to the film’s release.

 

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 film library including a unique dedicated franchise studio model, Trinity Pictures.

 

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 and augment our library with quality content for exploitation through our distribution channels and explore new bundling strategies to monetize existing content.

 

Trinity Pictures is our new division which was set up in 2015 with the vision to be a global content studio that creates intellectual property around powerful character and plot-driven franchises and monetize these properties across films, merchandising, gaming amongst others.

 

30  

 

 

To promote Eros Now, our OTT platform as the preferred choice for online entertainment by consumers across digital platforms.

 

As per TRAI there are over a billion wireless subscribers in India at the end of September 2015. The number of unique users is currently at 500 million, a penetration level of 38% of the Indian population. The number of wireless internet users in India are likely to cross 790 million by 2020 with more than 60% of users accessing the internet through their mobile phones. It is expected that over the next couple of years, 3G and 4G subscribers would constitute over 40% of the wireless internet subscribers base. Initiatives such as broadband rollout and public Wi-Fi as part of the government’s Digital India campaign and the promotion of 4G data packs by leading telecoms will only help boost the quality of digital infrastructure in India.

 

Eros Now, our digital over-the-top entertainment service is increasingly focused on offering quality content including Indian films, music and original shows, opening new markets, delivering consumer-friendly product features such as offline viewing and subtitles and adopting a platform agnostic distribution strategy on Android and iOS platforms across mobile, tablets, cable or internet, including deals with original equipment manufacturers (“OEMs”). Eros Now has garnered over 44 million registered users across WAP, APP and Web at the end of fiscal 2016. While a majority of users are from India, Eros Now has registered users in 135 different countries. Eros Now has rights to over 5,000 films, and 250,000 music tracks from 13 different labels. Eros Now service is integrated with Bharti Airtel and Idea, India’s leading telecom operators and has struck deals with LeEco and Micromax to pre-bundle Eros Now in smart phones to be sold in India. The focus for Eros Now is monetization and it has a target to convert at least one million users into paid subscribers by the end of fiscal 2017. We continue to believe that Eros Now will be a significant player within the over-the-top online Indian entertainment industry, especially given the rapidly growing internet and mobile penetration within India.

 

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 2016 projects that the dynamic Indian media and entertainment industry will grow at a 14.3% compound annual growth rate, or CAGR, from $17.4 billion in 2015 to $34.1 billion by 2020, and that the Indian film industry will grow from $2.1 billion in 2015 to $3.4 billion in 2020. India is one of the largest film markets in the world. In 2015 the average ticket price amongst the two leading multiplex cinema chains in India was $2.73 compared to $2.63 in 2014, a 4% increase year-on-year.

 

The Indian television market is the second largest in the world after China, reaching an estimated 175 million television, or TV households in 2015, of which over 160 million were subscribing cable and satellite households. FICCI Report 2016 projects that the Indian television industry will grow from $8.2 billion in 2015 to $16.6 billion in 2020. 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. As per the latest Telecom Regulatory Authority of India report, there are over 1 billion wireless subscribers in India at the end of September 2015. The number of unique mobile users is currently at 500 million which is a penetration level of approximately 38% of the Indian population. It is expected to touch around 1.3 billion by 2020, over 90% of India’s total population at that point. The number of wireless internet users in India is likely to cross 790 million by 2020 with more than 60% of users accessing the internet through their mobile phones It was estimated that in 2015 there will be about 180 million smartphones in India, predominantly Android-based. The pace of smartphone penetration is growing and it is expected that by 2020, all mobile handsets being sold in India will be 4G-ready smartphones.

 

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 in markets where there is significant demand for subtitled and dubbed Indian themed entertainment, such as Europe and South East Asia, as well as to markets where there is significant concentration of South Asian expatriates, such as the Middle East, the United States and the United Kingdom.

 

31  

 

 

Our growth from non-diaspora international markets shows a growing appetite for Bollywood content in many new markets. One of our strongest potential markets, China, with a market size of $6.3 billion and almost 32,000 screens, is projected to soon surpass Hollywood as the largest film market in the world. We believe our memorandum of understanding to collaborate with China Film Corp., Shanghai Film Group Co. Ltd. and Fudan University Press Co. Ltd. to co-produce and distribute Sino-Indian films will be an important steps in maximizing our opportunity in China. With Trinity’s launch, the studio is also expanding into new film markets, which includes entry into China. Two projects will be co-produced with a leading Chinese studio, based on stories organically weaving the socio-cultural worlds of India and China. Additionally, the films will be shot in both languages. 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. We have also 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 may eventually lead to increasing migration of Indians to other regions, resulting in increased demand for our films internationally.

 

Expand our regional Indian content offerings.

 

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 2016, our Tamil and Telugu releases were 21 films as compared to 19 films in fiscal 2015. In fiscal 2016, Srimanthudu was the second highest Telugu grossing film of all time. In fiscal 2016 we released a total of 30 regional language films other than Hindi.

 

In addition to Tamil and Telugu, we also work on films in other regional languages such as Marathi, Malayalam, Punjabi and Bengali. In fiscal 2016 Malayalam film Pathemari won a national award for Best Malayalam Film. 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.

 

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. For fiscal 2016, our releases included 33 new Hindi films, of which 3 were high budget films, and 21 Tamil and Telugu language films, of which 3 were high budget films. 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 high and medium budget films (mainly Hindi and a few Tamil and Telugu films) that we release globally each year. Of these Hindi, Tamil and Telugu films, we generally have four to six high budget films. The remainder of the films (mainly Hindi but also Tamil and/or Telugu) 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, Telugu 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 and Telugu 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 allow 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 six high budget films in fiscal 2015, of which three were Hindi, two Tamil and one was Telugu and six high budget films in fiscal 2016, of which three were Hindi, two Tamil and one was Telugu.

 

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.

 

32  

 

 

Selected Hindi Releases in Fiscal Year 2016 (a)

 

Film   Cast/(Director )   Co-production/
Acquisition
  Genre   Actual Month 
of Release
 
                   
Bajrangi Bhaijaan   Salman Khan, Kareena Kapoor (Kabir Khan)   Acquisition   Drama   July-15  
                   
Bajirao Mastani   Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone, Priyanka Chopra (Sanjay Leela Bhansali)   Co-production   Romance   December-15  
                   
Tanu Weds Manu Returns   R. Madhvan, Kangana Ranaut (Anand L. Rai)   Co-production   Comedy   May-15  
                   
Welcome Back   John Abraham, Anil Kapoor, Nana Patekar, Paresh Rawal (Anees Bazmee)   Acquisition   Comedy   September-15  
                   
Singh is Bling   Akshay Kumar, Kareena Kapoor, Amy Jackson (Prabhu Deva)   Acquisition (Overseas)   Comedy   October-15  
                   
Gabbar is Back   Akshay Kumar, Kareena Kapoor     Acquisition (Overseas)   Drama   April-15  
            Drama, Comedy       
Dil Dhadakne Do   Ranveer Singh, Farhan Akhtar, Priyanka Chopra, Anushka Sharma, Anil Kapoor (Zoya Akhtar)   Acquisition (Overseas)       June-15  
            Romance, Action      
Hero   Sooraj Pancholi, Athiya Shetty (Nikhil Advani)   Acquisition   Drama   September-15  
                   
Aligarh   Rajkumar Rao, Manoj Bajpai (Hansal Mehta)   Co-production   Biographical   February-16  

 

(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 and only covers selected Hindi film releases. We released a total of 63 films in fiscal 2016 of which 33 were Hindi films.

 

Tamil, Telugu 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, Telugu, Marathi, Malayalam and Punjabi.

 

Selected Tamil and Telugu Releases in Fiscal Year 2016 (a)

 

Film   Cast/(Director )   Co-production/
Acquisition
  Genre   Actual Month 
of Release
 
                   
Srimanthudu (Telugu)   Mahesh Babu, Shruti Haasan (Koratala Siva)   Acquisition   Drama   August-15  
                   
Uttama Villain (Tamil)   Kamal Haasan (Ramesh Aravind)   Acquisition   Comedy, Drama   May-15  
                   
Mass (Tamil)   Suriya, Nayantara, Amy Jackson (Venkat Prabhu)   Acquisition   Action, Comedy   May-15  
                   
Dictator (Telugu)   Balakrishna (Srivaas)    Co-production   Action   January-16  

 

(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 and only covers selected Tamil and Telugu film releases. We released a total of 63 films in fiscal 2016 of which 30 were regional films other than Hindi.

 

33  

 

 

Our typical annual slate includes between 19 to 30 Tamil films, of which 10 were global Tamil and Telugu releases in fiscal 2016 compared to 6 in fiscal 2015. Tamil films are predominantly star-driven action or comedy films, which appeal to audiences distinct from audiences for more romance-focused Hindi films. We believe that a Tamil or Telugu 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.

 

We believe we can capitalize on the demand for regional films and replicate our success with Tamil and Telugu films for other distinct regional language films, including Marathi, Malayalam and Punjabi. Currently we have three Malayalam movies (Happy Wedding, White and Naale) in pipeline for fiscal 2017. 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 2017(a)

 

Film   Cast/(Director )   Production/
Co-Production/

Acquisition
  Genre   Actual/ Anticipated 
Quarter  o f Release
                 
Ki & Ka   Arjun Kapoor & Kareena Kapoor / (R. Balki)   Co Production   Drama   Released Q1 FY 2017
                 
Sardaar Gabbar Singh (Telugu)   Pawan Kalyan / (North Star / K S Ravindra)   Co Production   Action   Released Q1 FY 2017
                 
Nil Battey Sannata (The Classmate)   Swara Bhaskar / (Colour Yellow-Jar Pictures)   Co Production   Drama   Released Q1 FY 2017
                 
24 (Tamil)   Suriya, Samantha / Studio Green / Vikram Kumar   Acquisition   Science Fiction   Released Q1 FY 2017
                 
Housefull 3   Akshay Kumar, Riteish Deshmukh, Abhishek / (Nadiadwala / Sajid Farhad)   Co Production   Comedy   Released Q1 FY 2017
                 
Dishoom   John Abraham, Varun Dhawan, Jackie Fernandez / (Nadiadwala / Rohit Dhawan)   Co Production   Action   Q2 FY 2017
                 
Happy Bhag Jayegi   Diana Penty, Abhay Deol, Jimmy Shergill   Co Production   Romantic Comedy   Q2 FY 2017
                 
Banjo   Riteish Deshmukh & Nargis Fakhri / (Ravi Jadhav)   Production   Drama   Q2 FY 2017
                 
Baar Baar Dekho   Siddharth Malhotra & Katrina Kaif / (Dharma / Nitya Mehra)   Acquisition   Romantic Drama   Q2 FY 2017
                 
Rock On 2   Farhan Akhtar, Arjun Rampal / (Excel / Shujaat Saudagar)   Acquisition   Drama   Q3 FY 2017
                 
Chaar Sahibzaade 2 (Punjabi)   3D Animation / (Harry Baweja)   Co Production   Animation, History   Q3 FY 2017
                 
Guru Tegh Bahadur (Punjabi)   3D Animation / (Harry Baweja)   Acquisition   Animation, History   Q4 FY 2017

_______________

  (a) The list of films set forth in the table above is for illustrative purposes only, is not complete and only includes released and 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 “Part I — Item 3. Key Information — D. Risk Factors — Risks Relating to Our Business — Our films are required to be certified in India by the Central Board of Film Certification.”

 

34  

 

 

Seasonality

 

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 and as a result, our quarterly results can vary from one year to the next.

 

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 Bhansali Productions Private Limited, Colour Yellow Productions Private Limited, Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment Private Limited, Excel Entertainment Private Limited and Salman Khan Ventures 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 ten to twenty 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.

 

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.

 

Through Trinity Pictures, our franchise feature studio, we plan to launch its first slate of films during the Fiscal 2017. Trinity Pictures, we believe is one of the first Bollywood studios in India with a dedicated in-house team of writers (the ‘Trinity Writers’ Room’), has created over ten original franchises since the company’s inception, out of which we expect at least four films will go into production in fiscal year 2017 and release in fiscal year 2018. Trinity’s initial film slate lineup includes a range of character driven franchises across budgets, genres and languages. The first Indo-China film “The Zookeeper” (working title), written and developed in-house by Trinity Pictures to be co-produced with Chinese studio Peacock Mountain Culture & Media Ltd, will be directed by Kabir Khan who also directed Bajrangi Bhaijaan and will be shot simultaneously in both languages. The Company expects this film to be released in Fiscal 2018. Another Indo-China film will be co-produced with Huaxia Film Distribution Co Ltd and which is currently titled, Love in Beijing (working title) , and will be directed by Siddharth Anand, and will be shot in both languages is also expected to be released in Fiscal 2018. Other projects includes a children’s action franchise, live action elephant film and a buddy cop film. Trinity Pictures is in discussions with third parties to create a digital comic book series, online gaming, animation series and merchandise for these franchise films.

 

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 primarily 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.

35  

 

 

    Acquisition   Co-production
Film Cost   Negotiated “market value”   Actual cost of production or capped budget and 10-15% production fee
         
Rights   10 years-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 our executive producer on the film to oversee the project.

 

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

36  

 

 

· 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 3,000 films, including recent and classic titles that span different genres, budgets and languages. Eros Now has rights to over 5,000 films across Hindi and regional languages from Eros’s internal library as well as third party aggregated content which it believes makes it one of the largest Indian movie offering platforms around the world. In addition Eros Now showcases music from 13 Indian music labels and offers over 250,000 music tracks. Our film library has been built up over more than 39 years and includes hits from across that time period, including among others Bajrangi Bhaijaan, Bajirao Mastani, Tanu Weds Manu Returns, NH10, Badlapur, Devdas , Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam , Lage Raho Munna Bhai , Om Shanti Om , Vicky Donor, English Vinglish , Goliyon Ki Raasleela: Ram-Leela . 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 sole producer of those films. Through such acquisition and co-production arrangements, we seek to acquire rights to 60-70 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 December 31, 2025.

 

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 65% of the films in our Hindi library are films produced in the last 15 years. We own or license rights to films produced in several regional languages, including Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Marathi, Bengali, Malayalam 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.

 

37  

 

 

A summary of certain key features of our film library rights as of March 31, 2016 follows below.

 

    Hindi Films   Regional Language Films
(excluding Kannada films)
  Kannada Films
             
Approximate percentage of total library   31%   57%   12%
             
Approximate percentage of co-production films   1%   Less than 1%   Not applicable
             
Minimum remaining term of exclusive distribution rights for total films (approximate percentage of rights expiring at the earliest in the periods indicated)   2020 or earlier: 43%
2021-2025: 38%
2026-2030: 6%
2031-2045: 3%
Perpetual rights, subject to applicable copyright law limitations: 10%
  2020 or earlier: 54%
2021-2025: 13%
2026-2030: 1%
2031-2045: 1%
Perpetual rights, subject to applicable copyright law limitations: 31%
  Not applicable
             
Remaining term of exclusive distribution rights for co-production (approximate percentage of rights expiring earliest in the periods indicated)   2020 or earlier: 0%
2021-2025: 0%
2026-2030: 0%
2031-2045: 0%
Perpetual rights, subject to applicable copyright law limitations: 100%
  Perpetual rights, subject to applicable copyright law limitations: 100%   Perpetual rights, subject to applicable copyright law limitations: 100%
             
Date of first release (by Eros or prior rights owner)   1943-2016   1958-2016   *
             
Rights in major distribution channels   Theatrical: 23%
Television syndication: 23%
Digital: 88%
  Theatrical: 38%
Television syndication: 49%
Digital: 74%
  Digital: 100%
             
Music Rights (approximate percentage of films)   13%   19%   0%
             
Production Years (approximate percentage of films produced in the periods indicated)   1943-1965: 5%
1966-1990: 13%
1991-2016: 82%
  1958-1965: 0%
1966-1990: 3%
1991-2016: 97%
  *

 

  (*) 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.

 

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 and ancillary . which primarily includes IPTV, VOD, music, inflight entertainment, home video, internet channels and Eros Now.

 

We generally monetize each new film we release through an initial twelve 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.

 

38  

 

 

Film release first cycle timeline

 

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, 2016, 2015 and 2014 is set forth below:

 

    Year ended March  31,  
    2016     2015     2014  
Global (India and International)                        
Hindi films     27       30       23  
Regional films (excluding Tamil films)     6             3  
Tamil films     8       6       8  
International Only                        
Hindi films     5       15       14  
Regional films (excluding Tamil films)           1        
Tamil films     10       13       21  
India Only                        
Hindi films     1              
Regional films (excluding Tamil films)     5              
Tamil films     1              
Total     63       65       69  

 

“High budget” films refer to Hindi films with direct production costs in excess of $8.5 million and Tamil and Telugu 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 Hindi, and regional 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 regional films within the remaining range of direct production costs.

 

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 cinemas’ 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. We have entered into co-production deals with three Chinese film companies. 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.

 

39  

 

 

Theatrical Distribution and Marketing

 

Indian Theatrical Distribution . The Indian theatrical market is comprised of both multiplex and single screen theaters which are 100% digitally equipped. 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. 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.

 

India is divided into 14 geographical regions known as “Film Circuits” or “Film Territories” in the Indian Film Trade. We distribute our content in all of the circuits either through our internal distribution offices (Mumbai, Delhi, East Punjab, Mysore, Kerala, West Bengal and Bihar) or through sub-distributors in remaining circuits. The Film Circuits where we have direct offices comprise of a market share of up to 75% of the India theatrical revenue. 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, sub distributor margins or revenue shares.

 

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.

 

We primarily enter into agreements on a film-by-film and exhibitor-by-exhibitor basis; however, we also have annual agreements with some of the top national multiplex chains.  To date, our 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.

 

The largest number of screens in India that we book for a particular film are booked for the first week of theatrical release, because as a substantial portion of box office revenues are collected in the first week of a film’s theatrical exhibition. Our agreements with pan India multiplex operators is such that 100% of the entire first week of Eros share of revenues from all our films from such multiplexes is paid to us within 10 days of the release.

 

In single screens we either obtain non-refundable minimum guarantees / refundable advances and a revenue sharing arrangement above the minimum guarantee and with certain smaller multiplex chains we obtain refundable advances and a revenue sharing arrangement.

 

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 sometimes after a long gap.

 

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, television, print and outdoor advertising, social media marketing on Facebook and Twitter 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.

 

Our marketing efforts are primarily managed by employees located in offices across India or in one of our international offices in Dubai, Singapore, the United States, 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.

 

40  

 

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 Colors, Sony, the Star Network and Zee TV.

 

Television pre-sales in India are an important factor in enhancing revenue predictability for our business and are part of our diversification strategy to mitigate risks of cash flow generation. 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 fiscal 2017 we have pre sales visibility from sale of satellite rights for among others Housefull 3, Dishoom, Baar Baar Dekho, Rock On 2, Banjo, Ki & Ka along with some regional films. In fiscal 2016, for our three high budget Hindi films we recouped 34 - 57% of the direct production cost through pre-sales. We recouped 98% and 103% of our direct production cost of the two Tamil films released through contractual commitments prior to the films’ releases, and we recouped 91% our direct production cost of one Telugu film released through contractual commitments prior to the films’ releases.

 

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. 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. We are seeing increasing growth from the Indian cable system which is predominantly digital. 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 (U.K.), CCTV (China), MBC (Middle East), TV3 (Malaysia), Bollywood Channel (Israel), RTL2 (Germany), M Channel (Thailand) and National TV (Romania) amongst others. 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 an important 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.

 

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 mainly monetize music assets and distribute movies and other 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.

 

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. 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.

 

41  

 

 

In fiscal 2016, we acquired a controlling stake in Techzone. Techzone is an aggregator, developer and distributor of entertainment content via mobile platforms in India. Techzone recently started aggregation in international locations. Techzone is particularly focused on the Bollywood films and music markets and has significant region-specific content in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Bengali, Odisha. The company has relationships and billing integration with major telecom networks in India to distribute its content and also has its own allocated “Mobile Shortcode” 56060 by telco. Techzone makes its content available to end-users via various methods such as caller ring-back tones (CRBT), mobile radio, short message service (SMS), wireless application protocol (WAP), Over the top (OTT) and interactive voice response (IVR).

 

Techzone has an average of 25 million SMS, WAP, IVR & OTT transactions per month which is coming across from international telecom operators and major telecom operators in India for which it bills the customers directly through its billing platform. This excludes CRBT transactions which are also marketed and distributed by Techzone but billed by the telecom operators directly. In a given month, a single customer may engage in multiple transactions.

 

In North America, we have an agreement with International Networks, a subsidiary of Comcast, to provide a SVOD service fully branded as ‘Eros Now’. The service is carried on most of the major cable network providers including Comcast, Cox Communications, Cablevision and Time Warner Cable. We provide all programming for this film and music channel and share revenues with the cable providers. We also provide content to Amazon Digital and participate in a revenue share deal. This fiscal year, we have appointed Royalty Network Inc. and have granted sub-publishing rights to collect revenues. In Canada, Eros has signed a Program License Agreement for various movies with Rogers Broadcasting Limited.

 

On YouTube, where we have exceeded 4.3 billion views to date since our launch in 2007 and have over 5.4 million free subscribers as of June 2016, we sell banner and pre-roll advertisements, and share these advertising revenues with Google.

 

As per the latest TRAI report, there are over 1 billion wireless subscribers in India. The number of unique mobile users is currently at 500 million which is a penetration level of approximately 38% of the Indian population. It is expected to touch around 1.3 billion by 2020, over 90% of India’s total population at that point. The number of wireless internet users in India are likely to cross 790 million by 2020 with more than 60% of users accessing the internet through their mobile phones. It is expected that over the next couple of years, 3G and 4G subscribers would constitute over 40% of the wireless internet subscriber base. Big disruptive initiatives such as broadband rollout and public Wi-Fi as part of the government’s Digital India campaign and the aggressive promotion of 4G data packs by leading telecoms will only help boost the quality of digital infrastructure in India. It is estimated that in 2015 there are about 180 million smartphones in India, predominantly Android-based. The pace of smartphone penetration is growing and it is expected that by 2020, all mobile handsets being sold in India will be 4G-ready smartphones. 1 (Source : KPMG – FICCI, India Media and Entertainment Industry Report 2016)

 

Eros Now

 

Eros Now, our digital over-the-top entertainment service is increasingly focused on offering a world-class choice of content including Indian films, music and original shows, opening new markets, delivering consumer-friendly product features such as offline viewing and subtitles and adopting a platform agnostic distribution strategy on Android and iOS platforms across mobile, tablets, cable or internet, including deals with original equipment manufacturers (“OEMs”). The focus for ErosNow is monetization and it has a target to convert at least one million users into paying subscribers by the end of fiscal 2017.

 

Registered Users and Subscribers

· Eros Now continues to demonstrate strong growth, garnering over 44 million registered users across WAP, APP and Web at the end of fiscal 2016. While a dominant number of users are from India, Eros Now has registered users in 135 different countries.

 

· The Company’s new two-tier premium pricing in India is Rs. 49 ($0.75) and Rs. 99 ($1.51) per month and is available internationally for a $7.99 (or local currency equivalent) per month.

 

Platform Distribution and New Markets

 

Eros Now entered the Malaysian market with two partnerships with the country’s telecom operators; Maxis Berhad and U Mobile. With these partnerships, we believe Eros Now has a first mover advantage as an Indian OTT platform entering the growing Malaysian market,. As part of the partnership with Maxis, Eros Now will be included within a range of Maxis’ prepaid and post-paid data plans, offering various promotions to the telcom companies 12.3 million subscribers. The deal with U Mobile also enables the telecom’s prepaid and post-paid customers’ access to Eros Now’s premium subscriptions, including data free promotions.

 

· The popularity of VOD and OTT platforms has been growing in Malaysia, a country with high broadband penetration and cell phone adoption. Eros Now enters this market with these telco partnerships to offer consumers subscription to Eros Now for RM10 ($2.60) per month.

 

42  

 

 

· In India, the Company’s first telecom integration strategy for Eros Now was with Bharti Airtel, India's largest telecom operator. Bharti Airtel recently ran a co-branded marketing campaign around Bajirao Mastani powered by Eros Now on Airtel.

 

· Eros Now has entered into a platform and content deal with India’s third largest telecom service providers, IDEA Cellular (“IDEA”). IDEA has recently announced the launch of 4G services across five southern states of India, and had announced plans to expand to 750 towns in 10 service areas, by June 2016. The association with Eros Now, will enable IDEA’s 4G customers in these markets to enjoy rich premium content from a wide library of movies, originals and short form videos.

 

· Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) are also an integral part of Eros Now distribution strategy. Eros Now entered into a partnership with Micromax, the second largest handset manufacturer in India and the 10th largest mobile phone player in the world. Micromax anticipates sales of approximately 1-1.5 million of it’s smartphones every month. Eros Now will be the only pre-installed entertainment app across all Micromax smartphones. Eros Now will also leverage Micromax’s presence of over 150,000 retail outlets to promote and distribute its service.

 

· Similarly, Eros Now is integrated on LeEco phones for the Indian market with a one year Eros Now subscription worth approximately $10 and $20 pre-bundled on standard and premium handsets, respectively. LeEco smart phones, LeMax and Le1S are being exclusively sold through e-commerce portal Flipkart and LeEco is running an aggressive marketing campaign in India.

 

· Eros Now has expanded availability of the service to the Apple TV media platform and is now showcasing across Apple TV’s presence in 80 key countries including the U.S., UK, India, Canada, Australia, and Malaysia. Subscribers can download the Eros Now app through the Apple TV App Store.

 

· Eros Now is also available on Amazon Fire TV to users across the U.S., UK and Western Europe. Eros Now’s content can be viewed on TV, mobile, tablet and web via Fire TV. The app, which can be easily accessed via the Amazon Store allows users to customize content by creating personal watch lists and utilize video progression, allowing users to continue watching content from where they previously left off. In addition, Amazon will be co-marketing the Eros Now service and promoting the app across all relevant geographies with Amazon Fire TV. Eros Now is also integrated for the Chromecast platform.

 

· Eros Now has extended to Android platforms via Android TV, one of the fastest growing smart TV platforms. Earlier in the year the Company completed the integration of the Eros Now app on to the Google Nexus Player and other 2015 Android TV platforms like Sony, Sharp and Phillips with Apple, Android and Samsung platforms, Eros Now is present across three of the top four streaming devices in the world.

 

Product Features

· Eros Now continues to implement and introduce new and exciting product features. In fiscal 2016, Eros Now launched its “Portability” feature which allows users to access their accounts and watch content across up to eight different devices. Eros Now also launched its “video progression” feature, where the platform is able to remember the point at which a user has paused or stopped viewing their content piece, and allows them to resume viewing from this point when they return, even on a different device. Eros Now content is available on High Definition quality video with multi language subtitles.

 

· In June, Eros Now also launched offline viewing or download features across Android and iOS platforms that enable subscribers to access content even when they are not connected to the internet.

 

Content

· Eros Now has rights to over 5,000 films across Hindi and regional languages from Eros’s internal library as well as third party aggregated content which it believes makes it one of the largest Indian movie offering platforms around the world. In addition, Eros Now showcases music from 13 Indian music labels and offers over 250,000 music tracks.

 

· The database of Eros Now consist of movie premieres, including new releases in theatres some which are big digital premieres. From March 2015, the Company premiered 26 new films out of 72 digital premieres. Some of the recent digital premieres include Bajrangi Bhaijaan (No. 1), Prem Ratan Dhan Payo (No. 2), Bajirao Mastani (No 3) and Tanu Weds Manu Returns (No. 4), which are the top four films of Calendar Year 2015 according to www.bollywoodhungama.com. Eros Now also premiered Piku and Mastizaade to name a few. Notably, Eros Now offers not just the content that it co-produces and acquires for its film business, but also aggregates third party content from other film studios to make it a compelling consumer proposition.

 

43  

 

 

· Eros Now has also added a series of short originals titled “Black & White” which ranges from interviews, tete-a-tete with leading talent from the Indian film industry shot exclusively for Eros Now. This series offers insight into the life of our customers favourite celebrities.

 

· Cool, contemporary and edgy “Originals” that target the youth of India is an important part of the Eros Now content strategy. Eros Now has shows such as Lost and Smoke (both thrillers) which are in production as well as Flip (Drama) which is a collection of independent stories and is adding Siachen , the first ever reality series to be shot on a mobile phone, to its originals’ slate. These originals are developed and follow a rigorous greenlighting process just like films, with script, screenplay, budgeting pilot episode production, market research and testing of the pilot episode and final production.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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, as well as on-line piracy through unauthorized downloads, 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. Rapid transition of consumer preference from physical to digital modes of consumption of film and related content via on-line, mobile and digital platforms has enabled our Eros Now business to grow, but this business faces competition from sites offering unauthorized pirated content.

 

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.

 

44  

 

 

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 Copyright Act was amended in 2012 to allow 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

 

· 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.

 

Recently, the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India issued the National Intellectual Property Rights Policy which aims, among other things, to stimulate intellectual property creation and protection by Indian and foreign corporates, to commercialize intellectual property rights by exploring the feasibility of creation of an IPR exchange and to enable valuation of intellectual property rights as intangible assets. The policy contemplates the review of existing intellectual property related laws, wherever necessary, and states that the Indian Cinematography Act, 1952 should be suitably amended to provide for penal provisions for illegal duplication of films.

 

We use a number of trademarks in our business, all of which are owned by our subsidiaries. Our Indian subsidiaries currently own over 55 Indian registered trademarks and domain names, which are used in their business, including the registered trademark “Eros,” “Eros International,” “Eros Music,” and “Eros Now.” 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 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.

 

45  

 

 

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 The Walt Disney Company (“Disney”), 20th Century Fox Pictures 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. Disney has acquired 100% of UTV and Viacom has ownership interests in Viacom Studio 18, while other Hollywood studios, such as 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, Fox, Viacom and Yash Raj Films. 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 reported our market share (as an average over the preceding five calendar years to 2015) as 35% of all theatrically released Indian language films in the United Kingdom, based on gross collections — including releases by Ayngaran, our majority-owned subsidiary, and 34% in the United States on the same basis, and from 1980 to 2013 we had the highest market share of all theatrically released Indian language films in the United Kingdom based on gross collections in the period. Competition within the industry is based on relationships, distribution capabilities, reputation for quality and brand recognition.

 

Our Film Library

 

We currently own or license rights to films currently comprising over 3,000 films, including recent and classic titles that span different genres, budgets and languages. Eros Now has rights to over 5,000 films across Hindi and regional languages from Eros’s internal library as well as third party aggregated content which it believes makes it one of the largest Indian movie offering platforms around the world. In addition Eros Now showcases music from 13 Indian music labels and offers over 250,000 music tracks. Our film library has been built up over more than 39 years and includes hits from across that time period, including among others Bajrangi Bhaijaan, Bajirao Mastani, Tanu Weds Manu Returns, NH10, Badlapur, Devdas , Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam , Lage Raho Munna Bhai , Om Shanti Om , Vicky Donor, English Vinglish , Goliyon Ki Raasleela: Ram-Leela . 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, sole producer of those films. Through such acquisition and co-production arrangements, we seek to acquire rights to at least 65-70 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 March 31, 2020.

 

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, Telugu, Bengali Malayalam 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.

 

46  

 

 

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.

 

Beginning on November 13, 2015, the Company was named a defendant in five substantially similar putative class action lawsuits filed in federal court in New Jersey and New York by purported shareholders of the Company.  The three actions in New Jersey were consolidated, and, on May 17, 2016, were transferred to the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York where they were then consolidated with the other two actions on May 27, 2016.  In general, the plaintiffs alleged thatthe Company, and in some cases also Company’s management, violated federal securities laws by overstating Company’s financial and business results, enriching the Company’s controlling owners at the expense of other stockholders, and engaging in improper accounting practices.  On April 5, 2016, a lead plaintiff and lead counsel were appointed in the now-consolidated New York action.  A single consolidated amended complaint was filed on July 14, 2016.  The Plaintiffs have alleged that the Company and certain individual defendants -- Kishore Lulla, Jyoti Deshpande, Andrew Heffernan, and Prem Parameswaran -- have violated the federal securities laws, specifically Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Exchange Act.  The amended consolidated complaint does not assert certain claims that had been asserted in prior complaints including (1) claims for violations of Sections 11 and 15 of the Securities Act and (2) claims against certain individual defendants, who are not now named defendants. The claims principally arise out of allegations that the Company and the individual defendants made material misrepresentations about the success, size, and financial performance of Eros Now, our streaming video service, and our film library.  The Company expects to move to dismiss the consolidated amended complaint.

 

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.

 

During the year ended March 2015, Eros received two notices from the Commissioner of Service Tax (India) to show cause why an amount aggregating to $31 million for the period April 1, 2009 to March 31, 2014 should not be levied on and paid on account of service tax arising on temporary transfer of copyright services and certain other related matters. Eros has filed its objections against the notice with the authorities. Subsequently in June 2015, Eros received assessment orders from the Commissioner of Service Tax (India) levying tax as stated above and ordering Eros to pay an additional amount of $31 million as interest and penalties in connection with the aforesaid matters. Considering the facts and nature of levies and the ad-interim protection for service tax levy for a certain period granted by the Honorable High Court of Mumbai, the Group expects that the final outcome of this matter will be favorable. Accordingly, based on the assessment made after taking appropriate legal advice, no additional liability has been recorded in Group’s consolidated financial statements.

 

During the year ended March 2015, Eros also received several assessment orders and demand notices from value added tax and sales tax authorities in India for the payment of amounts aggregating to $3 million (including interest and penalties) for certain fiscal years between April 1, 2005 and March 31, 2011. Eros has appealed against each of these orders, and such appeals are pending before relevant tax authorities. Though there uncertainties are inherent in the final outcome of these matters, the Company believes, based on assessment made after taking legal advice, that the final outcome of the matters will be favorable. Accordingly, no additional liability has been recorded in Group’s consolidated financial statements.

 

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 Om Shanti Om, Kochadaiiyaan , Bhoot Returns and Goliyon Ki Rasleela-Ram-leela, Bajrangi Bhaijaan, Welcome Back, Sardar Gabbar Singh, Aligarh, Housefull 3.

 

In India, private citizens are permitted to initiate criminal complaints against companies and other individuals by filing complaints or initiating proceedings with the police. 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.

 

47  

 

 

For instance, in relation to the film Goliyon Ki Rasleela-Ram-leela, certain civil and criminal proceedings had been initiated in various local courts in India in and around November 2013, including arrest warrants against Mr. Kishore Lulla and others involved in the making of this film, alleging that this film disrespected religious sensibilities and seeking to restrain its release or seeking directions for a review of its film certification. We have contested such claims in the local courts as well as by way of petitions filed by us before the Supreme Court of India. While hearings or investigations continue in some of these proceedings, we have obtained interim orders in our favor from the Supreme Court of India as well as certain of the local courts where such proceedings are being heard, including stays on all criminal proceedings against Eros India, Mr. Kishore Lulla and other persons involved in the making of the film. This film was released in November 2013.

 

Government Regulations

 

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: (i) it is able to pay its debts as they become due in the normal course of business: and (ii) 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/annual report requirements;

 

48  

 

 

  (d) there are reduced compulsory registry filings;

 

  (e) the statutory accounting requirements are simplified; and

 

  (f) the 2006 Act allows a company to indemnify and purchase 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.

 

49  

 

 

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.

 

A draft Cinematograph Bill, 2013 has been prepared by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and is awaiting approval.

 

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 $1.6 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.

 

Labour 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 labour related laws are provided below.

 

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, 2002, or the Competition Act, prohibits practices that could have an appreciable adverse effect on competition in India. Under the Competition Act, any arrangement, understanding or action, whether formal or informal, which causes or is likely to cause an appreciable adverse effect on competition in India is void. Any agreement among competitors which directly or indirectly determines purchase or sale prices, results in bid rigging or collusive bidding, limits or controls production, supply, markets, technical development, investment or the provision of services, or shares the market or source of production or provision of services in any manner, including by way of allocation of geographical area or types of goods or services or number of customers in the market, is presumed to have an appreciable adverse effect on competition. Further, the Competition Act prohibits the abuse of a dominant position by any enterprise either directly or indirectly, including by way of unfair or discriminatory pricing or conditions in the sale of goods or services, using a dominant position in one relevant market to enter into, or protect, another relevant market, and denial of market access. Further, acquisitions, mergers and amalgamations which exceed certain revenue and asset thresholds require prior approval by the Competition Commission of India.

 

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 which are not in compliance with the Competition Act.

 

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 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. The Competition Act was amended in 2009, and cases which were pending before the Monopolies and Restrictive Trade Practice Commission were transferred to the Competition Commission of India.

 

50  

 

 

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.

 

Indian Companies Act. A majority of the provisions of the Companies Act, 2013 are now in effect, bringing into effect significant changes to the Indian company law framework, such as in the provisions related to issue of capital, disclosures, corporate governance norms, audit matters, and related party transactions. The Companies Act, 2013 has also introduced additional requirements which do not have equivalents under the Companies Act, 1956, including the introduction of a provision allowing the initiation of class action suits in India against companies by shareholders or depositors, a restriction on investment by an Indian company through more than two layers of subsidiary investment companies (subject to certain permitted exceptions), and prohibitions on advances to directors. Indian companies with net worth, turnover or net profits of INR 5,000 million or higher during any financial year are also required to spend 2.0% of their average net profits during the three immediately preceding financial years on activities pertaining to corporate social responsibility. Further, the Companies Act, 2013 imposes greater monetary and other liability on Indian companies, their directors and officers in default, for any non-compliance.

 

51  

 

 

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 twelve, 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.
         

 

52  

 

 

    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.
         

 

53  

 

 

    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% or 75% in the case of a special resolution 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.

 

54  

 

 

    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:
         

 

55  

 

 

    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.

 

56  

 

 

    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.

 

57  

 

 

    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.

 

58  

 

 

C. Organizational Structure

 

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.

 

The Founders Group holds approximately 46.68% of our issued share capital, which comprise all of our B ordinary shares and certain A ordinary shares. Beech Investments, a company incorporated in the Isle of Man, is owned by discretionary trusts that include Eros directors Kishore Lulla and Vijay Ahuja as potential beneficiaries.

 

The following diagram summarizes the corporate structure of our consolidated group of companies as of June 30, 2016:

 

59  

 

 

Eros Organizational Chart (as of June 2016)

 

 

 

(a) Eros India holds at least 93% of each of its Indian subsidiaries other than Big Screen Entertainment Private Limited (India) and Colour Yellow Productions 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 (India) and 100% of each of its other subsidiaries.

 

60  

 

 

D. Property, Plant and Equipment

 

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 “Part I. — Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions” and “Part I — Item 3. Key Information — D. Risk Factors. 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 eight properties in the United Kingdom, the United States and Dubai in connection with our international operations outside of India. Property, plant and equipment with a net carrying amount of approximately $10.1 million (2015: $9.2 million) have been pledged to secure borrowings, 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   17,120 sq. ft.   Office   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   600 sq. ft.   Film Distribution Office   Leased
Kerala, India   850 sq. ft.   Film Distribution Office   Leased
Kolkata, India   640 sq. ft.   Film Distribution Office   Leased
Punjab, India   438 sq. ft.   Film Distribution Office   Leased
Mumbai, India   2,926 sq. ft.   DVD warehouse   Leased
Mumbai, India   1,600 sq. ft.   Warehouse   Leased
Mumbai, India   1,600 sq. ft.   Warehouse   Leased
Mumbai, India   5,000 sq. ft.   Office   Leased
Chennai, India   8,942 sq. ft.   Corporate Office   Leased
Delhi, India   3,915 sq. ft.   Branch Office   Leased
Mumbai, India   750 sq. ft.   Branch Office   Leased
Bangalore, India   5,100 sq. ft.   Branch Office   Leased
Dubai, United Arab Emirates   536 sq. ft.   Corporate Office   Leased
Dubai, United Arab Emirates   747 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)
Fujairah, United Arab Emirates   676 sq. ft.   Corporate Office   Leased
Fujairah, United Arab Emirates   676 sq. ft.   Corporate Office   Leased
San Francisco, California, U.S.   2,315 sq. ft.   Digital team   Leased

 

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

 

ITEM 4A. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

 

Not applicable.

 

61  

 

 

ITEM 5. OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS

 

A. Operating Results

 

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 annual report. The tables set forth below with our results of operations and period over period comparisons are not adjusted for the fluctuations in exchange rates described in “Part I — Item 3. Key Information — A. Selected Financial Data.”

 

Outlook

 

Our primary revenue streams are derived from three channels: theatrical, television syndication and digital and ancillary. For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016, the aggregate revenues from theatrical, television syndication and digital and ancillary were $138.4 million, $72.1million and $63.9 million respectively, compared to $123.1 million, $101.2 million and $59.9 million, respectively, for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015. In fiscal 2014, the aggregate revenue from theatrical, television syndication and digital and ancillary was $107.5 million, $80.3 million and $47.7 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, and the size of our television syndication deals.

 

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. 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. We set up Trinity Pictures in fiscal 2015 as a dedicated franchise studio that develops valuable intellectual property in the form of franchise films. We believe China to be a significant market opportunity for Indian films. As per PwC Outlook 2016, China is expected to overtake the US box office next year. China box office grew 49% in 2015 to $6.3 billion and is expected to grow to $10.3 billion next year. In comparison the US box office is expected to contract from $10.3 billion to $10 billion next year. Hollywood’s share of Chinese box office has slipped to 38.4% in 2015 from 45.5% in 2014. In early 2014 China had just under 19,000 screens and by end of 2015 that number grew to almost 32,000. Overall China is propelling Asia-Pacific’s growth (including Indonesia, Malaysia) with box office revenue across Asia-Pacific expected to grow to $21.11 billion by 2020 and this continues to emerge as important growth markets for Bollywood. We are exploring the release of our films in bigger markets such as China.

 

Increasing the number of Tamil and Telugu global releases in our film mix allows us to expand our audience within significant regional markets. As we expand into other regional languages such as Marathi, Bengali, Punjabi and Malayalam, 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. Regional films continue to be a focus area for us. Srimanthudu was the second highest Telugu grosser of all time. Our Malayalam film Pathemari also won a national award for Best Malayalam Film. In fiscal 2016, our Tamil and Telugu releases were 21 films as compared to 19 films in fiscal 2015.

 

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 increase and the cable industry migrates toward digital technology, we expect 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.

 

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. Currently Eros Now has registered users in 135 different countries. Eros Now has been increasingly focused on delivering product features, being truly platform agnostic and monetizing it’s growing registered user base. 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.

 

62  

 

 

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 and Telugu films. In addition, increased competition in the Indian film entertainment industry, including from international film entertainment providers such as Disney, Twentieth Century Fox and Viacom, is likely to cause the cost of film production and acquisition to increase. In fiscal 2016, we invested $211.3 million in film content, and in fiscal 2017, we expect to invest approximately $225.0 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 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.

 

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 Annual Report.

 

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 is delivered or services have been rendered 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 in certain cases, 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 to match this life. 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.

 

63  

 

 

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’s policy is based upon factors such as historical performance of similar films, the star power of the lead actors and actresses and others.

 

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. Impairment losses on content advances are recognized when film production does not seem viable and refund of the advance is not probable.

 

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. We are subject to tax assessment in certain jurisdiction. Significant judgment is involved in determining the provision for income taxes including judgment on whether the tax positions are probable of being sustained in tax assessment. 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. Judgment is also required when determining whether we should recognize a deferred tax liability on undistributed earnings of subsidiaries.

 

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.

 

64  

 

 

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. For further discussion of the basis and assumptions used to determine fair value, see Note 26 to our audited consolidated financial statements appearing elsewhere in this Annual Report. The aforementioned inputs entered in to the option valuation model that we use to determine the fair value of our share awards are subjective estimates and changes to these estimates will cause the fair value of our share-based awards and related share- based compensations expense we record to vary.

 

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, 2016, the value in use was determined using a discounted cash flow method. Estimated cash flows based on internal four year forecasts were developed using internal forecasts, extrapolated for the fifth year, and a pre-tax discount rate of 17.8% 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 a pre-tax discount rate of 21.7% and a terminal growth rate of 4.0%.

 

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 such that it is exposed, or has rights, to variable returns and can influence the returns attached to the arrangements.

 

Year Ended March 31, 2016 Compared to Year Ended March 31, 2015

 

    Year ended March 31,       As a % of revenue
    2016   2015   Change %   2016   2015
    (in thousands)            
Revenue   $ 274,428     $ 284,175       (3.4 )     100.0       100.0  
Cost of sales     (172,764 )     (155,777 )     10.9       63.0       54.8  
Gross profit     101,664       128,398       (20.8 )     37.0       45.2  
Administrative costs     (64,019 )     (49,546 )     29.2       23.3       17.4  
Operating profit     37,645       78,852       (52.3 )     13.7       27.7  
Net finance costs     (8,010 )     (5,861 )     36.7       2.9       2.1  
Other losses     (3,636 )     (10,483 )     (65.3 )     1.3       3.7  
Profit before tax     25,999       62,508       (58.4 )     9.5       22.0  
Income tax expense     (12,711 )     (13,178 )     (3.5 )     4.6       4.6  
Net income   $ 13,288     $ 49,330       (73.1 )     4.8       17.4  

 

The following table sets forth, for the period indicated, the revenue by region of domicile of Group’s operation.

 

    Year ended March 31,    
    2016   2015   Change (%)
    (in thousands)    
India   $ 159,855     $ 110,015       45.3  
Europe     34,209       29,528       15.9  
North America     14,622       10,014       46.0  
Rest of the world     65,742       134,618       (51.2 )
Total revenues   $ 274,428     $ 284,175       (3.4 )

 

65  

 

 

Revenue

In fiscal 2016, Eros film slate comprised 63 films of which 6 were high budget, 16 were medium budget and 41 were low budget as compared to very similar mix of 65 films in fiscal 2015, of which 6 were high budget, 12 were medium budget and 47 were low budget.

 

In fiscal 2016, the Company’s slate of 63 films comprised 33 Hindi films, 19 Tamil/Telugu films and 11 regional films as compared to fiscal 2015 where its slate of 65 films comprised 45 Hindi films, 19 Tamil/Telugu films and one regional film. For the twelve months ended March 31, 2016, revenue decreased marginally by 3.4% to $274.4 million, compared to $284.2 million for the twelve months ended March 31, 2015.

 

In fiscal 2016, the aggregate theatrical revenues increased by 12.4% to $138.4 million from $123.1 million in fiscal 2015. Fiscal 2016 proved to be a successful year for the Company’s films at the box office demonstrating the quality and robustness of its content with three out of the top four Hindi films and seven out of the top 15 Hindi films in Calender year 2015 being Eros films. Some of our successful global releases were Bajrangi Bhaijaan, Bajirao Mastani, Tanu Weds Manu Returns, Welcome Back, Srimanthudu and overseas releases were Dil Dhadakne Do, Singh is Bling and Gabbar is Back reinforcing the portfolio and film mix strategy.

 

The aggregate revenues from television syndication decreased by 28.8% to $72.1 million in fiscal 2016 from $101.2 million in fiscal 2015 mainly as a result of higher television sales in India offset by lower sales in territories outside of India due to the Company’s decision to forego a portion of their potential catalogue revenues that have relatively longer payment cycles, in order to improve days sales outstanding.

 

The aggregate revenues from digital, ancillary and the newly acquired “Techzone” increased 6.7% to $63.9 million in fiscal 2016 from $59.9 million in fiscal 2015. This is on account of contribution from Techzone and better realizations from other ancillary revenues such as music sales and in-flight entertainment.

 

We derived approximately 41.7% of our fiscal 2016 revenues from the exploitation of our films in territories outside of India compared to 61.3% in Fiscal 2015. This percentage is calculated (as required under International Financial Reporting Standards) based on revenue by region of domicile of Group’s operation.

 

Revenue from India increased by 45.3 % to $159.9 million in fiscal 2016, compared to $110 million in fiscal 2015. This was account of the stronger Indian box office collection of the Company’s movies and the better realizations with respect to television syndication revenues associated with these movies.

 

Revenue from Europe increased by 15.9 % to $34.2 million in fiscal 2016, compared to $29.5 million in fiscal 2015 and North America increased 46 % to $14.6 million in fiscal 2016, compared to $10 million in fiscal 2015. This was account of the stronger overseas box office collection of the Company’s movies.

 

Revenue from rest of the world decreased by 51.2 % to $65.7 million in fiscal 2016, compared to $134.6 million in fiscal 2015. This was mainly due to lower catalogue sales.

 

We also report percentage of revenue calculated (as required under International Financial Reporting Standards) based on where the customer who entered into a contract with any of its entities is based and not strictly on the geography of the rights being exploited or licensed. Accordingly, this may not be reflective of the potential of any given market because it is not necessarily reflective of where the films are actually distributed. As a result, the Company’s revenue by customer location may vary year on year. On this basis, we derived approximately 42.1% of our Fiscal 2016 revenues from the exploitation of our films in territories outside of India compared to 61.5% in Fiscal 2015.

 

Cost of sales

In fiscal 2016 cost of sales increased by 10.9% to $172.8 million compared to $155.8 million in fiscal 2015. $11.0 million out of the total $17 million increase or 65% of the increase was primarily on account of increase in film amortization costs associated with mix of the Company’s films of fiscal 2016 as compared to fiscal 2015 as well as cumulative amortization costs of its larger film library, and 35% of the increase was due to accrued overages to co-producers from hit films as well as an increase in selling and distribution expenses.

 

66  

 

 

Gross profit

In fiscal 2016 gross profit decreased by 20.8% to $101.7 million, compared to $128.4 million in fiscal 2015 primarily due to lower revenue from high margin catalogue sales and higher cost of sales, mainly due to increased amortization charge.

 

Net Income

In fiscal 2016 net income decreased by 73.0% to $13.3 million, compared to $49.3 million in fiscal 2015 primarily due to lower high-margin catalogue revenues, lower gross profit and higher administrative cost in fiscal 2016.

 

Adjusted EBITDA

In fiscal 2016 adjusted EBITDA decreased by 29.9% to $70.9 million compared to $101.2 million in fiscal 2015 mainly due to higher theatrical revenues being offset by proportionately higher cost of sales including film amortisation costs and relatively higher margin lower catalogue revenues.

 

Administrative costs

In fiscal 2016, administrative costs increased by 29.3% to $64 million compared to $49.5 million in fiscal 2015, which was attributable to an increase in share based payment charges by 41.6% to $31.0 million in fiscal 2016 compared to $21.9 million in fiscal 2015 as well as increased personnel cost of $2.7 million on account of expansion of the Eros Now team and newly acquired “Techzone”

 

Net finance costs

In fiscal 2016, net finance increased by 35.6% to $8 million, compared to $5.9 million in fiscal 2015. This was mainly due to the higher blended cost of debt during the year with the full year retail bond costs coming in which was only partial in the previous year.

 

Other losses

In fiscal 2016, other losses decreased by 65.7% to $3.6 million, compared to $10.5 million in fiscal 2015. This was primarily due to a decrease in the fair value of derivative liability instruments not designated in a hedging relationship and net foreign exchange losses. In fiscal 2015 there was also impairment loss on available-for-sale financial asset, while their was no such impairment in fiscal 2016

 

Income tax expense

The expense for income taxes was $12.7 million and $13.2 million for the twelve months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The decrease for income taxes is due to lower net profit earned in the twelve months ended March 31, 2016. Effective tax rates were 21% and 21.1% for Fiscal 2016 and 2015, respectively, excluding non-deductible share-based payment charges and net loss on held for trading financial liabilities.

 

Year Ended March 31, 2015 Compared to Year Ended March 31, 2014

 

    Year ended March 31,       As a % of revenue
    2015   2014   Change (%)   2015   2014
    (in thousands)            
Revenue   $ 284,175     $ 235,470       20.7       100.0       100.0  
Cost of sales     (155,777 )     (132,933 )     (17.2 )     54.8       56.5  
Gross profit     128,398       102,537       25.2       45.2       43.5  
Administrative costs     (49,546 )     (42,680 )     16.1       17.4       18.1  
Operating profit     78,852       59,857       31.7       27.7       25.4  
Net finance costs     (5,861 )     (7,517 )     (22.0 )     2.1       3.2  
Other losses     (10,483 )     (2,353 )     (345.5 )     3.7       1.0  
Profit before tax     62,508       49,987       25.0       22.0       21.2  
Income tax expense     (13,178 )     (12,843 )     2.6       4.6       5.5  
Net income   $ 49,330     $ 37,144       32.8       17.4       15.8  

 

The following table sets forth, for the period indicated, the revenue by geographic area by customer location.

 

    Year ended March 31,    
    2015   2014   Change%
    (in thousands)    
India   $ 109,513     $ 117,647       (6.9 )
Europe     27,146       22,245       22.0  
North America     19,052       14,017       35.9  
Rest of the world     128,464       81,561       57.5  
Total revenues   $ 284,175     $ 235,470       20.7  

 

67  

 

 

Revenue

Revenue increased by 20.7% to $284.2 million, compared to $235.5 million in fiscal 2014 (excluding the impact of foreign currency fluctuations, revenue increased 22.4%, or $52.0 million). Our revenue growth was driven by increases in our theatrical, television syndication and digital and ancillary revenues in fiscal 2015. The growth in our theatrical revenue reflected the increased number of high budget films and the performance of our globally released Tamil and Telugu films, Lingaa , Kochadaiiyaan , Aagadu and Action Jackson a Hindi film release. Television syndication revenue grew in fiscal 2015, with our high and medium budget films helping us syndicate attractive bundles of new and library films. Digital and ancillary revenue growth reflected new release and catalog performance together with contributions from production services. We released six high budget films in fiscal 2015 compared to four high budget films in fiscal 2014. In fiscal 2015 we released 12 medium budget films as compared to 21 medium budget films in fiscal 2014. In fiscal 2015 we released six high budget films of which three were Hindi and two were Tamil and one was Telugu, as compared to fiscal 2014, in which out of four high budget films, three were Hindi, and one was Telugu, and none were Tamil.

 

We derived approximately 61.5% of our fiscal 2015 revenues from customers located outside of India. This percentage is calculated (as required under International Financial Reporting Standards) based on where the customer who entered into a contract with us is located and not necessarily on the geography of the rights being exploited or licensed. To that extent, this net revenue by customer location may not be reflective of the potential of any given market. As a result of changes in the location of our customers, our revenue by customer location may vary year to year.

 

Revenue by customer location in India decreased 6.9% to $109.5 million in fiscal 2015, compared to $117.6 million in fiscal 2014, attributable to a reduction in revenue as a result of the translation impact due to exchange rate movement, together with the impact of changes in customer location for revenue related to the India market but accounted for as derived outside of India. Revenue from Europe increased 22.0% to $27.1 million in fiscal 2015, compared to $22.2 million in fiscal 2014. Revenue from North America increased 35.9% to $19.1 million in fiscal 2015, compared to $14.0 million in fiscal 2014 due to increased syndication revenues. In fiscal 2015, revenues from the rest of the world increased 57.5% to $128.5 million, compared to $81.6 million in fiscal 2014 due to increased syndication revenues and digital and ancillary revenues.

 

Cost of sales

Cost of sales increased by 17.2% or $22.8 million in fiscal 2015 to $155.8 million, compared to $132.9 million in fiscal 2014. The increase was primarily due to an increase in film amortization costs of $17.6 million driven by a higher investment in our new release slate as compared to fiscal 2014, along with the cumulative impact of amortization costs associated with our larger film library. Other costs of sales, which principally consist of advertising, overages and print costs, increased by $4.9 million in fiscal 2015, reflecting increased advertising costs associated with the increase in high budget film releases in fiscal 2015 compared to fiscal 2014, offset by reduced print and associated distribution costs due to increased usage of digital distribution methods.

 

Gross profit

Gross profit increased by 25.2% or $25.9 million in fiscal 2015 to $128.4 million, compared to $102.5 million in fiscal 2014 primarily due to our improved margins reflecting the higher than proportionate increase in revenues, relative to the lower cost of the mix of new film releases. As a percentage of revenues, our gross profit margin increased to 45.2% in fiscal 2015 from 43.5% in fiscal 2014.

 

Administrative costs

Administrative costs increased by 16.1% or $6.8 million in fiscal 2015 to $49.5 million, which was attributable to an increase of $3.5 million in share based payment charges compared to fiscal 2014, along with $3.3 million of additional overhead in fiscal 2015, which includes an increase in personnel cost of $0.3 million. Additional trade receivables provisions contributed to $1.8 million of the increase in additional overhead as compared to fiscal 2014.

 

Net finance costs

Net finance costs, excluding the impact of foreign currency fluctuations, decreased by 22.0% or $1.6 million due to an overall increase in interest income resulting from higher cash levels across the group, which was due to proceeds from the follow-on offering on the NYSE and our Retail Bond offering on the London Stock Exchange.

 

Other losses

Other losses increased by 345.5% or $8.1 million in fiscal 2015 to $10.5 million, compared to $2.4 million in fiscal 2014, due to a derivative loss as a result of changes in USD interest rate expectations of $7.8 million recognized in fiscal 2015, compared to a $5.2 million derivative gain in fiscal 2014.

 

Income tax expense

Income tax expense increased by 2.6% or $0.4 million in fiscal 2015 to $13.2 million compared to $12.8 million in fiscal 2014, and our effective tax rate was 21.1% in fiscal 2015, compared to 25.6% in fiscal 2014. Derivative gains and transaction costs relating to equity transactions are not chargeable or deductible for income tax purposes. Our income tax expense in fiscal 2015 included $7.5 million of estimated current tax expense and $5.7 million of estimated deferred tax expense. The change in effective rate principally reflects a change in the pattern of the profits subject to income tax amongst our subsidiaries as compared to fiscal 2014.

 

68  

 

 

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. This volatility is illustrated in the table below for the periods indicated:

 

    Period End   Average (1)   High   Low
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  
2014       60.35       60.35       68.80       53.65  
2015       62.58       61.15       63.70       58.46  
2016       66.25       65.39       68.84       61.99  
Months       63.52       62.72       63.59       62.23  
April 2015       63.83       63.73       64.26       63.47  
May 2015       63.59       63.78       64.21       63.43  
June 2015       63.87       63.60       64.24       63.24  
July 2015       66.39       65.10       66.80       63.67  
August 2015       65.50       66.17       66.70       65.50  
September 2015       65.40       65.03       65.57       64.70  
October 2015       66.43       66.10       66.86       65.46  
November 2015       66.19       66.50       67.10       66.00  
December 2015       67.87       67.33       68.08       66.49  
January 2016       68.21       68.24       68.84       67.57  
February 2016       66.25       66.89       67.75       66.25  
March 2016       66.39       66.42       66.70       66.05  
April 2016       66.96       66.88       67.59       66.36  
May 2016       67.51       67.27       67.92       66.51  
June 2016       63.52       62.72       63.59       62.23  

 

(1) Represents the average of the U.S. dollar to Indian Rupee 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.

 

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 year ended March 31, 2016, of INR 65.43 to $1.00. In addition to the impact on gross profit, the volatility during the year ended March 31, 2016 also led to a non-cash foreign exchange loss of $0.07 million principally on our Indian subsidiaries’ foreign currency loans in the year ended March 31, 2016 compared to $0.9 million gain in the year ended March 31, 2015.

 

The following table sets forth our constant currency revenue (a non-GAAP financial measure) for the periods indicated. Constant currency revenue is a non-GAAP financial measure. We present constant currency revenue so that revenue may be viewed without the impact of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations, thereby facilitating period-to-period comparisons of business performance. Constant currency revenue is presented by recalculating prior period’s revenue denominated in currencies other than in US dollars using the foreign exchange rate used for the latest period. Our non-US dollar denominated revenue includes, but is not limited to, revenue denominated in Indian rupee, pound sterling and United Arab Emirates Dirham.

 

    Year ended March 31,  
    2016     2015     2014  
                (in thousands)              
    Reported     Constant
Currency
    Reported     Constant
Currency
    Reported     Constant
Currency
 
Revenue   $ 274,428     $ 274,428     $ 284,175     $ 270,845     $ 235,470     $ 232,183  
Cost of sales     (172,764 )     (172,764 )     (155,777 )     (147,499 )     (132,933 )     (129,593 )
Gross Profit   $ 101,664     $ 101,664     $ 128,398     $ 123,346     $ 102,537     $ 102,590  

 

69  

 

 

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

 

    Year ended March 31,
    2016   2015   2014
Revenue     —   %     (4.9 )%     (1.4 )%
Cost of sales     —         (5.6 )     (2.6 )
Gross profit     —   %     (4.1 )%     (0.1 )%

 

The Indian Rupee experienced an approximately 6.3 % drop in value as compared to the U.S. dollar in fiscal 2016, in fiscal 2015 the drop was 3.7%.

 

B. 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.

 

This year, while the Company continued to grow its business, the focus has also been on balance sheet and cash flow efficiencies. This was primarily on account of cash flow from operations that increased by 98.8% from $118.0 million as of March 31, 2015 to $234.6 million as of March 31, 2016 due to improved collection of receivables. Additionally cash outflows from investing activities amounted to $211.30 million as of March 31, 2016 from $279.2 million as of March 31, 2015. Further net debt reduced by $31.9 million to $129.1 million as of March 31, 2016 as compared $161.0 million as of March 31, 2015.

 

Trade accounts receivables were $169.3 million as of March 31, 2016 as compared to $197.8 million at March 31, 2015. This was primarily on account successful collection of outstanding dues from the Company’s customers. As of March 31, 2016, out of the total trade receivables 34.7% was not contractually due and only 1.7% was past due for over a year.

 

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. Furthermore, management believes that working capital is sufficient for our present requirements.

 

    Year ended March 31,
    2016   2015   2014
    (in thousands)
Current assets   $ 373,482     $ 366,592     $ 258,275  
Current liabilities     290,687       128,481       128,580  
Working capital   $ 82,795     $ 238,111     $ 129,695  

 

The significant decrease in working capital as at March 31, 2016 as compared to March 31, 2015, principally reflects an increase in short term borrowings on account of installments due within one year on long term borrowings classified as short term borrowing.

 

Indebtedness

 

As of March 31, 2016, we had aggregate outstanding indebtedness of $311.9 million, and cash and cash equivalents of $182.8 million. At March 31, 2016, the total available facilities were comprised of (i) revolving credit facilities, secured and unsecured term loans, and vehicle loans of $191.5 million at Eros India and Eros Worldwide, (ii) secured overdraft and term loan amounting to $47.0 million at Eros International Limited. In addition, at March 31, 2016, $ 1.5 million of unsecured commercial paper had been issued by Eros India, and Eros International plc has debt of $71.9 million in relation to a retail bond offering for £50 million in October 2014 and unsecured term loan. As at March 31, 2016, there were undrawn amounts under our facilities of $ 4.4 million.

 

70  

 

 

    As of
March 31, 2016
    (in thousands)
Eros India        
Secured revolving credit facilities   $ 32,146  
Secured term loans   $ 28,126  
Unsecured commercial paper   $ 1,511  
Vehicle loans   $ 257  
Unsecured other loan   $ 786  
Total   $ 62,826  
Eros International plc        
Retail Bond   $ 70,531  
Term Loan   $ 1,366  
Total   $ 71,897  
Eros International Limited        
Secured overdraft   $ 15,522  
Unsecured Working Capital Loan   $ 31,505  
Total   $ 47,027  
Eros International USA Inc.        
Vehicle loans   $ 3  
Total   $ 3  
         
Eros Worldwide        
Revolving credit facility (1)   $ 123,750  
Interest swap financing facility   $ 6,402  
Total   $ 130,152  
Total   $ 311,905  

 

(1) Borrowers under the revolving credit facility are Eros International Plc, Eros Worldwide FZ LLC, Eros International Limited 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 matures between 2017 and 2021 and bear interest at fluctuating interest rates pursuant to the relevant sanction letter governing such loans. As of March 31, 2016, our unsecured commercial paper issued by Eros India bore discount rates between 10% and 13% and has maturity dates ranging from one month to six months of the date of issuance thereof.

 

We expect to renew, replace or extend our borrowings as they reach maturity. As at March 31, 2016, we had net undrawn amounts of $4.4 million available.

 

71  

 

 

Sources and Uses of Cash

 

    Year Ended March 31,
    2016   2015   2014
    (in thousands)
Net cash from operating activities   $ 234,599     $ 117,955     $ 132,532  
Net cash used in investing activities   $ (211,355 )   $ (279,240 )   $ (161,020 )
Net cash from financing activities   $ 7,597     $ 177,561     $ 69,397  

 

Year ended March 31, 2016 Compared to Year Ended March 31, 2015

 

Net cash from operating activities in fiscal 2016 was $234.6 million, compared to $118.0 million in fiscal 2015, an increase of $116.6 million, or 98.8%, primarily due to increase in cash flow from operations, reduction in trade receivables of $28.5 million, increase in trade payables of $31.5 million due to deferred revenue from presales and accrued overages from hit films. This also included an increase in interest paid of $5.6 million and a decrease in income taxes paid of $4.5 million, from fiscal 2015. There was a decrease in working capital of $51.3 million in fiscal 2016 mainly because the revolving credit facility of $123,750 million which was part of a long term liability in fiscal 2015 was classified as a short term liability at the end of fiscal 2016.

 

Net cash used in investing activities in fiscal 2016 was $211.4 million, compared to $279.2 million in fiscal 2015, a decrease of $67.8 million, or 24.3%, reflecting the change in mix of films released in fiscal 2016 and our investment in film content in future years. Our investment in film content in fiscal 2016 was $211.3 million, compared to $276.2 million in fiscal 2015, a decrease of $64.9 million, or 23.5%. Fiscal 2015 investment in content also contained a stepped one-off investment for Eros Now content with additional funds available from the proceeds from the UK retail bond.

 

Net cash from financing activities in fiscal 2016 was $7.6 million, compared to $177.6 million in fiscal 2015, a decrease of $170 million, or 95.7%, primarily because we didn’t access the capital markets in fiscal 2016 as compared to fiscal 2015 where we had capital proceeds of $92.3 million from our follow on equity offering in 2015 and proceeds of $77.9 million on account of issuing Retail Bond.

 

Year ended March 31, 2015 Compared to Year Ended March 31, 2014

 

Net cash from operating activities in fiscal 2015 was $118.0 million, compared to $132.5 million in fiscal 2014, a decrease of $14.5 million, or 10.9%, which included a decrease in interest paid of $2.7 million and an increase in income taxes paid of $5.3 million, from fiscal 2014. There was an increase in working capital of $92.5 million in fiscal 2015 primarily due to an increase in trade receivables of $94.0 million and an increase of $1.4 million in trade payables compared to a $34.2 million increase in trade receivables and a $0.9 million increase in trade payables in fiscal 2014.

 

Net cash used in investing activities in fiscal 2015 was $279.2 million, compared to $161.0 million in fiscal 2014, an increase of $118.2 million, or 73.4%, reflecting the change in the number and mix of films released in fiscal 2014 and our investment in film content in future years. Our investment in film content in fiscal 2015 was $276.2 million, compared to $163.2 million in fiscal 2014, an increase of $113.0 million, or 69.2%, reflecting a stepped investment in Eros Now as well as future slate and opportunistic catalogue acquisitions.

 

Net cash from financing activities in fiscal 2015 was $177.6 million, compared to $69.4 million in fiscal 2014, an increase of $108.2 million, or 155.9%, primarily attributable to net share capital proceeds of $92.3 million from our follow on equity offering, net proceeds of short-term borrowings of $1.5 million and proceeds of net long-term borrowings of $63.6 million principally from our Retail Bond.

 

Capital Expenditures

 

In fiscal 2016, we invested $211.3 million in film content, and in fiscal 2017 we expect to invest approximately $225 million in film content.

 

C. Research and development

 

Not applicable

 

72  

 

 

D. Trend information

 

New accounting pronouncements issued but not yet effective

 

Certain new standards, interpretations and amendments to existing standards have been published that are mandatory for our accounting periods beginning on or after April 1, 2016 or later periods. Those which are considered to be relevant to Group’s operations are set out below.

 

IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers

 

i) In May 2014, the IASB issued IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“IFRS 15”). This standard provides a single, principle-based five-step model to be applied to all contracts with customers. Guidance is provided on topics such as the point at which revenue is recognized, accounting for variable consideration, costs of fulfilling and obtaining a contract and various other related matters. IFRS 15 also introduced new disclosure requirements with respect to revenue.

 

The five steps in the model under IFRS 15 are : (i) identify the contract with the customer; (ii) identify the performance obligations in the contract; (iii) determine the transaction price; (iv) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contracts; and (v) recognize revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies a performance obligation.

IFRS 15 replaces the following standards and interpretations:

 

  · IAS 11 Construction Contracts

 

  · IAS 18 Revenue

 

  · IFRIC 13 Customer Loyalty Programmes

 

  · IFRIC 15 Agreements for the Construction of Real Estate

 

  · IFRIC 18 Transfers of Assets from Customers

 

  · SIC-31 Revenue - Barter Transactions Involving Advertising Services

 

When first applying IFRS 15, it should be applied in full for the current period, including retrospective application to all contracts that were not yet complete at the beginning of that period. In respect of prior periods, the transition guidance allows an option to either:

 

  · apply IFRS 15 in full to prior periods (with certain limited practical expedients being available); or

 

  · retain prior period figures as reported under the previous standards, recognizing the cumulative effect of applying IFRS 15 as an adjustment to the opening balance of equity as at the date of initial application (beginning of current reporting period).

 

IFRS 15 is effective for fiscal years beginning on or after January 1, 2018. Earlier application is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that this new standard will have on its consolidated financial statements.

 

IAS 16 Property Plant and Equipment and IAS 38 Intangible Assets

 

In May 2014, the IASB issued two amendments with respect to IAS 16 Property, Plant and Equipment (“IAS 16”) and IAS 38 Intangible Assets (“IAS 38”) dealing with acceptable methods of depreciation and amortization.

 

The amended IAS 16 prohibits entities from using a revenue based depreciation method for items of property, plant and equipment. Further the amendment under IAS 38 introduces a rebuttable presumption that revenue is not an appropriate basis for amortization of an intangible asset. However this presumption can only be rebutted in two limited circumstances:

i) the intangible is expressed as a measure of revenue i.e. when the predominant limiting factor inherent in an intangible asset is the achievement of a contractually specified revenue threshold; or
ii) it can be demonstrated that revenue and the consumption of economic benefits of the intangible assets are highly correlated. In these circumstances, revenue expected to be generated from the intangible assets can be an appropriate basis for amortization of the intangible asset.

The amendments apply prospectively and are effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2016, with earlier application permitted. The Company does not believe that this amendment will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

 

73  

 

 

IFRS 9 Financial Instruments

 

In July 2014, the IASB finalized and issued IFRS 9 – Financial Instruments. IFRS 9 replaces IAS 39 “Financial instruments: recognition and measurement, the previous Standard which dealt with the recognition and measurement of financial instruments in its entirety upon the former’s effective date.

 

The Key requirements of IFRS 9:

 

  · Replaces IAS 39’s measurement categories with the following three categories:

 

  fair value through profit or loss

 

  fair value through other comprehensive income 

 

  amortized cost

 

  · Eliminates the requirement for separation of embedded derivatives from hybrid financial assets, the classification requirements to be applied to the hybrid financial asset in its entirety.

 

  · Requires an entity to present the amount of change in fair value due to change in entity’s own credit risk in other comprehensive income.

 

  · Introduces new impairment model, under which the “expected” credit loss are required to be recognized as compared to the existing “incurred” credit loss model of IAS 39.

 

  · Fundamental changes in hedge accounting by introduction of new general hedge accounting model which:

 

  Increases the eligibility of hedged item and hedging instruments;

 

  Introduces a more principles–based approach to assess hedge effectiveness.

 

IFRS 9 is effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2018.

 

Earlier application is permitted provided that all the requirements in the Standard are applied at the same time with two exceptions:

 

  · The requirement to present changes in the fair value of a liability due to changes in own credit risk may be applied early in isolation;

 

  · Entity may choose as its accounting policy choice to continue to apply hedge accounting requirements of IAS 39 instead of new general hedge accounting model as provided in IFRS 9.

 

The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this new standard on its consolidated financial statements.

 

IFRS 16 Leases

 

In January 2016, IASB has issued a new standard, IFRS 16 “Leases”. The new standard sets out the principles for recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of leases for both parties to a contract i.e. the lessee and the lessor. The standard provides a single lessee accounting model, requiring lessees to recognize assets and liabilities for all leases unless the lease term is 12 months or less or the underlying asset has a low value. Lessors continue to classify leases as operating or finance. IFRS 16 supersedes IAS 17 ‘Leases’ and related interpretations and is effective for periods beginning on or after 1 January 2019, with earlier adoption permitted in IFRS 15 ‘Revenue from Contracts with Customers’ has also been applied.

The Company is currently evaluating the impact that this new standard will have on its consolidated financial statements.

 

IAS 12 Income Taxes

 

In January 2016, the IASB issued amendments to IAS 12 – “Income taxes” to clarify the following:

· the carrying value of an asset does not limit the estimation of probable future taxable profits.
· estimates for future taxable profits exclude tax deductions resulting from the reversal of deductible temporary differences.

74  

 

 

· an entity assesses a deferred tax asset in combination with other deferred tax assets. Where tax law restricts the utilization of tax losses, an entity would assess a deferred tax asset in combination with other deferred tax assets of the same type. The amendments are effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2017. Earlier application is permitted.

 

The Company does not believe that this amendment will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

 

IAS 7 Statement of Cash Flows

 

In January 2016, the IASB issued amendments in IAS 7- “Statement of Cash Flows” to clarify and improve information provided to users of financial statements about an entity’s financing activities.

The IASB requires that the following changes in liabilities arising from financing activities to be disclosed (to the extent necessary):

· changes from financing cash flows;
· changes arising from obtaining and losing control of subsidiaries or other businesses;
· the effect of changes of foreign exchange rates;
· changes in fair values; and
· other changes.

The amendments are effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2017. Earlier application is permitted. Entities need not present comparative information when they first apply the amendments.

The Company is currently evaluating the effect of this amendment on its consolidated financial statements

 

IFRS 2 Share-based Payment

 

In June 2016, the IASB issued amendments to IFRS 2 – “Share-based Payment” to clarify the accounting for certain types of share-based payment transactions:

The amendments, which were developed through the IFRS Interpretations Committee, provide requirements on the accounting for the following:

· the effects of vesting and non-vesting conditions on the measurement of cash-settled share-based payments;
· share-based payment transactions with a net settlement feature for withholding tax obligations; and
· a modification to the terms and conditions of a share-based payment that changes the classification of the transaction from cash-settled to equity-settled

The amendments are effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2018. Earlier application is permitted.

The Company does not believe that this amendment will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

 

75  

 

 

Quarterly Financial Information

 

The table below presents our selected unaudited quarterly results of operations for the four quarters in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016. This information should be read together with our consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this annual report. We have prepared the unaudited financial data for the quarters presented on the same basis as our audited consolidated financial 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
    June 30,
2015
  September 30,
2015
  December31,
2015
  March 31,
2016
    (dollars in thousands)
Selected Quarterly Results of Operations                                
Revenue   $ 50,043     $ 98,791     $ 60,452     $ 65,142  
Cost of sales     (32,956 )     (53,575 )     (42,911 )     (43,322 )
Gross profit     17,087       45,216       17,541       21,820  
Administrative costs     (12,957 )     (19,064 )     (17,063 )     (14,935 )
Operating profit     4,130       26,152       478       6,885  
Net finance costs     (2,143 )     (2,549 )     (2,224 )     (1,094 )
Other losses     4,076       (5,016 )     2,761       (5,457 )
(Loss)/profit before tax     6,063       18,587       1,015       334  
Income tax expense     (2,296 )     (7,572 )     (3,468 )     625  
Net (loss)/income   $ 3,767     $ 11,015     $ (2,453 )   $ 959  
                                 
OTHER NON-GAAP MEASURES                                
EBITDA (1)   $ 8,572     $ 21,656     $ 3,768     $ 2,298  
Adjusted EBITDA (1)   $ 11,551     $ 36,037     $ 8,889     $ 14,375  
                                 
OPERATING DATA                                
High budget film releases (2)     2       3       1       —    
Medium budget film releases (2)     3       3       4       6  
Low budget film releases (2)     11       14       10       6  
Total new film releases (2)     16       20       15       12  

 

(1) We use EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA as supplemental financial measures. 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), transaction costs relating to equity transactions 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.

 

76  

 

 

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
    June 30,
2015
  September 30,
2015
  December 31,
2015
  March 31,
2016
    (in thousands)
Net (loss)/income   $ 3,767     $ 11,015     $ (2,453 )   $ 959  
Income tax expense     2,296       7,572       3,468       (625 )
Net finance costs     2,143       2,549       2,224       1,094  
Depreciation     179       243       288       444  
Amortization (a)     187       277       241       426  
EBITDA     8,572       21,656       3,768       2,298  
Impairment of available-for-sale financial assets     —         —         —         —    
Share based payments (b)     6,894       9,382       8,228       6,488  
Net loss/(gain) on held for trading financial liabilities     (3,915 )     4,999       (3,107 )     5,589  
Transaction costs relating to equity transactions     —         —         —         —    
Adjusted EBITDA   $ 11,551     $ 36,037     $ 8,889     $ 14,375  
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 March 31, 2016, revenue fluctuations primarily reflected the timing of major theatrical releases, with our highest quarterly revenues of $98.8 million in the three months ended September 30, 2015 as a result of the high budget theatrical releases of three high budget films Bajrangi Bhaijaan (Hindi), Welcome Back (Hindi) and Srimanthdu (Telugu) . The quarterly release schedule of new films led to the lowest quarterly revenues of $50.0 million in the three months ended June 30, 2015. The fluctuations in other losses reflect the changes in mark to market values of our interest derivative liabilities.

 

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. Our revenue and operating results are therefore seasonal in nature due to the impact on income of the timing of new releases as well as timing and quantum of catalogue revenues

 

E. 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 March 31, 2016, the Group has provided certain stand-by letters of credit amounting to $96.0 million (2015: $96.2 million) which are in the nature of performance guarantees issued while entering into film co-production contracts and are valid until funding obligations under these contracts are met. These guarantees, issued in connection with outstanding content commitments, have varying maturity dates.

 

77  

 

 

In addition, the Group issued financial guarantees amounting to $2.4 million (2015: $3.0 million) in the ordinary course of business, having varying maturity dates up to the next 12 months. The Group is only called upon to satisfy a guarantee when the guaranteed party fails to meet its obligations.

 

The Group did not earn any fee to provide such guarantees. It does not anticipate any liability on these guarantees as it expects that most of these will expire unused.

 

F. 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 March 31, 2016.

 

    As of March 31, 2016
    Total   Less than
1 year
  1-3
years
  3-5
years
  More than
5 years
    (in thousands)
Recorded Contractual Obligations                                        
Debt   $ 311,905     $ 219,275     $ 11,865     $ 7,135     $ 73,630  
                                         
Unrecorded Contractual Obligations                                        
Operating leases     2,023       647       1,376       —         —    
Film entertainment rights purchase obligations (1)     218,541       87,646       130,895       —         —    
Interest payments on debt (2)     37,458       12,873       12,152       9,937       2,496  
Total     258,022       101,166       144,423       9,937       2,496  

 

(1) The amounts disclosed as Film entertainment rights purchase obligations are mutually agreed terms and are presently disclosed on best estimate basis.
(2) The amounts shown in the table include future interest payments on variable and fixed rate debt at current interest rates ranging from 1.8% to 13%.

 

G. Safe Harbor

 

See “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” at the beginning of this Annual Report on Form 20-F.

 

78  

 

 

ITEM 6. DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES

 

A. Directors and Executive Officers

 

Our Board of Directors consists of nine directors.

 

The following table sets forth the name, age (as at June 30, 2016) and position of each of our directors and executive officers as at the date hereof.

 

Name   Age   Position/s
Directors        
Kishore Lulla   54   Director, Executive Chairman
Jyoti Deshpande   45   Director, Group Chief Executive Officer, Managing Director
Vijay Ahuja   59   Director, Vice Chairman
Sunil Lulla   52   Director, Executive Vice Chairman
Naresh Chandra (1)(2)(3)(4)   81   Director, Chairman of Remuneration Committee and Nomination Committee
Dilip Thakkar (1)(2)(3)(4)   79   Director, Chairman of Audit Committee
David Maisel (1)   54   Director
Rishika Lulla   29   Director
Rajeev Misra (1)   54   Director 
Senior Management        
Prem Parameswaran   47   President of North America & Group Chief Financial Officer
Mark Carbeck   44   Chief Corporate & Strategy Officer
Pranab Kapadia   44   President of Europe and Africa Operations
Surender Sadhwani   60   President of Middle East Operations
Ken Naz   57   President of US – Film Distributions

 

(1) Independent director
(2) Member of the Audit Committee
(3) Member of the Remuneration Committee
(4) Member of the Nomination Committee

 

Summarized below is relevant biographical information covering at least the past five years for each of our directors and executive officers.

 

Directors

 

Mr. Kishore Lulla is a director and our Chairman. Mr. Lulla received a bachelor’s 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. In 2010, Mr. Lulla was awarded the Entrepreneur of the Year at the GG2 Leadership and Diversity Awards and in 2015 was honored by the Asia Society Southern California. 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 father of Mrs. Rishika Lulla Singh, the brother of Mr. Sunil Lulla and a cousin of Mr. Vijay 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 preparation for our initial public offering in the U.S. 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 23 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, Eros India’s listing on the Indian Stock Exchanges in 2010 and our initial public offering on the NYSE in November 2013. Ms. Deshpande was featured in the list of Most Powerful Women in Business by Fortune India and Business Today in 2015.

 

79  

 

 

Mr. Vijay Ahuja is a director and our Vice Chairman. Mr. Ahuja received a bachelor’s 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 bachelor’s degree in commerce from Mumbai University. Mr. Lulla has over 21 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 Mr. Kishore Lulla, uncle of Mrs. Lulla Singh and the cousin of Mr. Ahuja and Mr. Sadhwani.

 

Mrs. Rishika Lulla Singh is a director and the CEO of Eros Digital, which covers all of the digital initiatives for Eros including Eros Now. Mrs. Lulla Singh has been instrumental in spearheading the creation, and development distribution of Eros Now within India and internationally. She graduated from the School Of Oriental and African Studies with a BA in South Asian Studies and Management and completed a postgraduate study at the UCLA School of Theatre, Film and Television. With over five years of experience in over-the-top platforms and content, Mrs. Lulla Singh has been a key contributor in driving the growth and penetration of Eros Now, both with technological developments and relationship management to stimulate platform penetration. She was recently named Young Entrepreneur of the Year by the 2016 Asian Business Awards. Mrs. Lulla Singh is the daughter of Mr. Kishore Lulla and the niece of Mr. Sunil Lulla. She has served as director since November 2014.

 

Mr. Naresh Chandra is a director. Mr. Chandra received a master’s 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 Governor 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 Liability 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 seven other Indian companies and one foreign company. 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 seven other listed public limited companies in India and seven foreign companies. He has served as a director since April 2006.

 

Mr. David Maisel is a director. Mr. Maisel has been an Advisor to Rovio, the owners of Angry Birds, since 2011, and is the Executive Producer of the Angry Birds feature film which released in May 2016. Mr. Maisel is also a Director at Gaiam, a NASDAQ listed company. Prior to this he served in senior executive positions with Marvel Entertainment from 2003 until 2010, where he conceived and spearheaded the creation of Marvel Studios, the launch of the “Iron Man” franchise, and Marvel’s 2010 sale to The Walt Disney Company. At Marvel, he was Chairman of Marvel Studios and also in the Office of the Chief Executive for its parent company, Marvel Entertainment. He was also the Executive Producer of “Iron Man,” “The Incredible Hulk,” “Iron Man 2,” “Thor,” and “Captain America: The First Avenger.” Prior to Marvel, Mr. Maisel served in senior executive positions at Endeavor Talent Agency, The Walt Disney Company, Creative Artists Agency, Chello Broadband, and The Boston Consulting Group. He is a graduate of Harvard Business School and Duke University. He has served as a director since November 2014

 

Mr. Rajeev Misra is a director. Mr. Misra was recently appointed head of Strategic Finance for SoftBank group. Prior to this appointment, Mr. Misra was a Senior Managing Director at Fortress Investment Group where he was the head of European investments. Previously, he served as Group Managing Director for UBS in London and was responsible for leverage finance, global credit, commercial real estate and emerging markets. Mr. Misra also spent 17 years in various senior leadership roles at Deutsche Bank and Merrill Lynch. Mr. Misra holds an MBA from the Sloan School of Management at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a Master’s degree in Computer Science and Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Pennsylvania. He has served as a director since December 2014.

 

80  

 

 

Senior Management

 

Mr. Prem Parameswaran is our Group Chief Financial Officer and President of Eros International’s North America operations. Mr. Parameswaran joined Eros with over 23 years of experience in investment banking, advising clients in the global telecommunications, media and technology sector, including on mergers and acquisitions and public, private equity and debt financings. Mr. Parameswaran most recently served as the Global Head of Media and Telecommunications Investment Banking at Jefferies LLC. Prior to Jefferies, he was the Americas Head of Media & Telecom at Deutsche Bank and also previously worked at both Goldman Sachs and Salomon Brothers. Mr. Parameswaran graduated from Columbia University and received an MBA from Columbia Business School. Mr. Parameswaran joined us in June 2015.

 

Mr. Mark Carbeck is our Chief Corporate & Strategy Officer, with management responsibility for Investor Relations, Group M&A and Corporate Finance.  Mr. Carbeck was formerly a Director in Citigroup’s Investment Banking Division in London, having joined the firm in New York in 1997.  Most recently Mr. Carbeck led the European Media investment banking coverage efforts at Citigroup and has deep media industry knowledge and strong relationships with major United Kingdom and international media companies. Mr. Carbeck graduated from the University of Chicago in 1994 with a Bachelor’s degree in History. Mr. Carbeck joined us in April 2014.

 

Mr. Pranab Kapadia is President Marketing & Distribution of our UK, Europe and Africa Operations. Mr. Kapadia received a Master’s degree in Management Studies (MMS) from Bombay University, majoring in Finance. He has over 20 years of experience in the Indian TV & Film Industry, previously having served with Zee Network for 10 years as Head of Operations & Programming (Europe) and later as Business Head of Adlabs Films (U.K.) Limited for one year. Mr Kapadia brings with him significant insight 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. Ken Naz  is our President of Americas Film Distributions. Mr. Naz has over 30 years of experience in media and entertainment. Mr Naz brings with him vast experience from both Bollywood as well as Hollywood film distribution and exhibition experience. He has been a key speaker at countless events, festivals Inc Harvard University. 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 served 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.

 

B. Compensation

 

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. Where required, the Remuneration Committee engages the services of external companies for the purposes of benchmarking of executive remuneration or such other remuneration related matter. 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 two of our non-executive directors, Naresh Chandra and Dilip Thakkar.

 

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. For information about service contracts entered into by us, or our subsidiaries, and certain of our executives, see “Part I — Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees — C. Board Practices.”

 

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

81  

 

 

The following tables and footnotes show the remuneration of each of our directors for fiscal 2016:

 

    Year ended March 31,
    2016
Salary
  2016
Director Fees
  2016
Benefits (1)
  2016
Total
  2015
Total
    (in thousands)
Kishore Lulla   $ 1,048     $ —       $ —       $ 1,048     $ 1,193  
Jyoti Deshpande     776       —         —         776       698  
Vijay Ahuja     373       —         —         373       399  
Sunil Lulla (2)     823       —         56       879       636  
Naresh Chandra     —         198       —         198       192  
DilipThakkar     —         90       —         90       97  
Michael Kirkwood (3)     —         —         —         —         67  
David Maisel     —         90       —         90       35  
Rishika Lulla Singh     276       —         6       282       108  
Rajeev Misra     —         —         —         —         —    
Total   $ 3,296     $ 378     $ 62     $ 3,736     $ 3,425  

 

(1) Health insurance, except for Sunil Lulla (see Note (2) below).
(2) (1) Sunil Lulla’s fiscal 2016 compensation consisted of the following (Indian Rupees translated to U.S. dollars at a rate of INR 64.5 per $1.00)

 

Particulars for Mr Sunil Lulla   INR   USD
Basic salary     1,32,00,000     $ 2,04,788  
Incentive compensation     58,56,400       90,857  
Reimbursements car/entertainment etc.     24,39,600       37,848  
Medical reimbursement     15,000       233  
Special pay     1,71,23,400       2,65,656  
Company rent accommodation     3,600,000       55,851  
Director’s fees     —         —    
Total India     42,234,400     $ 655,233  
Salary from Eros International Plc             223,819  
Total salary           $ 879,052  

 

(3) Michael Kirkwood ceased being a Director on December 1, 2014.

 

The total compensation paid to our executive officers in fiscal 2016 was $17.0 million (2015: $15.8 million).

 

The following table and footnotes show the cost recognized in fiscal 2016 in respect to all outstanding plans and by grant of shares, which are all equity settled instruments, to our directors is as follows:

 

    September 18,
2013
  June 5,
2014
  Option
2014
  IPO India
Plan
  JSOP   June 25,
2015
  Management
Scheme
  June 09,
2015
  Total
    (in thousands)
Kishore Lulla   $ —       $ 342     $ —       $ —         —         —         —       $ 2,649     2,991
Jyoti Deshpande     3,817       228       —         28       —         —         —         2,118     6,191
Sunil Lulla     —         253       —         —         —         —         —         2,118     2,371
Dilip Thakkar     —         —         —         —         —         —         —         169     169
Naresh Chandra     —         —         —         —         —         —         —         169     169
David Maisel     —         —         1,214       —         —         —         —         —       1,214
Rishika Lulla Singh     —         127       —         —         360       —         —         795     1,282
Rajeev Misra     —         —         —         —         —         1,002       1,563       —       2,565
Total   $ 3,817     $ 950     $ 1,214     $ 28       360       1,002       1,563     $ 8,018     16,952

 

82  

 

 

The awards made in fiscal 2016 comprised of share and option awards. In its meeting dated June 9, 2015, the Board of Directors approved the following grants/awards:

 

580,000 ‘A’ ordinary shares were granted to certain executive directors with a fair market value of $21.34 per shares subject to continued employment, these awards with Nil exercise price vest equally over a period of three years with the first 25% vesting six months from the grant date. These shares are yet to be issued.

 

Subject to continued employment, these awards with Nil exercise price, vest over a period of three years

 

  Number of
shares
Kishore Lulla 200,000
Sunil Lulla 160,000
Jyoti Deshpande 160,000
Rishika Lulla Singh   60,000

 

500,000 'A' ordinary share options were granted to a non-executive director with a fair market value of $8.44 per option. Subject to continued employment, these options with $18.00 exercise price, vest annually in five equal tranches beginning June 9, 2016. The charge for the grant has been accrued under ‘Management Scheme’.

 

On June 25, 2015, the Company received $5,400,000 in respect of an issue of 300,000 ‘A’ ordinary shares at $18.00 per share to a non-executive director. These shares were issued on July 16, 2015.

 

On June 9, 2015, 10,000 ‘A’ ordinary shares each were awarded to two non- executive directors at fair market value of $21.34 per share. Subject to continued employment, these awards vest on June 9, 2016. These shares were issued on February 2, 2016.

 

The remuneration committee in its meeting held on June 28, 2016 recommended that the Board of Directors approve share awards of 160,000 A ordinary shares to Jyoti Deshpande, 200,000 A ordinary shares to Kishore Lulla, 160,000 A ordinary shares to Sunil Lulla and 100,000 A ordinary shares to Rishika Lulla Singh for no consideration. One third of these share awards will vest annually in tranches beginning on June 28, 2016, subject to continued employment.

 

The details of the remaining awards in the year to directors are shown in the following table:

 

Name   Plane   Date of
Grant
  Number of
shares
Granted for
Fiscal 2015
  Grant Date
Fair Value
($)
  Expiration
Date
Rajeev Misra   Management Scheme (staff share grant )   June 9, 2015   500,000   $ 8.44   June 9, 2020

 

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 is eligible for this incentive bonus for a period of three years, until October 31, 2017. Sunil Lulla is 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.

 

83  

 

 

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
    2016   2015   2014
    (in thousands)
IPO India Plan   $ 1,736     $ 869     $ 499  
JSOP Plan     2,696       1,603       1,075  
Option award scheme 2012     1,610       1,824       —    
2014 Share Plan     2,361       264       —    
2015 Share Plan     932       60       —    
Other share option awards     894       554       —    
Management scheme (staff share grant)     20,763       16,741       16,847  
    $ 30,992     $ 21,915     $ 18,421  

 

Joint Stock Ownership Plan

 

In April 2012, the Company established a controlled trust called the Eros International Plc Employee Benefit Trust (“JSOP Trust”). The JSOP Trust purchased 2,000,164 shares of the Company out of funds borrowed from the Company and repayable on demand. The Company’s Board, Nomination and Remuneration Committee recommends to the JSOP Trust certain employees, officers and key management personnel, to whom the JSOP Trust will be required to grant shares from its holdings at nominal price. Such shares are then held by the JSOP Trust and the scheme is referred to as the “JSOP Plan.” The shares held by the JSOP Trust are reported as a reduction in stockholders’ equity and termed as ‘JSOP reserves’.

 

On August 4, 2015, the Company’s Employee Benefit Trust entered into a Joint ownership deed (the “2015 JSOP deed”) with certain employees in respect of 380,000‘A’ ordinary shares. These options were issued at a strike price of $24.00 and fair market value of $15.66. Subject to continued employment and market conditions set out in the 2015 JSOP deed, these options vest in May 2017.

 

The movement in the shares held by the JSOP Trust is given below:

 

    Year ended March 31
    2016   2015   2014
Shares held at the beginning of the period     1,919,460       2,000,164       2,000,164  
Shares exercised/lapsed     (573,262 )     (80,704 )     —    
Shares held at the end of the period     1,346,198       1,919,460       2,000,164  

 

Employee Stock Option Plans

 

A summary of the general terms of the grants under stock option plans and stock awards are as follows:

 

    Range of
exercise prices
IPO India Plan     INR10 – 175  
IPO Plan – June 2006     GBP 5.28  
JSOP Plan     $11.00 – 24.00  
Option award scheme 2012     $11.00  
2014 Share Plan     $14.97 - 18.50  
2015 Share Plan     $7.40 – 33.12  
Other share option awards     $18 - $18.88  

 

Employees covered under the stock option plans are granted an option to purchase shares of the Company at the respective exercise prices, subject to requirement of vesting conditions (generally service conditions). These options generally vest in tranches over a period of one to five years from the date of grant. Upon vesting, the employees can acquire one share for every option. The maximum contractual term for these stock option plans ranges between two to ten years.

 

84  

 

 

The activity in these stock option plans is summarized below:

 

        Year ended March 31  
        2016   2015   2014  
    Name of Plan   Number
of
shares
  Weighted
average
exercise
price
  Number
of
shares
  Weighted
average
exercise
price
  Number
of
shares
  Weighted
average
exercise
price
 
                                     
Outstanding at the beginning of the year   IPO India Plan   1,437,400   INR 52   1,397,682   INR 120   1,176,568   INR 112  
Granted       966,009     10   691,961     10   300,000     150  
Exercised       (180,920)     39   (534,084 )   153   (51,850 )   98  
Forfeited and lapsed       (26,274)     10   (118,159 )   147   (27,036 )   175  
Outstanding at the end of the year       2,196,215     35.17   1,437,400     52   1,397,682     120  
Exercisable at the end of the year       632,566   INR 78.00   413,337   INR 82   646,474   INR 136  
                                     
Outstanding at the beginning of the year   IPO Plan June 2006   62,438   GBP 5.28   62,438   GBP 5.28   62,438   GBP 5.28  
Granted                        
Exercised       —-                  
Forfeited and lapsed       —-                  
Outstanding at the end of the year       62,438   GBP 5.28   62,438   GBP 5.28   62,438   GBP 5.28  
Exercisable at the end of the year       62,438   GBP 5.28   62,438   GBP 5.28   62,438   GBP 5.28  
                                     
Outstanding at the beginning of the year   JSOP Plan   1,723,657   $ 11.60   2,000,164   11.00   2,000,164   $ 11.00  
Granted       380,000     24.00   242,035     15.34        
Exercised       (573,262)     11.00   (80,704   11.00        
Forfeited and lapsed       (290,900)     11.00   (437,838   11.00        
Outstanding at the end of the year       1,239,495   $ 14.98   1,723,657    $ 11.60   2,000,164   $ 11.00  
Exercisable at the end of the year       617,450   11.00   196,642    $ 11.00        
                                     
Outstanding at the beginning of the year   Option award scheme 2012   674,045     11.00              
Granted         $   807,648    $ 11.00        
Exercised             (133,603)     11.00        
Forfeited and lapsed                        
Outstanding at the end of the year       674,045   $ 11.00   674,045    $ 11.00        
Exercisable at the end of the year       224,682     11.00              
                                     
Outstanding at the beginning of the year   2014 Share Plan   230,000     16.27              
Granted       600,000   $ 18.40   230,000    $ 16.27        
Exercised                        
Forfeited and lapsed       (56,251)     17.13              
Outstanding at the end of the year       773,749   $ 17.86   230,000    $ 16.27        
Exercisable at the end of the year       96,664     15.99              
                                     
Outstanding at the beginning of the year   2015 Share Plan   200,000     17.46              
Granted       105,000   $ 15.35   200,000    $ 17.46        
Exercised                        
Forfeited and lapsed       (22,500)     19.17              
Outstanding at the end of the year       282,500   $ 16.68   200,000    $ 17.46        
Exercisable at the end of the year       72,708     16.90              
                                     
Outstanding at the beginning of the year   Other share option awards   500,000     18.88              
Granted       500,000     18.00   500,000     18.88        
Exercised                        
Forfeited and lapsed                        
Outstanding at the end of the year       1,000,000   $ 18.44   500,000    $ 18.88        
Exercisable at the end of the year       100,000     18.88              

 

85  

 

 

The following table summarizes information about outstanding stock options:

 

      Year ended March 31  
      2016   2015   2014  
Name of Plan     Weighted
average
remaining
life
(Years)
  Weighted
average
exercise
price
  Weighted
average
remaining
life
(Years)
  Weighted
average
exercise
price
  Weighted
average
remaining
life
(Years)
  Weighted
average
exercise
price
 
IPO India Plan     4.10   INR 35.0   2.90   INR 52   2.63   INR 120  
IPO Plan June 2006     0.25   GBP 5.28   1.00   GBP 5.28   2.00   GBP 5.28  
JSOP Plan     5.93   $ 14.98   7.30   $ 11.60   8.00   $ 11.00  
Option award scheme 2012     5.83   $ 11.00   5.50   $ 11.00        
2014 Share Plan     6.88   $ 17.86   6.47   16.27        
2015 Share Plan     5.91   $ 16.68   6.49   17.46        
Other share option awards     5.75   $ 18.44   6.00   18.88        

 

The following table summarizes information about inputs to the fair valuation model for options granted during the year:

 

    IPO India Plan   JSOP (4)   2014
Share plan
  2015
Share plan
Expected volatility (1)(2)     35% - 75%       42 %     40 %     40% - 60%  
Option life (Years)     5.00 - 7.00       10.00       4.50 - 5.25       10.00  
Dividend yield     0 %     0 %     0 %     0 %
Risk free rate     7.74% - 8.50%       0.43% - 2.82%       0.67% - 1.70%       0.24% - 1.46%  
Range of fair value of the granted options at the grant date (3)     INR 284 – 380       $15.66       $6.9 – 8.44       $2.7 - 13.10  

 

(1) The expected volatility in respect of the IPO India Plan is based on Eros International Media Limited’s historic volatility.
(2) The expected volatility of all other options is based on the historic share price volatility of the Company over time periods comparable to the time from the grant date to the maturity dates of the options.
(3) The fair value of options under the JSOP Plan was measured using a Monte-Carlo simulation models. Fair value of options granted under all other schemes is measured using a Black Scholes model.
(4) Options under the JSOP Plan are subject to service and performance conditions as set out in the JSOP deed

 

Management Scheme (staff share grant)

 

On September 9, 2014, 36,000 ‘A’ ordinary shares were issued to certain independent directors at $15.97 per share based on the closing market price on June 5, 2014.

 

On October 21, 2014, 116,730 ‘A’ ordinary shares were awarded to certain employees at $17.07 per share based on the closing market price on such date. These shares are restricted and vest over a period of three years on a pro-rata basis. 34,760 shares have since been issued.

 

On June 5, 2014, the Board of Directors approved a grant of 525,000 ‘A’ ordinary share awards with a fair market value of $14.95 per option, to certain executive directors and members of senior management. These awards vest subject to certain share price conditions being met on or before May 31, 2015 and the employee remaining in service until May 31, 2015. As at March 31, 2016 except for 30,000 share awards, all shares have been issued.

 

In June 2015, 300,000 ‘A’ ordinary shares awards were granted to the Group CFO with a fair market value of $21.34 per share. Subject to continued employment, these awards with nominal value exercise price vest annually in three tranches beginning June 9, 2016. As at March 31, 2016, these shares are yet to be issued.

 

86  

 

 

Additionally, on June 9, 2015, the Board of Directors approved a grant of 580,000 ‘A’ ordinary shares to certain executive directors with a fair market value of $21.34 per shares subject to continued employment, these awards with Nil exercise price vest equally over a period of three years with the first 25% vesting six months from the grant date. The shares are yet to be issued as at March 31, 2016.

 

None of the above grants have been forfeited during the period. The charge for these grants have been accrued under ‘Management scheme’ (Staff share grant) and ‘2014 Share Plan’.

 

On September 4, 2015 the Company entered in to an employment exit agreement with an employee pursuant to which the board approved a grant of 20,000 ‘A’ ordinary share awards with Nil exercise price and a fair market value of $33.66 per share. The shares are yet to be issued as at March 31, 2016.

 

On September 18, 2013, 1,676,645 ‘A’ ordinary shares were issued to our CEO and Managing Director at $4.02 per share based on the closing market price on such date. These shares are restricted and vest over a period of three years on a pro-rata basis.

 

In June 2015, 300,000 ‘A’ ordinary shares awards were granted to the non-executive director with a fair market value of $21.34 per share. Subject to continued employment, these awards with the exercise price of $18. These shares were issued on July 16, 2015

 

On June 9, 2015, 10,000 ‘A’ ordinary shares each were awarded to two non-executive directors and a consultant with par value exercise price and a fair market value of $21.34 per share. Subject to continued employment, these awards vest on June 9, 2016. These shares were issued on February 2, 2016.

 

JOINT SHARE OWNERSHIP RESERVE

 

    (in thousands)  
Balance at April 1, 2015   $ (24,474 )
Issue out of treasury shares     7,307  
Balance at March 31, 2016   $ (17,167 )

 

The Joint share ownership reserve represents the cost of shares issued by Eros International Plc and held by the JSOP Trust to satisfy the requirements of the Joint Share Ownership Plan (see Note 26).  On June 5, 2014, the Board approved discretionary vesting of 20% of the applicable JSOP shares. In the current year 573,262 (2015: 80,704) ‘A’ ordinary shares held by the JSOP Trust were issued to eligible employees.

 

The number of shares held by the JSOP Trust at March 31, 2016 was 1,346,198 ‘A’ ordinary shares (2015: 1,919,460 Ordinary ‘A’ shares).

 

C. Board Practices

 

All directors hold office until the expiration of their term of office, their resignation or removal from office for gross negligence or criminal conduct by a resolution of our shareholders or until they cease to be directors by virtue of any provision of law or they are disqualified by law from being directors or they become bankrupt or make any arrangement or composition with their creditors generally or they become of unsound mind. The term of office of the directors is divided into three classes:

· Class I, whose term will expire at the annual general meeting to be held in fiscal 2018;
· Class II, whose term will expire at the annual general meeting to be held in fiscal 2016; and
· Class III, whose term will expire at the annual general meeting to be held in fiscal 2017.

 

Our directors for fiscal 2016 are classified as follows:

· Class I: Kishore Lulla, Naresh Chandra and David Maisel;
· Class II: Jyoti Deshpande, Vijay Ahuja and Rajeev Misra; and
· Class III: Sunil Lulla, Dilip Thakkar and Rishika Lulla Singh.

 

87  

 

 

Governance Standards

 

We are subject to NYSE listing standards. However, 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 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.

 

We are currently in compliance with the current applicable NYSE corporate governance requirements for foreign private issuers.

 

Indemnification Agreements

 

We have entered 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.

 

Service Contracts and Letters of Appointment

 

Kishore Lulla has entered into a service agreement with Eros Network Limited to provide services to us and our subsidiaries. The service agreements is terminable by either party with 12 months’ written notice. Eros Network Limited 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 (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 executive receive a basic gross annual salary, reviewed annually, and is entitled to participate in any current share option schemes and bonus schemes applicable to their positions maintained by the employing company. The 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.

 

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 received an annual fee of $93,750. In connection with our initial public offering, this letter of appointment was terminated, and for so long as Mr. Lulla is our executive officer, he will not receive compensation as a director.

 

On February 17, 2016, with effect from April 1, 2016, Kishore Lulla’s employment contract was transferred to Eros Digital FZ LLC at a gross annual salary of $1,133,000 and all other employments contracts were terminated. All other conditions of the employment contracts remain the same.

 

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.

 

88  

 

 

Jyoti Deshpande, our director, has entered into an employment contract with us pursuant to which she serves as Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director and is entitled to receive a gross base 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 “A” ordinary shares on September 18, 2013, of which an equal percentage of shares are restricted for one, two and three years from the date of issuance. In addition, on November 18, 2013, Ms. Deshpande received 181,818 A ordinary shares as part of a contractual arrangement valued at $2.0 million based on the $11.00 initial public offering. The employment 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 base 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 from July 16, 2013.

 

Ms. Deshpande also owns 142,790 shares of Eros India that came from previously vested options that she exercised.

 

On February 17, 2016, with effect from April 1, 2016, it was agreed in a letter agreement between Eros International Plc, Eros Digital FZ LLC and Ms. Deshpande that she would receive a gross annual salary of $700,000 from Eros International Plc and $100,000 from Eros Digital FZ LLC. Ms. Deshpande’s service agreement with Eros International Limited would stand terminated as of April 1, 2016 and her ongoing agreement with Eros International Media Limited remains unchanged.

 

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 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.

 

Mrs. Rishika Lulla Singh, our director, has entered into a service agreement on July 3, 2015 with Eros Digital FZ LLC, pursuant to which she serves as the Chief Executive Officer and an executive director of Eros Digital FZ LLC which provides her with an annual salary of $148,456. The employment agreement is for a term of three years and is terminable by either party by giving 12 months written notice. On February 17, 2016 with effect from April 1, 2016, an amended and restated service agreement was executed with Ms Rishika Lulla Singh by Eros Digital FZ LLC which entitles her to a gross annual salary of $320,000.

 

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, from July 2007 and April 2006 respectively, and thereafter are terminable by either the non-executive director or by us with three months’ written notice, or by us immediately in the case of fraud. From April 1 2016, this fee has been increased to $95,000 per annum.

 

It was resolved at a board meeting held on June 28, 2016 that Dilip Thakkar and Naresh Chandra both be entitled to annual fees of $95,000 with retrospective effect from fiscal 2017.

 

Mr. David Maisel, our director, has entered into a service agreement with us, pursuant to which he serves as a non-executive director, which provides him with an annual fee of $89,075. The service agreement is terminable by either party with 30 days written notice. The service agreement is for a term of five years and three months from November 2014. Mr. Maisel was granted options to purchase up to 500,000 A ordinary shares at $18.88 as part of his service agreement, such options vest in five equal tranches commencing in November 2015. There are certain conditions under which, if the agreement is terminated before the relevant vesting date, the unvested options lapse.

 

Mr. Rajeev Misra, our director, has entered into a service agreement with us on June 17, 2015, pursuant to which he serves as a non-executive director. The service agreement is terminable by either party with 30 days written notice. The service agreement is for a term of five years and three months from December 1, 2014. Mr. Misra was granted options to purchase up to 500,000 A ordinary shares at $18.00 as part of his service agreement, such options vest in five equal tranches commencing June 2015. There are certain conditions under which, if the agreement is terminated before the relevant vesting date, the unvested options lapse.

 

89  

 

 

Mr. Prem Parameswaran, our Group Chief Financial Officer and President North America, has entered into a employment agreement with us on May 26, 2015 which provides him with an annual salary of $450,000. The employment agreement is for a term of three years and is terminable by either party by giving 12 months written notice. Mr. Parameswaran is also entitled to 300,000 A ordinary shares at $0.45 per share as part of his employment agreement, these shares are restricted, but will cease to be so in three equal tranches from May 2016. Mr Parameswaran was also granted options to purchase up to 300,000 A ordinary shares at $18.30 as part of his employment agreement, such options vest in three equal annual tranches commencing in June 2016.

 

Mr Mark Carbeck, our Chief Corporate and Strategy Officer and Mr. Pranab Kapadia, our President of Europe and Africa Operations, have both entered into service agreements with Eros International Limited to provide services to us and certain of our subsidiaries. The service agreements are 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. Carbeck and Mr Kapadia receive a basic gross annual salary and are entitled to participate in any current bonus scheme applicable to their positions. 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.

 

Board Committees

 

We currently have an Audit Committee, Remuneration Committee and Nomination Committee, whose responsibilities are summarized below. We believe that the composition of these committees meet the criteria for independence under, and the functioning of these committees comply with the requirements of, the SOX Act, the rules of the NYSE and the SEC rules and regulations applicable to us.

 

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 is available on our website at www.erosplc.com . Information contained in our website is not a part of, and is not incorporated by reference into, this annual report.

 

The current members of our Audit Committee are Messrs. Thakkar (Chair) and Chandra. The Audit Committee met four times during fiscal 2016. Our 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 is available on our website at www.erosplc.com . Information contained in our website is not a part of, and is not incorporated by reference into, this annual report.

 

The current members of our Remuneration Committee are Messrs. Chandra (Chair) and Thakkar. The Remuneration Committee met three times during fiscal 2016. Our 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 is available on our website at www.erosplc.com. Information contained in our website is not a part of, and is not incorporated by reference into, this annual report.

 

The current members of our Nomination Committee are Messrs. Chandra (Chair) and Thakkar. The Nomination Committee is an ad hoc committee and met once during fiscal 2016. Our board of directors has determined that each of the members of our Nomination Committee is independent.

 

90  

 

 

D. Employees

 

As of March 31, 2016, we had 544 employees, with 487 employees based in India, and the remainder employed by our international subsidiaries. All are full time employees or contractors. Our employees are not unionized. We believe that our employee relations are good.

 

E. Share Ownership

 

The following table sets forth information with respect to the beneficial ownership of our ordinary shares as at June 30, 2016 by each of our directors and all our directors and executive officers as a group. As used in this table, beneficial ownership means the sole or shared power to vote or direct the voting or to dispose of or direct the sale of any security. A person is deemed to be the beneficial owner of securities that can be acquired within 60 days upon the exercise of any option, warrant or right. Ordinary shares subject to options, warrants or rights that are currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days are deemed outstanding for computing the ownership percentage of the person holding the options, warrants or rights, but are not deemed outstanding for computing the ownership percentage of any other person. The amounts and percentages as at June 30, 2016 are based on an aggregate of 57,911,718 ordinary shares outstanding as at that date.

 

    Number of A Ordinary Shares
Beneficially Owned
  Number of B Ordinary Shares
Beneficially Owned
Directors   Number of
Shares of
A
  Percent
of Class
  Number of
Shares of
B
  Percent
of Class
Executive Officers                                
Kishore Lulla (1)     2,075,071       6.3 %     24,960,654       100.0 %
Jyoti Deshpande (2)     2,189,611       6.6 %     —         —    
Vijay Ahuja (3)     —         —         24,793,987       99.3 %
Sunil Lulla     *       *       —         —    
Dilip Thakkar     *       *       —         —    
Naresh Chandra     *       *       —         —    
David Maisel     *       *       —         —    
Rishika Lulla Singh     *       *       —         —    
Rajeev Misra (7)     818,449       2.5 %     —         —    
Executive Officers                                
Kishore Lulla (1)     2,075,071       6.3 %     24,960,654       100.0 %
Jyoti Deshpande (2)     2,189,611       6.6 %     —         —    
Vijay Ahuja (3)     —         —         24,793,987       99.3 %
Sunil Lulla     *       *       —         —    
Rishika Lulla Singh     *       *       —         —    
Prem Paramsewaran     *       *       —         —    
Mark Carbeck     *       *       —         —    
Pranab Kapadia     *       *       —         —    
Surender Sadhwani     *       *       —         —    
Ken Naz     *       *       —         —    
All directors and executive officers as a group     5,083,131       15.4 %     24,960,654       100.0 %

 

* 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.
(2) 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 of our shares which she was issued on September 18, 2013 under her employment agreement. Ms Deshpande received a further 181,818 A ordinary shares as part of a contractual arrangement and sold 300,000 shares in July 2014 as part of our follow on equity offering. Ms Deshpande received 90,000 and 160,000 A ordinary shares in 2015 and 2016 as part of executive director share awards.
(3) Vijay Ahuja’s interest in shares is by virtue of his being a potential beneficiary of discretionary trusts that hold our shares.

 

91  

 

 

Kishore Lulla and Vijay Ahuja, by virtue of their holdings of B ordinary shares have different voting rights to the other Directors. 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.

 

Options to purchase ‘A’ ordinary from the Company are granted from time to time to directors, officers and employees of the Company on terms and conditions acceptable to the Board of Directors.

 

The following table provides the JSOP Plan details with respect to the directors and officers

 

Name   Number of 
‘A’ ordinary 
Shares Options
  Date of
Grant
  Exercise 
Price 
($USD)
  Expiration
Date
Rishika Lulla Singh     242,034       August 2014     $ 15.34     August 2024
Pranab Kapadia     132,013       April 2012     $ 11.00     April 2018
Surender Sadhwani     130,000       August 2015     $ 24.00     May 2017

 

The following table provides option details with respect to the directors and officers.

 

Name   Number of 
‘A’ ordinary 
Shares Options
  Date of
Grant
  Exercise 
Price 
($USD)
  Expiration
Date
Prem Parameswaran     300,000       June 2015     $ 18.3     June 2018
Rajeev Misra     500,000       June 2015     $ 18.00     June 2018
Surender Sadhwani     674,045       September 2014     $ 11.00     June 2017
David Maisel     500,000       February 2015     $ 18.88     February 2020
Ken Naz     20,813       June 2006       GBP 5.28     June 2016
Mark Carbeck     70,000       February 2015     $ 14.97     March 2025
Jyoti Deshpande (1)     20,813       June 2006       GBP 5.28     June 2016

 

(1)   In addition Jyoti Deshpande also has 571,160 share options in Eros International Media Limited by virtue of the IPO India Plan. The options have a three year vesting period commencing July 16, 2013, with an exercise price of $1.14.

 

ITEM 7. MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

A. Major Shareholders

 

The following table and accompanying footnotes provide information regarding the beneficial ownership of our ordinary shares as of June 30, 2016 with respect to each person or group who beneficially owned 5% or more of our issued ordinary shares.

 

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 June 30, 2016.

 

The number of shares and percentage beneficial ownership of A ordinary shares below is based on 57,911,718 issued ordinary shares as of June 30, 2016.

 

92  

 

 

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.

 

    Number of A Ordinary Shares
Beneficially Owned
  Number of B Ordinary Shares
Beneficially Owned
Major shareholders   Number of
A Shares
  Percent
of Class
  Number of
B Shares
  Percent
of Class
Kishore Lulla (1)     2,075,071       6.3 %     24,960,654       100.0 %
Vijay Ahuja (2)     —         —         24,793,987       99.03 %
Beech Investments (3)     —         —         24,793,987       99.3 %
Capital Research Global Investors     4,709,740       14.3 %     —         —    
Fullerton Investments     3,000,000       9.1 %     —         —    
Dalton Investments     2,937,178       8.9 %                
Jyoti Deshpande     2,189,611       6.6 %     —         —    
Paradice Investment Management LLC     1,988,368       6.0 %     —         —    
Jupiter Asset Management     1,659,028       5.0 %                

 

(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.
(2) Vijay Ahuja’s interests in shares are by virtue of being potential beneficiaries of discretionary trusts that hold our shares.
(3) 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 directors Kishore Lulla and Vijay Ahuja as beneficiaries. The shares currently held by Beech Investments Limited are being held as B ordinary shares, but will convert into A ordinary shares (pursuant to Section 22.1 of the Articles of Association) upon being transferred to a person who is not a Permitted Holder (as defined in Section 22.1 of the Articles of Association).

The following summarizes the significant changes in the percentage ownership held by our major shareholders during the past three years:

· Prior to our listing on the NYSE on November 18, 2013 the interests of all our major shareholders were in ordinary GBP 0.10 shares.
· 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 of our shares which she was issued on September 18, 2013 under her employment agreement. Ms Deshpande received a further 181,818 A ordinary shares as part of a contractual arrangement and sold 300,000 shares in July 2014 as part of our follow on equity offering. Ms Deshpande received 90,000 and 160,000 A ordinary shares in 2015 and 2016 as part of executive director share awards.
· Capital Research Global Investors reported its percentage ownership of our ordinary shares to be 14.7% (based on the then number of our ordinary shares reported as outstanding at that time) in a Schedule 13G/A filed with the Commission on February 16, 2016.
· Fullerton Fund Management Company Ltd reported its percentage ownership of our ordinary shares to be 9.94% (based on the then number of our ordinary shares reported as outstanding at that time) in a Schedule 13G filed with the Commission on February 17, 2015.
· Dalton Investments reported its percentage ownership of our ordinary shares to be 9.2% (based on the then number of our ordinary shares reported as outstanding at that time) in a Schedule 13D filed with the Commission on December 8, 2015.
· Paradice Investment Management LLC reported its percentage ownership of our ordinary shares to be 6.20% (based on the then number of our ordinary shares reported as outstanding at that time) in a Schedule 13G/A filed with the Commission on February 9, 2016.
· Jupiter Asset Management Ltd reported its percentage ownership of our ordinary shares to be 5.14% (based on the then number of our ordinary shares reported as outstanding at that time) in a Schedule 13G/A filed with Commission on February 12, 2016.

 

Kishore Lulla, Vijay Ahuja and Beech Investments Limited, by virtue of their holdings of B class shares have different voting rights to the other major shareholders. 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.

 

93  

 

 

As of March 31, 2016, approximately 30,264,993 of our A ordinary shares, representing 91.9% of our outstanding A ordinary shares, were held by a total of 6 record holders with addresses in the United States. Computershare, N.A., the depositary, has advised us that, as of March 31, 2016, approximately 52.2% of our total outstanding ordinary shares in the form of 30,256,422 A ordinary shares, were held of record by DTC, the Depository Trust Company, under the nominee name of Cede & Co., on behalf of DTC participants. The number of beneficial owners of our A ordinary shares in the United States is likely to be much larger than the number of record holders of our A ordinary shares in the United States.

 

B. Related Party Transactions

 

The following is a description of transactions since April 1, 2012 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, and father of Mrs. Rishika Lulla Singh, each of whom are directors, 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, uncle to Mrs. Lulla Singh, and a cousin of Mr. Ahuja and Mr. Sadhwani. Mr. Ahuja is a cousin of Mr. Kishore Lulla and Mr. Sunil Lulla. Mrs Lulla Singh is the daughter of Mr Kishore Lulla and niece of Mr Sunil Lulla. Mr. Sadhwani is a cousin of Mr. Kishore Lulla and Mr. Sunil Lulla. Mr. Arjan Lulla, our founder, is the father of Mr. Kishore Lulla and Mr. Sunil Lulla, grandfather of Mrs. Lulla Singh, 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, the wife of Mr. Kishore Lulla, respectively, is an employee of our subsidiary. Ms Ridhima Lulla, is the daughter of Mr Kishore Lulla and an employee of our subsidiary. Mrs Krishika Lulla is the wife of Mr Sunil Lulla and an employee of Eros India.

 

Leases

 

Pursuant to a lease agreement that expires on March 31, 2016, the lease requires Eros International Media Limited to pay $5,000 each month under this lease. Eros International Media Limited leases apartments for studio use at Kailash Plaza, 3rd Floor, Opp. Laxmi Industrial Estate, Andheri (W), Mumbai, from Manjula K. Lulla, the wife of Kishore Lulla. The lease was renewed on April 1, 2016 for a further period of one year on the same terms.

 

Pursuant to a lease agreement that expired on September 30, 2015, the lease requires Eros International Media Limited to pay $5,000 each month under this lease. Eros International Media Limited leases for use as executive accommodations the property Aumkar Bungalow, Gandhi Gram Road, Juhu, Mumbai, from Sunil Lulla. The lease was renewed on October 1, 2015 for a further period of three years on the same terms.

 

Pursuant to a lease agreement that expires on January 4, 2020, Eros International Media Limited leases office premise for studio use at Supreme Chambers, 5th Floor, Andheri (W), Mumbai from Kishore and Sunil Lulla. Beginning January 2015, the lease requires Eros International Media Limited to pay $60,000 each month under this lease.

 

Pursuant to a lease agreement that expires on April 1, 2020, the real estate 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 lease commenced on April 1, 2015, and required the Group to pay $11,000 each month. The lease was renewed on April 1, 2015 for a further period of five years on the same terms. This is a non-cancellable lease.

 

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 is a potential beneficiary. The current lease commenced on November 19, 2009 and requires the Group to pay $148,000 each quarter.

 

Honorary Appointment of Mr. Arjan Lulla

 

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 of $300,000, $325,000 and $339,000 in the respective years ended March 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, for the services of Arjan Lulla, the father of Kishore Lulla and Sunil Lulla, grandfather of Rishika Lulla Singh, uncle of Vijay Ahuja and Surender Sadhwani and an employee of Redbridge Group Ltd towards services as honorary life president. Redbridge Group Ltd. is an entity owned indirectly by a discretionary trust of which Kishore Lulla is a potential beneficiary.

 

94  

 

 

Lulla Family Transactions

 

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. In the year ended March 31, 2016 NextGen Films Pvt. Ltd. sold film rights $2,728,000 (2015: $23,550,000, 2014: $12,483,000) to the Group, and purchased film rights, including production services, of $NIL (2015 $275,000 and 2014: $3,923,000).

 

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. In March 31, 2016, Everest Entertainment Pvt. Ltd. sold film rights of $Nil (2015: $408,000 and 2014: $700) to the Group, and did not purchase any film rights from the Group in years ended March 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014.

 

Mrs. Manjula Lulla, the wife of Kishore Lulla, is an employee of Eros International Limited-UK and is entitled to a salary of $154,000 per annum.(2015:$167,000, 2014:$158,000) Mrs. Krishika Lulla, the wife of Sunil Lulla, is an employee of Eros India and is entitled to a salary of $138,000 per annum.(2015:$115,542, 2014:$25,000) Ms. Riddhima Lulla, the daughter of Kishore Lulla, is an employee of Eros International Limited and is entitled to a salary of $38,000 per annum.(2015:$10,100, 2014:Nil).

 

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 and all digital 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 expired in December 2014. Upon expiration, the agreement provides that it 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. The relationship agreement was accordingly extended for a further period of two years on February 13, 2014.

 

Eros Foundation

 

Prior to our listing on the NYSE in November 2013, we issued the equivalent of 282,949 A 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 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.

 

95  

 

 

C. Interests of Experts and Counsel

 

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

A. Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information

 

Please see “Part III — Item 18. Financial Statements” for a list of the financial statements filed as part of this Annual Report on Form 20-F.

 

B. Significant Changes

 

On August 1, 2015, Eros’ subsidiary Eros International Media Limited (“EIML”) acquired 100% of the shares and voting interests in Techzone. The Company expects that this acquisition will enable the Group to utilize Techzone’s billing integration and distribution across major telecom operators in India and will complement its existing Eros Now service.

 

In accordance with the terms of the agreement between the parties, EIML issued 900,970 equity shares to the shareholders Techzone at an acquisition date fair value of INR 586 ($9.16) per share, calculated on the basis of traded share price of EIML on the date of acquisition. EIML has made an advance of $2.5 million to Techzone prior to the acquisition to provide working capital.

 

Acquisition related cost of $106,300 has been included in “Administrative cost” in the consolidated statements of income.

 

Pending completion of valuation of assets, including intangible assets, the purchase price has been allocated on a preliminary basis to net assets based on initial estimates. As a result, values attributed to specified assets and liabilities including goodwill and other intangible assets may change. Finalization of the purchase price allocation is expected to be completed by July 31, 2016.

 

The following table summarizes the preliminary allocation of the purchase price:

 

    As at August 1, 2015
    (in thousands)
Current assets    
Cash   $ 263  
Trade and other receivables     4,866  
Non-current assets        
Deferred tax assets     134  
Property, plant and equipment     584  
Purchase price pending allocation     5,751  
Other non-current assets     2,585  
Current liabilities        
Trade and other payables     (3,338 )
Short-term borrowings     (1,490 )
Non-Current borrowings        
Long-term borrowings     (992 )
Other long term liabilities     (112 )

 

The trade receivables comprise gross contractual amounts due of $2.6 million and the Company, based on its best estimate at the acquisition date, expects to collect the entire amount.

 

Impact of the acquisition on the results of the Company

 

The acquisition of Techzone contributed $4.3 million to the Company’s consolidated revenue and a loss of $0.2 million to the Company’s profit for the year ended March 31, 2016.

 

Had the acquisition occurred on 1 April 2015, consolidated revenue and profit after tax for the year would have been $278.7 million and $13.4 million respectively.

 

96  

 

 

ITEM 9. THE OFFER AND LISTING

 

A. Offer and Listing Details

 

The high and low last reported sale prices for our shares for the periods indicated are as shown below. We note that the periods are split between when Eros International was listed on the Alternative Investment Market (“AIM”) and when it was listed on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) on November 13, 2013. With respect to the trading prices on AIM, the prices are adjusted to reflect the one-for-three reverse stock split, which occurred on November 18, 2013, and 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. Amounts on the NYSE share price table below are for the period November 18, 2013 to May 31, 2016; and on the AIM share price table, for the period 1 April 2010 to November 18, 2013, only.

 

    Price per share on NYSE
    High   Low
Fiscal year:                
2014   $ 16.07     $ 8.94  
2015   $ 22.44     $ 13.65  
2016   $ 37.60     $ 6.81  
Fiscal Quarter:                
First quarter 2016   $ 25.12     $ 16.29  
Second quarter 2016   $ 37.60     $ 23.69  
Third quarter  2016   $ 32.18     $ 7.08  
Fourth quarter 2016   $ 12.11     $ 6.81  
Month:                
April 2015   $ 18.64     $ 16.99  
May 2015   $ 19.95     $ 16.29  
June 2015   $ 25.12     $ 20.32  
July 2015   $ 36.32     $ 23.69  
August 2015   $ 37.60     $ 28.74  
September 2015   $ 33.83     $ 26.14  
October 2015   $ 32.18     $ 11.17  
November 2015   $ 13.62     $ 7.08  
December 2015   $ 10.23     $ 8.42  
January 2016   $ 8.84     $ 6.92  
February 2016   $ 10.12     $ 6.81  
March 2016   $ 12.11     $ 7.51  
April 2016   $ 13.38     $ 10.45  
May 2016   $ 15.30     $ 12.96  

 

    Price per share on AIM
    High   Low
Fiscal year:                
2011   $ 13.37     $ 7.51  
2012   $ 13.11     $ 9.54  
2013   $ 15.02     $ 8.05  
Fiscal Quarter:                
First quarter 2013   $ 15.02     $ 8.50  
Second quarter  2013   $ 11.53     $ 8.05  
Third quarter  2013   $ 11.81     $ 8.90  
Fourth quarter  2013   $ 12.16     $ 10.44  
First quarter 2014   $ 11.36     $ 8.79  
Second quarter 2014   $ 13.45     $ 9.06  
Month:                
October 2013     $ 11.05     $ 10.27  
November 2013   $ 11.05     $ 10.27  

 

Our closing price on AIM on November 13, 2013 was $11.18.

 

97  

 

 

B. Plan of Distribution

 

Not applicable.

 

C. Markets

 

Our shares are listed on the NYSE under the symbol “EROS.”

 

D. Selling Shareholders

 

Not applicable.

 

E. Dilution

 

Not applicable.

 

F. Expenses of the Issue

 

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 10. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

 

A. Share Capital

 

Not applicable.

 

B. Memorandum and Articles of Association

 

Eros International Plc was incorporated in the Isle of Man on March 31, 2006 under the 1931 Act, as a public company limited by shares and effective as of September 29, 2011, was de-registered under the 1931 Act and re-registered as a company limited by shares under the 2006 Act. We maintain our registered office at Fort Anne, Douglas, Isle of Man IM1 5PD; our principal executive office in the U.S. is at 550 County Avenue, Secaucus, New Jersey 07094.

 

At March 31, 2016, Eros International plc has authorized share capital of 58,372,679 A ordinary shares at a par value of GBP 0.30 per share, of which 32,949,314 is issued share capital, and authorized share capital of 24,960,654 B ordinary shares at a par value of GBP 0.30 per share, of which 24,960,654 is entirely issued and outstanding.

 

Our activities are regulated by our Memorandum and Articles of Association. We adopted revised Articles of Association by special resolution of our shareholders passed on April 24, 2012. The material provisions of our revised Articles of Association are described below. In addition to our Memorandum and Articles of Association, our activities are regulated by (among other relevant legislation) the 2006 Act. Our Memorandum of Association states our company name, that we are a company limited by shares, that our registered office is at Fort Anne, Douglas, Isle of Man IM1 5PD, that our registered agent is Cains Fiduciaries Limited and that neither the memorandum of association nor the articles of association may be amended except pursuant to a resolution approved by a majority of not less than three-fourths of such members as, being entitled so to do, vote in person or by proxy at the general meeting at which such resolution is proposed. Below is a summary of some of the provisions of our Articles of Association. It is not, nor does it purport to be, complete or to identify all of the rights and obligations of our shareholders.

 

The summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to our Articles of Association. See “Part III — Item 19. Exhibits — Exhibit 1.1” and “Part III — Item 19. Exhibits — Exhibit 1.2.”

 

The following is a description of the material provisions of our articles of association, ordinary shares and certain provisions of Isle of Man law. This summary does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to our Articles of Association, See “Part III - Item 19.

 

98  

 

 

Board of Directors

 

Under our Articles of Association, 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 consists 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.

 

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.

 

99  

 

 

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.

 

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.

100  

 

C. Material Contracts

 

We have not entered into any material contracts other than in the ordinary course of business and other than those described in “Part I —Item 4.—Information on the Company” or elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 20-F.

 

D. 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.

 

E. Taxation

 

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 we are considered for tax purposes as a company domiciled abroad, any dividend income in respect of 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, whether or not the seller of such share or interest has a residence, place of business, business connection, or any other presence in India, if, on the specified date, the value of such assets (i) represents at least 50% of the value of all assets owned by the company or entity, and (ii) exceeds the amount of 100 million rupees. However, the impact of the above indirect transfer provisions would need to be separately evaluated under the tax treaty scenario.

 

Further, dividend payments to us by our Indian subsidiaries are subject to withholding of dividend distribution tax in India, at an effective rate of 20.3%, including applicable cess and surcharge.

 

An equalization levy or EL in respect of e-commerce transactions has been introduced in India with effect from June 1, 2016. EL is to be deducted in respect of payments towards “specified services” (in excess of INR 100,000). A “Specified service” means online advertisement, any provision for digital advertising space or any other facility or service for the purpose of online advertisement and includes any other service as may be notified. Deduction of EL at the rate of six per cent (on a gross basis) is the responsibility of Indian residents / non-residents having a permanent establishment or PE in India on payments to non-residents (not having a PE in India). Consequently, if a non-resident (not having a PE in India) earns income towards a “specified service” which is chargeable to EL, then the same would be exempt in the hands of non-resident company.

 

The concept of Place of Effective Management or POEM has also been introduced with effect from April 1, 2017 for the purpose of determining the tax residence of overseas companies in India. The POEM is defined to mean a place where key management and commercial decisions that are necessary for the conduct of the business of an entity as a whole are in substance made. This could have significant impact on the foreign companies holding board meeting(s) in India, having key managerial personnel located in India, having regional headquarters located in India, etc. In the event the POEM of a foreign company is considered to be situated in India and consequently, it becomes tax resident in India, its global income would be taxable in India (even if it is not earned in India).

 

Pursuant to the Finance Act, 2015, the central government is empowered to levy a Swachh Bharat Cess or SBC on all or any of the taxable services at the rate of 2% of the value of taxable services. Pursuant to a notification by the central government, an SBC of 0.5% of the value of the taxable services is to be levied on all taxable services with effect from November 15, 2015. Further, according to the frequently asked questions in connection with SBC issued by Central Board of Excise and Customs, since SBC is not integrated in the CENVAT credit chain, the credit of SBC will not be permitted. Further, SBC cannot be paid by utilizing credit of any other duty or tax and will have to be paid in cash. Accordingly, SBC will be a cost to taxpayers. Pursuant to the Finance Act, 2016, the central government has also imposed a new levy by way of Krishi Kalyan Cess or KKC with effect from June1, 2016, on all or any of the taxable services at the rate of 0.5% of the value of taxable services. The credit of KKC paid on input services is permitted to be used for payment of the proposed cess leviable on taxable services provided by a service provider. The levy of SBC along with KKC has increased the effective rate of service tax to 15% with effect from June 1, 2016.

 

101  

 

 

The Government of India has also proposed a national goods and services tax or GST regime, which would replace most of the indirect taxes on goods and services, such as central excise duty, service tax, countervailing duty of customs duty, special additional duty of customs, central sales tax, state value added tax, surcharge and excise, entry tax, state level entertainment taxes currently being levied and collected by the central and state governments in India. However, the basic duty of customs would continue to be levied. The Government of India has recently released a model GST law.

 

Further, the General Anti Avoidance Rules or GAAR will come into effect from April 1, 2017. GAAR provisions are intended to restrict “impermissible avoidance arrangements,” which would be any arrangement, the main purpose or one of the main purposes of which is to obtain a tax benefit and which satisfy at least one of the following tests: (i) creation of rights, or obligations, not ordinarily created between persons dealing at arm’s-length; (ii) resulting, directly or indirectly, in misuse or abuse of provisions of the Income Tax Act, 1961; (iii) lacking, or is deemed to be lacking, commercial substance, in whole or in part; or (iv) is entered into or carried out by means, or in a manner, not ordinarily employed for bona fide purposes. If GAAR provisions are invoked, Indian tax authorities would have wider powers, including denial of tax benefit or a benefit under a tax treaty.

 

Additionally, in relation to transfer pricing, pursuant to the Finance Act, 2016, a three tiered transfer pricing documentation structure was introduced in India, consisting of a master file, a local file and a country-by-country report. Such a structure is in line with the recommendations contained in the action plan on the Base Erosion and Profit Shifting or BEPS project issued by the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development or OECD in October 2015.

 

Summary of Material Isle of Man Tax Considerations

 

Tax residence in the Isle of Man

 

We are 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 return fee of £380 (US $495) 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 £1,000,000 (US $1,300,000) is approximately £8,000 (US $10,400).

 

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;

102  

 

 

· 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 estate and gift taxes or 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.

 

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. Our A ordinary shares are listed on the NYSE and we 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) (B) 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.

 

103  

 

 

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 2016 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.

 

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 ( before the current taxable year) and gain realized on disposition of the A ordinary 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 an “excess distribution,” (including a disposition) 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.

 

104  

 

 

In addition, as explained above 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(a) annually if the aggregate value of all your directly owned PFIC shares on the last day of the year is $25,000 or more ($50,000 on a joint return) or if you are deemed to own indirectly more than $5,000 in value of any PFIC shares owned by us; (b) you receive distributions on the A ordinary shares or realize any gain on the disposition of the A ordinary shares if you held our A ordinary shares in any year in which we were classified as a PFIC, or (c) you have made a mark-to market election (as described below) 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. Our A ordinary shares are listed on the NYSE and we 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.

 

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.

 

105  

 

 

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. Special rules apply to stock in a PFIC. 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.

 

F. Dividends and Paying Agents

 

Not applicable.

 

G. Statement by Experts

 

Not applicable.

 

H. Documents on Display

 

Publicly filed documents concerning our company which are referred to in this annual report may be inspected and copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the Commission at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Copies of these materials can also be obtained from the Public Reference Room at the Commission’s principal office, 100 F Street, N.E., Washington D.C. 20549, after payment of fees at prescribed rates.

 

The Commission maintains a website at www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding registrants that make electronic filings through its Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis, and Retrieval, or EDGAR, system. We have made all our filings with the Commission using the EDGAR system.

 

I. Subsidiary Information

 

For more information on our subsidiaries, please see “Part I — Item 4. Information on the Company — C. Organizational Structure.”

 

106  

 

 

ITEM 11. 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 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.

 

We entered into an interest rate swap contract in fiscal 2012 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 in fiscal 2012. The effect of these instruments, which are still valid, 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.

 

Foreign Currency Risk

 

We operate throughout the world with significant operations in India, the British Isles, the United States 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 Sterling, 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, 2016 would have decreased our net income by approximately $3.9 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, 2016 as a result of an increase in the percentage of liabilities denominated in foreign currency over the comparative period. As of March 31, 2016, 48% of our borrowings are denominated in foreign currency.

 

In management’s opinion, the sensitivity analysis is not representative 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 may be subject to significant fluctuations in fair market value due to volatility in the industries in which they operate. As at March 31, 2016, the aggregate value of all such equity investments was $30.1 million. For further discussion of our investments see Note 17 to our audited Consolidated Financial Statements appearing elsewhere in this Annual Report.

 

107  

 

 

ITEM 12. DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIES

 

A. Debt Securities

 

Not applicable.

 

B. Warrants and Rights

 

Not applicable.

 

C. Other Securities

 

Not applicable.

 

D. American Depository Shares

 

Not applicable.

 

108  

 

 

PART II

 

ITEM 13. DEFAULTS, DIVIDEND ARREARAGES AND DELINQUENCIES

 

None.

 

ITEM 14. MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS AND USE OF PROCEEDS

 

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 15. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

As required by Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act, management has evaluated, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this annual report. Disclosure controls and procedures refer to controls and other procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the Commission. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in our reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding our required disclosure.

 

Based on the foregoing, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as at March 31, 2016, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective and provide a reasonable level of assurance.

 

Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 

Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act.

 

Internal control over financial reporting refers to a process designed by, or under the supervision of, our Group Chief Executive Officer and Group Chief Financial Officer and effected by our Board of Directors, management and other personnel, to provide reasonable assurance to our management and Board of Directors regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and includes those policies and procedures that:

· pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of our assets;
· provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that our receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of our management and members of our Board of Directors; and
· provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on our financial statements.

 

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect all misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate due to changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

 

Management assessed the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as at March 31, 2016, based on the criteria established in 2013  Internal Control — Integrated Framework  issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on the above criteria, and as a result of this assessment, management concluded that, as at March 31, 2016, our internal control over financial reporting was effective in providing reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

 

This annual report does not include an attestation report of our independent registered public accounting firm regarding internal controls over financial reporting because the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act provides an exemption from such requirement as we qualify as an emerging growth company.

 

109  

 

 

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 

During the period covered by this report, no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) promulgated under the Exchange Act), have occurred that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

ITEM 16A. AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT

 

Our Audit Committee members are Messrs. Dilip Thakkar (Chairman) and Naresh Chandra. Each of Messrs. Thakkar and Chandra are an independent director pursuant to the applicable rules of the Commission and the NYSE. See “Part I — Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees — A. Directors and Executive Officers” for the experience and qualifications of the members of the Audit Committee. Our Board of Directors has determined that Mr. Thakkar qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert” as defined in Item 16A of Form 20-F.

 

ITEM 16B. CODE OF ETHICS

 

We have adopted a written Code of Business Ethics and Conduct that is applicable to all of our directors, senior management and employees. We have posted the code on our website at www.erosplc.com . Information contained in our website does not constitute a part of this annual report. We will also make available a copy of the Code of Business Ethics and Conduct to any person, without charge, if a written request is made to Investor Relations at our offices at 13 Manchester Square, London W1 U3PP, United Kingdom.

 

ITEM 16C. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

 

Principal Accountant Fees and Services

 

Grant Thornton India LLP has served as our independent public accountant for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014. The following table shows the fees we paid or accrued for the audit and other services provided by Grant Thornton India LLP and associated entities for the years ended March 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014.

 

    Fiscal
    2016   2015   2014
Audit fees   $ 1,203,000     $ 709,000     $ 475,000  
Audit-related fees     —        —         41,000  
Tax fees     45,000       38,000       22,000  

 

Notes:

 

Audit fees. This category consists of fees billed for the audit of financial statements, quarterly review of financial statements and other audit services, which are normally provided by the independent auditors in connection with statutory and accounting matters that arose during, or as a result of, the audit or the review of interim financial statements and include the group audit; comfort letters and consents; attest services; and assistance with and review of documents filed with the Commission.

 

Audit-related fees. This category consists of fees billed for assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of our financial statements or that are traditionally performed by the external auditor, and include service tax certifications.

 

Tax fees. This category includes fees billed for tax audits .

 

Audit Committee Pre-approval Process

 

Our Audit Committee reviews and pre-approves the scope and the cost of all audit and permissible non-audit services performed by our independent auditor. All of the services provided by Grant Thornton India LLP and associated entities during the last fiscal year have been pre-approved by our Audit Committee.

 

110  

 

 

ITEM 16D. EXEMPTIONS FROM THE LISTING STANDARDS FOR AUDIT COMMITTEES

 

As permitted by the rules of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, our audit committee is currently comprised of two non-executives. We believe that our reliance on this exemption from the listing standards for audit committees does not materially adversely affect the ability of our audit committee to act independently.

 

ITEM 16E. PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY THE ISSUER AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS

 

Neither we, nor any affiliated purchaser, made any purchase of our equity securities in fiscal 2016.

 

ITEM 16F. CHANGE IN REGISTRANT’S CERTIFYING ACCOUNTANT

 

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 16G. CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

 

We have posted our Corporate Governance Guidelines on our website at www.erosplc.com . Information contained on our website does not constitute a part of this annual report.

 

The table below summarizes the composition of our committees during the year.

 

    Audit
Committee
  Remuneration
Committee
  Nomination
Committee
             
Naresh Chandra   Member   Chairman   Chairman
Dilip Thakkar   Chairman   Member   Member

 

Each of Messrs. Chandra and Thakkar satisfies the “independence” requirements of the NYSE listing standards and the “independence” requirements of Rule 10A-3 of the Exchange Act. Messrs. Kirkwood and Coote also satisfied these requirements during their tenure.

 

As our shares are listed on the NYSE, we are subject to the NYSE listing standards. We believe that our corporate governance practices do not differ in any significant way from those required to be followed by issuers incorporated in the United States under the NYSE listing standards, except that the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act generally provides shareholders of United States public companies with the right to cast three types of votes: (i) an advisory vote to approve the compensation of the named executive officers, (ii) an advisory vote on the frequency with which shareholders should be entitled to cast votes on the company’s executive compensation, and (iii) an advisory vote to approve certain payments made in connection with an acquisition, merger or other specified corporate transaction. We, as a foreign private issuer, are not subject to these requirements and we do not adopt any such voting practices.

 

As a foreign private issuer, we are exempt from the rules under the Exchange Act governing the furnishing and content of proxy statements, and our directors, senior management and principal shareholders are exempt from the reporting and “short-swing profit” recovery provisions contained in Section 16 of the Exchange Act.

 

ITEM 16H. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE

 

Not applicable.

 

111  

 

 

ITEM 17. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

See “Part III — Item 18. Financial Statements” for a list of our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this annual report.

 

ITEM 18. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

The following statements are filed as part of this annual report, together with the report of the independent registered public accounting firm:

 

· Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm Grant Thornton India LLP
   
· Consolidated Statements of Financial Position as at March 31, 2016 and 2015
   
· Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended March 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014
   
· Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the years ended March 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014
   
· Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity for the years ended March 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014
   
· Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended March 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014
   
· Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

 

112  

 

 

ITEM 19. EXHIBITS

 

The following exhibits are filed as part of this annual report:

 

Exhibit
Number
Title    
1.1 Memorandum of Association   (c)
1.2 Articles of Association   (c)
2.1 Form of A Share Certificate   (d)
4.1 Relationship Agreement, dated as of December 16, 2009, between Eros International Media Limited, the Company and Eros Worldwide FZ-LLC   (b)
4.2 Shareholders’ Agreement, dated as of January 13,2007, between Eros Multimedia Private Limited and The Group and Big Screen Entertainment Private Limited   (b)
4.3 Shareholders’ Agreement for Ayngaran International Limited, dated as of July 11,2007   (b)
4.4 Employment Agreement of Sunil Lulla as Executive Vice Chairman of Eros International Medial Limited, dated September 29, 2009   (b)
4.5 Service Agreement of Prem Parameswaran as Chief Financial Officer and President of North America and Group Chief Financial Officer, dated May 26, 2015   (f)
4.6 Service Agreement of Kishore Lulla, dated February 17, 2016   (a)
4.7 Service Agreement of Vijay Ahuja as Vice Chairman and President (International) dated June 27, 2006   (b)
4.8 Rules of the Eros International Plc Bonus Share Plan Unapproved Option Scheme 2006, dated May 17, 2006   (b)
4.9 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   (b)
4.10 Increase Confirmation, dated January 12, 2012, from UBS AG, Singapore Branch, to Lloyds TSB Bank Plc as Facility Agent and Eros International Plc   (b)
4.11 IPO Plan Form of Option Agreement   (d)
4.12 Eros International Media Pvt. Ltd. ESOP 2009   (c)
4.13 Form of Joint Share Ownership Deed Measured By Total Share Return   (c)
4.14 Form of Joint Share Ownership Deed Measured By Super Total Share Return   (c)
4.15 Form of Joint Share Ownership Deed Measured By Earnings Per Share   (c)
4.16 Employee Benefit Trust Deed   (c)
4.17 Form of Option Agreement for Option Awards Approved April 17, 2012   (d)
4.18 Service Agreement of Jyoti Deshpande as Group Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Eros International Plc, date September 5, 2013   (e)
4.19 Letter agreement for Employment between Eros International PLC, Eros Digital FZ LLC and Jyoti Deshpande dated February 17, 2016.   (a)
4.20 Employment Agreement of Jyoti Deshpande as Executive Director of Eros International Media Limited, dated August 29, 2013   (d)

 

 

113  

 

 

Exhibit
Number
Title    
4.21 Service Agreement of Vijay Ahuja as Executive Director of Eros International Pte Ltd, dated April 1, 2013   (d)
4.22 Service Agreement of Pranab Kapadia as President – Europe & Africa of Eros International Ltd., dated December 1, 2007   (d)
4.23 Amended and Restated Service Agreement of Rishika Lulla Singh as Chief Executive Officer – Eros Digital FZ LLC, dated February 17, 2016   (a)
4.24 Service Agreement of Mark Carbeck as Chief Corporate and Strategy Officer, dated  April 3, 2014   (a)
4.25 Service Agreement of David Maisel as Non-Executive Director, dated February 13, 2015   (f)
4.26 Service Agreement of Rajeev Misra as Non-Executive Director, dated June 17, 2015   (f)
4.27 Form of 2014 Option Agreement for Option Awards   (f)
4.28 Form of 2015 Option Agreement for Option Awards   (f)
4.29 Trust Deed constituting the £50 million 6.50% Bonds due 2021, dated October 15, 2014   (f)
4.30 Amended Credit Agreement, between Eros International Plc, Citibank, N.A., London Branch, Lloyds TSB Bank Plc and the Royal Bank of Scotland Plc, dated February 12, 2015   (f)
4.31 Form of Increase Confirmation, dated July 31, 2013, from HSBC Bank Plc to Lloyds TSB Bank Plc as Facility agent and Eros International Plc   (d)
8.1 Subsidiaries of Eros International Plc   (a)
12.1 Certification of Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a)   (a)
12.2 Certification of Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a)   (a)
13.1 Certification of Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350   (a)
13.2 Certification of Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350   (a)
15.2 Consent to Use of Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry – KPMG Indian Media and Entertainment Industry Reports   (a)

___________________

(a) Filed herewith
(b) Previously filed on March 30, 2012 as an exhibit to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-180469) and incorporated herein by reference.
(c) Previously filed on April 24, 2012 as an exhibit to Amendment No. 1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-180469) and incorporated herein by reference.
(d) Previously filed on October 29, 2013 as an exhibit to Amendment No. 5 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-180469) and incorporated herein by reference.
(e) Previously filed on November 5, 2013 as an exhibit to Amendment No. 6 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-180469) and incorporated herein by reference.
(f) Previously filed on July 8, 2015 as an exhibit to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F and incorporated herein by reference.

 

114  

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

The registrant hereby certifies that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form 20-F and that it has duly caused and authorized the undersigned to sign this annual report on its behalf.

 

 

Date: July 26, 2016 EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC
     
  By: /s/ Jyoti Deshpande
  Name: Jyoti Deshpande
  Title: Group Chief Executive Officer

 

115  

 

EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC

INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm Grant Thornton India LLP F-2
Consolidated Statement of Financial Position as of March 31, 2016 and 2015 F-3
Consolidated Statements of Income for the Years Ended March 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 F-4
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the Years Ended March 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 F-5
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended March 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 F-6
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity for the Years Ended March 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 F-7
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements F-10

 

F- 1
 

 

 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

Board of Directors and Shareholders

Eros International PLC

We have audited the accompanying consolidated statements of financial position of Eros International PLC and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of March 31, 2016 and 2015, and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, changes in equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended March 31, 2016. 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. We were not engaged to perform an audit of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Our audits 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. An audit also includes 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 March 31, 2016 and 2015, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended March 31, 2016, in conformity with International Financial Reporting Standards, as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board.

 

/s/ Grant Thornton India LLP

 

Mumbai, India

July 26, 2016

 

 

F- 2  

 

 

EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION

AS AT MARCH 31, 2016 AND 2015

 

        As at March 31  
    Note   2016     2015  
        (in thousands)  
ASSETS                    
Non-current assets                    
Property, plant and equipment   13   $ 10,686     $ 9,272  
Goodwill   14     1,878       1,878  
Purchase price pending allocation   4     5,561        
Intangible assets — trade name   14     14,000       14,000  
Intangible assets — content   15     795,139       719,214  
Intangible assets — others   16     2,546       2,204  
Available-for-sale financial assets   17     30,147       29,917  
Trade and other receivables   19     9,521       5,692  
Deferred tax assets   11     167       151  
Other non-current assets         3,512       613  
Total non-current assets       $ 873,157     $ 782,941  
                     
Current assets                    
Inventories   18   $ 287     $ 475  
Trade and other receivables   19     188,361       209,676  
Current tax receivable         238       455  
Cash and cash equivalents   21     182,774       153,664  
Restricted deposits         1,822       2,322  
Total current assets         373,482       366,592  
                     
Total assets       $ 1,246,639     $ 1,149,533  
                     
LIABILITIES                    
Current liabilities                    
Trade and other payables   20   $ 65,178     $ 29,453  
Short-term borrowings   23     219,275       96,397  
Current tax payable         6,234       2,631  
Total current liabilities       $ 290,687     $ 128,481  
                     
Non-current liabilities                    
Long-term borrowings   23   $ 92,630     $ 218,273  
Other long term liabilities         536       354  
Derivative financial instruments   24     22,850       19,284  
Deferred tax   11     30,842       27,086  
Total non-current liabilities       $ 146,858     $ 264,997  
                     
Total liabilities       $ 437,545     $ 393,478  
                     
EQUITY                    
Share capital   25   $ 30,793     $ 30,622  
Share premium         356,865       345,385  
Reserves         423,151       389,682  
Other components of equity   28     (53,310 )     (43,881 )
JSOP reserve   27     (17,167 )     (24,474 )
Equity attributable to equity holders of Eros International Plc       $ 740,332     $ 697,334  
                     
Non-controlling interest         68,762       58,721  
Total equity       $ 809,094     $ 756,055  
Total liabilities and shareholder’s equity       $ 1,246,639     $ 1,149,533  

 

The accompanying notes form an integral part of these financial statements.

F- 3  

 

 

EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

FOR THE YEARS ENDED MARCH 31, 2016, 2015 AND 2014

 

        Year ended March 31  
    Note   2016     2015     2014  
        (in thousands, except per share amounts)  
Revenue   5   $ 274,428     $ 284,175     $ 235,470  
Cost of sales         (172,764 )     (155,777 )     (132,933 )
Gross profit         101,664       128,398       102,537  
Administrative cost         (64,019 )     (49,546 )     (42,680 )
Operating profit         37,645       78,852       59,857  
Financing cost   8     (13,719 )     (10,791 )     (9,910 )
Finance income   8     5,709       4,930       2,393  
Net finance cost   8     (8,010 )     (5,861 )     (7,517 )
Other losses   9     (3,636 )     (10,483 )     (2,353 )
Profit before tax         25,999       62,508       49,987  
Income tax expense   10     (12,711 )     (13,178 )     (12,843 )
Profit for the year       $ 13,288     $ 49,330     $ 37,144  
Attributable to:                            
Equity holders of Eros International Plc       $ 3,797     $ 40,344     $ 29,861  
Non-controlling interest         9,491       8,986       7,283  
        $ 13,288     $ 49,330     $ 37,144  
Earnings per share (cents)                            
Basic earnings per share   12     6.6       74.3       65.5  
Diluted earnings per share   12     5.2       72.4       65.2  

 

The accompanying notes form an integral part of these financial statements.

 

F- 4  

 

 

EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

FOR THE YEARS ENDED MARCH 31, 2016, 2015 AND 2014

 

        Year ended March 31  
    Note   2016     2015     2014  
        (in thousands, except per share amounts)  
Profit for the year       $ 13,288     $ 49,330     $ 37,144  
Other comprehensive income:                            
Items that will not be subsequently reclassified to profit or loss                            
Revaluation of property (net of tax)         399              
                             
Items that will be subsequently reclassified to profit or loss                            
Exchange differences on translating foreign operations         (12,993 )     (7,247 )     (15,706 )
Reclassification of cash flow hedge to income statement         804       804       1,233  
Impairment loss on available-for-sale financial assets               820        
Total other comprehensive (loss) for the year       $ (11,790 )   $ (5,623 )   $ (14,473 )
Total comprehensive income for the period, net of tax       $ 1,498     $ 43,707     $ 22,671  
                             
Attributable to                            
Equity holders of Eros International Plc         (5,632 )     35,778       19,978  
Non-controlling interest         7,130       7,929       2,693  

 

The accompanying notes form an integral part of these financial statements.

 

F- 5  

 

 

EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED MARCH 31, 2016, 2015 AND 2014 

        Year ended March 31  
    Note   2016     2015     2014  
        (in thousands)  
Cash flow from operating activities                            
Profit before tax       $ 25,999     $ 62,508     $ 49,987  
Adjustments for:                            
Depreciation   13     1,154       1,089       789  
Share based payment   26     30,992       21,915       18,421  
Amortization of intangible film and content rights   15     128,303       117,254       99,620  
Amortization of other intangible assets   16     1,131       608       578  
Other non-cash items   29     4,562       17,005       1,858  
Net finance costs   8     8,010       5,861       7,517  
Movement in trade and other receivables         19,690       (93,975 )     (34,204 )
Movement in inventories         189       67       216  
Movement in trade and other payables         31,457       1,361       927  
(Gain)/loss on sale of property, plant and equipment         (3 )     (9 )     7  
Cash generated from operations         251,484       133,684       145,716  
Interest paid         (12,536 )     (6,929 )     (9,656 )
Income taxes paid         (4,349 )     (8,800 )     (3,528 )
Net cash generated from operating activities       $ 234,599     $ 117,955     $ 132,532  
                             
Cash flows from investing activities                            
Advance given to an undertaking   4   $     $ (2,465 )   $  
Purchase of available for sale investment         (230 )            
Purchase of property, plant and equipment         (1,702 )     (529 )     (102 )
Proceeds from disposal of property, plant and equipment         56       29       12  
Proceeds from/(investment in) restricted deposits held with banks         76       (2,935 )      
Acquisition of cash and cash equivalent in subsidiary         263              
Purchase of intangible film rights and content rights         (211,253 )     (276,216 )     (163,150 )
Purchase of other intangible assets         (1,500 )     (1,322 )     (112 )
Interest received         2,935       4,198       2,332  
Net cash used in investing activities       $ (211,355 )   $ (279,240 )   $ (161,020 )
                             
Cash flows from financing activities                            
Proceeds from issue of share capital, net of transaction costs       $ 5,414     $ 110,027     $ 50,608  
Proceeds from issue of shares by subsidiary         137       1,477       150  
Proceeds from issue out of treasury shares         6,294       888        
Proceeds from/(repayment of) short term debt with maturity less than three months (net)         1,918       (2,983 )      
Proceeds from short term debt         79,695       69,815       10,474  
Repayment of short term debt         (72,746 )     (65,296 )      
Proceeds from long term debt, net of transaction costs of $139 (2015: $1,909,2014: $Nil)         13,847       91,206       29,830  
Repayment of long term debt         (26,962 )     (27,573 )     (21,665 )
Net cash generated from financing activities       $ 7,597     $ 177,561     $ 69,397  
                             
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents         30,841       16,276       40,909  
                             
Effects of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents         (1,731 )     (8,061 )     (3,102 )
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year         153,664       145,449       107,642  
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of year       $ 182,774     $ 153,664     $ 145,449  

 

During the year ended March 31, 2016, the Company's subsidiary, Eros International Media Limited, issued 900,970 equity shares as consideration for the acquisition of Universal Power Systems Private Limited (“Techzone”). See Note 4 for details.

 

 

The accompanying notes form an integral part of these financial statements.

F- 6  

 

EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY FOR THE YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 2016

 

          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, 2015 $ 30,622   345,385   (50,048 ) $ 6,622   1,528   (1,983 ) (22,752 ) 63,238   349,196   (24,474 ) 697,334   58,721   756,055  
                                                                               
Profit for the year                                   3,797         3,797     9,491     13,288  
                                                                               
Other comprehensive income/(loss) for the year           (10,561)         328     804                     (9,429)     (2,361)     (11,790)  
                                                                               
Total comprehensive income/(loss) for the year           (10,561)         328     804             3,797         (5,632)     7,130     1,498  
                                                                               
Issue of shares, net of transaction costs of Nil (refer Note 25)   153     5,302                                       5,455         5,455  
                                                                               
Share based compensation   18     7,191                             23,324         30,533     459     30,992  
                                                                               
Issue out of Treasury Shares (Refer Note 27)       (1,013)                                  7,307      6,294      —      6,294   
                                                                               
Changes in ownership interests in subsidiaries that do not result in a loss of control                               6,348             6,348     2,452     8,800  
                                                                               
Balance as of March 31, 2016 $ 30,793   $ 356,865   $ (60,609)   $ 6,622   $ 1,856   $ (1,179)   $ (22,752)   $ 69,586   $ 376,317   $ (17,167)   $ 740,332   $ 68,762   $ 809,094  

 

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, 2015

 

          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, 2014 $ 26,322   $ 223,333   $ (43,858 ) $ 5,802   $ 1,528   $ (2,787 ) $ (22,752 ) $ 62,203   $ 303,405   $ (25,505 ) $ 527,691   $ 50,350   $ 578,041  
                                                                               
Profit for the year                                   40,344         40,344     8,986     49,330  
                                                                               
Other comprehensive income/(loss) for the year           (6,190 )   820         804                     (4,566 )   (1,057 )   (5,623 )
                                                                               
Total comprehensive income/(loss) for the year           (6,190 )   820         804             40,344         35,778     7,929     43,707  
                                                                               
Issue of shares, net of transaction costs of $6,057 (refer Note 25)   4,026     106,001                                     110,027         110,027  
                                                                               
Issue out of treasury shares (refer Note 27)       (143 )                               1,031     888         888  
                                                                               
Share based compensation   274     16,194                             5,447         21,915         21,915  
                                                                               
Changes in ownership interests in subsidiaries that do not result in a loss of control                               1,035             1,035     442     1,477  
                                                                               
Balance as of March 31, 2015 $ 30,622   345,385   (50,048 ) $ 6,622   1,528   (1,983 ) (22,752 ) 63,238   349,196   (24,474 ) 697,334   58,721   756,055  

 

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, 2014

 

          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 year                                   29,861         29,861     7,283     37,144  
                                                                               
Other comprehensive income/(loss) for the year           (11,116 )           1,233                     (9,883 )   (4,590 )   (14,473 )
                                                                               
Total comprehensive income/(loss) for the year           (11,116 )           1,233             29,861         19,978     2,693     22,671  
                                                                               
Issue of shares   3,437     47,171                                     50,608         50,608  
                                                                               
Dividend paid by a subsidiary                                               15     15  
                                                                               
Share based compensation   232     16,615                             1,574         18,421         18,421  
                                                                               
Changes in ownership interests in subsidiaries that do not result in a loss of control                               106             106     44     150  
                                                                               
Balance as of March 31, 2014 $ 26,322   $ 223,333   $ (43,858 ) $ 5,802   $ 1,528   $ (2,787 ) $ (22,752 ) $ 62,203   $ 303,405   $ (25,505 ) $ 527,691   $ 50,350   $ 578,041  

 

The accompanying notes form an integral part of these financial statements.

 

F- 9  

 

 

EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

1 NATURE OF OPERATIONS, GENERAL INFORMATION AND BASIS OF PREPARATION

 

Eros International Plc (“Eros” or the “Company”) 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.

 

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. The financial statements have been prepared on accrual basis and under the historical cost convention on a going concern basis, with the exception of revaluation of certain properties and certain financial instruments that have been measured at fair value as required by relevant IFRSs.

 

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 financial statements of each of the Company’s subsidiaries are measured using the currency of the primary economic environment in which these entities operate (i.e the functional currency). The consolidated financial statements are presented in US Dollars (USD) which is the presentation currency of the Company and has been rounded off to the nearest thousands.

 

The financial statements for the year ended March 31, 2016 were approved by the Eros Board of Directors and authorized for issue on July 26, 2016.

 

2 GOING CONCERN

 

The Group meets its day to day working capital requirements and funds its investment in content primarily 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, 2016 and 2015 are shown in Note 30.

 

The borrowings (as set out in Note 23) 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, certain impairments and amortization (“EBITDA”), certain financial ratios (such as a leverage ratio and fixed cover ratio), and a negative pledge that restricts the Group’s ability to incur liens, security interests or similar encumbrances or arrangements on its assets. The Group is cash generating before capital expenditures and is in full compliance with the covenants contained in its existing debt facilities.

 

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. Management has 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, Management continues to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements.

 

3 SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT 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 36.

F- 10  

 

 

EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

3.2. Basis of Consolidation

 

The Group financial statements consolidate results of the Company and entities controlled by the Company and its subsidiary undertakings. Control exists when the Company has existing rights that give the Company the current ability to direct the activities which affect the entity’s returns; the Company is exposed to or has rights to a return which may vary depending on the entity’s performance; and the Company has the ability to use its powers to affect its own returns from its involvement with the entity.

 

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 accounted for under 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. Transaction costs that the company incurs in connection with a business combination such as finder’s fees, legal fees, due diligence fees, and other professional and consulting fees are expensed as incurred. 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 Group’s 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

 

IFRS 8 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 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- 11  

 

 

EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

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 in certain cases, 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 because of the institutional nature of the corporate brand name, its proven ability to maintain market leadership and the Group’s commitment to develop, enhance and retain its value. The carrying value is reviewed at least annually for impairment and adjusted to recoverable amount if required.

 

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 36.3.

 

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 3 years or the remaining life of the asset. The amortization charge is recognized in the income statement within administrative expenses as stated below

 

    Life of asset Rate of
amortization
% straight line
per annum
 
Internally generated assets   3 years 33  
Other applications   3 - 6 years 17 - 33  

 

F- 12  

 

 

EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

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:

· 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 the 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 and content rights are stated at the lower of unamortized cost and 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. Impairment losses on content advances are recognized when film production does not seem viable and refund of the advance is not probable.

 

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.

 

F- 13  

 

 

EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Depreciation is provided to write off the cost of all property, plant and equipment to their residual value as stated below:

 

    Life of Asset   Rate of
depreciation
% straight line
per annum
 
Freehold Building   10 years   2-10  
Furniture & Fixtures and Equipment   5 years   15-20  
Vehicles and Plant & Machinery   3-5 years   20-30  

 

Material residual value estimates are updated as required, but at least annually, whether or not the asset is revalued.

 

Advance paid towards the acquisition or improvement of property and equipment not ready for use before the reporting date are disclosed as capital work in progress.

 

3.9. Inventories

 

Inventories primarily comprise of music CDs and DVDs, and 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 overhead costs. 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. Restricted Deposits held with Banks

 

Deposits held with banks as security for overdraft facilities are included in restricted deposits held with bank.

 

3.12. 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 for 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.

 

3.13. 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. Financial assets and financial liabilities are offset against each other and the net amount reported in the consolidated statement of financial position if, and only if, there is a currently enforceable legal right to offset the recognized amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis, or to realize the assets and settle the liabilities simultaneously.

 

F- 14  

 

 

EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

A financial instrument is held for trading if:

  · it has been acquired principally for the purpose of selling/repurchasing it in the near term;
  · 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 losses.”

 

3.14. Financial Assets

 

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.

 

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 fair 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.

 

F- 15  

 

 

EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

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 applies 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 de-recognized 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.

 

3.15. 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.

 

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.

 

3.16. 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.

 

F- 16  

 

 

EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

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.

 

3.17. 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 Management’s 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.

 

3.18. 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.

 

3.19. 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 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 substantively 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.

 

Deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities are offset if, and only if the Group has a legally enforceable right to set off current tax assets against current tax liabilities and the deferred tax assets and the deferred tax liabilities relate to income taxes levied by the same taxation authority on either the same taxable entity or different taxable entities which intend either to settle current tax liabilities and assets on a net basis, or to realize the assets and settle the liabilities simultaneously, in each future period in which significant amounts of deferred tax liabilities or assets are expected to be settled or recovered.

F- 17  

 

 

EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

3.20. Employee Benefits

 

The Group operates defined contribution pension plans and 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 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 share premium.

 

3.21. 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 the income statement 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 “currency 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.

 

3.22. Transactions Costs Relating to Equity Transactions

 

The Group defers costs in issuing or acquiring its own equity instruments to the extent they are incremental costs directly attributable to an 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 which is abandoned is recognized as an expense.

 

3.23.   Earnings per share

 

Basic earnings per share is computed using the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share is computed by considering the impact of the potential issuance of ordinary shares, using the treasury stock method, on the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period except where the results would be anti-dilutive.

F- 18  

 

 

EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

3.24. 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;
· Joint Share Ownership Reserve – this represents the cost of shares of Eros held by the JSOP trust, consolidated as a part of the Group and treated as treasury shares; and
· Non-Controlling Interests – this represents amounts attributable to non-controlling interests as a result of their interests in subsidiary undertakings.

Other components of equity, which comprises of the following components:

· Currency translation reserve – this represents the differences arising from translation of investments in overseas subsidiaries;
· 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; and
· Hedging reserve – this represents effective portion of change in fair value of derivative instruments designated in a cash flow hedge relationship.

Reserves, which comprises of the following components:

· 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;
· 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; and
· Retained earnings – this represents undistributed earnings of the Group.

 

4. ACQUISITION

 

On August 1, 2015, Eros’ subsidiary Eros International Media Limited (“EIML”) acquired 100% of the shares and voting interests in Techzone. The Company expects that this acquisition will enable the Group to utilize Techzone’s billing integration and distribution across major telecom operators in India and will complement its existing Eros Now service.

 

In accordance with the terms of the agreement between the parties, EIML issued 900,970 equity shares to the shareholders of Techzone at an acquisition date fair value of INR 586 ($9.16) per share, calculated on the basis of traded share price of EIML on the date of acquisition. EIML has made an advance of $2.5 million to Techzone prior to the acquisition to provide working capital.

 

Acquisition related cost of $106,300 has been included in “Administrative cost” in the consolidated statements of income.

 

Pending completion of valuation of assets, including intangible assets, the purchase price has been allocated on a preliminary basis to net assets based on initial estimates. As a result, values attributed to specified assets and liabilities including goodwill and other intangible assets may change. Finalization of the purchase price allocation is expected to be completed by July 31, 2016.

 

F- 19  

 

 

EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

The following table summarizes the preliminary allocation of the purchase price:

 

    As at August 1,
2015
    (in thousands)
     
Current assets        
 Cash   $ 263  
 Trade and other receivables     4,866  
Non-current assets        
 Deferred tax assets     134  
 Property, plant and equipment     584  
 Purchase price pending allocation     5,751  
 Other non-current assets     2,585  
 Current liabilities        
 Trade and other payables     (3,338 )
 Short-term borrowings     (1,490 )
Non-Current borrowings        
 Long-term borrowings     (992 )
 Other long term liabilities     (112 )

 

The trade receivables comprise gross contractual amounts due of $2.6 million and the Company, based on its best estimate at the acquisition date, expects to collect the entire amount.

 

Impact of the acquisition on the results of the Company

 

The acquisition of Techzone contributed $4.3 million to the Company’s consolidated revenue and a loss of $0.2 million to the Company’s profit for the year ended March 31, 2016.

 

Had the acquisition occurred on 1 April 2015, consolidated revenue and profit after tax for the year would have been $278.7 million and $13.4 million respectively.

 

5 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  
    2016     2015     2014  
    (in thousands)  
Revenue by region of domicile of Group’s operation                        
India   $ 159,855     $ 110,015     $ 125,062  
Europe     34,209       29,528       21,152  
North America     14,622       10,014       13,622  
Rest of the world     65,742       134,618       75,634  
Total Revenue   $ 274,428     $ 284,175     $ 235,470  

 

Revenue of $35,869,000 (2015: $80,267,000 and 2014: $54,466,000) from the United Arab Emirates is included within Rest of the world and revenue of $34,209,000 (2015: $29,528,000 and 2014: $20,996,000) from the United Kingdom is included under Europe in the above table.

F- 20  

 

 

EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

    Year ended March 31  
    2016     2015     2014  
    (in thousands)  
Revenue by region of domicile of customer’s location                        
India   $ 158,843     $ 109,513     $ 117,647  
Europe     24,367       27,146       22,245  
North America     19,865       19,052       14,017  
Rest of the world     71,353       128,464       81,561  
Total Revenue   $ 274,428     $ 284,175     $ 235,470  

 

Revenue of $61,546,000 (2015: $103,786,000 and 2014: $45,636,000) from the United Arab Emirates is included within Rest of the world and revenue of $22,755,000 (2015: $26,426,000 and 2014: $14,975,000) from United Kingdom is included under Europe in the above table.

 

For the year ended March 31, 2016, March 31, 2015 and March 31, 2014, no customers 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, 2016   $ 350,078     $ 22     $ 30,694     $ 449,882  
As of March 31, 2015   $ 281,019     $ 653     $ 24,224     $ 440,672  

 

Segment assets of $371,955,000 (2015: $330,719,000) in the United Arab Emirates is included under Rest of the world and segment assets of $30,694,000 (2015: $24,224,000) in the United Kingdom is included under Europe in the above table. In each year, there were no segment assets in the Isle of Man.

 

6 PERSONNEL COSTS

 

    Year ended March 31  
    2016     2015     2014  
    (in thousands)  
Salaries   $ 14,616     $ 11,092     $ 10,413  
Social security and other employment charges     771       687       1,116  
Salaries and other charges     15,387       11,779       11,529  
Share based compensation     30,992       21,915       18,421  
Pension charges     35       34       66  
    $ 46,414     $ 33,728     $ 30,016  

 

    Year ended March 31  
Key Management Compensation   2016     2015     2014  
    (in thousands)  
Salaries   $ 5,250     $ 4,724     $ 4,753  
Share based compensation     20,916       17,942       15,796  
Pension charges     35       34       39  
    $ 26,201     $ 22,700     $ 20,588  

 

F- 21  

 

 

EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

7 PROFIT FOR THE YEAR

 

Profit for the year is arrived at after the following are charged to the income statement:

 

    Year ended March 31  
    2016     2015     2014  
    (in thousands)  
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment   $ 1,154     $ 1,089     $ 789  
Amortization of other intangible assets     1,131       608       578  
Amortization of film and content rights     128,303       117,254       99,620  
Operating lease rentals     1,965       1,356       973  

 

8 NET FINANCE COSTS

 

    Year ended March 31  
    2016     2015     2014  
    (in thousands)  
Interest on borrowings   $ 22,644     $ 20,858     $ 17,382  
Reclassification of cash flow hedge to income statement     804       804       1,233  
Total interest expense for financial liabilities not classified at fair value through profit or loss     23.448       21,662       18,615  
Capitalized interest on filmed content     (9,729 )     (10,871 )     (8,705 )
Total finance costs     13,719       10,791       9,910  
Less: Interest income                        
   Bank deposits     (5,709 )     (4,930 )     (2,393 )
Total finance income     (5,709 )     (4,930 )     (2,393 )
                         
    $ 8,010     $ 5,861     $ 7,517  

 

For the year ended March 31, 2016, the capitalization rate of interest was 6.9% (2015: 5.9%and 2014: 7.4%).

 

9 OTHER LOSSES

 

    Year ended March 31  
    2016     2015     2014  
    (in thousands)  
(Gains)/losses on disposal of property, plant and equipment   $ (3 )   $ (9 )   $ 7  
Net foreign exchange losses/(gains)     73       1,323       (646 )
Net loss/(gain) on held for trading financial liabilities     3,566       7,801       (5,177 )
Transaction costs relating to equity transactions           61       8,169  
Impairment loss on available-for-sale financial assets           1,307        
    $ 3,636     $ 10,483     $ 2,353  

 

The net loss on held for trading financial liabilities in the years ended March 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 principally relate to derivative instruments not designated in a hedging relationship.

 

In the year ended March 31, 2015, the Company incurred $6,118,000 towards the issue of ‘A’ ordinary shares in a follow-on offering on the NYSE and sale of certain existing shares. In the year ended March 31, 2014, the Company incurred $13,583,000 towards the issue and listing of the ‘A’ ordinary shares of the Company on the NYSE and contemporaneous delisting on AIM. As the transaction costs incurred relate to more than one transaction, the Company allocated these costs in proportion to the number of existing shares listed on NYSE and the number of shares newly issued. Transaction costs of $Nil (2015: $61,000, 2014: 8,169,000) attributed towards sale/listing of existing shares are recorded in profit or loss and as a result, $Nil (2015: $6,057,000, 2014: 5,414,000) was recorded in equity.

F- 22  

 

 

EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

10 INCOME TAX EXPENSE

 

    Year ended March 31  
    2016     2015     2014  
    (in thousands)  
Current tax expense   $ 8,161     $ 7,472     $ 6,487  
Origination and reversal of temporary differences     4,550       5,706       6,356  
Provision for income taxes   $ 12,711     $ 13,178     $ 12,843  

 

Reconciliation of tax charge

 

    Year ended March 31  
    2016     2015     2014  
    (in thousands)  
Profit before tax   $ 25,999     $ 62,508     $ 49,987  
Income tax expense at tax rates applicable to individual entities     10,785       10,827       10,543  
Tax effect of:                        
Changes in tax rates on temporary differences brought forward     718             1,497  
Items not deductible for tax     1,131       1,953       741  
Others     77       398       62  
Income tax expense   $ 12,711     $ 13,178     $ 12,843  

 

11  DEFERRED TAX ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

 

Changes in deferred tax assets and liabilities

 

    Year ended March 31, 2016  
    Opening
Balance
    Additions due
to acquisition
during
the year
    Recognized
in income
statement
    Recognized
in other
comprehensive
income
    Exchange
Difference
    Closing
Balance
 
    (in thousands)  
Deferred tax assets:                                                
Minimum alternate tax carry-forward   $ 14,246     $     $ 821     $     $ (897 )   $ 14,170  
Property, plant and equipment     151       86       (177 )           (3 )     57  
Others     768       48       86             (68 )     834  
Total deferred tax asset   $ 15,165     $ 134     $ 730     $     $ (968 )   $ 15,061  
Deferred tax liabilities                                                
Property, plant and equipment     (240 )           (11 )     (1,010 )     14       (1,247 )
Intangible assets     (41,753 )           (5,363 )           2,641       (44,475 )
Others     (107 )           94             (1 )     (14 )
Total deferred tax liability   $ (42,100 )   $     $ (5,280 )   $ (1,010 )   $ 2,654     $ (45,736 )
                                                 
Net deferred tax (liability) / asset   $ (26,935 )   $ 134     $ (4,550 )   $ (1,010 )   $ 1,686     $ (30,675 )
As at March 31, 2016                                                
Deferred tax asset                                           $ 167  
Deferred tax liability                                           $ (30,842 )

 

F- 23  

 

 

EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

    Year ended March 31, 2015  
    Opening
Balance
    Recognized in
income statement
    Exchange
Difference
    Closing
Balance
 
    (in thousands)  
Deferred tax assets:                                
Minimum alternate tax carry-forward   $ 11,681     $ 3,045     $ (480 )   $ 14,246  
Property, plant and equipment     77       74             151  
Others     1,880       (1,114 )     2       768  
Total deferred tax asset   $ 13,638     $ 2,005     $ (478 )   $ 15,165  
Deferred tax liabilities                                
Property, plant and equipment   $ (311 )   $ 61     $ 10     $ (240 )
Intangible assets     (35,457 )     (7,728 )     1,432       (41,753 )
Others     (53 )     (44 )     (10 )     (107 )
Total deferred tax liability   $ (35,821 )   $ (7,711 )   $ 1,432     $ (42,100 )
                                 
Net deferred tax (liability) / asset   $ (22,183 )   $ (5,706 )   $ 954     $ (26,935 )
As at March 31, 2015                                
Deferred tax asset                           $ 151  
Deferred tax liability                           $ (27,086 )

 

    Year ended March 31, 2014  
    Opening
Balance
    Recognized in
income statement
    Exchange
Difference
    Closing
Balance
 
    (in thousands)  
Deferred tax assets:                                
Business loss carry forwards   $ 383     $ (343 )   $ (40 )   $  
Expenses deductible in future years     17       (19 )     2        
Minimum alternate tax carry- forward     9,661       2,186       (166 )     11,681  
Property, plant and equipment     122       (45 )           77  
Others     1,879       145       (144 )     1,880  
Total deferred tax asset   $ 12,062     $ 1,924     $ (348 )   $ 13,638  
Deferred tax liabilities                                
Property, plant and equipment   $ (310 )   $ (25 )   $ 24     $ (311 )
Intangible assets     (29,969 )     (8,308 )     2,820       (35,457 )
Others     (53 )     53       (53 )     (53 )
Total deferred tax liability   $ (30,332 )   $ (8,280 )   $ 2,791     $ (35,821 )
                                 
Net deferred tax asset / (liability)   $ (18,270 )   $ (6,356 )   $ 2,443     $ (22,183 )
As at March 31, 2014                                
Deferred tax asset                           $ 77  
Deferred tax liability                           $ (22,260 )

 

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.

 

Deferred tax assets have been recognized on the basis that there is sufficient certainty of profitability to utilize the available losses and tax credits. Deferred tax liabilities to the extent of $34,400,000 (2015: $33,900,000) have not been provided on the undistributed earnings of subsidiaries 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.

 

Except for $1,009,773 (2015: Nil, 2014: Nil) relating to tax on revaluation of freehold building, no amount has been recognized in other comprehensive income. No amounts relating to tax have been recognized directly in equity.

F- 24  

 

 

EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

12 EARNINGS PER SHARE

 

    2016     2015     2014  
    Basic     Diluted     Basic     Diluted     Basic     Diluted  
    (in thousands, except number of shares and earnings per share)  
Earnings                                                
Earnings attributable to the equity holders of the parent   $ 3,797     $ 3,797     $ 40,344     $ 40,344     $ 29,861     $ 29,861  
Potential dilutive effect related to share based compensation scheme in subsidiary undertaking           (732 )           (531 )           (141 )
Adjusted earnings attributable to equity holders of the parent   $ 3,797     $ 3,065     $ 40,344     $ 39,813     $ 29,861     $ 29,720  
Number of shares                                                
Weighted average number of shares     57,731,839       57,731,839       54,277,849       54,277,849       45,590,242       45,590,242  
Potential dilutive effect related to share based compensation scheme           1,304,185             690,902             16,525  
Adjusted weighted average number of shares     57,731,839       59,036,024       54,277,849       54,968,751       45,590,242       45,606,767  
Earnings per share                                                
Earnings attributable to the equity holders of the parent per share (cents)     6.6       5.2       74.3       72.4       65.5       65.2  

 

The above table does not split the earnings per share separately for the ‘A’ ordinary 30p shares and the ‘B’ ordinary 30p shares as there is no variation in their entitlement to participate in undistributed earnings. All share and per share data provided herein gives effect to the three-for-one stock split conversion that occurred in November 2013, retroactively.

 

The Company excludes options with exercise prices that are greater than the average market price from the calculation of diluted EPS because their effect would be anti-dilutive. In the year ended March 31, 2016, 602,500 shares were not included in diluted earnings per share (2015: 630,000, 2014: Nil).

F- 25  

 

 

EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

13 PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

 

    Year ended March 31, 2016  
    Land
and
Building
    Furniture,
Fittings and
Equipment
    Vehicles     Plant and
Machinery
    Total  
    (in thousands)  
Opening net carrying amount   $ 8,292     $ 386     $ 281     $ 313     $ 9,272  
Exchange difference     (518 )     (15 )     (22 )     (17 )     (572 )
Revaluation     1,410                         1,410  
Additions on account of acquisition of Techzone           66       168       350       584  
Others           118       199       286       603  
Disposals                 (119 )           (119 )
Adjustment of depreciation on disposal                 42             42  
Depreciation charge     (416 )     (148 )     (150 )     (440 )     (1,154 )
Balance as at March 31, 2016   $ 8,768     $ 407     $ 399     $ 492     $ 10,066  
Capital work-in-progress                                     620  
Net carrying value as at March 31, 2016                                     10,686  

 

    As at March 31, 2016  
    (in thousands)  
Cost or valuation   $ 11,749     $ 1,772     $ 1,081     $ 3,554     $ 18,156  
Accumulated depreciation     (2,981 )     (1,365 )     (682 )     (3,062 )     (8,090 )
Net carrying amount   $ 8,768     $ 407     $ 399     $ 492     $ 10,066  
Capital work-in-progress                                     620  
Net carrying value as at March 31, 2016                                     10,686  

 

    Year ended March 31, 2015  
    Land
and
Building
    Furniture,
Fittings and
Equipment
    Vehicles     Plant and
Machinery
    Total  
    (in thousands)  
Opening net carrying amount   $ 8,978     $ 583     $ 207     $ 398     $ 10,166  
Exchange difference     (269 )     (17 )     (9 )     (11 )     (306 )
Additions           52       228       241       521  
Disposals           (1 )     (242 )     (6 )     (249 )
Adjustment of depreciation on disposal           1       222       6       229  
Depreciation charge     (417 )     (232 )     (125 )     (315 )     (1,089 )
Closing net carrying amount   $ 8,292     $ 386     $ 281     $ 313     $ 9,272  

 

    As at March 31, 2015  
    (in thousands)  
Cost or valuation   $ 10,934     $ 1,651     $ 893     $ 3,094     $ 16,572  
Accumulated depreciation     (2,642 )     (1,265 )     (612 )     (2,781 )     (7,300 )
Net carrying amount   $ 8,292     $ 386     $ 281     $ 313     $ 9,272  

 

Property, Plant and Equipment with a net carrying amount of $10,118,000 (2015: $9,184,000) have been pledged to secure borrowings (see Note 23).

 

Land and buildings were revalued as at March 31, 2016 by independent valuers 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, 2016, had land and buildings of the Group been carried at historical cost less accumulated depreciation, their carrying amount would have been $5,726,000 (2015: $6,309,000)

 

Capital work-in-progress of $620,000 (2015: Nil) primarily related to leasehold improvement cost in Company’s leased premises.

F- 26  

 

 

EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

14 GOODWILL AND TRADE NAME

 

    Goodwill     Trade
Name
 
    (in thousands)  
Balance as at March 31, 2016   $ 1,878     $ 14,000  
Balance as at March 31, 2015   $ 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, 2016, for assessing impairment of goodwill, value in use is determined using discounted cash flow method. The estimated cash flows for a period of four years were developed using internal forecasts, extrapolated for the fifth year, and a pre-tax discount rate of 17.8% and terminal growth rate of 4%.

 

As of March 31, 2016, for assessing the impairment of the trade name, value in use is determined using the relief from royalty method based on a Royalty rate of 3% on the estimated total revenue for a period of four years, extrapolated for the fifth year, and, a pre-tax discount rate of 21.7% 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.

 

15 INTANGIBLE CONTENT ASSETS

 

    Gross
Content
Assets
    Accumulated
Amortization
    Content
Assets
 
    (in thousands)  
As at March 31, 2016                        
Film and content rights   $ 1,158,737     $ (652,651 )   $ 506,086  
Content advances     284,817             284,817  
Film productions     4,236             4,236  
Non-current content assets   $ 1,447,790     $ (652,651 )   $ 795,139  
                         
As at March 31, 2015                        
Film and content rights   $ 1,027,878     $ (548,920 )   $ 478,958  
Content advances     236,285             236,285  
Film productions     3,971             3,971  
Non-current content assets   $ 1,268,134     $ (548,920 )   $ 719,214  

 

F- 27  

 

 

EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Changes in the content assets are as follows:

 

    Year ended March 31  
    2016     2015  
    (in thousands)  
Film productions                
Opening balance   $ 3,971     $  
Additions     3,887        
Exchange difference     (231 )     (15 )
Transfer from/(to) other content assets     (3,391 )     3,986  
Closing balance   $ 4,236     $ 3,971  
                 
Content advances                
Opening balance   $ 236,285     $ 180,022  
Additions (net of impairment loss of $2,545 (2015: $3,431))     217,621       267,940  
Exchange difference     (7,588 )     (3,508 )
Transfer (to)/from film productions           (3,986 )
Transfer to film and content rights     (161,501 )     (204,183 )
Closing balance   $ 284,817     $ 236,285  
                 
Film and content rights                
Opening balance   $ 4,78,958     $ 397,682  
Amortization     (128,303 )     (117,254 )
Exchange difference     (9,461 )     (5,653 )
Transfer from other content assets     164,892       204,183  
Closing balance   $ 506,086     $ 478,958  

 

Impairment loss on content advances relate to amounts advanced, to the extent not considered recoverable, for prospective film productions that are not being developed further or not considered viable.

 

Film and content rights with a carrying amount of $207,412,000 (2015: $266,372,000) have been pledged to secure borrowings (see Note 23).

 

16 OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS

 

Other intangibles comprise of internally generated software used within the Group’s digital and home entertainment activities.

 

The changes in other intangible assets are as follows:

 

    Year ended March 31, 2016  
    (in thousands)  
    Internally
Generated
Assets
    Other
applications
    Total  
Opening net carrying amount as on March 31, 2015   $ 1,581     $ 623     $ 2,204  
Exchange difference           (27 )     (27 )
Additions     1,500             1,500  
Amortization charge     (896 )     (235 )     (1,131 )
Closing net carrying amount as on March 31, 2016   $ 2,185     $ 361     $ 2,546  

 

F- 28  

 

 

EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

    As at March 31, 2016  
    (in thousands)  
                   
Cost or valuation as on March 31, 2016   $ 3,854     $ 1,839     $ 5,693  
Accumulated amortization     (1,669 )     (1,478 )     (3,147 )
Net carrying amount as on March 31, 2016   $ 2,185     $ 361     $ 2,546  

 

    Year ended March 31, 2015  
    (in thousands)  
    Internally
Generated
Assets
    Other
applications
    Total  
Opening net carrying amount as on March 31, 2014   $ 589     $ 926     $ 1,515  
Exchange difference           (23 )     (23 )
Additions     1,221       99       1,320  
Disposals           (869 )     (869 )
Adjustment of amortization on disposal           869       869  
Amortization charge     (229 )     (379 )     (608 )
Closing net carrying amount as on March 31, 2015   $ 1,581     $ 623     $ 2,204  

 

    As at March 31, 2015  
    (in thousands)  
                   
Cost or valuation as on March 31, 2015   $ 2,354     $ 1,866     $ 4,220  
Accumulated amortization     (773 )     (1,243 )     (2,016 )
Net carrying amount as on March 31, 2015   $ 1,581     $ 623     $ 2,204  

 

Other intangible assets with a carrying amount of $375,000 (2015: $89,000) have been pledged to secure borrowings (see Note 23).

 

17 AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE FINANCIAL ASSETS

 

    As at March 31  
    2016     2015  
    (in thousands)  
Valuable Technologies Limited   $ 11,097     $ 11,097  
LMB Holdings Limited     16,800       16,800  
Valuable Innovations Private Limited     2,020       2,020  
Culture Trip     230        
    $ 30,147     $ 29,917  

 

Eros acquired an interest in Valuable Technologies Limited (“Valuable”) in the year ended March 31, 2009. Valuable 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, 2016, Eros owns 7.21% of Valuable’s equity. In the year ended March 31, 2016, 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. Management has therefore held it at cost which equates to the fair value recognized in the year ended March 31, 2012.

 

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 satellite television channels, such as B4U Music, B4U Movies and the Movie House Channel. As of March 31, 2016 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 Management has historically concluded, throughout the ownership of the investment, that they did not exert any significant influence over LMB. Due to the range of potential outcomes in valuing LMB, the Board was unable to give, with reasonable certainty, a fair value. Management has therefore held it at cost which equates to the fair value recognized in the year ended March 31, 2012.

 

F- 29  

 

 

EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

In April 2010, Eros acquired a 1.27% interest in Valuable Innovations Private Limited (“Valuable Innovations”) at a total cost of $2,020,000.  An entity related to Valuable Technologies, Valuable Innovations houses new technology and patents of the Valuable group entities and develops related products.  In the year ended March 31, 2016, 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. Management has therefore held it at cost.

 

In July 2015, Eros acquired a 2% stake in The Cultural Trip (‘‘TCT’’), a website which is a global platform for local culture, showcasing the best art, culture, food and travel for every country in the world. The acquisition of stake in TCT has been classified as Available-for-sale investment and has been recognized at the transaction price of $230,050. Subsequently, on June 3, 2016 this investment was sold at a price of $287,781.

 

Investments in these unquoted equity instruments are not held for trading. Instead, they are held for medium or long-term strategic purpose.

 

18 INVENTORIES

 

    As at March 31  
    2016     2015  
    (in thousands)  
Goods for resale   $ 287     $ 475  
    $ 287     $ 475  

 

During the year ended March 31, 2016, inventory of $354,000 (2015: $776,000) was recognized in the income statement 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 $593,000 (2015: $316,000) have been pledged as security for certain of the Group’s borrowings (see Note 23).

 

19 TRADE AND OTHER RECEIVABLES

 

    As at March 31  
    2016     2015  
    (in thousands)  
Trade accounts receivables   $ 169,413     $ 198,066  
Trade accounts receivables reserve     (130 )     (250 )
Trade accounts receivables net   $ 169,283     $ 197,816  
                 
Other receivables     18,493       14,273  
Prepaid charges     1,071       1,573  
Unbilled revenue     9,035       1,706  
Trade and other receivables   $ 197,882     $ 215,368  
                 
Current Trade and other receivables     188,361       209,676  
Non-Current Trade and other receivables     9,521       5,692  
    $ 197,882     $ 215,368  

 

The age of financial assets that are past due but not impaired were as follows:

 

    As at March 31  
    2016     2015  
    (in thousands)  
Not more than three months     38,593       19,677  
More than three months but not more than six months     41,448       4,620  
More than six months but not more than one year     27,594       7,106  
More than one year     2,882       5,906  
    $ 110,517     $ 37,309  

 

F- 30  

 

 

EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

The Company factored accounts receivable amounting to $39,026,540 (2015: $Nil) as of March 31, 2016. The cash proceeds from these arrangements are reflected as operating activities. The cost of factoring is immaterial.

 

During the year ended March 31, 2015, terms of certain trade and other receivables that were past due but not impaired had been renegotiated for commercial reasons. As at March 31, 2016, the carrying amounts of the such receivable was $1,268,625 (2015: $31,230,000).

 

The movements in the trade accounts receivables reserve are as follows:

 

    Year ended March 31  
    2016     2015     2014  
    (in thousands)  
At April 1   $ 250     $ 469     $ 759  
Provisions     1,315       3,963       2,166  
Amounts written off     (1,435 )     (4,182 )     (2,456 )
At March 31   $ 130     $ 250     $ 469  

 

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 $42,672,000 (2015: $35,958,000) have been pledged to secure borrowings (see Note 23).

 

20 TRADE AND OTHER PAYABLES

 

    As at March 31  
    2016     2015  
    (in thousands)  
Trade accounts payable   $ 15,496     $ 10,679  
Accruals and other payables     41,379       15,447  
Value added taxes and other taxes payable     8,303       3,327  
    $ 65,178     $ 29,453  

 

The Group considers that the carrying amount of trade accounts payable, accruals and other payables approximate their fair value.

 

21 CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

 

Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash on hand and balance with banks. Cash and cash equivalents included in the statement of cash flows comprise the following amounts in the statement of financial position.

 

    As at March 31  
    2016     2015  
    (in thousands)  
Cash at bank and in hand   $ 100,276     $ 6,596  
Short term deposits with banks     82,498       147,069  
    $ 182,774     $ 153,665  

 

22 OPERATING LEASES

 

The Group leases various offices and warehouses under non-cancellable operating lease agreements. The minimum lease rentals to be paid under non-cancellable operating leases at March 31 were as follows:

 

    As at March 31  
    2016     2015  
    (in thousands)  
Within one year   $ 647     $ 568  
Within two to five years     1,376       1,081  
    $ 2,023     $ 1,649  

 

F- 31  

 

 

EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

23 BORROWINGS

 

An analysis of long-term borrowings is shown in the table below.

 

    Nominal       As at March 31  
    Interest Rate   Maturity   2016     2015  
            (in thousands)  
Asset backed borrowings                        
Vehicle Loan   10 -12%   2017-21   $ 260     $ 147  
Term Loan   BPLR+1.8 - 2.75%   2016-17     6,244       12,032  
Term Loan   BPLR+2.75%   2017-18     1,579       2,974  
Term Loan   BPLR+2.55 – 3.4%   2020-21     12,945        
Term Loan   BPLR+2.85%   2019-20     7,932       10,808  
            $ 28,960     $ 25,961  
  Unsecured borrowings                        
Retail bond   6.5%   2021-22   $ 71,901     $ 74,228  
Revolving facility   LIBOR +1.90%- 2.90% and Mandatory Cost   2016-17     123,750       141,250  
Other borrowings   10.5%   2021-22     6,933       8,013  
            $ 202,584     $ 223,491  
                         
Nominal value of borrowings           $ 231,544     $ 249,452  
Cumulative effect of unamortized costs             (2,109 )     (2,940 )
Installments due within one year             (136,805 )     (28,239 )
Long-term borrowings — at amortized cost           $ 92,630     $ 218,273  

 

In October 2014, Eros completed an offering of 6.50% Retail Bonds (due 2021) on the London Stock Exchange (“LSE”), raising £50,000,000 (USD $77,930,000) in total proceeds net of transaction cost of approximately £1.2 million ($1,791,000). Interest on these bonds is payable biannually on April 15 and October 15 each year.

 

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 (%)   2016     2015  
        (in thousands)  
Asset backed borrowings                    
Export credit, bill discounting and overdraft   BPLR+1-3.5%   $ 20,716     $ 17,346  
Export credit and overdraft   LIBOR+3.5%     26,586       25,144  
        $ 47,302     $ 42,490  
Unsecured borrowings                    
Commercial paper   10.0% 13.0%     1,511       25,668  
Other short term loan   1.75% - 2.6%     32,871        
Other short term loan   12.75%     786        
Installments due within one year on long-term borrowings         136,805       28,239  
Short-term borrowings - at amortized cost       $ 219,275     $ 96,397  

 

Fair value of the long term borrowings as at March 31, 2016 is $195,924,000 (2015: $233,450,000). Fair values of long-term financial liabilities except retail bonds have been determined by calculating their present values at the reporting date, using fixed effective market interest rates available to the Companies within the Group. As at March 31, 2016, the fair value of retail bond amounting to $47,922,000 has been determined using quoted prices from the LSE. Carrying amount of short term borrowings approximates fair value.

F- 32  

 

 

EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

24 DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

 

    As of March 31  
    2016     2015  
    Current     Non-current     Current     Non-current  
    (in thousands)  
Derivative assets   $     $     $     $  
Derivative liabilities   $     $ (22,850 )   $     $ (19,284 )

 

The above interest rate derivative instruments are not designated in a hedging relationship. They are carried at fair value through profit or loss.

 

25 ISSUED SHARE CAPITAL

 

    Number of
Shares
    GBP  
          (in thousands)  
Authorized            
Ordinary shares of 30p each at March 31, 2016 and March 31, 2015     83,333,333       25,000  

 

    Number of Shares     USD  
Allotted, called up and fully paid   A Ordinary 
30p Shares
    B Ordinary 
30p Shares
    Ordinary 
10p Shares
    (in thousands)  
As at March 31, 2014     23,519,340       25,555,220             26,322  
Issue of shares on July 15, 2014     6,675,000                   3,434  
Issue of shares on July 23, 2014     112,445                   58  
Issue of shares on September 9, 2014     36,000                   18  
Issue of shares on November 24, 2014     331,551                   156  
Issue of shares on November 25, 2014     668,449                   315  
Issue of shares on December 1, 2014     487,500                   246  
Issue of shares on January 16, 2015     18,600                   9  
Issue of shares on March 10, 2015     133,603                   64  
As at March 31, 2015     31,982,488       25,555,220             30,622  
Issue of shares on July 16, 2015     300,000                   138  
Issue of shares on August 18, 2015     3,500                   2  
Issue of shares in February 2016     57,860                   26  
Issue of shares in March 2016     10,900                   5  
Transfer of B Ordinary to A Ordinary share     594,566       (594,566 )            
                                 
As at March 31, 2016     32,949,314       24,960,654               30,793  

 

On July 9, 2014, Eros completed a follow-on offering on the NYSE of 6,787,445 shares at a price of $14.50 per share, raising $92.3 million in new capital (net of transaction costs of $6.1 million). These shares were subsequently issued on July 15, 2014 and July 23, 2014, as stated above.

 

On September 9, 2014, 36,000 ‘A’ ordinary shares were issued at $15.97 per share to fulfill an award to certain non-executive Directors.

 

On September 23, 2014 and November 17, 2014, the Company received $10,000,000 and $6,193,000 in respect of a prospective issue of ‘A’ ordinary shares. 331,551 and 668,449 shares were subsequently issued on November 24, 2014 and November 25, 2014 at $14.96 and $18.68 per share. The shareholder was subsequently appointed as a non-executive Director on December 1, 2014.

 

F- 33  

 

 

EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

 

On June 5, 2014, the Board of Directors had approved a grant of 525,000 ‘A’ ordinary share awards with a fair market value of $14.95 per share, to certain executive directors and members of senior management. These awards vest subject to certain share price conditions being met on or before May 31, 2015 and the employee remaining in service until May 31, 2015. On fulfillment of share price condition, 487,500 restricted shares were issued on December 1, 2014.  All these awards have since vested. As at March 31, 2016 except for 30,000 share awards, all shares have been issued.

 

Effective November 30, 2014, Eros India entered into an employment exit agreement with an employee pursuant to which the Board approved a grant of 18,600 ‘A’ ordinary share awards. The shares were issued on January 16, 2015 and recorded at $21.53 per share, the closing price at the effective date of the settlement agreement.

 

On March 10, 2015, the Company received $1,469,633 in respect of the exercise of 133,603 ‘A’ ordinary share options. These shares were issued on May 8, 2015.

 

On June 25, 2015, the Company received $5,400,000 in respect of an issue of 300,000 ‘A’ ordinary shares at $18.00 per share to a non-executive director. These shares were issued on July 16, 2015.

 

On June 9, 2015, 10,000 ‘A’ ordinary shares each were awarded to two non- executive directors and a consultant with par value exercise price and a fair market value of $21.34 per share. Subject to continued employment, these awards vest on June 9, 2016. These shares were issued on February 2, 2016 with restriction.

 

On October 21, 2014, 116,730 ‘A’ ordinary shares were awarded to certain employees with Nil value exercise price and a fair market value of $17.07 per share. These shares are restricted and vests equally over a period of three years. On various dates in February and March 2016, 34,760 shares were issued to employees.

 

As at March 31, 2016, none of the awards were forfeited.

 

Pursuant to the articles of association of the Company, B Ordinary shares held by permitted holders (will convert to A Ordinary shares upon being transferred to a person who is not a permitted holder. On December 1, 2015, a permitted holder of 594,566 B Ordinary shares transferred shares to a non-permitted holder leading to their conversion.

 

26 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  
    2016     2015     2014  
    (in thousands)  
IPO India Plan   $ 1,736     $ 869     $ 499  
JSOP Plan     2,696       1,603       1,075  
Option award scheme 2012     1,610       1,824        
2014 Share Plan     2,361       264        
2015 Share Plan     932       60        
Other share option awards     894       554        
Management scheme (staff share grant)     20,763       16,741       16,847  
    $ 30,992     $ 21,915     $ 18,421  

 

F- 34  

 

 

EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Joint Stock Ownership Plan

 

In April 2012, the Company established a controlled trust called the Eros International Plc Employee Benefit Trust (“JSOP Trust”). The JSOP Trust purchased 2,000,164 shares of the Company out of funds borrowed from the Company and repayable on demand. The Company’s Board, Nomination and Remuneration Committee recommends to the JSOP Trust certain employees, officers and key management personnel, to whom the JSOP Trust will be required to grant shares from its holdings at nominal price. Such shares are then held by the JSOP Trust and the scheme is referred to as the “JSOP Plan.” The shares held by the JSOP Trust are reported as a reduction in stockholders’ equity and termed as ‘JSOP reserves’.

 

On August 4, 2015, the Company’s Employee Benefit Trust entered into a Joint ownership deed (the “2015 JSOP deed”) with certain employees in respect of 380,000’A’ ordinary shares. These options were issued at a strike price of $24.00 and fair market value of $15.66. Subject to continued employment and market conditions set out in the 2015 JSOP deed, these options vest in May 2017.

 

The movement in the shares held by the JSOP Trust is given below:

 

    Year ended March 31  
    2016     2015     2014  
Shares held at the beginning of the period     1,919,460       2,000,164       2,000,164  
Shares exercised/lapsed     (573,262 )     (80,704 )      
Shares held at the end of the period     1,346,198       1,919,460       2,000,164  

 

Employee Stock Option Plans

 

A summary of the general terms of the grants under stock option plans and stock awards are as follows:

 

    Range of
exercise prices
IPO India Plan   INR10 – 175
IPO Plan – June 2006   GBP 5.28
JSOP Plan   $11.00 – 24.00
Option award scheme 2012   $11.00
2014 Share Plan   $14.97– 18.50
2015 Share Plan   $7.40 – 33.12
Other share option awards   $18– $18.88

 

Employees covered under the stock option plans are granted an option to purchase shares of the Company at the respective exercise prices, subject to requirement of vesting conditions (generally service conditions). These options generally vest in tranches over a period of one to five years from the date of grant. Upon vesting, the employees can acquire one share for every option. The maximum contractual term for these stock option plans ranges between two to ten years.

 

F- 35  

 

 

EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

The activity in these stock option plans is summarized below:

 

        Year ended March 31
        2016   2015   2014
    Name of Plan   Number
of
shares
  Weighted
average
exercise
price
  Number
of
shares
  Weighted
average
exercise
price
  Number
of
shares
  Weighted
average
exercise
price
Outstanding at the beginning of the year   IPO India Plan   1,437,400   INR 52   1,397,682   INR 120   1,176,568   INR 112
Granted       966,009     10   691,961     10   300,000     150
Exercised       (180,920)     39   (534,084)     153   (51,850)     98
Forfeited and lapsed       (26,274)     10   (118,159)     147   (27,036)     175
Outstanding at the end of the year       2,196,215     35.17   1,437,400     52   1,397,682     120
Exercisable at the end of the year       632,566   INR 78.00   413,337   INR 82   646,474   INR 136
                                   
Outstanding at the beginning of the year   IPO Plan June 2006   62,438   GBP 5.28   62,438   GBP 5.28   62,438   GBP 5.28
Granted                      
Exercised       -                
Forfeited and lapsed       -                
Outstanding at the end of the year       62,438   GBP 5.28   62,438   GBP 5.28   62,438   GBP 5.28
Exercisable at the end of the year       62,438   GBP 5.28   62,438   GBP 5.28   62,438   GBP 5.28
                                   
Outstanding at the beginning of the year   JSOP Plan   1,723,657   $ 11.60   2,000,164   $ 11.00   2,000,164   $ 11.00
Granted       380,000     24.00   242,035     15.34      
Exercised       (573,262)     11.00   (80,704)     11.00      
Forfeited and lapsed       (290,900)     11.00   (437,838)     11.00      
Outstanding at the end of the year       1,239,495   $ 14.98   1,723,657    $ 11.60   2,000,164   $ 11.00
Exercisable at the end of the year       617,450   $ 11.00   196,642    $ 11.00      
                                   
Outstanding at the beginning of the year   Option award scheme 2012   674,045     11.00            
Granted         $   807,648    $ 11.00      
Exercised             (133,603)     11.00      
Forfeited and lapsed                      
Outstanding at the end of the year       674,045   $ 11.00   674,045    $ 11.00      
Exercisable at the end of the year       224,682     11.00            
                                   
Outstanding at the beginning of the year   2014 Share Plan   230,000     16.27            
Granted       600,000   $ 18.40   230,000    $ 16.27      
Exercised                      
Forfeited and lapsed       (56,251)     17.13            
Outstanding at the end of the year       773,749   $ 17.86   230,000    $ 16.27      
Exercisable at the end of the year       96,664     15.99            
                                   
Outstanding at the beginning of the year   2015 Share Plan   200,000     17.46            
Granted       105,000   $ 15.35   200,000    $ 17.46      
Exercised                      
Forfeited and lapsed       (22,500)     19.17            
Outstanding at the end of the year       282,500   $ 16.68   200,000    $ 17.46      
Exercisable at the end of the year       72,708     16.90            
                                   
Outstanding at the beginning of the year   Other share option awards   500,000     18.88            
Granted       500,000     18.00   500,000     18.88          
Exercised                      
Forfeited and lapsed                      
Outstanding at the end of the year       1,000,000   $ 18.44   500,000    $ 18.88      
Exercisable at the end of the year       100,000     18.88            

 

F- 36  

 

 

EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

The following table summarizes information about outstanding stock options:

 

      Year ended March 31  
      2016     2015     2014  
Name of Plan     Weighted
average
remaining
life
(Years)
    Weighted
average
exercise
price
    Weighted
average
remaining
life
(Years)
    Weighted
average
exercise
price
    Weighted
average
remaining
life
(Years)
    Weighted
average
exercise
price
 
IPO India Plan     4.10     INR 35.0     2.90     INR 52     2.63     INR 120  
IPO Plan June 2006     0.25     GBP 5.28     1.00     GBP 5.28     2.00     GBP 5.28  
JSOP Plan     5.93     $ 14.98     7.30     $ 11.60     8.00     $ 11.00  
Option award scheme 2012     5.83     $ 11.00     5.50     $ 11.00            
2014 Share Plan     6.88     $ 17.86     6.47     16.27            
2015 Share Plan     5.91     $ 16.68     6.49     17.46            
Other share option awards     5.75     $ 18.44     6.00     18.88            

 

The following table summarizes information about inputs to the fair valuation model for options granted during the year:

 

  IPO
India Plan
  JSOP (4)   2014
Share plan
  2015
Share plan
Expected volatility (1)(2) 35% - 75%   42%   40%   40% - 60%
Option life (Years) 5.00 - 7.00   10.00   4.50 - 5.25   10.00
Dividend yield 0%   0%   0%   0%
Risk free rate 7.74% - 8.50%   0.43% - 2.82%   0.67% - 1.70%   0.24% - 1.46%
Range of fair value of the granted options at the grant date (3) INR 284 – 380   $15.66   $6.9 – 8.44   $2.7 - 13.10

 

(1) The expected volatility in respect of the IPO India Plan is based on Eros International Media Limited’s historic volatility.
(2) The expected volatility of all other options is based on the historic share price volatility of the Company over time periods comparable to the time from the grant date to the maturity dates of the options.
(3) The fair value of options under the JSOP Plan was measured using a Monte-Carlo simulation models. Fair value of options granted under all other schemes is measured using a Black Scholes model.
(4) Options under the JSOP Plan are subject to service and performance conditions as set out in the JSOP deed

 

Management Scheme (staff share grant)

 

On September 9, 2014, 36,000 ‘A’ ordinary shares were issued to certain independent directors at $15.97 per share based on the closing market price on June 5, 2014.

 

On October 21, 2014, 116,730 ‘A’ ordinary shares were awarded to certain employees with Nil value exercise price and a fair market value of $17.07 per share based on the closing market price on such date. These shares are restricted and vest over a period of three years on a pro-rata basis. 34,760 shares have since been issued.

 

On June 5, 2014, the Board of Directors approved a grant of 525,000 ‘A’ ordinary share awards with a fair market value of $14.95 per option, to certain executive directors and members of senior management. These awards vest subject to certain share price conditions being met on or before May 31, 2015 and the employee remaining in service until May 31, 2015. As at March 31, 2016 except for 30,000 share awards, all shares have been issued.

 

In June 2015, 300,000 ‘A’ ordinary shares awards were granted to the Group CFO with a fair market value of $21.34 per share. Subject to continued employment, these awards with nominal value exercise price vest annually in three tranches beginning June 9, 2016. As at March 31, 2016, these shares are yet to be issued.

 

F- 37  

 

 

EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Additionally, on June 9, 2015, the Board of Directors approved a grant of 580,000 ‘A’ ordinary shares to certain executive directors with a fair market value of $21.34 per shares subject to continued employment, these awards with Nil exercise price vest equally over a period of three years with the first 25% vesting six months from the grant date. The shares are yet to be issued as at March 31, 2016.

 

None of the above grants have been forfeited during the period. The charge for these grants have been accrued under ‘Management scheme’ (Staff share grant) and ‘2014 Share Plan’.

 

On September 4, 2015 the company entered in to an employment exit agreement with an employee pursuant to which the board approved a grant of 20,000 ‘A’ ordinary share awards with Nil exercise price and a fair market value of $33.66 per share. The shares are yet to be issued as at March 31, 2016.

 

On September 18, 2013, 1,676,645 ‘A’ ordinary shares were issued to our CEO and Managing Director at $4.02 per share based on the closing market price on such date. These shares are restricted and vest over a period of three years on a pro-rata basis.

 

In June 2015, 300,000 ‘A’ ordinary shares awards were granted to the non-executive director with a fair market value of $21.34 per share. Subject to continued employment, these awards with the exercise price of $18. These shares were issued on July 16, 2015

 

On June 9, 2015, 10,000 ‘A’ ordinary shares each were awarded to two non-executive directors and a consultant with par value exercise price and a fair market value of $21.34 per share. Subject to continued employment, these awards vest on June 9, 2016. These shares were issued on February 2, 2016.

 

27 JOINT SHARE OWNERSHIP RESERVE

 

    (in thousands)  
Balance at April 1, 2015   $ (24,474 )
Issue out of treasury shares     7,307  
Balance at March 31, 2016   $ (17,167)  

 

The Joint share ownership reserve represents the cost of shares issued by Eros International Plc and held by the JSOP Trust to satisfy the requirements of the Joint Share Ownership Plan (see Note 26).  On June 5, 2014, the Board approved discretionary vesting of 20% of the applicable JSOP shares. In the current year 573,262 (2015: 80,704) ‘A’ ordinary shares held by the JSOP Trust were issued to eligible employees.

 

The number of shares held by the JSOP Trust at March 31, 2016 was 1,346,198 ‘A’ ordinary shares (2015: 1,919,460 Ordinary ‘A’ shares).

F- 38  

 

 

EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

28 OTHER COMPONENTS OF EQUITY

 

    As at March 31
(in thousands)
 
    2016     2015     2014  
Movement in Hedging reserve:                        
Opening balance   $ (1,983 )   $ (2,787 )   $ (4,020 )
Reclassified to profit or loss     804       804       1,233  
Closing balance   $ (1,179 )   $ (1,983 )   $ (2,787 )

 

Movement in revaluation reserve:                        
Opening balance   $ 1,528     $ 1,528     $ 1,528  
Gain recognized on revaluation of property, plant and equipment     328              
Closing balance   $ 1,856     $ 1,528     $ 1,528  

 

Movement in Available for sale fair value reserve:                  
Opening balance   $ 6,622     $ 5,802     $ 5,802  
Impairment loss on available-for-sale financial assets           820        
Closing balance   $ 6,622     $ 6,622     $ 5,802  
                         
Movement in Foreign Currency Translation Reserves                        
Opening balance   $ (50,048 )   $ (43,858 )   $ (32,742 )
Other comprehensive loss due to translation of foreign operations     (10,561 )     (6,190 )     (11,116 )
Closing balance   $ (60,609 )   $ (50,048 )   $ (43,858 )
                         
Total Other Components of Equity   $ (53,310 )   $ (43,881 )   $ (39,315 )

 

29 SIGNIFICANT NON-CASH EXPENSES

 

Significant non-cash expenses, except loss on sale of assets, share based compensation, depreciation and amortization were as follows:

 

    As at March 31  
    2016     2015     2014  
    (in thousands)  
Net loss/(gain) on held for trading financial liabilities   $ 3,566     $ 7,801     $ (5,177 )
Impairment loss on available-for-sale financial assets           1,307        
Provisions for trade and other receivables     1,315       3,963       2,166  
Impairment loss on content advances     2,545       3,431       4,081  
Unrealized foreign exchange (gain)/loss     (2,864 )     503       788  
    $ 4,562     $ 17,005     $ 1,858  

 

30 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.

 

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 Notes 21, 23 and 25 and the consolidated statement of changes in equity.

 

F- 39  

 

 

EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

The gearing ratio at the end of the reporting period was as follows:

 

    As at March 31  
    2016     2015  
    (in thousands)  
Debt (net of debt issuance cost of $2,109,000 (2015: $2,940,000))   $ 311,905     $ 314,670  
Cash and cash equivalents     182,774       153,664  
Net debt     129,131       161,006  
Equity     809,094       756,055  
Net debt to equity ratio     16.0%       21.3%  

 

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

 

    2016     2015  
    (in thousands)  
Financial assets                
Available-for-sale investments   $ 30,147     $ 29,917  
Other financial assets (1)     377,312       363,106  
    $ 407,459     $ 393,023  
Financial liabilities at amortized cost                
Trade payables excluding value added tax and other tax payables   $ 56,875     $ 26,126  
Borrowings     311,905       314,670  
Financial Liabilities at fair value through profit or loss                
Derivatives at fair value through profit or loss - held for trading     22,850       19,284  
    $ 391,630     $ 360,080  

 

(1) Other financial assets include loans and receivables, excluding prepaid charges and statutory receivables, and includes cash and cash equivalents and restricted deposits held with banks.

 

Financial risk management objectives

 

Based on the operations of the Group throughout the world, Management considers 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.

 

Credit Risk

 

The Group’s credit risk is principally attributable to its trade receivables, advances financial guarantees 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 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.

 

F- 40  

 

 

EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

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 in certain cases 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 cash balances 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, 2016, 54.2% (2015: 56%) 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 maximum credit exposure on financial guarantees given by the Group for various financial facilities is described in Note 31.

 

As at March 31, 2016, the Group did not hold any material 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, translated to USD equivalents, as at the year-end:

 

          Net Balance  
    USD     GBP     Other  
          (in thousands)  
As at March 31, 2016     (12,578 )     (22,842 )     300  
As at March 31, 2015     10,420       (3,763 )     238  

 

The above exposure to foreign currency arises where a consolidated entity holds monetary assets and liabilities denominated in a currency different to the functional currency of that entity.

 

A uniform decrease of 10% in exchange rates against all foreign currencies in position as of March 31, 2016 would have decreased in the Company’s net income before tax by approximately $3,947,000 (2015: gain of $731,000 and 2014: gain of $1,007,000). 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, 2016 as a result of an increase in liabilities compared to assets 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- 41  

 

 

EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

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 23. 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
    More than
5 years
 
    (in thousands)        
As at March 31, 2016                                        
Borrowing principal payments   $ 311,905     $ 219,275     $ 11,865     $ 7,135     $ 73,630  
Borrowing interest payments     37,458       12,873       12,152       9,937       2,496  
Derivative financial instruments     22,850                         22,850  
Trade and other payables     65,178       65,178                    

 

    Total     Less than
1 year
    1-3
years
    3-5
years
    More than
5 years
 
    (in thousands)        
As at March 31, 2015                                        
Borrowing principal payments   $ 314,670     $ 96,397     $ 136,608     $ 4,867     $ 76,798  
Borrowing interest payments     41,908       9,963       14,928       9,985       7,032  
Derivative financial instruments     19,284                         19,284  
Trade and other payables     29,453       29,453                    

 

At March 31, 2016, the Group had facilities available of $318,391,000 (2015: $318,409,000) and had net undrawn amounts of $4,377,000 (2015: $800,000) available.

 

In addition, the Group has issued financial guarantees amounting to $2,373,000 (2015: $3,014,000) in the ordinary course of business, having maturity dates up to the next 12 months. The Group did not earn any fees to provide such guarantees. It does not anticipate any liability on these guarantees as it expects that most of these will expire unused.

 

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.

 

F- 42  

 

 

EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Currency, Maturity and Nature of Interest Rate of the Nominal Value of Borrowings

 

    As at March 31  
    2016     %     2015     %  
    (in thousands, except percentages)  
Currency                                
U.S. Dollar   $ 163,209       52%     $ 173,198       55%  
Great British Pounds Sterling     93,458       30%       72,623       23%  
Indian Rupees     55,238       18%       68,849       22%  
Total   $ 311,905       100%     $ 314,670       100%  
                                 
Maturity                                
Due before one year   $ 219,275       70%     $ 96,397       31%  
Due between one and three years     11,865       4%       136,608       43%  
Due between four and five years     7,135       2%       4,867       2%  
Due after five years     73,630       24%       76,798       24%  
    $ 311,905       100%     $ 314,670       100%  
Nature of rates                                
Fixed interest rate   $ 164,647       53%     $ 124,375       40%  
Floating rate     147,258       47%       190,295       60%  
Total   $ 311,905       100%     $ 314,670       100%  

 

During the current year, the interest exposure was managed through an interest cap on $100 million entered into in 2012. Two written floor contracts each with $100 million notional value were also entered into in 2012.

 

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%. $100 million of the debt facility is classified as floating interest rate borrowings as at March 31, 2016 and 2015.

 

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 $2,721,000 for the year ended March 31, 2016 (2015: $397,000) on net income. 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.

 

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.

 

F- 43  

 

 

EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

The table below presents assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis, which are all category level 2:

 

        As at March 31, 2016    
        (in thousands)    
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   200   (200)  
Total   200   (200)  
             
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   (23,050)   200   (22,850)
Total   (23,050)   200   (22,850)

 

        As at March 31, 2015    
        (in thousands)    
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   1,056   (1,056)  
Total   1,056   (1,056)  
             
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   (20,340)   1,056   (19,284)
Total   (20,340)   1,056   (19,284)

 

Financial assets and liabilities subject to offsetting enforceable master netting arrangements or similar agreements as at March 31, 2016 are as follows:

 

    As at March 31,2016  
    (in thousands)  
    Average
contract rate
    Notional
principal
amount
    Fair value of
derivative
instrument
2016
    Fair value of
derivative
instrument
2015
 
2012 Interest Rate Cap     6%       100,000       (200 )     (1,056 )
2012 Interest Rate Floor     0.5% - 3%       100,000       11,525       10,170  
2012 Interest Rate Floor     0.5% - 3%       100,000       11,525       10,170  
Total                   $ 22,850     $ 19,284  

 

None of the above derivative instruments is designated in a hedging relationship. A loss of $3,566,000 (2015: $7,801,000) in respect of the above derivative instruments has been recognized in the income statement within other losses. Fair value of interest rate derivative involving interest rate options is estimated as the present value of the estimated future cash flows based on observable yield curves using an option pricing model.

 

Reconciliation of Level 3 fair value measurements of financial assets

 

    Available
for sale of
financial assets
 
    (in thousands)  
       
As at March 31, 2015   $ 29,917  
As at March 31, 2016   $ 30,147  

 

F- 44  

 

 

EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Other losses include an impairment loss on available-for-sale financial assets amounting to $Nil (2015: $1,307,000). The loss includes a fair value decline of $Nil (2015: $820,000) which was previously recognized in other comprehensive income.

 

In July 2015, Eros acquired a 2% stake in TCT, a website which is a global platform for local culture, showcasing the best art, culture, food and travel for every country in the world. The acquisition of stake in TCT has been classified as Available-for-Sale investment and recognized at the transaction price of $230,050. Subsequently, on June 3, 2016, the company sold this investment for $287,781 recording a gain of $57,786 in the income statement.

 

There were no transfers between any Levels in any of the years.

 

31 CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS AND COMMITMENTS

 

Eros’ material contractual obligations are comprised of contracts related to content commitments.

 

    Total  
    (in thousands)  
As at March 31, 2016   $ 218,541  
As at March 31, 2015   $ 260,573  

 

The Group has provided certain stand-by letters of credit amounting to $96,033,000 (2015: $96,196,000) which are in the nature of performance guarantees issued while entering into film co-production contracts and are valid until funding obligations under these contracts are met. These guarantees, issued in connection with the aforementioned content commitments, and included in the table above have varying maturity dates and are expected to fall due within a period of one to three years.

 

In addition, the Group has issued financial guarantees amounting to $2,373,000 (2015: $3,014,000) in the ordinary course of business, and included in the table above, having varying maturity dates up to the next 12 months. The Group is only called upon to satisfy a guarantee when the guaranteed party fails to meet its obligations. The Group did not earn any fee to provide such guarantees. It does not anticipate any liability on these guarantees as it expects that most of these will expire unused.

 

Operating lease commitments are disclosed in Note 22.

 

32 CONTINGENT LIABILITIES

 

1. Beginning on November 13, 2015, Eros International Plc was named a defendant in five substantially similar putative class action lawsuits filed in federal court in New Jersey and New York by purported shareholders of the Company. The three actions in New Jersey were consolidated, and, on May 17, 2016, were transferred to the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York where they were then consolidated with the other two actions on May 27, 2016. In general, the plaintiffs allege that the Company, and in some cases also Company’s management, violated federal securities laws by overstating Company’s financial and business results, enriching the Company’s controlling owners at the expense of other stockholders, and engaging in improper accounting practices. On April 5, 2016, a lead plaintiff and lead counsel were appointed in the now-consolidated New York action. A single consolidated amended complaint was filed on July 14, 2016. The Plaintiffs have alleged that the Company and certain individual defendants -- Kishore Lulla, Jyoti Deshpande, Andrew Heffernan, and Prem Parameswaran -- have violated the federal securities laws, specifically Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Exchange Act.  The amended consolidated complaint does not assert certain claims that had been asserted in prior complaints including (1) claims for violations of Sections 11 and 15 of the Securities Act and (2) claims against certain individual defendants, who are now not named defendants. The claims principally arise out of allegations that the Company and the individual defendants made material misrepresentations about the success, size, and financial performance of Eros Now, our streaming video service, and our film library. The Company expects to move to dismiss the consolidated amended complaint. Given the uncertainty inherent in these matters, based on assessment made after taking appropriate legal advice, the Company does not believe that the ultimate outcome of this matter will be unfavorable. Accordingly, no liability has been recorded in Group’s consolidated financial statements..

 

2. In Fiscal 2015, Eros received two notices from the Commissioner of Service Tax (India) to show cause why an amount aggregating to $29 million for the period April 1, 2009 to March 31, 2014 should not be levied on and paid on account of service tax arising on temporary transfer of copyright services and certain other related matters. Eros has filed its objections against the notice with the authorities. Subsequently in June 2015, Eros received assessment orders from the Commissioner of Service Tax (India) levying tax as stated above and ordering Eros to pay an additional amount of $29 million as interest and penalties in connection with the aforesaid matters. On September 3, 2015, the Company filed an appeal against the said order before the authorities. In April 2016, Eros, received a show cause notice from the Commissioner of Service Tax on similar grounds amount aggregating to $1 million for the period 1 April 2014 to 31 March 2015. Considering the facts and nature of levies and the ad-interim protection for service tax levy for a certain period granted by the Honorable High Court of Mumbai, the Group expects that the final outcome of this matter will be favorable. Accordingly, based on the assessment made after taking appropriate legal advice, no additional liability has been recorded in Group’s consolidated financial statements.

 

F- 45  

 

 

EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

3. In Fiscal 2015, Eros received several assessment orders and demand notices from value added tax and sales tax authorities in India for the payment of amounts aggregating to $3 million (including interest and penalties) for certain fiscal years between April 1, 2005 and March 31, 2011. Eros has appealed against each of these orders, and such appeals are pending before relevant tax authorities. Though there uncertainties are inherent in the final outcome of these matters, the Company believes, based on assessment made after taking legal advice, that the final outcome of the matters will be favorable. Accordingly, no additional liability has been recorded in Group’s consolidated financial statements.

 

4. From time to time, Eros is involved in legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of its business, typically intellectual property litigation and infringement claims related to the company’s feature films and other commercial activities, which could cause it to incur expenses or prevent it from releasing a film. While the resolution of these matters cannot be predicted with certainty, the Group does not believe, based on current knowledge or information available, that any existing legal proceedings or claims are likely to have a material and adverse effect on its financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

 

There were no other material ongoing litigations at March 31, 2016 and March 31, 2015.

 

33 RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

          As at
March 31,2016
    As at
March 31,2015
 
    Details of     (in thousands except in notes below)  
    Transaction     Liability     Asset     Liability     Asset  
Red Bridge Ltd.     President fees     $ 201     $       $ 106     $  
550 County Avenue     Rent/Deposit       355       135       261       135  
Line Cross Limited     Rent/Deposit       882       258       353       249  
NextGen Films Pvt Ltd.     Purchase/Sale             17,338             22,677  
Everest Entertainment Pvt. Ltd     Purchase/Sale             111             98  
Lulla Family     Rent/Deposit       187       1,022       155       1,130  
Lulla Family     Salary       25                    

 

Pursuant to a lease agreement that expires on March 31, 2016, the lease requires Eros International Media Limited to pay $5,000 each month under this lease. Eros International Media Limited leases apartments for studio use at Kailash Plaza, 3rd Floor, Opp. Laxmi Industrial Estate, Andheri (W), Mumbai, from Manjula K. Lulla, the wife of Kishore Lulla. The lease was renewed on April 1, 2016 for a further period of one year on the same terms.

 

Pursuant to a lease agreement that expired on September 30, 2015, the lease requires Eros International Media Limited to pay $5,000 each month under this lease. Eros International Media Limited leases for use as executive accommodations the property Aumkar Bungalow, Gandhi Gram Road, Juhu, Mumbai, from Sunil Lulla. The lease was renewed on October 1, 2015 for a further period of three years on the same terms.

 

Pursuant to a lease agreement that expires on January 4, 2020, Eros International Media Limited leases office premise for studio use at Supreme Chambers, 5th Floor, Andheri (W), Mumbai from Kishore and Sunil Lulla. Beginning January 2015, the lease requires Eros International Media Limited to pay $60,000 each month under this lease.

 

Pursuant to a lease agreement that expires on April 1, 2020, the real estate 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 lease commenced on April 1, 2015, and required the Group to pay $11,000 each month. The lease was renewed on April 1, 2015 for a further period of five years on the same terms. This is a non-cancellable lease

 

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 is a potential beneficiary. The current lease commenced on November 19, 2009 and requires the Group to pay $148,000 each quarter.

 

F- 46  

 

 

EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

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 of $300,000, $325,000 and $339,000in the respective years ended March 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, for the services of Arjan Lulla, the father of Kishore Lulla and Sunil Lulla, grandfather of Rishika Lulla Singh, 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 is a potential beneficiary.

 

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. In the year ended March 31, 2016 NextGen Films Pvt. Ltd. sold film rights $2,728,000 (2015: $23,550,000, 2014$12,483,000) to the Group, and purchased film rights, including production services, of $Nil (2015: $275,000 and 2014: $3,923,000).

 

The Group also engaged in transactions with Everest Entertainment Pvt. Ltd. entity owned by the brother of Manjula K. Lulla, wife of Kishore Lulla, which is involved in the purchase and sale of film rights. In March 31, 2016, Everest Entertainment Pvt. Ltd. sold film rights of $Nil (2015: $408,000 and 2014: $700) to the Group.

 

Mrs. Manjula Lulla, the wife of Kishore Lulla, is an employee of Eros International Limited-UK and is entitled to a salary of $154,000 per annum (2015: $167,000, 2014: $158,000). Mrs. Krishika Lulla, the wife of Sunil Lulla, is an employee of Eros India and is entitled to a salary of $138,000 per annum (2015: $115,542, 2014: $25,000). Ms. Riddhima Lulla, the daughter of Kishore Lulla, is an employee of entity and is entitled to a salary of $38,000 per annum (2015: $10,100).

 

All of the amounts outstanding are unsecured and will be settled in cash.

 

As at March 31, 2016, the Group has provided performance guarantee to a bank amounting to $32,500,000 (2015: $32,500,000) in connection with funding commitments. under film co-production agreements with NextGen Films Pvt. Ltd and having varying maturity dates up to the next 12 months.  The Group did not earn any fee to provide such guarantees. It does not anticipate any liability on these guarantees as it expects that most of these will expire unused. These amounts are included in content commitments under Note 31 above.

 

34 MAJOR CONSOLIDATED ENTITIES

 

    Date   Country of
Incorporation
  % of voting
rights held
 
Copsale Limited   June 2006   BVI   100.00  
Eros Australia Pty Limited   June 2006   Australia   100.00  
Eros International Films Pvt. Limited   June 2006   India   100.00  
Eros International Limited   June 2006   U.K.   100.00  
Eros International Media Limited   June 2006   India   74.40  
Eros International USA Inc   June 2006   U.S.   100.00  
Eros Music Publishing Limited   June 2006   U.K.   100.00  
Eros Network Limited   June 2006   U.K.   100.00  
Eros Pacific Limited   June 2006   Fiji   100.00  
Eros Worldwide FZ-LLC   June 2006   UAE   100.00  
Big Screen Entertainment Pvt. Limited   January 2007   India   64.00  
Ayngaran International Limited   October 2007   IOM   51.00  
Ayngaran International Media Pvt. Limited   October 2007   India   51.00  
Ayngaran International UK Limited   October 2007   U.K.   51.00  
EyeQube Studios Pvt. Limited   January 2008   India   99.99  
Acacia Investments Holdings Limited   April 2008   IOM   100.00  
Ayngaran Anak Media Pvt. Limited   October 2008   India   51.00  
Belvedere Holdings Pte. Ltd.   March 2010   Singapore   100.00  
Eros International Pte Ltd.   August 2010   Singapore   100.00  
Digicine Pte. Limited   March 2012   Singapore   100.00  
Colour Yellow Productions Pvt. Limited   May 2014   India   50.00  
Eros Digital FZ LLC   September 2015   UAE   100.00  
Universal Power Systems Private Limited   August 2015   India   100.00  

 

F- 47  

 

 

EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

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, Eros Worldwide FZ-LLC and Eros International Pte Ltd.

 

During Fiscal 2016, Group shareholding of Eros International Media Ltd (EIML) reduced to 73.54% subsequent to the exercise of ESOP by the employees and issuance of shares to the promoters of Techzone.

 

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.

 

35 NON-CONTROLLING INTERESTS

 

Details of subsidiary that have material non-controlling interests

 

The Group has a number of subsidiaries held directly and indirectly which operate and are incorporated around the world. Note 34 to the financial statements lists details of the major consolidated entities and the interests in these subsidiaries. The non-controlling interests that are material to the Group relate to Eros International Media Limited whose principal place of business is in India.

 

The table below shows the summarized financial information of Eros International Media Limited whereas at March 31, 2016, non-controlling interests held an economic interest by virtue of shareholding of 26.46% (March 2015: 25.60%). This summarized financial information represents amounts before inter-company eliminations.

 

    Year ended March 31  
    2016     2015  
    (in thousands)  
Current assets   $ 38,162     $ 50,907  
Non-current assets     324,848       276,027  
Current liabilities     122,497       104,653  
Non-current liabilities     60,491       56,840  
Equity attributable to owners of the Group     132,390       123,055  
Equity attributable to non-controlling interests   $ 47,632     $ 42,386  
                 
Revenue   $ 182,167     $ 177,596  
Expenses     (164,905 )     (156,726 )
Profit for the year   $ 17,262     $ 20,870  
Profit attributable to the owners of the Group   $ 12,694     $ 15,523  
Profit attributable to non-controlling interests   $ 4,568     $ 5,347  
                 
Other comprehensive income attributable to the owners of the Group   $ (7,004 )   $ (4,314 )
Other comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interests     (2,520 )     (1,486 )
Other comprehensive income during the year   $ (9,524 )   $ (5,800 )
Total comprehensive income attributable to the owners of the Group     5,691       11,209  
Total comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interests     2,047       3,861  
Total comprehensive income during the year   $ 7,738     $ 15,070  
                 
Net cash inflow from operating activities   $ 153,829     $ 124,549  
Net cash outflow from investing activities     (131,263 )     (145,465 )
Net cash inflow from financing activities     (24,071 )     2,169  
Net cash (outflow)/inflow   $ (1,505 )   $ (18,747 )

 

No dividends were paid to non-controlling interests during the year (2015: $Nil).

F- 48  

 

 

EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

36 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:

 

36.1. Goodwill and Trade name

 

The Group tests annually whether goodwill and trade name have suffered impairment, in accordance with its accounting policy. The recoverable amount of cash-generating units has been determined based on value in use calculations. We use market related information and estimates (generally risk adjusted discounted cash flows) to determine value in use. Cash flow projections take into account past experience and represent management’s best estimate about future developments. Key assumptions on which management has based its determination of fair value less costs to sell value in use includes estimated growth rates, weighted average cost of capital and tax rates. These estimates, includes the methodology used, can have a material impact on the respective values and ultimately the amount of any goodwill and tradename impairment.

 

36.2. Basis of Consolidation

 

The Group evaluates arrangements with special purpose vehicles in accordance with of IFRS 10 – Consolidated Financial Statements to establish how transactions with such entities should be accounted for. This requires a judgment over control such that it is exposed, or has rights, to variable returns and can influence the returns attached to the arrangements.

 

36.3. 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 others. 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.

 

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.

 

36.4. Valuation of Available-for-Sale Financial Assets

 

The Group follows the guidance of IAS 39 – Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement 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.

F- 49  

 

 

EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

36.5. 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. We are subject to tax assessment in certain jurisdictions. Significant judgement is involved in determining the provision for income taxes including judgement on whether the tax positions are probable of being sustained in tax assessments.

 

Judgment is also required 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 required 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.

 

36.6. 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 risk free interest rates, share price volatility, the expected term and other variables. The basis and assumptions used in these calculations are disclosed within Note 26. The aforementioned inputs entered in to the option valuation model that we use to determine the fair value of our share awards are subjective estimates and changes to these estimates will cause the fair value of our share-based awards and related share- based compensations expense we record to vary.

 

37 ADOPTION OF NEW AND REVISED STANDARDS

 

37.1. Standards, Interpretations and Amendments to Published Standards that are not yet effective

Certain new standards, interpretations and amendments to existing standards have been published that are mandatory for our accounting periods beginning on or after April 1, 2016 or later periods. Those which are considered to be relevant to Group’s operations are set out below.

 

i) In May 2014, the IASB issued IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“IFRS 15”). This standard provides a single, principle-based five-step model to be applied to all contracts with customers. Guidance is provided on topics such as the point at which revenue is recognized, accounting for variable consideration, costs of fulfilling and obtaining a contract and various other related matters. IFRS 15 also introduced new disclosure requirements with respect to revenue.

 

The five steps in the model under IFRS 15 are : (i) identify the contract with the customer; (ii) identify the performance obligations in the contract; (iii) determine the transaction price; (iv) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contracts; and (v) recognize revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies a performance obligation.

 

IFRS 15 replaces the following standards and interpretations:

 

· IAS 11 “Construction Contracts”
· IAS 18 “Revenue”
· IFRIC 13 “Customer Loyalty Programmes”
· IFRIC 15 “Agreements for the Construction of Real Estate”
· IFRIC 18 “Transfers of Assets from Customers”
· SIC-31 “Revenue -Barter Transactions Involving Advertising Services”

 

F- 50  

 

 

EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

When first applying IFRS 15, it should be applied in full for the current period, including retrospective application to all contracts that were not yet complete at the beginning of that period. In respect of prior periods, the transition guidance allows an option to either:

 

· apply IFRS 15 in full to prior periods (with certain limited practical expedients being available); or
· retain prior period figures as reported under the previous standards, recognizing the cumulative effect of applying IFRS 15 as an adjustment to the opening balance of equity as at the date of initial application (beginning of current reporting period).

In April 2016, the IASB issued amendments to IFRS 15, clarifying some requirements and providing additional transitional relief for companies. The amendments do not change the underlying principles of IFRS 15 but clarify how those principles should be applied. The amendments clarify how to:

 

· apply identify a performance obligation (the promise to transfer a good or a service to a customer) in a contract;
· accounting for licenses of intellectual property; and
· determine whether a company is a principal (the provider of a good or service) or an agent (responsible for arranging for the good or service to be provided)

IFRS 15 is effective for fiscal years beginning on or after January 1, 2018. Earlier application is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that this new standard will have on its consolidated financial statements.

 

ii) In May 2014, the IASB issued two amendments with respect to IAS 16 “Property, Plant and Equipment” (“IAS 16”) and IAS 38 “Intangible Assets” (“IAS 38”) dealing with acceptable methods of depreciation and amortization.

The amended IAS 16 prohibits entities from using a revenue based depreciation method for items of property, plant and equipment. Further the amendment under IAS 38 introduces a rebuttable presumption that revenue is not an appropriate basis for amortization of an intangible asset. However this presumption can only be rebutted in two limited circumstances:

 

i) the intangible is expressed as a measure of revenue i.e. when the predominant limiting factor inherent in an intangible asset is the achievement of a contractually specified revenue threshold; or
ii) it can be demonstrated that revenue and the consumption of economic benefits of the intangible assets are highly correlated. In these circumstances, revenue expected to be generated from the intangible assets can be an appropriate basis for amortization of the intangible asset.

The amendments apply prospectively and are effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2016, with earlier application permitted. The Company does not believe that this amendment will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

 

iii) In July 2014, the IASB finalized and issued IFRS 9 – Financial Instruments (“IFRS 9”). IFRS 9 replaces IAS 39 “Financial instruments: recognition and measurement, the previous Standard which dealt with the recognition and measurement of financial instruments in its entirety upon the former’s effective date.

Key requirements of IFRS 9:

i. Replaces IAS 39’s measurement categories with the following three categories:
· fair value through profit or loss (‘FVTPL’)
· fair value through other comprehensive income (‘FVTOCI’)
· amortized cost
ii. Eliminates the requirement for separation of embedded derivatives from hybrid financial assets, the classification requirements to be applied to the hybrid financial asset in its entirety.
iii. Requires an entity to present the amount of change in fair value due to change in entity’s own credit risk in other comprehensive income.

F- 51  

 

 

EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

iv. Introduces new impairment model, under which the “expected” credit loss are required to be recognized as compared to the existing “incurred” credit loss model of IAS 39.
v. Fundamental changes in hedge accounting by introduction of new general hedge accounting model which:
· Increases the eligibility of hedged item and hedging instruments;
· Introduces a more principles-based approach to assess hedge effectiveness.

IFRS 9 is effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2018.

Earlier application is permitted provided that all the requirements in the Standard are applied at the same time with two exceptions:

i. The requirement to present changes in the fair value of a liability due to changes in own credit risk may be applied early in isolation;
ii. Entity may choose as its accounting policy choice to continue to apply hedge accounting requirements of IAS 39 instead of new general hedge accounting model as provided in IFRS 9.

The Company is currently evaluating the impact that this new standard will have on its consolidated financial statements.

 

iv) In January 2016, IASB has issued a new standard, IFRS 16 “Leases”. The new standard sets out the principles for recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of leases for both parties to a contract i.e. the lessee and the lessor. The standard provides a single lessee accounting model, requiring lessees to recognize assets and liabilities for all leases unless the lease term is 12 months or less or the underlying asset has a low value. Lessors continue to classify leases as operating or finance. IFRS 16 supersedes IAS 17 ‘Leases’ and related interpretations and is effective for periods beginning on or after 1 January 2019, with earlier adoption permitted in IFRS 15 ‘Revenue from Contracts with Customers’ has also been applied.

The Company is currently evaluating the impact that this new standard will have on its consolidated financial statements.

 

v) In January 2016, the IASB issued amendments to IAS 12 – “Income taxes” to clarify the following:
· the carrying value of an asset does not limit the estimation of probable future taxable profits.
· estimates for future taxable profits exclude tax deductions resulting from the reversal of deductible temporary differences.
· an entity assesses a deferred tax asset in combination with other deferred tax assets. Where tax law restricts the utilization of tax losses, an entity would assess a deferred tax asset in combination with other deferred tax assets of the same type. The amendments are effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2017. Earlier application is permitted.

The Company does not believe that this amendment will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

 

vi) In January 2016, the IASB issued amendments in IAS 7 – “Statement of Cash Flows” to clarify and improve information provided to users of financial statements about an entity’s financing activities.

The IASB requires that the following changes in liabilities arising from financing activities to be disclosed (to the extent necessary):

· changes from financing cash flows;
· changes arising from obtaining and losing control of subsidiaries or other businesses;
· the effect of changes of foreign exchange rates;
· changes in fair values; and
· other changes.

F- 52  

 

 

EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

The amendments are effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2017. Earlier application is permitted. Entities need not present comparative information when they first apply the amendments.

The Company is currently evaluating the effect of this amendment on its consolidated financial statements.

vii) In June 2016, the IASB issued amendments to IFRS 2 – “Share-based Payment” to clarify the accounting for certain types of share-based payment transactions:

The amendments, which were developed through the IFRS Interpretations Committee, provide requirements on the accounting for the following:

· the effects of vesting and non-vesting conditions on the measurement of cash-settled share-based payments;
· share-based payment transactions with a net settlement feature for withholding tax obligations; and
· a modification to the terms and conditions of a share-based payment that changes the classification of the transaction from cash-settled to equity-settled

The amendments are effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2018. Earlier application is permitted.

 

The Company does not believe that this amendment will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

 

F- 53  

Exhibit 4.6

 

DATED February 17 2016 (with effect from April 1, 2016)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EROS DIGITAL FZ LLC

 

 

 

- and -

 

 

 

KISHORE LULLA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

___________________________________

 

 

SERVICE AGREEMENT

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

 

 

___________________________________

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THIS AGREEMENT is made on 17 February 2016 with effect from 1st April 2016

 

BETWEEN :

 

  (1) EROS DIGITAL FZ LLC having its address at No 305, Building No 8, Dubai Media City, Dubai, UAE, PO Box No 502501(the “ Company ”); and

 

  (2) KISHORE LULLA  of  Signature Island, Flat 701 B Wing, Bandra Kurla Complex, Mumbai 400 051 (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 April 1, 2016
   
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;

 

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;

 

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.

 

2. THE APPOINTMENT

 

2.1 Subject to the terms of this agreement, the Company shall employ the Executive and the Executive shall serve 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 1 st April 2016.

 

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 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 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;

 

 

 

  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 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 NYSE 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 mainly from Dubai and has group companies in various locations including 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.

 

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 $1,133,000. The salary will be denominated in US Dollars. 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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

 

 

  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 United Arab Emirates, 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.

 

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.

 

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

 

  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.

 

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

 

  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;

 

 

 

  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;

 

  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

 

  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.

 

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.

 

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 United Arab Emirates are open for business. “Close of business” means 18.00 hours local time in Dubai.

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.

 

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 This agreement supersedes any other agreements and 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.

 

 

Exhibit 4.19

 

 

 

February 17 2016

 

Jyoti Deshpande

16 Cavendish Drive

Edgware

Middlesex HA8 7NS

 

Re: Employment Agreements between Eros International Plc (and its subsidiaries) and Jyoti Deshpande

 

Dear Jyoti

 

As per our mutual agreement, with effect from April 2016, the following changes will be in effect with respect to the various service agreements:

 

1. Service Agreement dated 5 th September 2013 between Eros International Plc and Jyoti Deshpande as Group CEO & Managing Director.

 

Clause 7 – Remuneration

 

The Company shall pay the Executive during the continuation of the Appointment a basic annual salary of $700,000. The salary will be denominated in US Dollars. 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.

 

All other clauses of the Service Agreement will remain unchanged and binding to both parties.

 

2. Service Agreement dated 1 st September 2013 between Eros International Limited and Jyoti Deshpande as CEO

 

The parties agree that this contract is mutually terminated with effect from April 2016.

 

3. Service Agreement dated 29 th August 2013 between Eros International Media Limited and Jyoti Deshpande as Executive Director.

 

The parties agree that there is no change to this service agreement other than the remuneration changes as approved by the Board of Eros International Media Limited from time to time. The current remuneration under his agreement is INR 9,583,200.

 

4. Remuneration to Jyoti Deshpande from Eros Digital FZ LLC.

 

For executive services rendered to Eros Digital FZ LLC, it will pay Jyoti Deshpande a gross basic annual salary of $100,000 with effect from April 2016. Jyoti Deshpande will be appointed on the board of Eros Digital FZ LLC. The parties will execute any further documents as required to give effect to this.

 

 

 

 

 

Eros International Plc.

Registration No. 116107C

Registered Office Address: 15-19 Athol Street, Douglas, Isle of Man 1M1 1LB, British Isles

Correspondence Address: 13 Manchester Square, London, W1U 3PP, UK

Phone: 02079352727. Fax: 02079355656

 

 

 

 

This along with the individual service agreements is the complete understanding of the parties and supersedes all other arrangements.

 

 

Best Regards

 

 

 

 

 

Eros International Plc.

Registration No. 116107C

Registered Office Address: 15-19 Athol Street, Douglas, Isle of Man 1M1 1LB, British Isles

Correspondence Address: 13 Manchester Square, London, W1U 3PP, UK

Phone: 02079352727. Fax: 02079355656

Exhibit 4.23

 

DATED February 17 2016 (with effect from April 1, 2016)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EROS DIGITAL FZ LLC

 

 

 

- and -

 

 

 

RISHIKA LULLA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

___________________________________

 

 

SERVICE AGREEMENT

CEO

 

 

___________________________________

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THIS AGREEMENT is made on 17 February 2016 with effect from 1st April 2016

 

BETWEEN :

 

(1) EROS DIGITAL FZ LLC having its address at No 305, Building No 8, Dubai Media City, Dubai, UAE, PO Box No 502501(the “ Company ”); and

 

(2) RISHIKA LULLA  of Flat 84 Chesterfield House, Chesterfield Gardens, London W1J 5JY (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 April 1, 2016
   
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;

 

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;

 

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.

 

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 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 1 st April 2016.

 

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 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 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;

 

  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 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 NYSE 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 mainly from Dubai and has group companies in various locations including 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.

 

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 $320,000. The salary will be denominated in US Dollars. 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 For avoidance of doubt the Executive will not be entitled to any equity stake in the Company and any agreement to that effect is null and void and never took effect.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

 

 

  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 United Arab Emirates, 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.

 

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.

 

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

 

  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.

 

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

 

  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;

 

 

 

  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;

 

  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

 

  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.

 

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.

 

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 United Arab Emirates are open for business. “Close of business” means 18.00 hours local time in Dubai.

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.

 

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 This Agreement supersedes any other agreement and 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.

 

 

 

Exhibit 4.24

 

 

DATED April 3 2014

 

 

 

 

- Eros International Ltd

 

 

 

 

-and-

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mr Mark Carbeck

 

 

 

 

 

 

SERVICE AGREEMENT

 

 

 

HEAD- INVESTOR RELATIONS & CORPORATE FINANCE

 

 

 

 

 

Page 1

 

 

THIS AGREEMENT is made the 3rd day of April 2014

 

BETWEEN:-

 

1 Eros International Ltd whose registered office is at 13 Manchester Square, London W1U 3PP (the “Company”); and

 

2 Mark Carbeck of Gazen House 80 Strand Street, Sandwich, Kent CT13 9HX (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,

 

Page 2

 

 

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.

 

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.

 

Page 3

 

 

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

 

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.

 

Page 4

 

 

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

 

The Company shall employ the Executive and the Executive shall serve the Company as its Head - Investor Relations & Corporate Finance 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 Executive will report directly to the Group Chief Executive Officer.

 

3 PERIOD OF EMPLOYMENT

 

3.1 The Executive’s employment hereunder shall commence on 28 th April 2014 and shall continue unless otherwise terminated in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

 

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 3 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.

 

Page 5

 

 

4 DUTIES

 

The Executive shall:-

 

4.1 during normal working hours of 9.00 am to 5.00 pm Monday to Friday, and during such additional hours as are necessary for the perfom1ance 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 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;

Page 6

 

 

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.

 

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 States’ Securities Exchange Commission 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 NYSE 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.

 

5 PLACE OF WORK

 

Subject to clause 4.4, the Executive shall perform his duties at the Company’s premises in London or at any other premises at which the Company is located. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Executive and the Company agree that the Executive May be required to travel to any other place outside of the United Kingdom in order to be able to perform his duties from time to time.

Page 7

 

 

6 REMUNERATION

 

6.1.1 The Company shall pay to the Executive a salary at the rate of £150,000 per annum, payable in arrears by equal monthly instalments on or around the last working day of the month by BACS transfer. The Executive’s salary will be subject to subsequent reviews, and will be determined by the Group CEO.

 

6.1.2 The Executive may receive a discretionary 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. 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 his duties pursuant to his employment under this agreement.

 

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

Page 8

 

 

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 5% 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

 

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.

 

Page 9

 

 

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 21 working days’ holiday (in addition to UK 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 April to 3 I March 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.

 

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

 

Page 10

 

 

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 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.

 

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 certificate in 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.

 

Page 11

 

 

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

 

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

 

Page 12

 

 

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 is convicted of an offence relating to insider dealing;

 

12.10 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 the Group CEO 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 if required to do so.

 

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.

 

Page 13

 

 

13.3.2 The foregoing is without prejudice to the Executive’s entitlement to state sickness incapacity benefit payments (“SIBPs”). 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.

 

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:

 

Page 14

 

 

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, firn1 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 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;

 

Page 15

 

 

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.

 

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;

 

Page 16

 

 

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.

 

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 g1ven by the Executive in writing addressed to the Company, and shall be delivered or sent by first class recorded delivery

 

Page 17

 

 

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 J 0.00 a.m. on the business day following the date of despatch.

 

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.

 

Page 18

 

 

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 Group CEO. The Executive must make this initial application promptly and he may do so orally or in writing. If he is dissatisfied with the decision of the Group CEO, he may bring the matter to the attention of the Board whose decision will be final.

 

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

 

Page 19

 

 

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 tem1s of the Executive’s appointment to investors, shareholders, and/or prospective purchasers of the business, Group Companies, the Company’s professional advisers, the NYSE, 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 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 English law. The parties hereto irrevocably submit for all purposes relating to this Agreement to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Courts of the England and Wales.

 

IN WITNESS whereof the parties hereto have entered into this Agreement as a Deed on the day and year first above written.

 

 

 

Page 20

 

 

Page 21

 

Exhibit 8.1

 

SUBSIDIARIES OF EROS INTERNATIONAL PLC

 

Registrant’s consolidated subsidiaries are shown below together with the percentage of voting securities owned as of the date of this filing, and the state or jurisdiction of organization of each subsidiary. The names have been omitted for subsidiaries which, if considered in the aggregate as a single subsidiary, do not constitute a significant subsidiary.

    Date
incorporated
  Jurisdiction of
incorporation or
organization
  % of voting
rights held
 
Copsale Limited   June 2006   British Virgin Islands   100.00  
Eros Australia Pty Limited   June 2006   Australia   100.00  
Eros International Films Pvt. Limited   June 2006   India   100.00  
Eros International Limited   June 2006   United Kingdom   100.00  
Eros International Media Limited   June 2006   India   74.40  
Eros International USA Inc   June 2006   United States   100.00  
Eros Music Publishing Limited   June 2006   United Kingdom   100.00  
Eros Network Limited   June 2006   United Kingdom   100.00  
Eros Pacific Limited   June 2006   Fiji   100.00  
Eros Worldwide FZ-LLC   June 2006   United Arab Emirates   100.00  
Big Screen Entertainment Pvt. Limited   January 2007   India   64.00  
Ayngaran International Limited   October 2007   Isle of Man   51.00  
Ayngaran International Media Pvt. Limited   October 2007   India   51.00  
Ayngaran International UK Limited   October 2007   United Kingdom   51.00  
EyeQube Studios Pvt. Limited   January 2008   India   99.99  
Acacia Investments Holdings Limited   April 2008   Isle of Man   100.00  
Ayngaran Anak Media Pvt. Limited   October 2008   India   51.00  
Belvedere Holdings Pte. Ltd.   March 2010   Singapore   100.00  
Eros International Pte Ltd.   August 2010   Singapore   100.00  
Digicine Pte. Limited   March 2012   Singapore   100.00  
Colour Yellow Productions Pvt. Limited   May 2014   India   50.00  
Eros Digital FZ LLC   September 2015   United Arab Emirates   100.00  
Universal Power Systems Private Limited   August 2015   India   100.00  

 

Exhibit 12.1

PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER CERTIFICATION

I, Jyoti Deshpande, certify that:

1.     I have reviewed this annual report on Form 20-F of Eros International Plc (the “Company”);

2.     Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3.     Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the Company as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4.     The Company’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the Company and have:

a. Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the Company, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
b. Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
c. Evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
d. Disclosed in this report any change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by the annual report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5.     The Company’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the Company’s auditors and the audit committee of Company’s Board of Directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a. All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the Company’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
b. Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: July 26, 2016

/s/ Jyoti Deshpande

Name:   Jyoti Deshpande

Title:     Group Chief Executive Officer

Exhibit 12.2

PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL OFFICER CERTIFICATION

I, Prem Parameswaran, certify that:

1.     I have reviewed this annual report on Form 20-F of Eros International Plc (the “Company”);

2.     Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3.     Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the Company as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4.     The Company’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the Company and have:

a. Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the Company, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
b. Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
c. Evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
d. Disclosed in this report any change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by the annual report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5.     The Company’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the Company’s auditors and the audit committee of Company’s Board of Directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a. All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the Company’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
b. Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: July 26, 2016

/s/ Prem Parameswaran

Name:   Prem Parameswaran

Title:     Group Chief Financial Officer

Exhibit 13.1

Certification of the Principal Executive Officer
Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350,
As Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

In connection with the annual report of Eros International Plc (the “Company”) on Form 20-F for the year ended March 31, 2016 accompanying this Certification, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Jyoti Deshpande, Group Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

(1) I am the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Company;
(2) The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
(3) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

 

Date: July 26, 2016

 

/s/ Jyoti Deshpande

Name:   Jyoti Deshpande

Title:     Group Chief Executive Officer

Exhibit 13.2

Certification of the Principal Financial Officer
Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350,
As Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

In connection with the annual report of Eros International Plc (the “Company”) on Form 20-F for the year ended March 31, 2016 accompanying this Certification, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Prem Parameswaran, Group Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

(1) I am the Group Chief Financial Officer of the Company;
(2) The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
(3) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

 

Date: July 26, 2016

 

/s/ Prem Parameswaran

Name:   Prem Parameswaran

Title:     Group Chief Financial Officer

Exhibit 15.2

 

Leena Jaisani

Sr. Director & Head- Media & Entertainment Division

 

 

 

July 21, 2016

 

 

 

Ms J yoti Deshpande
Chief Executive Officer
Eros International Plc
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 2016 (“2016 Report”), the FICCI-KPMG India n Media and Entertainment Industry Report 2015 (“2015 Report”), the FICCI-KPMG Indian Media and Entertainment Industry Report 2014 (“2014 Report”), the 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 India n 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, 2013 Report, 2014 Report, 2015 Report, and 2016 the “Reports”).

 

We hereby consent to the inclusion of our name, the Reports and their contents or extracts of the Reports in any document issued by the Company and/or any of its subsidiaries, including but not restricted to Form 20-F filed as Annual Report for the Financial Year ended March 31, 2016 pursuant to section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and any other documents that ma y be filed, submitted or used in connection with SEC filings.

 

We further confirm that we have, where required, obtained requisite consent in relation to any information used by us in the Reports.

 

Yours Sincerely,

 

 

 

 

 

Industry’s Voice for Policy Change